Bit of a Blog : Rhapsody : B2B : Singapore - Dubai - Istanbul : May 3rd 2015

[Setting sail for fun]

It is wonderful that you have been able to meet up with old friends while on your journey!

[NorbertsNiece]

I've decided not to go anywhere..... too hot and still out of sorts after events yesterday. I really enjoyed the quiet deck time.

 

There's a special menu for consecutive cruisers. We used to get wine I'm sure that's not my imagination.....

 

 

Pimm's o'clock at sailaway!

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

It's quite a narrow channel to navigate

 

 

 

 

 

 

There goes the pilot

 

[Barnaby100]

We are in Istanbul at the moment- the weather is lovely- not too hot.

[NorbertsNiece]

It is wonderful that you have been able to meet up with old friends while on your journey!

 

I'm incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with wonderful people. I had considered staying overnight in Israel and reboarding in Haifa but didn't want to impose on anyone or get my head around the logistics. Tomorrow I am catching the train from Haifa to Tel Aviv to meet a cousin for lunch. The station is right at the port.

 

Uploading pics tonight is worse than ever and I have been online before most people were back. So much to share.

[NorbertsNiece]

We are in Istanbul at the moment- the weather is lovely- not too hot.

 

Thanks! I found today so much easier to handle even though they had warned me of a Hamsin (heatwave). I did drain my very large water bottle. It's predicted hot again tomorrow.... seriously after India this is a much less daunting prospect...... I have been watching the news from India with regards to how their weather has deteriorated since we were there.... incredibly sad.

[NorbertsNiece]

Having embarrassed myself the other night I swore I wouldn't take alcohol again..... the message didn't get to the Pool Bar to not serve me so I'm sat here with a Bailey's and feeling nicely mellow. What's a girl to do whilst pics upload? My book is in the room ok?

 

Some people on board have suggested I enquire as to whether there is a cabin available for me to stay on for the next cruise (Aegean Sea - 11 nights) ..... I've suggested they organise a whip round for me to afford it!!

 

I have met the most wonderful people on this trip. Quite exceptional really. Americans and Australians mostly but Romanians and Croatians as well. I have never felt so welcome on board by fellow cruisers before. Cruise Critic has much to answer for where this is concerned. Being active on the Roll Call has played a big part in this. I've made friends for life here. My dining table has been hilarious..... I would never have guessed 3 weeks ago that I would be sat with the same people night after night having a blast.

 

I'm rambling. Thanks Mr Bailey.

Edited May 26, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The pricing for internet this cruise is similar to last cruise..... to buy the package for one device for the duration turns out to be $1 cheaper for one day longer.....

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Muscat is the capital of Oman which is an absolute monarchy. The Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said is the self-appointed leader of the country since 1970 and he is the longest-serving ruler in the Middle East. I had doubts about whether I should even set foot in this country due to its human rights record; I'm glad I went and experienced a couple of days here..... The people I encountered seemed genuine and sincere.

 

We have been tailed by a frigate

 

 

And this police boat came very close and shot across our path quite close

 

 

The pilot approaches

 

 

 

 

The Sultan's coat of Arms

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

There were sirens prior to sailaway...... lasted a few minutes..... we are all safe and sailaway has proceeded on schedule.....

 

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Sirens-sound-in-Ashdod-as-rockets-fired-into-Israel-404168

 

ETA : Capt just came on over the loudspeaker..... we cast off 20 minutes early as a result of the above incident so as to clear the area.... just as well every one was back on board on time

Edited May 26, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[Setting sail for fun]

Glad you are all safe!

[NorbertsNiece]

Glad you are all safe!

 

Thanks.

 

There are people staying overnight in Jerusalem on a tour who were unaffected. Some were in the Duty Free shops on the pier and were immediately escorted on board. Others were in their rooms and were totally unaware.... it just so happened I had CNN on and heard the news then heard the Capt's voice from the corridor loudspeaker so turned over to the Bridge Cam channel to hear what he was saying

Edited May 27, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[Folk Singer]

thank you for the Pictures.

