White sands. Last rain fell seven years ago. Passed the corner of Bat-el-Mandel (which carries two lights) at half an hour after midnight. May 3. This morning well into the red (not) see which tree is about 140 miles wide. Passed a number of obviously volcanic islands. Temperature at 10:30 a.m. 88°. May 5. At Port Said. Came through tail-end of a sand storm last night as we started through the Suez Canal. A fortnight at Port Said and sailed at 1 p.m. May 6. All afternoon sailing along the south cast of Coasts. Very mountainous very dry. Extremely attractive scenes just the same scattered bushes & plants. No trees. A block water marks 8 feet up the cliffs must make a net to an extent Submarine level, as there is no tide in the Mediterranean. May 8. Afternoon why the Toe of Italy & up through the shoals of Messina where they tidal currents meet. Missed Stromboli which was passed about 8 p.m. May 9. Arrived to find ship. Tied up at Naples. C.I.T. men in answer to B.P.'s a mail letter from Port Moresby came on board to help us. Cleared baggage & took to RR station, checked up trains, then went out to look at the ruins of Pompeii. Due to some sort of a freeze in Rome all sleepers were booked up. Had to put piece little sleep in my 1st class day-coach. All the line is electrified & you for the endless vineyards & little catch crops planted between the vines. A nearly continuous series of travels in the last loop of the journey. May 10. Genua 6:30 a.m. Saw U.S. Canal, went Piazza a bit right hand near trees. Got rooms at the Hotel Bristol on 20 de Settembri Street.