Tuesday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day we crossed through what we called the Straits of Djibouti – it’s a narrow strip at the end of the Red Sea that becomes the Gulf of Aden. On one side is Yemen & on the other is the small African country of Djibouti. It was memorable looking to one side and seeing Asia and looking at the other and seeing Africa. It was really windy outside so it was difficult to get decent photos. The land, despite looking close on the maps is actually quite far away. The Gulf of Aden gives way to the Arabian sea. We’ll cross the equator and be in the Indian Ocean.
From the back of the ship. Asia left – Africa right.
Up to now, it has been smooth sailing with the Mediterranean Ocean, Suez & Red Sea very calm and flat. As soon as we hit the major oceans, this may change and the trip down Africa may turn a little rough. If I start feeling a little green around the gills, I’ll pop a seasickness pill which will help.
For the rest, ship life is taking on a bit of a routine. We wake up when we wake up. One of us goes and gets coffee. Then we relax and get up in our own time. From there some form of exercise takes place. If it’s too windy on deck I head for the gym which I did this morning. A full hour of walking and/or cycling takes place before we both collapse in a heap in the cabin, have a shower and freshen up. By then it’s heading for 10am and we go to the buffet for breakfast. We wash it down with coffee and a muffin in our cabin.
From there it’s work for the rest of the morning. Yesterday, after that, we got swept up in the dance class. Today I went and sat in the Pasha Lounge on the top floor at the back of the ship and watched us go through the gap. This is what the Pasha lounge looks like.
We chill or work in the afternoon before dinner at 6pm. We try not to eat between breakfast and dinner. But we did have coffee on the deck, which meant walking right past the pizza station.
After dinner there’s sometimes a show or other event. Then it’s back to the cabin and we watch TV, a movie or YouTube. Life is passing very comfortably indeed!
We are doing well, are healthy and happy. For this we are grateful. While this is full on a floating hotel, it has an inordinate number of old people on board and the clattering of walkers, walking sticks and wheelchairs is a common occurrence. We are happy to be able to walk and run and take the stairs, to dance and stretch and not overeat! We are nearly half way through our cruise, so need to embrace every moment.
I read this today.
1 John 3:20
If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.
The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