As we saw the major sights in Singapore yesterday, we decide to take a long walk today. It sounds crazy, but Singapore is a green city with many hiking paths and nature parks throughout. We head to Faber Park, the trailhead of the Southern Ridges 10K Walk. We’re looking forward to seeing the “Henderson Waves” – an iconic pedestrian bridge connecting the green spaces, built in the form of waves.
After the walk, we find the infamous Raffles Hotel, the Hotel of the Singapore Sling. We visited the hotel bar where it was created, but passed on having one. Later, we walked back to the heart of Singapore, seeing Merlion one last time before we leave. To see all of the sites we visited, click on any of the pictures!
Day 93 – April 7 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
We take an independent tour today, beginning with seeing the two famous buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Petronas Twin Towers, as well as the the Merdeka – the second tallest building in the world. Later, we stroll by markets, Hindu Temples and discover a unique method for cleaning outdoor water features! Many more details by clicking on the picture below!
Day 96 – April 8 – At Sea
Tonight we celebrate our friend Paul’s birthday! We’re celebrating with John, Paul, Richard, John, Jorge, Terry, and our World Host, Lee. Having a drink in the Atlas Bar (of course) before dinner. No additional pictures on this leg – I just wanted to include these to remember this special event.
Day 95 – April 9 – Sabang, Indonesia
Another exciting day – we’re diving! Today, our dive partners are again Jackie and Menno, and we have a fabulous day togethter. The seas are a bit rough for diving, but we persevere! Click on the pics for more details.
Day 96/97 – April 10/11 – At Sea
I’ve combined the sea days, as we don’t take many pictures. We do LOVE our sea days! When we were selecting a World Cruise, one of our criteria was to have minimal sea days. What we’ve learned is that when you’re on a six month cruise, you need sea downs to catch your breath and re)flect upon all of your experiences. (And also, to rest!)
Today, we finalize our tax extension – exciting stuff, right?
Actually, we do have a special meal that I want to include pictures of. It is a special “Indonesian rice table” brunch that our talented Indian chef’s make for us! Kneeling in the front row is our head chef and our Sous Chef, Agun. The artistry of the food is amazing!
And NO – I am not including any pictures of me pulling my hair out estimating our taxes to file the extension!
Day 98 – April 12 – Hambantota, Sri Lanka
We’re in Sri Lanka today and visit a very unusual site – the Mulkirgara Temple and Seven Painted Caves. The Painted Caves were amazing – the colors were so vibrant and the pictures so clear. See for yourself by clicking on any of the pictures below!
Day 100/101 – April 14/15 – Cochin, India
While we are in Cochin for two days, we only go on shore the first day. As we weren’t comfortable going out on our own, and the ship left at noon on the second day, we opted to stay on board.
However, the first day we did have an excursion where we learn what a “Dhobi” is, visit a Synagogue from the 16th Century, and discover Chinese Fishing Nets. Tonight is our AzAmazing Evening for this leg, where we have the opportunity to have our fortunes told! For more details, and to find out WHY Melanie is ironing, click on any of the pics!
Day 103 – April 17 – Mumbai, India (Taj Mahal)
Yes – I realize that the Taj Mahal is not in Mumbai! However, we were given the incredible opporunity to fly to the center of India, visit the Taj Mahal, have an incredible lunch, and fly back to the ship – all in one (albeit, long) day! Pictures can be accessed through the link below, and worth looking at!
Yes – I realize that the Taj Mahal is not in Mumbai! However, we were given the incredible opporunity to fly to the center of India, visit the Taj Mahal, have an incredible lunch, and fly back to the ship – all in one (albeit, long) day! Pictures can be accessed through the link below, and worth looking at!
Day 104 – April 18 – Mumbai Day 2
Today, we stay in Mumbai and cram in as many sights as possible. We begin the day by taking a local train – (an experience in itself) – to the world’s “largest outdoor laundry”. Next, we go to the Central Business District to observe one of the oldest and largest local businesses, after which we head out to the Gateway of India! After lunch, we visit the home and library of Gandhi before heading back to the ship. Whew – busy day! Note the “third eye marking” or “Bindi” we received in the Hindu Temple! A click on any of the pictures will take you to much more detail and many more of Melanie’s fabulous pictures!
Day 105 – April 19 – At Sea
I don’t always have a blog entry for sea days, but as tonight we had a special event – an Indian Dinner. Melanie and I had brought our Egyptian dresses (Galabayas), and since Egypt was no longer on our itinerary, we wore them on Indian Dinner night. I’m including a link to a few pictures of many of our friends, who dressed in “true” Indian outfits that they had just purchased. We were a “well-dressed” group! Later, the entertainers put on a special show, as many were leaving us in Dubai. We will miss these fabulous performers.
Day 107 – April 21 – Muscat, Oman
As we can’t get enough of cruising, our excursion today is a cruise on a traditional Arab boat – a Dhow. After exploring Muscat, we come back to celebrate White Night on the ship. Fun times!
Day 108 – April 22 – At Sea
The end of the cruise is coming up very quickly for some World Cruisers – the one’s that elected to leave the ship in Dubai, and not travel around Africa with us. Tonight, we had a special crew show to mark this upcoming “ending”. After the crew show, some of the World Cruise guests gave their own “presentation”! The pictures below – from left to right – Our favorite waitress from the main dining room singing “My Way”, the Captain and Officers enjoying the “crewioky”; and some of the guests singing their tribute song to the World Journey! No further pictures for this night, but after the performances, things did get kind of crazy in the “Living Room”!
Day 109 – April 23 – Sir Bani Yas, UAE
We visit a very unusual place today – a Shiek’s private island! He created an animal sanctuary there for indiginous animals. After doing a jeep safari around the island, we settled on the beach to enjoy lunch!
Day 110 – April 24 – Abu Dhabi
Our next port stop is Abu Dhabi. We begin the day with a desert dune safari. You get into a four wheel drive jeep, whose tires have been deflated, and have a heart-stopping ride down the dunes. We’ve done this before, and it is always thrilling! To see the craziness – click on the dune picture below!
Day 111 – April 25 – Dubai Day 1
Today we have a very diverse day – combining “new” Dubai with the older, traditional Dubai, and throwing in a desert Bedouin Dinner as well. The pictures will tell it all!
Day 112 – April 26 – Dubai Day 2
Today is a sad day, as some of our World Cruise friends take the option to leave the ship, and pursue other options rather than sailing around Africa. We will miss them! But as the show (cruise) must go on, we do a little more sightseeing in Dubai before joining our friends for a bittersweet sailaway.
That’s it for the original World Cruise itinerary, at least until we reach Corfu in 32 days, when we will be back on track with the original itinerary. Until then – Africa, here we come!
