Live/Nautica: Greece, Holy Lands, Egypt, Dubai; Terry/Pix’s

[TLCOhio]

In addition to seeing lots in Jerusalem, the Suez Canal, etc., are we being able to sample some good food and entertainment??  Yes!!  Need evidence or proof?  See below.  

 

Any questions on the ship, its operations, offerings, etc.?  Still more visuals to share from Jerusalem, etc.  

 

Tonight it will be dining Italian!!  It will be the Toscana speciality-dining location.  That name means Tuscan.  Their view is that Tuscan cuisine has evolved from rich family traditions.  We loved our first dining there earlier in the cruise.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 61,957 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

 

 

From having dinner at the Polo Club special dining location on the 10th floor, here are some low-calorie visual samples.  The pictures are very low in calories.  The actual food was excellent and we have two more upcoming reservation at this very nice setting with great personal service.  Very impressed by dining here!!  Plus, at the Italian-style dining star..:

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From the ship's first production show, here are a couple of visual samples for this 1920's-style musical program based on the "Gatsby" era and style.  It was a fun and energetic cast and program!!.:

 

 

Edited November 23, 2018 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

On Saturday, November 24, we arrived around 6 am in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.  This had been scheduled as a 8 am-11 pm port day, but they moved up the schedule.  Below are a couple of quick visuals snapped from our balcony this morning.  Expected to be a high of 75F today.  Sunny and super nice right now.  

 

The port and town of Sharm-el-Sheikh are near the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Straits of Tiran meet the Gulf of Aqaba. With its strategic position, the Sinai posed a desirable target for various rulers over the centuries. In recent times, the last battle for the Sinai was fought between Egypt and Israel from 1967 to 1979, ending with a peace treaty signed as a part of the Camp David agreement.  

 

Since the withdrawal of the Israelis, more Egyptians have settled in the Sinai, taking advantage of the booming tourist trade. However, vast interior regions are still sparsely populated. Many Bedouins have been affected by the advent of the 21st century, which is rapidly changing their age-old customs and nomadic lifestyle. As tourism and hotel projects continue to spring up along the Sinai coast, contact with Bedouins not involved in tourism is becoming increasingly rare. Once their nomadic life kept them on the move with their tents; today many Bedouins cultivate grain, vegetables and dates in addition to catering to the tourists. Sharm-el-Sheikh was initially developed by the Israelis during the Sinai occupation. Na'ama Bay, a short drive from the port, has grown from virtually nothing into a sizeable resort since the early 1980s. Between the two towns, a string of hotels line a once-untouched coastline. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.!  Live/blog from early 2018, first adventure through SE Asia, stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before exploring all over Vietnam and Cambodia, seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 39,264  views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

 

Here are two quick views from our balcony as we overlook the water and mountains while we are docked at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.:

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[TLCOhio]

Below are a three more visuals from Sharm El Sheikh and the ship as it is docked.   Just back from some time at the beach, shoppings areas, etc.  More to come.  Sun continues nice, warm and super refreshing. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Dubrovnik!  Nice visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic location. Over 44,305 views.    

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

 

From on and around the Oceania Nautica, here are three quick samples for the sights and sun.:

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[jpalbny]

Looks pretty, Terry! I have some snow I can send over to you if it gets too warm... 😄

[TLCOhio]

Below are some more visuals from Sharm El Sheikh.  Here we decided to "take it easy" and not do any of the ship or private tour options.  For the next three days, we will be super busy and have an intense schedule with the activities in doing an overnight visit over two days in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings.  Then, it will be a long day in going to Jordan's Petra and Wadi Rum.  Super about these three days!! 

 

You can see some samples from time at the beach in the Naama Bay area.  We used a ship's shuttle to get there.  The shoppings areas at Naama Bay were either limited and/or closed.  Nice and relaxing overlooking the beach and water activities.

