Good Day All,
Greetings from Kota Kinalalu! After six lovely days as sea everyone was ready for a run ashore!
What fantastic weather we are enjoying on this Leg of our Round World Cruise -just perfect!
In Borneo's remote Sabah province, you will find tropical rain forests filled with exotic plants, miles of sandy beaches and warm clear waters. The bustling town of Kota Kinabalu is filled with warm friendly people eager to greet you and also keen to see you some of their goods! From here we operate seven excursions including Borneo Headhunter! Headhunting is a bygone tradition amongst the natives of Borneo to prove their manhood.
This photo is little misty - this is due to the humidity as my camera just steamed up in the heat of the day - this is taken just forward of the Gym on deck 9. It could be you on the rail.......
CRUISE CONTROL! Our Cruise Director Sally Sagoe sees that all goes well in our action packed Entertainment Programme.
Deputy Cruise Director - Lizzie Tather plans all our timings and venues for the 42+ day time activities and all the evening Entertainment - which we are renowned for at P&O Cruises.
Arcadia alongside at Kota Kinabalu.
Captain Ian Walters, Chief Engineer David Jewkes and Arcadia's Executive Committee get their flu jab!
Take me away P&O Cruises.........
There is a world out there........and it's here!
Local market traders are kept busy with Arcadia's passengers.....and crew!
Just look at the colour of that sky!
The P&O Cruises House Flag - at home the world over since 1837..................
A busy day for our Stores Team as they load their supplies.
Geoff Stevenson our Hotel Stores Manager on the dock checking to see that all is in order with our deliveries. It is not just our passengers and crew that have a passport - so does all our food.
40 foot containers ex UK.
Geoff and James compare notes...........
Geoff with the local storing gang.
It takes a lot of beer to keep Arcadia floating!
A great atmosphere on the quayside.
Leaning on the rail watching the world go by - this could be you - what are you doing today?
An interesting name for a cargo ship berthed near to us today!
A fantastic sail out today with an amazing sunset...........
Next stop - Hong Kong..........
Sailing out you can see the jagged granite peaks of Mount Kinabalu which tower at over 13,000 feet above one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Kinabalu Park is natural wonder that offers visitors into the fascinating and often unique world of plant life within the Park.
Barrier Reef Pilot John Foley and his wife Denise enjoy the sail away. 
A beautiful sun set - a perfect end to a perfect day..........
Sun sets at sea are very special.........
One of the hundreds of pieces of art work which decorate the foyers and hallways of Arcadia.
The Arcadian Rhodes Waiters - a great Team.
Jenny Fortune - Product Director Arcadia pictured with the Arcadian Rhodes Team.
Jenny joined us at Kota Kinabalu. As it was Jenny's first visit to Arcadia we had a welcome Dinner with the Hotel Seniors in Arcadian Rhodes. L to R - Steve Mann, Sally Sagoe, Jackie Bott, Jenny Fortune, Eileen Mann, James Cusick.
An excellent dinner party!
At a local Village just 30 minutes from KK situated next to the Meng kabong Estuary. Here they build their boats by hand. They use these boats for fishing.
The villagers are exceptionally welcoming and as they went about their daily lives they were more than happy to show us their day to day activities. The villagers come from one of the local Borneo tribes - in this case the BAJO people. They make great use of the coconut palm both in their cooking and making necessities such as baskets and roofing.
Surrounded by many happy children - this was a morning excursion and the children do not go to school until the afternoon, they are very family orientated - here you can see everyone from toddler to Grandparent.
We then split into groups and walked over the jetty to the waiting boats which had canopies to shelter from the hot sun.
Local transport.
Cruising down the river was an 'eye opener' to visit the villages on stilts that have existed on the same sites for years. Used by the Fishermen and thier families, the houses are basic but here they live a simple, uncluttered and unhindered existence using the mangroves and the sea as a source of food and other material for thier livelihood.
Something really different and there were children swiming in the river and flying kites.Since leaving our last Australian Port Yorkey's Knob, we have enjoyed six fabulous days at sea with exceptional weather. The days just fly past! After Kota Kinabalu we have two days at sea before arriving in the vivid and vibrant City of Hong Kong - a visual feast of cultures.
So much to see and do on this Round World Cruise.
I look forward to blogging Hong Kong. I have been there many times and it never ceases to amaze me..............
Best wishes meantime,
James.
The Destination begins in the mind long before the first step ashore.
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14 comments:
Hi James,
Great photos as usual, Kota is a beautiful place the houses on stilts reminded me of Brunei where there are some lovely villages on stilts.
Hope you are enjoying HK, my favourite place in all the world that i have been too. It is a fantastic place so diverse.
Where are you birthed today, the Queen Victoria left about 40 minutes ago, but it does not look like either of you are birthed at the normal passenger terminal.
Looking forward to the great updates to come.
Aurora is in Fremantle today, but it was too hot to go and visit we have had a 38c degree day today. so nice to stay indoors, i am sure the passengers are enjoying the great tours on offer.
Regards to all on Arcadia
Geoff Witts Perth.
Ps may watch the coast at about 18.30 to see if we can see Aurora as she makes her way up the coast to Geraldton.
Great blog, as usual, thanks James.
I love to see behind the scenes pictures as well and to see who I recognise from my 3 cruises on Arcadia.
