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.

Return uncertain

Vietnam have closed their ports to cruise ships because they (Vietnam) have had a lot of new cases. The captain's voice when he announced this was as weary as the guests have so far heard. The Silver Spirit is now heading for Manila and a senior Silversea executive is flying out there - presumably to beg or bribe or threaten or charm.

So there is no information about the journey back and the flight back is likely to be way out of Diva's comfort zone for length.

In the meantime, there s still champagne and filet mignon and lemon meringue and excellent service.

Orangutans and blowpipes

The excursion at Koto Kinabalu first visited a zoo, which, whilst not up to the standard of, say, Chester Zoo, exceeded (admittedly low) expectations. TSH and Diva saw tigers, sun bears, elephants, orangutans and proboscis monkeys. The second call was to the Sabah Heritage museum, which is in part an outdoor museum with reconstructed traditional houses. There were demonstrations of a traditional bamboo pipe instrument (which sounded a bit like Scottish or Irish folk music) and of a blowpipe, which is presumably a traditional weapon. An excellent excursion.

Both locations were also visited by many groups of local young people. If anybody thinks that putting the young women in headscarves they will become demure, they have got it all wrong. They are extremely polite and pleasant but they are willing to approach any stranger, male or female, for a friendly chat. TSH and Diva had their photo taken by one young woman, whilst her friend posed with them.

KK looks much more developed than the last time TSH and Diva visited. There are lots of new buildings, new roads under construction and fewer of the ‘huts on stilts’ houses. There was an impressive welcoming party on the pier, with drums, dancing and necklaces.

The replacement port for Manila is Subic Bay but it is not clear that there are any appealing excursions, even though Silver Shadow will be there for 1 ½ days. Some of the crew have been able to divert their friends and family to Subic Bay but for others it is too far. But there is now general excitement about visiting their home country.

A sad ship

After dinning, Diva and TSH retired to the bar for a port (or two) where they learnt that the stop at Manila was cancelled as a result of the APEC meeting to be attended by world leaders.  Apparently the capital has been almost closed down for many days before the meeting. Flights have been cancelled and roads closed. This is a disaster for the many Philippine crew on the ship, who were informed at the same time as the guests, at the Captain’s welcome party. They have been excited for weeks about visiting their own capital city and elaborate arrangements have been made with friends and family. The other ports in the Philippines are too far from their home towns to serve as a substitute. Eight or nine months away from home and the treat is cancelled!!

No news yet as to what is to happen instead.