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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Jan 11, 2025 12:00 AM Dubai, ah Dubai!
I must go outside my internal cabin to appreciate the view... We are in Dubai, and what a location! Usually my ship was docking here in Port Rashid, where terminals 2 and 3 are located. Today, after more than 10 years the ship is docking at Palm Jumeira (terminal 1). It is great location for taking pictures: from one side you see Palm of Jumeira Island, the other side gives you the view of the skyscrapers of Dubai downtown. They are so close that after the breakfast I took the walk along coastal promenade to the bottom of this high buildings. They are very impressive, especially when you compare the size of people and trams at the bottom. It is lovely, sunny day. I plan to a sunbathing for the afternoon and the show in the evening... How are the temperatures in Europe?
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Jan 10, 2025 12:00 AM Boarding Big Ship
i had today enough time to take a lon tug walk through coastal park and the Corniche of Abu Dhabi. The park has an interesting green labyrinth to explore. On the corniche there are flowers and objects of art. I was returning via coastal promenade up to the Sheraton Hotel who has a private beach.
In the middle of the day I packed my backpack and boatded bus 9 heading to Port Zayed. The men's part of the bus was full. I took a seat in the ladie's compartment. Did I broke the law?
From the last stop of bus 9 it was only 100 m to the terminal. Since I am GOLD passenger of Costa we skip the long check-in line of Kazakh people. It seems that they form majority on this cruise. At 2 pm we were already on board of this huge ship. It has capacity of about 6000 passengers. It is my first time on Costa Smeralda, but I already know that it will not be my favorite ship! We will depart at 10pm.
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Jan 09, 2025 12:00 AM Al Watan Palace
I have been to Abu Dhabi few times by never I had enough time to visit enormous Sheikh's Watan Palace. It is located in Government Quarter, out of the noise of the city. City bus no. 9 will bring you to the gate and ticket office. When I arrived at 10 am - official opening time there were no line at the ticket desk. I paid 52 dirhams for entry and shuttle bus took me to the main building. The palace os surrounded by beautiful garden with fountains and palms.
The richness of Watan is enormous. It is biggest than the biggest cathedrals, ornate and calm. There are some collections to see and interesting library. Absolutely worth a visit!
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Jan 08, 2025 12:00 AM Camel market
Al Ain is the big oasis on the border with Oman, 2 hours drive from Abu Dhabi. Bus from Abu is departing every hour, 45 min after hour. One way ride costs 40 dirhams - like 12 USD.
The bus was only half full.
In the oasis after my visit some 3o years ago I saw many changes. On the digital maps the market is shown in the wrong place. It was relocated to the outskirts of Bawadi Mall. After long walk to the old location friendly Arab family gave me a lift there.
The market is new and the construction is new. There is more than thousand animals, old ones and babies. In the enclosures. Poor camels! On the open place they feel more freedom... Is is worth to see anyway. I returned to the oasis by bus 900. Just let you know that the main monument of Al Ain - the fort is under repair!
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Jan 07, 2025 12:00 AM Birthday with the Arabs...
I am still in Abu Dhabi. Today I took a walk to Kasr al Hosn - little fort considered to be a first building in the present capital of the Emirates. It is like historic island surrounded by the modern skyscrapers. Nicely restored houses now the museum. Abu Dhabi is a very rich country but when I approached the gate of the fort the guard said that I must buy a ticket for 30 dirhams. No doscount for seniors... I know that the locals 60+ have a free entry. I showed my passport to the lady in black on the ticket desk. It is your birthday today! - she recognized the date. -So maybe you will offer me free entry as a birthday gift? -No!
So I took only few outside pictures of the fort... Just nearby, at the artificial pond there is modern mosque and the cafe. The real Arabs were sipping the coffee there. I was invited to the table and I tolld them the ticket story mentioning my today's birthday. Wow! They ordered for me the birthday cake with icecream and the coffee, making me happy. Then we took some pictures... So, there are different Arabs...
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Jan 06, 2025 12:00 AM Walking Abu Dhabi again...
After just one year I am again in Abu Dhabi, enjoying the modern architecture, palms and flowers kept alive thanks to daily spraying with the water. Destances are long, so you can use city buses for visiting different different places of interest. You mist buy first magnetic plastic card and upload there few units to ride (2;50 each). The empty plastic card costs 10 dirhams..
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Jan 04, 2025 12:00 AM Escape from cold Europe
I welcomed the New Year 2025 on the beach in Gdansk with champagne and a cannonade of fireworks. Unfortunately, there was no sign of snow.
And now - just few days later, I pack my backpack again and set off for warmer and sunnier countries. First, by bus to Vienna, and from there, for very little money, by plane to the United Arab Emirates. After five days in Abu Dhabi, I plan to board a ship that will visit several ports in the Persian Gulf and the capital of Oman. This will be an interesting alternative to the gray and short January days in Poland. The temperatures of the Polish summer will reign in the Persian Gulf region!
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Dec 23, 2024 12:00 AM Flying for Christmas...
I was forced to spend a night in Miami, waiting for the flight to Europe. It is good to have a friends! It is charming Alicia who invited me and offered hospitality on Florida. We had a long travel talk yesterday in the evening. Today, after substantial brunch we took a nice walk in the sun along the beach. The she was so nice to deliver me to Miami airport. I am waiting for the flight to Europe, happy to see tomorrow my son and grandsons. I hope that departures ot two flights will be on time...
When I was recently travelling aboard 747 JumboJet? Long time ago! So it was a pleasure to fly aboatd this giant again. The seats were comfortable and they served tasty German beer :) 9 hours flight to Frankfurt..
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Dec 22, 2024 12:00 AM La Romana to Miami...
This was very nice cruise, with plenty of good music and wonderful seascapes. In the morning we reached little port of La Romana in Dominican Republic. Hot and humid weather - I was forced to pack all my warm clothes to the backpack and say goodbye to "Costa Fascinosa" and its crew. I passed the immigration control. If you do not stay overnight in Dominican Republic you will not pay the 10 USD entry fee
I was lucky to book the airport transfer to Santo Domingo airport through the tour desk on the ship. It cost me only 20 euro for 100 kms in the private minibus. What a deal!
I am waiting now in Santo Domingo airport for the flight to Miami. It is hard to dream about white Christmas in the tropical heat! Let's hope that the flights will be on time.
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Dec 21, 2024 12:00 AM British Virgin Islands
My last day on this lovely an not too big ship - it is only 2200 passengers aboard. When we arrived to Road Town on Tortola Island at 7 am ot was already hot but cloudy. But even in the shade it is lovely place - the bay housing the port for just one ship is surrounded by high green mountais. In the sea directions st Jonh and St Thomas islands are visible in a distance. At 10 am the sun arrived. I planned to climb one of the high slopes fo the view... I recognized that after the former Governor's Residence (closed on weekends - otherwise 5 USD entry fee you can turn to MacNamara road climbing the green hill and after some 20 minutes to reach the fantastic view point of the port and the bay. I took some great pictures there - see my gallery!
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