Now home so some final pictures of the local men’s toilet. This was a luxury as they usually just found the nearest wall!
The other two pictures were taken on the road back to Delhi when we stopped to buy a few kilo of bananas to feed the monkeys. The Indians feed all the animals as it brings good karma. Then the local shepherd and cattle down the side of the motorway!
Saturday 4th
Tour of Jaipur, first stop Hawa Mahal otherwise known as the Palace of Winds which is just a facade where the harem watched the world go by through the windows
Next to the Amber Fort, set on the hillside, very beautiful especially the Sheesh Mahal hall of mirrors
Then for lunch at Samode Haveli another heritage hotel.
After lunch, passing the floating hotel, we went to Jantar Mantar Observatory an astronomical wonder built in the 18th century, then across the road to the City Palace and museum
Friday 3rd
Left Agra for Jaipur and en route visited Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted sandstone city built by the Mughal Akbar.
Had lunch at Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bharatpur a relic of the Raj.
Thursday 2nd
Left Delhi quite early and arrived in Agra just after 11 am. Quite a sight with all range of animal wandering the streets, dogs, oxen, donkeys, pigs and monkeys on most of the roofs. The women doing their washing at the river, all manner of vehicle on the road and travelling in whichever direction they feel like!
Then onto Agra Fort another stunning complex of buildings
After lunch at the hotel we drove to the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz. A breathtaking experience.
Wednesday evening
Had a great evening sat outside with some of my fellow travellers and on the way back to the hotel got involved with a wedding which was taking place. It was like being in a Bollywood movie and am not sure how much sleep I will get tonight!
Wedesday 1st Feb
What a day of contrasts, Delhi has some amazing sights but it is not easy to ignore the poverty all around.
We started early and visited Old Delhi and Jama Masjid mosque built in 1656 it accommodates up to 25, 000 people
Then by cycle rickshaw to the Red Fort
The fort and some of the interesting buildings inside the complex. Chipmunks running around and black kites and green paraqueets flying around.
After lunch of butter chicken, rice, dahl and fried potatoes we went to Qutub Miwnar- Ghandi’s tomb.
Two more sights in the afternoon – Humayun’s Tomb (a beautiful taj like building) and Qutub Minar (the biggest minaret I have ever seen)
Tuesday 31st
Lovely evening last night meeting up with my great nephew Shane and girlfriend Fran and my godson Simon and fiancee Catt. Just waiting for lift to the airport and flight out to Delhi.
Monday 30th
Disembarked the ship. Tour around the marina in Dubai and a few othet sights before checking into the hotel. I think I could have a party in the bathroom and a stunning view of the canal and out to sea.
Sunday 29th
Arrived in Dubai after lunch and made a quick trip to the Dubai Mall. Chinese dragon in the ceiling ready for the Chinese new year. Then a last dinner with friends.
Saturday 28th
Arrived early in Muscat, Oman. Morning on the ship then off for a little sightseeing and afternoon tea at the Al Bustin Palace hotel. Beautiful place, so clean. Firstly we stopped at the Palace complex with marble pavements!
Then for tea, I think the best I have ever had for the setting alone. The gardens and pools leading onto the beach weren’t bad either.
Then a quick stop at the Opera House and Grand Mosque
Friday 27th
Sat on my balcony watching the sun go down over the sea.
Sea day today, so a spot of sunbathing and listened to Michael Buerk’s last lecture on Dubai, where his two sons live.
Dolphin watching from the upper decks but really hard to get a photo – this is my best effort …. there are 3 or 4 in this picture – honest!
Thursday 26th
Arrived in Salalah, Oman ruled by Qaboos bin Said who was born here in Salalah (the old capital) and educated at university in the UK then Sandhurst. The area is famed as a major source of frankincence. Went to the Sultan’s mosque then onto Al Husn Palace before spending the rest of the day at the beach.
Wednesday 25th
Burn’s Night tonight, a very nice menu. They piped the haggis around the restaurant and someone read out the Robbie Burns poem to the haggis – didn’t understand a word.
Tuesday 24th
We had our rendezvous at sea, most exciting thing that happened all day.
This is our rendevous ship and the rib that brought the “equipment”.
We are now sailing along the Red Sea with Yemen to the north and Djibouti to the south, then through the Bab el Mandeb strait.
Monday 23rd
Sea day today but we had an interesting talk on piracy yesterday – I know it is like showing Titanic in the cinema.
We are now sailing the Red Sea which is not the safest so obvious measures in place are a new security detail who are expecting a delivery of their equipment today. There is a lot of reading between the lines but for “equipment” read “guns”. The hosepipes are strategically placed and we have some contraptions placed on the prom deck which we were told transmitted warnings in many different languages. However, they also emit a high pitched sound wave that disorientates and pierces the eardrums, hence our drill today to return to cabins when alarm sounded (if you have a window/balcony you must stay in the corridor)
On a lighter note two great shows last night and a champagne cascade in the Atrium.
Sunday 22nd
Another sea day but the weather is now in the eighties.
A little bit more about the ship and if you want to be a bit more relaxed rather than the energetic sports there is a cinema (Bridget Jones’s Baby tomorrow), guest lecturers (Michael Buerk tomorrow), dance lessons, bridge, various crafts, watercolour classes, camera club or even the casino if you want to lose some money. A few shops too.
