Livorno

Livorno – OMG – the shops!!!!!!!!! Absolutely the place to shop Lynda. Did you come here? The shopping was more “every day” being a regular city rather than a tourist destination but gorgeous clothes and reasonably priced. I bought a cami for 4.E95 – but I could have gone crazy on dresses, shoes, sunglasses, handbags – what restraint. AND THEY RECKON BARCELONA IS THE BEST though some say New York and some say Honolulu!!!! Can I hold out? Of course it’s the entrée to Pisa, Florence, Lucre and the Cinque Terre but we’ve been there. This is the second underrated port town we’ve been to and the real estate prices quite reasonable to but Hop wasn’t interested – no swimming pools! It’s also our second port in a row with no scheduled trips so we’re well rested while many others are wilting. One couple at our table flaked at 5.30pm after Sorrento so they’ll be really whacked by now – big catch up next time we see them all at dinner – we’ve had open sittings while all the ports are on so haven’t even seen any of our eight other dining companions. Like all the places we’ve been to, the ancient and old is mingled with the new- fascinating when you don’t hear about it for eight hours on a bus trip! Great boating apparently – boats big, huge and small everywhere in marinas or canals. Even a beach on the breakwater accessible only by boat – we didn’t walk to that one! Being Saturday the shops closed at 1 pm. We came back to the ship before that so Hop could catch most of the Wallabies/ Lions test. It’s clouded over a bit now and we still haven’t had our swim. I’ve just had a siesta (sounds much better than Nana nap) and Hop’s still snoring.

Tomorrow is another glorious day – we hope.  We do have a trip booked and  it’s new ground for me til Hawaii. And then Pagopago will be new too. Yum yum. Hop’s only touched on some UK ports -  so things get better and better. Yippee!!!!!!!!!

Lots of love; keep cosy and dry.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Napoli; Civitavecchia (Port of Roma)

I much prefer Napoli to Naples – has a nice romantic lilt to it. Coming in on a cruise ship you can see the whole glorious city from Vesuvius foothills to the shoreline. We walked along the dock and caught a ferry to Capri. What a gorgeous place. We caught a funicular to the small village between the two hills. The shops were very beautiful, very exclusive and very expensive. Of course when such people as Gracie Fields and Sophie Loren have lived here and more than the odd film star, they would be beautiful! I’d love to come back for a holiday but not at the E2500. per night hotel even when we do win Lotto. Lots of very expensive launches and yachts too, as you can imagine. We then caught another ferry and went back to Sorrento. LOvely there too. Bussed off to Pompeii, after lunch and wander, around the exciting coastal roads. Saw the cameos being made and had some free samples of Lemincello. The lemons here are HUGE; the fruit looks lush and yummy – huge nectarines too. The gelato’s not too bad either - I had a double lot of Pistachio and black cherry - yum. Thought Pompeii was very interesting. Learning a few contrary facts about the ancient Romans and predecessors – Google may solve that problem. Then back to the ship through  lots of tunnels – typical we’ve found, of the Italian roads, and very impressive..

Stromboli was not performing more than a few puffs of smoke for us.

Today, 28^th June, we are in Civitavecchia. Didn’t venture into Rome. We just roamed (pun unintended) around the streets of the town and the beach. At 23C and with a stiff sailing breeze blowing a swim was not an attractive option – getting fussy eh? Very nice. Tomorrow, in Lovorno, we will go in earlier to catch the shops before they close for siesta. I sent another postcard to Nicole and one to Rosemary. Had special Vatican stamps too. About as holy as it’s got since we left!

We’re both well and suffering through the cruise. Loving opening the cabin door to a lovely tidy bedroom with the bed made. Hey, we got new mattresses today – no we didn’t do anything untoward to them – must just have been our turn. Well off to the movies, “Gone”, a 2012 film. Will have dinner later. Who’s hungry anyway? I’ve put on 2 ½ kgs. I won’t tell on Hoppy!

Welcome back home Adrian – hope all went well.

Love to you all Ciao XXXXXXXXXXXX    

Sea day 26th June

I hope you liked the photos we finally got on! Yep, it’s the Dead Sea, kind of oily and green looking but not as restful as you think because you’re constantly trying to keep up right as your feet keep wanting float up! Some fellow passengers went for a swim where it was muddy and not very deep  not very nice.

