Category: Travel

Home away from home

The further I travel away from home the more I want to be in touch. Our last few days at sea have been tinged with the fear of the unknown beyond the horizon, especially last night when a heavy fog set in just before sunset and the ship’s horn was blasting intermittently to let other vessels know we were there.

This morning we arrived at the first of three stops over the Easter weekend, Abu Dhabi, and received a warm welcome, albeit with swords and guns. The ‘boys’ have raced off, literally, to Yas to visit the Ferrari museum and apparently the fastest roller coaster on the planet. Meanwhile I’m sitting in a local Starbucks, catching up on what’s been happening at home over the past few days, surrounded by fellow passengers from the cruise all studying their phones.

Of course I’m planning to explore beyond the obligatory shopping malls on an excursion later, but for now it’s comforting to be in familiar surroundings away from home.

Life at sea

Friends who have never cruised before always ask me the same question: what do you do all day?

If it’s a sea day the planning starts the night before when the daily newsletter is delivered to our cabin, aka stateroom. Out comes the trusty highlighter once its read from front to back. Zumba at midday? Yes please. Afternoon tea in the dining room? Absolutely! Weather looks good so that means some pool time, and planning what to wear for dinner depending on the dress code.

Then it’s a matter of filling in the blanks. A walk before breakfast in bed or the buffet or dining room? Maybe try learning a new craft or skill or better still drag hubby to a dancing lesson.

For him there’s table tennis, cricket or gym time before beer-o-clock, or maybe a new release movie in the cinema.

Days at Port depend on location and familiarity; booking an excursion versus heading off to explore a new horizon on our own. A day bag with essentials is all that’s needed in either case, and the all important cruise card.

At the end of the day, at sea or in port, nothing beats the feeling of returning ‘home’ to a freshly made bed, clean towels and a beverage of choice, and knowing that tomorrow I can do as much or little as I decide.

The Gateway of India

‘If the heat doesn’t get to you, the traffic will’ we were informed by our tour guide, Arun, on our Mumbai Highlights tour this afternoon.

Honestly the day was a pleasant surprise, the heat was dry and the traffic was noisy but not chaotic and I would be happy to return for more of India beyond Mumbai.

It was the little things that made it so attractive, the unexpected row of Art Deco homes along Marine Drive, the children wishing us a good afternoon as we walked by, the way the traffic flowed despite the wide variety of vehicles competing for space, and being made to feel so welcome.

Just don’t mention the World Cup …

Troublesome Waters

Dear Passenger,

You may be aware in the last few years that there has been increased piracy activity in certain areas of the world, mainly the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. On the 29th of March we will start our transit of these sea areas..

So began a letter from our captain delivered to our staterooms the evening of our first formal night, March 27.

The following morning we all participated in a compulsory piracy drill which in our case involved sitting in the corridor outside our cabin away from the door, and since the evening of the 28th the promenade deck has been closed from sunset until sunrise.

Most alarming has been the black out of all windows, apparently reminiscent of childhood war experiences for the elderly English passengers on board.

Heading into the hazy horizon recalls scenes from Apocalypse Now, and despite the omnipresent watchmen I kept expecting to see something sinister appear.

In spite of all this it has been an enjoyable transit from Malaysia, but I can only imagine how it would feel to travel this journey on a much smaller vessel.

Respectful Serenity

The night before we last arrived in Singapore, December 2013, there had been an historic riot in Little India, and this morning we woke to the news that Lee Kuan Yew had passed away.

Both events highly significant to the local community, but the reverence and respect shown to Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister and the brains behind what is so appealing about Singapore, has been truly inspiring.

Calming classical music has been broadcast on every radio station in every taxi and shop we have been in today, and will continue until the official mourning period commences March 28 to 29 when he will be cremated. Even Chinatown, normally a noisy busy bustling hub was eerily calm thanks to the piano concerto broadcast over loud speakers.

What is so attractive about Singapore is the wonderful blend of contemporary creativity alongside recognition of and value for tradition. Our hotel for example, so new that most taxi drivers don’t know where it is, is a block away from a Buddhist meditation centre where anyone is free to light incense, take their shoes off and kneel in front of a shrine. Every taxi ride reveals another spectacular scene, from the iconic Raffles Hotel to the truly amazing Marina Bay Sands.

‘Make sure that we do not forgot our past as we build for the future’…
If only that philosophy was embraced and valued as much as success in all forms seems to be.

Go, because you want to.

It’s funny how sometimes the people you meet on your journey seem to cross your path for a reason, which is exactly how it felt this morning on our flight to Singapore. Hubby in the aisle, me in the middle, and seated by the window what looked to me like a teenage girl.

It wasn’t long before I’d introduced myself and we started the obligatory small talk about where we were from and going to. Turns out my seat companion, Sanio from Taiwan, has been travelling aound Australia on a working holiday visa for the past year, working in bars to save enough funds for her next plan, hiking Camino de Santiago in Spain. As often seems to be the case with tourists to Australia she has seen and been to more places over the past year than I have in my life here; Ayers Rock, Broome, the Bibbulmum track etc

During her time in Australia Sanio has been recording the names, birth year and dream job of the people she has met on a paper aeroplane which represents her dream job to be a pilot. I recorded mine as travel writer. Her thanks to all who contribute to her momento, a handmade friendship bracelet I will proudly wear as long as I can.

Sanio will be celebrating her 25th birthday the day we embark on the Arcadia cruise, this Wednesday March 25.
From what I can see she is well on her way to being the pilot of her own journey.

Sanyo from Taiwan

Last Goodbye

So sweet to find a little note from my daughter on my phone this morning, a wonderful keepsake to take with me and remember why I am going away and also what I’m leaving behind.

So proud that my wandering spirit has been inherited by my daughter who has already been to Europe, New Zealand and Japan and is planning and saving for her next adventure.

From little things big things grow; thankyou so much sweetie, I won’t have ALL the fun but I’ll have fun trying x