Luanda, Angola 6/2/24
Luanda, Angola
Our welcome to the port of Luanda. We have been really spoiled by these wonderful dancers and musicians along this never-ending cruise. Wonder what my buds from the BOC will have planned for us when we return? LOL!!!
Began our tour with a stop at the Iron Palace, believed to have been designed and built by an associate of Gustav Eiffel. We have seen quite a few buildings either designed by or influenced by him on our journey. The building was constructed elsewhere and shipped in sections in a ship that ended up shipwrecked. Amazing that it was recovered and installed!
From there, we headed to a memorial park dedicated to their first president, Agostinho Neto.
This is the St. Michael Fortres, now the Museum of the Armed Forces. We were in a small tour group, but as we were entering the main ground, the Royal tour busses pulled up and were being escorted by the police. We had heard that it was not quite safe in this port, so that was a little upsetting, as we had most of our day left to tour - without the armed escort.
Interesting that most of the bronze statues were of Portuguese explorers, not necessarily of Angolans.
This was the view of the city from atop the museums/fortresses walls.
As we drove along the coastline to our next stop, there were many unfinished houses in different states of completeness, on prime beach properties with incredible views. When we asked why there were so many left empty and apparently abandoned, she said they were being developed by corrupt government officials, and when the scandal surfaced, all work stopped and now the properties are owned by the government, but they do not have the money to complete them, and there is a huge concern that if sold, t would be another corruption in the government. Very poor country - when we drove around downtown, no traffic lights were working, and we thought it was because of a Sunday - we were told that they have not worked for 6 years! Traffic suggestions....
This is the Moon Viewpoint, with the rock formations resembling the terrain of the moon, or perhaps Mars. With its reddish color, it is a very striking environment, and certainly we did not expect it.
Next stop was the National Slavery Museum. As we toured through it, we found out that the inhabitants were recruited to the church and baptized here. They were then told that they would go to a "safe" place, and they were sent to the island where the slave ships were docked, and I don't have to tell you the end of the story. It is quite sad what people can do to people, then and now.
We took a boat ride around the bay and past the islands that used to be slave holding pens for the ships. The ships were too big to dock closer to land. The islands now are home to resorts and vacation homes.
And flamingos, again!
Local ladies...
This tree is a Boabab tree, and the largest one in Africa is in Luanda, Angola. Didn't have enough of our group who trekked it to wrap around the whole trunk! only 5 of us, maybe 1/3 around! and shocker, I made the walk, Mickey did not!
Obligatory photo stop!
We had a full day here. We never felt unsafe in any of our stops, but many Royal tours had armed escorts.
Two days of cruising, and then on to Takoradi, Ghana.
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