Amanda PhillipsVisiting Oman
Our port today while visiting Oman was a little place called Khasab. Having researched things a bit before we left home, it 
seemed that the town itself didn’t have an awful lot of “touristy” things to do – but what it did have was a very close proximity to fjord-like waterways, and crystal clear azure waters framed by jutting, majestic cliffs.
We had chosen a tour on a traditional dhow boat, where you take off your shoes on entry and lounge in comfort on carpets and cushions. Our two young Omani sailors took us through spectacular scenery before they slowed the dhow and started looking over the side. They powered it up again and started whistling loudly, pointing to some grey, fast-moving creatures beside us on both sides…dolphins! At least ten of them in total, from parents to youngsters, all swimming effortlessly beside us and leaping out every so often. They must have kept us company for almost ten minutes, so plenty of pictures were snapped trying to capture them on camera. This was THE best moment of a fabulous holiday, no contest.
We stopped further on to let everyone have the chance to have a swim and snorkel, with towels and after-swim refreshments provided. On our way back, our Flipper friends returned for a brief encore.
Show-offs!
Handy tip – take your swimming gear if you go on this trip! But there’s a bit of walking/getting on and off boats, so is not recommended for any one with limited mobility.
Today was around 35 degrees, and to sunbathe up on deck was to get rather hot! The tans are progressing well though, and it’s hard to believe that it’s only February. If winter sun and seeing some unusual places are what floats your boat, literally, holiday-wise, it doesn’t get better than a cruise from Dubai. Everyone we have spoken to here has been very happy with the whole experience.
Another gala dinner tonight, so the glad rags were on again. As previous MSC customers, we were invited to the Captain’s cocktail party just before dinner, where he made a short speech and introduced some of the crew. A lovely gesture.
Dinner was fun as well, with flaming baked Alaskas being paraded around by the waiters. All the staff on board, from the cabin steward to the lovely Made, our table waiter, have been so good and attentive throughout, and it’s obvious how hard they work. A credit to the cruise line.
Tonight we had a drink at the disco at the top of the ship as a nightcap. We only recognised one song, sadly… whether that is a reflection of the DJ’s lack of skills, or of our age, though, is up for debate!
