Sail around the world

I never had much interest in Africa. My only prior experience with the continent was a brief one-week tour of Morocco in the 1980s. For years, I associated Africa with poverty, hunger, crime, and epidemics like Ebola—a perception shaped by stereotypes and media portrayals.   Cape Town defied my expectations. The city reminded me of Sydney or San Francisco, with its cosmopolitan vibe and stunning landscapes. Admittedly, my experience was limited to the touristic parts of Cape Town and areas catering to the wealthier segments of its population. Nevertheless, I encountered a vibrant creativity, a strong sense of identity, and a pride in local roots. The people I met radiated a drive to compete on the global stage, fueled by fresh ideas, curiosity, and an undeniable hunger for success.   Victoria & Alfred Harbour Coming from a relatively homogeneous society like Germany, the stark disparities in wealth and mindset I observed were unsettling. Germans often idealize an...

Our final destination in Cape Town is the iconic Table Mountain. We disembark from the ship at 9:00 AM and arrive at the lower cable car station by 10:00 AM. Unfortunately, it's the height of the tourist season, and we find ourselves at the end of a 600-meter-long queue. Patient as we are, we wait for about an hour under the blazing sun with little progress in sight. Tour buses keep arriving, dropping groups of passengers directly into the "fast track" line. It suddenly becomes clear why the priority tickets, costing €30 instead of the regular €15, are so popular. Patience wears thin for many, including us. Since we’ve already enjoyed stunning views from other mountaintops, we decide to let others have their turn and head back into the city.  Happy people in the long queue: it might be better to come when it is raining. Still a patient couple The weather is sunny and hot, and while the stereotypical "good German" approach might call for a long walking tour throu...

The loud clamor of trucks, roaring machines, and the shouts of workers rudely jolt us awake. The bustling port of Cape Town has forcefully introduced itself into our lives. Three days in this vibrant city lie ahead of us.  Cruise ships don’t always dock in the most picturesque parts of town. Occasionally, they end up in industrial zones, where the noise, dust, and looming trucks can make even the simplest walk feel perilous. After clearing immigration, we set out to find our way to the "Victoria & Albert Waterfront," Cape Town’s quintessential tourist hub. A place designed to capture easy profits with its standard array of restaurants and craft shops.  Nelson Mandela Memorial Christmas season has started Don't throw your PET bottles in my ocean African Trading Port: everything that a tourist might need to buy Historical clock tower next to the Brauhaus We are passionate about trees, plants, and flowers, particularly in tropical climates where our familiar houseplants ...

We are back at sea, heading toward Cape Town, but I’ll continue sharing my story from Namibia. *** Swakopmund, founded in 1892 as a German colonial town, is a coastal gem in Namibia. It’s renowned for its unique blend of German colonial architecture, cultural history, and natural beauty. The town retains a strong German influence, evident in its architecture and traditions, such as enjoying beer and bratwurst, which merge seamlessly with Namibian cultural elements. We arrived in Swakopmund on a Sunday afternoon, so most shops were closed, and visitors were bustling around the Mole—a popular seaside promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and breathtaking ocean views. The Mole also served as our starting point for a walk through the town, where we explored its striking colonial architecture. Many hotels, guest houses and restaurants still have German names. German language is at least understood in most places.  German beer culture attracting an international crowd The Mole: m...

The Landrover is driving over a bumpy sand track, shaking us quite a bit. The sun is glaring but not hot. The road winds through the hilly landscape, with sand and occasional dry bushes on both sides. We have been on the road for 30 minutes, and there is no end of the moon-like landscape to be seen. Suddenly, a wooden sign appears with a painted inscription: "Goanikontes Oasis: Cold beer in 2km." *** When I wake up, I cannot feel the gentle swaying beneath me anymore. The hum of the engine is absent, and there’s no sound of waves lapping against the hull. We’ve already docked in Walvis Bay, Namibia. I make my way up to Deck 14 to survey the surroundings. The temperature hovers around 14°C, with strong winds and an overcast sky. Below, the landscape stretches out with flat storage buildings, towering silos, chimneys, cranes reaching skyward, and a busy shipyard in the distance. Walvis Bay aspires to become the main cargo hub for southwestern Africa, aiming to eventually surpas...