Voyage 6

2011 WORLD CRUISE    Voyage 6

Singapore City, Singapore (April 3)  to  Dubai, United Arab Emirates (April 18)

15 days, 5 days at sea, 9 ports, 3764 nautical miles

Temperature Range:  81° - 91° - 72°

As we continued with our World Cruise, the weather has been comfortable - not too hot or humid -  even as we were in the Equatorial zone and it was starting to get into 'the hot months'.  Singapore was a transfer port for many passengers; many disembarked but the same number embarked; we have 460 passengers for this Voyage.  Lots of new faces aboard and, unfortunately, we discovered many people with colds or flu or coughs.  As you can see from the numbers at the top, we had more port visits and less days at sea; at times, a new port each day with no day of rest in-between.  However, many new places to explore.

April 3 was a full day in Singapore City, Singapore.   Singapore became internally self-governing in 1959; and united with other former British territories to form Malaysia in 1963 and became a fully independent state two years later after separation from Malaysia.  Since then it has had a massive increase in wealth, and is one of the Four Asian Tigers.  The economy heavily depends on the industry and service sectors.  Singapore is a world leader in several areas -- it is the world's fourth leading financial center, the world's second biggest casino gambling market, the world's top three oil refining center, the port of Singapore is one of the five busiest ports in the world.  The country is home to more US dollar millionaire households per capita than any other country.  The World Bank notes Singapore as the easiest place in the world to do business.

If you haven't read our blog for Voyage 5, I'll repeat here about our day in Singapore.  After breakfast, we took a taxi to Singapore's Chinatown in search of some light-weight, hot weather shirts; we were early so many shops had not yet opened.  We then got on the Metro subway to Raffles Square - near one of Singapore's many shopping malls and Raffles Hotel.  Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style hotel and one of the world's most famous hotels.  Opened in 1899, it was named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles.  It is known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum and Victorian-style theatre.  This is where the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented.  We returned to the ship for a late lunch then rode the cable car over Silver Spirit to Senosa Island (which turned out to be like Disneyland); but the views of the city and surrounding area from the cable car were great.  We left the dock at sunset to begin our next voyage.

April 4 was a day of sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  We docked at 8am in Port Klang which is about 100 miles from Kuala Lumpur.  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest city—universally known as KL—is a grab bag of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures with European and Islamic influences. Colonial architecture mixes with modern skyscrapers; grand urban monuments obscure ancient alleyways where weather-beaten clerks tend to Oriental delights. The city isn't a particularly old one.  When miners discovered tin in 1857 between two murky rivers (Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence" in Malay), Chinese traders promptly set up shop and the city was born.  The British moved their colonial administration from nearby Selangor during the 1880s and KL's urban sprawl began.  At independence in 1957, KL became Malaysia's capital and remains the national focal point despite creation of the ultramodern, neighboring administrative capital Putrajaya.

Our adventure, Kuala Lumpur Cultural Heritage, was a full-day sightseeing tour via coach and on foot, and lunch at the world-renowned KL Tower, to explore the culture and heritage of Kuala Lumpur.  We left the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive to Independence Square.  The former site of the Royal Selangor Club, Independence Square overlooks the main historical buildings of the city.  After a photo stop here, we walked over to the Jamek Mosque.  Built in 1909, it is the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur and features graceful arches and domes that are reminiscent of Moorish architecture.

Continuing our walk, we visited the Central Market; this heritage building houses many shops offering antique clocks, jewellery, gems, woodcarvings, batik, pewter, and more.  We made a stop at a nearby coffee shop for a refreshing cup of local 'pull tea' and 'prama' bread.

Leaving the Central Market, we walked to Chinatown for a visit to the Sze Yeh Temple, believed to be the oldest Chinese temple in Chinatown and to wander through 'Chi-Chong-Kai', as the local Chinese call Chinatown, which was a fun place to shop.  Next, we visited the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple:  the oldest Hindu temple was originally built in 1872, demolished in 1887, rebuilt and then rebuilt again in 1968 to worship Goddess Mariamman, the temple features an approximately 75-foot-high (about 23-metre-high), five-tiered, exuberantly colored, pyramid-shaped tower adorned by 228 Hindu gods and goddesses.

