Commodore Steve Burgoine & Kemaman

In command - Commodore Steve Burgoine - Master of Arcadia

and Commodore of the P&O Cruises Fleet.

Good Day Everyone - Monday again and another exciting week ahead.

Commodore Burgoine is delighted to be in command for Arcadia's Inaugural Grand Voyage and he is looking forward to the remainder of the Grand Voyage with excitement and anticipation! The Commodore keeps us all on our toes, and in a mind of information on any subject! On thing the Commodore enjoys about the Grand Voyage, is that it takes him to many different ports and cruising areas, and allows him to catch up with old friends in all corners of the globe. It also makes a change to have so many long stay passengers on board and new friendships are forged. Commodore Burgoine is a 'larger than life' character and is a joy to sail with.

Yesterday we were in Kemaman, Malaysia. Another hot day with lots of sunshine. Kemaman in Malaysia is a port that has grown due to the petrogas industry. Remember that as I write these blogs we are currently GMT +8 hours, so don't always go by the time stated on this blog site!!

This part of the Malay peninsula has thrived from it central position in the maritime trade routes between China, India and the Middle East. Our passengers were certainly given a both rousing and colourful welcome when they stepped ashore and it was not long before they were busy on the quayside buying some local handicrafts.

The picturesque fishing village of Tanjung Api was full of interest and certainly our passengers enjoyed seeing some of the locally caught fish and crabs. We quickly moved on to see the delightful unspoilt beach at Teluk Champedak, a walk along here making our mark in the clean sands was very memorable. Up on the promenade we caught on our cameras a lively group of long tailed macaques, cousins of the ones we usually see in friendly Gibraltar.

Enjoy the pictures.


Welcome Reception

I hear a BAND playing........................ the great white Ocean liner in the background - the locals just love it when we pull in to town - all us funny looking foreigners in our white suits!!!!!!



Malay Crab. The lady is a tour guide.

Local fishing boats.

Bring on the girls! Carl and I on the dock - we don't like to miss anything......... capture the local atmosphere..

What's the Caption for this one? Marion, Michelle and James in deep conversation...........!

The local Beach.

No monkey business here - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil..................! These monkeys were sitting at the side of the entrance to the beach.


Fancy a dip?


Lots of meetings and appointments this morning followed by hosting a table at the PORTUNUS GOLD TIER lunch in The Upper Meridian Restaurant - eating again................ ahahahha the waistline....... anyhow it was delicious and the company was great - as it turned out I knew the Aunt of one of the couples, the late Stella Raines who travelled with me many times - small world on P&O Cruises.

Tomorrow we are in Laem Chabang which is the port for Bangkok, where we change over some passengers and from there we cruise to Ko Samui, and then one sea day before SINGAPORE! Time is flying by and then we are on the way to AUSTRALIA.............. happy days......! Visiting places like Kemaman is humbling as it makes you realise just how well off we all are back in the UK.

Best wishes,
James.

'Each day can be the beginning of a wonderful future'