Day 28

We have officially been told Safaga is cancelled, We now sail for Port Said. The oars on the ship are not helping according to the Captain, He even suggested that we might have other changes to our itinerary. George seem to think he can fix the problem, after a few Drambuie's. He seems to think he is Scottie from star trek ( beam him up Scottie)  The ship is still moving along and that's a plus, the down side is NO Valley of the Kings.

We had a lazy day today. George bought a lens for his camera and did nothing but complain as every time he stepped outside to test his new lens it fogged up with the humidity, and I  managed to get my hair cut.

I have attached pics of the secret door to the front of the ship with other pics of what its like out the front.

Day 27 Engine problems

Well not such good news from the Captain. Everyone has been talking about the low speed we are currently doing..... only 16 knots as opposed to 21 it should be,.... also had no engines for 5 hours during the night and finally the Captain announced the bad news. Due to technical difficulties, we may have to miss Safaga and go straight to Port Said. This would be a great shame as for many of us the main reason for this cruise was Safaga and Port Said. Apparently at this speed we will miss our place in the queue to go through the Suez Cana if we stop at Safaga. We are just about to enter Pirate Alley as well, so hoping we don't lose engines there!!! I don't think the pirates here are like Johnny Depp somehow. However if it comes to the worst and we do miss Safaga well its not the end of the world. As long as we see the Pyramids all is not lost,

The seas are slightly calmer today but only 1 pool is opened so we had a swim and a spa this morning. We enjoy the sea days, meet people for lunch and coffee. George and his cronies are playing dominoes this afternoon. They laugh more than they play.

George has fixed the ship and its full steam ahead

Its environmentally friendly and keeps the passengers fit as well. ....... no more break downs

I forgot my RAC membership

Day 26 at sea

Last night at dinner, George wore his traditional Sheik outfit, Roy and another guy also joined him in dressing up. I think its called a dishdash, but not sure if that's correct. He caused quite a scene wherever he went. We had drinks out at the back of the ship till midnight.

 

Overnight the seas have become very rough and huge swell. I thought I would have got my sea legs and no more sea sickness but alas that's not the case. This morning the bathroom was my friend! The ship is rocking and rolling. George has not been sick but he is very tired and we have slept most of the day. We have discovered we are not alone on feeling like this. Yesterday our the engine broke down due to a technical fault. So for a few hours we were just bobbing around, being blown backwards by the winds. Luckily we have not reached the Gulf of Aiden, pirate alley, but still the term, "sitting ducks" came to mind. The Captain did keep us informed of any progress even telling us he was in contact with Los Angeles for instructions. Its probably best it happened now and not in a couple of days when we need full steam ahead. We also had a pirate attack drill....stayed in the cabin with the door open. We met our neighbours for the first time which was nice. The large water hoses have all been put in position incase of an attack, I personally would prefer machine guns, and a sonar thingy...pirates probably have that one covered with ear muffs!! It adds a bit of excitement to the adventure.

more pics

 

Day 25 Dubai

Our tour in Dubai was one which included a visit to the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. I was slightly nervous about this, as heights and lifts terrify me. So our tour began on an non air-conditioned bus, not too good. It was in the high 30's at 9 a.m. After an hour or so of very unpleasant conditions, I started the ball rolling with a complaint to the poor tour guide. We were not enjoying any of the commentary or scenery. Eventually another bus turned up and we all transferred, I suggested we restart the tour but to no avail lol. Dubai is lovely, the biggest and the best seems to be their motto. Construction is abundant as is dust. The Palm Island is spectacular, the apartments and hotels are amazing. We visited Ski Dubai, an indoor ski slope inside a shopping mall. Brilliant. Just to see several ladies in full burka outfits in the snow was mind boggling. We finally reached my dreaded stop. To look up at this building you get whiplash. George dragged me screaming and protesting toward the elevator. It is quite a walk to actually reach the lift, I could not turn back as I was caught up in the masses. On reaching the lift my heart was thumping. George pushed me in and off we went. It travels at 10 metres a second, we went up to 124 floors to the viewing platform. It took.....60 seconds, and apart from a slight wobble, I didn't feel anything and suddenly the doors opened. I was alive. It was worth it, the view is out of this world. The photographs will give you some idea. It was very hazy but we could still see a lot of Dubai. Back in the lift to come down was a breeze for me!!.

We met up with Marg and Roy at a shopping centre which was really up market, too ridiculously pricey so we found a cheap little shop and I bought a pair of shoes.

Dubai more pics

 

the Leaning Burj Khalifa

I am available for hire as a photographer, it is an art to be able to make a tower lean and not everyone can do that! George was really impressed   NOT. My excuse was a gust of wind.

George thought he was in Italy

even more

 

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.