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Crossing the Gulf of Aden is always a bit tricky especially this year as there has been a surge in pirate attacks. But between the presence of the Coalition forces and the preparations that Regent makes, we feel quite protected. After we left Oman we developed a generator problem so we weren't able to travel at full speed as is recommended by the Navy. As a result we had five sea days--which is great. It is a good time to get caught up on things, attend lectures, work on our blog, make cards and play tennis. Pam and Richard are on board now and they are ardent Hand and Foot card players. So we have been able to get a few games in.
There is a special event taking place on board put together by PTV which is a combination of NPR and PBS television and radio. Our Cruise Specialists group was invited to join in special dinners, cocktail parties, along with lectures, movies and seminars. The guest speakers included Ari Shapiro, White House correspondent; Charlie Cook, political analyst; Jackie Lyden, author and NPR host; and actor Michael York. Naturalist, Jack Hanna will be boarding later in the cruise. What
ARI SHAPIRO, NPR
With Dr Octavio Tobar, Ship's MD a talented group of people and they have a wealth of information to share with us. I couldn't get over the number of movies Michael York has starred in---everything from “Cabaret” to “Austin Powers”. In 1986 when we were living in London, we ran into Michael at a newsstand and chatted him up for a few minutes. I’m sure he must remember us!
We did have a few exciting moments at sea. Captain Scala told us that a container ship just behind us was attacked. He heard that container ship Captain calling for assistance on the VHF radio. Fortunately one of the Coalition warships launched two helicopters that scared off the pirates. A few days later two small boats came quite close to our ship and then veered off and approached the cargo ship following us. The cargo ship took evasive action and outran the threatening skiffs. We were watching all of this from the safety of the tennis court. We also had some friendlier visitors --schools of the most acrobatic dolphins we have ever seen. They put on quite a show with their flips and spins and general cavorting about.
At Bab al Mandab, or Devil's Gate,
we passed out of the Gulf of Aden and began our journey up the Red Sea. We watched the movie, "Lawrence of Arabia" in preparation for our visit to Jordan. Aqaba sits at the top end of the Gulf of Aqaba and shares a border with Israel. Having been to beautiful Petra several times, we opted to go to Wadi Rum. "Lawrence of Arabia" was filmed in this stunning desert in 1962. There were four of us in each jeep and we had a Bedouin driver. One of the guides told us that even though he is a Jordanian, he would never go into the desert without a Bedouin. They know how to survive in this harsh environment. In his epic movie, Peter O'Toole, playing Lawrence, showed how deadly the desert can be. During the Arab Revolt in 1917-18, T.E Lawrence noticed a very dominant rock formation in the Wadi Rum and ended up calling this mountain and his memoir by the biblical name “Seven Pillars of Wisdom.” We climbed a tall sand dune which afforded us some sweeping views of the colorful desert and the salt flats. The pertroglyphs are thousands of years old and depict the nomadic lifestyle
DESIGNS @ SEA
Susan's cabin-made cards of the desert dwellers. The vastness of the desert with its stark beauty is very impressive.
We visited several Bedouin camps and were offered tea and camel rides. As is quite common in the Arabian world but especially amongst the Bedouin tribes, men greet each other with kisses and hand holding. There were no women to be seen.
When we returned to Aqaba we visited some of the newly constructed resort hotels and then hiked along the coast back to the ship. This is the first time we have ever seen people on the beach and it was packed with families enjoying a day in the sun. It did seem that every boom box in Jordan was competing for the loudness award.
That day we saw crowds of men gathering for a rally. We read in the paper that a huge protest was taking place to mourn the creation of Israel in 1948. This protest is called the Nakba which means catastrophe. Even though the veneer of peace hangs over these lands, the passions run deep. Will peace ever come to this troubled corner of the world?
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Glenmore S Trenear-Harvey
non-member comment
A fascinating glimpse
Dear Susan & Kevin, Your blog has afforded a fascinating glimpse of your world cruise over the last five months and knowing so many of your fellow-cruisers and most of the ports you've visited has given me a splendid vicarious trip. Thank you. Your easy, yet informative style; gentle political 'digs' and warm humour have made your blog a read I've eagerly anticipated. I embrace you both and ask that you convey my salutations to those who may rememeber me. Big Hugs, Glenmore