A Magic Carpet, er Ship ride to Arabia.

[RSD]

Egypt is in 10 days time!

Enjoy - its a great place!

 

[ellen10]

Looking forward to following along on your travels.

 

[Pushka]

So tonight Mumbai seems to be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III. . Anyway, the Gateway of India outdid itself.

 

[Pushka]

The Dome of the Palace lit up at night. There is netting across the entire courtyard, gardens and pool area because thousands of pigeons nest near the Gateway and the netting does a great job keeping them out.

 

[RSD]

Make sure that you take plenty of drinking water with you on the Petra and Egypt day trips - its going to be getting warm there. Taking a loo roll is never a bad idea either.

 

[Pushka]

The internet is very slow. Thoughts it might be because we are next to the Naval Base and it's being blocked.
Last night we stayed in Mumbai Port and met so many Aussies. We all seemed to be on the side deck enjoying a tipple or five. Alcohol is free at meal times but we have the package for all times.





Refuelling. Took mamy hours.



This morning we did an included tour, Tour of Mumbai. It was quite fascinating and supposed to take 3 hours but took five. At the end we all just wanted to get some as it was 2pm. The guide pulled outside of a tourist shop and said we would be here for 15/minutes to shop. Everyone rebelled and said take us to the ship. .



First stop was to the Gateway. We went inside this time. The locals just wanted to have their photos taken with the fairer women. I was approached multiple times bu one gorgeous lady and I said I wanted to take one of her. They had professional photographers taking their photos. Not a scam. Maybe it's a good luck thing. I ended up with being in photos of babies, of girls and so on. The goregous girl happily posed.



Taj Towers where we stayed. Top level.






Gotta Dash. I have a Nordic Facial coming up and MrP a Swedish mindlful massage. bBL

 

[Pushka]

Back. We visited Kamala Nehru Park which was built by Nehru on honour of his mother. It overlooks Chowpatty Beach. Just some locals taking photos of each other.

 

[Pushka]

Our next stop was Daubi Ghat. Laundry of Mumbai where people who work send out their laundry. Even hotels. I'd been looking forward to this stop. It didn't disappoint. How weird I am. And it reminded me I need to do a load of washing. Shame I didn't bring it with me.

 

[Pushka]

Our last stop was the house where Ghandi lived. It had wonderful dioramas.

Ghandis room.

 

[Pushka]

We are just eating in the buffet which offers plenty of our kind of food. We aren’t big eaters but like lots of tastes. I’m hoping for some Indian curries but none offered yet. MrP is in sushi heaven though. I had half a breast of duck a l’orange. Not a duck fan but this was flavourful and tender.

We have the drinks package and I’m sure by accident the price of real Champagne at $18USD squeaks in at the top limit. On other ships it’s $20 a glass so not covered.

Yesterday we received two pages of notes about passports and visas. Our passports have been collected in Mumbai and I expect immigration officers from Oman have boarded in Mumbai to inspect our passports and issue a visa. We have two ports in Oman but first we have two sea days. Bliss. Warm and sunny.

Sleeping well with gentle rocking. Cabin set at 20 c which is perfect for the quilt. I’ll post pictures when it’s tidy again. One thing I love about Viking is that shower doors are all glass. No curtains. And everything in large font as the average age is around 65 and no kids allowed. Also because there are no risks of children injuries there are no high glass screens to impede views and photos.

Someone saw a dolphin just now.

 

[Pushka]

A few pictures of the ship. It has around 900 passengers and so many places to chill you can get a place wherever or want.

Last night departing Mumbai.


Almost a full moon.



Winter garden. Social meeting place and where afternoon tea is held because we really need more food.



Lounges off Wintergarden.



We are currently on a lounger facing the sea with large open windows and backs to the pool.


The pool bar which opens for snacks - hot dogs, burgers and salads around 11am.


The pool with roof half closed. No chair hogs here.




Bayeaux prints adorn every stair landing.



