Norway is a place where you are completely overwhelmed by your surroundings; think of majestic scenery enveloping you and filling your visionary senses with wonderment. Stark Beauty of Geiranger GEIRANGER, NORWAY This remote village in western Norway, at the head of Geirangerfjord, has a rapidly flowing waterfall as a centrepiece, with a rugged beauty that will leave you breathless. Stark Beauty of Geiranger You dock right in the heart of the village, with a very impressive pier and a floating walkway extending to the ship to eliminate the need to tender. You wander off easily; the nearby cafes, restaurants, and shops will entice you with their warm and inviting designs. Stark Beauty of Geiranger You continue along the water's edge and capture the obligatory picture of the ship in the mountains. After this, you are drawn by the roar to the centrepiece, the waterfall that runs through the village. Stark Beauty of Geiranger The infrastructure has been designed with travellers in mind, so you can experience the full falls as you make your way up the hill and around the village edge. This deposits you back in the heart to relax and soak up the views while savouring the local food and hospitality. We found a stunning brasserie with our names on it and spent the afternoon devouring food and a sensational French wine, with overwhelming views, whilst pinching ourselves that we were finally in the fjords of Norway. We were even gifted with F-35s in training. The rush of the fighter jets flying by and weaving through the fjords was hard to describe. Stark Beauty of Geiranger Sailing away during the late afternoon, we navigated the Geirangerfjord, which felt like the entrance to a secret world protected by massive, snow-capped mountains on either side. Words fall short when trying to describe the epic beauty of Geiranger, which is a UNESCO World Heritage landmark with endless cascading waterfalls and emerald-green channels and is named the best travel destination in Scandinavia by Lonely Planet. Stark Beauty of Geiranger Stark Beauty of Geiranger As we took in the beauty of the fjords, the ship ceased movement about half an hour from Geiranger. It pivoted for all to see and experience the magnificent waterfalls in one location whilst the ship completed two 360s in the middle of the channel waters. You have a backdrop of Adinibba, a historical landmark of a face structure within a rock face, followed by the Seven sisters and Bridal Veil Falls. A day that leaves you breathless and a perfect ending indeed! Stark Beauty of Geiranger Stark Beauty of Geiranger Our final Norwegian destination before we sail back to the Netherlands is Bergen, known as “the capital of the fjords."We look forward to sharing more about this little gem soon.

Welcome to São Vicente, one of the beautiful islands of Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean, between the islands of Santo Antão and Santa Luzia, about 640km off the western African coast. The chief city, Mindelo, on the northwest shore, is Cape Verde’s most important port. We docked in Porto Grande Bay, also Mindelo Bay, a natural harbour. The island, with a population of around 80,000, is a blend of African, European, and Brazilian heritages. It gained independence from the Portuguese in 1975. Immediately upon arrival, we were impressed with the majestic and unique views. They even have a mountain shaped like a face, which, of course, is referred to as Face Mountain. We had a jampacked day of activities on the Island Discover excursion, with 6.50 hours of new sights ahead of us to celebrate our 82nd country. The morning kicked off with a 75-minute, easy hike from Mato Ingles into a picturesque arid valley, which beat the midday heat and jump-started our hearts. After our hike, we returned to the bus to watch some farmers in action. Small farms were scattered about, growing hand-farmed crops such as corn, potatoes, and beans. We congratulate the farmers on their dedication and hard work. Next up was a visit to a turtle rescue centre, but not before we were treated to the talent of our guide, a local artist who played a few tunes for us and led us in a sing-along. This was followed by a stop at Praia Grande Beach, where we saw recent evidence of hatched turtles escaping to begin their lives at sea. We all sampled the local liquor, pontche, made with sugarcane molasses and rogue, the national liqueur of Cape Verde. After another picturesque coastal drive, those who wished were swimming in Catfish Bay, also known as Baja das Gatas, a lagoon formed by volcanic activity in centuries past. We opted to hide from the sweltering heat and sun to retain our white hue. A lunch spread was next at a local restaurant, where the lovely team cooked us all a local feast; the food was deliciously full of flavours of the Cape Verde Islands overlooking the pristine bay. Fun fact: tuna is €4-6kg. The grande finale was Monte Verde, the highest point in São Vicente, reaching 774m, offering the most spellbound sweeping views as we ascended the rock-made road from the 60s. The views were spectacular. After such a fabulous day exploring Cape Verde, our cups were full. We definitely walked away feeling we understood the culture and the local vibe; it goes without saying the majestic waters and views left us all appreciating the beauty of the island.

