Côte d’Ivoire

The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is commonly known as Ivory Coast with a population estimated to be +20.6 million. In October 1985, the government requested the country be known as Côte d’Ivoire. In 1843, a treaty made Côte d’Ivoire a “protectorate” of France and in 1893, a French colony as part Read more…

The Gambia

Typical Gambian smile

We sail 93 nautical miles to Banjul The Gambia. The Republic of Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a small coast on the Atlantic Ocean in the west. It’s named for the Gambia River but at independence, the country chose to be differentiated from the river and to be correctly called The Gambia. Its size is almost 4000mi² (the size of Connecticut) with an estimated population of 1,700,000. Banjul, the capital, is an island connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. It is like entering another world, one that makes Senegal and previous ports havens of opportunity and wealth. (more…)

Dakar Senegal

Gorée Island

I celebrate traveling my 23rd time zone of the world as I cross the Atlantic abyss, home of strange and grotesque creatures from the giant squid to the coelacanth fish. The Atlantic hagfish lives at 4000′; it ties itself into a knot and passes the knot down its eel length in order to wipe slime off its body. On ship, life can be as alien. But that is a subject for a later blog.

The Republic of Senegal is in western Africa and owes its name to the river that borders to the East and North. Senegal almost completely surrounds Gambia and covers a land area of almost 76,000 mi², about the size of Nebraska. Its estimated population is about 14 million. The climate is tropical with two seasons: dry and rainy. In the Senegambia region, between 1300 and 1900, close to one-third of the population was enslaved. Various European powers—Portugal, the Netherlands, and Great Britain—competed for trade in the area bit in 1677, France ended up in possession of what had become a minor slave trade departure point—the island of Gorée, used as a base to purchase slaves from the warring chiefdoms. Senegal gained its independence from France in 1960. (more…)

Tenerife Canary Islands Spain

Atop El Teide

Tenerife (Spanish pronunciation: [teneˈɾife] 4 syllables) is the largest of the seven Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean 70 miles off the coast of Morocco. Tenerife has an area of 785 square miles and is the most populated island with 900k inhabitants. About five million tourists visit Tenerife yearly. While driving on this island one may notice the “Canaries libre” graffiti supporting the separation of the islands from the mother country of Spain. Between 1833 and 1927 Santa Cruz de Tenerife was the sole capital of the Canary Islands, until in 1927 a decree ordered shared capital status with Las Palmas, as it remains today. (more…)

Morocco

Moroccan musician

Casablanca is about the size of Malta and is located in western Morocco on the Atlantic. With a population of over 5,500,000, Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city as well as one of the largest artificial ports in the world. Casablanca is considered the economic and business center of Morocco, while the political capital is Rabat.

Berbers settled Casablanca by at least the 7th century. In the early 15th century, the town was a safe harbor for pirates. (more…)

València Spain

High seas through the Mediterranean, we rock and roll in 13′ swells as we make our way west to the coast of Spain. Too windy to be on deck and waves periodically washing our fourth floor cabin window. I feel as if I am in a popcorn machine as we creak, groan, crackle and pop our way to València. (more…)

Valletta Malta

Malta

Sun is shining and about 67 degrees as we sail into one of the most beautiful ports in the world – Valletta. Sandstone cliffs and bastions dominate as far as I can see. Domes and spires mark the churches and create a gorgeous skyline on this island of about 300k.

Republic of Malta is a European country in the Mediterranean of just over 121 sq miles (smaller than Denver), and one of the world’s smallest and most densely populated countries. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974 and is now a member of the European Union. The de facto capital is Valletta. There are two official languages: Maltese and English. They also drive on the right here. In fact, Malta is an island of contrasts as its food, language, cars, and every part of life is affected by the influences of past occupations. They produce nothing on the island and rely heavily on tourism. Upon disembarkation, we meet our guide Vince DeBono. Wasting no time, we are driven inland thru narrow streets to Mosta Dome. (more…)