Busy day – breakfast at 10.30ish; we couldn’t do any laundry while close to Turkey so that was on the list for today as we have five port days in a row coming up. Hoppy had to go to the pool deck to watch the State of Origin on the big screen while I finished the washing. I had a swim and a read and some lunch. Hop has gone to a talk by the engineer of the ship while I’ve had a lovely leisurely shower; turned over the washing and had a sleep.  He hasn’t come back yet two hours later!! Better go and see what’s what soon. Apparently tonight, about 9, we will be sailing by Stromboli where there is a visibly active volcano; better get out of dinner early! Oh here he is. He’s been at the lecture all this time and didn’t go to sleep so it must have been interesting. Half past five and only 23.7C!!1.30 am 27th your time.

Ciao for now; love to you all from us here in the Straits of Messina.XXXXXXXXXXX

I can too

Dead sea-catching up on newa

Turkey and Anzac Cove

See, I found the draft - all too much??!!!!!!!!

Turkey is next on the list. We didn’t plan any trips as we’d been here five days a few years ago and seen all the sights. We caught a shuttle into the Grand Bazaar and battled through the anxious shop keepers for an hour or so before trying to find our way out. Didn’t want to buy anything – shopkeepers couldn’t understand why we didn’t need more rugs and pashminas! I did see a lovely necklace but E250. was a bit much. Back to the shuttle and “home” again.

Today we had an ANZAC Service at 8 am. Quite moving with trumpeter and all, followed by a cruise past Anzac Cove. We are planning to try our hand at carpet bowls at 11.15. Might win a drink bottle to replace the one Hop left on one of the buses. Couldn’t face the crowds in the Horizon – buffet deck now renamed the “horrorzone” so had lunch in the dining room with a lovely old couple from Victor Harbour, south west of Adelaide on the coast.

Forgot to mention that soldiers were raising the flag at the Acropolis when we were there. They do that every morning and lower it every evening – good idea. They march very strangely. Heavy with the left foot then lightly bring the right foot up.

So happy to be missing the cold. Poor you all.

Love Hoppy and DelyseXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mytilene, Kelvos, glorious Greek Island

What a lovely place. Just a few miles off Kusadasi, Turkey actually. We went ashore and had a fabulous swim - real idyllic lazy slow paced place. Hoppy has a photo of me waving from the deep blue sea, with the ship in the background. Kids himself I've been thrown overboard!! We sat around, took pictures of an original statue of Liberty - mush softer than the New York one; wandered down town and checked out the alley behind the main street. Looks like they're struggling a bit here. Had an iced coffee and chose expresso - wrong. I should have chosen nescafe and we would have got milk with it. But we survived; didn't feel sleepy for hours. Hoppy got snarled at for giving a kid a fifty cent euro; I made the mistake of giving him E2 - all smiles for me but then his brother popped up beside us. We had to retreat to the inside of the cafe for some peace. Saw someone who looked like he slept on the street, wandering through the cafe; you know the footpath goes through and separates the outside tables from the inside ones; as he wandered through he saw a glass of water half drunk so calmly picked it up and emptied it before ambling off again!This is Greece's third largest island with a populationof 90.000. Could have stayed but off we go again.

The Rumour mill. There have been three deaths since leaving Sydney.
There actually was two explosions on board about mid night. We didn't hear it but the Captain come on telling everyone all was OK. Apparently it was a boiler.
Quite a few people - five that I positively know of - have left the ship for various ailments and gone back home. We're still hanging in and feeling G R E A T.

Mytilene

Well you might comment "said nothing". It has disappeared.
Well this is in the island of Lesvos - Greece's third largest Island with a population of 90.000 peops.
Not one of the pretty blue and white islands but idyllic none the less. We had a swim - Hoppy took a photo of me in the blue yonder with the ship in the background suggesting I had been thrown overboard. Some hope! There's a statue of Liberty here too; much nicer than US one. Had an iced coffee but mistakenly got expresso insyead of nescafe which meant really strong and no milk. Live and learn - hard on a slow learner. Will keep it brief in case I found the original indrafts. Cant always get into drafts!! Love from us.

