Hi all, The time has come to say goodbye to this blog site. The name was cumbersome and it started midway through my blogging history. Never fear, however, I've a NEW blog that includes all the previous blogs and a few late posts that will be arriving eventually. That site is now live: allisonswanderlust.travel.blog And … Continue reading The Death of Another Blog
Day 12: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
DUBAI It was an easy disembarkation this morning, slightly marred by having to deal with a greedy taxi driver. He wouldn’t put on the meter, trying to bargain on an inflated flat rate to my hotel. I knew it was illegal for him to do this so I argued behind, even at one point getting out … Continue reading Day 12: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 11: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
DUBAI Ah, the best laid plans. I had thought to take a ferry from the old town along the coast to the Dubai Marina, virtually the other end of Dubai. Walk around there for a bit, checking out some of the big hotels, boats, waterfront, etc, then take the metro back as it’s elevated and runs … Continue reading Day 11: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 10: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
DOHA, QATAR I think Doha might just be my favorite stop on this cruise. A free shuttle took me thru the industrial port to the main road, which was the corniche that extended all along the harbor of Doha. All that I wished to see was on the corniche and within walking distance so off … Continue reading Day 10: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 9: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
BAHRAIN Bahrain is an island. Who knew? Actually, it’s an archipelago of 33 islands joined to Saudi Arabia by a causeway. I guess I should have zoomed in more when I was checking out Google. I did read up on it on TripAdvisor and it seemed not an easy place to see on one’s own so … Continue reading Day 9: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 8: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
AT SEAA very slow news day. We have 564 nautical miles to cruise through the Persian Gulf to our next port, Bahrain, so we have a full day and night at sea. Many passengers took advantage of the opportunity for a lie in, the decks were empty this morning when I went up for my … Continue reading Day 8: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 5: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
KHASAB, OMAN I signed up for a ship’s tour here in Khasab, it seemed a simple way to see a bit of the countryside. My tour was “City Tour of Bukha & Khasab”, luckily an English language tour. Khasab is known as home of the “Omani fjords”, as the area is surrounded by deep bays and … Continue reading Day 5: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 7: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
MUSCAT DAY 2 Yesterday was a long tour day into the rocky interior of Oman. Today I wanted an easy, unscheduled exploration of waterfront Muscat. I had thought to walk the corniche as far as I could manage but I met Lawrence from Romania at breakfast and he planned to take the local bus again … Continue reading Day 7: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 6: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
MUSCAT My 2nd stop in Oman, and from the boat it looks gorgeous. We’re here for 2 days so I booked a tour for Day One, and Day Two I’ll spend wandering. I’m lead to believe it’s slightly walkable here, with a lovely corniche that goes for miles along the harbor so I’ll check that … Continue reading Day 6: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Day 4: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
SIR BANI YAS ISLAND A very peaceful day today. The ship anchored off a private island, Sir Bani Yas, which is part beach resort, part private wild animal safari park. As I had no interest in either I spent a quiet day onboard. I walked a few laps on the upper deck. Had some coffee. Walked … Continue reading Day 4: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise