Day 97 - Abu Dhabi

Day 97 – Thursday 17^th April 2014 – Abu Dhabi

At 09.30 ashore in the cruise terminal, I purchased in a small shop a phone card for my dodgy Chinese smart phone, and amazingly it worked.

The Big Bus Tour for 200 dinnar (£16), you can enjoy a full tour of the city with hop on, hop off at any of the dedicated stops. 

Abu Dhabi from Heritage Village

 

First dedicated stop was the Marina Mall, but we gave this a body swerve and did not go inside but walked along in the blistering heat to the Heritage Village, which is reminder of the old Abu Dhabi, before the discovery of oil, the building skyscrapers and shopping malls.

Village Camels

Unfortunately, most of the exhibitions were closed of the traditional trades, metal work, glass blowing, pottery, weaving and spinning, it did have a feel about the place, and worth the visit.

Looking North

Looking South

The second bus stop was at the Etihad Towers, a 5 star hotel, the luxury and opulence of the place just knocks you, with the main reception having the biggest wow factor.

Emirates Palace Hotel

The observation deck, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is located on level 74 and at 300 metres is the highest point in Abu Dhabi and offers stunning views across the city and Arabian Gulf.

The Emirates Palace Hotel is an iconic landmark of Abu Dhabi but it is not the presidential palace.  It cost three billion US dollars to build, has 394 rooms and suites, employs 1,300 staff (170 chefs), and has a luxurious interior with gold, marble and crystal throughout. It even has a gold ATM.From the observation deck we were overwhelmed by the views and the luxury, as we had our hot chocolate served by Burmese waitresses.

 

Grand Mosque

The bus ride to the next stop the Grand Mosque, took us for a long ride along the coast, passed the houses where the wealthiest in Abu Dhabi live.  Also passed the oddest shaped skyscraper I have seen, representing the world trade centre, it has a very distinct bend in it, and looks as though, it is ready to fall down.

   

The largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the third largest in the world was opened in 2008 and named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the UAE.  It is the most imposing landmark in Abu Dhabi and can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers in several prayer halls.

Rear of Mosque

Main Entrance

  

The exterior features 82 domes of varying sizes, a thousand columns and four 350 feet tall minarets, one at each corner of the mosque

  

Courtyard

Main Prayer Hall

The  magnificent decorated interior has seven giant Swarovski crystal chandeliers – the world’s largest chandelier is under the main dome and weighs over nine tons – and a huge, handmade Iranian carpet weighing 47 tons covers the floor of the main prayer hall.

World's Largest Chandelier

 Visitors must be dressed appropriately – shorts, bare shoulders, tight-fitting and see-through clothes are not permitted.  If necessary, full-length robes and headscarves are provided for women in black, men are provided with white robes.  Shoes should be removed on entering the mosque prayer hall.

I was amazed at being allowed into the main prayer hall after removing the shoes, as I have not been allowed in any other Muslim countries.  The splendour of it all is a lot to take in, and the concept of this different religion’s place of religion being so welcoming.

Splendour

The actual site is remote from the surrounding area, so the worshippers must travel by car or bus to get here, though there is no car park.  Not until I visited the restroom, and where the worshippers prepare for worship, I released everything is underground and this is another world serving the mosque.  It was truly a magnificent and impressive place.

Time to move on; as we had a ship to catch.   The bus took us along another route back into the city centre on a magnificent eight lane highway.  Out again towards the docks we came to Manarat Al Saadiyat a brand new cultural and tourism destination.  Although a beach resort, it was not my cup of tea, as it situated too far away from the city centre.

We sailed at 18.00; it had been a wonderful day in Abu Dhabi.  A city built within the last fifty years, the newness of it is all around, and it is being kept to a high standard and still expanding.

I was impressed by what they have achieved here, and all of it on the back of oil revenues.  The down side, it is situated in the Arabian Gulf and it is very, very hot. The conditions remind me too much of my happier younger days, toiling away in ship’s engine rooms.

Day 96 - At Sea & Abu Dhabi

Day 96 – Wednesday 16^th April 2014 – At Sea & Abu Dhabi

In the early hours of the morning the ship passed through the Straits of Hormuz, famous stretch water which separates the Arabian Sea from the Arabian Gulf.  The narrowest point separates the states of United Arab Emirates and Iran.

