You'all are definitely have a great time!!! Thanks for including us landlubbers. The Camel races look like a real hoot.

Great pictures Ken.

More great pictures. What fun! I loved all the costumes for the camel races. Suzie, I want your figure! All you blondies be careful in Saudia Arabia. Michele, maybe there's a way to strap one of those portable fans to your body. Then you could have a "billowing" Abaya.

But what an adventure it will be! So looking forward to those reports.
Would a dark headband around the top of your hairline help those with blond hair keep it hidden? Just a thought.

No doubt that THIS group would have fended off the priates -- "they wouldn't know what hit them!"

Hi everyone:

Tomorrow Jeddah. Cant wait.

We are all on the same bus tomorrow. I am quite excited about this excursion. Keeping my blond hair hidden is going to be a trick but I bought a prayer hat to wear underneath that may help.

Today was more of the same, sleeping in (heaven) off to Anne's room for a lecture on Petra which was VERY helpful, lunch, abaya wearing session and then pooch and trivia. We are letting LCT down at trivia, there is one team that is doing really really well. We will not be deterred and try everyday, now with two teams.

Rack of Lamb last night - fantastic, plus a great Australian Shiraz we have found. I love that on Silversea they have zero zero ice cream and always a low carb dessert that states the number of carbs and calories.

Had fun at the camel races the amazing thing was Suzanne was left at the starting block until at least 33% through the race. Then she came streaking from behind to win. Great times.

Ngaire Please please have Ken take photos of a prayer hat as well as what you will be wearing. Am green with envy wishing we were there withy'all having such a ball.

I'm green with envy! You are all having so much fun. Love the outfits! Suzie, when you said you'd lost weight for the cruise, I had no idea how much! You're looking good girl - nice even tan too! Keep the photos coming! Lee

Love the photos!!! And I also love that zero-zero ice cream like Ngaire. But wow, I never even thought that the blonde hair might be an issue...which just goes to show how much I know about travel in this region! Is Silversea printing guidances in their daily newsletter about that?

Anxious to hear about Jeddah - what amazing experiences you all must be having.

Gail and I did the 'spa and stripes' nonexcursion today. 100 ish degree heat Fareinheit, humidity, aircon and popcorn. It doesn't get much better than that.


Tomorrow? maybe 'Raising Arizona' for our last sea day.

I'll leave it to the others to comment on the 'Jeddah because we can' excursions.

No tokens = at least six type A personalities with a detail orientation overthinking the trivia questions
Double tokens - name that tune
Triple tokens = honor system 'Liars Club'. That's an oxymoron.

Total token count = 15

Now .. what's the price list for goods per token? Inquiring minds want to know.
Cheers, Anne

Anne,
Thanks for the request for ideas - I hope it came through for you. Right now we're watching a PBS documentary on South Georgia and the penguins & chicks surviving through the winter. Really interesting since a bunch of us have been there recently on ICE. Please say Hi to our LCT friends on Camel.
Jim

LOL I'm watching it as well.

Guess I am just totally out of it!!! What did you say Anne?????? LOL!!! :D :D

Hi everyone,

I've once again updated our blog. However, I discovered that something happened to the day in Salalah that I wrote, and it has disappeared. Now, I'm not sure that it ever actually was "published." Nevertheless, Jeddah was quite an experience--not particularly a good one.

We're looking forward to arriving in Safaga, Egypt tomorrow morning for our overnight to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.

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Eugene and Gail

I'm continuing to enjoy all the sea mail and blogs about this cruise.

JoAnn, you're not the only math-challenged LCT'er. LOL. I'm not sure what Anne said either!

Great posts, all. Thanks for sharing with us.

Photos from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:


The ladies waiting for our tour to start, dressed in their Abayas.


Suzie adds a little color to her outfit.


School girls on a field trip.


Toys R' US


Shoe store.


The ladies made a few purchases here.


The Fish Market.

Posting for the first time, I think. Wanted to give myself a few days to get acclimated to the ship and the itinerary. It's been HOT! Today was a nice relaxing sea day before our two day adventure to Luxor tomorrow, followed by a long excursion to Petra on our return. Luggage tags already delivered, baggage out the door by 11:30 p.m., and meet tomorrow 7:30 a.m. Special dinner for the CAMEL group tonight in La Terrazza (like La Veranda) tonight at 8:30.

