Still at sea

There is a lot of water in the world!  ...and we've seen a fair bit over the last few days.  Apart from a few tankers in the Red Sea, a Russian frigate yesterday, a couple of jet fighters & a helicopter from an American aircraft carrier ( which is apparently in the area), we have had the world to ourselves.  We are now well away from pirate territory, although there were 2 on board last night - the ship's photographers. It's all about taking money from the passengers, so it was apt - agreed that the biggest pirates around here are Princess Cruises (just kidding)

We are now off the coast of Oman and have another day & a half at sea before Dubai.  Just looking out the cabin window, a little boat is going by.  Amazingly small this far out to sea.  No, we are happy that it Is not a pirate boat, so assume it must be a fisherman, of some sort of trader.  It is really just a bit bigger than our boat (well, probably twice the size, and only appears to have one person on board.  We still have our security at full strength and this morning we had breakfast on the back deck.  From there we can look up to the security deck and saw the famous scarecrow - dummy dressed in uniform, sunglasses and binoculars, so that anyone approaching would see that someone is always watching.  And yes there is always at least one real person up there all the time.  We also saw the sonic cannon and spotlight.  The sonic device apparently sends an earsplitting sound which means no one can approach from the back of the boat - if they go around the sides, high-pressure showers are in place.

Today, being Sunday, they decided to have a brunch and what a magnificent spectacle. However we are more in favour of the traditional breakfast & lunch, but we went along with it.  We also had a port lecture on Dubai, which was interesting but hasn't really solved our problem on what to do on Day 1.  We are 2nd on the waitlist for the 4WD safari.  If this doesn't eventuate, we'll probably take a taxi to the comfort of one of the Malls.  Too darned hot in the middle of the day and local shops etc. close at 1.00, which is about when we arrive.  We already have a tour booked for Wednesday.

We have been extremely lucky with the weather, and today is a much more pleasant 26 and cloudy.  It actually looks as though it may rain, but we'll see. It is 5.10 as I write this, and the sun has officially set!  I can only assume that in the next couple of days we'll readjust our clocks to get some normality in the day.  We are soooo busy that we don't wake up until 7.00 in the morning, so the extra daylight at that end is wasted.  I note with interest however that daylight saving started in NZ this weekend, but with the reverse effect.

Forgot to mention that Vivian got a haircut last week.  Way back in Santorini I saw a hairdresser advertising EUR15 for ladies haircut, but Vivian wasn't interested.  By last Monday however, it was necessary so up to the Lotus Spa.  Now surely the name would give it away, but anyway Vivian came back and hour later looking like Cilla Black - dead straight shortish hair.  Apparently the Irish hairdresser had given her the works!  I later looked at the receipt and found that it was a very reasonable haircut at only USD86.25 (including gratuity).  On top of that she sold some French shampoo, only USD24.  I think that I'll be waiting until Mumbai :-) :-)

It is now pitch black outside and once again time to prepare for yet another feast.  Vivian is already dressed and is reading her book.  There is an excellent library onboard, which puts the Royal to shame.  I am still working through the 10 or so I loaded on my Tablet.  A lot less weight plus I can always find my place in the book.  Failing anything exciting happening, next instalment will be from Dubai.