At 11.30, we were invited to the Captain’s cocktail party for world cruisers held in the Commodore Club and an informal affair.  A wander around chatting to the other officers and guests, while Alfie, one of our well known Pilipino waiters, made sure we never missed out on the freebies.

This party lasted the longest, about an hour, then off to the Golden Lion for a cod and chips lunch with the Speckled Hen.  The rest of the afternoon on a lounger on Deck 3 asleep and watching the sea rolling by, this is what cruising is all about.

As we were ahead of time, due to increasing speed for the Medivac at Muscat, we arrived alongside in Abu Dhabi at 18.00.

Dancing Tug

While coming alongside, two harbour tugs were there in case they were needed, and to welcome us, they had their fire hoses going, while turning in circles to the accompaniment of Arabic music, this was a lot fun watching their antics.

Abu Dhabi, the name means ‘Father of the Gazelle’ in Arabic - is the name of a city and the emirate surrounding it in the Middle East.  The city is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federation of seven individual emirates or states, including Dubai, Sharjah, Ajam, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

Welcome mat

At 19.00 we got the shuttle bus which after twenty minutes dropped us off at the Abu Dhabi Mall.  Another newly built shopping precinct but in this Muslim country, there are no bars in here, so had to content myself with hot chocolate.  At least, inside the air condition worked, as outside it was hot and sultry.  After a couple of hours of in and out of various shops and bought nothing, we headed back on the shuttle bus.

Into the garden lounge for night caps and looking forward to tomorrow’s adventure in the big city.

Day 95 - At Sea, Muscat, Medivac

Day 95 – Tuesday 15^th April 2014 – At Sea, Muscat, Medivac

With a calm sea on another hot day, the ship is doing 22 knots as we close the Arabian Coast.

The lunch time theatre lecture was given by our Royal Navy representative, Richard Eedle on the role of the Navy today.  It was accompanied with small videos and slides, a lot of which was more of a recruitment drive; though he knew there was no chance with the majority of the guests on board, who are above the acceptable age.  Unfortunately, the lecture was a bit of a flop, due to the equipment regularly breaking down and the speaker not doing a very job reading his script, and he is the Liaison Officer.

Muscat

Around 17.00 with a lot of people on deck through the heat haze the rugged mountains of Oman came into view.

'Penquin' medical boat

   

Medivac

The shore side medical boat came alongside our embarkation platform and transferred the stretcher with the ulcer patient, while the next with the suspected appendicitis managed to walk on board.  A member of the ship’s medical team went with them and it is always a little sad when people have to leave a ship with a medical condition.  The ship waited off the port until the medical staff member returned, and we were on our way again, wishing those who had been landed, a speedy recovery.

After dinner I went up onto the open deck 9, where there was a party going on with our resident Caribbean band belting it out.  You have to remember all the cabin stewards have been informed to make sure all of the guest stateroom (cabin) curtains have been closed at 18.00.  Here we are in so called pirate waters, with the aft deck lights full on, and the band making enough noise to waken the dead, needless to say, I wandered off shaking my head.

Ending up in the Yacht Club on Deck 10, while in Singapore a party of Chileans had come on board, and they had taken over the Yacht Club.  Obviously, they had also brought their own DJ, as the sambas and rumbas just kept on coming. 

Too much excitement for me; time for bed.

Day 94 - At Sea

Day 94 – Monday 14^th April 2014 – At Sea

It is a hot clear day with calm seas and many are taking advantage on the open decks, though some appear to over indulge and are turning the colour of lobsters.

The theatre lunch time lecture was given by Ken Vard on the story of the three sisters, the ocean liners, Majestic, Titanic, and the Britannic, also known as, the loved, the damned and the forgotten, I thoroughly enjoyed the talk and learnt some more facts about these great liners of their day.

The anti-pirate lookouts are more in evidence today, as we have additionally to those on the bridge.  On the open promenade deck 3, there are posted either side of the ship, one forward, midship, and aft personnel armoured with binoculars.  It was interesting talking to them and learning their backgrounds.

In particular, I was intrigued by the six empty beer kegs tied together with rope at the forward end of the ship on either side. Seemingly, when you spot the pirate boat nearing the ship, you throw over the side the attached beer kegs, which are supposed to become entrapped in the boat propellers, and stop the pirates in the water.  Interesting, who dreams up these measures to save our souls.

While I was patrolling the decks the Captain gave an announcement over the speakers for blood donors of the Group A, as we have on board a very ill patient, requiring a transfusion.  An hour later, a further announcement informing the medical staff had been overwhelmed with the number of volunteers and very grateful.

