Safe Haven excercise (in case the pirates board)

Day 17 (today)

It's been a while since my last post 'cos I came down with this virus big time. Wondered if I would be able to make Petra on the 18th but I was determined to go so dosed myself up with Lemsip, Panadol and hoped for the best. Docked in Aqaba by 7am and on the coach by 7.45am. The three hour bus journey (again with armed guards) was very uncomfortable.  Now I should point out that the coach we were allocated (#3) was the most abysmal coach we have ever been in. Didn't bode well when a very over weight guy stood on the engine cover at the back and broke it!!! Took the driver 15 minutes to fix. Then we soon found out the seats had no springs in the back so every time the driver stopped or started we would be either launched backward or forward. What we also hadn't realized was the Jordanian weather. Fickle was the word that can only described it. From leaving in warm sunshine at Aqaba, by the time we made it up the mountains, there was snow everywhere. Thankfully both of us had taken a jumper.

First sighting of Aqaba

This is one lifeboat that wont be launched again.

Tug ready to give us a push toward the quay

Police escort

 On reaching Petra our guide took us the three Kilometers down, through wonderful natural sculptured gorges to the pride and joy of Petra and the most beautiful monument , Al-Khazneh (treasury) . Another kilometer walk took us to the colonnades. I can truly say we were awestruck by the magnificence of it all. Such a shame I was not feeling my best. The walk back to the top about killed me and that ride back in the broken bus seemed to go on for ever. Didn't make dinner that night as I came down with a hacking cough and fever. Left for the long haul to Muscat at 10pm, 6 days at sea.

19th Day 16

Oh god... pulled out of my bed because we had a Save Haven exercise. Could have done without that especially as we all had to sit with backs to the walls at allocated corridors just in case the Captain had to do evasive maneuvers to ward of the pirates. Sat there feeling completely out of it for about 15 minutes. If I had had my wits about me I would have taken the camera, quite a sight to see us old biddies trying to sit down and, even worse, try to get up again. Got back to our floor and found every door leading down various corridors locked tight. It was only because Ian had the presence of mind to press a button that said 'release doors', that we all got back in. Stayed in the room feeling lousy, not wanting to drink anything (not even wine) and forgoing dinner yet again. Found out afterward that our quiz team won a bottle of bubbly. Going to be shared once all members are fighting fit again. One thing I did notice was the precautions going on around the decks. Ian told me the water canons had been tested and last night spotlights shone from the decks over the sea. Lights are now at a minimum (balcony lights off and curtains drawn) which is wonderful 'cos the night skies are full of unseen stars.

So there you have it. Am feeling a bit better although Ian has started coughing and sneezing. Don't somehow think he will get the full blown virus because of the flu jab he had before we set sail. I wasn't allowed it. Too young!!!!. No more to report now unless anything exciting happens so next post will probably be from Muscat.

Images of Petra

£25PP to ride back up the hill by carriage!!!!