Random Ramblings from the High Seas

Travel Days – Random Ramblings from the High Seas – On lookout for Pirates, really!

Leaving Oman, we have a five day journey around the Arabian Peninsula, across the Gulf of Aden, up the Red Sea, and through the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan’s only port – Aqaba. It’s quite a long, long way. It’s taken two and a half days to come down Arabian Peninsula and cross the Gulf of Aden. We have been traveling at top speed to get through this stretch of waters safely. The coast off of Yemen and Somalia – the Gulf of Aden – is home to pirates who are still very active. They don’t generally attack large, fast ships like ours, but better to err on the side of caution, so says our Danish Captain. The ship is spending $200,000 USD on added security to get us from Dubai through the Suez Canal. The decks are closed at night (just for the Gulf of Aden) and all lights are extinguished at night to give the security better night vision. And the coalition fleet are in constant contact with the registered ships heading through the area to attempt to keep them safe. And so for us it has been smooth sailing (so to speak), but a smaller fishing trawler was taken by the pirates just last night.

On this ship you can walk (during the day) all way out to the very bow. The first day into the gulf of Aden Randall and I spent quite a bit of the morning out there. The ocean was like glass and filled with flying fish. Hundreds of these little guys went flying off in waves as our big ship glided through the water. I wanted to holler up to the captain to please stop the ship so we can dive into the water and feel it’s warmth, don’t think he would have listened though.

The kids are happily discovering the joys of cruising and enjoying the kids club. And I am enjoying the first holiday that I can sit back and relax by myself for at least ten years. It’s quite a concept to be able to choose your activity (or no activity) based upon your own wishes and no one else’s. Hmmmmm, I could get used to this! The kids have all made friends and are eating the ship clean. I just cannot fathom how the cruise line will have made any money at the end of this cruise on us, simply due to the amount of food consumed!

They have all breezed past the formal night, and managed to be on their mostly best behavior in the dining room each night. Yes, even Liam with his cave man table manners. We have practiced our better manners in preparation, such as how to give a hand shake, proper greetings, table manners etc; and they were quite excited to be able to use them and be complemented. Liana even got Randall to dance with me at the Captain’s dinner. It’s a once every five year event so I have to really appreciate it when it happens.

Liam and Clara each spent a day in the cabin with a fever, which is not a nice thing to happen on holiday, but better it happen on these hot days at sea than one of the days in port. We have the most exciting ports (at least for me!) coming up soon..... Jordan and Egypt!