It is another formal night and invited to the Captain’s party for world cruisers.  The usual grand affair and the waiters whom we know, as usual kept us well supplied, as it only lasts at the most forty five minutes.

The Captain informed at the party, we were now doing our maximum speed to be able to carry out a medical evacuation (Medivac) tomorrow afternoon, off the port of Muscat in Oman, and land two very ill patients.

After dinner, we finished off the night in the Golden Lion with Karaoke which is proving to be very popular, as the usual suspects tried to keep us entertained.

Day 93 - Mumbai, India

Day 93 – Sunday 13^th April 2014 – Mumbai, India

Mumbai, formerly Bombay is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra.  With an estimated population of thirteen million it is the most populous city in India.

Gateway to India behind the barricades

Built as a triumphal arch, the Gateway of India is a historically important monument to Mumbai, which was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary when they landed in 1911. It is built of yellow basalt stone in architectural style of Gujarat with four turrets and intricate latticework.  Its design is a combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

We went ashore at 10.30 and exchanged money in the cruise terminal and negotiated with a taxi driver called Ahmed, for a five hour of the city.  We were given a lower rate because the small Hyundia black with yellow top cab had natural air conditioning (the windows open).

It was a short run to the dock’s main gate and then the fun begins.  Although, it is a Sunday you are taken over by the hustle and bustle of the city, most of the shops and businesses are closed but there are traffic and people everywhere.

Corner of Victoria Station

Our first stop was at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the headquarters of the Central Railway.  The station was christened Victoria Terminus to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee day in 1887.  It is a truly magnificent building in the Gothic style of architecture.

Being a Sunday morning although busy there was not the two million commuters who pass through here every week day.  There is security here but many just walk round the side of the security screens which defects the object. 

Train spotting

There was no problems walking around the platforms, and the length of some of the trains stretched the full length of the platform.  An unusual sight was a hospital train at the station which obviously tours the country.

Post Office

Unidentified Building

  

Next door to the station was the main Post Office another magnificent structure but closed for the Sunday.  Back into the cab and we were on our way passing another fine building its function we were not able to find out but a magnificent colonial building.

Dhobi Ghat

  

Flogging Stones

 

Dhobi Ghat is a unique system found only in Mumbai for washing clothes by professional laundrymen (dhobis).  Almost 45% of dohbis on this 23 acre site3 are educated, but their most prized passion is the flogging stone.

Each of the washing stones at the over 100 year old ghat is an heirloom passed from one generation to the next.

Ahmed & Taxi

Off in the cab again and just about every time we had to stop because of traffic or a junctions and with the windows being open the beggars would appear with their hands out at the window, usually women with a child in their arms.  It is heartbreaking, as I know from the past, if you give to one, a horde will appear and it never ends, it was very difficult to turn them away.

  

Mahatma Gandhi

   

Ghandi's Bedroom

We arrived at 19 Laburnum road, Mani Bhavan, the residence of Mahatma Gandhi who stayed here during his visit to Mumbai between 1917 to 1934, it is now dedicated as a memorial to the Father of the Nation.


It has been well looked after and contains a pictorial gallery, research library, film and recording archive and personal items of Mahatma Gandhi.

A drive along beach front of Marina Drive was another eye-opener, as we passed the affluent part of the city with its many fine colonial building and hotels, overlooking the fine sandy beach which stretches for three kilometres.
We passed a very large sports stadium mostly for cricket matches, and a fascinating sight of seeing five cricket games going on, as we passed the playing fields one after another.  I would have been overjoyed to watch any of the games for half an hour, but not enough time.

Taj Mahal Hotel

Next to the Gateway to India is the Taj Mahal Hotel, a magnificent building brought into the limelight a few years back when it was taken over by terrorists for a few days, before the authorities got the situation under control.  Of course now, added security as you enter, but all the more worth it for the splendour of the interior, getting away from the heat and enjoy a refreshing beer.

Back on the tour and Ahmed took us to some very expensive shops.

Eventually he got the message, we did not want any carpets, gold or diamond ear-rings and ended up in a back street shop on the first floor, and emerged into this Aladdin’s cave.

More to our liking and we managed a very special price, after much haggling to get what we thought were bargains.

