Subject: Report # 95 Sailing Towards Aqaba, Jordan April 4, 2016 Monday Partly cloudy & 89 degrees
Last night, while walking on the promenade deck after dinner, we noticed something different. The lights were completely off in the center section of the decks, and security guards were stationed front and aft. What was different was the presence of another security fellow we had not seen before tonight. He was dressed in a black suit, was considerably younger than our guards, and carried a walkie-talkie. He had the tell-tale cord attached to his ear piece, setting him apart from our guys. That triggered a memory of another world cruise, perhaps 2011 or 2012, when a second security team (in addition to our team) had been brought onboard for the sailing in this area. We knew this, because one evening, the head of that team and his wife, joined us for dinner. He explained that he and his team had been brought onboard to get us through the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal. This fellow told us he was a former Navy seal, working for HAL as an independent contractor. Now maybe we are reading too much into this sighting last night, or we have watched too many movies, but the Amsterdam must be sailing in very dangerous waters…..especially yesterday and through the night.
So expecting to see the extra detail on the deck this morning, much to our surprise, they were all gone, out of sight. Today we would be well into the Red Sea, sailing past Eritrea and Sudan of Africa on the port side, and Saudi Arabia on the starboard side. Although the ship still sports the razor wire, the 24 hour watch must be over. To make things even more interesting, while watching the news this afternoon, we saw there had been an incident at the end of March, where a small ship (actually a wooden dhow) was captured, carrying a large stash of weapons that may have been headed towards Yemen from Iran. That happened during the same time we were following the coast of Oman, and sailing in the Gulf of Aden. Too close for comfort, we continue to think.
The weather has remained warm and very muggy. There is a breeze blowing over the decks, which is a big help. We spent a good part of the day enjoying these breezes while sunbathing at the aft pool. So far, there is only a handful of us out there.
Port talks continued with Barbara H and Nyron, the shore ex manager. They went over the ports from Haifa, Israel to Fort Lauderdale. That just about wraps up this cruise. Later, Barbara, who happened to have a birthday today, got into the details of Piraeus (Athens) and Katakalon (Olympia), both in Greece.
More classes took place in the Crows Nest for belly dancing. The store on the ship was selling the coin-covered skirt or scarf that is typically used for belly dancing. We suspect the On Location Arabic Ambassador Teresa was responsible for bringing them onboard to sell.
There was an afternoon performance of Macbeth: Sliced to the Core. Will have to find someone that went to that to find out about this different type of entertainment.
Since we will be arriving to Jordan in a couple of days, here are some facts for you. Jordan has an area of 34,486 square miles, with a population of 6,342,948 people, who basically speak Arabic. The capital is Amman. The best time to visit is April to May, and September to October.
Surrounded by several tumultuous countries, Jordan has the toughest neighborhood. Biblical stories, mysterious lost cities, and Lawrence of Arabia puts Jordan at the center of great historical events.
The top things to see include Petra, the Red Rose City, a rock-strewn Nabataean city. Crusader castles, formidable bastions of Karak and Shobak. Madaba and Byzantine-era mosaics, and the spot where Moses looked out over the Promised Land, as well as remote desert castles are places of interest.
Top things to do are camp with Bedouins in Wadi Rum, or dive and snorkel in the Red Sea for beautiful underwater scenery. Float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea, actually a lake. Giggle as you do not sink. Hike Dana Nature Reserve or see the capital of Amman, Arab world's most hip and sophisticated city.
Watch: Lawrence of Arabia and Indianan Jones and the Last Crusade for stunning scenes in Petra. We have thought of the movie every time we exit the Siq (the canyon on the way to the valley) and see the looming Treasury in front of us. Quite impressive, no matter how many times you see it.
What is there to eat? A Bedouin specialty is a spit-roasted lamb basted with spices, served over rice and pine nuts. Drink? Tea, which is their symbol of hospitality.
A random fact is Bethany Beyond the Jordan is where Jesus is believed to have been baptized, as it was confirmed by the Pope in 2000. Back in 2007, we thought we had visited the sight of the baptism on the Jordan River while in Israel. However, we were told at that time, that the spot we were at had been created for the tourists, because the "real" spot of the baptism was in an area that was terribly polluted now. Wonder if this is the same spot that the Pope declared was in Jordan?
Some of the tours the ship is offering are a trip to Petra and Wadi Rum for 13 hours (yikes) for $310. Petra only for 9 hours for $245. Both of these excursions include lunch. Shorter tours are a drive to Shoubak Castle for 5 ¾ hours for $70, Aqaba Highlights and Wadi Rum lunch for 5 ¼ hours for $130, and Wadi Rum for 5 hours at $100. We have done them all, except the trip to the castle.
Dinner was much more comfortable tonight. Something must have gone wrong with the air-conditioning at dinner last night, because it was very warm…..we were all sweating bullets. Of course it was gala night where all of the fellows were wearing jackets, as were some of the ladies. Way too warm. Something must have gotten fixed, thank goodness. We both ordered the Pacific Rim salad which had slices of chicken, mango, macadamia nuts, and wonton crisps on the top. We also split a tortellini dish. Dessert was ice cold frozen coffee yogurt with a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Not bad, and almost really healthy, right?
Kieran Powell was the entertainer this evening. He was back for a second showing of his puppets as he is a ventriloquist. It appeared that few of us were going to attend. Maybe we will peek in on deck five for a look.
One more full day at sea, and we will be in Jordan, known as one of the more peaceful countries in the Arabian world.
Bill & Mary Ann