Welcome to Ghana. Today was one of those days you hold close to your heart. The people of Ghana filled our hearts. The smiles, friendliness, banter, and conversations as we toured the fishing village were all we needed. Our excursion with Regent Cruises on the beautiful Splendor as we sail the West coast of Africa from Lisbon was called the Twin City of Sekondi & Takoradi, primarily a panoramic drive through the cities and a visit to a local Fishing village where we could observe the lively activity of Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour. We walked around the bustling fishing harbour and chatted with the young lads who spent their days living on the fishing boats and sometimes weeks at sea on their fishing expeditions. Today was a rest day for the fishermen, so they were busy with domestic duties such as laundry and resting. There was also a fish market where you could buy all life's essentials. We loved watching everyone huddle around a bucket of fish, bidding for the best batch. Everyone was delightful. Our walk around was followed by a tour of the ice-making plant and a demonstration of how the ice blocks are created. They needed to keep the fish fresh at sea, up to 15 tonnes  of ice per day by the plant. Each ice block was sold for 20 GHS, which converts to 1.31 EUR. It was very enlightening watching the process and seeing the final results. After saying goodbye to our new friends at the harbour, we were treated to a cultural show at a local resort. The performance was incredible and full of local talent, and we enjoyed some local refreshments and cold drinks, especially the delicious banana chips! The cultural performance was vibrant, showcasing the incredible musical and dance talents of the young performers from Ghana. Witnessing their captivating display firsthand was indeed a highlight. Their ability to bring the stage to life with their energetic and artistic dancing is a testament to their rich cultural heritage. They truly know how to dance! Let's wrap up the day with some fun facts about Ghana. Nestled on the vibrant coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Western Africa, it might be small in size and population, but it packs a punch on the continent. It's rich in natural resources and was the first black African country south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule, which is pretty awesome. Sekondi has a fascinating history – the Dutch and the British built forts there in the 17th century, which the Ahanta demolished. The Dutch rebuilt Fort Orange, which the British later bought in 1872, and it still stands today as a lighthouse. Sekondi saw prosperity in the early 1900s with the railroad to the goldfields. However, as often happens, progress shifted gears with the creation of the Takoradi artificial harbour in 1928, making the Sekondi surf port less critical. By 1946, Sekondi and Takoradi's twin cities merged into a single municipality and officially became one city in 1963. Today, Sekondi-Takoradi is a bustling port city with around 250,000 residents. Sekondi offers a charming mix of old and new buildings across a hilly seashore landscape. The old port, repurposed for fishing and leisure boats, also hosts a nearby naval station. Meanwhile, Takoradi stands out with its thoughtful planning, modern infrastructure, and lush, tree-lined residential areas.

The Gambia, our 84th country, is difficult to describe, but let's try! First, you are greeted with smiles, waves, and joy. Our hearts were full when we set foot on its beautiful soil. Gambians are famed for their hospitality and laid-back lifestyle. Geographically, it is the smallest country in continental Africa. The Gambia is often called the "Smiling Coast of Africa." We were honestly astonished at the contrast from the country prior, Senegal, where the borders were so close by. The intensity had transitioned to appreciation and pure joy. Locals were proud and incredibly unpolluted despite the sad realities they faced as a nation. 48.6 per cent of the population lives in poverty, but we felt safe, and The Gambia is definitely on the list to return and support. We eagerly jumped on our open-air truck, ready for a day of exploration on our excursion with Regent Seven Seas 'Off The Beaten Track - 4 Wheel Adventure with our delightful guide, Alex. First, we travelled through Banjul and then ascended to the most populated area, Serrekunda. The sun was rising over the largest market in the region, and people were crowding quickly to purchase their daily essentials or wait to hitch a ride to work or school in the city, about 40 minutes from their homes. We have always said a smile and a wave go a long way, and these were abundant throughout the day; it was infectious. We soon arrived at a local museum called Tanji Village Museum, where we quickly did our token walk-through before hunting out a local coffee shop; a kind local from a nearby hardware shop soon helped us out to encourage the local restaurant to open up and make us our morning fix, he joined us from afar to make sure the kind