Sun 7. [7 December 1902] About midday we passed through Bab el
Mandeb [Bab al Mandab]. We had seen Mocha [Mukha, Al] quite
clearly in the morning a little white place with minarets standing on the
sand with bare lines of rugged serrated hill behind. Made
acquaintance with Lord Dartrey a deux. Perim a low waterless island
all quite barren. White houses, high perched to catch the wind on the
opposite side. Mr Cavendish Bentinck talked a long time after lunch.
We got to Aden [('Adan)] at 7 and were advised by the Captain not to
go on shore, which, much to our regret we didn't do. The lights far
away on the coast were all we saw of the town. A bare group of hills
stands over it. Somalis came on board selling Wu'ul horns and
baskets and amber. The Delameres got off for their Somaliland
shooting expedition and the Willie Jameses who had a telegram
telling them their child was ill. We stayed till 12 to our annoyance. I
went up on deck to sleep and fell asleep and when I woke up it was
near 5. Gilbert introduced Major Lee.