Tuesday April 2^nd

Gulf of Suez

We left the Gulf of Aqaba and rounded the tip of the Sinai Peninsular and are heading into the Gulf of Suez.

I felt that I needed a rest after our energetic day yesterday, but it was not to be. I started a new project in the craft class, we are learning a really lovely arrangement of the Skye Boat Song in choir, and there were talks on Pirates, Meteors, and the Suez Canal to go to.

The talk on “How to Speak to Pirates” was very entertaining. Unlike when my computer at work suddenly was talking pirate to me thanks to the meddling of a co-worker, this talk was actually on talking to pirates as opposed to talking pirate. It seems that basically pirates are just like us, just trying to make a living. However, there are some really nasty characters out there. None the less, it seems like the government didn’t want us to upset them, and the BBC and Daily Mail got involved, so all in all we talked nicely to the pirates, and now for the most part they have gone away.

I loved learning all about the history, politics, and building of the canal in the Suez Canal lecture. I knew nothing of this information when I first transited the canal as a toddler in 1956, all I have is my grandfather’s rather shaky 8mm film of the trip. It was an ill timed passage through the canal, but then my grandmother and mother went to the UK from Kenya for a holiday to visit relatives in September 1939, and my parents sent me on a school trip to Israel in June 1967, so my family are not great at timing their travels.

Having enjoyed the locks in the Panama Canal I was disappointed to find out that there were no locks in Suez. I asked Brian how they knew when they built the Suez Canal that the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea were at the same level, and that the Mediterranean wasn’t going to end up draining into the Indian Ocean when they finally opened the canal. Brian had 2 words for me: SEA LEVEL. Of course, the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea are both at sea level. Oh dear, that was pretty pathetic on my part even for me. It was clearly time to head out on deck and get some fresh air.

We finally got to have a pub lunch. My favorite place for lunch on board. Nothing is as good as a tasty steak and mushroom pudding and a Strongbow cider. I also love that they have a beautiful portrait of Princess Anne there. I was obsessed with her when we were living in London when I was a child. After school Mum and I would ride the double decker bus around Buckingham Palace just in case I caught sight of Princess Anne playing with her dolls. I never did, but I know there was always the chance we MIGHT see her.

Sitting by the window in the pub we saw that we were passing some strange looking structures, so after lunch we got the binoculars so we could take a closer look at them. Despite closer examination their function remained a mystery to us. Possibly they had something to do with the oil industry. Who knows? They were very weird and we liked looking at them.

When all of the daytime activities were achieved, it was time to get ready for our next formal night. But first there had to be sundowners on the balcony. Those 2 lifeboats do get in the way, but we still get spectacular views.

A word on dress code. I have been very impressed by the adherence to the dress code around the ship in the evening. I am yet to see anyone come to dinner in inappropriate clothing, be it a formal (gala) or informal (smart attire) night. This is so great to see, especially as it is the last segment of the world cruise. I could almost forgive the world cruisers for not making the effort, as they have been on board for so long.

Tonight was no exception. The theme was the Egyptian Ball, and there were several people in Egyptian get up, some looking better than others. Some looking very weird indeed. But it seemed that everyone had made the effort.

Brian wore a hieroglyphic bow tie, and I wore my black dress with an Egyptian themed stole. Not exotic, but we thought it was fun.

We had missed dinner in the dining room last night, so it was interesting to catch up with our 4 usual tablemates and hear all about their Petra experiences. Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the day, and we had all thought it very worthwhile.

Just as we were about to embark on our desserts, Heather and Geoff arrived with much fan fare. Fortunately they only wanted dessert so their timing was good. Geoff had been feeling poorly, but luckily now seemed to be on the mend, so we caught up with all of their news while Heather showed us a library of cat photos on her iPad.

We headed off to the Queens Room to attend the ball. Would tonight be the night that we can show off our rather professional slow waltz? The answer is no alas. Brian took one look at the crowds and declared it was time to return to our cabin. Maybe tomorrow night…………