More seating areas on deck 7. Little library nooks everywhere and books can be taken away.

 

[Pushka]

The Nordic Spa. All included and very Nordic. Not a busy place at 3pm.


The old Ice Bucket trick.



Steam room.



Snow grotto. Yes. That’s snow.




The experience Shower.



It really belted out the water. Plus a rain shower.




The pool and fire.

 

[Pushka]

Tonight we had a fabulous cruise critic meet up. These were cancelled with Covid. This is the first one in the whole Viking fleet. Hosted by Viking and attended by all the senior entertainment, accommodation and beverage officers. And the cruise director.


About 30 people attended.

Tonight it was a full moon. Perfect weather. Also a lunar eclipse later on that we partially missed. .



I’ve always wanted this pre Covid. Now it’s a thing. Hate touching toilet handles.






Tonight we saw the first magician show ever held on a Viking ship. Cruise director was concerned she told us in the lift as he went a little awol. He was good though but we could work out a couple of his tricks.

Tomorrow we start preparations for pirates. Razor wire around deck 2 and armed guards already onboard.

 

[Pushka]

Starting to take photos of the foods in the buffet which seems to be where we end up eating. It's so nice to be able to eat outside as it's warm and not at all windy. Internet has been great since we left Mumbai so likely it was blocked by the Navy.

The Sushi bar. I'll post more food stations along the way.



This morning around 7am I was up getting some tea and it was blissfully quiet. I had brought a cardboard cup tray from home as on previous cruises I hated juggling two cups of hot tea, lift buttons, doorways and room keys. This works a treat. I was able to take photos of deserted areas.

 

[Pushka]

Mamsens. Almost like a Danish deli. Well known for its waffle breakfast and suksessterte in the afternoon. Named after the owner Torstein Hagens mother and her recipes are used exclusively. As is the design of the crockery.







But again we eat in the buffet and this is the usual cruise breakfast. Sometimes bacon and eggs. @love_the_life - remember that guy on QM2 who would eat multiple Ruby grapefruit all stacked up, every day and eventually the ship ran out?



And this is our current position. Muscat Oman tomorrow.

 

[Pushka]

The great news, much to your relief @TheRealTMA is that we can watch the Coronation Ceremony in full starting in a couple of hours but we won't start watching until 1430 for 90 minutes or so. And tonight - the restaurant and buffet will be celebrating Britain with dishes from all around the UK. Okay, what are we looking at this time. Pies. Mushy peas. Haggis. Fish and chips. Ummm, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Anything else? As long as there's no red cod, boiled potatoes with parsley sauce, or corn beef I'll be fine.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The great news, much to your relief @TheRealTMA is that we can watch the Coronation Ceremony in full starting in a couple of hours but we won't start watching until 1430 for 90 minutes or so. And tonight - the restaurant and buffet will be celebrating Britain with dishes from all around the UK. Okay, what are we looking at this time. Pies. Mushy peas. Haggis. Fish and chips. Ummm, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Anything else? As long as there's no red cod, boiled potatoes with parsley sauce, or corn beef I'll be fine.

LOL

 

[Pushka]

Just found the menu for Britain tonight. Yum. Lamb chops - so expensive in Australia but here they excellent. And a curry at last. Tomorrow we start the Arabic themed menus.

 

[Pushka]

Just returned to a tidied cabin as I’m changing from bathers to go to see the coronation. Hoping at least for scones and tea refreshments.

 

[Pushka]

We've been given the low down on Oman. Conservative dress. No touching. Insta and FB banned. Wonder about AFF? It looks a stunningly beautiful place. Muscat being the first stop. Our tours got messed up by timing change. We were booked on a free trip to see the Mosque, the Souq, and some random thing in the middle. Then a Dhow cruise along the coastline. We have to use a shuttle bus to exit the port that only stops at the souk. Taxis very expensive to the Mosque but it looks amazing. But we risk the timing on the Dhow trip. Decisions decisions.