Daphne We did the Panama Canal in 1973 en route to Europe on the old Chandris ship Australis. I have never forgotten the sight and experience of a big liner virtually passing through a rainforest. Looking forward to hopefully seeing you at our next lunch on 17/9.

Sam Mum! Rose's waters have broken and is currently being induced!!! Baby will be here between 4 to 12 hours. It is now 3 August and 2pm EST. I am off tomorrow morning to check the little one out and praise the proud parents. xxx

Loon I'm curious to know if any passengers did get left behind. With all those lengthy shore excursions it seems probable.

Loon But did they make it to Southampton in time? Do Ibiza ferries now issue return tickets. Tune in next week for continuing saga....or not.

Daphne I had an 'incident' in Florence in April. I was in a leathergoods store and had my wallet stolen, along with cards of every description and about $250 in cash. I was devastated but at least it was only a couple of days before our departure for home. Believe me, a lesson learnt there!

margaret R Mykonos is lovely and one of my favourite places too. Did you see the donkey with all the flowers and veg? The windmills and houses are so like all the photos and paintings!!!! The cotton articles are lovely too.

Daphne Have loved reading this post because we visited this part of Italy in April. The huge lemons you mentioned have extremely thick skins about an inch thick with a sweeter than usual lemon flesh. Isn't the limoncello just too delish! Really enjoying your posts so keep 'em up! Slogging away at ICAS at present here.

peter + delene Great adventure Chris. Keep up the news. 'Wish we were there !'

Loon Methinks you must have been taken by pirates. Have heard nothing for nigh on three weeks. The hat went around at the Tradies on Friday for the ransom money. Will $3.55, a coaster and broken model tank return you to the nest.

Marion What a trip!!! Have to get my atlas out! Just read the lot.....you departed the day I arrived back from England (April and May were Summer this year thank goodness!) Just returned from the warm of Cairns and Port Douglas, where next? Glad to hear your fond memories of India came flooding back and you've conquered camel riding. CHEERS M&A

Chris Butler What an adventure on the seas have just read blog so far , very entertaining checking for spelling errors too.Trust you to be first in the queues you are having same experiences as we have with taxis os good luck ,I know you can talk your way out of most situations, watch out for the pirates.We will definately pass on Salalah, are you applying for a Lonely Planet writing position when you get back??Have fun.

margaret richardson Have just had time to read your Blog!!! Very interesting but I know why you aren't buying anything as all your money is going on grog!!! Have you set up an EBAY system on board for all the other passengers -1798 of them????? The coach transfer system is always horrendous and what beats me is that the ports and Princess know how many passengers are on board! I mean you don't lose passengers from one port to the next!!!! The pirate drills really are quite funny but very neccessary. Did they have you on a curfew that you are not allowed on deck between ???. We had that on the Arcadia. I will look forward to the next episode!!! That is if you are sober enough to write one!!!

Lyn Hi Chris and Alan, A great story glad you finally managed to find time to write your blog. It was great talking to you last night . i thiought it would cost me a fortune but now i know you have to pay i will ring more often(only joking) keep up the good work with the travel stories and keep up the partying Love from Lyn

Sam I knew there was a book in you! You had us enthralled right from the start. Please keep us updated, Mummo. xx

Daphne At last!! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog, Chris, and will look forward with bated breath for the next episode! You write very entertainingly - sure beats reading NAPLAN scripts! Take care, Daphne