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 The Arabian Peninsular, November 28


Today we are at sea - bliss!!!! No alarm going off, no hurry to breakfast so was very much appreciated. The Grand Cruise passengers were invited to a special brunch in La Chartreuse from 10.30 - 1.30 so we wandered up there to be greeted by many of the ship’s crew including the Captain and many officers.  Wish I’d taken a pic of the things on offer, too much to describe!  All laid out beautifully, started with champagne and ended with pancakes!  In between of course were the usual eggs Benedict and smoked salmon, roast Turkey, salads, muesli’s, etc.  

After brunch I met Helen Rose for her first Mahjong lesson!  Helen is someone we’ve known for years through Fintona and she and her husband bought George’s mother’s  old house in Canterbury years ago. They now live in QLD.  Helen picked mahjong up quickly but I have only taught her the basics - will leave the building of the wall to someone else! 

From mahjong G & I progressed into the Observation lounge for a drink and it just happened to coincide with Trivia!  We failed miserably with most of the questions, needed a granddaughter to assist!!!! 

So when I look out the windows/doors I see the occasional ship but otherwise nothing, not even a seagull!  Aquatic animals and birds have been non-existent on this part of the voyage.  

I vaguely remember writing about the Arabian Peninsular a while ago but will add some notes again.  This peninsular is the largest peninsular in the world.  It geographically includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen as well as the southern portions of Iraq and Jordan.  Saudi Arabia covers the greater part of the Peninsular and the majority of the population lives here and in Yemen. The world’s largest reserves of oil are here and Saudi and the UAE are economically the wealthiest in the region. 

Dinner for us tonight was at Sette Marie, the Italian restaurant, and we sat out on the back deck - was lovely and warm with a gentle breeze!  Not a ship in sight!!!!  

Back to the room before heading off to the show (I always creep in at the back so I can sneak out if it’s boring, which maybe tonight) but the  pièce de ré·sis·tance is coming back to the suite to find all your laundry has been done and is hanging in the walk-in robe!!

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