Lesley’s Luxurious Crystal Cruise
Sorry for the delay in getting my blog started.. I thought I had it all done right but evidently im not a good blogger.. So we try again.Jalene you were a good teacher – but well Im not a great student as you know .
Dubai
Flight to Dubai was some 23 hours but really didnt seem that bad . Air Canada was great and Lufthansa was really good as well. We arrived at midnight and off to the Grand Hyatt Hotel which was beautiful. This was Friday nite .
Saturday – am up bright and early for the city tour at 0930 for 3 hours. Dubai is an amazing city – the buildings are really incredible as well as beautiful beaches. Lots and lots of cranes but seems to be a bit of a slow down. We toured most of the city , the mosques as well as the spice and gold souks. It was about 42C so just a tad warm for us little Canadians. We have a group of 33 and all finally met up this morning . Back to the hotel for free few hours.
Saturday evening – 4pm we were off for our privately arranged tour – Arabian Nites. (Our group only) 10 Jeeps pulled up to the hotel and off we went to the desert . This was just unbelievable. No wonder people got lost . Im glad we had GPS in the lead car . The dunes went forever and ever and ever. Once there we were able to drive the jeeps which was quite an experience. Our jeep somehow (not when I was driving by the way) got stuck with all 4 tires in the air on the top of a big dune… but we were rescued and off we continued. After 30 minutes or so the real drivers took over and what a ride we had . It was quite a wild ride I must say and a fantastic experience I wont soon forget. We ended up in a beautiful camp in the middle of no where, for dinner with live band and belly dancer to complete the nite. The private camp make it even a more special memory
Sunday – spent an hour relaxing at the beautiful pool then at noon off to the beautiful Crystal Symphony. Check-in was easy , got our cabins then I was off to meet an old friend who lives in Dubai that used to work for PWA way back when. He is now with Emerites Airlines . Dubai is spectacular but there are alot of rules .(.not good for me.) Back by 8pm for our first dinner
Monday – Still in Dubai for the day so had a leisurely am then in the afternoon we were off to the beautiful Burj Hotel for tea. This is the only 7 star hotel in the world and the one you see in all the pictures. It was quite amazing and well worth the trip. B ack to the ship for dinnner. As you can see – lots of food going on . Monday nite we set sail .
Tuesday was a day at sea to relax, have a massage (which I did) or to attend one of the educational seminars ( which I didnt.) Lots and lots to do at sea for everyone from the spa,gym, educational seminars, bridge – you could be busy all day if you wanted to. I was exhausted so sat by the pool and was quite happy . Only 35C today .
Wednesday – another day at sea, and another massage . I did at least have a work out so I did so something but very little. I now know all the pool servers , and love the lunchtime band at the pool.
Thursday – Today we were to go into Oman however influenza was found with one of the security guards and as cruise lines are very safe – they had to determine what kind of flu. Wanted to make sure it was not the swine flu . We circled Oman about 10 times Im sure at least , and it was determined OMAN would not let us dock. Sheesh – so we had another very nice day at sea. It was determined later in the day – no swine flu just a cold, but we did miss Oman. Sitting at the pool however was not that tough honestly .
Friday – we are still at sea but close to the Bay of Aden, so security is quite tight as this is the “pirate area” We were pleased to see the canadian helicopter flying over and the HMSC Winnipeg. The security in these waters as well as on board is amazing , but there is very little threat- but better safe than sorry . Another pool day and you guessed it – another massage. Im now starting to relax. We will soon to arriving to Luxor which we are all looking forward to . Oh forgot to mention I have been doing well in the casino ,so managing to pay for some of the massages! WELL must run – time to eat again – we have a great group so lots of fun is being had and many new friends met. This really is quite the life and one I could DEFINATLEY get used to. Be back soon .
Saturday – we are still sailing and for those that need to relax there is nothing better (this would be me) Its about 38C with a nice breeze – you can do alot or do nothing. Im in the nothing category. Changed tables for dinner tonite – and I wont say who but they did lead me astray so had a bit of a late nite in the niteclub .. Didnt even make it to the casino or the show.. oops. Good news is we had to set the clocks back so gained an hour . Tonite we were advised by the captain that the ship has some scheduling adjustments – so we have another day or two at sea then the shore excursions come all in a row – not a perfect set up , but we are all so relaxed Im sure it will be fine.
