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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 16, 2025 12:00 AM Doha in Qatar in the mist...
Hello Qatar! There were no electricity in Doha till 1952. Now, with oil and gas they are rich enough to organize mundial!
In the morning we docked in Doha port. Most around. I see on the pther side of the bay a great skyline of the commercial district... I have been here in 1999. It is far to the city and we will depart early so I decided to take the tour. We went to 5he dhows port to see old Arab boats, then to the commercial quarter and residential island Pearl. Final stop was at the bazaar, where I was wondering almost 2 hours in the labyrinth of little shops. On the way back I photographed the emir's guard on the camels passing in front of emir's palace. Interestting day, but I didn't expected this fogg!
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Jan 14, 2025 12:00 AM Oman - Arabia Felix
Nice people, real Arabic hospitality. Frankiscence smelling in the colorful bazaar. I am again in Muscat - the picturesque capital of Oman Sultanate.
It is so nice to wander again the streets, nice corniche and walk to the Royal Palace.
Tomorrow we have a day at sea on the way to Katar... I met a big group of Polish people on the ship - nice to speak my language again...I have a lot of fun...
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Jan 13, 2025 12:00 AM Dubai, day two...
Yesterday in the evening - like 9pm there was noce light show on Dubai Wheel near our port. There is a lot to in Dubai and port fees for the passengers ships are low so no wonder, that we stay here two days plus. In front of the cruise terminal sightseeing hop-on, hop-off buses are waiting. There are 3 competing companies so if you are smart and you have experience you can find an offer which allow you to travel whole day to the tourist places for just 27 euro. I got such a ticket. I have been in Dubai many times, but it is always nice to refresh memories after years! We nent to Burj Khalifa - the tallest building, to old quarter near Dubai Creek and to the bazaars...
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Jan 12, 2025 12:00 AM Dubai Dubai
It was a great day! I had a chance to see for the first time the dancing fountain in action. It is located at the bottom of Burj Khalifa. Then I disembarked hop-on bus at the old souk (bazaar) on the bank of Dubai Creek. There are many stalls woth spices, silk scarves and souvenirs. Old wooden boats offer a short cruise across the creek... On the eay back yo the ship I had a chance to see again the Burj Arab hotel on the coast. Sail-shaped it is still the symbol of Dubai (many years ago it was also the tallest building of the city).
I arrived to the ship only ar 6 pm. Then there was a show - 3 couples dancing on the stage...
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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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