Sweet Treats of Ship Life: Tour Escorting

Of course one of the main draws of working on a cruise ship is the opportunity to visit its many exotic and exciting destinations. Spending Thursday in Ibiza disco dancing at the beach, Saturday in Rome uncovering ancient ancestors and Tuesday in Gibraltar eating English fish and chips is no mean feat. What's more, its fairly simple to obtain the role of tour escort on one of the ship's many and diverse guided tours of the destination. You count 'em on the coach you count 'em off the coach and you sign your name at the bottom of the form. Done and dusted.

Today we have docked at the idyllic island of La Palma probably the most unspoilt of the canary islands and I am to accompany my dearest passengers through 'Made in La Palma': a whirlwind look at the islands arts and crafts culminating in a La Palman style lunch and accompanied by a range of La Palman wines and spirits.

Trusty Nikon D80 hanging at my side and "TOUR ESCORT" clipboard firmly held in both my arms I mount the bus. I'm greeted by a cheerful crowd who are more than willing to adopt me as granddaughter for the day and therefore indulge me in all the best views, first tastes and lively commentary. We visit pottery, carpentry, pressery, lacery, gallery and community of crafters. We coo in the right places, grab for our purses in the quaint shops and gasp at the expansive views. I also manage some great shots, a change from my normal port photos (a beach, a bar, a cocktail). At each stop we are welcomed by the local tipple before being shown around at a leisurely pace which betrays years of experience. After receiving our fill of pretty teapots and impressive rugs we head ever so slightly tipsy to our luncheon destination. Lush gardens border a simple shaded pergola where a table is laid out with rich, rural and delicious local food: casserole, potatoes, hams, breads, chutneys and chili dips. Oh and some wine and local liqueur. I gorge like a spoilt grandchild and have a 5 minute nap in the shade of a tree.

It has been a great day. I return to the ship and part ways with my fellow tourers through fairly drunken rosy spectacles. As they go in search of a nap in the last hours of sun I am off to change for work, an 8 hour shift stretches before me.