Yesterday's 1/2 day tour to Jeddah was a disappointment, the tour guide on our bus did not speak understandable English, and had just begun with the company and obviously had not be instructed as to what to do. As we departed the bus (after the bus driver obviously became lost trying to get us to the old part of the city) he seemed ready to let us loose to wander and shop for 10 minutes, no, 20 minutes if you want longer, just go up the street and turn around and come back. The Silversea rep aboard with us, the lovely Kiwi Nikki, was having nothing of it. I heard her tell him he had to go with us. "You have to go with them and talk to them and tell them what is going on, otherwise they get nervous!" It was just too loosey goosey, especially with all of us women in those abayas and head coverings in a strange land on a HOT day! Finally, he started to lead the way, never looking back to herd us as we are used to, and had I been not with a familiar group, I'm sure I would have lost the way! CAMEL ladies being what they are, we made the best of it, and after Ngaire's lead of stripping that hot scarf from her head, at least it got a little cooler. Ping, up popped a shop with all sorts of dresses hanging, which grabbed the attention of several of us, since there were surely no sights of historical interest that we had been told about. Negotiations led to the purchase of several dresses made in India to be worn on Arabian night. Now that's a fashion show Ken will have to cover!

Finally, since there seem to be nothing more to buy, some of us wanted to get back to the a/c on the bus, and they sent a goup of us "straightaway" to the bus, express group, no more shopping. Got back to the bus parking place to meet the bus, and no bus! After roaming around a bit, maybe 1/2, they finally let us on another bus to cool off. Sparing more details, we finally boarded our own #3 bus and were on our way to the fish market. Couldn't let the ones who wanted to go back to the ship on another bus, and combine the people who wanted to go to the fish market. Manifest is strict, have to stay on your own bus. So off to the fish market even with the unwilling aboard. Zing, fish market won't open for another 20 minutes, men are at prayers. So we were a bit late getting back to the ship after a lot of waiting, in either the hot sun or the bus, and with no commentary whatsoever from our driver. Dear Nikki from SS at least got an English speaking guide from another bus to come and talk to us for a bit. Those in his bus must have had a great excursion. It was just our particular bus out of about 7 of them, and I'm sure Silversea will tweak these missteps as they become more experienced with the port. Opposite to our experience, Fred and Pat reported a wonderful day, as they were on the all day excursion on another bus.

The ship is wonderful, service personnel I have run into have been attentive, friendly (not formal at all for the most part). Food is not perfect at every turn, nor is it on Regent, but I leave the DR every night a happy camper. Linda's Ron and I tasted the Maryland crab cake app last night that would have made a good sub for a hockey puck, but my soup and tenderloin roast were superb. Unlike most BK cruises, there is a considerable contingent that actually enjoys going "downstairs" for lunch, and we've had a lot of 2 hour lunches enjoying the quieter atmosphere very much like the CR.

Just like my last cruise on the Shadow, I really feel the two lines are so similar that it would be easy in the future to swing to either, given the right price and itinerary. I do miss my free internet, free pressing and laundry, the newspaper, but it wouldn't keep me away.

If I could change a thing, it would be to have trivia follow tea in the same venue, where there is beverage service available. On the Whisper, Trivia and Bingo are in The Bar, but the bar is closed!

Looking forward to my first night in LaTerrazza this evening. Should be fun with all of us seated as a group.

One more small note, by about the 3rd night, they began to anticipate our group gathering for drinks for dinner in Panorama every night, and now arrange the furniture before we even get there so that we are all together in facing rows, so we don't need to move the furniture around as the group grows.

It's been a fantastic cruise so far, and I look forward to the next three days of a busy busy touring schedule!

The girls in their abayas have both amused and awed me!! I am so enjoying your seamail and pictures, thanks to everyone who is winning the battle with the slow internet to keep us amused!

Very interesting SeaMail Olivia - thanks for posting that long one. Sounds like the BK group manages to forge ahead no matter what happens.

Dinner tonight sounds like it will be alot of fun.

Olivia - so great to hear from you. The tour might not have been what it should have been (actually sounds like a nightmare) but that photo of you all in your abayas is priceless. Something none of you will ever forget.
And ladies, don't you just love the men standing there trying to look.......Is nonchalant the right word?

