have a bloody brilliant trip Great to have heard from you both wonderful story telling keep in touch also is it possible to drop my soil off in your back yard have fun
Hello from Scotland - 7 degrees max so far this year! It sounds like you are having an interesting and busy time already. Have you been to Mauritius before? We were there for a month in 2008 when we stayed with a UK friend who moved out there. Sadly he has passed away but we keep saying we must go back again and visit some of the young friends we made while there. Are you there for just a few hours or several days? Recommend a flip round the old market in Port Louis but not bother with the newish westernised shopping mall. Boat trip out to Isle de Cerfs excellent or at Blue Bay - take some bread to feed the fish. We spent several days on the beach at Flic en Flac which is used by locals as well as tourists. (Many hotels don't allow access to Mauritians). There is a super restaurant where big tortoises roam about between the diners.....lots of other things to do and see too. We were lucky to experience Mauritius as the locals do rather than stay at a hotel. If you would like, I'm sure our friend Kunal would love to meet you and show you around. There may not be time of course. We are looking forward to hearing about the Astor and what happens next. Enjoy! x x
The joys of Gold Class We took the same trip in 208 and had a grand time. Love train travel. We'd love to come back and take the train from Darwin to Adelaide.
Indian Pacific ... Hi John & Sylvia,
Great to see you off and away again and, what an adventure awaits! :) Ted and I did the Indian Pacific a few years ago, Sydney to Perth - what a trip! Several years later - we then did the Ghan. Always said that when they pushed the railway line through from The Alice to Darwin, we would do it so, we did - Darwin to Adelaide and then the Indian Pacific back home to Sydney. Two of the world's most iconic train trips that we would do again in a minute. Will look forward to reading about all your adventures. Happy travels!! Jan & Ted (Skiset)
Your are off What a great way to kick off your massive Round the World adventure...across the guts of Oz in the Indian Pacific...one of the World's iconic train rides. Does this mean you will try as many forms of transport as possible on this trip?
Transport As many as we can, Dave, except planes! Trains, boats and buses already planned. So far no camels yet but who knows what may happen in Dubai or Jordan.
Your trip. Tony and I sailed from Mauritus en route to Reunion, but the ship broke down and we spent days in the port of Mombassa. Not to be recommended! In the event, we literally were in Reunion for half an hour, so the French passengers could disembark and get to the airport for their flight back to Paris. We didn't even have time to get off the ship. X
Mauritius and Reunion I hope our experience is better. The last time this cruise ship sailed it was held up by pirates off Madagascar so we have taken out special hijack insurance :).
Love your style It is always great taking a fear and turning it into an adventure. Most people who don't want to fly would sit home on their couch...but not you. Excellent. Yes we remember the wonderful container ships. Carry-on.
Love your style Thanks for your comment. I didn't mention it in the blog but Sylvia and I are going to Perth on the Indian Pacific railway. Just re-read your blog about your trip. Really looking forward to the experience.
What delightful coincidences ;) Well...seeing as you depart my hometown on my 50th birthday and I will have just gotten back from Reunion myself, I guess we must need to catch up while you are here :) What a lovely adventure you are heading on cant wait to read about it and see you again :)
Perth `Thanks, Cindy. We will arrive in Perth late afternoon on the 12th of March and leave for Fremantle on the 14th. We sail on the 16th so I hope we can find some time to meet up in one of those places.
ROCKIN' & ROLLING Great read...been waiting for you to resume your freighter news following hearing about it at the Sydney Get-together. I'm not sure my guts would survive the rockin' & rolling of an Atlantic crossing. I do know what it's like playing table tennis in rough seas though!
Nice trip Thanks for sharing this great trip! It's refreshing to read something that's a little out of the ordinary and quite different. My wife and I have been thinking of travelling across the Atlantic in this way for quite some time... You may have inspired us to do so...
My glasses... ...take a huge battering when I travel. I put them down and forget them. I sit on them. I drop them overboard when looking at the water. Costs me a fortune. Can't insure against stupidity, sadly.
Very useful info about London - La Spezia Thanks John for getting your round tuit! I am most impressed by your objectivity and now I understand why you were both so knackered by the time you got home.
Now this is what we were all waiting for... and it's good that you deleted the previous short blog as editing it with all this additional information would have left it off the Front Page where it belongs. Posting the menus sure distinguishes freighters from cruise lines...not sure what I would have done when a plate of sheep's liver was put in front of me. We look forward to your next update!
Sheeps Liver tastes great when it is cooked well. It's called "Lambs Fry" in the UK and is a traditional breakfast dish.
I will continue to distinguish my freighter blogs so that they can be identified by others who might want to try out this form of transport.
It is not for everyone. You need to be able to keep yourself entertained or enjoy your own company.
Please complete the blogs for your trip... you need at least 500 words and four pictures to get on the Front Page. I know it is hard to find the time, but we do enjoy reading them.
Patience is a virtue! Thanks for the comment. Others have said the same. Unfortunately, life has many distractions but I am working on the blogs. They are written. I just need to find the time to type them up. Will get them done soon.
We are now home from our Round-the-World adventure. "Subscribe" and you will be notified when new blogs are published. Alternatively, send me a private message with your email address and I will add you to the subscriber list.... full info
Darren
non-member comment
have a bloody brilliant trip
Great to have heard from you both wonderful story telling keep in touch also is it possible to drop my soil off in your back yard have fun