ladies were able to convert our US currency, of which they had never seen, fortunately our eSIM courtesy of our reliable Airalo to help convince them USD 10 was plentiful for our two coffees, and we all left smiling. The museum was followed by a visit to a wine palm tapper in Tujereng beach, where we observed the process of how they collect the sap from palms to make wine and experienced a palm wine and jungle juice demonstration and tasting, which I think we will leave them with their local delicacy:-) We were excited about our next visit to Sanyang Lower Basic School, a local primary school in Sanyang village. After visiting Cambodian schools, we were prepared and had a package of books and coloured pencils to give to the school. Unfortunately, our luggage didn't permit 2500 sets, one for each student, so we asked the teacher to use them as she felt best and to share them amongst the kids. The experience was challenging to describe. First, the kids were immaculately dressed in their school uniforms and had the biggest smiles. The conditions were somewhat dire compared to what we were all fortunate to grow up with, but knowing the kids have the opportunity and support of the community to stay in school until year 9 provides some solace. It also reminds you that every contribution, regardless of size, goes a long way toward helping them achieve their goal. After our school lesson led by the headmaster, we interacted with the kids and all had a blast. The kids were overjoyed to get their pictures taken, and we eagerly shared them so they could see themselves. They have an integrated education system, sending students to college after high school to learn the essentials of helping the country. Then, they can be placed in roles or industries to help the country become more sustainable. The headmaster who spoke believes that when you educate one woman, you educate the whole family, so it is essential for women to return to school. Early arranged marriages are common in The Gambia, and they often fail, so women have the opportunity to go back. 23.1% of girls in The Gambia marry or enter a union before age 18, and 5.6% marry before age 15. Being 85% Muslim, they blend the children and are religiously tolerant in the school, and only English is spoken, along with all holidays celebrated together. The Gambia: Africa's Smallest Gem Following the school visit, we experienced a home visit to a local traditional family compound where a family of generations lived together. It was humbling to see. We loved chatting with the older kids and were super proud to meet one lovely young lady who worked on a cruise ship and was on break. Following these emotional visits, we travelled through a small village and the super unpaved, bumpy back roads to arrive at a beach resort called Rainbow Beach in Sanyang Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. We were treated to a delicious meal; the local fish was the best yet!! Even Wayne went back for seconds of the fish. The beach was vast and very clean, and many Western tourists were on vacation, which was a welcome sight after our experience in Dakar. Following our delicious lunch and downtime by the magnificent Atlantic Ocean, we all were back on the truck heading for the ship. Partway through, we stopped as one of our fellow trucks had a mishap with the tyre. So we squeezed the guests onto our spare seats and were soon bidding farewell to our lovely new friends from The Gambia, promising to stay in touch and continue building new friendships and staying connected. It is a day we hold very close to our hearts, and we are grateful for the warmth of all the locals who shared their beautiful country with us. Thank you, Alex and Regent Cruises, for the opportunity to visit Africa's smallest gem: The Gambia.

Welcome to Senegal, our 83rd country. We woke up to our first African sunrise in Dakar aboard the beautiful Regent Splendor , an experience we had all heard so much about but only seen in movies! Senegal ensured we didn't miss this breathtaking moment. Dakar is the capital of Senegal, home to 1.3 million people. It was founded in 1857 when the French built a fort on the site of the modern Place de l'Indépendance to safeguard the interests of merchants who had been settling there for 20 years and of the residents of Gorée, a waterless island in the lee of the peninsula that once was an outpost for slave and other trading. We disembarked for our tour and boarded the air-conditioned coach, leaving for Lake Retba for an exciting 4x4 dune adventure. As we drove through the busy city of Dakar, we were given our first taste of an African country on the west coast, heavily populated and polluted in this case. The authentic living conditions and lack of infrastructure and machinery followed, showing us that today would be a learning experience we all needed and reminding us that this corner of the world is still behind. The first stop on our tour, Lake Retba & Village Festival, was a traditional village, Noflayee, about one hour from Dakar. We were treated to a local