The Sarojin, Phuket, and the Star Flyer - March-May 2007
A blue Photo Book exists, plus a folder with all the ship's daily bulletins from 24/3/2007 - 30/4/2007. Also David's masterpiece- http://www.clipper-ships.com/
Click on photos to enlarge them
Before boarding the Star Flyer in Phuket, we stayed for 12 nights at the luxurious Sarojin Hotel there- aesthetically pleasing and great exercise classes!
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Then we sailed- or, more often, motored!- for five weeks aboard the Four Masted Star Flyer with ~46 other passengers, roughly half British & half German, also 2 Canadians and an Australian . We left Phuket on March 24th, arriving in Cochin on April 3rd.
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We explored near Phuket for the first 2 days, as the scheduled stop in Colombo was cancelled due to problems with the Tamil Tigers . Stops were made at Ao Phang Nga & Koh Hong archipelago, then at Similan Maritime National Park on the next day. Followed by 7 days at sea. .
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Lunch in the Similian Islands .. . . . . . . . . .Edging through some Phuket Islands
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David climbed the mast - but realised once out on the beam that the lads had not attached his safety harness!! View from up high |
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Our Expedition leader, Peter, and the ship's scrawny parrot were the 2 most vocal things aboard! The Boyzz & Oz kept themselves to themselves!
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Lots of good food |
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Mark & Grant |
Barbara |
Dinner on deck |
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There were 3 choirs, the English & Canadian ones directed by Canadians, Mark and Grant. The German Choir rehearsed with Lazlo. These performed in a show, which included a talented spoof on Peter!, plus a Rule Britannia by Terry & Helen. And daily quizes
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I discovered that I could sing! |
A church service each Sunday |
The English speaking choir |
The German choir |
First port of call was Cochin, Kerala, a very peaceful backwater of India. We had a City Tour here on arrival, followed the next day by an excursion to the Backwaters of Allepy
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The local dancers came aboard - Kathakali Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Local transport
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Then, after another day at sea, on to Goa, where we moored alongside an Indian warship and visited a Hindu temple and a plantation- on a clapped out bus!
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Every time we left a port we sang the 1492 VanGelis Overture- heartily. Then several days at sea en route to the Horn of Africa
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There were daily quizes, several keep fit sessions {3 Scandanavian lads kept us busy}, even some bridge- for want of a better name!!
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We purchased 2 teashirts in Goa for 50 p each- could have made a fortune with resales!!
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Then on to Luxor where we had the most wondrous guide: Mafa had 3 doctorates, one in medicine, but she earned more as a very upmarket guide, only working with priveledged clients . We really felt we knew about Egyptology when we finally left her after our visits to Luxor, Karnak, St Katherine's Monastery and Cairo
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Willie and friends!
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From Safaga on to Sharm el Sheik and St. Catherine's Monastery, built in 565
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We almost failed to reach this fantastic place- something to do with permits I think. It is the site where Moses is supposed to have seen the burning bush, and is sacred to both the Christian and Islamic religions.
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It was then time to transit the Suez Canal, a pilot and many cartons of cigarettes - as bribes for all and sundry along the way - being required.
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We then went by coach , accompanied by 2 armed guards, from Port Said to Cairo, past many road blocks!. Stayed overnight in the Meridien Hotel, right beside the pyramids: could even admire them whilst swimming!
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Then on to Rhodes and a day ashore there, visiting the Acropolis of Lindos
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before landing in Athens on the 30/4/2007, where we stayed for a night and explored some of the places visited back in 1966
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What a journey... and I was not bored!!
Site only constructed in 2017!