Have nothing booked for Arc this year - but have next year's RTW pencilled in my diary...just in case!
I would love to be there....I could be your Port Lecturer if you need one!
Hi James, Did you see the Green Flash as the sun set? It looked very clear. We have seen it once. Quite a weird phenomonon! (spelling?)
Only four sleeps to Singapore and Aurora. Regards to all Judith
Good day James
Judith has just asked what I was going to ask - about the green flash. Last year on Oriana, Natalie and I were sitting in the restaurant facing one of the windows at sunset. She said Mum keep an eye on that sun and you will see the green flash. I didn't believe her, but I watched and sure enough I saw the green flash. I'd never heard or seen it before. It's amazing!
The pictures as usual are great. Lizzie I remember from Christmas. Where has Nigel gone (apart from for his break)?? Aren't the flu jabs quite late this year??
Tom's brother has had the pleasure of sitting with Geoff on one of our previous cruises. He gave them a tour of the stores.
I like the photos of the folk of KK going about their daily business. There homes do not look as comfortable as our's here in the UK, but I bet they are far more contented than us!! The smile on that young ladies face holding the little girl says it all really. I've enjoyed seeing photos of somewhere I doubt I will ever get to in my lifetime!
Well next stop Hong Kong. I am looking forward to that blog James. Until then have a lovely couple of days at sea. And take care x
Elaine (aurorabore)
Hi James,
Well the 3 boys and i went down to the coast and watched a fabulous sunset, then as it got darker we saw the lights of Aurora in the distance about 5-6km off the coast maybe a little further. We watched her for about and hour and a quarter, what a fantastic sight to see, she was lit up like a shimmering diamond.We first spotted her as she was approaching the southern end of Rottnest Island
and we followed her well past the northern tip and up to the coast where we live.She is in Geraldton tomorrow then on to Singapore a few days later.
Regards to all on Arcadia.
Geoff Witts Perth
More wonderful stories and photos from your hand James, you portray everything so well. You must put a lot of work into your blog so I for one truly appreciate it and I am sure all your other fans do as well.
Keep enjoying it all and I look forward to all your future blogs.
Take Care
Mary G.K
Hello James
Cant thank you enough for the blog it is amazing.
Have just emailed photos of Kota to my goddaughter who lived in Brunei for 4 years, whilst serving as a nurse in the navy.
Elaine and Judith must have sailed with Chris Sample, he was always on about the Green Flash.
Judith Atkins
Hello James
Cant thank you enough for the blog it is amazing.
Have just emailed photos of Kota to my goddaughter who lived in Brunei for 4 years, whilst serving as a nurse in the navy.
Elaine and Judith must have sailed with Chris Sample, he was always on about the Green Flash.
Judith Atkins
Hi James ..Ill tell you how I spent my morning...my friends that are joining Arcadia in Hong Kong forgot their papers and didnt know how to get to the ship so they phoned me to get all the info. they needed from Sampton, which I did and phoned them back in HK with the agents No. and details about the shuttle bus. I even contacted my other two friends that are on board for info. Am I a pal or am I a pal? and to think they will be having their Kir Royals and im not there, anyway great blog by the way there names are David and Maggie ( big trouble) look out for them Best Wishes from Scotland.... Evelyn
Hi James ..Ill tell you how I spent my morning...my friends that are joining Arcadia in Hong Kong forgot their papers and didnt know how to get to the ship so they phoned me to get all the info. they needed from Sampton, which I did and phoned them back in HK with the agents No. and details about the shuttle bus. I even contacted my other two friends that are on board for info. Am I a pal or am I a pal? and to think they will be having their Kir Royals and im not there, anyway great blog by the way there names are David and Maggie ( big trouble) look out for them Best Wishes from Scotland.... Evelyn
Hi James ..Ill tell you how I spent my morning...my friends that are joining Arcadia in Hong Kong forgot their papers and didnt know how to get to the ship so they phoned me to get all the info. they needed from Sampton, which I did and phoned them back in HK with the agents No. and details about the shuttle bus. I even contacted my other two friends that are on board for info. Am I a pal or am I a pal? and to think they will be having their Kir Royals and im not there, anyway great blog by the way there names are David and Maggie ( big trouble) look out for them Best Wishes from Scotland.... Evelyn
Elaine. Great minds what??
Nigel is on Aurora, and when I meet him I will tell him you were asking.
Judith, nice to hear another Judith, so many are Judy.
Yes, we did sail with Capt Sample, he was obsessed with Green Flash and we never saw it!! despite all his encouragement. We were on the old Victoria 11 years ago. However his enthusiasm makes us watch every likely sunset and we eventually saw the Green Flash while on Aurora in the Med about three years ago. So it took a long time for us to witness it.
Thanks James for the picture it brought back memories didn't it?
Regards to all. (the other) Judith
What a fabulous sunset and what wonderful photos yet again James. I am so envious still of this Grand Voyage, but feel as I have been with you in spirit. Hope you took notice of Elaines comment about writing a book about your travels it will be a best seller among us cruisers you realise dont you.
Ros
We were priveledged to see the sunset and enjoyed a day out to mt kinabaloo,we also were guilty of also consuming a lot of that beer. The Beal Family onboard
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