dance performance and welcomed by the village chief. The performers were outstanding, especially during the midday heat, and danced their little hearts out; we felt welcome. Dakar Senegal Adventure Next was a trip to the famous stage from the Paris-Dakar rally and Lake Retba. The lake used to be pink due to marine microorganisms in its waters. However, due to the impact of climate change, it has lost its colour. We carefully selected our jeep, reminding ourselves to avoid the direct sun. Fortunately, we spotted a jeep with just that, a roof and bonus actual seats; all other jeeps were bench seats. A little warmup trip by the lake and salt mounds, crossing the finish line of the Paris-Dakar rally, and our first experience of the intensity of the local street vendors. Followed by a bumpy and fun ride as we hit the dunes of Senegal down the final stage of the famous "Paris-Dakar" rally on the wild beach with a stop by the Atlantic, offering endless views of the Ocean. Unfortunately, our dream of an endless beach was spoiled by the extreme plastic pollution, the sight of a mature turtle that had recently died from swallowing one of the thousands of plastic bags that littered the shore. Dakar Senegal Adventure Meanwhile, locals poured over the sand dunes to try to sell cheap trinkets, which soured our experience. After the 4x4 ride, we returned to the local resort and enjoyed a delicious local lunch of African delights. Once our bellies were satisfied, we were back on the road with a quick stop at the local market for those wanting some souvenirs of their time in Senegal and to support the community; we were feeling a little overwhelmed by the intensity and being asked for handouts at every given moment, so chose to remain on the bus before we embarked on the trip back to the ship. Here are a few fun facts about Senegal: One of the youngest presidents, 44 Offshore oil and gas have recently been discovered Official French language 95% Muslim & 5% catholic It is home to several palm trees, including banana, coconut, and palm oil trees. The Maringa palm tree is known to heal diabetes.

Sailing into Cape Town on the divine Regent Seven Seas Splendor was a surreal experience. This destination has been on our travel wishlist for nearly two decades. As we arrived, the much-anticipated cityscape, spoken of so highly by others, was enchanting. We were greeted by Cape Town's iconic landmarks—Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, and Lion's Head—which majestically overlook the city and its breathtaking coastline, marking our long-awaited arrival in South Africa. Cape Town lies atop a granite foundation. It is home to 6 million people and is noteworthy for Afrikaans, the youngest language globally, established in 1925. The society predominantly follows Christian beliefs. Our guide shared some striking statistics about the unemployment rate, standing at 35% overall, with a staggering 75% among those aged 19-25 and 50% for those under 50. Furthermore, 80% of the population is 'Black African', and only 13% of the land is owned by Black Africans. Our exploration began with a visit to Table Mountain. We were picked up from the quayside and taken to the lower cable car station, where we ascended to the mountain's flat summit. Although a sheet of mist obscured our view, it lent an enchantingly eerie atmosphere as we roamed the peak. Table Mountain's highest point is 1,085m. It is part of an ancient glacial valley and the world's oldest mountain range, at 500-600 million years old. Thus, it offers a unique vantage point over the city. The Wonders of Cape Town Subsequently, we embarked on a scenic drive along the Atlantic Coast through the trendy beach neighbourhoods of Camps Bay and Sea Point. A stop at a local beach allowed us to marvel at the ocean's mighty waves crashing near the shore. Our city tour then took us past the hillside Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, distinguished by its vibrant homes and cobblestone streets, once known as the Malay Quarter and boasting the title of the oldest surviving neighbourhood. The Bo-Kaap's history traces back to the 1760s when Dutch colonists rented out "huurhuisjes" (rental houses) to enslaved people brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Africa. The decision to paint their houses bright colours once they could own them marked their freedom from slavery's shackles. Passing the life-size Nelson Mandela statue at Cape Town's city hall was poignant. Unveiled in 2018, it stands where Mandela delivered his 1990 speech shortly after his release from 27 years of imprisonment for his efforts to dismantle apartheid. Our guide shared a nostalgic story, pointing out that the ocean used to reach farther into the city over 50 years ago, evidenced by his mother's tales of swimming in areas now occupied by streets. This initial taste of Cape Town left us eager for the coming weeks, especially our impending visit to the renowned wine region of Stellenbosch. We looked forward to immersing ourselves further in the wonders of this dynamic city.

