Last days at sea

Tuesday the 24^th of April 2012

We are nearly home now but at present we are in a very disturbed and rolling Atlantic Ocean! This cruise has been for both of us a trip of a lifetime and it does seem an age since we embarked on “Black Watch” on the 11^th of January. Recalling our travelled since then it is difficult bring to mind all of the extraordinary adventures we have had. All those ports and places beginning in Gibraltar and the George Cross Island of Malta, down to Egypt to the somewhat scruffy Port Said and thus to Sharm! There was a complete contrast with that to the beautiful country of Oman with its very lovely and satisfied people so clean and tidy, but they did make the worst tea ever!

Then to the wonderful India and Mumbai; what and experience that was!

So many places such as the exciting cities of Singapore and Hong Kong, the surprising Vietnam with its gentle people and green hills and bustling towns, a country that deserves to emerge well out of its war torn past; then on to the Philippines and Indonesia, Borneo and Australia with unforgettable Sydney and tropical Cairns.

Across the Pacific Ocean visiting the South Sea Islands all of them so different but all being a tropical paradise. On to Lima in Peru, through the Panama Canal to Cartagena in Columbia all places not seen before in imagination or in actual visit and then onto the Caribbean.

We have been so lucky and fortunate to have done this trip, and the memories will live for time to come

It is certainly true that the differences in the seas around the world are so contrasting. The Atlantic pitches when it is angry and is calm when it is peaceful. The Pacific rolls and is a different blue. The South China Sea was the most angry with us travelling over its breaking waters; force ten gales and nearly everyone sea sick.

We have made some lovely new friends some of whom will keep in touch and we will miss many things. Suuske will miss in particular the continued social interaction with people. We will both miss the availability of 3 waiter assisted meals per day in restaurants that have a very varied menus and fantastic food. We will also miss the opportunity of going to Theatre every night with some great visiting artistes and musicians if we wished, or just to relax in the various lounges with other musicians’ trios etc. to listen to. There have also been some excellent lecturers on board that have been very interesting and educational. The staff on board are truly the best! All of them so keen to help and make things on board and for the cruise the best it could be! I will miss them in particular. I will also miss hearing Fely and Black Watch Orchestra but I think Joey the trombonist will keep in touch.

We have had such a great opportunity and have enjoyed all of it immensely!

Many thanks to all of you out there who have read the blog and commented on it, we hope you have enjoyed following the voyage and all that we have done. See you soon!

Fd

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