Following our temple visits, we drove to the KL Tower (the second tallest building in Kuala Lumpur) with its revolving restaurant at the top.  There were several buffet stations serving Malay or International food, as well as dessert buffet.   During lunch, we saw the spectacular views overlooking Kuala Lumpur, including the Petronas Twin Towers.

After lunch, we made a quick stop at the entrance to the magnificent, world-renowned Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest twin buildings built in 1998; this 88-story structure soars to a dizzying height of 1,588 feet above the city skyline and resembles two mosque minarets.  We did not get the chance to visit the 41st floor bridge connecting the twin towers (it is closed on Monday and, guess what, it is Monday).  We did a quick walk through the Suria KLCC, a modern, six-level shopping mall, which gave us unlimited 'retail therapy'.  Then it was time to commence our journey back to the pier with time to quickly freshen up before our 6pm sailaway.

SUMMARY --  Kuala Lumpur is a mix of modern and old; a day seeing the religious and cultural mix, as well as the BIG buildings.

April 5  By 8am, we were in our next port of Penang, Malaysia.  Off the Malay peninsula's west coast, Malaysia's island state of Penang is a major vacation destination and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Known as the Pearl of the Orient for its natural beauty, Pulau Pinang (in the local language) respects tradition but is neither stodgy nor sleepy.  It has gracious colonial architecture, vibrant Chinese communities, Indian temples, mosques, beach resorts, and enticing food.  Its population is primarily Hokkien Chinese, though there's also a sizable Indian community as well as many Malays.  State capital George Town, often confusingly called "Penang," is easy to like, with plenty of sightseeing and shopping, but you'll have to look further to find the island's best beaches.

We booked a half-day excursion, Penang - George Town Trishaw & Tea, to discover the unique blend of east and west cultures and the well-preserved buildings of George Town by coach, on foot, and by trishaw.  George Town is a multicultural trading port permeating with layers of history and colorful past, attracting Arab, Chinese, Indian, and British colonial settlers, which resulted in an eclectic mix of races and religions.

Departing the pier for the brief drive to the Chew Jetty, one of the Chinese clan jetties established in the 19th century by immigrant workers.  A wooden settlement perched on stilts over the water allowed us to walk over the narrow wooden platform.  No longer controlled by the clan, the structures are popular places to live as they are very inexpensive.

Next, we rode along Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling, popularly referred to as the 'road of harmony' to view various places of worship - the St. George's Church (Southeast Asia's oldest Anglican church), the Goddess of Mercy Temple (Chinese), the Sri Mariamman Temple (the city's principal Hindu temple, and the Kapitan Keling Mosque (Penang's oldest mosque).  At the end of the road, is the impressive Khoo Kongsi Clan Ancestral House, a building of great historical and cultural value, porcelain tiles cover the rooftops and intricate carvings decorate the walls and pillars.

After our drive around town, we came back to the waterfront to Fort Cornwallis, the site where Capt. Francis Light first landed in 1786; the compound's moss-encrusted ramparts and cannons give the impression of a mighty fortress but it never saw any real action.   Farther down the Esplanade, we came to a group of driver's waiting for us to experience the novelty of travelling at a leisurely pace in a trishaw through Little India then to the Eastern & Oriental Hotel; built in 1885, this elegant hotel once played host to famous guests like Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling.  We had a very nice 'morning tea' buffet.  Lourae did a quick 'end run' to commandeer a table for 6; a fellow passenger (French) claimed "you are not nice" and then "you are disgusting" for that maneuver; lighten' up, lady!   Colleen was ready to give her a punch if she came back.  The Tiger beer was COLD and the snacks were tasty.

Video  -  TRISHAW TRIP!                          

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Our last stop was at Wat Chayamangkalaram; this temple is home to an enormous (>100 feet) reclining Buddha that rests serenely above a floating veil of incense.  Many sculptures, resembling mythical creatures, guarded the entrance and many shrines were inside the temple which also serves as a masoleum (we saw lots of crypts).  Across the street was the Dhammikarama Temple (Penang's oldest Burmese shrine).  Now, a short drive took us back to the pier.

The rest of our day was filled with laughter while we talked about all the chruches, temples, mosques, and shrines and wondered what the problem was with 'skunk lady' (check out her hair color - she's in the trishaw behind Lourae near the end of our video).