[NorbertsNiece]

Capt said this morning as we docked that all ship tours were good to go. The advice for independent travellers was to not go further south than Hadera and certainly not to Tel Aviv.

 

The train station is right next to the port..... I somehow found myself on the 0825 to Tel Aviv. 64 shekels return, that's around $16 or £10. Took about an hour and a quarter. The small compartment I was in was occupied by mobile users. Various ring tones. Soldiers in uniform. The further south we travelled the more full the compartment became. The lady opposite me is talking really loudly; when her 2nd call is over she applies bright orange lipstick.

 

Announcements as to the next station are also made in English as well as being on a scrolling panel above the door. Tel Aviv has quite a few stations. I get off at the appropriate one and walk about 25 minutes to my cousin's apartment. She has a view that extends over rooftops to the Med. Really lovely. We brunch locally then go visit her daughter. She drops me back at a local station to her.... the return ride was nearly 2 hours so I'm really grateful for having the foresight to leave early..... the heat has a lot to do with the train running late and slow.

 

They were bemused when I told them of having been advised to not travel down. They are used to sirens and going into shelters. I've been evacuated in the past and also spent time in a shelter..... there is currently no intimation that the situation is worsening and the event yesterday appears to be solitary.....

 

We sail away 45 minutes late..... returners from ship tours are held up at the Tax Return desk in the terminal.... my understanding is that they are eventually told that they have to board and reclaim subsequently.

 

I have lovely pics to share of yesterday and today. Tomorrow will be our last sea day and I'll do my best to upload as much as I can.

 

Here's that view :

 

[suekay]

Loving continuing the cruise with you, Linda. I'm impressed with your adventurous spirit

[cinnamon]

Linda, I just read the Jewel still has a Diamonds and above area of the MDR for breakfasts whereas many ships have discontinued that. Does the Rhapsody? Or is it just Continental breakfast in DL or CL?

Still loving reading your posts.

Thanks.

[NorbertsNiece]

Linda, I just read the Jewel still has a Diamonds and above area of the MDR for breakfasts whereas many ships have discontinued that. Does the Rhapsody? Or is it just Continental breakfast in DL or CL?

Still loving reading your posts.

Thanks.

 

Hi :)

 

Nope not on Rhapsody. There's also no hot breakfast buffet in the MDR or hot selection for self service on sea day lunches that I've experienced on other ships. Actually it's been quite a while since I went to the MDR for breakfast here and I don't recall what they have for self serve at breakfast in the MDR.

 

Here's today's Compass.

DAY 12 RH Cruise Compass, At Sea, May 28.indd.pdf

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

We have to ride in the van maybe 100 yards to go through security checks for Oman. We pass these guys

 

 

We have to walk through this building, produce a landing card and pass our bags through an xray machine

 

[NorbertsNiece]

You can see how close the terminal is from the ship in this pic.

 

 

We then have to get back in the van to ride to the port gates where the shuttle drops everyone off.

 

 

Our guide, Nasser. He's incredibly affable, enthusiastic and verbose.

 

 

A different landscape

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 28, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

We get out of the van to admire the view...... a wadi (oasis) of green in the middle of the dessert.

 

 

 

Edited May 28, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

We are driven up a very steep hill with incredibly narrow roads to an abandoned town overlooking the wadi. Water is highly prized in such a region and the town has had to be protected over many years. This is Fanjah.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

I can't really describe how hot it was up there..... think the hottest you have ever been then add some. How life had been lived here 500 years ago defeats my imagination

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is evidence of more recent occupation.

 

Edited May 28, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[cinnamon]

Hi :)

 

 

 

Nope not on Rhapsody. There's also no hot breakfast buffet in the MDR or hot selection for self service on sea day lunches that I've experienced on other ships. Actually it's been quite a while since I went to the MDR for breakfast here and I don't recall what they have for self serve at breakfast in the MDR.

 

 

 

Here's today's Compass.

 

 

Thanks Linda. We weren't expecting it so won't be disappointed. DH does love fried eggs some days so will have to go to the buffet.