Here's the latest from on board Aurora:
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Hello All
Yes Aurora did divert to a distress call off the coast of Taiwan. It was the day before we arrived in Hong Kong, and it was a very sad scene, not something I ever want to witness again. It was reported there were 19 souls in the water, by the time we got there the ship had sunk, three of our young seamen went out in the fast rescue craft, who all I can say were heroes considering the conditions at the time, they rescued 3 people, but sadly one soul was dead all rescuitation was tried for some time. Unfortunately the debris and the ships cargo got caught up in our Starboard propellor and has damaged 3 of the 5 blades, and we are now on one prop only, it is to be fixed under water in Singapore, but the vibration of running on one engine in the aft section of the ship can be felt. It was really a very sombre scene, but trying to get the rescue craft and the survivors back on board was a very hard job, the young men were baling out all the time as the sea was coming in the craft, it was windy and high seas, they really did so very well.

Bi for now
Mary

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Another quick update. The propellor was repaired in Singapore all done under water, absolutely amazing when you think of it. It was tested the next day doing 26 knots, was lovely to see it cruising so fast through the water. No vibration or anything now. By the way P&O provided a cabin for me to sleep in, whilst my cabin was in the aft area and during the trouble there was a little vibration in the cabin, so I was a two cabin lass and still am they havent asked for it back yet. Ha Ha.

The sea is like glass heading across the Indian ocean and have been watching the amazine feat of the flying fish, just incredible to watch.

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Originally posted by K&K:
Mary: We thank you so much for the reports. It gives us just a little insight (like being there). We also wanted to wish you a happy St. Patricks day and hope they have quite a party onboard for you.
Kevin and Kathy

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Originally posted by sympatico:
Oh, big mistake - Kevin. Mary is NOT Irish, she is Scottish. BIG difference!

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Originally posted by K&K:
I am not Irish and have had several people wish me a happy St. Patricks day today. Are the Scottish and the Irish at war or something! Both of you have made me a little nervious that I might have upset Scottylass with only the best of intentions I assure you. Kevin

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You can rest easy Kevin - we Scots are a very tolerent people - most of us have at least a few drops of Irish blood in our veins - what really rankles is when we're referred to as English.

Mary, if you're reading this on the high seas I'm sure you'll chuckle and agree - a BIG .

April 23, St. George's day, less well know, was celebrated in our family - it was Mother's birthday.

St. Andrew's Day for Scotland - Nov. 30 - is celebrated world wide

Aurora has now arrived in a very hot and steamy Bombay. Did a tour this morning and my god what a culture shock it was. I thought of getting a taxi this afternoon but decided against it so now I am in the terminal building using the internet machines that they have set up, but there is no air conditioning and I am sure it is 100 deg.

Cows sitting in the street, and everywhere you get off there are beggars tugging at your sleeve, and snake charmers, something I am not enjoying is seeing snakes, however I would not have missed it for the world. There was even mosquitoes in the bus, so I hope I will be alright because I have not taken any malaria tablets.

Went to the Dhobi Ghat, 1000's of washer men and laundry everywhere, (Go Haze (Peter) talked about this before on this page, anyway the washermen know exactly who's is what, and it is all returned to the people with no problems, and all for just a few rupee's. Boy do these men really scrub the clothes, the guide did say sometimes you get the washing back but usually minus buttons Ha Ha.

Next Stop Safaga, and a trip to Luxor and The Valley of the Kings, and then I will soon be home, cannot believe that the 3 months is almost over, it has went in a flash.

Still cannot believe what I have seen this morning, you just cannot describe it, its is totally unbelievable, I can honestly say I have never seen anything like this before in my life.

It has happened again, I put posts in and they do not appear when I go back to the topic. Anyway here we go:

Yes Isobel we did celebrate St.Patricks day on board, Irish Flags in the Dining Room and right down to Irish Stew on the menu, it was a nice day, and they had St.Patricks Day ball too.

K&K, I have no problems at all being called Irish, as our forefathers mostly did come from Eire, however "green" was very right to say "dont call us English Ha Ha".

Well roll on Egypt I am sure Luxor and the Valley of the Kings will be just as exciting.

Southampton: By the way we have had lots of terrific weather, in fact since we left Hong Kong it will be a wrench to get back to the cold of old blighty. There are rumours on the ship, but remember only rumours, that Aurora could be going into Drydock when she reaches Southampton, obviously the propellor is not as good as it seems!!!! Although it doesnt seem to be slowing it down any, she has been steaming along at 22 knots for days now.

Your posts are probably all there, you just need to refresh the page to see the new addition.

After you make a post the software will forward you to the updated page. There is also a link that will take you to the page if you don't want to wait for the software to finish. If you click on the link or otherwise go directly to the page without allowing the software to refresh the page your latest post will not appear. To see it all you need to do is refresh the page.

It's a browser thing. If you ever make a post and it doesn't appear on the page try refreshing the page and it will most likely be there.

Thanks again for the continued updates. I spent one night in Bombay and must say it was quite an exprience.

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Originally posted by Scottylass:
Just to let you now I will not be posting any more messages to this topic, as it has been insinuated to me that I am using this message board to “brag” about being on this World Cruise, however I am sure that Green/Isobel will vouch for me having met me, that I am not the kind of person to brag about this cruise or about anything else for that matter.

Thanks to all who
Have contributed to this post
Regards
Mary

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Don't take any notice of this sort of thing Scottylass - they're probably jealous.

I too have learned that with a forum like CruiseTalk you are bound to upset somebody at sometime. You just can't please all of the people all of the time!

I now treat both critism and praise as equals, I take them with a pinch of salt! I just get on with doing what I want, how I want.

I spent a wonderful evening with her in Glasgow last year - we met through TP.com - believe me, this lady is one sincere, down to earth gal and a person less likely to brag I have yet to meet.

Posting from a ship is not for free - it requires time, thought and money. I tried it on the Statendam just recently - rates there are US 55 cents per minute - clock starts the moment you hit a key! Time flies when you're having fun and I'm sure Mary was doing just that - generously sharing her excitement and wonderful experiences. Printouts are not free either. Aurora's rates are probably about the same as on Statendam.