Sunday – another day at sea. Started with a galley tour It is amazing at how they get all these meals out on limited time . Very interesting . Also organized a wine tasting for our group tomorrow. Spent time at the pool today Tonite going to specialty restaurant with 6 of the group – and this group could be trouble . When one arrived with his Sheik attire I knew it would be a long nite. However with no schedule – what can I say . If its fun – im there. Just now at 415pm going to get ready for the pre-dinner champagne on the back deck … and another day on this beautiful ship . We are headed next to Petra which is a 9 hour excursion that Im really looking forward to . another massage Its a tough life out here .. Oh by the way we are out of pirate territory so safe and sound – So Mom – dont worry! Off to get ready. Thanks to all at home that are taking care of everything for me . I hope to come home full of vim and vigor. Please no eye rolling.
Monday – ho hum, another day at sea and massage. At this rate my shoulder will be cured by the time I get home. Nice quiet day today as in dock 8pm in AQABA JORDAN so no casino to keep me up late.
Tuesday – Today we had 9 hour tour to PETRA one of the new 10 wonders of the world – and this was just magnificent. We are in the middle of no where it would seem, although 80,000 in AQABA- a 2 hour drive took us to the really incredible Petra. This was something Im so glad to have seen – its from another world .As we are in dock here we have Israel on one side, Jordan Egypt and Saudi Arabia all here – I feel like Im in a novel. This is a day I wont soon forget -.Petra was very hot – Im sure close to 40C at least but an incredible experience – quite breathtaking, and definately worth the stop if you are in the neighborhood. You just have to wonder how so long ago all this was done. Back at the ship by 530pm, so tonite – dinner and the casino Im sure. All that money I have won is burning a hole in my pocket. We will see if I can stay awake. Id put your bets on me! Talk to you tomorrow.
Wednesday – Safaga – the port for Luxor – Off we go bright and early for another 12 hour day to Luxor and Valley of the Kings. Once again a very hot clear day. I think I may have seen 1 cloud this trip possibly . Valley of the Kings other than very very hot was facinating – the tombs still very intact , toured visited museums and all in all had a great day . Home quite tired today- long and very hot day but definatley worth it. Im on history overload as its just so hard to imagine how all this was done so many years ago. Facinating.
Thursday – we are on board until 3pm today , so the usual massage, and pool time until we tender off. We are near the Suez Canal kind of in a holding bay with many many cargo ships . Its quite something to see and experience. Off we get at 3pm and tender from the ship for 20-25 minutes to land , onto the bus and off we go to Cairo – about a 3 hour drive. The ship is going to conintue on thru the Suez Canal and we are going to pick it up tomorrow in Port Rashid. Its Thursday which is like a Friday afternoon at home as Friday and Saturday is their holiday . There is 19 million people in Cairo so traffic would be bad on a good day , but Thursday afternoon … gulp . I have never seen anything quite like it , and I must say I was glad to be in a very big bus – which I might add had its own security guard on board. Once we made it thru the traffic we checked in at the Grand Hyatt , a quick buffet dinner then off to the pyramids for the nite laser show at 930pm . Once again an amazing experience. Back to the hotel exhasted and to bed. The Suez is 195 km and will take the ship 10-11 hours to transit – its an amazing achievement and to think that 14 percent of the worlds oil and supplies go thru this little Suez Canal – its hard to imagine.
Friday – Up for a beautiful morning with rooms overlooking the famous Nile River . Back to the pyramids – very different during the day . Once again its amazing the story behind it all and how they built these. Im on history overload now – but its incredible. Then off to the museum to see King Tut and many others, (the mummies I could have done without) but it was an incredible museum. Then on to the Riverboat for leisurely lunch on the Nile. Back on the bus for 3 hours to Port Rashid. For the last hour or so we drove parallel to the Suez Canal – its amazing how narrow it is and in the middle of nowhere – like ships going thru Saskatchewan . Just makes you wonder how they built it … soon we are at Port Rashid and back on board . Luckily we made it for dinner – just what we needed, and of course the show and the casino.
Saturday – Ahhhh a day at sea again . Back to the pool and for those of us pool groupies , back to our lunchtime band . Its habit forming and relaxing and still nice and hot . Tonite we are having a wind up party on back of deck 10 so everyone can bring their leftover “heels “- as we head for Athens.I am DEFINATLEY not ready to get off.
Sunday – before I leave Saturday we had a great party on the back deck, dinner and of course closed the casino with a great deal of laughter had. There was a group from Mexico on board and they are quite a loud and passionate group – and very entertaining. Get them together with some of our group remaining nameless – and you have great entertainment. Anyway – off we get at 830am pick up the bus for 3 hours tour of Athens and to our overnite hotel. Then off to lunch near the Acropolis . Back to the hotel for a short rest – then to the Plaka for shopping and you guessed it – dinner. Dinner was in a roof top restaurant which allowed us to watch the sunset and the lights of the Acropolis come on. It was a great nite with friends and a great finale.
Some are staying longer – but Im on the way home- somewhat fatter but happy and relaxed. Its been a great trip . LESLEY