Saturday 21st
This was a wow wow day, as the sun came up in the port of Aqaba in Jordan. We left early after breakfast for the ancient city of Petra.
We first walked down the Siq, which is a long passageway between two rock faces. The walk is around a mile with a few obelisks and tombs on the way.
At the end of the Siq you get a tantalising view of the Treasury – stunning!
From there further into the site but not enough time to see everything. For some reason all the camel riders looked like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean!
Friday 20th
Another sea day with glorious weather so a little relaxation on deck.
Of course I could be a little more energetic and on offer are a fully equipped gym, three pools, golf range and simulator, tennis court, quoits, table tennis, cricket, pilates etc.
Thursday 19th
Woke very early this morning as it was our transit of the Suez Canal. Unfortunately everything was shrouded in thick fog! The sun broke through eventually and the weather cleared to a beautiful day. It was interesting seeing the sand dunes on one side with the odd camel and small towns on the other with a ferry that went from one side to the other having to get the timing right between the convoy of boats. Before the end of the canal is a lake with a by pass where ships wait until the southern bound convoy is through.
Wednesday 18th
A sea day today on our way to Port Said. Obvious increased security on board. Will post some pictures taken from around the ship, to give an idea of life at sea.
Obviously a lot of eating takes place and I generally sit with different people most nights. It is possible to have starter, soup or salad course, mains, pudding, cheese, coffee and chocs but most of us stick to just the three courses! There are also speciality restaurants like Atul Kutcher’s Sindhu or Ollie Smith’s Glass House.
Tuesday 17th
Onto Aghios Nikolaos, famous for “The Lotus Eaters” and “Who Pays the Ferryman”. Enjoyed a cup of coffee in a bar by the lake in the sunshine. Quite hot despite the snow on the mountains.
Lunch taken in Plaka, a small fishing village opposite the island of Spinalonga. For those who haven’t read Victoria Hislop’s “The Island”, this is where all the lepers were sent up until the 1950’s. Lunch was very Greek – dolmades, tziki, hummus, Greek salad, stiffado and orange and honey cake.
Spent the morning at Knossos, the ancient capital of the Minoan empire and the home of King Minos, also famous for the labyrinth where the Minotaur prowled.
Good morning Heraklion, capital of the Greek island of Crete, the largest island of Greece and the fifth largest of the Mediterranean
Monday 16th
Lovely day in Athens, although sadly our trip north to Delphi was cancelled due to snow. It even snowed here in Athens last week.
Had a tour around the town and saw some wonderful buildings and was just in time to see the changing of the guard in front of the government building.
Then took the funicular to Athens highest hill with amazing views over the city
Inside the very pretty church on top of the hill
Good morning Piraeus
Saturday 14th
Goodbye Malta
Evening in port
A short tour of Malta firstly to Mdina the old capital and a most beautiful medieval city. Fine buildings and views out to sea. Malta seems to be a real hotchpotch of cultures which gives it a unique charm.
Then onto Valetta, again with some magnificent views and buildings. The harbour is amazing and such a size, it is easy to understand how important it has been to so many countries.
Arrived in Valetta, Malta. Beautiful sail into the harbour. Weather cool but the sun is out. We were welcomed by a gun salute, or at least I think it was a welcome!
Friday 13th
Had another lovely meal last night and took these two photos before I left the cabin, the sun setting to left and the moon rising from the sea
Thursday 12th
Lovely morning, blue skies and sunshine although the breeze is a little bracing but plenty of spots to sit in the sun out of the wind.
Around 11.30 am we passed Gibraltar and through into the Mediterranean. Nice calm sea now, hopefully the wind will die down as well.
Wednesday 11th
A much better day and I sat on deck for a time enjoying the feel of the sun on my face.
Went in to hear Eddie the Eagle talk which was very good and later listened to Colin Alderson who was one of the Queen’ s chefs and he gave a fascinating insight into life below and above stairs.
In the evening it was the Captain’s cocktail party with lots of champagne. I guess it just goes to prove that I am getting old because the captain seemed so young. Dinner was a splendid affair created by Marco Pierre White and guess what I was sat with a different couple from Morley!
Gladrags on for captain’s cocktail party.
Entertainment in the evening was from a guest singer, Elaine Delmar. This was one of the songs she sang “Night and Day” or in this case “Day and Night”.
Tuesday 10th
Sea a little choppy for my liking, so not exactly a lot of exploring. The film in the cinema today is “Eddie the Eagle” and tomorrow we are having a talk from one of the stars – sadly not Hugh Jackman but Eddie himself. Managed a little dinner but early to bed.
A few pictures of my cabin, as you can see I am really slumming it!
We are sailing
The boat left Southampton on time and because we are on an anniversary world cruise the town sent us off in style with a fine firework display.
The food at dinner was excellent and I was seated with a couple from Perth, who had flown all the way to the UK to sail all the way back. There are some serious cruisers on the ship with some on their 5th time round the world! My other diners were from Buckinghamshire and Morley!
Southampton
Pleasant day around the town, visiting Sea City Museum and the Titanic exhibition, the old town and Tudor House, St Michael’s Church. Coffee in John Lewis looking over to my ship!
Leeds to Southampton
An uneventful flight from Leeds to Southampton, although we did seem to circle a few times unless there is more than one Isle of Wight – may have had something to do with the fog! Tomorrow a morning in Southampton before boarding the ship after lunch.
A little light reading
