I write as we make our way south-west towards Aqaba, Jordan. We have been blessed with fine weather ever since we reached the Arabian Peninsular, gentle winds and calm seas. It is not always like this, during the Monsoon season, later in the year, rain and strong winds are frequent.
To our south, a convoy is bound north-east; 9 cargo ships, of varying nationalities and size, are being escorted by 2 warships. The cargo ships are the ‘plodders’, relatively slow, they need their ‘shepherds’ to accompany them, a deterrent from the ‘wolves’ that lurk in wait, although far fewer in number, no-one is taking chances. It hearkens back to days gone by, the convoy system across the the Atlantic, when the ‘wolves’ were U-boats, except now they’re skiffs.
Back to Salalah, our call yesterday. The port is modern and is used mainly as a trans-shipment hub. Container ships bring in their ‘boxes’ and offload them; they are then trans-shipped to ports around the world. Cargo ships are here too, one of them, unfortunately, discharging limestone rock; with the wind direction, we find ourselves coated in a fine dust by the end of the call. All the hard work with sailors wash-downs have come to naught in a few hours.
Again, no chance to go ashore, far too much to do and Salalah itself is a long way by road. I leave it to my roving reporter to provide photos yet again.
First, a nice cup of tea, this one in style.
Then, off to the Bazaar, one would think by now that, after all the markets, souks and bazaars these ladies have visited, enough would be enough, obviously not. 🙄
Then a visit to the ‘Palace’, not Buckingham, but the Sultan’s and not quite a ‘visit’, the nearest they could get was to stand outside the walls. 🙂
The city is sprawling and stretches for mile upon mile, along the coast. There is no ‘central’ part of it, hence the lack of photos, although she tried hard.
Departing at 5 p.m., Friso, our Staff captain took her out, backing clear of the berth and then swing to starboard, bow towards the concrete.
When in Rome…..
Thank you very much for the blog we love it and looking for it every day (2nd year in a row). We noticed that you are coming to Ashdod. We very very much like to board the ship in Ashdod and disimbark in Cadiz. This is all to celebrate my wife 50th birthday. I know it is very last minute and unusual , We will be eternal grateful if it can happen. Thank you very much, Raphael.
Loving the photo of you Dad!!!! You look very stylish!!! Not long until Athens …….. xxxxxxx