Christmas has come and gone and a New Year is already well on it's way!
I'm sure everyone has enjoyed re-living their" Grand Journey" as you've regaled friends and family with your stories of the amazing places we visited, the places that dropped your chin and almost brought tears to your eyes and of course all the fun we had along the way.
For us it was being with everyone and sharing the experience with you.
2010 is going to be an amazing year, new destinations and also visiting some of our favourite places!
In March we will embark on our World Cruise on board of the Athena, we loved it so much we are looking forward to sailing with her again. We will sail from Freemantle to Portsmouth England, via Oman and Jordan. Can hardly wait!
April... The Greek Islands and Turkey and to add contrast join us on a cruise of the Baltic Capitals
Upon request-South America including the Galapagos Islands in June
July will see us in Europe, cruising the coast of France and northern Spain and most exciting of all cruising up the Thames, under the Tower Bridge to Greenwich! But wait there is more, we will explore the beautiful British Isles, Scotland and Ireland... but wait there is even more... the piece de resistance- South Africa!
Our brochure is out and of course find out about all of our tours on line
www.grandjourney.co.nz
We hope to see you join us!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The chicken dance or the Haka... you decide!
While waiting for our bus, we liked to entertain. The chicken dance was a great way to warm up and get ready for the days exploration and to entertain the ship's crew and the Aussies... who thought it was the haka!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Middle of the Indian Ocean
Kusadasi seems a distant memory as I type this up date from the middle of the Indian Ocean, our apologies for not updating our blog earlier, as you can imagine the internet on the ship is sometimes a bit of a challenge.
It’s amazing to think it was a week or so since our visit to the Egyptian Museum, which was an eye opener for most of us. The tomb of Tutukamin was fascinating. The pyramids were fascinating and awe inspiring, if not only for the pyramids but for the exotic people with camels and donkeys. I think most of us were surprised that they were so close to the city of Cairo and in fact the slums of Cairo were just about in the backyard with butchers and shabby homes. Anais and Maya had the pleasure of a camel ride around the pyramids. To think they were wandering in the Sahara desert around the Pyramids!
Safaga and the Valley of the Kings was beyond description, we had the most amazing guide. Hussam was passionate about Egypt, he was imaginative and organized for us a ferry ride across the Nile and dinner for us, all beyond what we had organized. Definitely one of the best guides we have ever had.
Passing through the Suez was fascinating, so many ships, and a stark contrast as the passed the Sinai desert and oasis. It is hard to imagine how anyone can survive in such a climate. We did get to see Bedouins as they actually live, wandering the desert with their camels. Unbelievable that that way of life still exists and wonderful too.
We have safely passed through pirate alley. The men have been excited to see the naval ships and the helicopters and Orion fly by making sure we are safe. Personally I think the reason they flew by us was to see the women the deck sunbathing! Some were disappointed we did not see any pirates.
The weather has been spectacular throughout and as we cruise the Indian ocean we have all gotten into the rhythm of cruising and are also looking forward to our next port of call, Sri Lanka.
It’s amazing to think it was a week or so since our visit to the Egyptian Museum, which was an eye opener for most of us. The tomb of Tutukamin was fascinating. The pyramids were fascinating and awe inspiring, if not only for the pyramids but for the exotic people with camels and donkeys. I think most of us were surprised that they were so close to the city of Cairo and in fact the slums of Cairo were just about in the backyard with butchers and shabby homes. Anais and Maya had the pleasure of a camel ride around the pyramids. To think they were wandering in the Sahara desert around the Pyramids!
Safaga and the Valley of the Kings was beyond description, we had the most amazing guide. Hussam was passionate about Egypt, he was imaginative and organized for us a ferry ride across the Nile and dinner for us, all beyond what we had organized. Definitely one of the best guides we have ever had.
Passing through the Suez was fascinating, so many ships, and a stark contrast as the passed the Sinai desert and oasis. It is hard to imagine how anyone can survive in such a climate. We did get to see Bedouins as they actually live, wandering the desert with their camels. Unbelievable that that way of life still exists and wonderful too.
We have safely passed through pirate alley. The men have been excited to see the naval ships and the helicopters and Orion fly by making sure we are safe. Personally I think the reason they flew by us was to see the women the deck sunbathing! Some were disappointed we did not see any pirates.
The weather has been spectacular throughout and as we cruise the Indian ocean we have all gotten into the rhythm of cruising and are also looking forward to our next port of call, Sri Lanka.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
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