David's Cruise

So beginneth what one might refer to as the “home run”. At around 5 to 5.30 yesterday afternoon, we exited the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea. The warmth of the day continued into the evening.

Yesterday was Jo’s birthday and a splendid dinner party at the “Captain’s Table” was hosted by her. We were, by far, the last to leave the Britannia Restaurant well after 11 o’clock. We adjourned to the Commodore Club for a “nightcap” before retiring for the night. Once again, I did not get to bed before 1.30am.

This morning, we were docked at Limassol, another “first”, for until today, I had never been to Cyprus.

I have chosen to make the most of my my final ports of call on this World Cruise by once again taking what might be interesting shore excursions. My choice for today was “Flavours of Cyprus”. This entailed a brief drive through the Port city of Limassol before climbing up into the mountains past fascinating ancient ruins, farms, vineyards and terraces. Indeed, the multi course luncheon in a hillside tavern did showcase wonderfully, the cuisine of Cyprus. Excellent it was too, with plenty of wine to encourage joining in the local dancing….ugh! All very nice except….The tour guide was one of those who felt it her job description to entertain and jolly us along, both on the way out, and back again. We were regailed with what seemed like the entire history of Cyprus as well as numerous myths and tales. However, she commenced her tour long entertainment by….singing to us! I cowered in abject horror as people joined in and started clapping along as if at an old people’s home Christmas party! Outside of this reminder of one’s parsimonious mortality, the countryside was a joy to behold. I think we travelled for around 75 (long) minutes. As I say, the “meze feast”, a kind of Cypriot banquet, was magnificent….except for the obligatory Benidorm style of entertainment afterwards where guests were invited to try their hand at local dancing. I clapped along with the enthusiasm of someone sitting an exam! And yes, after a litany of local tales….the coach driver said he wanted to hear an English song….my Bonnie Lies over the Ocean. The lyrics I knew as a teenager came to mind….”If I had the Wings of a Sparrow etc etc….”

At last, the “ordeal” was over and I had little enthusiasm for coming back. It wasn’t all bad; there was a rare opportunity to take uninterrupted photographs of Queen Mary 2 docked at Limassol where the opposite side of the vessel could be seen resplendent with the sun reflecting off the classic black hull, white superstructure and gleaming red funnel. I made the most of this opportunity before re-embarking. Being tired and out of sorts, I chilled out in my cabin before writing this blog.

Whatever my opinion was at the time, our tour guide had put a lot of preparation and enthusiasm into today’s excursion, and she was obviously a talented singer and very highly educated. I do admit to getting out of bed too soon and on the wrong side!

All the best, David.

For a second time, I awoke to find myself cruising gently along the Suez Canal towards the Mediterranean Sea. My Daily Programme for Saturday 28th April tells me that the Canal is 106 nautical miles. We transited the Suez Canal at around 8 knots. Despite a cooler forecast than in recent days, the weather turned out to be wonderfully hot. We are now at sea in the Mediterranean after a wonderful relaxing passage through the Suez Canal.

My first sojourn along here was on board Queen Mary 2’s maiden World Cruise of 2007. That final sector was a mere two weeks’ duration, and was towards the end of March. By the time we reached Civitavecchia, Italy, there was no trace of the previous days’ warmth with sleet evident in the precipitation. I soon turned around and re-joined the ship, not really interested in a train ride to Rome.

Today, the Captain has just announced cancellation of our call at Naples; currently no dock can accommodate Queen Mary 2. Instead, we shall anchor off Sorrento. This affords a magnificent opportunity to travel on the little electric railway to either Naples, Pompeii, or Vico Equense, where I used to holiday frequently in the 1980s.

As for today, I shall submit pictures from where the internet works a lot better.

Thanks again for reading,

David.

All the best, David.

While going through the blogs I had sent during my voyage, much to my frustration, I came accross several entries which I thought I had posted at the time of writing. Better late than never!

David

28/4/2018 In transit, Suez Cana en route for Limassol, Cyprus.surgery welcome.

As you can see from the today’s ship position information, we are now well on our way from Busselton, 200km south of Perth/Fremantle where we called yesterday. We have left the Indian Ocean and are now steaming east in the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean towards our next port of call, Adelaide. The sea has felt slightly choppy, being influenced by what I call “resident currents” from further south. The air temperature is a disappointing 20 degrees although the sun did feel warm in sheltered areas. Seas are reported as “slight”.

Yesterday, we anchored around three miles from Busselton, a sleepy residential coastal town with population around 30,000. Originally a logging town, Busselton boasts the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere. Perhaps 30 or so miles away is a prominent winery which we visited. Set in tranquil undulating countryside, vineyards are established to produce the finest and most varied of wines. In a covered verandah area, and also inside, is a very high end restaurant. I think our meal was of five courses with appropriate wines for each course. Busselton might have been slightly non-descript, but the Aravina Estate Wine and Gastronomy Experience was worth travelling halfway around the world to enjoy! Fifteen of us occupied a minibus for the journey; there was much excitement on the way as a sharp eyed passenger spotted a wild kangaroo with a youngster in tow. Thus, I saw my first kangaroo!

