Very hot indeed today and a blue sky. The sun is really strong and there are a few Grilled Prawns walking the decks. LOL. While we were having breakfast the Captain came on and informed us we were passing the mouth of the Amazon, about 350 miles out and heading SSW. We can tell we're nearing land because today the ship has been surrounded by seabirds again: frigate birds and also some other sort of diving seabird. Bob says he thinks they are Skewers but I he...

Today we crossed the Equator! A big step along our way. We will cross and re-cross it before we get home and also cross and re-cross the International Date Line, losing a day and then gaining another one back. Anyway, a hot day (27C) but overcast at times and with drizzly rain for a period too. After bridge we sat out under cover with our Kindles and watched the flat calm sea go past. About lunchtime, the sun came out and we sunbathed for a while befor...

Gorgeous dinner last night in Sindhu, the Indian speciality restaurant on board. Fusion Indian really, but very well presented and delicious. We both felt that if we'd been served it for £15 each (cover charge) on land we would think we'd had a brilliant deal. Not sure it was worth that surcharge above the food served in the "free" restaurants though. Verdict: glad we tried it, probably wouldn't bother again. So, today was the first we could describe a...

The slight judder as we docked in St Vincent woke us up and dressing hurriedly, we came up on deck to find the green volcanic island of St Vincent, Cape Verde Islands spread out before us. It felt warm. In fact it was 25/26C but with a fairly stiff warm wind blowing. The Cape Verde Islands are right out in the middle of the Atlantic, more or less half way between Africa and South America. Discovered in the 1600s by Portugese explorers, they were a popular s...