SUMMARY --  Penang was a different part of Malaysia than what we saw in Borneo or Singapore; just proves how the mix of cultures can get along.

April 6   Another day, another port.  Here we are in Phuket, Thailand on the dock at 8am.  Phuket (pronounced poo ket) is linked to the mainland by a causeway and to the rest of the world by an international airport.  Its indented coastline and hilly interior make the island seem larger than its 30-mile length and 13-mile breadth.  Before tourism, Phuket was already making fortunes from tin mining and rubber plantations.  Backpackers discovered Phuket in the early 1970s.  Word quickly spread about its white, sandy beaches and cliff-sheltered coves, its plunging waterfalls and impressive mountains, its cloudless days and fiery sunsets.  Beautiful beaches and excellent diving and snorkeling have made Phuket one of the world's favorite islands.  Although it was hit hard by the tsunami of 2004, much of the island was unaffected.

We discovered one of the most picturesque and beautiful seascapes in Thailand during a memorable, half-day speedboat excursion to Phang Nga Bay.  We were on the pier early to get the first bus to the speedboat jetty and to get seats in the bow of a 30-foot speedboat with two 200hp outboard motors; the boat holds 20 people.  After receiving our safety and boating instructions, we left the jetty for an unforgettable cruise to Phang Nga Bay National Park.  En route, we passed by a breath-taking seascape of limestone stacks seeing the dramatic coloring of ochre and amber hues vividly contrasted with the marvellous blue of the water. The seascape of the bay is nothing short of magical and its awesome scenery was well worth the trip.  Randy had his GoPro camera, getting some great shots.

After 90-minutes of viewing this spectacular landscape, our guide heard from our ship of the problems at the pier -- the local taxi drivers were protesting against the tour company, Sea Tour, and blocked all buses from exiting the port area. Our bus and three private cars were the only vehicles to exit before the taxi drivers got themselves organized.  When we had left, we had seen a big bunch of taxi drivers getting out of their cars and had wondered what that was all about.  Now, we knew.  The tour company felt that we could continue our speedboat tour and would return us to the ship either at the main pier or to the ship's tender entrance (rather than the speedboat jetty).  So, on we went to enjoy the morning.

While exploring this wondrous region, we visited some of its most distinct landmarks.  The first stop was at Khao Ping Kan Island, popularly known as James Bond Island, it was here where the filming of the last scene of  'The Man with the Golden Gun' took place.  We had time on shore to walk around the rocks, hike to the overlook, or buy souvenirs.  Continuing on, our next stop was Koh Panyi; this water village is comprised of more than 200 houses built on stilts, with attached wooden walkways; its residents originally migrated from Indonesia over 200 years ago.  We walked around, looked at the shops, tried to buy a beer but only got strange looks - we didn't realize that this was an Islamic village.  During the return ride, we cruised past mangrove swamps, Hong and Panak islands, and the grotto cave.  Unfortunately for us, the tide was too high to permit a brief cruise inside the cave.

Video   SPEEDBOAT TOUR!

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111994370383291023211/album/AF1QipMxZzoR0jdnog7cz8Y8yl3PMlF53HzQQMjzGKmW/AF1QipMl4uGs6SSmjKZPqybgGK_nTKzr8GN1wNi22mha?authKey=CO_Oi_aq0qebXw

We returned to our ship at noon via a small jetty right next to the pier.  It was then that we heard 'the rest of the story' about the taxi driver protest.  As soon as the first vehicles left the port area, the taxi drivers created a blockade.  The tour company officials, our Captain Marco and several of our ship's 'big' guys (you know, those big muscled guys that usually work in the engine room) had several discussions with the taxi drivers - yelling, screaming, attempts to pay ransom, the one-finger salute, etc.  Nothing was resolved.  If it wasn't for the 40 or so passengers that were already on tours, Captain Marco would've sailed away  right then.  So, all tours were canceled; passengers either returned to the ship or shopped at the few souvenir stalls (good money making day for the shop owners) on the pier while waiting for us.  Sometimes it pays to be early.  As soon as us 'lucky few' returned from our tour, the ship departed at 1pm (rather than 6pm).   Since the dress code tonight was 'formal', we had dinner at Hot Rocks (where we do not have to wear 'formal' attire).