i Mean Mytilene, Lesvos, glorious Greek Island

Pireus, Athens, Corinth

Yeah. Another great day’s trip. We started off early so were at the Acropolis at about 8.30. Not many people around –Saturday morning early, and a long weekend to boot. Yes. I finally went to the Acropolis! Last time we were acropolissed out after a few weeks in Turkey but this time they got me. It was very interesting in fact. Very grand but that grandeur enhanced by the continuing restoration work, compared to the absolute ruins we saw before. I always thought that there were interminable steps too, but entering at the side and stopping in the shade for a talk you hardly noticed. A great view all around at the top. I love looking out over the roof tops and into all the back yards. Lots of churches, domes, bells, here. Fascinating. Took lots of photos!!!! After two hours bus ride we passed various seaside resorts – just gorgeous, to have lunch at a very nice hotel; and had a very nice lunch. Wine was provided but a bit rough for my taste. Not as nice as the Israeli white! We then went to ancient Corinth. First, of course, the compulsory shopping at Temple Apollo – more expensive stuff and I finally made sense of some of Mum’s things. Here the same family for generations has pottered and made jewellery based on ancient stautes etc. Mostly very large and very overdraft causing! Hoppy bought a fair wine goblet. Using one of Pythagoras’s theories, if you go past the “fair” line the cup empties itself and greedies have none!! At ancient Corinth another temple and town partially excavated. Another village is under that again so to uncover one could mean losing the other so there the sit, half exhumed. Then off to Corinth Canal which joined the Aegean Sea with the Ionic sea. Eighty metre walls to an eight metre deep passage for smaller ships and boats, and twenty-four metres wide, saving a 105 mile journey around the peninsula. Here we also found a shop with trumpet ice creams, yummy nut bars – just like home but with a twist!! Back through the country side of olive trees, vineyards and pistachio trees to home – now everyone seems to call the ship home!! Oh the temperature – a gorgeous 37C.

Lots of love from us!

Ashdod, Israel

So on to Ashdod, the entrance for us, to Israel. We chose a trip which took us along a fertile coastal plain planted with oranges and avocados trimmed into high hedges for ease of picking, through Jerusalem, where all the amazing holy sites were pointed out and we had a chance to take photos from the Mt. of Olives, of Gethsemane, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Golgotha. All there just in front of us and surprisingly close together. We saw the walls of the old city now eclipsed new housing but still in the same style. It’s a very pretty city and apparently deceivingly hilly. We travelled through Jerusalem, Jericho, through the West Bank, toward Jordan and the Jordan River which flows into the Dead Sea. The Israelis consider less than 200 ml of rain, dessert, and less than 100 ml wilderness. We had a stop near where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in a cave (1947),and a chance for some shopping.  We then went off to Masada, a flat topped mountain standing totally isolated from the mountain range and an easily fortified outpost for the Romans. It also had a palace and retreat on the northern side for Herrod. It was sacked by Jewish Zealots who lived there for three years before being surrounded by Roman armies and forced to capitulate. The men killed their families and are believed to have drawn lots to kill 9 others then themselves so that all of them wouldn’t be condemned for committing suicide. This was in 73 AD I think. It’s vaguely reputed that the eruption of Pompeii (1979?) was divine retribution. Even left some stores there to tell the Romans they hadn’t been starved to submission. The set-up was quite amazing with channels to capture flash floods when it rained; stables (turned by the Zealots into a synagogue) for the donkeys that carried the water from the reservoirs to a cistern at the top; they even farmed pigeons for fertiliser for their gardens. Here we saw about twenty 19 year old females carrying M16 rifles on their hips although dressed in civvies. They were on leave from the army. Women do 2 and men 3yrs compulsory training which includes visits to historic sites and study of their history. We went up the mountain on a cable car but Jews make pilgrimages to here at least once a year and walk up and down a “snake path” – some sacrifice in the heat with no shade.

We had a lovely lunch at Lot Spa Hotel , all kosher food, and then came one of my most anticipated events  - a swim in the Dead Sea. What a strange sensation.  You can’t swim; you can lie on your back and read, I have photographic evidence. It’s actually very strenuous trying to keep the right way up because your feet keep coming up. There’s an umbrella with bars around it so you can get some respite by tucking your legs under but because your tummy wants to float to the top it’s still quite uncomfortable. I touched my tongue with my finger – horrible horrible taste. Poor Hop got some water in his eye and I tried to guide him to shore for a shower before he could get back in. They recommend only 15 minutes in the sea then a shower, then back in if you want to. There's a tent full of showers on the sand. All very well thought out. But the sand was extremely hot and the waterside about a metre of salt crystals. Some describe it as a swim in baby oil but not quite. Your skin does feel rather smooth. Of course there are evaporation ponds and works where they extract minerals from the sea; the sea is also receding quite alarmingly and they are trying to discover ways of saving it. So how low can you go? This is the lowest place on earth at 1276 feet below sea level. We can’t get any lower!We went home on a secondary road, still pretty good, through open lands planted with corn, wheat and  other fruits and veg; we also saw lots of Bedouins tending sheep and goats,  also camels and donkeys,with their fragile tents beside expensive looking farm machinery – some baling hay or the like. I saw every kind of car imaginable. On the dock there were acres of cars. They are trucked to the port from wherever they are made, then shipped to the various Mediterranean countries, to save being sent through the Suez; to save paying the Egyptians the Suez fee – they love that idea. It’s all much of the same story and history, told from another point of view. Somehow Jordan felt more biblical. Maybe Jerusalem is the New Testament City.

