African Indian Ocean

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Trip start
November 19, 2023
African Indian Ocean Traveler
Southampton
November 19, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Left home at 9am and arrived at the port at 11.15am. There was a lot of queueing and checking in before we could board but everyone was very friendly. By 12.45pm we were up on the Lido deck (8) drinking coffee. Completed the check in by watching the safety video and reporting to my muster station. Unpacked and explored the ship. Met Jenny Grey and Tom , they had already been on board for 3 weeks. Went to the welcome session in the gym. met Marilyn at our dinner table.
Watched the Bollette Theatre Company doing Wizard of Oz musical.Read more
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At sea
November 21, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 13 °C
The sea was a lot calmer today. Walked a mile round the deck at 8. After breakfast I went to the talk about the next 2 ports, Tangiers and Valletta . When I returned to my cabin I got a phonecall to offer me an upgrade to deck 6.
So I got a balcony, bigger room , canapes, bathrobe, toiletries ,water carafe, fruit and strippy beach towels. also a bottle of cava for each section. There was a nice bottle of wine from Stuart.
It was a formal night. it had been delayed because of the bad weather. The Captain's welcome party was in the Neptune lounge. He has a very dry sense of humour. He introduced members of the crew. Dinner was salmon parcels, lobster bisque, beef mignon and caramel popcorn sundaeRead more
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Tangier
November 23, 2023 in Morocco ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
I did a walking tour of Tangier. We ended up at the Continental hotel on the front where we had mint tea and a pastry.
Back on the ship I did pilates with Benji which was hard and quiz with Jenny and Tom. Jenny recognised Gill as a bridge player from Sheffield.Read more
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valetta
November 26, 2023 in Malta ⋅ 🌬 13 °C
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At Sea - Captain's table
November 27, 2023, Eastern Mediterranean ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
I walked a mile at 8am and did a yoga class and then quiz with Gill Tom and Jenny. We scored 17 but didn't win. I played bridge with Gill and I won for the third time.
We had drinks in the Botanic room before dinner with the other guests on the captain's table , captain Michael and his wife Mia.Read more
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Alexandria
November 29, 2023 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
The second largest city in Egypt. It looked very industrial as we sailed in. I did a tour to Qaitbay Fort and a Roman amphitheatre. The fort was built on the foundations of Pharos lighthouse . At the amphitheater there was also Roman baths and dweiilings. There were mosaics discovered during escalation to build modern flats.
A very busy city with terrible traffic, cars were parked 3 abreast.
Gareth and I went to the piano bar to listen to Brad who did a 60s night. We met Dudley and Nicky there and found out that they were going on the pyramid trip. Nicky was in a wheelchair as she had fallen on the ship and damaged her knee.Read more
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Port Said
November 30, 2023, Eastern Mediterranean ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
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Suez Canal
December 1, 2023 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We left Port Said at 6am. I walked round deck at 8am. I had breakfast and then went on deck to watch progress down the canal. Desert on port side which was very barren Egypt on Starboard with various settlements. Not very much to see. Big bridge with no traffic . It was an Egyptian theme night with a BBQ on the lido deck.Read more
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sharm El Shaeik
December 2, 2023 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Went on a snorkelling trip. They gave us life jackets which gave me confidence. Had a chat with Millie and found out that Nick and her are not an item.
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Safaga
December 3, 2023 in Egypt ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Got off ship with Gill and Ian . We had a walk around but didn't find anything of interest.
Mike and Gareth back from their trp
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Jeddah
December 5, 2023 in Saudi Arabia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Visited old part of city which is being renovated to attract tourism. We had Arabian coffee and dates in an old house Coffee was yellow and tasted of cinnamon.
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Gulf of Aden
December 7, 2023, Gulf of Aden ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Sea day in the Red Sea, some worries that we might be attacked by the Houthis.
I did a spinning class which was hard.
Played bridge with Mike and won
Did Rock and Roll dance class
I watched the choir doing seashanties
We were not allowed on deck due to the issues and we were proceeding at top speed.Read more
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Oman
December 9, 2023 in Oman ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
A disappointing trip today. Oman
has developed a lot in the last 50 years since the son of the Sultan deposed his father in a bloodless coup.
We went to the source of water , gardens closed. Then we visited the grand mosque, the largest in south Oman. We saw the outside of Sultans palace; walked around and they were harvesting coconuts. Had a snack at the Crown Plaza hotel and got WiFi. Saw some frankincense trees that the region is famous for.
When we returned to the ship there was a big welcome from crew including captain sommelier and other managers music and dancingRead more
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at sea
December 11, 2023, Arabian Sea ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
I went to a wine and cheese evening . Sat with Mike and Gareth and Sue and Stan from bridge . Egyptian cheeses which were good especially one with chilli.
New show from Bollette theatre co. which was very good.Read more
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Mumbai
December 12, 2023 in India ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Lost another half hour . My phone and Fitbit couldn't cope. I missed my alarm and nearly missed my trip!!
A lot of security at cruise terminal . It took a long time to get through.
Mumbai was originally taken over by the Portuguese but then handed to George? English king.
Did walking tour which started in business area. Cows in the street; act of kindness to provide food for cows. Went a big church.