SUMMARY --  We don't think that this was the first instance of this taxi protest; we would think that the tour company and all the cruise lines are aware of this potential problem; it was definitely a lose-lose situation for cruise passengers, the taxi drivers, the businesses in town, everyone.  We had a fun time in the speedboat; the weather was perfect; the drinks and fresh fruit were delicious.  We have heard that Phuket is a fun place; too bad most of the passengers didn't get a chance to see any of it.  Also, a great place for scuba diving.  We will go back some day.

April 7 - 8   were two days 'at sea'.  Whew, we need a break from this day-after-day in another port.  The weather was in the mid 80s, flat calm seas, no horizon (with the high humidity) and always things to do - lectures, cooking demonstrations, dance lessons, language lessons, martini tasting, team trivia, golf putting, etc.  There is an astronomer aboard giving a few boring lectures (galaxy, Hubble) but he does a  nightly star gazing from the Observation Deck forward. WOW!  You should see the stars and he has a lazer light that he uses to point out particularly stars, planets, constellations.  We went across two time zones as we went west.  Our butler, who does everything for us, even changes our clock while we are at dinner.

April 9   We arrived at the dock at 8am in Colombo, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon).  Hot, noisy, peaceful, beguiling, frustrating, and fascinating are some of the adjectives to use while visiting Colombo.  The main city of Sri Lanka, with a population of 2.2 million, can feel like a smaller place than it is because the parts that are of most interest to visitors are fairly compact. Colombo has been an important port linking East with West as far back as the 5th century. The Dutch used the town for trading with rich cinnamon plantations in the 17th century.  Since independence in 1948, it has not stopped growing, with suburbs extending far north and south along the Indian Ocean coast.

We were aware of many passengers who boarded in Singapore had colds or flu, so we attempted to avoid them.  However, Lourae ended up with something - a bad cough and sorethroat, not a cold, not the flu.  So, we stayed on board in Sri Lanka to just be away from everyone; there were 8 bus loads of passengers departing so we basically had the ship to ourselves.  We did walk to the shops on the pier but quickly returned to the ship as it was 91° in the shade. (Isn't there a song with that title?  Close, the reggae song is "98º In The Shade".)

SUMMARY -- We didn't see much of Sri Lanka, other than the container port. Maybe another time?

April 10   We departed Sri Lanka earlier than scheduled, so we arrived early in Cochin, India.   Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the India's southwest coast's largest and oldest ports.  The streets behind the docks of the historic Fort Cochin and Mattancherry districts are lined with old merchant houses, godowns (warehouses), and open courtyards heaped with betel nuts, ginger, peppercorns, and tea.  Throughout the second millennium this ancient city exported spices, coffee, and coir (the fiber made from coconut husks), and imported culture and religion from Europe, China, and the Middle East.  Today Kochi has a synagogue, several mosques, Portuguese Catholic churches, Hindu temples, and the United Church of South India (an amalgamation of several Protestant denominations).  Kerala, an Indian state along the Malabar Coast, is renowned for its distinctive cultural traditions and amazing backwater scenery.

We were scheduled to arrive at 2pm, so daily activities aboard were re-scheduled. Besides lectures, Captain Marco gave a presentation to explain the procedures of the ship while we are in the official 'high risk piracy area'; NATO countries had recently expanded the area subject to piracy to include all of the Arabian Sea and the Northern Indian Ocean.  We'll explain some of these procedures later.

With an afternoon arrival in Cochin, the complimentary excursion (for all passengers), Taste of Kerala, was scheduled for 4pm.  A short bus transfer took us from the port to the Taj Malabar Hotel landing pier where a string of boats awaited for boarding.  They ferried us across the narrow strait to uninhabited Gundu Island, site of our themed event.  Set amidst lush coconut groves fanned by cooling breezes from the Arabian Sea, it is a perfectly exotic hideaway.  All the 'props' were especially arranged for our pleasure and enjoyment, ranging from local artisans to sumptuous snack samplers, and traditional Kerala entertainment.