Greece tomorrow and we're off to Corrinth. Pretty busy from now on as you'll see. I've finally caught up with travels and blog so hope I can keep going without too much raving!! Love to yo'allXXXXXXXX

The Red to the Med - the Suez Canal

I don’t know why I woke at 4.15. Looking out the window I saw irresistible rows of lights. I’ve got to go. Shall I wake the sleeping giant! Better. Hop said he’d be out when he woke, which was only 5 minutes later. The lights were container ships at anchor, some dredges and maybe the odd oil rig. We our anchor went down a few minutes later as we waited for our turn to go through the canal at our preordained time. We watched for another hour or so as  two pilot boats offloaded their men, another with lots of boxes to throw up through the open door on about deck 4 – later I found out what these were when some Egyptian men were selling their wares downstairs; the forth was a quarantine boat. We eventually went to bed for another couple of hours.

I LOVE DESSERTS BUT THE Sinai, through which the Suez Canal passes, is pure sand and challenges anyone I would think. Mind you that is on the eastern side of the canal, the other side is lush. The water from the Nile comes in canals some 100 miles away. Amazing. In some places it is piped under the canal and reappears on the other side but the population and use of that water is hardly noticeable. Pretty painted houses line the western bank, prosperous looking townships and some cities, especially where there is a massive bridge high enough for ships to pass under. We passed other bridges but they were pontoons, as many as fourteen at a time, lined up on the banks but towed out to form bridges when necessary. The main occupation seemed to be military. Checkpoints were every 500 metre or so. Piercing whistles seem to be the main form of communication.  There were regular “barracks” with maybe twenty trucks for troop transport lined up under cover of course. Some had antiaircraft guns out – uncovered!  There were also locals fishing in their little boats, some sleeping with their blue sail over the boom for shelter; local ferries with trucks loaded with all kinds of goods moving across in front of us; long trains racing along the western shore line. We completed our transit in 10 ½ hours – ahead of schedule.

Us? We’re doing it hard. Lying on the loungers in the shade; there’s a bit of a breeze but it’s the vacuum caused by us steaming along at 20 knots or so. Hop asked me to get the Captain to slow down but unlikely me thinks. We slept in so having breakfast at 1130.am. Yes, observing the passing parade of rippling bodies; laughing at some old ladies trying to get off the loungers (funny ‘til my turn comes), whoops Hoppy’s just fallen back onto his….. It’s a bit chilly in the wind and he’s moving out into the sun. Fresh from the noon bridge up-date the sea is 8.300 ft. below us! Daily high 29C; low 22C. Not as hot as usual as we found in India, Saudi and the others places. I hope the UK is going to warm up a bit! Well I’m off into the sun too – enough of this cold. Sorry – couldn’resist.            Well you don’t live in a dessert. But I’m sure I could.

Love getting your comments and emails. I’ll keep it up if you keep it up!!!!!!!!!!

Egypt and Jordan

We entered Egypt through the eastern port of Safaga; a mainly phosphate exporting town with Hurghada nearby – a resort town where the constant wind makes sailing and all kinds of water sports very popular. It’s on the Red Sea and apparently there are all kinds of corals and fish not usually found so far north. Cairo is less desirable so we were lucky to make landfall here. We chose the trip to the Valley of the Kings, a vast necropolis on the west bank of the Nile (and a very long drive – 3 hours each way). So far it has yielded 62 tombs including the fairly recent discovery of Tutankhamen. We went into three tombs; they alternate those open for viewing; there are also others in the process of excavation and the hope that there are innumerably more. Of course, the hawkers are there in force and I made a few purchases but most of our buying was easy and peaceful being on the bus enroute. Our guide was very knowledgeable but we have found you easily get confused by the thousands of years BC quoted and suffer information overload. We also visited the Temple of Luxor, on the east bank with an avenue of huge sphinxes, a red granite obelisk, gigantic columns and a vast history again, of kings and religions. I thought we were going to see a riot as things looked pretty fraught in a queue waiting for petrol. They can only get so much a month. As of the 1st July they can get 150 litres pr month at a subsidised price of about US50c and any more will cost US$1.50 pr litre. They are not happy campers. Of course they gesticulate and yell a lot; sounds pretty cross.

