Since Singapore, there has been one scheduled port, three unexpected ports and the rest of the time either at sea or docked with nowhere to go. The cruise director has scheduled bingo and a guest talent show. There were no berries at breakfast and grilled tomatoes were by special request only. Even if Australia will not let the Silver Spirit disembark, everyone is hoping that they will allow to refuel and restock. The shore concierge informed TSH and Diva that flights have been obtained for March 18th, the expected day of arrival in Darwin.
No flight details yet, but the best option Diva found online was 2 stops, 18 hours flying and 24 hours elapsed. Not a good prospect!!
Seas have been calm throughout but some days the wind has been so strong that Tai Chi has been done on deck 5 under the lifeboats, instead of on deck 10.
Flying fish and a juvenile gannet have been sighted but no whales, dolphins or sharks yet. The navigation is not straight because there are many wrecks and reefs to be avoided. A point of interest is that somewhere in this region is the Darwin line, which marks the evolutionary difference between the fauna of SE Asia and that of Australasia. The Silver Spirit must pass it at some point.
Minor panic in the suite when a contact lens slipped out of TSH's grasp but a torch and a finger-tip search eventually located it. He does have a spare set.
Showing posts with label Darwin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darwin. Show all posts
Friday, 13 March 2020
Thursday, 12 March 2020
Kidnapped
The flights back from Manila were confirmed and TSH had chosen the seats. 17 hours flying instead of the planned 4 or 5 from Athens. Diva had written to the car service for the Manchester airport pick-up.
When the captain's voice was heard at 9:30, it was inevitably going to be more bad news. And indeed it was. Manila is closed and the Silver Spirit is heading for Darwin, Australia. Into the southern hemisphere and further away from Athens, Europe and home. This will involve another 4 days at sea.
There is more than enough fuel for the ship and champagne for the guests. But the Silver Spirit has exhausted its vegetable garden and fresh food will be in short supply. No strawberries, raspberries or blackberries at breakfast.
The Australians - and there are many on this cruise because they were offered cheap deals to fill the ship - are delighted. The European guests are not happy. Diva is in melt-down.
The upside is that this is a luxury ship and TSH and Diva have brought their work and their electronic entertainment. Many guests, with no resources of any kind, are very bored. And this might be the safest place in the world to avoid the virus. Everybody had their temperatures taken again and there is no suggestion that anybody is ill.
When the captain's voice was heard at 9:30, it was inevitably going to be more bad news. And indeed it was. Manila is closed and the Silver Spirit is heading for Darwin, Australia. Into the southern hemisphere and further away from Athens, Europe and home. This will involve another 4 days at sea.
There is more than enough fuel for the ship and champagne for the guests. But the Silver Spirit has exhausted its vegetable garden and fresh food will be in short supply. No strawberries, raspberries or blackberries at breakfast.
The Australians - and there are many on this cruise because they were offered cheap deals to fill the ship - are delighted. The European guests are not happy. Diva is in melt-down.
The upside is that this is a luxury ship and TSH and Diva have brought their work and their electronic entertainment. Many guests, with no resources of any kind, are very bored. And this might be the safest place in the world to avoid the virus. Everybody had their temperatures taken again and there is no suggestion that anybody is ill.
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