A welcome drink of tender coconut water, Thalapoli girls and costumed Kathakali figures greeted us.  Floral decorations, traditional temple lamps, ornamental umbrellas, rice boats, fishing nets, miniature tea and toddy shops provided the backdrop of a rustic Kerala ambiance.  The local cuisine reflected the diverse religious traditions, colorful history, Kerala's seaboard location, and the ubiquitous presence of the coconut.  Authentic regional cuisine was prepared at cooking stations set up in Kerala style pagodas and miniature temples -- snacks of appam (delicately lacy rice pancakes), crispy lentils, and rice crepes with accompaniments of vegetables, chicken and chutneys; a choice from an interesting display of seafood; fruit flambé and jalebis (sweetened saffron crisp floury coils) completed the feast.  Also, there was a selection of coconut water, soft drinks, and local beer.

This rustic Kerala ambience was further enhanced by live entertainment, including Kathakali (the art of mime), Mohiniyattam (a temple art which literally means the dance of the enchantress), and Kalaripayattu (one of the oldest and most scientific forms of martial art training).   The weather was comfortable (not too hot, a slight breeze) for this event; the food was delicious and tasty; the entertainment was good.  These special events, with all of the passengers (almost 500 which included several of the crew), are sometimes just too crowded and, therefore, not as enjoyable.  In this case, there were not enough tables and chairs for everyone.  Many people just ate and left.  Maybe with Lourae not feeling well, the event was not as fun as it should have been.

April 11    We were on the dock overnight in Cochin, India.  The serene Fort Cochin pays homage to its colonial past, each building whispering a tale of Chinese visitors, Portuguese traders, Jewish settlers, Syrian Christians and Muslim merchants.  Yet even with its colonial distractions, Kerala manages to cling to its vibrant traditions.

With Lourae being sick, we stayed at home rather than tour the backwaters of Kerala.  We watched the crew do a fire and life boat drill (in the hot sun).  Our friends saw a few interesting places but it was a very hot day in the swamps and mangroves seeing the agricultural side of India.

SUMMARY --  Cochin is much different than all of India.  Kerala is a popular tourist destination for its backwaters, yoga, Ayurvedic treatments, and tropical greenery.  Kerala has the highest Human Development Index in India, comparable with that of first world nations but with a much lower per capita income.  Maybe we will visit again.

April 12   A day 'at sea' in calm seas, lightning and thunder in the distance, lots of fishing boats, and Lourae is sick.  Time to visit the doctor - no temperature, bad cough and sore throat - $157 later, she has cough syrup and throat losengers.

April 13  We arrived at 8am, at the dock in Mumbai (Bombay), India.  Razzle-dazzle, Indian-style—that's Mumbai (pronounced moom bye), the former Bombay, the country's seaside financial capital and trendsetting East-West nexus. A world unto itself, Mumbai hits you with an intensity all its own.  It is distinctly tropical, with pockets of palm trees and warm, salty breezes—and its culture is contemporary, vibrant, and often aggressive, reflecting both the affluence and poverty of more than 20 million people.  For the traveler, Mumbai is both disturbingly eye-opening and incredibly exciting.  You can feast in fabulous restaurants, bargain in street bazaars, browse in exclusive boutiques, take a horse-drawn ride past stately old Victorian buildings, get lost in the stone carvings of the 7th-century Elephanta Caves, watch the sun rise over the Gateway of India, and stroll at sunset along Marine Drive's endless waterfront promenade.  But while there is plenty to see in Mumbai, the most authentic experience lies in eating, shopping, and wandering through the many neighborhoods and markets.

We experienced the highlights of Mumbai during a scenic, half-day orientation tour of this fascinating city -- Marvels of Mumbai.  Departing the pier, we passed by and then had a brief photo stop of the Victoria Terminus, a remarkable railway station built during the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee; inspired by St. Pancras Station in London, the Victoria Terminus features impressive domes, spires, Corinthian columns and minarets, and serves a half-million commuters daily.  Next, we rode along Marine Drive, Mumbai's seaside promenade; its graceful curve sweeps from the skyscrapers at Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill ($10 million dollar homes owned by the creme de le creme (ministers, politicians, bureaucrats, and industrialists - the people with money and power); at the northern end is the lively Chowpatty Beach, a Mumbai institution.  Our tour continued with a photo stop at Dhobi Ghat, an impressive operation where tons of clothing from all over Mumbai are laundered, dried, pressed, and bundled before being returned to their owners; it was fascinating to see these guys washing, rinsing, hanging, folding tons and tons of laundry 'all by hand'.