OK, I'm a bit confused. Granted, it's been 20+ years since I was in Saudi, but I did NOT have to wear an abaya when I was out and about. Yes, conservative dress..and sometimes I just threw an abaya over my regular clothes if I was going downtown at the last minute and hadn't dressed consevatively. So, no tight or revealing clothes, but otherwise it was no big deal. And my blonde friends did not cover their hair. As we got closer to Ramadan..and during that holiday, you had to be more careful, but otherwise it wasn't that much of an issue. And I lived in more conservative Riyadh. So I'll be anxious to hear more about the dress requirements and your experiences while you were in the city! Anybody go to the Gold Souks? With the price of gold these days, I imagine it wasn't very crowded! Again, thanks for sharing all your exciting experiences. Love your posts and pictures!!!

I'd also like to know about the blonde thing. I certainly have been places where blonde hair attracts unwanted attention, but what's the deal with not showing it? Ngaire, if that's you, you look like a nun!

Me too, I'm curious about what's the deal with not showing blonde hair. What's so bad about blonde hair in particular compared to a brunette showing her locks?
I think the camel ladies were all pretty good getting dressed up in their abayas.....I'm not sure if I would be able to do that and would probably elect to stay on the ship instead. Just call me a rebel or stubborn.
Pat

Jim - Thank you! I did get the questions. If you can think up an entertainment one, that would be good, too. The competition smoked us again yesterday at trivia. Grr ... we'll get 'em with the Bittles' help

We are just pulling into Safaga as the sun is coming up. It's breathtaking to see the hills so pretty in the morning light.

Bonnie - things have really changed in this area, certainly since I was traveling in 2000 for business. Turkey used to look like New York City during the daytime. Now, you see the veil and scarves on nearly all of the women. Since this part of the Middle East is more conservative, both men and women face more pressure to comply with the requirements of their religion as practiced today.

Abayas are required for all women in Saudi Arabia with the exception of world leaders. Saudi is among the most strict of the countries in this and other respects. I thought long and hard about whether to even enter Saudia Arabia on this trip, and if not going on ROAR 2 would have swapped this sailing for the Discovery Tour itinerary in October on the Navigator.

This is a golden opportunity to visit -- we are either the second or third cruise ship to ever be granted access to the country. Since the only kind of tourism now in Saudi Arabia is for pilgrims going on the Hagg, I figured the tours would not be like those in a port that welcomes cruise visitors regularly. For all of those who are now among the first to visit Saudi Arabia, I say go for it.

On the other hand, we got a flavor during our Egypt trip last year of just how repressive things are in a post-9/11, Iraq war kind of a world, especially in Saudi Arabia. The locals we met struggle with their Saudi visitors for a whole variety of reasons. This is a small point, but the tour desk decided to add $39 per lady onto the cost of an already pricey tour to supply the abaya. Why? If there were any pricing differential, why not subtract $39 for the inconvenience and discomfort the women experienced in the 100 degree heat?

The tour desk talk about the Cloud's visit mentioned in their case, a few of the guides bolted from their group when the call came for noontime prayers. That must have been something. They also indicated the Saudis would board the ship and do random checks for alcohol, as they had found a half a bottle of wine in a cabin on the Cloud's visit. That entailed a six figure fine and a senior Silversea official to fly in and smooth over the ruffled feathers. The Saudis act as if they are more afraid of opening their doors these days, even a little, that we are of complying with rules that appear byzantine and bizarre to me. The rules, of course, were tightened up after the Cloud visit. No going ashore at all unless you were on the organized tour (that was a change from the published schedule where independent tour guides could be arranged), a requirement to have a manifest for every person on every bus so they could know who you were and your movements (not that they knew what to do with the information or how to check people against the manifest since it was a new procedure for all involved), etc.

All in all, I decided staying in, enjoying the spa and watching 'Stripes' with Gail was the best option. With benefit of hindsight, I'm comfortable with my choice, and happy that those who wanted to visit had the opportunity to do so. Gary had a chance to check off another country on his 'things I want to do' list, and enjoyed having a peek at the country, especially in the old town section. The tour desk and the ship really jumped through hoops to make it happen.

