The life of a sailor is a peculiar thing. It’s more like two lives, really. There’s life at sea, which is very regimented and routine and carries over from ship to ship. After you’ve gained enough sea time you start to realize how small the world actually is- seeing some of the same guys over again in different crews and revisiting foreign ports to find that everything is just where you left it when you first discovered it.
And then there’s the glorious life of leisurely unemployment we get to enjoy between voyages. This is the real life. Our personal life. The one we write about here. When you go to sea, time seems to stop on shoreside life. No matter how long you’re gone, it almost feels as if it’s just a pause between one day and the next. And if you’re lucky not too much actually has changed, and you can pick right back up where you left off.
We’ve been at sea for more than 6 months now. That’s a long time to be aboard a ship. But now that we’re home we aim to pick up right where we left off. Since November we’ve visited over 40 ports of call in 17 countries. We’re not going to go into too much detail about that here.
What we are going to do is share some photos. Last Summmer we began using Instagram, and although we got off to kind of a slow start with it, it’s fair to say we’re fully up to speed by now, and got a lot of use out of it on this most recent trip. We’re becoming especially fond of the photo map feature, and ours is certainly a lot bigger than it was half a year ago. Our username over there is thebaltimorechop and if you’re reading this on the web you can feel free to go ahead and follow us directly.
Here’s what you would have seen if you’d been following along…
![942424b42e7f11e2bbe622000a1c8697_7 Chesapeake bay Bridge](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/942424b42e7f11e2bbe622000a1c8697_7-e1368381481725.jpg)
On the way out- The Chesapeake bay bridge photographed from the deck of the ship.
![be8643502b5411e29fe522000a1f97ce_7 The Ravenell Bridge in Charleston, SC.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/be8643502b5411e29fe522000a1f97ce_7-e1368381537325.jpg)
The Ravenell Bridge in Charleston, SC.
![dd72e4722bfd11e2ad5812313819200b_7 Brunswick, GA.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dd72e4722bfd11e2ad5812313819200b_7-e1368381635343.jpg)
Sunrise in Brunswick, GA.
![fbe0df1aad1f11e28df922000a9f1991_7 A neighborhood corner bar in Bremerhaven, Germany.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fbe0df1aad1f11e28df922000a9f1991_7-e1368381709199.jpg)
A neighborhood corner bar in Bremerhaven, Germany.
![f3047ec4ad1f11e2954322000a9f134e_7 The town square in the North Sea beach town of Blankenburge, Belgium.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/f3047ec4ad1f11e2954322000a9f134e_7-e1368381769468.jpg)
The town square in the North Sea beach town of Blankenburge, Belgium.
![f702bbf48a5f11e29d4222000a9e0706_7 Port of Karachi, Pakistan.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/f702bbf48a5f11e29d4222000a9e0706_7-e1368381849268.jpg)
Port of Karachi, Pakistan.
![f389d852558211e285f622000a1f8e95_7](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/f389d852558211e285f622000a1f8e95_7-e1368381905584.jpg)
An Egyptian monument to something along the Suez Canal. Probably the 1967 war. They’re still very butthurt about it.
![ff90b1f89dca11e2986122000a9f194c_7 Salalah, Oman.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ff90b1f89dca11e2986122000a9f194c_7-e1368381988178.jpg)
A European cruise ship calling on the port of Salalah, Oman.
![eb41a5743af411e297bf22000a1f9263_7 The leaning tower of Pisa.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/eb41a5743af411e297bf22000a1f9263_7.jpg)
The leaning tower of Pisa.
![e44711e8581b11e2ba8122000a1f9262_7 An amusement park in Iskederun, Turkey.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/e44711e8581b11e2ba8122000a1f9262_7-e1368382174877.jpg)
An amusement park in Iskederun, Turkey.
![e6740af8ad1f11e29a3e22000a1f90ce_7 Blankenburge, Belgium.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/e6740af8ad1f11e29a3e22000a1f90ce_7-e1368382239276.jpg)
Nice bush. Blankenburge, Belgium.
![e955c94e542511e2a74422000a1ddb8e_7 Ruins of the ancient city of Ayla in Jordan.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/e955c94e542511e2a74422000a1ddb8e_7-e1368382308991.jpg)
Ruins of the ancient city of Ayla in Jordan.
![f75e95923b2611e2bd8822000a9d0df8_7 A mural by Keith Haring in Pisa.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/f75e95923b2611e2bd8822000a9d0df8_7-e1368382373732.jpg)
A mural by Keith Haring in Pisa.
