Jerusalem Another early start. We set off still excited from our day in Egypt yesterday seeing the pyramids, etc, and with memories of the squalor still vivid in our minds. Israel, we soon discovered, is a complete contrast to its neighbour. Chalk and cheese. Night and day. Black and white. The drive east from Ashdod to Jerusalem revealed an attractive, orderly, very European style countryside. The fields were planted with a variety of healthy green crops ...

Aqaba and the lost city of Petra. A big day for most passengers who were excited about their trip to Petra. Before leaving Sydney we'd booked to do the ship's tour which cost about $230 each. Even though it was expensive, we thought it was safer as if you travel independently and are delayed, the ship won't wait but it will if you are on a ship's tour. However, due to my complete aversion to walking I cancelled my ticket so Alan and our friend Richard went ...

Dubai onwards. We've left Salalah in Oman and are sailing through the International Channel which is a recommended route for shipping in the area as protection from pirates. Yesterday we were buzzed by a helicopter from one of the ships that patrol the channel. We were docked in Salalah near a very modern Chinese naval ship that was waiting to escort a convoy of Chinese ships through the Channel. It's been docked there for several weeks already and has...

A Day in Dubai. We're sailing back into the Indian Ocean after our wonderful day in Dubai. At the moment we're confined to our cabin as we're under attack from two skiffs which are approaching at speed and are now 50m off our starboard side aft. Gunfire has been reported. The captain is giving constant updates. The skiffs have been unable to catch the ship however before turning back one has fired a rocket propelled grenade towards the stern. A general emer...

Still at sea. We're approaching the odd little detached piece of Oman round which we have to pass to enter the Persian Gulf. In these parts it's called the Arabian Gulf. The temperature is rising and we've been told that it will be in the high 30s tomorrow. Not looking forward to Dubai in the heat. We're hoping that we can find some local transport to take us to Abu Dhabi - I'm sure we will. Yesterday was eventful. First up, it was hazy and unpleasant on d...