Prior to our next stop, we passed by Churchgate Station to see the 'dabbawallahs' (the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association); each day 4,000 of them deliver fresh, home-cooked food from the suburbs to offices downtown; the lunch pails are stacked precariously and dangle from shoulder poles and bicycle handlebars. We then visited Mani Bhavan, Gandhi's Bombay base between 1917 and 1934. Now a permanent museum and memorial to the Mahatma, Mani Bhavan is now overseen and lovingly maintained by the Gandhi Institute, this charming house contains a research library of more than 20,000 volumes, along with personal artifacts, photos and letters.  Gandhi's sitting room/bedroom is preserved behind glass.   From here, we went to the Prince of Wales Museum, a Victorian building which is crowned by a white Moorish-style dome.  We viewed the numerous presentations -- jade work, weapons from the Mogul Empire, clay and terracotta figures from the 3rd century B.C., Greek-influenced 4th- and 5th-century heads and figures, superb Indian paintings, illustrated manuscripts, and exquisite miniatures.

Our final stop was the Gateway of India; the city's most famous landmark, this Indo-Saracenic archway was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary.  Nearby is the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.  There were lots of security barriers around the square.  Mumbai was the site of numerous hostage situations and attacks in November 2008.

A long morning filled with many sights of Mumbai.  Lourae was extremely tired and feeling terrible by the time we returned to Silver Spirit.  There was a special BBQ dinner and Indian Folkloric Dance and Music Show (which we did not attend because Lourae was too sick); passengers were dressed in their best 'Indian' attire.

April 14  was our second day in Mumbai, India; a day to rest and hopefully get better.  Lourae had planned a 'day of shopping' with several ladies but was just too sick.

SUMMARY --  Mumbai has many sights to see; we saw only a few.  Mumbai is a chaotic city of millions of people, beggars everywhere, cars and bikes on the roads and the sidewalks; overwhelming.  Put this place on the 'been there, done that' list.

April 15 & 16  were two days 'at sea' crossing the Arabian Sea and into the Gulf of Oman; two days of calm waters, cooler weather (Yeah!); two days of Randy working on pictures and videos; two days of Lourae still sick (seemed to be better during the day but lots of coughing at night and no sleep; another $365 for the doctor for chest xray and more medications).

April 17 we passed through the Straits of Hormuz (about 40 miles wide between Iran and Oman) to anchor at 8am near Khasab, Oman.  The small town of Khasab lies on the northern tip of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, which is separated from Oman by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  It overlooks the Persian Gulf in the northwest and the Gulf of Oman in the east.  The main characteristics of this remote peninsula are its dramatic landscape with towering, craggy cliffs and fjord-like inlets that has earned Musandam the sobriquet 'Norway of the Middle East'.

When the Portuguese arrived here in the 16th century, they built small fortresses, some of which have undergone extensive restoration work.  Another project focuses on the history of the dhows, the traditional boats of Oman, that have always played an important part in the country’s maritime culture. The town of Khasab has experienced extensive development in the last few years.  However, its inhabitants still depend mainly on fishing and agriculture for their livelihood. Tourism is slowly beginning to attract travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience.  The infrastructure in this traditional, Islamic, and conservative place is still very basic; so, moderate dress is required for any shore side visit.

The Sultan of Oman believes in sharing his wealth (which comes from oil) so the residents of Oman experience many benefits of modern times.  In fact, the UN has listed Oman as the most-improved nation over the last 40 years from among 135 countries worldwide.  With the U.S. financial and trade embargo against Iran, the Iranians come to Oman with vegetables and goats to exchange for electronics and cell phones (and anything else that is banned by the embargo). The 'smugglers' cross the Straits of Hormuz in the mornings, trade their goods in Khasab, then leave at sunset.  The Oman laws do not allow the smugglers to stay after dark.

