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 out … Continue reading Day 6: MSC Lirica – Muscat
Author: alliwanders
Day 5: MSC Lirica – Khasab
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 islands. … Continue reading Day 5: MSC Lirica – Khasab
Day 4: MSC Lirica – Sir Bani Yas
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 a few more … Continue reading Day 4: MSC Lirica – Sir Bani Yas
Day 3: MSC Lirica – Abu Dhabi
A hundred miles west of Dubai is the capital city of Abu Dhabi. We cruised slowly there during the night, arriving right on schedule at 7am. I had no reservations today so after a leisurely breakfast in the main dining room (table service, no fighting the buffet crowds!), I went ashore about 9am. Once … Continue reading Day 3: MSC Lirica – Abu Dhabi
Day 2: MSC Lirica – Dubai
A full day in Dubai today, the ship leaves at 10pm for Abu Dhabi. There’s a convenient free shuttle from the ship to Dubai Mall, which is perfect for me as I have one scheduled activity today - an 11am reservation to visit the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which is attached … Continue reading Day 2: MSC Lirica – Dubai
Day 1: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Part 3 of my Big Trip begins: today I flew from the Maldives to Dubai to board the MSC cruise ship “Lirica”. I’m not actually a huge cruising fan though embarking on my 3rd cruise this year might give that impression. It’s just such a convenient way to see so many different places in one … Continue reading Day 1: MSC Lirica Arabian Cruise
Malahini Resort, Maldives
My roommate and a few others had a very early morning leaving the Theia last Saturday, the dhoni left with them at 6:30a for the airport. I’m afraid I don’t know what time Delphine left the room, I think I just rolled over and went back to sleep. I had a leisurely 9:30a departure so no hurry at all. I … Continue reading Malahini Resort, Maldives
Day 7: Maldives
Our last day of diving! Some of us will be able to dive 3 times today, others as few as 1 as it’s necessary to leave 24 hours between diving and flying for safety reasons. As I’m staying over in the Maldives for 3 more days I have nothing to worry about. We’re still on … Continue reading Day 7: Maldives
Day 6: Maldives
The routine continues: 6:30a knock, coffee, dive briefing, dive. We returned to Mirayu Kandu, the same site as our 2nd dive yesterday. The site where we knelt in the sand, hooked in against the current at 84’, and watched the white tip sharks pass back and forth in front of us. Initially we only saw … Continue reading Day 6: Maldives
Day 5: Maldives
A grey overcast morning greeted us when we emerged from our cabins. Grey sky = less light at depth = less color. Our first dive was at Villamandhoo Thila, a large, flat pinnacle reef just offshore from Villamandhoo resort. The current was medium-strong: fine at the very start, then we had to swim quite hard … Continue reading Day 5: Maldives
Allison’s Wanderlust 