J&B Travels

Happy New Year’s Eve to you all , and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has followed our travels and shared such kind messages along the way. We have one month left before heading back to Gibraltar — and the thought of returning to reality, and not blogging daily, already feels a little strange. Today’s excursion left at 8:45am , so there was just enough time for a quick gym session . The morning was still dark, a gentle reminder that soon those early, sun-filled mornings will give way to darker starts — perhaps easing me back into what awaits at home. After some deliberation, Joe decided to come on the trip , which in itself felt like a win. He slept through the first part of the drive, only hopping off briefly for a comfort stop. Langkawi Discoveries Our guide, Goh , was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly proud of Langkawi , sharing its history and local insights throughout the drive. Our first stop was the Batik Arts & Crafts Centre — officially a cultural visit, un...

Today began with an early start , especially after what counts as a late night by our standards. We needed to be at the tour bus by 7:20am . Joe managed to get up (no small feat), and although we were a few minutes late, we made it — relief all round. Our tour guide, Dung , was absolutely hilarious and kept us entertained with stories and humour throughout the day. In an incredibly kind gesture, he gave up his front-row seat so Joe and I could sit there instead. Once again, we were reminded just how kind people can be. Journey to Phang Nga Bay We had nearly a two-hour drive to reach Phang Nga Bay on mainland Thailand — plenty of time for a snooze. Once there, we attended a safety briefing, donned life jackets, and climbed into the traditional long wooden boats . Joe was still very tired, so he rested his head on my shoulder and slept as we glided past mangrove swamps , the grotto cave , and James Bond Island . It was peaceful, scenic, and beautifully atmospheric. Panyee Village – ...

Today began with an unexpected bonus — we arrived early into Phuket after the captain had increased speed overnight due to a medical emergency that required hospitalisation. Thankfully all was handled swiftly, and for us it meant extra time in Phuket . Our tour had been delayed by a few hours, so we were able to ease into the day . I slipped happily back into my routine — gym , veggie juice , and breakfast on the balcony . After several sea days of rain and cloud, it was a joy to wake up to blue skies again. Joe just made it to the morning quiz , which had been moved earlier so guests could still attend tours. His team came joint second , still keeping up their strong run. I spent a little time with the crossword and some reading , while Joe grabbed a light lunch — I was still full from breakfast. From our balcony we watched scuba divers cleaning the keel of the ship , something that’s required before sailing into Australia and New Zealand — another quiet reminder that we’re movi...

Wow… Day 60 already . I genuinely cannot comprehend how quickly these last two months have flown by. It feels both long and impossibly short all at the same time. Last night, Jeff shared the story of a gentleman who had lived on board the ship for many years and who sadly passed away last year at the age of 94 . I completely understood why he chose that life. It’s something I’ve thought about before, and now — having lived this rhythm for such a long stretch — I can honestly say I would absolutely do this again . Life at sea has a simplicity and flow that is deeply nourishing. A Restorative Sea Day The seas have been a little rougher , with rain and lightning overnight, and it’s definitely cooler today than when we were in Sri Lanka. We’re sailing across the Andaman Sea , heading toward Phuket . With the clocks going forward another hour last night, I really felt it in my body today — so I was grateful it was a sea day , giving me space to rest and reset. I headed to the gym , g...

We started the day with a letter letting us know that we needed to complete an online visa for Thailand . Thankfully, the Purser’s team made it incredibly easy by providing clear, step-by-step instructions — one of those small things that really takes the stress out of travel. It was a beautiful sea day , and with the clocks having gone forward by 30 minutes , I allowed myself a slightly gentler start. I headed to the gym , which was wonderfully quiet — pure bliss — before making my way to the pool deck bar to collect our veggie juices and enjoy some fruit and nuts for breakfast . After showering, I headed back to the spa for my pre-planned massage , which was a truly lovely way to spend the morning and continue yesterday’s relaxed energy. Cricket Wins & Quiet Moments Once back in the room, I helped Joe get his iPad set up so he could watch the cricket — and what a treat that was, as England actually won the match ! A very happy Joe indeed. I then made my way to the librar...

