The following image was taken from the sliding door of our stateroom.
Enrichment – “Dating the Human Past.” Follow the story of how we date the past and its implications – Michael Stone
Mike is a former archeologist and spent a great deal of time in the field. Dating is very important to this discipline.
Initially, people used the bible and mythology to date significant past events. This, of course, proved inadequate.
Radiocarbon was one of the first and most valuable techniques developed for dating artifacts and is still used extensively today. The third, unfortunately unreadable, image shows the many techniques currently in use. They include: Radiocarbon, Radiopotassium, Uranium-series dating, Geomagnetic, Archaeomagnetic, Thermoluminescence (TL) dating, Electron spin resonance (ESR), Obsidian hydration dating (OHD), Dendrochronology, and Fission track.
Mike walked us through how each of these techniques was first discovered, evolved, and used to improve artifact timelines and the historical record. As each technique evolved and was applied, many dates and theories were refined with more accurate time estimates.
It was a very technical yet interesting presentation.
Enrichment – “Make Friends with Your Camera, However Big or Small.” Learn how to keep photography simple with five easy tips that will result in great pictures – James Fraser
This presentation focused on how to use dedicated cameras such as SLR (single-lens reflex) or the newer mirrorless digital models.
James made the case for why dedicated cameras are needed: primarily lens choices, but also some superior features and customization options.
He then walked through exposure settings, shutter speeds, aperture, and focus points. He mentioned advanced features such as time-lapse, pan mode, and white balance settings.
While this was an interesting session, given that only 10% of cruisers carry dedicated cameras, I am not sure how valuable the information was. If I had a dedicated camera, I would have to immerse myself in everything he discussed to get the most out of the investment.
“Explore the History of the Seychelles.” Discover the long history of the ‘golden islands’, discovered in the 12th century, also known as the Seychelles – David Burgess
From the internet:
“Early Discovery: While known to Arab navigators earlier, the first recorded landing was by the British East India Company in 1609.
French Period (1756–1794): Named after Louis XV’s finance minister, Jean Moreau de Séchelles, the islands were colonized by the French, who introduced plantations and enslaved people.
British Rule (1794–1976): The islands were surrendered to Britain in 1794 and formally ceded by the Treaty of Paris in 1814. Slavery was abolished in 1835, and the islands were used as a base to settle liberated Africans.
Independence (1976–Present): Seychelles became independent on June 29, 1976. The first president, James Mancham, was overthrown in a 1977 coup by France Albert René, who established a socialist one-party state until 1993, when democratic, multi-party elections were reintroduced.
Key Historical Themes:
Strategic Position: Due to its location in the Indian Ocean, the islands were used as a supply base during WWII and later hosted a US satellite tracking station.
Cultural Fusion: The population is a mix of African, French, British, Indian, and Chinese, creating a diverse culture and the Seselwa language (Seychellois Creole).
Economic Evolution: The economy shifted from agricultural plantations (cotton, spices) to a service-based economy heavily focused on tourism.“
The islands are continental, formed by the land splitting off from the African continent rather than volcanic, like many of the islands we have visited. The rocks are granite, intrusive igneous, not volcanic extrusive igneous. Seychelles is considered part of Africa.
The islands used slave labour to farm nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and pepper plants. After the British took over, they switched to coconuts as the other crops could not be produced profitably without slave labor. After the British abolished slavery, most former slaves could not find work, and to a certain extent, remained living in poverty.
The political environment was similar to many smaller island governments, with the long authoritarian dictatorship of France-Albert René, naturally established by coup, followed by unstable elections and results since his rule ended.
The main language is Seselwa. The culture is very diverse, with the influx of the French, British, Africans (initially slaves), Indian, and Chinese. The culture is very family-focused and has a rich history of oral traditions.
Cheryl: Today was a typical sea day, and we were free to do as we please. We usually work out, work on the blog, eat too much, attend some enrichment classes, listen to music, and talk with fellow passengers. Today I also went to the spa and relaxed in the large thermal pool and hot tub. It is luxurious. I also went into the steam room and the sauna, but could not bring myself to try the cold pool or the snow grotto. A couple of people tried to talk me into it, but even with my Norwegian heritage, I don’t think it would have felt good.
Bob: We ended the day dining with Peggy and Don from three doors down on our floor. They are an exuberant, chatty couple who live each day to the fullest. A week ago, they were dancing in the hallway to their favorite song and asked Cheryl to take a photo! I then bumped into them at the World Cafe one morning during breakfast and shared some banter with Don (common for anyone interacting with him). They now live in Florida after living in New Jersey for years. A 2.5-hour meal with many, many great stories shared and a commitment to do it again very soon.
The first image is my Chicken Parmesan dish (my second favorite from this restaurant). The second is a video of Adib deboning Cheryl’s Dover Sole, and the last is him, very excited by his success.
