As the world burns …

As we were walking through the concourses at Dubai Airport only a couple of days ago, it’s rather sobering to note that random Iranian missiles struck one of the buildings and that hotels in Dubai have been hit by falling debris. This, as you know, is par for the course for your two intrepid travellers who usually trail a wake of near misses, potential disasters and actual peril.

Frankly, our sense of paranoia is only heightened by the fact that our cruise ship appears to be shadowed by dark vessels that are off our bows most days at sea, always either side on or facing us. They are probably just fishing fleet, but when, in Taiwan, the guide refuses to discuss China and one understands the issues with potential invasion there, it’s not unreasonable to assume that things might be less innocent than they appear. Maybe it’s pirates?

Our flight home at the end of this jaunt is also via Dubai and we are wondering how that will turn out in a couple of weeks. We shall wait and see what consequences Mr Trump’s actions have for the wider Middle East and for our travel plans.

Meanwhile, back on board Silver Nova, we are putting some miles between us and the Middle East insanity as we head for South Korea. Now, you may think, isn’t that a potential flashpoint too, with Mr Strange-Haircut developing missiles and threatening annihilation? In fact, might it not be that events elsewhere could trigger an upsurge in Western sentiment that targets, I don’t know, a cruise liner that’s partly full of Americans? Could we Brits simply be collateral damage in this ongoing clash of cultures? Or am I still exhibiting my paranoia?

Once we arrive in South Korea we are required to meet immigration officials face to face to have our passports reviewed and we shall be subject to a strict overnight curfew from 22:00 to 07:00 so if you don’t make it back to the ship in time, you’re looking for accommodation in Incheon, which is where we dock initially. Apparently this is due to tidal reasons - yeah, right. And I thought I was paranoid?

To be fair, South Korea looks amazing from all we have seen in the enrichment lecture prior to our trip, so we hope to bring you some fascinating sights from Seoul, Incheon and Busan.

That night we got in some serious practice for the Japanese leg of our expedition with a visit to Kaiseki, the on-board Japanese restaurant. Unusually, we were served cold sake - we’ve only ever had it hot before - and very good it was too. Having read up on the cultural niceties of Japanese dining, I made sure to slurp my various broths in order to show my appreciation of the food, much to Gabrielle’s annoyance. The food was seriously good with a set menu that seemed to meet our own tastes very well. Never before having really embraced the idea of Japanese cuisine, we are finding that we are liking it more and more. It seems very clean and fresh and, by implication, quite healthy.

During yesterday’s tour, we learned a new iPhone camera technique: turn the phone upside down so that the lens is at the bottom when taking the picture. The effect is that it “lowers the lens closer to the ground, offering a more dramatic, low-angle perspective for photos. This technique is frequently used to create a "dreamy" blurred foreground, improve subject composition, and, for selfies, it often creates a more flattering angle by making the subject appear more alert and reducing facial distortion.” (Thanks Google AI) From our point of view it elongated the subjects’ legs and made them look taller. Quite a nice effect. What’s interesting is that users online can’t seem to agree whether it’s beneficial or not. Perhaps it’s a conspiracy? Uh-oh, going down the paranoia track again.

Meanwhile some poor soul has fallen ill on board and requires urgent medical attention so the Silver Nova is heading at full steam ahead for the South Korean island of Jeju where they will be disembarked, by the South Korean Coastguard amid deteriorating weather conditions. The captain is of the view that we shall still reach Incheon on time for our trips the following day. Makes you grateful for when things are going well.

At dinner last night, we enjoyed some new experiences not least of which was a Chinese white wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It was unusual and very drinkable with a slightly strawberry jam back taste. In addition we were given basil bread and ginger butter, both of which were very tasty.  Gabrielle had expressed a desire not to be seated next to loud Americans. Denied! The table next to us was well into its wine and they were competing well for dominance of the conversation. And so, after our meal, to bed because neither of us has slept well so far and, by the time we were back in the room, our eyes were heavy and we couldn’t stay awake.

Sleep was still to elude us though as the ship was crashing through the water at high speed to reach the island of Jeju and its waiting medical facilities. We had stilled the knocking from the wardrobe as coat hangers bashed against the wall with the motion of the ship; we had lashed down everything else that could move; we had snuggled up tight to ward off the demons of travel danger; but the constant crashing of the waves, the noise of furniture moving on the deck above and of course the ever present snoring of one Nick Evans, all contributed to a sleepless night.

For breakfast this morning, we decided that braving it outside in awful weather was a way to give ourselves a bracing start to the day. The wind howled, the rain poured, but we sat and enjoyed Bircher muesli and poached eggs on muffins. Only the brave deserve the fair!

Our philosopher butler, in conversation after breakfast, was remarking on the troubles in the world and the unfortunate illness of the guest who was taken off the ship. His view was that we should worry about that which we can control and, for the rest, what will be will be so, in the words of Bob Marley, Don’t worry; be happy. That’s us told. Paranoia is still paramount, but we are relaxed generally about what the future holds. So, bring it on!

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