HMNZS Te Mana has been patrolling waters off the Somalian coast as part of a counter-piracy operation. This weekend she is in Abu Dhabi and Daniels flatmate, Seager (Sub Lieutenant Clarkson) made contact. As a result we are having a barbeque, he is staying the night and we get to visit Te Mana.

Dubai recently won hosting rights for the 2020 expo. This called for some serious sand castle building on the corniche beach.

Seager had no difficulty in getting us on board the ship but getting past Abu Dhabi Ports Authority was another matter. We left them to sort the paper work out overnight and came back the next day.