An almighty safari
Walking in the footsteps of our ancestors and
re-living memories of our very own past experiences
By Mitelia Paul
This was the most memorable trip for many of us for a variety of reasons. We touched base with our early life in Africa, and we also travelled across the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, a sea route that our parents and grandparents took generations ago. The trip from Seychelles to the port of Mombasa was especially memorable because many families travelled through to and from Goa to Africa using this ocean route.
This was the maiden voyage of the Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship DAWN to Africa and other places. The itinerary was spectacular as the ship sailed through the various exotic ports.
We travelled from the Middle East to Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and finally Cape Town, South Africa. The ports we visited were Doha; Abu Dhabi; Dubai; Port Victoria, La Digue, Seychelles; Mombasa; Dar-es-Salaam; Zanzibar; Nosy Be, Madagascar; Mauritius;
Reunion Island; Richard's
Bay, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay and finally Cape Town, South Africa. As we
sailed from Dubai to Seychelles, the ship was on "high alert"
for three days because of the Middle East and Somali pirate situation around
the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Fortunately, despite stringent
requirements, there were no incidents aboard the ship.
It was a month-long cruise where many of us met childhood and school friends from around the world after five decades. This was one of the highlights of our trip, reuniting with so many family and school friends from around the world. As we exchanged stories, we dined and danced together daily. Many talented people like Albert Diniz, Conleith Fernandes, Blossom and others showcased their singing talents at the daily Karaoke sessions. We shared many memories while we visited iconic childhood locations, like the Mombasa Goan Institute, the Dar-es-Salaam Goan Institute, the Kilindini Bar, Zanzibar Stonetown, markets and the Spice Farm, the Doha Camel Market, the gleaming cities of Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai, the thrilling Desert Safari, the Madagascar Tuk Tuk ride around Nosy Be, and the rare sighting of the Madagascar gentle Lemurs, the Mauritius world famous Indian restaurants and markets, the white beaches of Reunion Island, the tip of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, world-famous La Digue Beach in Seychelles, and the Dar es Salaam National Museum - housing Dr Leakey's Olduvai Gorge findings. There were many other tours in Africa and elsewhere which were eye-openers for many of us. There were over one hundred Goans from around the world who travelled on this memorable trip.
Our exotic tours were most interesting throughout our voyage. We must thank Zenon De Souza, Astrid Fernandes, Donna Da Silva, Effie and Michael De Souza for arranging these tours and memorable visits to world-famous restaurants by the Indian Ocean, such as the Mombasa Tamarind Restaurant.
Some of the people in the group were Danny, Clara, Michael Fernandes and their whole family, Dr Mac and Yvette De Souza, Enoe De Souza, Hema and Mathew Pereira, Blossom and Vasco and their families, Iris D'Cruz, Shiela Moraes, Ida, George and Carmen Moraes, Simon and Anne Lopez, Manual and Barbara Carvalho, Conleith Fernandes, Albert and Celia Deniz, Dr Romeo and Mildred, Edna Moraes, Casey and Gloria, Isaac, Antonetta Fernandes, Maggie and Florie Abreu, Peter and Margaret Fernandes, Brenda Mascarenhas, Phyllis Fernandes, Dr Techin Yu and Milan Yu, Sharon Burke, Rico, Epfram Rodrigues and his family, Sel and his family, Ruth and Osbert Remedios, Alzira Fernandes, Eddie Tavares, Ursula and Michael (Clara's family) and many other people from around the world.
This was one of the most memorable trips for many of us, not only because of the unique itinerary but because we met so many of our childhood, family and school friends from Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, after five decades! Memories of this wonderful month-long cruise will be etched in our minds forever.
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