May 2nd.
Moraira to Jeddah Flew from Alicante to Madrid at noon. Then a long walk to terminal 2 and a very welcome Business Lounge: we had to queue to enter it but then it was fairly empty and very spacious with swivel armchairs by large windows. Enjoyed Danish pastries and fizzy water, David a glass of Chardonnay..
Then onto Saudis Air, taking off around 5pm for a dry, no booze, flight of just over 5 hours. Luckily they did a very good smoothie with ginger in our Business glass seats; but these seats were semi detached and we could hardly talk to one another. The food was good, though not excellent..
Chris watched some programs on Saudi, a lot of archaeology to be done!! We were collected at Jeddah by a hotel driver and driven efficiently, but silently, to the Crown Plaza hotel. Here there were 4, photogenic, Silverseas staff, all dressed in white abeyas shawls and red and white headdresses. Not over helpful though!. Then up to a junior suite with tempting nibbles and cookies
May 3rd.
A pleasant Saudi breakfast in the hotel and then a swim on their 9th floor swimming pool with wide views of Jeddah. The whole city seemed to be under construction, and with the sea in the background.
We boarded a coach effortlessly around 11 and were soon on the Silver Cloud by noon, although they were not expecting us for unknown reasons. It was great to be recognised by several members of the crew. Learnt that the ship would be dry until May 6th, when it finally left Saudi waters, but were quite happy with the non alcoholic champagne.
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Lunched in Hot Rocks and then had coffee outside on the back deck. On entering our cabin,718 at 2pm Chris was very pleased to just about finish unpacking by 3.10 so that she could get. 30 minutes siesta before Skulk, the expedition leader, gave a 90 minute introduction to the program for Saudi Arabia. His name was actually "Schalk" Botha, but was Afrikaans and pronounced "Skulk".