I write while we are in Tanjung Priok, the gateway port for Jakarta and the tightest, most difficult docking I have ever experienced, but more about that after I have written this and move onto the 2nd..

Yesterday, the 1st, we docked in Semarang, yet another ‘wheelie’ required and I’m beginning to wonder how I manage to have such ‘luck’.  We had to turn in the northern end of the basin, because there was insufficient depth for us further south.

After Benoa, where we had wives, children and family galore, yet another welcome was arranged for our Indonesian crew, who had family within travelling distance, to show them our lovely ships and where they work.  As is the custom, yet another group of beautiful dancers and musicians greeted us.

On the way into Jakarta, some photos, taken through the taxi window, so apologies for the quality

We took a jaunt ashore, bakingly hot, well into the 90’sF, we took a taxi into town.  Being a Sunday, most of the retail areas were closed until 10 a.m., so time was spent having a coffee, while half of ‘the mob’ reconnoitered possible targets for a raid 😕

Having been successful, (thankfully with relatively few mementos)  I ventured to suggest that we went to a market, at the least there would be some photo opportunities, however before we did so, some photos of the centre.

Then, onto the market, hot and humid, we didn’t stay long and certainly didn’t use the opportunity to eat, ‘questionable’ cleanliness being the cause.

In need of a change of clothes and the air-conditioning, we returned to the ship, a haven of luxury.