Adventures in travel
When I first read it, I kept thinking this story was a scam; it’s so preposterous. But apparently it’s true:
More than 5,000 passengers expecting a week of fun in the sun in the Bahamas instead found themselves headed for chilly Canada after stormy weather forced their Royal Caribbean cruise to change course.
The Oasis of the Seas departed New Jersey on Oct. 18 for what was supposed to be a seven-day tropical getaway — but passengers were told with just half a day’s notice that they were heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia, instead.
Quite a change and not a minor one. Not to mention the packing problems. I guess the layered look will be in.
While we’re discussing travel, I bookmarked this link (also from the NY Post) a few months ago and never got around to discussing it. So, now seems like a propitious time:
A couple have sparked outrage among locals after they were filmed having sex on a remote beach in Thailand.
French tourists Halan, 24, and Nadia, 24, were arrested after footage of the pair naked on the sand in Phuket went viral over the weekend.
In the footage, the pair can be seen fully stripped down as they engage in sexual acts in broad daylight at Rayee Beach.
According to horrified onlookers, the couple made little effort to hide their rendezvous, with some claiming they could be heard from across the beach.
The incident has since sparked backlash among locals, who slammed police and authorities for not monitoring the area.
My first question: how remote was the beach?
My second question: did they get carried away by the name of the island?
They thought they were still in France.
…….did they get carried away by the name of the island?”
Apparently mistook name as invitation.
2004 Indonesian tsunami smashed Phuket horribly I think, among many other places.
The cruise was rerouted due to bad weather, which the ticket terms allows them to do, but yes would suck. The passengers did get 50% future cruise credit and a few hundred dollars on board credit for that cruise, which was cheaper for the cruise line than canceling.
Also note that cruise ships leaving US ports must tag a foreign port due to the equivalent of the Jones Act, so a “cruise to nowhere” is heavily fined, which is why they tagged Nova Scotia.
I’ve been to Phuket. The “H” causes the “P” to be slightly aspirated, but it is not pronounced as in PHONE.
Nice beach community, but I expect it was severely changed by the tsunami from what I saw in 1969.
Lost a friend in that tsunami. According to some of his workers – he was building a beach house – he tried to outrun it in his truck. Really can’t understand him doing that as he was a Hawaii resident for decades before moving to Thailand and we all know to RUN mauka (mountainside) if a tsunami hits. Smart guy, too. Maybe he didn’t want to abandon an expensive truck.
There used to be a Balling motel in town. It was a family name and not pronounced in the obvious way. Or so they said.
Apparently Phuket is now way built up and touristy
Molly: My recollection of Phuket is that it is a large flat area. I don’t remember any high ground for miles in any direction.
Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,
a tale of a fateful trip.
That started from this tropic port,
aboard this tiny ship.
The mate was a mighty sailing man,
the skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day,
for a three hour tour.
A three hour tour.
The weather started getting rough,
the tiny ship was tossed.
If not for the courage of the fearless crew,
the Minnow would be lost.
The Minnow would be lost.
The ship set ground on the shore of this
uncharted desert isle.
With Gilligan, the Skipper too,
a millionaire, and his wife,
a movies star, the professor, and Maryann.
Here on Gilligan’s Isle.
So join us here each week my friends,
you’re sure to get a smile.
From seven stranded castaways,
here on Gilligan’s Isle.
(from memory)
Read about “Odd Tom.Coryotte”
Try Coryat, they were fast and loose with spelling back then.
Maryann
Macron is 48 and his wife, Brigitte is 73.
Did they travel recently while Paris burned?
Would any police get near that naked couple on the beach??
Speaking of sex in inappropriate settings…Lawrence Sperry, inventor of the aircraft autopilot among other things, was flying with a female student, he turned on the autopilot and they began having sex, or some approximation thereto. Apparently they accidentally bumped the autopilot disconnect lever and didn’t notice, the airplane began a gradual descent into the Great South Bay off Long Island, They told rescuers that they had been divested of their clothing by the force of the crash.
The story was largely suppressed by the ‘respectable’ publications, but a tabloid ran it under the headline ‘Aerial Petting – Ends in Wetting’
F,
According to Hawaii Civil Defense, at a certain distance – I seem to remember it is .25 mile – a tsunami will dissipate due to the friction from crossing land. We have signs in my area designating the boundaries of safe and unsafe areas.
Not really eager to put them to the test.
Remember when visiting these lovely isles – Never turn your back on the sea!
Molly,
I remember the eye of Carla passing over Austin nearly 200 miles from water, oh Dan Rather got national exposure reporting on that hurricane.
I just got back on Oct 10 from a Canadian cruise on Royal Caribbean. It was chilly. I left my jacket in the windjammer. I thought I would have to buy another one, but thankfully, it was returned to guest services.
I’ve found myself in situations where I under packed for the weather. Alaska – had to buy a Royal Caribbean fleece. Hawaii – shorts and t-shirt on Haleakal?. I own a lot of clothes purchased because I was unprepared. Ugh.
@ Steve > “I’ve found myself in situations where I under packed for the weather. ”
https://nypost.com/2026/10/24/lifestyle/royal-carribean-cruise-to-the-bahamas-went-to-canada-instead/
No further comment.
At least they planned for a two-week vacation, not a three-hour tour.