Since Lourae was feeling better, we chose a boating activity -  Fjord Dhow Cruise.  The Musandam Peninsula has an abundance of sheltered fjords, some only connected to the mainland by narrow cliffs.  Fjords, or khors, created by fragmented rock stretching claw-like into the sea and massive overshadowing cliffs towering above are magnificently reflected in the water below.  This region reminded us of our sailing adventures in the Sea of Cortez along Baja California. We explored these khors from a traditional-style dhow, or motorized sailing boat. For many centuries, boats that sailed on the Indian Ocean have been called dhows.  Traditional dhows are known for two distinctive features - the triangular or lateen sail, and secondly, its stitched construction of hull boards sewn together with fibers, cords or thongs.

The dhow was accessed from alongside the ship so we could cruise toward Musandam's longest and most spectacular fjord.  There was breath-taking scenery, with mountains over 2,000 feet high rising straight from the sea and calm, turquoise waters contrasting with creamy white limestone cliffs.  Along the way, we cruised by small fishing villages, spotted dolphins and tried to get them to swim alongside, then comimg to the ruins of Telegraph Island (formerly a British telegraphic cable base from 1864-69) the dhow anchored for us to enjoy a swim, snorkel, or just sit back and sip soft drinks, tea or coffee.  Our dhow was big, it held 75 people; the entire deck was covered with Persian rugs with lots of big pillows and a large canvas covering for shade.

Video --    DHOW CRUISE!

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We watched the 'smugglers' depart the harbor at sunset as the full moon rose in the East.  A bank of haze lay over the land to the West - sand storms.  A beautiful evening to enjoy with friends then meet the astronomer on board for his nightly discussion of planets and stars.  Anchor was up at 10pm for our 100 miles sail to Dubai.

SUMMARY --  Khasab is a place for tourists seeking an out-of-the-way place.

April 18 was a cool 72° morning as we entered the port of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The second-largest of the seven city-emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai (pronounced doo bye) stretches along the southern shore of the Persian Gulf.  Dubai is a bustling metropolis that has grown in wealth and importance over the years although its extraordinarily rapid growth has slowed somewhat with the worldwide recession.  With fast-dwindling oil reserves, Dubai built its reputation on being a financial and commercial hub, becoming a modern melting pot of cultures and global influences, yet has remained an Islamic state with Bedouin roots.  Though the official language is Arabic, English is commonly used; Hindi and Urdu are also widely spoken.

Modern Dubai traces its origins to the 1830s, when it was a small fishing village at the mouth of Dubai Creek.  The Maktoum family, who still rule the emirate today, led the tribe, and it's their vision and leadership that has transformed Dubai into a global player and glamorous tourist destination.  Dubai has more than 40 shopping malls.  The Mall of the Emirates houses Ski Dubai - an indoor ski slope and winter park.  The Dubai Mall (Burj Dubai Complex) is the largest in the Middle East, featuring over 1,200 shops alongside an ice-skating rink and an aquarium.

There are several 'planned' communities like Palm Island - a man-made island is one of the most ambitious real-estate developments on earth, heralded as the 8th wonder of the world as it can be seen from space; hotels, marinas, apartments, villas.

                                               

Or, there is the Burj Al Arab Hotel built on an artificial island.

We took the shuttle bus to Dubai Mall.  WOW! What an aquarium - 167 feet long by 65 feet wide by 36 feet deep, the viewing panel is 30 inches thick, holds 2.6 million gallons of water, with more than 33,000 living fish, more than 400 sharks and rays.  Amazing!   With 100s of stores, you can find almost anything you want, if you have enough time to navigate through all of the side halls over 4 floors.  It is interesting to see the Muslim women in their burkas or with their covered hair buying the expensive Western clothes (worn under their burka or only at home).  Next to the mall is the Burj Khalifa.  Once known as the "Burj Dubai," the world's tallest building (160 floors) opened in January 2010.  It dominates the city's skyline like a scimitar pointing skyward; the building houses a mix of commercial and residential spaces, including the first Armani hotel. The observation lounge and its open-air observation platform, is the highest in the world (we purchased tickets via the internet).  At our appointed time, we rode the elevator up (less than 60 seconds) to the 124th floor.  Unfortunately, the visibility was less than 4 miles (dust storms far to the west), so we couldn't see all of Dubai, only the buildings close by.  Lots of interesting architecture.

