around the world in 60 days march 11 to may 10, 2009 china airline – honolulu to hong kong...
TRANSCRIPT
Around the World in Around the World in 60 Days60 Days
March 11 to May 10, 2009March 11 to May 10, 2009
China Airline – Honolulu to Hong KongChina Airline – Honolulu to Hong Kong
Tahitian Princess – Hong Kong to DoverTahitian Princess – Hong Kong to Dover
Queen Mary 2 – Southampton to New YorkQueen Mary 2 – Southampton to New York
Delta Airline – New York to HonoluluDelta Airline – New York to Honolulu
Salalah, Oman, Pirate Threat, Easter on Red Sea April 8 to 12, 2009
TAHITIAN PRINCESS ROUTETAHITIAN PRINCESS ROUTE
StateroomStateroom
Salalah, OmanSalalah, OmanApril 8, 2009April 8, 2009
A country of ~2 million that the discovery of gas in 1977 resulted in major change from a primitive to a modern feudal , tolerant Muslim society with free range camels where water is more valuable than oil.
Salalah
Two Days Cruising from Dubai
aa
Job’s Tomb Job’s Tomb
Job’s Footprint
Prayer Rugs
Fences to protect Trees from camels
Camel Tracks
Sultan Sultan of Oman of Oman Al Husn Al Husn PalacePalace
Somali Pirate ThreatSomali Pirate Threat 4/9-10/2009 4/9-10/2009“Running the Gauntlet”“Running the Gauntlet”
SOMALI
Course changes
American Destroyer EscortAmerican Destroyer Escort
The Pirate threat existed for two The Pirate threat existed for two
days after leaving Salalah until days after leaving Salalah until entered Red Sea. entered Red Sea.
Practice drills were held. If the call Practice drills were held. If the call “Sierra Papa” occurred everyone was “Sierra Papa” occurred everyone was to go to stateroom and avoid to go to stateroom and avoid windows and outside areas of shipwindows and outside areas of ship
To remain in stateroom away from To remain in stateroom away from exterior walls, windows or balconies.exterior walls, windows or balconies.
Expect sudden movements of the Expect sudden movements of the ship.ship.
The ship had two large fire The ship had two large fire hoses ready on both open hoses ready on both open 55thth decks and security men decks and security men full time on the deck.full time on the deck.
An acoustic defence device An acoustic defence device developed for US military developed for US military was to be aimed at any was to be aimed at any suspicious craft.suspicious craft.
A large US military A large US military helicopter from one of the helicopter from one of the 3 warships circled the ship3 warships circled the ship
The ship made frequent The ship made frequent rapid course changes – see rapid course changes – see mapmap
News of the Somali pirate capture of News of the Somali pirate capture of a US freighter off the Horn of Africa a US freighter off the Horn of Africa was featured on CNN news as we left was featured on CNN news as we left Salalah. The first US ship captured in Salalah. The first US ship captured in over 200 years was later thwarted over 200 years was later thwarted the freighter seamed away under the freighter seamed away under armed US Navy guard with its crew armed US Navy guard with its crew of 20 safe but without its Captain of 20 safe but without its Captain who was taken by the pirates.who was taken by the pirates.
4/10/20094/10/2009
4/11/2009 – Safely in Red Sea4/11/2009 – Safely in Red Sea
4/12/2009 – Easter at Sea – Ship passes over Rift 4/12/2009 – Easter at Sea – Ship passes over Rift Wando Terrace and 6000 ft deep Discovery HoleWando Terrace and 6000 ft deep Discovery Hole
SafagaLuxor
Easter Morning Moon from our balconyEaster Morning Moon from our balcony