Much has been written about the Spice Islands and the sailors that spent many centuries at sea trading these exotic commodities. There were fierce battles, pirates, tough conditions and ongoing power plays. In its day it was the world’s biggest industry, and this part of history shaped the future of many nations around the globe. As such I have come prepared for a serious adventure on the high seas: I have left the suede loafers behind, have starched my collection of nautical linens, and packed only a handful of accessories! Ahoy sailor! 

‘Aaaaaaaariba arriba’ is screeched by Rizal our snorkelling guide as we return to Tiger Blue, ‘Aloha’ as we board, and ‘Terimakasi’ (thank you in Indonesian) as we head back to our cabins. Onboard Rizal goes by the name of Escobar, is convinced he is from Caracas albeit born in Sumatra, looks like an Indonesian James Brown, and has the power to make the entire crew and guests to burst into laughter at any time. Identity crisis aside he is immediately a crowd favourite.