Back in March, the wife and I were lucky enough to travel on a 26 day cruise with Fred Olsen on the Black Watch, an experience that we will treasure forever. I really did wonder if the cruise length was too long and how much additional weight I would gain, but it was excellent with so many contrasts and unpredicted events.

We flew into Singapore 3 days before the Black Watch set sail, and although I had visited before many years ago, things did not seem to have changed significantly. I opted to stay in my favourite location, Clarke Quay where the Merlion still commands the river, full of bumboats, a multitude of restaurants on the Quayside and just a wonderful area to sit and watch the world go by.

Back to the hotel and then off again that evening for a look around Chinatown, and the night markets, followed by a trishaw ride and a bumboat cruise up to the mouth of the Singapore river.An evening full of colour and a really vibrant atmosphere.

We still had another day to fill so opted to get the monorail over to Sentosa where I remembered seeing the spectacular musical fountain show but things had however changed there . Universal Studios was now in full swing so we had to test the rides and filmsets which were as good as any you will find in Florida or California . The “Rapids Ride” was very much an experience , very sedate to start with but then you stopped in a dark cave wondering what was going to happen and then suddenly the boat was shot 150 ft in the air to link with a much faster flowing river as the finale – Brilliant !!!

Off again and this time we arrive in Phuket, Thailand and then off to Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island by speedboat, where they filmed the finale of “The Man with the Golden Gun”. Really magnificent scenery and reminded me very much of Halong Bay in Vietnam.

No time to lose “Moneypenny “, and set sail for Sri Lanka for two ports, Hambantota and Colombo where the wife wanted a taste of safari life . We were not disappointed at all and Fred organised a great excursion out to the Yala National Park where we spotted a wide range of wildlife and birds. Sadly though we did not spot the illusive leopard , but maybe next time !!!

Time to calm down and we arrive in Uligamu and Utheemu in the Maldives , real paradises . Pure white fine sand beaches , crystal clear blue ocean and a large cold beer within easy reach –What more could you want !!! –Personally I would struggle to stay for more than a week without some really good books as you could cover the whole island in an hour or so. However if you just want to get away from it all and can afford the high accommodation costs, the Maldives would be an ideal choice.

Now this is where things were starting to happen on the pirate front as on the beach we noticed a couple of pretty fit chaps who were relaxing but we had not seen before on board. Strange we thought and then headed to get the tender back to the ship. We later found out that these were ex professional marines who were armed and contracted specifically for this sector of the cruise. We were also confused when our barman was no longer wearing his waistcoat and tie, but had donned a camouflage jacket and trousers and was part of the 24 hour look out team along with many other of his colleagues. Having watched the Tom Hanks movie “Captain Phillips” and coupled with our knowledge of “Dads Army” it was clear what was happening !!!!!

From the Maldives, the Black Watch sailed north to Salalah , in Oman and Fred was already getting the security in place whilst we were ashore !!!We had a superb day excursion in Oman in a 4 X 4 travelling through the old fishing village of Taqah and then heading up to the plateau, high up in the Qara mountain range for a BBQ. Really awesome views and unlike Dubai this was the Middle East before commercialisation and overpowering skyscrapers and I have to say I was well impressed.

On returning to the ship clearly much had been going on in our absence – Lethal razor wire had been erected around the ship, a number of scan jet water cannons were installed and huge warning signs in Somali were draped over the port and starboard sides. We were also to travel in convoy protected by a multinational force of naval warships !! In addition everyone had to attend a “Safe Haven” drill in case of any suspected pirate encounter which was very efficiently organised and passengers would be sealed off in the centre sections of the ship. Captain Mainwaring and his team were ready for action !!!

With preparations all in place the Black Watch left Salalah, cruising for 4 days though the Gulf of Aden past the Somali coastline, Djibouti, then sailing up the Red Sea past Ethiopia, and the Sudan and eventually arriving into Safaga, Egypt. – And guess what, absolutely no sign of trouble from the Somali Pirates but the precautions were nevertheless all there – A real experience !!!

Safaga gave us the opportunity to visit the Temple at Luxor which was really impressive albeit baking hot !! It was good to cool off on a felucca lunch cruise on the Nile before heading to the Valley of the Kings. Again so, so interesting and in my view a real contrast from the pyramids in Cairo.

Our next stop was due to be in Sharm el-Sheikh followed by Alexandria but due to terrorism incidents whilst we were there, it was decided to abort these ports, sail through the Suez Canal and dock in Heraklion, Crete. The town was just a short walk from the dock so shopping, excellent seafood and a few glasses of raki were the order of the day !!!

Sadly our final stop was in Valetta, Malta and then to catch the flight home. Those 26 days had gone so quickly but a definite experience, one that we both will never forget, from start to finish.

As for me, I am heading off with them to South Africa this time and I look forward to it being as successful and enjoyable as this last adventure !!!.

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