Late in the afternoon, we joined our fellow World Cruisers for a unique outing -- Night of 1001 Delights -- for a memorable evening, nothing could be more impressive than the setting of the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort rising up from the desert like a mirage straight from the pages of  'A Thousand and One Nights'.   Rather than just another bus ride to the resort, we elected the 4WD vehicle, 2-hour drive on highway (our guide asked the driver "Where are we going?  To Oman?) then on desert sand, riding the sand dunes, before getting to the resort. There were six Toyota Prada vehicles riding along with young Arab drivers over the dunes; it was fun!

Video --  DUBAI DUNES!

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111994370383291023211/album/AF1QipMxZzoR0jdnog7cz8Y8yl3PMlF53HzQQMjzGKmW/AF1QipOdom4_leeUgFPZBP9wsDf3nktez0RaFu7Fzefj?authKey=CO_Oi_aq0qebXw

We were transported to the mood of Old Arabia -- Bab Al Shams Desert Resort. Its centerpiece is the Al Hadheerah, built to resemble a fortified Arabian desert village -- rustic-looking structures, sandy courtyards and walls decorated by colorful carpets evoke visions of an Arabian fairy-tale. Then, add lively entertainment featuring a live band, folkloric show, belly dancer, henna artists, carpet and spice souks (stores), camel rides, falcon display, and a sumptuous Arabian buffet to taste traditional Middle Eastern 'mezze' (appetizers), a variety of grilled meats from several cooking stations, and an array of tasty desserts.  It was a beautiful evening in the desert with a full moon.  We returned to the ship using the paved roads (rather than sand dunes).

SPECIAL EVENTS              Dress Attire:  9 casual, 3 informal, 3 formal

World Cruiser Dinner - April 8

Galley Lunch - Apr 15

Pool Deck BBQ - Apr 13

Venetian Society Cocktails - Apr 12

SPEAKERS

Dr. Norman Caisse, Astronomer

"Astronomical Events and Planet Earth: Asteroid Impacts, Craters, and Auroras"

"Adventures in Space and Time:  The Family of the Sun"

"Adventures in Space and Time:  Our Milky Way Galaxy"

"Adventures in Space and Time:  To the Edge of the Known Universe"

"The Wonders of Hubble:  A Look at the Hubble Space Telescope with Views of Planet Earth"

"The Great Mysteries of Astronomy"

"50th Anniversary of the First Manned Space Flight"

Edward Peck, Ambassador

"The Shock of Other Cultures - Especially Yours"

      Different people can see exactly the same things entirely differently.

"The World Doesn't Really Look Like That" - Maps are very useful and can be very misleading

"English Speaks Itself Here:   The Global Language Has a Galaxy of Quirks"

"Peck's Postulates:  The Four Keys to Total Understanding of International Relations"

ENTERTAINERS

Silver Spirit Singers and Dancers

"Rocketman"

"Euro 2011"

"Aquarius Dawning"

"Simply Mikki Brown" with Eric Niessner

"Jazz a la Carte"

Jayne Curry, Singer

"My Singing Delights"

John Evans, Comedy

"It's All About Laughing"

Brett Sherwood, Master Magician

"A Majestic Evening of Magic"

"In the Name of Magic"

Annabelle Lawson,  Piano

"Embraceable You"

"I Got Rythym"

Jazz Duo  Mikki Brown with Eric Niessner

performed nightly in the Stars Supper Club

=============================================

Dubai was the last port for Voyage 6.  This voyage included a mix of places to experience the different cultures in this portion of the world - Southeast Asia (Buddhist), India (Hindu), and the Persian Gulf (Muslim) - all very interesting. With 460 passengers on board, the ship actually felt crowded at times; we'll be glad to get rid of some of these people (particularly 'skunk lady' and the smokers in the suite next to us).

VIDEO --  VOYAGE 6!

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/111994370383291023211/album/AF1QipMxZzoR0jdnog7cz8Y8yl3PMlF53HzQQMjzGKmW/AF1QipPJaBlF9fX5MoMYM_mnwaUtaojai2c27ESVIOMk?authKey=CO_Oi_aq0qebXw

Here is a link to Google Plus.  By now, you know what to do -- Just click on the link and it goes directly to the web album and starts the video.  You may want to STOP the video, let it load some, move the cursor back to the start, click for FULL SCREEN (at the far right), then PLAY.

Are you enjoying our trip?  There sure were so many interesting places to see and things to do.

Hugs to all,

Lourae and Randy