Blog of the Dawn Princess

Reflections & Observations

Yes it has been an expensive indulgence. Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably not.

Whilst mainly alone, I did manage to make a few friends on the ship. I imagine most will remain shipmates although one or two of them I may meet again on future travels.

The ship was overtly opulent bordering on CCB status (Clint's Crazy Bargains). Two theaters (one at each end), ten bars, six eating places, four pools, gymnasium, library, shops etc.

The daily program of activities was elderly Butlinesque, but not compulsory!

I enjoyed being at sea for lengthy periods, sitting on my private balcony literally watching the world go by. The ship's size and it's Boeingesque stabilsers kept the ship relatively stable in all weathers including a moderate gale.

Some gratuitous observations:
With the exception of Singapore, all ports in Asia and the middle east were dirty, unkempt, uncaring and often sullen;
In these places, vendors were universally pushy and annoting;
After leaving Port Said, things changed in many ways including the weather - less intense, less humid, a horizon at last;
As the untidy, uncaring places disappeared in our wake, a new scourge emerged - pickpockets. Many passengers lost their wallets in Greece, Turkey and Croatia - including items such as passports and credit cards.
As the theft intensified in the eastern mediterranean, the unbearably hawkish hawkers disappeared to be replaced by a seemingly uninterested species of shopkeepers.
A constant in all Ports from Bali to Rome was the incessant cacophony of blaring car horns and drivers challenging the safety of pedestrians.
A constant everywhere. Smokers! Addiction to the weed is an epidemic and non-smokers get their noses assaulted and their eyes with ash. Cigarette butts fill every pavement.
Australians abroad stand out like sore thumbs. Fat, grouchy, dowdy and out of place.

So, what next? I guess I will need a little time to settle back into normal life and to continue to reflect rather than rush to hasty conclusions.

I'm looking coward to seeing those of you I am able to see. Specially excited to resume hockey duties with Steffi Nd to getting a few jobs done around the place at Merimbula.