Looking Back.

I arrived back in Buxton, late in the afternoon of Thursday 10th May after what turned out to be a somewhat difficult final two days of the Queen Mary 2 World Voyage 2018.

I had acquired far more than I had space for in my existing baggage. Whether I panicked, being the end of the voyage, I am not sure. But symptoms too close for comfort, similar to those I experienced when I was taken ill last year did give me, and others, real cause for concern.

I acquired another wheeled case, and after much juggling about, managed to complete my packing somewhat later than I had hoped. Porters were on hand the following and very last day, to transfer everything to my car which my neighbour had very kindly driven down for me the previous day.

I am told it can take up to two weeks to acclimatise to one’s familiar surroundings following a decent visit to the Far East. Jet lag must play a major part in this prolonged recovery. I had returned by ship in a much more relaxed manner. Even so, I still felt the effects of “post cruise blues”, particularly on the first full day back home, and then to a lesser degree as three or four days passed. Today, with magnificent sunshine and now feeling the good effects of a long sleep, I can look back with a sense of achievement and gratitude, having completed and enjoyed this “holiday of a life time”.

A great part of me WOULD like to do this all over again. Now, being slightly familiar with the places, I would be less reliant on the organised coach tours. Most of these were excellent and afforded the greatest overview possible in the limits of what was often a lengthy day trip. One of the drawbacks is to my mind, time wasted in souvenir shops or other retail outlets where one had the feeling “back-handers” might have been involved! Visits to temples, mosques and museums were, often, rushed and I found it difficult to take in or hear what the tour guide pointed out to a group of, say, 35 people. At times we were split into smaller groups. Was such a brief visit worthwhile in any case? Usually; I would obtain where available, a guide to places visited for future reference. There are some excursions I would go on a second time, including both railtours in New Zealand, and some of the numerous boat trips on offer. In the big cities like Singapore and Hong Kong, I might well choose one of the other trips available.

While very “jaded” towards the end of the final week, I can’t wait to be on board QM2 once again. However, I shall have to wait until March 25th next year for my next “fix”! This gives me a second bite of the Lost City of Petra. I bought the guide books this year and would merely use the tour bus as a taxi from Aqaba. (Don’t tell Geraldine!)

Many world cruisers signed up for Cunarder, Queen Victoria’s foray into the Amazon in 2020. I nearly did, and may still do. South America and Antarctica remain the last two continents I have yet to explore. Before that, plans to cross Canada and Australia by train are in hand; possibly the USA as well before Trump’s anticipated further wrecking of America’s once fine railway system.

During my world voyage, I was aware that there were many who were disappointed with their experience of Queen Mary 2. Some of their issues were valid and intelligent. Others certainly were not! I was expecting some disappointments especially over a 17 week period. I had visions of the restaurant menu repeating itself over a weekly or fortnightly cycle, tedious repetitive entertainment and routines that would morph from a holiday to an expected life style. Items did appear on the menu several times, but never in a predictable order, except the Baked Alaska which always heralded the Grand Parade of Chefs, a feature of each section of the World Voyage. I have sat through so many of these that even the first of seven such parades I found intrusive and irritating….oh poor me I don’t think! In fact, I started to enjoy these again!

As for the entertainment, while there were several stagings of Appassionata, Rhythm of the Night etc., all performances were different and highly enjoyable.

I could write forever about the last four months; to take part in a journey of this magnitude and comfort (even in windowless accommodation) was an enormous privilege and unsurpassable experience, which even by going again, cannot quite be the same.

Thank you all for reading these blogs, which describe inadequately my recent travels.

David.