With all the itinerary changes one of the bonuses has been the early docking in Port Said...... Originally we expected to dock at 6pm but our captain pulled us in at around 4pm... As we arrived we could see all the Market vendors setting up their wares ready for the on slaught.... and that is just from the women on the ship dying to part with their money...... and that included me....
After the Egyptian formalities, which the time it takes depends on how generous Princess are with the alcohol and Cigarettes.... a group of us gathered in the Atrium so we could walk the streets in convoy..... With the Princess Issued map of Port Said we decided that we were better off just following our noses or we would get lost for sure...We walked a really big block which included a walk along the beach up through a few back streets including one blocked off with barb wire and machine guns...( we figured that would be the safest street in Port Said ) . Our only biggest challenge was crossing the roads.
At first we thought a lot of the shops were closed but then we realised that they just don’t light them up and they were actually opened....... We found a shoe and handbag shop which I believe we made the shop owner very happy....
We walked back down to the ship and negotiated our way through the markets.... literally..... I loved it bought lots of little bits and pieces and had a great time doing it... I would have to say that everyone that we had met including the market vendors where wonderful..... Everyone we passed in the streets and even from balconies would call out “welcome” to us. Actually the ladies on the balcony called out and asked us up to their apartment, but we just smiled and waved and thanked them very much. The Markets vendors would try coerced you to their stall and the banter and bartering was always in a playful non aggressive manner... Then again with 2000 willing shoppers they didn’t have to work too hard LOL..... There is one old vender who must have shares with Princess because they cleared an area out front of the purser’s desk and he set up his stall there... This was good for those older people who didn’t want to leave the safety of the ship.
Our only regret was that when we walked out of the dock we should have turned left and walked along that street as there seems to be a lot happening down that end...... which included modern shops and eateries.
It was then back on to the ship for dinner and an early night as the next day we had our big trip out to the pyramids...
Garry’s world cruise Bread Roll Count so far - 104
Joanne’s Lobster count – 9
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