Well the ship seems to have got its mojo back and we can get along at the right pace. Arrived at the Aqaba pier at the appointed time of 7am, we had a quick breakfast before lining up at 8am for our excursion to Wadi Rum. Many others were heading off to Petra for the day. We had been there some years ago on a trip to Israel and Jordan, in April from memory. Much cooler then, it going to push into the high 30s this time.

Wadi Rum is a desert reserve surrounded by dry mountains and gorges. In the past, home to nomadic Bedouin. Now these peoples are very adept at dealing with tourists. Either expensive camel rides or Bedouin trinkets and crafts displayed in genuine Bedouin tents while you sit around sipping on a local tea or coffee. All very crafty too with various currencies and conversion rates to seal the deal.

Hope that helps for your next trivia quiz!

But our 4WD tour through the desert area was quite entertaining and the scenery was great. Wadi Rum, ‘Valley of the Moon’ ,was where the Peter O’Toole movie Lawerence of Arabia was filmed. The Englishmen, T E Lawrence actually did have camps in Wadi Rum when he lead the Arab revolt against the ruling Turks in 1917.

There were about 30 Toyota (or similar) 4WD utes conveying us on this adventure. 6 of us squeezed onto the ute tray. The utes were in various states of repair, obviously having done this track before. Not sure that this trip would be possible in good old Aus with our rules and regulations. We whipped along at a moderate pace on the well compacted desert sands, no slipping or sliding.

Dotted through the desert park were a range of glamping tent facilities, quite sophisticated places with solar power and oasis like appearances. We stopped off at one for a short break.

Time went quickly and we were back at the ship for a late lunch. After a short siesta we took the shuttle back into town for a walk around the waterfront area and to have a look at the old fort . Admirable objective but execution poor. One of the things that gets under Allthego’s skin is being harassed by taxi drivers, who speak little or very accented English and want to take you and show you things you don’t want to see for a price that is incomprehensible at the time. We got our dose of these guys, all very polite and helpful of course, just not what Allthego needed.

So we took off ourselves from the drop off point and it seems in hindsight went in the opposite direction to which we should. Wandered around for an hour or so aimlessly, getting frustrated. Ultimately, we hailed a taxi and got in. Turns out the guy can’t speak English, shows us a picture of a cruise ship and wants to take us to the pier. Much saying ‘no no’, just want to ‘go to the water’! Finally, we stop the cab and get out. Ripped off then in change from $US to Jordanian Dinah. Allthego puts it down to more experience. Anyway, by accident we are actually back where we started!
So the wandering resumes, Homealone adamant that we are not wandering too far. The objective to buy a postcard and stamp. Stopped for a freshly squeezed OJ and minted lemon, both very good. Finally, got the postcard and also a stamp but couldn’t find anywhere to post it!

After all this exertion Allthego convinced Homealone that the Double Tree Hilton roof top bar would be a good place to watch the sun set over Aqaba (a recommendation from on board). And it was. We finished there around 7 pm and caught the shuttle back to the ship, after posting the card off in the hotels mail box! Very convenient.

Sailed off about 10 pm to position the ship the next day for the transit of the Suez Canal.

Dubai was the end of Stage 1 of the cruise. Stage 2 takes us to Dover in England.

Leaving Dubai and sailing southwest around the coastline of the Arabian peninsular past Oman and Yemen has been a slow plod for the Coral Princess. Still suffering from some engine issues, almost rectified according to the Captain’s announcements, and facing a southwesterly wind and rough swell we have lost time on this leg. The sea calmed down as we entered the Gulf of Aden and made our approach to the narrow ‘choke’ to enter the Red Sea. Slobro has been waking each morning and asking Homealone, ‘are we there yet’.

The waters around the coastlines of Yemen and Somalia are known for modern day piracy.

We have had an entertaining chat from the ship’s Head of Security about modern day piracy in general and the way it is being combated. There hasn’t been a significant attack in these waters for over ten years due in large measure to the patrolling of the waters by US and British naval vessels and actions taken by ships themselves. He was quite confident in the ability of our ship to ward off any pirates making an attempt. Basically our ‘freeboard’ (the railing and open deck area around the ship on Deck 7) of over 10 metres makes it difficult for any attempt at boarding. There is a range of other things to provide deterrence, including lookouts, water hoses and a sonic boom thingo that emits sound at levels humans cannot tolerate.

One of our fellow passengers asked whether the ship would rescue pirates! The Head of Security offered a strange look and said he wasn’t in favour of rescuing pirates. Much applause.

We are now well into the Red Sea making for Aqaba, it is nearly a month since we left Brisbane. Apart from a day in Singapore, half day in Colombo and two days in Dubai we have been ambling along the sea lanes in mostly smooth conditions for 24 days.

Allthego and Homealone are looking forward to getting ashore, even Slobro is a bit edgy for landfall. For many on board though it seems days at sea are what it is all about. Someone said that it is about the journey and not just the destination, or something like that. Allthego thinks it would be great to have a destination appear soon! Well whatever pleases you, but it does show that it takes time to cruise from Australia to the edge of Europe. Sitting in the lounges in these calmer seas away from windows, one senses no movement of the ship. You wouldn’t know it is ploughing along at 15 knots pushing water out of the way. Time could be standing still, even though we have turned the clock back an hour seven times to date.

Allthego has dozed off reading a book. Supposed to be relaxing but one could get exhausted from eating! Some great food on board and the nightly entertainment excellent. The entertainers know their target market well: 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Homealone is enjoying her craft and periodic trips to the laundry. It is amazing what you learn in the laundry about what is going on aboard!

‘Getting there’ has turned out to be not possible for another two guests (in addition to the earlier one in Singapore) who have sadly passed away, one it appears from over exertion on the dance floor. In the other case the wife off boarded the poor chap in Dubai and has continued the cruise, her son having joined her aboard. Practical arrangement. There has been an unconfirmed 4th death. Homealone needs to ask more questions in the craft group, or perhaps the laundry.

A consequence of the slow going is that we have lost a day and will be getting to Aqaba a day late. To catch up we are to forgo the following stop at Mykonos and make for Messina in Sicily as a substitute (albeit shorter) stop. We are not overly disappointed in this having been to Mykonos before.

Slobro has again just asked whether we are nearly there. YES is the answer. Tomorrow morning!