At Aqaba, Jordan, we visited the lost city of Petra. Here the works of nature were as fascinating as the works of man- the colours in the eroded towering cliffs just beautiful. A narrow canyon leads to what you would think was an ancient town, but due to the relevance of the next life as the everlasting life, vastly more time and wealth was lavished on that future dwelling than the current ones which had mostly tumbled down. Awesome tomb facades according to the standing of the future burialee and carved symbols of many and varied civilisations. There was a book and jewellery store run by the NZ woman who wrote the book “ I married a Bedouin” Her son was there that day and we had a brief chat with him. He studied in Nelson and Sydney and now seems to be driven by where is the most fun, but a nice enough young man; I can’t blame the woman for falling for the father if he was near as good looking as the son! The walk was touted as very strenuous and many were dubious as to their ability to make it. Fortunately the promised 35C didn't happen and the wind kept things quite cool at 28C, however 2/3 of the way out we took the offer of a horse each to ride – man that saddle was the absolute comfiest seat in the world!!The Bedouins own the area and we saw many of them in their tents on the hills as we bussed for a couple of hours each way to and from Petra. Jordan is beautiful – absolutely massive and biblical in its majesty. Shepherds watching their flocks by night; Jesus looking out over the city; all these things so easy to see; Aran’s tomb on a nearby mountain top; the area where Moses led his people and where he struck the rock and water gushed forth – awesome  sights all ‘round. Our guide described Jordan as a quiet house with noisy neighbours! A more gentle people, I think, than the Egyptians who are not at all happy with their present government. It truly is amazing, and rather unbelievable, to be popping in and out of all these countries with their varying customs and interesting ways, in an area where we think of wars and conflict; you can easily forget that there are ordinary people doing the ordinary things of day to day living and having the same struggles that everyone faces – children, education, health. We learned a little sign language in Jordan and I found it worked well with the hawkers. Not the kids though – “Make my day” “Closing down sale” “Happy hour” Then there were the showoff horsemen racing up and down between riders in the narrow canyon - keep your ears open and get to the side; the horses and carts touting for takers to have their bones shaken and the rest, mostly quite large people. Of course they go fast to drop one lot and pick up the next. The more trips the more money!! Hey Lynda – even camels to ride on. $5 to get on and $40 to get off!!!!

Hey I'm out of space!!!!!!!!Love to you all from us XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

India...........

18^th June 2013. A beautiful day – calm seas; blue skies; 28C air, water 26C. We didn’t wake up til 10.30; breakfast was over but we had fruit, cheese and breadrolls; watching the Lions and Brumbies on deck but the sound has been lost. Hop’s just enjoyed a seafood buffet – or what’s left of it. I did scab a few tasty scallops too. Coffee time me thinks. Sea day today then through the Suez tomorrow all going well. Takes 12 hours and we do it in convoy – should be interesting and like all the places we’ve visited, unbelievable to be there/here.

Impressions of India – What beautiful open hearted people – in the main. Sure there are beggars and homeless, then the lucky thousands in the slums; that’s just the way it is. I was cross with one ten year-old or so, begging with a maybe two year old on her hip; every now and then she would push the child’s head back sand swing her around til she cried. I was looking out the bus window and said crossly impulsively, “No don’t do that” She pouted and stopped for  a while – I can understand she really didn’t want to be there but……. The little one kept her eyes closed. I still think the babies are drugged or something..

You know about Delhi belly? Well I took pills for nausea, pills to stop the trots…..and guess what happened? I got constipated and didn’t have the pills to make me go!!!!!!!!

The rubbish in the street didn’t seem to smell! May be different once the rains come to help with decomposition but then also, it would wash away.

Occasionally I smelled a sulphuric smell but that only serve to remind me of Rotorua. I purposely sniffed but I couldn’t smell curry anywhere. Everything and everyone seemed to smell beautiful. The hotels were deliciously scented. I still have the body lotion from Delhi – it just smells so good. The hotel in Agra looked out over gardens where we could see monkeys romping, and of course, the ever present squirrels that stop still until you have them lined up in the camera sights then scamper off at a most unreasonable speed.

One of the crew from Poland, is married to an Indian she met on the ship, they have a restaurant in Goa. She does 6 months now and then to add a little to the coffers.

Would like to return to India one day, after I found out where Great Grand Father was.  I enjoyed it. Who changed the font on me – not to worry. XXXXXXXXXXXXX Delyse.