Ngaire does look like a nun in that picture! Olivia did a great job of summing up the experience.

Yesterday, the weather changed and it's definitely cooler with less humidity. It was most pleasant sitting out on the pool deck and using the balcony. I easily fell into a leisurely breakfast-Spanish Lesson-chitchat on the pool deck-leisurely lunch-POOCH-Trivia-drinks-dinner routine again. The social hostess teaching us the spanish is wonderful and this has jumpstarted my effort to learn more spanish.

The group is by and large heading over to Luxor for an overnight stay and a visit to the temples there and the Valley of the Kings tomorrow. We are staying local overnight at the Oberoi and look forward to checking it out. I'm ready to plant my feet back on terra firma and enjoy being back in Egypt.

For those of you who asked about the prior post .. as Gilda Radner used to say 'never mind'. Chalk it up to another case of CUI.

Cheers, Anne

AHHHHHH! Cleo has returned to her homeland. Welcome back! :) I know you have been missed.
Loving your reports.

We're all still alive. Things have been very hectic, that's all. Two days in Luxor for most of us followed by a day in Petra. We're exhausted. We're off to snorkeling this morning in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. We depart this afternoon for the Suez Canal, so I'm sure we'll all be catching up with posting, etc. I hope to go back to our blog.

Meanwhile, last night was an Arabian BBQ by the pool. Very nice. The weather has been incredibly good. It's also been the smoothest cruise we've ever been on. I would have hated to do Petra in hotter weather. It was incredible.

Off to breakfast now. More later.

-------------

Eugene and Gail

Happy to hear the CAMELS are doing fine. On the WC, there was a dinner in Petra one night and everyone nearly froze! Happy to hear that you had nicer weather.there.

Enjoy the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt....we loved it there!!! How was your overnight in Luxor? Did you stay at the Meridian Hotel?

I'm with you Pat, I might cave, but probably would elect to stay aboard.

Anne, the deal with searching for alcohol--what does the ship do about that? Lock it all up while you're in port?

Just posted our first day in Luxor. Now it's time to get ready for our last formal night. Tomorrow is the Suez Canal and then a Sea Day, so I hope to catch up on the blog before we get off in Athens.

Snorkeling in Sharm el-Sheikh this morning was great--beautiful coral and lots of different types of fish. Great guide, too.

----------------

Eugene

Cleo has been swept up in returning to Egypt. We are about two hours into our transit of the Suez Canal. We left the drapes open last night so we'd be up and at 'em for the canal transit. Woo hoo .. daybreak and the convoy was slowly on the move.

We quickly headed up to the Observation Lounge to join the 20 or so earlybirds watching the stately parade of ships northbound entering the canal. This is so very different than the Panama Canal. Not a single lock in this canal! The vast east side of the undeveloped Sinai contrasts with the greenery, palm trees and scattered housing on the west side. The Observation Lounge staff was overwhelmed inside of 10 minutes for coffee, tea, treats, etc. For some reason, they ran with the regular staff an provisions this morning. Whew! The rumbling herd needed their coffee and needed it now.

The outside area was nippy and windy. It soon warmed up, so Cleo decided the best place to supervise our transit was from the Terrassa back deck. Jackets were secured on the way to the restaurant. Others stormed the gates at 7:45. Cleo patiently waited for the 8 am opening bell. True to form, her loyal subjects graciously escorted the others out of the restaurant until it was 8 am. The doors opened and the loyal subjects graciously escorted Cleo to the proper table where she could observe the convoy and take a bite of breakfast. The convoy was perfectly spaced and this pleased Cleo no end. Soldiers who must have screwed up somewhere along the line, assigned to sand-based dune walls in tiny patrol buildings who watch the ships go by and get in each other's way. Cleo has her work cut out for her today supervising all of the progress in her homeland.

We should be shortly entering the Great Bitter Lake and wait as the south bound convoy transits the canal. I tell you .. my successors really bungled the cool names I came up with for places here in Egypt. Great Bitter Lake? Give me a break! Waters of Wonder had a much better marketing ring to it.

It is with great joy we are back in Egypt and Jordan this year. Sharm El Sheik was a terrific visit; more later on our overnight in Safaga. That deserves its own post .. let's just say it was one for the record books (in a good way).

