Blogs from Aqaba, South, Jordan, Middle East - page 2

We set sail from Salalah and it was time for the dreaded six days at sea. We had to head down through the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen and then into the Red Sea. I’m sure I don’t need to mention the pirates in the area that could have potentially made it the most exciting part of the trip. We saw none, however. But the Aegean Odyssey was prepared nonetheless. Coils of razor wire were strategically placed around the ship where boarders could potentially target. Also on board were a small number of security personnel who looked like they were ex-military. We did not see them about much, but we were assured they were there. We also found out they were armed when on Saturday morning it was announced that we would be rendezvousing ... read more

December 3-6th 2015 4 days at Sea for the long journey from Aquaba to Salalah Oman. Sailing the red Sea with an East south route now passing the proximity to Sharm el Shekh, we will transit off the shores between Egypt and Sudan. We are in waters at risk of piracy. Special crews are aboard ( Black Pearl defense) with experience in these matters. Now sailing between Africa and the Arabic peninsula in the open sea of Sudan and Eritrea. Now connecting with the Mediterranean sea on the gulf of Aquaba to the Indian ocean. Heading South East to sail across the strait of Bab el man eb entering the Indian ocean at its narrowest point (30) km separating Yemen from Gibuti. The Island of Perim divides the canal in 2 parts Bb Iskander and Daggart ... read more

LET ME IN Monday – Making friends Where to begin? Today was by far one of my most favourite days in Aqaba… So far. There was two dives with the two lovely French guys in the morning. We dove at the tank site and I decided to bring Ahmed along with me as he needed the dives. Abdallah drove the van to the site as told to by Mohamed… I don’t think Mo trusts me with the van as I nearly destroyed it last time. In time I will drive it again! Inshallah. First dive was excellent. Nothing too substantial or unusual to be seen but the tank is always an exceptionally enjoyable dive site! We headed back to the beach and changed the tanks around. Upon surfacing Ahmed Shower (I still can’t believe his last ... read more

Monday - SMILE FOR THE CAMERA Today was an unusual day as I did a dive but the dive centre made no money! Basically today we had an event marking the 30th Anniversary of the Cedar Pride shipwreck sinking at the request of Abdullah the Divemaster but more commonly known as the King of Jordan way back in 1985 (it is a shame he didn’t sink a DeLorean). Turkish Airlines sponsored the event today that invited all dive centres to take part in showing off the shipwreck by taking down some VIP people, I am not sure about what organisation they were from but they were from… Somewhere. Around 60 or 70 divers were in the water looking for one of those small airlines that typically travel agents have on their desks with a curved support ... read more

Geo: 29.5234, 35.0072... read more