Agra - Delhi and the Red Forts

After the Taj it was check in time again where we didn’t have a room. We lunched in our same sticky damp clothes and our free time was taken up waiting for a room, but that’s India. Anything can happen at any time. Don’t take things for granted – it will be alright in the end. Eventually it was off again to the Agra Fort with fabulous views of the Taj through intricate “windows” and just as magnificent. We had a shopping trip to the “mall” but not as we know it. We were treated (!) to a demonstration of the craft of inlaid semi-precious gems into marble, as in the Taj Mahal walls. The tables made here were only $20.000. So Lynda – no – you don’t have to arrange another overdraft!!!! It actually gave me a horrible feeling of de ja vu. After resisting the beautiful jewellery and encrusted clothes we were back in the bus to another “mall”. Number 1 bus pulled up after their fabulous visit to the other “mall”. Some turned straight around and out but others were captured.  We convinced the guide that another mall wasn’t on OUR agenda. We did manage 15 minutes, which Hoppy recalls as 30, at a real shop and managed to get some cotton trousers and nice top to wear that evening for a Classical Dance performance which was actually enjoyable, performed on a stage outside and including a free, very nice, Kingfisher  beer!

Next morning was a sleep-in; no wakeup call til 6.30. At 7.30 we left for our 4 ½ hour bus trip back to Delhi. Nice express road – all tolled of course, and some interesting views of the country side with cotton crops, wheat, rice, corn; and donkeys, buffalo, horses and camels; interesting hay/fodder stacks, cow droppings shaped into discs and built into patty stacks which resembled mud houses, for future fertiliser or fire fuel. Most houses were very rudimentary; wealthier farmers had a well for irrigation; all interesting.

In Delhi we checked in to the Sheraton again and after lunch had our tour of the city then onto our cycle rickshaw ride through the Old Delhi Market with stalls lining the narrow alley and overhead electrical wires to die for (literally). Apparently the local electrician knows exactly which wire goes to whose house – unbelievable! Another red fort, this one reminiscent of the Palace in Istanbul – beautiful. Our last call was at the peaceful gardens where Mahatma Ghandi was burned and where the eternal flame burns in his honour.

Home, food, and 12.30 am wakeup call for our flight to Dubai. We needed all that time for all the security checks at the airport before our 4 am flight. The most miserable 4 hours on  flight in my life, I was asked to change seats by various bods for various reasons; my seat was not by Hoppy; eventually where I ended up I froze. The blanket would have been better to have been made of newspaper, but, hey, I survived!!

Happy Birthday Dede!!

Happy Birthday Mum...hope you're having a lovely day....had to hack your blog again and post this cheesy birthday video..

Lots of love from all of us back in rainy NZ...XXXXX

Mumbai to the Taj

We flew from Mumbai to Delhi and finally some food. It was a long time from our 9 am breakfast til our lunch on board the plane, but that was delayed til 5 pm after the bumpy flight temporarily stopped the serving of “lunch”. I had a tasty chicken wrap and Hop enjoyed chicken sandwiches. The coffee , totally unlike any coffee I’d ever had, was gorgeous;  sweet and milky and caramelly heaven. My blood sugar was just about zero. It was a two hour flight to Delhi and we bussed past some of the local sights on our way to the Sheraton Hotel, a buffet dinner, the best ever Indian bread, and our beds for the night.

Four am. we were up again, tea, coffee and rolls for a snack and off to the railway station for  the Shatabdi Express to Agra. Hey, the fattest, chubbiest rats I’ve ever seen live at Delhi Station. There were a few bodies asleep around the place here; some on the floor; some precariously reclining on narrow benches; some with suspect puddles beside them! Under advice we declined the breakfast offered on the train as we sped towards an 8.45 breakfast at our next hotel. We boarded the bus for the Taj Mahal!! It was very impressive. We entered through the eastern gate after security checks and the now walk through security screen and pat down; men through one gate and ladies through another with a pat down person of the same sex. The whole area was beautiful from the elaborate gates and walls, the reflecting pools and avenue trees, the mausoleum itself with inlaid precious gems decorating every face and gigantic wall, and the mosques on either side in red marble, red and cream brick and more intricate designs and painting inside. We were there for over three hours and with the temp at 47C and little shade it was long enough. We spent some time looking out over the river that runs behind with packs of dogs cooling off and cows, and rubbish of course. We walked down a side area where trees gave us some shade, photographed squirrels and birds and general recovered til time to go. Time to run the gauntlet of hawkers again. What chaos. Love it.

 

 

Mumbai

Still very hazy – sand in the wind. We have left the UN protected corridor – saw two war ships yesterday and another today – a Saudi frigate. Lots more traffic but very limited visibility. We have transited the narrow entrance, Bab el Mendeb , and are now in the Red Sea. Much calmer DG.

