We arrived at Durban well before dawn. Having seen that our arrival time was due to be six o'clock, I had tried to establish when we would get off, so we could get an early start, but had been told that it would not be before seven, as that was when the immigration staff in … Continue reading Vibrant and Colourful: Durban, South Africa, Friday 29th March 2024
We passed Reunion during the night. I did have quick squint through the window and could see no lights. It was also rather windy, reaching force 8 according to the captain, rather more than forecast. I don't know whether it was our location, or the sea state, but there were a few birds around in … Continue reading Approaching Africa: at sea, Indian Ocean, 26th-28th March 2024
Although we were due into Port Klang at 08:30, we were already berthed at 07:00 when the sun rose. Apparently, during the night, we had changed our berth and were now in a completely different part of Port Klang, at a quayside in a container port named Westports, on an island called Pulau Indah. Sunrise … Continue reading A Few Hours in Malaya: Port Klang, Malaysia, Monday 18th March 2024
Four years ago, to the day, on 16th March 2020, we sailed past Singapore at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, watching a flow of airplanes landing at Changi airport while container ships and tankers were moored up after being told not to proceed any further. In 2024, we were already berthed at the Marina … Continue reading The Light Fantastic and other Gardens: Singapore, 16th-17th March 2024
The worst thing about cruising, as I always say, is that you never spend long enough anywhere. The only thing that makes that worse is a tender port, when you get even less time ashore. And the only thing worse than a tender port is a tender port where you arrive later than scheduled. We … Continue reading An Afternoon in Vietnam: Nha Trang, Vietnam, Wednesday 13th March 2024
We were sailing south to the east of the island of Hainan in China in the morning. A few Red-necked Phalaropes were scudding over the water early on. Then, we had the first signs of migration since we got on board, with the first of slow trickle of Amur Wagtails and Barn Swallows through the … Continue reading Paracel Force: at sea, South China Sea, Tuesday 12th March 2024
I never thought that I would arrive in Hong Kong and feel cold! But, after 34oC in Manila, it was no warmer than 16oC during our stay in Hong Kong and colder than that when we arrived before daylight. We were soon retreating from the balcony to dig out the fleeces before we went out … Continue reading Mall Maze Madness and Mai Po Magic: Hong Kong, 10th-11th March 2024
A blustery, rocky day at sea, as we were heading into a fairly strong wind. Indeed, the captain came on the tannoy mid-morning to tell us that the winds were stronger than forecast and were actually gale force 8, gusting force 9, with a 4-5 m swell. We were sailing through the South China Sea … Continue reading Choppy Waters: at sea, South China Sea, Saturday 9th March 2024
Manila has, apparently, been voted by users of Waze, the navigation app, as the most difficult city in the world to navigate. It is also, according to some measures, the most densely populated city in the world. Therefore, getting around the city in the traffic is no mean feat. I had a plan for Manila, … Continue reading Manic Manila: Manila, Philippines, Friday 8th March 2024
We were still in Indonesian waters first thing in the morning as we crossed the Celebes Sea. Once we crossed into Filipino water mid-morning, a few Brown Boobies started following the ship and chasing flying fish. They increased through the day as we got closer to land. The peak count was 25, although presumably there … Continue reading Celebes and Sulu: at sea, Philippines, 6th-7th March 2024
When I Grow Up I Will Go There 