Jean’s first full day exploring London
After a miserable first day arriving in London, Jean picked herself up and set out to explore...continuing her account in her letter to her mother who had arrived in the…
19 May 1951 – arrival in London
After 4 weeks sailing, Jean finally arrived in London. Arriving on a Saturday morning, it would've taken most of the day to clear through customs and travel into her accommodation…
Tips for a first time traveller – prepping for arrival in the UK
As Jean sailed the final leg of her journey to London from Port Said, her thoughts must have turned to the practicalities of navigating her way around this new country.…
Beginning the last leg with a Gala Dinner
with final passengers boarded in Port Said, the Himalaya began the final leg of its journey to London. This final week of sailing kicked off with another Gala Dinner. The…
Suez Canal and Port Said, 12 May 1951
On the 11 May Jean wrote to her sister Mary: "We arrive at Suez Bay at 1pm, and wait there for the convoy to go through canal tonight. Mail comes…
11 May – Gulf of Suez, more of life on board
"We're sailing up the Gulf of Suez this morning. (I always seem to leave my letter writing until we're almost to port, then everything interesting is to be seen and…
The Far East – Aden, Jean becomes a photographer!
Three days of sailing across the Indian Ocean after departing Bombay, the Himalaya arrived in Aden. In 1951, Aden was a British Colony. "Dear MaryIt's been wonderful getting your letters…
Bombay, Jean’s “crush” on Kap the Indian! 4 & 5 May
"Friday night found Bombay. The approach to the wharf was one of the most attractive we'd seen. It's a vast city with miles of wharves and it looked very western…
Setting foot on foreign soil for the first time – Colombo, 2nd May 1951
"Tropical rain greeted us on our arrival at our first Eastern port - Colombo. We went ashore early in the afternoon - Pearl, Pat, Kap, and Graeme and myself. We…
Trouble-making cabin-mate – 1st May
"The crowd's horribly dull and clicky - even the young ones. Remember the woman in the cabin with the grey hair, glasses and violin? She's not just subnormal, she's insane.…