Yes Mumbai is amazing, feels good, and not too overcrowded when we visited India Gate and Taj Mahal* Hotel at 1.30 pm. Hop was a bit distressed by the beggars, particularly those with the skinniest babies you’ve ever seen – probably props used regularly by various women and expected to bring in so much per day for their pimps. I’m sure the babies are doped. There was even a young man with a babe that looked no older than two weeks. Lots of vendors of course targeting everyone –school holidays here. Begging is a legitimate part/way of life here.   Saw Leopolds*(*all part of Shantaram – the book I’m loving and deeply into). The architecture is interesting and ornate as in Victorian although more affluent suburbs spawn modern apartment blocks through to lavish apartments on thesouthern peninsula across the bay at US$2000 pr. sq. ft. An wealthy man built a billion dollar house – 7 floors for parking vehicles, 10 floors for his four families BUT the feng shui was not right so it’s not occupied – oh dear. The waterfront promenade* and a temple* accessible only at low tide and looks like a floating island when the high tide cuts it off.  None of the beaches in Mumbai are suitable for swimming though. We accessed the airport via a 5km long bridge which skirted the city and went over the bay. Saw heaps of slums, easily picked out by the bright blue tarpaulins which serve as roofs – like we buy from the Warehouse. They also are an accepted part of life – immigrants coming to the city looking for work, euphemistically called shanty towns.

 

Interesting Architecture - Mumbai
 

 

India

At the Taj
 

Malaysian Lion
 

Yes - we are still here - well somewhere!!

From the sad and facsinating reality of India to the opulence, harmonious and surreal unreality of Dubai.

Sorry if you missed us too much. I will try to get the India trip done in the next few days. One of our next 5 sea days have already slipped by with me in recovery mode.
Yes Dubai - dream it build it! We did a trip on our arrival back to Dubai - I slept most of it. But I did make the Berg Kalifa - the highest buildng in the world at 838 metres, and took the lift at high speed but hardly perceptibly to 124 stories for a magnificent view. We took photos of course but they are yet to be revealed. A young local girl asked for my help to take photos of herself and her husband - many photos, and she in her black coat and headgear. While I was lining them up an Arab gent nex to me, was lining up photos too, it could have been of the couple, or maybe as he protested it wasn't - just the view, but my man took exception to the possibility of someone photographing his wife. - I thought he was going to knock him flying but with the others extreme protestations nothing untoward happened and I continued being an obedient little photographer!!
We also visited the Emirates Mall where the ski fieldo complete with chalets, chair lifts and luige run are incorporated - all operational and kept  at  a constant 4Deg, manned mostly by shiveringPhilipinos. We also saw the Dubai Mall which we missed last time here; we had 2 hours for shopping but I was too exhausted, it was actually quite an ordeal. Hoppy finally found some batteries for his camera so he was a happy chappy. This Mall has a huge aquarium biult in where you can go diving with the rays and sharks - yummy. Everything in marble and brass and clean!!!! Ooozing money, money, money. Heavenly, according to our Italian guide. She has lived in the middle East for many years with her husband and two girls - just loves the place. Says it's so safe - you leave anything by accident somewhere and it wont be touched; keys in your car, house unlocked - all very civilsed - if you obey the rules!!
Well - another formal night calls and I was going to paint my nails - ooh la la - going wear my new Indian outfit - smashing. Who cares.
Love from us at a low 27.7C, 3.5 m seas ( a bit rough), hot strong winds (6 on the Beaufort) and
500 m visibility with sand driven by the wind, 86% humidity, and haven't seen the blue blue sky for several days, but still having fun and thinking of you all. XXXXXXXXXXXX

In Beautiful (yet to be prooved) Mumbai then the Taj Mahal.

Yes we're here again and getting right off this time. We're off to the Taj so wont be in touch for 4 or 5 days and that will be in Dubai. EXCITING!!!!
By the way the pirates are also repelled with ear splitting noise that has a 75 metre range - hence we have to stay inside and away from windows!! I thought the water canons - although great for teenage parties - wounldn't do that muchn agin bullets. Fun eh?
We have had our seadays - 4 - with 28C - 32C and 94% humidity if not raining - beautiful hot wind but a bit furious. You blow down one side of the deck and fight back up the other - cant possibly do the laps we should. The time goes by very fast. I'm still not hungry but after the next four days we'll see. The tour Director - who's coming with us - went to a recommended Restaurant and then went on a 20 pound weight loss program - involuntarily!!! I'm dieting the normal way and please God not that way!!
Have a great trip in Surfers Adrian. Bex, I hope the foot is healing fast. Cherie, glad sailing still floats your boat. You Royal winners keep it up. How's your Dad Lynda? The David Hornes - winners of course. Love you all XXXXXXXXXXXX Hoppy and Mummy

Piracy Drill and Porpoising.