![e70d946a80c011e2b0f722000a9f18db_7 Bumfuck, Egypt.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/e70d946a80c011e2b0f722000a9f18db_7-e1368382443230.jpg)
Bumfuck, Egypt.
![de377624542611e2a1b122000a1f9702_7](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/de377624542611e2a1b122000a1f9702_7-e1368382531900.jpg)
Me A-rab. Me play joke. Me put sand in your Coke.
![d9665f8a3a2b11e2979222000a1f9bc6_7 Livorno, Italy.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/d9665f8a3a2b11e2979222000a1f9bc6_7-e1368382609519.jpg)
Livorno, Italy.
![c59bc342ae8811e28daa22000a9e5187_7 Red lion pub, southampton, England](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/c59bc342ae8811e28daa22000a9e5187_7-e1368382796125.jpg)
This pub is almost 1000 years old. The cellar was a pub in the 11th century. The actual building has been a pub since the 1300’s.
![e780fbd6ae8c11e285e022000a9e51fb_7 Red lion pub, southampton, England](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/e780fbd6ae8c11e285e022000a9e51fb_7-e1368382840843.jpg)
A sign on display inside the pub.
![cea2c190ae9511e29edf22000a1e9a73_7 Bargate, Southampton, England](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cea2c190ae9511e29edf22000a1e9a73_7-e1368382900768.jpg)
This is the bargate referenced in the sign. A relic from when Southampton was a walled city.
![c506e95293b211e2bf5922000a1f8cdc_7 Asry shipyard, Bahrain.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/c506e95293b211e2bf5922000a1f8cdc_7-e1368383009661.jpg)
Asry shipyard, Bahrain. There are 5 men in this photograph. Can you spot them?
![c83ede2680f811e2ae9922000a1f9b71_7 Welcome to Egypt.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/c83ede2680f811e2ae9922000a1f9b71_7-e1368383129974.jpg)
Welcome to Egypt.
![d612c1523b2511e2896922000a1fbe1a_7](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/d612c1523b2511e2896922000a1fbe1a_7-e1368383195777.jpg)
Nighttime in Pisa.
![bb00ed1293cc11e2ad9722000a9e2977_7 'American Alley," a street just outside the navy base in Bahrain.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bb00ed1293cc11e2ad9722000a9e2977_7-e1368383232897.jpg)
‘American Alley,” a street just outside the navy base in Bahrain.
![adda1a7693ce11e2846522000a1f9d5a_7 Bahrain at night.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/adda1a7693ce11e2846522000a1f9d5a_7-e1368383327301.jpg)
Bahrain at night.
![880852883a2b11e2ae7122000a9f0a14_7 Some Italian guy, Livorno.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/880852883a2b11e2ae7122000a9f0a14_7-e1368383438518.jpg)
Some Italian guy, Livorno.
![bef69cbe91f111e29b3722000a1fa50e_7 Kuwait City,](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bef69cbe91f111e29b3722000a1fa50e_7-e1368383473936.jpg)
Kuwait City, which is actually much, much much bigger than this photo suggests.
![89450bf68a5211e28e8222000aa82017_7 Sunset in Karachi, Pakistan.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/89450bf68a5211e28e8222000aa82017_7-e1368383567744.jpg)
Sunset in Karachi, Pakistan.
![18170fbc542711e2b85522000a9e28f2_7 - Copy The castle of Aqaba in Jordan.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/18170fbc542711e2b85522000a9e28f2_7-Copy-e1368383649685.jpg)
The castle of Aqaba in Jordan.
![49545216aea311e2b30622000a9f15f0_7 A WWII monument in England.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/49545216aea311e2b30622000a9f15f0_7-e1368383741903.jpg)
A WWII monument in England.
![6382b0085d9311e2aeca22000a9f18e5_7 The Rock of Gibraltar.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/6382b0085d9311e2aeca22000a9f18e5_7-e1368383777243.jpg)
The Rock of Gibraltar.
![2824c95c3f9211e29a9c22000a1fbe09_7 Aqaba, Jordan.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2824c95c3f9211e29a9c22000a1fbe09_7-e1368383847669.jpg)
Aqaba, Jordan.
![826b96ac8a6011e28a8922000a1faffc_7 Fishing boats in Karachi, Pakistan.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/826b96ac8a6011e28a8922000a1faffc_7-e1368383916786.jpg)
Fishing boats in Karachi, Pakistan.
![782bd3aa9dca11e28b1f22000a9f14a7_7 Container ships in Salalah, Oman.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/782bd3aa9dca11e28b1f22000a9f14a7_7-e1368383995674.jpg)
Container ships in Salalah, Oman.
