Dubai - Day 2

Two more shopping centres.... The Dubai Outlet Mall and the Mercato. Both offering good fast wifi, very effective air conditioning and free shuttles.

We depart at 11pm tonight bound for Aqaba, Jordan.

This is the first day of the second sector so we will see some new passengers and have our new mini bar and our internet minutes topped back up to 500.

Till the next posting....

Singapore - the missing photos

Photos:

1. Arriving into Singapore

2. The Baby in the Marina Bay Gardens 

3. Marina Bay Sands Hotel

4. Merlion

5. Din Tai Fung dumpling restaurant 

6. Waterfall inside Marina Bay Sands Shopping Centre

Muscat, Oman

Monday, June 25 - Day of the Seafarer

Population: Approx. 4 million with around 1 million in Muscat
Language: Arabic, English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects 
Oman Capital: Muscat
Type of Govt: Absolute Monarchy
Currency: Omani Rial (OMR)... Approx. 3.5 AUD

Muscat is one of the fabled ports of the Near East, a legendary trading centre connecting Europe and Asia since the days of Pliny the Elder.

The harbour is guarded by two 16th century forts and between the old fortresses stands the modern Al Alam Palace.  The official residence of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Palace blends classical and contemporary Islamic architectures.  Vendors still offer Frankincense and Myrrh in the souks while the regal Grand Mosque, completed in 1999, stands as the symbol of contemporary Oman.

The temperatures were predicted to be 38 degrees but were more like 47 degrees!

As this is a working port there was a free shuttle to the Souk which ran all day... we asked to be let off at the Port gate as that is where our tour guide, Muso was meeting us.  The funny thing was we all piled into the shuttle bus as we got off the ship then we drove to a building at the end of the ship where we were all asked to get off the bus and go into a building for scanning.  We basically walked in one door, put our bags through a scanner, walked out the other door and back onto the bus!

We were a group of 4 heading for the Wadi Shab.  Muso picked us up from the port gate as arranged in a very comfortable Toyota Prada for the 90 minute drive to the Wadi.  The landscape was very rocky with large cliffs and mounds of rocks that looked like shale... not much greenery or wildlife anyway.  We did pass a loan camel, some long haired goats and a couple of donkeys.

One arrival at our destination we then walked for about 55 minutes over rocks, up and down rocky outcrops to the water hole where we had a much needed swim.  We rested here for about an hour before the trek back which was slightly easier as it was down hill and there was some shade from the rocks.  At the end there was no pool to cool off in just the air conditioning and a comfortable seat for our 90 minute drive back to the ship.  Our tour included a picnic lunch which would have been nice to have had at the waterhole but instead we had it on the fly trying to balance rice, chicken, curry, salad and a cold drink on our laps while we were speeding down the highway.  We arrived back at the ship in time.... phew!!

An adventurous day was had by all.... approximately 14,000 steps for the day.... a quite day tomorrow for our first day in Dubai.

Photos: arriving into Muscat and our drive to Wadi Shab

Our Last Formal Night for the First Sector

Tonight was our last of 4 formal nights for this sector. On the menu was the traditional lobster and one king prawn but I ordered double prawns and the meal was delicious. There was also garlic prawns for an entree which were a decent size and delicious. The traditional parade of the Bombe Alaska took place but no souvenir menu. I must say that the quality of food on this cruise has been excellent especially the red meat.... steak and lamb have been tender and tasty!

Unfortunately we were missing one couple at our table due to the dreaded cold going around the ship! Fingers crossed my flu jab keeps me protected....

After dinner we went to the final of Dancing with the Stripes which is based on the TV show Dancing with the Stars. There had been two previous heats where the top two couples of each heat went through to the final. Ship's personnel were teamed up with a member from the ship's singers and dancers and each couple were judged on their costume, choreography, delivery and audience enjoyment. The final was a packed house and the dancers all delivered polished performances. In the end the muscles one out but all in all a very good entertaining show.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thursday, June 22

Colombo... Sri Lanka's capital is a vibrant colonial/cosmopolitan/chic mix of past and present.  Only in Colombo can you find Hindu temples and colonial churches sharing the same space with shiny office buildings, sprawling parks, trendy shops and crowded bazaars.  It's this intentional duality that makes this city so fascinating, approachable and exciting to visit.

Founded: by the British in 1796
Region: located on the west coast of Sri Lanka
Population: 752,993 (2011)
Climate: a warm tropical monsoon climate with average year round temperatures of 80F
Language: Sinhala and Tamil
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

I organised a private guide for our day in Colombo.  Dilhan from Dilhan's Awesome Adventures was there to meet us at the main gate to the Port.  We had a long day planned with lots of driving so we were first off the ship and on our way as early as possible given that we didn't dock to about 8.15am.

As we made our way out of a very busy Colombo we made an unplanned stop to the Elephant Temple where we were allowed inside to see the elephants.  They are such majestic animals.  Back on the road we made our way to Koggala which is about 28 miles past Galle and home to the stilt fishermen.  After paying our fee of $5USD per person to take photos we were on the road again to our next stop which was the Turtle Conservation and Rescue Centre.  It was very interesting to hear about the different turtles and their recovery from the likes of ingesting plastic bags etc.

Next on the agenda was Galle to visit the Fort.  The Galle Fort is a World Heritage site and has commanding views over the ocean. We strolled along the beach front taking in the scenery and enjoying the cool sea breeze.

Our next stop was to the old Dutch Market in Galle where Dilhan bought us my favourite buffalo curd topped with honey.... delicious!!!!  After wondering around the market we found our way into a wedding sari shop which we all had to buy... look out for photos of our next formal night!  Galle is certainly a beautiful town where you could spend a few days or even a week looking around.

It was now time to drive back to the city as the afternoon traffic in Colombo can be horrendous and we did not want to miss out lift to Oman!

The traffic wasn't too bad and we had time to spare so Dilhan took us to a beautiful old tea house for a traditional cup of milk tea before heading back to the port.

A great day was had by all and I would thoroughly recommend Dilhan's Awesome Tours for anyone visiting Colombo.

An extra 30 mins sleep tonight so time to sort out my photos before bed.

Next port Muscat, Oman in 3 days time....

Photos:
1. The gang at the Tea House
2. Koggala and the stilt fishermen
3. Turtles

4. Galle Fort

5. Ocean walk

6. Local lads

7. Dutch Market

8. Buffalo curd 

9. Colombo city

10. Traditional singers and dancers to welcome us at the wharf

11. Galle Face Hotel

12. An old ceremonial elephant at the Elephant Temple

13. Tuk tuk

14. The main port gate

Sent from my iPad

Cloud Forest and Supertree Grove Singapore

Cloud Forest

Explore the highlands amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns from the cool moist tropical Montane region, complete with a 35m man-made mountain and waterfall.

Skyway and Supertree Grove

Look up in awe at the dramatic vertical plant displays or enjoy a bird's eye view from 22m high Skyway.  When night falls, the Supertrees come to life with a spectacular light and sound show.

Photos:

1. The mountain and waterfall

3. LEGO garden

4. The view from the top of the mountain 

5. The boardwalk around the mountain 

6. Carved eagle head

7. Tourists

8. Skyway and Supertree Grove

Sent from my iPad

Flower Dome Singapore

Flower Dome

Wander amongst thousands year old olive trees and unusual Baobabs of the cool dry Mediterranean and sub-tropical regions as you take in the sights of the changing floral display.  There was a Begonia display for our visit.

Sent from my iPad