Around the World Again

Dakar, Senegal – April 17, 2018

I signed up for a private excursion on Cruise Critic to visit Goree Island. We met in the Ocean Bar at 8:00 but had to wait for the ship to dock and get clearance. We were picked up and taken to another part of the pier to catch the 10:00 ferry. After a wait, the boat started loading and it was something of a free-for-all. Standing in a line was not the order of the day. We were able to get seats and took the 20 minute ride over to the island.

Goree Island played a prominent role in the west African slave trade for many years. It was first claimed by the Portuguese in 1444. It went back and forth between the Dutch and the Portuguese until the British took over in 1664. The French invaded and it remained under mostly French control until 1960 when Senegal became independent.

Because Senegal has the westernmost point on the African continent as well as a long coastline, Goree became one of the main places to hold slaves until their transport to the Caribbean, North America, or South America.

Our first stop was at the “House of Slaves” built in 1776. Here slaves were kept and prepared to be sent away. At one time there were 28 houses like this. Our guide told us how 15-20 slaves were chained in each of the small cells. He also told how the slaves were supposed to be at least 60 kg and would be forcibly (beaten if they did not eat) fattened up before being put on the ships. We also saw the “Door of No Return” where the slaves would touch African soil for the last time.

We then walked around the island (there are no cars, motorcycles, etc.) stopping at a craft market and a workshop where they make sand paintings (I bought a small one). Our guide wanted us to walk to the top of a hill for a view but none of us were interested.

We had lunch at a local restaurant and came back on the 2:00 ferry. Getting on and off the ferry was very much like getting on and off a tender with lots of rocking and large steps. I have a number of bruises where the men literally lifted me.

When we returned to the pier there were vendors selling things and I spent the last of the Euros and dollars I had brought with me.

I arrived back on the ship in time to play 3:30 trivia. There were not many of us playing so I joined another team. We came in 3^rd with 11.

1)What country is known as “The Land of Milk and Honey”?

2)What type of tragedy do these numbers have in common? 007, 103, 191

3)Which northeast state has cities/towns named Mexico, China, Palermo, and Madrid?

4)Who was the first scientist to win two Nobel Prizes?

5)Where were the cancelled 1940 Olympics supposed to be held?

Back to my cabin to put away my laundry and then to the Piano Bar for 5:00 trivia. We had 13 and the winning team had 16 (out of 17).

1)How many points does a blank tile in Scrabble score when used as a “q”?

2)Why type of bird was used as a “gas detector” in coal mines?

3)What did Clive Sinclair call the first pocket calculator in 1972?

4)What age was dawning in the musical Hair?

5)In what Italian city was Michelangelo raised?

Went to sail-away after trivia and sat with Marilyn and Rodney.

At dinner tonight we had Barbara (the EXC Guide) dine with us. It was good to talk with her and hear how she got started with HAL. Good news – we have fresh fruit including watermelon again – so I had fruit, Cesar salad, roast beef, and ice cream for dessert.

There was no show tonight.

We gain another hour tonight and have a day at sea tomorrow.