![9272f5ceaea311e2bf9922000a1fbc1c_7 Southampton.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9272f5ceaea311e2bf9922000a1fbc1c_7-e1368384065467.jpg)
A view from the park in Southampton.
![386cdcac3af411e2876222000a1fbcf1_7 Arno river, Pisa, Italy.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/386cdcac3af411e2876222000a1fbcf1_7-e1368384135479.jpg)
Arno river, Pisa, Italy.
![93dc545a542611e2a03a22000a1fbd56_7 A street scene in Aqaba, Jordan. New year's day 2013.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/93dc545a542611e2a03a22000a1fbd56_7-e1368384205713.jpg)
A street scene in Aqaba, Jordan. New Year’s Day 2013.
![87ed3880809011e2abce22000a1f96d4_7 Sunrise in Beirut, Lebanon.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/87ed3880809011e2abce22000a1f96d4_7.jpg)
Sunrise in Beirut, Lebanon.
![443fea983a2b11e2bf9022000a1fb723_7 One of many canals in Livorno, Italy.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/443fea983a2b11e2bf9022000a1fb723_7-e1368384338667.jpg)
One of many canals in Livorno, Italy.
![49a7f6fc93da11e28e8222000aa82017_7](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/49a7f6fc93da11e28e8222000aa82017_7-e1368384536458.jpg)
Bahrain brohaim.
![41ca51bc3b2611e283b822000a9f124c_7 A newsstand in Pisa.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/41ca51bc3b2611e283b822000a9f124c_7-e1368384594309.jpg)
A newsstand in Pisa.
![30fa415493d111e2af5a22000a9f18fb_7 The Grand Mosque, Bahrain.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/30fa415493d111e2af5a22000a9f18fb_7-e1368384700816.jpg)
The Grand Mosque, Bahrain.
![029c336a904511e2877122000a1fbc4f_7 Abu Dhabi, UAE](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/029c336a904511e2877122000a1fbc4f_7-e1368384772377.jpg)
Abu Dhabi, UAE
![78a075d05d7811e2a88722000a1f90d0_7 A mountain along the coastline in Morocco.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/78a075d05d7811e2a88722000a1f90d0_7-e1368384826983.jpg)
A mountain along the coastline in Morocco.
![9a010832956a11e28c3c22000a1fb85a_7 Minaret, Bahrain.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9a010832956a11e28c3c22000a1fb85a_7-e1368384887658.jpg)
Minaret, Bahrain.
![9a44c4ba93e811e2979f22000a1f8ae3_7 Feet massage, Bahrain.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9a44c4ba93e811e2979f22000a1f8ae3_7-e1368384963313.jpg)
Feet massage, Bahrain.
![8fa771a83b2611e2a8b522000a1cf597_7 Catholic churches in Pisa.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8fa771a83b2611e2a8b522000a1cf597_7-e1368385043563.jpg)
One of the many Catholic churches in Pisa.
![9b8db8c0979111e2ab0f22000a9f305a_7 US navy ships in Dubai.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9b8db8c0979111e2ab0f22000a9f305a_7-e1368385113693.jpg)
US navy ships in Dubai.
![5e31a38eae8811e2aeb522000a9f14e4_7 The Queen Mary II docked in Southampton, England.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/5e31a38eae8811e2aeb522000a9f14e4_7-e1368385175469.jpg)
The Queen Mary II docked in Southampton, England.
![4cd2aed2ae9511e2a73822000aaa08a0_7 Springtime in Blighty.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/4cd2aed2ae9511e2a73822000aaa08a0_7-e1368385259637.jpg)
Springtime in Blighty.
![3fa2dc5a3af511e283e822000a1f8e5b_7 Leaning Tower](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/3fa2dc5a3af511e283e822000a1f8e5b_7-e1368385326249.jpg)
Another view of the Leaning Tower, with its accompanying cathedral.
![3acd60128f0811e2a19522000a9f126b_7](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/3acd60128f0811e2a19522000a9f126b_7-e1368385404681.jpg)
Dubai.
![1ce21850818d11e2a97a22000a9f18aa_7 Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1ce21850818d11e2a97a22000a9f18aa_7-e1368385444393.jpg)
Near Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
![1cab05d657e411e294a422000a1f9874_7 Ataturk](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1cab05d657e411e294a422000a1f9874_7-e1368385518182.jpg)
Ataturk is as popular as Babe Ruth Justin Beiber and George Washington combined.
![4f32582ab98611e2a1c022000a9e06ab_7 Beaumont, Texas.](http://thebaltimorechop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/4f32582ab98611e2a1c022000a9e06ab_7-e1368385680472.jpg)
East Texas never looked so good. Finally back home in the good old US of A.