Our guest lecturer has just concluded comments on the Suez Canal. Our balconies are at the perfect height to see life along the canal. It really is a spectacular day and we wish you were all here to enjoy the serene view of Egypt and the canal.

Cheers, Cleo

All hail, Queen of the Nile. Thanks to all for helping us relive our visit to Egypt 30 years ago.

Thank you so much, Cleo (aka Anne) for another terrific report. It sounds simply magical!!
Keep having fun!

Cleo
Thank goodness your loyal subjects (well most) haven't forgotten how to treat you with the respect a returning Queen deserves. It sounds as fine as it was during your first visit.
And to echo Luke - Thanks to all for helping me relive my visit to Egypt 4 years ago. It is one spectacular country to see.

I have just updated our blog for the second day in Luxor and our day in Petra. In addition, I ended with a brief description of our Arabian BBQ under the stars after we returned from Petra. We’re still going through the Suez Canal, which we entered early this morning—about 8 hours ago. It has been fascinating, and once again it is absolutely beautiful outside.

Soon, Gail and I are going down to play trivia with our group. We haven't been doing particularly well.

------------------

Eugene and Gail

:nw: :nw: :nw: your stately words have added luster to my morning. Queen of the Nile, please travel safely and although we are not worthy, continue entertaining your subjects with the details of your royal trip. :nw: :nw: :nw:

Thanks Eugene and Cleo for the seamail. The Suez canal is nothing like the Panama canal, much uglier huh?
Anxious to hear about Luxor! I have loved reading your seamail and hate to see your trip coming to an end.

We have found the Suez Canal very interesting, not ugly at all. We have just exited it. Also, just finished trivia, and for a change one of our groups didn't do badly, but still didn't win. Before regular trivia, we did a special one that Suzanne created, and it was tough--harder than the ship's.

---------------

Eugene

Thank you all for your good wishes.

The Queen of De Nile has had a wonderful, yet poignant, day. She's enjoyed the company of good friends on this trip. Yet, time has come to re=enter the 21st century. Cleo really loves it here. Marc A agrees - Cleo's rarely been happier than with her Marc A and all of his boys in Egypt.

Marcie - The Suez Canal transit, in some respects, highlights the tensions in the area. The military presence is never far from one's mind or from the view. It is poor and undeveloped; Cleo wishes the parties can find space for one another and move on. Cleo, though, is a realist and thinks that is, as the poet would say 'miles to go before [they] sleep'

Fortunately, Cleo's subjects understood this is one special convoy and it sailed at steady pace the entire length of the canal. She carefully arranged to be ship #5 out of 24, taking her rightful place in the procession. We exited approximately 10 hours after entering the canal. We are back in the Mediterranean Sea and on our way to Greece.

I am feeling most emotional right now. I am so very, very glad to enjoy Dubai, Egypt and Jordan in the company of good friends this time; but know it's time to start packing. Stay tuned; things are a popping around here.

Suzanne prepared a wonderful trivia quiz for the CAMELites, and our professional photographers captured the moments for the group. We almost caught the prize today ... and intend to leave the final victors.

Spanish class continued unabated. Our teacher, Laura, is terrific. We are to practice our sentences for 15 minutes today. Marc A and Cleo got 3 minutes in so far. This is great prep for the hoped-for South America swing next winter.

We've been perusing the SilverSea catalogue for a future booking. Surprisingly, the SilverSea regulars are telling us to consider the Wind and Cloud. Wind goes in for serious drydock upgrades Nov. 08; Cloud goes in for May 09 upgrades. Woo hoo!

Thanks to last minute changes, we are dumping our post-cruise plans and flying direct to Chicago. At least we get home 4 days earlier. Cleo can't wait to see her feathered friends who have held up the home front in her absence.

Cheers, Anne

All the CAMEL seamail has been entertaining and informative. Thanks, y'all. I know you all have had a wonderful cruise.

Between all the CAMEL mail and Eugene's blog, my excitement level for the first segment of the Navigator Discovery Collection this fall is off the meter. Thanks for the great descriptions and photos. I know more photos are to come.

Anne, You and Gary should really enjoy the Silver Wind. Crystal and I (along with family) had a great cruise on her in the fall of 06. After going through drydock, she should be in pristine shape.