British built a lot of buildings in 19c. Drove past central station amazing building.
Walked past law courts impressive building.
Then we went to central market;
fruit and veg also birds cats and dogs
Visited Dabbawalas who collects food from people's homes and delivery it to their place of work.
Then we got on train to Mahalaxmi station to see the largest laundry and delivery operation. Train was disappointingly not crowded but the doors were open all the time. Great lunch at hotel on Marine Drive lots of different curries.
Saw Gandi's house in Mumbai it's a museum now.
Saw the gateway to Indian built for a British monarch. And the Taj hotel.
Sat with John and Alan at dinner. Show with Millie no audience for Brad so early night.Read more
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Mormugao Goa
December 13, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Went on the Goan Forts trip.. Stopped at a local market which was just a few shops by the road. I walked up to a local church which was more interesting. Very neglected looking outside but inside there was a fabulous gold altar and other decoration.
Next stop was 17c Aguada fort. Large water tank and a light house, the oldest in the Asian continent. Great views of Arabian Sea and north Goan coast.vIt was very hot. A lot of Indian families visiting. Then we went to Reis Mogos fort which was much quieter. It was the last line of defence for the Portuguese during the Goan liberation movement war.Read more
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Mangalore
December 14, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Went on a tuk tuk with Gill and Ian. Driver didn't speak much English but he took us to the sights. At the end of the day he took us to his house and we met his wife mother brother 2 sisters niece, nephew and a neighbour. His mother had 7 girls and 5 boys. The driver had 2 children who were at school.
We went to 2 Hindu temples, flower market , fish market, DT Aloysius church with amazing wall paintings but no photos allowed
Town hall where there was a folk dancing competition. Sultans fort with good views of river. Guthu house which was a traditional manor house and then an artisan village where they were doing pottery, rice crushing, oil extraction , weaving, carpentryRead more
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Kochi
December 15, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
saw the Chinese fishing nets as we sailed into Kochi. Went on a walking tour around the town.Saw parade ground and Dutch cemetery
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Victoria Seychelles
Dec 20–21, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Got tender into capital. Walked to botanical gardens with Gill and Ian. Giant tortoises. lots of Coco de Mer trees. Prince Philip planted one many years ago. Then we walked into town. little Ben clock tower.
previous night we saw sunset over silhouette islandRead more
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Victoria
December 21, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Christian told me about Anse Royale beach. so Mike and Gareth and I got bus round the island to visit it. We found it behind the police station . It was a gem. lots of people from the ship were there. Elizabeth, Bollette Theatre company , funky blue + others.
great beach bar . we had tuna and salad. Gareth had chicken.Read more
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victoria day 3
December 22, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Gill and Ian's last day. we got a taxi and went round the west of the island. it was a cloudy day
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Praslin island
December 23, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Interrogated Christian at breakfast about best places to go. met Wilma and Jane and Katherine on tender . So shared a taxi with them to Anse Lazio beach " best beach in world"
met Millie on beach She was there with Nic.
Swam and had snack in beach bar.
JK and I got taxi to Vallee de Mai world heritage rain Forrest. lots of Coco de mar trees. We walked round and it rained a lot. when I got back to ship others had not had rainRead more
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La Digue
December 24, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
This was the smallest Seychelles island we visited. it has beautiful beaches. I went on an organised cycle ride. I wished I had just hired a bike as I could have seen more of the island. people must have complained about the trip as we got some money refunded. I thought the trip was ok but they did just leave us on a beach for about an hour at the end. There was some drizzle. Went to a church and then a country park where they gave us a lot of info about coconuts , their production and uses.
went back to the ship for lunch then went back and walked round south of island. met Millie againRead more
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Christmas Day at sea
Dec 26–28, 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌩️ 29 °C
Xmas day had a lie in . Breakfast with Millie . Pol party on Lido deckwith free sangria and canapes
Millie and I played table tennis with Brad . Then mike and Gareth and Marilyn.
Spoke to family
Millie sat at our table for dinner as Marilyn had gone colours and taste
Boxing Day Pilates and Abs v hard. played bridge with Wilma.
Panto in the evening was very good . Andy Godfrey did a great slapstick routine.
27th another sea dayRead more
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Tsavo
Dec 28–29, 2023 in Kenya ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
set off at 8.30 for Tsavo East national park. Travelled in Toyota land ranger in convoy. pretty bumpy. Went up Mckenno road which is the main road from Mombasa to Nairobi. So lots of lorries , hairy overtaking. lots of stalls beside the road selling every thing. Lots of monkeys at Tsavo gate. short game drive to the lodge saw empala , giraffes in distance. arrived at Aruna lodge for lunch. Then went to room which was a tent Sturdy structure with open sides, which were rolled down at night. went out at 4 for another game drive. Saw Elephants, Antelope,gazelles and a lioness just by the road. Back for dinner and early night.
up for 6.30 for next game drive zebra, antelope elephants. lots of birds eagles vultures and smaller colourful birds.
back to lodge for breakfast.
Final game drive lots of butterflies.
I left my passport in my safe but they managed to get it back to ship before it sailedRead more
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