Today began with an early start, although the amazing crew had been up early and the Christmas table with the gingerbread houses had been dismantled, much to Joe's sadness, as he loved looking at it and touching it (which was forbidden to do so of course!)  as we headed off for a relaxing day at the Hilton Hotel in Weerawila . With the early departure, there was no time for the gym, so I opted for a quick stretch and room service breakfast instead. Joe, who absolutely loves pool and beach days , was up early and ready to go. His luck continued — he secured front row seats on the coach once again . Even better, this was a brand new coach , and we were only the second group to ever sit in it. It had all the mod cons, including seat belts , which instantly made Joe feel more at ease. Many of the buses we’d used in India hadn’t had seat belts, which had understandably made him a little anxious. Out of the Port & Into the Countryside Our guide shared that the port we were leavi...

  Happy Christmas Day to all who celebrate 🎄 From the moment we woke, the ship felt wonderfully festive — everyone you passed wished you a very Merry Christmas , and the warmth of the day carried that spirit ashore into Colombo . I began with a little Christmas gift to myself : the gym was completely empty. Pure bliss. After a peaceful workout, I grabbed a couple of veggie juices for Joe and me, then showered and got ready to head out. Coffee, Catch-ups & Colombo I took a taxi to meet Harinda from BW and Sri Lanka Samaritans for coffee. Getting the taxi driver to understand where I wanted to go took a bit of effort — and yes, we ended up at the wrong coffee shop — but thankfully the right one was only a few minutes away. It was so lovely to see Harinda again . We last met during the BW conference here in Colombo last year, and the time flew by as we caught up. Before I knew it, it was time to head back to the ship to meet Joe, and Harinda very kindly gave me a lift ba...

Happy Christmas Eve ! 🎄 If you’re celebrating Christmas, I hope you’re wrapped in warmth, love, and a little sparkle today. On board, the ship is certainly embracing the season — festive, joyful, and beautifully decorated. The seas had been quite choppy as we sailed toward Sri Lanka , but as we approached Colombo , everything softened and the waters calmed. With no early tour, it gave us a wonderfully free morning . I slipped back into my familiar rhythm — gym time , my usual routine, and then a presentation on Sri Lanka , which was genuinely fascinating and added rich context ahead of our visit. Afterwards, I settled into my cosy corner to complete the crossword and sudoku , and managed a good chunk of reading from my latest book — a real treat. Joe enjoyed a lazy start , but rallied in time for his beloved quiz . His team came joint second , just missing out on first place — tomorrow’s another chance, as he likes to remind us all. A Gentle Afternoon We planned lunch together ...

We arrived into Cochin early this morning, which meant a change to the usual routine as our tour was scheduled to leave at 8:15am . Something nudged me last night to double-check our tickets — and I’m glad it did — because I realised we were actually booked on a different tour to the one I thought we had chosen. First thing this morning I spoke to the team, but they confirmed that this was indeed our allocated tour and that it was too late to switch to the Ayurvedic experience . At least we still have the Ayurvedic tour booked for Galle … or so we thought. Joe, however, was deeply disappointed . He had got up early under the impression we were heading off for an Ayurvedic day and immediately started predicting that this new tour would involve far too much walking . His back, apparently, had already lodged a formal complaint. Cochin Through History Despite the rocky start, the tour guide was excellent , with a deep knowledge of Cochin’s layered history and cultures. Our first sto...

Today we arrived in Mangalore nice and early once again. With our tour not leaving until 9am , I made the most of the calm morning and headed to the gym , which was blissfully empty. Having the whole space to myself felt like a real treat. Afterwards, I grabbed some fruit, nuts, and a veggie juice , then headed back to shower and wake Joe. Joe, unsurprisingly, was not impressed with another early start, but we just about made it through immigration and onto the bus in time. A Warm Welcome to Mangalore Our ship was the first to arrive in the new port , which made the welcome feel extra special. A red carpet had been rolled out, musicians were playing, and the captain and senior officers were given an official reception in the new terminal as we all passed through to reach our buses. We had a wonderful guide named Leo , who works in the cashew nut industry . He shared fascinating insights into cashew production and the other key industries that sustain Mangalore. He also gave us ...