Kids on a cart

Driving around I was intrigued to come across this cart pulled by bullocks and driven by children and nobody batted, and eyelid, as obviously a regular occurrence.

Sacred Cow

Time to head back to the ship and I had been mentioning to the driver Ahmed about the cows which used to roam the streets when I was last in India. He took us in a direction where they were, but thankfully they are now tethered and not so much of a traffic hazard. This one liked having its picture taken.

Back at the ship, we said our goodbyes to Ahmed, he seemed very happy and we were to, as he had given us a wonderful tour of this city and its many, many faces.

In the Golden Lion we watched the top of the table football clash between Manchester City and Liverpool while enjoying our Speckled Hen.  It was surreal after what we had witnessed a couple of hours previously while ashore.

We sailed at 21.00, and during dinner I had a curry, just because we were in India, as it is not my favourite meal, and it never will be.

India has never changed, its people appear happy but the difference in living standards is tremendous.  They live very close to each other, without any problems and whether they can bridge or bring the gap closer together, is for others to contemplate.  It was good to come back, but there are no reasons for me to return.

Day 92 - At Sea

Day 92 – Saturday 12^th April 2014 – At Sea

Today is all change in the Lido Restaurant, which is self- catering, is no more for the time being, because of an increase in the number of reported cases of gastrointestinal illness which are strongly suggestive of Norovirus.

You can no longer make your own cup of tea or use the drink dispenser; these are all made for you by the attended staff.  All food you have to ask for before it is handed out.  There are even more hand sterilisers and the crew are constantly going around with buckets disinfecting and wiping down all handrails, door handles and anything else which takes their fancy.

The Verandah Restaurant has been closed down for the staff to help in these other duties, though the Britannia Restaurant is functioning as normal.

There are three stages, as far as food hygiene goes, green when everything is ok, yellow when all salt/pepper, sugar packets are removed from the tables and red which we have now.

There was a lecture in the theatre given by Richard Eedle a Royal Navy Liaison Officer on ‘World Piracy is explaining what is piracy, where it occurs and what they are after.  Focusing on the Horn of Africa, explaining the precautions taken by transiting ships, and the action taken to combat the menace.

During his talk he also informed there are three armed guards on board, ex-Royal Marines and very professional.  He also thanked those amongst the passengers who are ex-Military and offered their services, but preferred to leave it to the professionals.  I think most people are itching to have a go, to shoot at anything which threatens the ship.

It was laundry day and found a lull, and spent the afternoon getting that chore out of the way, before retiring to the sun loungers for the early evening vitamin D intake.

We are making our way up close to the Indian coast, still the same as last night, not a full black out of the ship, but more of a pretend.  Tomorrow this will all change, as we arrive in Mumbai.

Day 91 - At Sea

Day 91 – Friday 11^th April 2014 – At Sea

It is a bright hot sunny day, as we make our way up the west coast of India approximately thirty miles from the shore.  All of the shipping we have been seeing over the past days have gone, as we head up the coast, with only the local fishing boats to be seen.

On board there are staff from the Indian Immigration authority and we collect our passports from the purser’s staff, present ourselves to an official, show our visa, have our landing card inspected and stamped, return the passport to the purser’s staff and everything is complete within five minutes.

At 11.30 we have a full muster and drill for the eventuality of a pirate attack.  All we, as passengers have to do, is return to our cabins, close the curtains, muster in the alleyway outside the cabin, but not in front of the door and await instructions. That is it.

 I went to the lunch time dance lesson, this one being the slow foxtrot, which was well attended, and enjoyable.

The afternoon was spent on the bowls green and lying on the sun loungers reading.

  

  

It is a formal night and this time we are dining in the Verandah Restaurant, an alternative dining venue.

An invitation to savour contemporary French cuisine which uses ingredients sourced in France along with an ambience which recalls the legendary Verandah Grill aboard the original Queen Elizabeth.

 

The meal I ordered was lobster salad; fillet steak; lemon tart and in between the courses you were offered little appetisers.  Needless to say this was an excellent experience, one of opulence and splendour. 

Verandah Bar

   

Colin, Alex, Edwina

The meals and service was excellent, the wine list was the same as the Britannia Restaurant and the same price. Though there was an extra thirty dollars charge for the meal, it was well worth the investment.

     

I went on deck at midnight to see how we were doing with our anti-piracy patrols, only to find all of the lights on deck 9 and 10 were all on, and as a pretend, we had all been asked to close the cabin curtains.