Day 59 - Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Dec 7 - Abidjan, Ivory Coast This stop has been the least successful so far. It is not anyone’s fault. This is, of course, another working port. We were supposed to come into one berth and that was changed. Cargo ships have priority here. We did have shuttle busses but only 2 in the beginning. The captain made several announcements about the pressure the port authorities were putting on us but he said the pressure points are holding at this time. I’m not exactly sure what that meant but we are here. It was necessary to issue tickets for the shuttle busses. They did use the busses that came back from the morning tours. We weren’t sure we would even get to board a shuttle so we did get off the ship and walk around the port by the ship. We took a few silly photos and then got back on to await our possible turn. 

We finally got called about 2:30 for our turn. The trip to the market was supposed to take 20 minutes; it took 45+ meanwhile torrential rains began. When the bus finally got to the market, no one got off because it was flooded, pouring down rain, and there really no time left anyway. We filled the bus with people waiting and headed back. This looked much like the last port. 

I did not write about the incident with a woman in one of the bars onboard the ship. I will add that later. However, I wanted to mention she was put off the ship right before departure today.

A few nights ago, we wandered into Pinnacle Bar and sat at a table while we waited for the Pinnacle Grill to open. We had early reservations, but it didn't open until 6:30 PM. We did notice the head of Security was there, but he is often around the ship and we didn't pay attention. We ordered a drink when the waiter came around and then we noticed a loud woman at the bar. She was demanding another drink. She was surly and swearing at the bar staff and Security. Our waiter apologized for this and said she has been a problem before and it would pass. She went on and on to the staff about how they were mistreating the elderly and refusing her drinks. She was quite belligerent. Finally, she got up when more Security showed up offering to show her to her cabin. She refused. The new Security was equipped with body cameras and off they went following her. We went on to enjoy our drink, not really thinking much about the incident. We found out this was not the first time she acted that way. The lady became this way after 3 drinks. She was not allowed more than 3 drinks per day. All the bars knew this, knew her, and kept track of how many drinks she had. However, I guess she went too far this time. The next morning, in Abidjan she was escorted off the ship. It was interesting. I could see from our balcony that a couple vans pulled up after all the passengers were on the ship. The captain got off the ship and stepped back a bit. Down the ramp came Security with this woman. She was shouting and angry telling the captain repeatedly to F----- himself while flipping him off. The woman paused for some time at the van door. There was some question in my mind if she would indeed get in the van. After more vulgar comments and gestures, she got in. The door was immediately shut and the van and other car in front of it instantly zoomed off. The captain immediately boarded and the ramp was raised and we set sail within moments. We heard later that Holland America Line paid for her hotel and flight home. There were also escorts to be sure she indeed departed for home.