100 Day Ship Journey-> 10 Countries-> 3 Continents:
Andy recently asked me to write about my 2026 voyage — a 100-day journey through 10 countries across three continents. My first thought was, "Where do I even begin?"
There were so many remarkable places and unforgettable experiences that I realized I did not need to tell the whole story. I only needed to share the moments that stayed with me.
An evening in Cape Town, South Africa, was one of them.
Music->
As dinner was served, the performers took the stage. Their colourful costumes, energetic dancing, and powerful singing immediately captivated the audience. Before long, people were clapping, humming along, and some even got up to dance. This was not the kind of performance where everyone simply sat and watched.
Listening to it reminded me of the infectious hit, "Mnike", performed by Tyler ICU, which helped introduce Amapiano to audiences around the world. Hearing those rhythms performed live made it easy to understand why the genre has become a global phenomenon—it is almost impossible to resist joining the dance floor, whether one has rhythm or not
Dance itself felt like a language. The gentle bounce, expressive footwork, and playful interaction between performers and audience turned every song into a conversation. There was no "wrong" way to move — everyone was simply invited to join the fun.
The food surprised me just as much.
I had not expected to find flavours that reminded me of Southeast Asia. Alongside familiar treats like samosas were bobotie, a South African favourite influenced by the culinary traditions brought to the Cape by the ancestors of today's Cape Malays, who arrived from Indonesia and Malaysia during the 17th century. It was a pleasant reminder that cultures often overlap in unexpected ways. Those familiar flavours, in a place I had imagined would feel completely different, made the evening even more memorable.
Sharing a meal while enjoying the music and performances made the night feel less like a show and more like a celebration with my son and our friends. It reminded me that in South Africa, music, dance, and food naturally belong together.
Together, they created an experience that felt open, joyful, and welcoming. The music sparked the celebration, the dancing drew everyone in, and the meal kept the conversations flowing.
For me, that dinner was far more than entertainment. It was the best introduction to South African culture I could have asked for.
Sometimes, the best way to understand a country is not through its art galleries, museums, or monuments, but by sharing its music, joining its dance, and sitting down to eat with the people around you.
Images: Google and Richard Tham.
