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 – 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.  I'd 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 … Continue reading Day 11: MSC Lirica – Dubai

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 – Doha

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 – Bahrain

going through the Strait of Hormuz. That’s Iran behind the tanker A 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 … Continue reading Day 8: MSC Lirica – At Sea

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 – Muscat, Oman

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

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

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

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