Day 24

Muscat, Oman is the most beautiful city. Its just incredible to see the huge mountains surrounding this city. It seemed a fairly small city as we sailed in to the port but once we had boarded the bus and headed out for the Grand Mosque it was not the case. I don't think even the brilliant photos can do this city justice. The buildings and scenery are breathtakingly beautiful. Driving to the Mosque took about 20 minutes, thankfully it was an air conditioned bus!. The rules to enter the Grand Mosque for women are very strict and we were all given details of how to dress and what to cover up. However it was still interesting to see quite a few people being turned away at the entrance for not doing the correct thing. The grounds of the Mosque are outstanding, the architecture is beautiful and the marble tiling is all air-conditioned underneath for the masses who come to visit and pray. Inside the Grand Mosque at the men's hall was this massive light with the most beautiful elaborate detail. We spent time at a private museum, quite interesting and then off to the Grand Palace. Stunning! Its just something I never thought I would see, we walked to the Sultan's palace gates. Everything is immaculate, highly polished marble on the ground. We had a short time at the markets, it was around 45 degrees. Muscat is a magical city.

Day 24 More pics

 

late night

After dinner we went to the Crew Talent Show which was hilarious and terrific. Standing room only! Then Marg, Roy, George and I   ended up at Jammers Nightclub, and it was Karaoke and Disco. Yes Disco, we are not too old yet! Great fun. As you can see from the pic, George and Roy have a similar sense of humour. We finished our night with a walk around the deck, and a hot drink at 2 a.m. Fantastic night, its getting better by the day. Heading toward Oman now, so a relaxing day today. We only have a half day in Muscat.

Day 23

Last night was formal night, everyone looked lovely. The photographs tell the picture!  Marg offered to do my hair for me, she did a great job.

More pics

From left to right....Peggy, Jo, myself and Sandra. They all wore gorgeous saris.

formal food and waiters

Our main course was lobster and prawns, yummy. This is Watchara and Yogi, our lovely waiters.

pics

Paul and Kim from Mandurah.

Day 22 cakes

Due to the very late night we didn't get up till 11a.m.!! dreadful I know. So we had lunch/breakfast in the Dining Room. The sea swell is really causing me grief, so Roy gave me some wrist bands to try, the Avomine is ok but I fall asleep with that, not too good on holiday. Before we had lunch,we visited the Buffet to see the amazing display of cakes and gateaux, just beautiful. Tonight is formal night, again. There seems to be a lot more on this WC than last years. This is our 4th formal and we have only been at sea for 3 weeks. I am not complaining as we enjoy that but I seriously did not bring enough formal clothes. Ah well, there is always shopping in London,Paris,Rome and New York.

Day 21 late

Last nights sail away from Mumbai was suberb. We initially went for a stroll on top deck, after dinner, and bumped into several friends. So we all joined up and sat overlooking the beautiful sight of Mumbai at night. It was a very busy harbour, from warships to small boats everywhere. At 12.30 a.m., George and Roy had hunger pangs!! so down we went to the Horizon Court for a snack. Marg and I only had a hot drink, if they had breakfast available, George and Roy would have had that!.

 

 

Yes I survived the laundry and no fights!!

 

Day 21 Mumbai George on his own!

It could have been a combination of too much dancing and heat, (I did not have even 1 drink , I swear), but I think it was the large sea swell overnight which caused me to feel not too well this morning. So I decided not to go on the tour. Marg and Roy took care of George!! He said it was very  very good. Seeing the large communal outdoor laundry was amazing. They pride themselves in not losing a single item. He went to Ghandi's house, he wasn't home. He met a very friendly armed soldier, the automatic machine was there to protect us! Visited the Gateway to India and the Taj Mahal hotel then back to the ship with some duty free, not decanting as not problem getting booze on board. We had lunch and as I was feeling a bit better, Marg and Roy came with us to the terminal where some small stalls sold some stuff. George was the alcohol mule for Roy and Marg and did some browsing.

While I was having a coffee in the morning, I overheard,(it was loud) some American absolutely blasting the hell out of the Aussies onboard. They were appalled at the dress standards of the Aussies, it didn't match the gold encrusted jewel dress of this American lady and she said the Kiwis were even worse. They went on and on and I did not feel up to having a go, thanks goodness George and Roy were not there. I spent an hour or so in laundry and met the lovliest people from New York, who were having a great cruise and just loved the Australian laid back attitude. Yes I survived the laundry and no fights!!

Day 20 Party Night

What a great night we had!! The theme was Indian Heat/Tropical and we dressed accordingly. We were a bit miffed as not many people had dressed up at the Dining Room, but on the top deck later it was a good sight as many people had got into the spirit. Our group of friends had a ball. Roy and Marg, Brian and Jo, Ray and Jill and lots more all danced the night away. The buffet at midnight was amazing, I have never seen cakes that size before, chocolate coated strawberries, yum. It was very hot, even at that time of night. I had a touch of sea sickness earlier on, (the swell has been the problem) but a few tablets and I was right to go. I have never seen George dance like that before, ever!!

I must comment to future WC.....joining the CC group has been the best decision for us. Even though you meet lots of new people every day, and many have become firm friends, we have found that the CCers just gave us an instant connection, and we have great friendships from it. We now have an arrangement whereby any of us can turn up at 12.30 at the Dining Room for lunch and sit with friends. It was originally was Tuesday sea days but now its any day.

Day 19 Cochin, India

We were not really keen to even leave the ship here, India has never been on our to see list. However, we did disembark and glad we did. It was totally overwhelming, the traffic, the people and the sights we saw are images we will have forever. It is a city in chaos, a rubbish tip with people living around and with it. We visited St Francis Church, the oldest church in India, the fishing nets at the waterfront and we had limited time for shopping. This tour was not the best one I think as around 10 bus loads of people all travelling together in a very crowded city causes huge queues for everything. It was very steamy but bearable. Its amazing to see piles and piles of dirt and rubbish everywhere and then see shops selling ceramic tiles and washing machines. The rubbish is swept into piles and either just left or put over a wall.

 

Due to the long queues, we are re thinking many of our booked tours. Many people are doing their own thing, and apart from saving a huge amount of money, they see and do more.

After a nana nap, had dinner and then went to the Princess show. It was fantastic, the best we have seen. The entertainment has been disappointing, many second rate, over the hill "entertainers". The show last night was a great success and hopefully the applause it received will generate more classy acts. We are going to see the World Cup opening ceremony and 20 games so we are looking forward to that.

Day 19 more pics

 

Day 18 He said he would and he did!!

When we initially booked this cruise, George decided he wanted to wear a kilt on the formal nights. He had never had any inclination for this ever in his life. So he bought the complete outfit over 1 year ago and last night he wore it for dinner. He looked great and was the beau of the ball!! I could have turned up in a tracksuit, literally, as all eyes were on George. He enjoyed all the admiring looks and comments, and we had the professional photographs taken. The ladies in the pics are Sandra and Peggy, both are our dinner table companions and are fantastic people.