Saturday, 4 April 2015

Friday 3/4/2015 Day 87 - back on the Arcadia

 The Ramada in Abu Dhabi was luxurious with a rooftop pool and a gym on 18th floor. Lovely welcome.  We both slept really well and after another hearty hotel breakfast made good use of the gym “in the zone” for 30 minutes. After 6 consecutive days of Thai yoga I have committed the stretch component to memory and have kept up with my flexibility promise, today no exception.
We could see the Arcadia in the distance at the port from the hotel dining room and the gym. It must have arrived around 8. We were picked up at 11:30 and transferred beautifully, with commentary about our surroundings all the way back to ship by midday, issued with new cruise cards, declared we’d not got any infectious diseases or been to an Ebola infected area and retrained in safety procedures in the event of the emergency signal. 

Then we chatted to other passengers some we knew and some we didn’t and it seems that the 7 days we spent in Thailand doing what made us so very happy, were not so happy for the remaining 2000 or so back on the ship or in port in Mumbai on 30th. The sea days were marred by Pirate Drills, deck closures, patrols and hailers, and what can only be described as curfews (doors locked to the decks, and instructions to keep curtains closed at night and room lights off)  This was clearly an indication of the mood around passenger safety and security.   Then it seems that Indian immigration caused chaos, massive queues and late trips off the ship. Most we spoke to (but not all, some were thrilled by the diversity) have given it the thumbs down.  So on reflection, and on the whole,  we feel that our luck was definitely in last week. 

Our port day in Abu Dhabi has been a quiet one on the ship, unpacking, launderette, eating and then another 30 minutes in the gym and the hot tub before dinner.  We’re back!  I was so tired at dinner that I went straight to bed.  Khachik went to the Beatles tribute band in the Palladium and reports that he too fell asleep, but in the theatre seats instead  ;)  the band was good though.  I slept!

When we sleep tonight we will be transported a short distance along the coast to the port of Dubai, where we plan to spent the afternoon on the golden City excursion.



That’s us for the day.  Back again tomorrow.

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