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.
The 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.
The Dance- >
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.
Richard, across 3 continents in 100 days is certainly a blessed feat. The experiences you had throughout the journey are indeed plentiful and memorable. Especially the moments at South Africa must have been too striking and heartfelt overwhelmingly that you have selected to share. It seems to me the hospitality of South Africa is beyond imagination and expectations. Great your 100 days on sea were spent fruitfully - Alvin Choo
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Alvin for being the first to comment. Richard is certainly very lucky to be able to take this special sea journey.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the detailed write up on your 100 days voyage on the high seas.
ReplyDeleteYes, Fabian. Thanks for introducing Richard who agreed to share his special experience at sea with blog readers. Three months is a long time indeed but again it was special.
ReplyDeleteI have had a fair share of sea trips and cruises but this one that Mr. Richard Tham experienced was indeed different. Thank you for taking us on your trip too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon. Kind of you to comment. Perhaps you will share too one day and reveal yourself. 🙏😊
ReplyDeleteAmapiano [piano] will be classified as part of the "World Music" Genre.
ReplyDeleteIs that right Michael. Many of us readers are not aware of this. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteSouth African beats are so original such that if U try faking the beats, (as an African... u should get a passport go abroad and stay there (with ua embarrassment!)... the music doesn't forgive - u either have it or u don't... Kendrick Lamars African version(s) of " BE HUMBLE".
ReplyDeleteI get it.
ReplyDeleteShowing the different sides to Africa.
Not just huts and starving babes.
Diverse - rich neighborhoods, ghettos, rura!/country.
Country is where they like to go to take pictures of Africa and ignore all this. They can't be saints otherwise.
Thanking the two YouTubers above for their comments, which has been taken from the final video on this posting.
ReplyDeleteAmapiano is a South African style of house music built on deep, airy piano chords, jazzy melodies, wide atmospheric pads, and a springy bass sound known as the log drum. It typically sits at a relaxed 110–115 BPM and trades the driving four-on-the-floor punch of most house for a loose, shuffling, lounge-like swing.
ReplyDeleteThe name means "the pianos" in isiZulu, and that piano-led warmth is exactly what gives the genre its unmistakable feel...
To read further copy and paste below:
https://genre-ai.app/genre/Amapiano
Hi Andy. Richard's account of his evening in South Africa is really interesting and so well written. As I read the article, I felt myself being transported there, partaking in the evening's event and making my way to the dance floor even though I'm a bloke with "two left feet"! Seriously, I must confess that I've never heard of amapiano music before. After listening to this genre of music and watching the dancing moves in the vids posted, it's no surprise that it became so popular. Thank you Richard for sharing a slice of your 100-day around the world adventure.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks Jimmy for taking so much time to reply.
ReplyDeleteYour comment is explicit and says much about his “well written” article.
I’ll send a copy to Richard directly…
Makes my Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy and Jimmy!!
Andy thanks for spicing up the article with your delightful inclusions of the photos, videos and wit. They added much to the reading of the article.
ReplyDeleteI have you to thank Richard, even the photographs.
ReplyDelete