Overnight in Dubai

Day 26 - Dubai
Before I start, I should clarify my misdirected comments about the safety drill yesterday.  As I mentioned, it is Maritime Law to hold the drill every 30 days and although it is correct that it has not been 30 days yet, it is however another 30 days until we reach Southampton and clearly, particularly with our port intensive sector, it is preferable to get it "out of the way" now.  So apologies to any Princess readers (probably Nil). 

Yes, today signifies a quarter of our adventure is past, with our arrival in Dubai.  Although we have previously (twice) been to both Oman & Dubai, this is the first time that we've gone to Oman ahead of Dubai.  Irrespective, we still don't get in until midday again.  We all have to do the total clearance immigration thing, which we haven't had to do before, but we'll happily get off but probably reboard as soon as we are able, after using some of their WiFi so that I can eventually add some photos to this blog!  Not that keen to reboard too early as all potable water will be turned off until 3.30 and in this heat, water is the #1 commodity.

Bright, sunny, hot & humid at 6.00am when we woke.  Had our morning cup of English Breakfast Tea as usual - I only comment because yesterday morning the Steward said that there was no more EBT, except in the Horizon Court, not that I believed him, but just surprising the misinformation that spreads.  Just as well that I've been stocking up on "spare" tea bags for this eventuality 😉

Both breakfast & lunch are scheduled early today, due to our arrival at midday.  I am not too sure when (dis)emarking people get on/off, but assume that the official end of sector is tomorrow.  Only important as I am trying to use up our internet minutes before they expire. Yes, another subtle change by Princess - expiring internet minutes.  We have arrived in port at 11.30 and will have lunch before heading ashore for the immigration process.  Hopefully (?) the crowds will have dispersed by then.

A random thought - yesterday in Oman we were berthed adjacent to an Italian frigate.  I wonder whether it will be our shadow escort through to Aqaba.  A few years ago it was HMS Vanguard that kept popping up.  Time will tell whether I am correct or just my wild imagination.  One thing we do know is that there will be international warships somewhere over the horizon - all co-ordinated out of Dubai.

We had lunch and joined the throng getting off the ship.  The actual immigration process was less than 30 seconds, with no discernable wait.  The odd thing however is that Immigration have kept our passports - sure hope we get them back tomorrow before we sail!  We hung around the (air conditioned) terminal for about an hour before we were able to get back onboard.  Vivian actually went off to watch a movie (which had started before any passengers were back).  I believe there were just 4 people in the Princess Theatre.

Open sitting for dinner, we went at 6.30, so that we could go to the early show, as the late show would be far too late, given our early start tomorrow.  The show was the local folkloric show, but not exactly what we anticipated. There were 4 extremely buxom "ladies" and 2 male dancers.  On the positive note, the male dancers were amazing, with their twirling/ juggling skills.  Would love to have seen more of them.  The belly dancers were just OK, but clearly 3 of them were learning and their belly dancing was pretty well restricted to shaking their EEE's 😂😂. 

Day 27 - Off to Abu Dhabi
Had a simple room service breakfast, as we were meeting up with Marilyn & Ray and the others at 7.45.  We have a private tour to Abu Dhabi of just 9 passengers, using Oceanair Travels.  We left at 8.30 and the drive to Abu Dhabi was 1.45 hours.  The change was noticeable as we left the extreme high rise of Dubai and moved through the new industrial area, which is still being developed out of the desert then into Abu Dhabi, with it's red/brown seal as opposed to the usual grey of Dubai.  

The road itself was an 8 lane highway, with no discernable speed restrictions.  Our mini-van however was restricted to 100 kph, so we were passed by every imaginable luxury sports car, of which there are 100s.  Entering into Abu Dhabi, the roadside is totally fenced with green fences for probably 50 odd kilometres.  Behind were date palms extending "forever".  After this we entered a desert area and then lowrise housing before coming to the City proper.

Abu Dhabi is of course the capital of UAE and has the biggest, best, fastest, whatever of everything (according to our guide).  It is also made up of numerous (200+ & growing ) manmade islands.  Our first stop was Yas Island, famous for Ferrari World & Yas Water World.  The racetrack is the centre attraction surrounded by 5* hotels & resorts.  We made use of restrooms and photos of Ferrari! before moving on.

Of course the "highlight" was visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, truely a modern magnificent structure, where no expense has been spared.  I do have to say that it is magnificent being finished in white marble with intricate mosaics both on the ground and on the pillars.  Much lighter and more open looking than the one in Oman, which is in brown tones.  The carpet in the main worship hall (the public one) is the largest handmade carpet in the world. Unfortunately they had to cut it In half to get it into the building. 

Whilst it was extremely impressive, it was also extremely hot outside of the mosque itself.  So middayish we jumped back in the van and this time went to the Etihad Towers.  This was a new, unpublicsised stop, which saw us whisked up 74 stories for a magnificent 360° view of Abu Dhabi.  There was a small restaurant up there but we were only there for the free viewing.  Amazingly there was no discernable haze (unlike Dubai).  From up there we could see all the as yet unoccupied islands, many of which already had streets etc. constructed.  Our guide also pointed out the new official Royal Palace being  built (this is just the ceremonial one, as opposed to the residential one).  The total area of Palace and grounds would be equivalent to some 10 square city blocks at least.

Forgot to mention that on our way we passed through the Royal family area, where they all have waterfront properties.  When we came to Sheikh's house, we were forbidden to take photos, even though we were quite a long way away.  Almost all the Royal houses had open gates and no/limited security (1 armoured car at the Sheikh's palace).  We were told that this is because of the low crime rate (& even lower reoffending rate - if you get my drift!).

Now back to the tour.  We next went to the UAE Heritage Village, which included various museums and a replica village but more importantly, a restaurant.   We enjoyed a buffet lunch of traditional food, overlooking the water and the City Cornice (beachfront) on the CBD side.  After lunch and a wander around, we went for a drive along the Cornice and on to the Louvre Art Gallery.  Unfortunately the trip did not include entrance to the Art Gallery and we had just a 1 minute photo stop on the street outside , which really was  it worth getting out into the heat for.  Then it was time to sit back and head home, arriving around 5.30.

Open sitting for dinner again, no show, early to bed.  After dinner as we headed back to our cabin we went onto the Promenade Deck to look at the old QE2, which is now a floating hotel, all brightly lit up.  While there we saw an ambulance  turn up followed by a number of security vehicles.  Unfortunately a passenger was being disembarked, so sad for them.  One of the other passengers said that it was the 3rd ambulance that had been to the ship in Dubai.  I hope there are no more evacuations, particularly as we now have  6 sea days as we traverse pirate country and up the Red Sea to Aqaba, Jordan.