The penultimate course! (Duck with appropriate trimmings)

For some reason, the tour ran slightly late and the tender service back to QM2 was extended.

I perched myself outside on the upper deck for the ride back to the ship for spectacular views of QM2 which looked quite enormous as we approached. Despite having enjoyed a large lunch of several courses, I did join my table companions for second sitting dinner in the Britannia Restaurant, followed by a superb Beatles tribute act in the Royal Court Theatre. That the band’s hair style only resembled The Beatles slightly; their sound, attire, musicianship, and choreography were to perfection. The only inaccuracy was perhaps the absence of several thousand screaming teenagers. Those teenagers would be our age now….that’s a bit sobering! What is also sobering, I had a cup of hot chocolate before going, finally, to bed!

Today, I had a long chat with the Port Lecturer. I then visited the Tours Office, and booked shore excursions at ports up to Hong Kong. There is now the opportunity to spend a day in Bangkok which I have booked also.

More news soon,

David.

19th February 2018

Panoramic views from Mount Lofty, Adelaide Cleland Wildlife Park Cleland Wildlife Park Cleland Wildlife Park Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. The Hahndorf Inn, where we enjoyed an unexpected massive banquet, after our visits to Mount Lofty and Cleland Wildlife Park. Flight to Canberra from Adelaide. People with window seats thought they had a brief final glimpse of QM2. Adelaide Airport Canberra: National Museum of Australia. War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial Crowne Plaza, Canberra. Looking down from the 4th floor to the atrium Crowne Plaza Hotel Parliament House View of National Arboretum from Telstra Tower View from Telstra Tower. Tickets in hand for flight from Canberra to Melbourne. Back on board; the lights of Melbourne recede as QUEEN MARY 2 steams towards Kangaroo Island. These are just a few pictures I took during the second of two overland excursions away from the ship. Today is Monday 19th February; it’s just before 1pm and we are steaming in choppy seas towards Kangaroo Island where we shall anchor at around 7.30 tomorrow morning. I shall write a brief account of the Adelaide and Canberra overland excursion shortly. David

19th February 2018 Panoramic views from Mount Lofty, Adelaide Cleland Wildlife Park Cleland Wildlife Park Cleland Wildlife Park Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. The Hahndorf Inn, where we enjoyed an unexpected massive banquet, after our visits to Mount Lofty and Cleland Wildlife Park. Flight to Canberra from Adelaide. People with window seats thought they had a brief final glimpse of QM2. Adelaide Airport Canberra: National Museum of Australia. War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial War Memorial Crowne Plaza, Canberra. Looking down from the 4th floor to the atrium Crowne Plaza Hotel Parliament House View of National Arboretum from Telstra Tower View from Telstra Tower. Tickets in hand for flight from Canberra to Melbourne. Back on board; the lights of Melbourne recede as QUEEN MARY 2 steams towards Kangaroo Island. These are just a few pictures I took during the second of two overland excursions away from the ship. Today is Monday 19th February; it’s just before 1pm and we are steaming in choppy seas towards Kangaroo Island where we shall anchor at around 7.30 tomorrow morning. I shall write a brief account of the Adelaide and Canberra overland excursion shortly. David

With some inevitable dismay, I entered the last year of my 60s, thirteen hours sooner than I would have in the UK. As back at home, my becoming 69 would be celebrated with due jollity. And where else to mark the occasion, some obscure beauty spot on the other side of the World! And, on a railtour! Here are just a few pictures I am able to access

QM2 anchored off Akaroa, 1st March 2018

Typical rural scene, taken on return journey.

I do hope the rest of pictures will be available soon.

Birthday celebration, on board QM2 1st March 2018

The waiters perform a well rehearsed “Happy Birthday”. Britannia Restaurant, Queen Mary 2.

With best wishes, more to follow soon,

David.

From Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

From forward on Deck 2, it all looks quite spectacular. However, as an Australian teenager remarked, “I have seen much worse on You Tube”. The forecast was for Force 7 south westerly gales, partly cloudy. I shall be travelling between N.Z. and Sydney around this time next year, on Cunard’s Queen Victoria. That should be “interesting”.

Towards ‘A’ Stairway from where these wave shots were taken. 7/3/2018 15.05hrs.

David

Milford Sound

I have, again, tried to post images of my visit to the Lost City of Petra in small groups. Because of repeated uncertainty, I shall incorporate these images in my final writings when I return home.

All the best, David.