Today was an unexpected adventure in São Tomé, but with all things travel, you must go with the flow, and Mother Nature always has the upper hand. Upon arriving in São Tomé, our beautiful luxury hotel, the Regent Seven Seas Splendor ,  was anchored about 30 minutes from the port, so the tenders busily transported everyone across to land. During our tender trip, the sun was shining, and as we approached the shore, the skies had turned a moody grey and opened up! Torrential Tales from Sao Tome Fortunately, we are all waterproof and enjoyed our second shower of the day, which resulted in new hairstyles, too! But why miss an opportunity to explore a new destination? Our African Art & Lunch walking tour around town was to be reshaped, and buses were soon arranged to deliver us to the city's hotspots! Our first stop was the São Sebastião Museum, a historical fort built in 1575 that first housed the colonial maritime defence command. The fort was primarily open air, but there were a few rooms throughout the house to tour and provide some reprieve from the torrential downpour; we quickly captured the artefacts, intriguing sacred Catholic art statues, and voodoo practices. We then skipped the rooftop tour and were back on the bus; unbeknownst to us, we had joined another tour group, but there were no dramas as we were all heading to the local art gallery, Casa das Artes Criação Ambiente e Utopias, for lunch. The art gallery in this small town was incredible. The pieces were mesmerising and full of tales. We loved perusing the art and then enjoyed a local lunch accompanied by a local musician. We were super excited to try all the banana delights they had on offer, too! Once everyone's bellies were full, we all opted to walk back to the ship to glimpse more of São Tomé. However, after the day's rainfall, the roads had other plans for us. They were impossible to cross on foot as they were all flooded, so we were all picked up by buses and deposited back at the port. Our tenders were waiting to ferry us back home. Kudos to the pilots; the waters were challenging. Despite the rollercoaster-like journey, we all stumbled aboard the ship to settle our bellies and felt grateful for their expertise and the stable ground again. São Tomé and Príncipe are an African island nation near the equator, part of a volcanic chain known for its striking rock and coral formations, lush rainforests, and pristine beaches. Our visit took us to São Tomé, the larger island, home to the capital and a population of just over 200,000. Notably, São Tomé and Príncipe is Africa's second-smallest and second-least populous sovereign state after Seychelles. It was a short and sweet visit to São Tomé, our 88th country, but one that remains with us due to the fun and unexpected adventure. Hopefully, next time, we will explore further afield, visit the magical beaches and lagoons, and understand more about this part of the world.

A theme is beginning to emerge across borders along the West African Coast: the tale of two colonies, the French and the English. Both behaviours are becoming notable, with the French colonies having dramatically higher pollution levels than the English. Welcome to Abidjan, the largest city and former capital of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). This French-speaking metropolis has a population of about 6 million. It accounts for over 20% of the country's population and is Africa's sixth most populous city. Known as a cultural crossroads of West Africa, Abidjan is marked by substantial industrialisation and urbanisation. Today's five-hour tour, Akwaba Abidjan to Bingerville with Regent Seven Seas on the Splendor , focused on exploring two significant Ivorian cities: Abidjan and Bingerville, which was the capital of Côte d'Ivoire for 25 years in the early 1900s. As we drove through Abidjan, we saw quite a mix of architecture. The city was transitioning to a modern-day city with the construction of F Tower, the highest tower in Africa. This office building has 72 symmetrical floors, like an African mask. A city on the move! Given the heavily populated city and the primary mode of transport being vehicles, we were police-escorted throughout the day to ensure we arrived on time and returned to the ship without delay. We felt very privileged (not in a good way) to see all the locals queueing up in traffic to let the cruise passengers explore their country. Our first stop was the botanical gardens in Bingerville. We quickly rebelled and escaped the four buses unloading for a guided tour, taking the opportunity to explore and take pictures of the park. Once the weather beat us, we were back on the bus bound for a visit to the tiny Combes Museum, housed in a high school, the Centre Technique Des Arts Appliqués De Bingerville. We bypassed the walk-through to chat with the young art students and enjoyed watching the local artist, Dezy Kouassi , bring the mural to life; he was so kind as to send us a picture once it was finished. Our garden visit was followed by a trip to Orphanage De Bingerville, previously the governor's house. We enjoyed the learning experience and gifted some books and pencils to help the kids. We were offered a quick tour, and the kids were super excited and raced out of class for quick hellos. We spent the time doing a quick photo show-and-tell. They just loved it, and their smiles again filled our hearts! The Orphanage, opened in 1953 due to WWII, was for boys and girls aged 5 to 25. Initially, it was coed, but in 1973, it was split due to difficulties managing both. We wrapped up our tour with a lively music and dance show at the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d'Ivoire. The museum showcases incredible sculptures that depict the traditional ceremonies and rituals of Côte d'Ivoire. The journey through Abidjan and Bingerville provided a glimpse into the urban transformation and the deep-rooted cultural heritage of Côte d'Ivoire. While the guided tour offered structured insights, the impromptu interactions with locals and spontaneous moments added a personal touch to the experience.