August 2017: I am very pleased that I have been offered my first placement as a speaker: I am invited to join Fred Olsen’s ‘Black Watch‘ world cruise ‘Wonders of the World’ in 2018.
It looks a very interesting itinerary: and I am to join the liner at Mumbai in March 2018, sail across the Indian Ocean, up the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Suez Canal, stopping a various interesting ports along the way, and I disembark at Alexander in April 2018. I am to lecture on the ports and sights the passengers will be visiting whilst in Egypt, and I am looking forward to it very much
April 2018: I have now returned from the cruise. Having never cruised before, I had little idea of quite what to expect. However, I received a good welcome and induction from the Cruise Director. Fellow speakers and entertainers were friendly, helpful and very supportive, and I quickly began to settle into my first role as Speaker.
In all, I gave 5 talks, which I selected and tailored to suit the destinations that the passengers would be visiting during their time in Egypt. My aim was to give the passengers insights into what they might see on their visit to Cairo; the Cairo Museum and the Great Pyramids at Giza, in order for them to understand, and be informed about the history and meaning behind the various places and sites they would visit.
I enjoyed my first experience as a speaker: I was made to feel welcome; had kind and complimentary feedback and support; enjoyed chatting with the passengers, attending great talks and evening entertainments myself; and enjoyed excellent food in a choice of lovely restaurants. I would love to be offered more cruises.
Unearthing Egyptology - Talks on Egyptology 