Yes, we're in the pirate zone. Seems they've spread their target area since we last took this trip although there have apparently a significantly reduced number of incidents in the last four months. We had to shut ourselves in our cabins and stay away from the windows, with our doors propped open so we could hear the instructions from staff in the hallway. Seems they use high pressure hoses to keep any prospective pirates away. With being so big (the ship!) and fast we don't make an easy target so stop counting the prospective ransome; of course I know you'd pay up to save us?????
    The porpoise bit - I've got cruise brain and can't remember how to spell things! Well we've turned a corner and are now heading up the Indian west coast which means instead a nice porpoise action, diving in & out front on, we are being hit on the port bow and the ship is rolling a bit less comfortably so I got bombed again. Well, I decided to take some more Paihia bombers - they seems to do the trick - at the first sign of squirminess I'm into them.
Hoppy's running between lounges to catch both the State of Origin & the Lions and Force Rugby matches. I've had a sleep (?) and decided to say hello to you lovely peeps. "HELLO".
Love to you all.............XXXXXXXXXXXX

I'm not hungry any more!

And I'm down to only two courses at dinner! Hoppy never looses his appetite of course, but has been known to miss dessert on occassion.
Langkawe - 98 islands at high tide and 108 at low tide - but only three inhabited; total population 140000. Very developed for such a low number of residents but tourism has boomed since KL granted it duty free status in 1987 and now they enjoy 50.000 tourists a year.Well we were to do the river cruise and see bats in their caves, crocodile cave - no crocodiles now - a fish farm and sea eagles. We arrived at Kilim jetty,  had to get of the bus and walk about 500 yards donned in the glamorous and only vaguely waterproof ponchos, in which time we were mostly dry but shoes squelched within the first few footsteps. We waited around, under cover thankfully, on the jetty. Just when you thought the rain couldn't get any heavier it did! Torrential - well it is the tropics. One boat load went off with the locals advising not to go. Half an hour went by, interesting seeing the local people. By the way the obesity "epidemic" is in evidence even way out here. Then our trip was cancelled and we went shopping instead!!!! We went to the town Mall - interesting but shopping????????? We had a coffee eventually since we couldn;t get back on the bus and have a sleep. Then off for a chinese smorgesboard lunch. I tasted most things but left a lot - I'm just not hungry. We then went backfor a shortened version of the boat trip - got to see the fish farm - at least these ones were fed real fish not meal as the ones in the Mekong in Vietnam - but huge groper and trevally kept in nets about 3m x 2m! Lucky me - I got to hold a horshoe crab - this one only side plate sized, not dinner plate size like the big ones, apparently not at all agressive despite the scary 10inch long tail/spike! We saw heaps of sea eagles and had a lovely blow out on the river. Lots of yachts anchored around the river. A much cheaper option than marina fees at the main harbour.
We're into our second sea day of four on our way to Mumbai on 7th and our exciting crosscountry trip to the Taj and more........
Hoppy's developed a ghastly cough but insists he's OK otherwise. I dosed up on bombers yesterday but today am fine. Yeah! We are heading into 3.5 metre waves - better than side on - cant use the flippers (stablisers) and its very windy, but lovely warm winds - delicious. I see we're just crossing the bottom of Sri Lanka. Amazing!!!
Lots of love to you all. We're happy as but missing you all....love from US.

Just grabbing a minute between dinner and the show

I didn't mention the Zoo. We had a very nice breakfast then we saw the orangutans having breakfast followed by a photo shoot. Hoppy succumbed and bought one but it actually wasn't too bad. They also took one on our camera which I will send when we get it sussed, along with the trillion others. The zoo itself was OK - maybe I'm jusy getting fussy. We thought too, we may have had more interaction with the "O"s but no. Fair enough. It was better than a photo with a stuffed one. We'll have to go to Camp Leekie in Bourneo and have a cuddle with one. They are adorable.
Today we were at Port Klang - the port for Kuala Lumpur. We had a long bus ride to a home stay where we had a delightful snack of local cakes and tea. It was very yummy. Will try a few recipes when I get home! Their garden was also a delight with orchids and herbs and trees all growing in profusion and confusion! The house was equally interesting and unique. Hop left his film card behind so we wont send you any shots of today!
Langkawai tomorrow then 4 or 5 sea days to Mumbai and our exciting trip to the Taj. May have more time to get the much awaited and lauded photos away.
We're away now. to Australias answer to Andre Rieu OR Marigold Hotel under the stars on the open deck ....more decisions. Lotsaluv - the Hoppys XXXXXXXXXXXX