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the buzzing capital of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Santa Cruz was our third destination on our 24-day West African cruise with Regent Seven Seas  aboard the divine Splendor ship. It's got it all: a busy port, sleek modern buildings, and a lively cultural scene. And don't forget – this city throws one of the world's biggest and wildest Carnival celebrations, drawing visitors from around the globe! With around 205,000 residents, Santa Cruz is a cool mix of old-school Canarian charm and modern city life. There are plenty of museums, parks, and places to shop. Santa Cruz is the perfect starting point for exploring Tenerife's natural wonders, from its awesome beaches to the rugged beauty of Teide National Park, where Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide, awaits. We kicked things off with the Historical Santa Cruz & Tapas Tasting tour. It all started with a stroll along the port to arrive at the marina. We were happy to glimpse one of the most spectacular yachts in the world,  Black Pearl,  which was widely considered the official' largest sailing yacht in the world'. Next was Plaza de España, a lively square with a monument honouring those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Then, we headed to the Church of San Francisco, a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. Since this was our second visit to Santa Cruz, we decided to skip the church tour. It was moving a bit too slowly for our taste. Unfortunately, a guest decided he didn't apply to the rules and joined irrespective of his mobility scooter, so we quickly signed the waiver form to release ourselves from the guide and speed up the pace. Instead, we wandered the city on our own, did some last-minute shopping, and made sure to stock up on school supplies for our upcoming school and orphanage visits along the West Coast of Africa. So, that's Santa Cruz de Tenerife! It is a place packed with history and culture, and plenty of outer regions are left to explore. On our return visit in March, we will follow our friends' advice and visit the charming San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

Welcome to Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa, administered by Spain. We prefer to avoid extensive research before our trips to preserve the element of surprise, and Lanzarote certainly astonished us. The volcanic and lava landscapes, the Fire Mountains, and the vineyards were breathtaking, complemented by majestic coastlines that add a diverse charm to the island. Discover Lanzarote's Volcanic Wonders With its long history of volcanic eruptions, Lanzarote is often called the 'Island of 1000 Volcanoes,' though it only has around 100 volcanoes. Timanfaya, also known as The Fire Mountains, is still geothermally active; t he island's last major eruption occurred in 1824. We began our day with a tour named 'Capture the Moment.' It offered a perfect glimpse into Lanzarote's essence as a volcanic destination. Our tour started with a visit to Janubio Salt Flats, where salt is harvested. Historically, salt was crucial in preserving fish, the primary industry before tourism. Next, we visited El Golfo, a small seaside village on the southwest coast of Lanzarote. El Golfo is located next to a spectacular semi-submerged volcano with a green lagoon and a crater lake, accompanied by thundering crashing waves, offering stunning viewpoints. After El Golfo, we embarked on a picturesque drive to La Geria, the wine region. We stopped at  Bodega La Geria , a local winemaker, for a tasting with some local cheese. It was  a unique landscape of cones excavated from the volcanic ash, where the vines prosper to make delicious wines. Wine is grown in Lanzarote by digging a hole 3 m in diameter, 2-2.5 m deep, until the buried soil is found, where the vine is planted with a deep root system. We concluded our day with a scenic coastal drive along Puerto Del Carmen, home to whitewashed villas, beaches, and dive centres. We had additional free time to walk along the shores and soak up the views. We enjoyed watching catamarans rocking under a moody sky while the extra high tide gave the eager swimmers a refreshing swim. Lanzarote is a beautiful island known as the "Island of Eternal Spring" due to its year-round warm weather. It's easy to understand why tourists are drawn here for a relaxing getaway. Lanzarote was our second destination on our 24-day West African cruise with Regent Seven Seas aboard the divine Splendor ship. As every journey unveils quirky insights into local customs and natural phenomena, Lanzarote was no exception: In Lanzarote, the departed are not buried in the ground but in walls, with the belief that a higher resting place brings the departed closer to divinity. The island's Fire Mountains showcase a mesmerising natural dance of explosion and implosion, a vivid demonstration of Earth's ever-changing landscapes. Flamingos are naturally white or grey and owe their pink hues to their diet, a fascinating example of nature's adaptability. This fun fact popped up because, in the south of Lanzarote, there is a small yet very enticing stretch of white sand called Flamingo Beach.