Another lazy day in the sun
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2012
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4
13
Trip End
Jan 19, 2012
Muscat, Oman
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A bit earlier tonight reporting in – only 8pm – no casino tonight as we are overnight in the port and the casino only opens at sea. Double the money to gamble tomorrow then!
Wow, another good sleep – woke first at 6am and opened the curtains, still dark,and woke again at 8am with my alarm going off and we are sailing into Muscat, in the Sultanate of Oman. Pretty approach but rapidly taken over by industrial port. I do miss the pretty docks of the Caribbean like Antigua where you can walk into town. We are berthed next to the container terminal here, and I can tell you in detail how the cranes operate getting them on and off lorries – have had a bird's eye view all day!
Lovely sunny weather, sun around the other side this morning, so toyed with going on deck for some sun, but in the end, faffed around with shower etc so much that it was 10 o’clock by the time I went up for breakfast and sun was nearly overhead, so far too hot for my skin – Margaret you would love it – scorching! Lots of lobster red faces at dinner tonight again!
Much better organised for breakfast today – decided to get most things in one sortie – pancakes, fruit and yogurt, and balanced my Apple Juice on top.
Got back to seat, bugger, forgot milk for tea and teaspoon again! Bit of a quandary – do I risk the same as yesterday, or do without? Anyway, solved by people coming to sit next to me and I asked them to watch my food and seat!
And indeed by the time I came back, and I wasn’t slow, there had been 2 attempts to take the food and one attempt at sitting there – I thanked them profusely and enjoyed a triumphant breakfast – little things…
Was going to make my own way into Muscat for a wander round, but decided to go on an organised tour tomorrow instead – I had promised myself two full days’ relaxation, and that is what I had. (Are you lot REALLY interested in these burblings??!!)
Read on the balcony and had lunch at 2.30, by which time balcony was in full sun, but only head and shoulders exposed because of overhang of upper decks – not as good as our Princess balcony! Forgot to say no more floods and dry carpet, and whiff of damp carpet not too bad, especially as had balcony doors open all day today. Not much for lunch – still full of breakfast – nachos and salsa and some mousse – indeterminate flavour!
3.30 – down to queue for table reservations for dinner – this is not as 'Any Time’ as I imagined, it is Any Time as long as you reserve a table! Lots of people wanting to change from Traditional to Any Time as the set times ate 6.30 or 9pm, one is too early for them and one too late! Not allowed to change thought –lots of grumblies!
Managed to get a table for 6.30 no problem – I don’t care when I eat, as long as not too late.
Had another little burst of sunshine until the sun went down at 5ish then shower and down to book excursion for tomorrow, and into dinner. Tonight is casual dress, so no need to dress up at all – but the other option is ‘white’ or Arabian outfits – well there are some sights to behold – lots of men looking rather silly in full Arab garb, and lots of people who shouldn’t be seen in all white, doing so!
Nice dinner – chicken soup, pork steak and crème caramel. The food is good, but not as good as Princess I don’t think – there isn’t the choice and no ‘always available’ on the menu – where you can get prawn cocktail, or tagliatelle or similare if you don’t like the menu suggestions, but this is just me being picky! No problem finding something I like, and am getting good at asking for adaptations e.g no spinach with my main course tonight!
I never thought I would say this, but I miss the overwhelming presence of Americans –although they can drive you mad at times, they certainly demand and get high standards of service, and I think that is what is different here – the clientele are much more varied – lots of tattoos – and that’s just the women!
Am sitting in the library now, no wireless in cabin, and the most awful crooner is crucifying some songs down in the lobby – just like the club singers that Simon Cowell is so rude about on X Factor – I cant see his face, but I bet he is perma tanned!
So adventures tomorrow, off for a tour of Mystical Muscat (who makes up these names?). Have to be in long trousers, socks, no sandals, arms covered to wrists and head covered, including hair, and no see through clothes (as if!) – should be fun. Hopefully some photos tomorrow – sorry not many so far!
Will get this uploaded now, as well as more added to yesterday – hope you are all well and not too cold – hahaha!
Comments
Great to read your blogg.We look forward to it each day. Keep them coming!!!
All well here and off to Lanzarote on Sunday. Can't wait!! Have been in touch with Fiona and she seems to be fine. No date yet!
Our news is another grandchild for us in July! (Lucy and James)