 

Next was stopping at their Old Market with an impressive mosque in the middle of this area.  Below are some various visuals samples from this mosque and the market area, people there, items offered, etc.  Hope these are of interest.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 43,582 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

 

Here are three visual samples for the beach area at Naama Bay, including one of the birds watching over the water action.:

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At their Old Market area in Sharm El Sheikh, here is a brief visual sampling.  It was not busy today at this market, but a few people were there, including at some of dining and other establishments.  The sales staff were not shy in trying to get you spend time at their various stores.:

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[TLCOhio]

From Sharm El Sheikh in the late afternoon, below is the view of the sunset as smaller boats are returning to harbor. Temperatures were perfect today and this photograph was taken from our seventh floor balcony. Look nice?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

[ssawjo]

On 11/23/2018 at 3:14 AM, TLCOhio said:

Now back to Jerusalem!  One of our key and most important decision was to focus on Jerusalem and stay overnight nearby to these historic areas.   Many on the cruise ship went back and forth between day one and day two in Israel.  With our plan, we had the added hotel cost, BUT, we avoided wasting four-to-five hours of wasted time traveling back and fourth between the ship and the heart of Israel. Below are some visuals for the YMCA Three Arches hotel that dates back to the 1930's and is right across the street from the famed King David Hotel.  We would have liked to have stayed at the King David.  But, however, our wallet said no, NO!  It would have been about $800 for one night to stay there.  Our hotel was about $153 and worked very well for our needs. 

  

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling for "down under” wonders. Exciting visuals with key highlights.  On page 15, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 215,665 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

First is the view from our Three Arches Hotel room in the morning.  Second is part of its interior lobby with the old-world styling.  Third is the front of the hotel with the Christmas tree already decorated and ready for the upcoming holiday season.  Fourth is the view of King David Hotel from our location where we stayed overnight.:

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As we entered Jerusalem, we went through the Zion Gate and examined its security set-up from the "old days" of this walled city.  Second is our group visiting some of Cardo, historic shopping street from the days of old, old Jerusalem.  With this picture, wearing a bright blue shirt, you get to see my face. Sorry about your bad luck.  With us are Amy and Milt from Central Ohio, plus my wife, Penny.  Finally is a view of these covered and somewhat underground shopping areas that are a key part of the old city in Jerusalem.:

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Terry, when we were on the Nautica in May and stopped in Haifa, we decided to stay overnight in Jerusalem to avoid the long drive back and forth.  We stayed at the YMCA and it was "nice" for one night.  Visited the King David Hotel and it was amazing.  

 

Bill and Kathi

[TLCOhio]

On 11/24/2018 at 8:11 PM, ssawjo said:

Terry, when we were on the Nautica in May and stopped in Haifa, we decided to stay overnight in Jerusalem to avoid the long drive back and forth.  We stayed at the YMCA and it was "nice" for one night.  Visited the King David Hotel and it was amazing.  

Bill and Kathi

 

Appreciate this nice follow-up from Bill and Kathi.  Just completed our first day in Luxor, Egypt.  Great, historic sights and sites. Super enjoyed the "Valley of the Kings", etc.  Much more to come today, then back to our ship on the Red Sea.  Then, tomorrow it will be up, UP very early for going on a private tour to Petra in Jordan.  No time this am for picture postings, but wanted to offer an update that we are alive and doing well.  Let me know any questions and/or other comments. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 79,499 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[TLCOhio]

Here is a quick morning sunrise view from our third-floor balcony at the Sofitel Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor.  Look like a nice day?  YES!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

\

[TLCOhio]

Have about 800 pictures to review and check from our two days going to Luxor, seeing key sights there, etc.  Below is a quick "sampling" to prove that it will be worth checking back in a few days when I file a more complete report and posting of this exciting overnight touring there in this famous and historic area.  Like?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 61,991 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

 

Just six quick samples from our past days in going to Luxor and coming back.  Fun and interesting?.:

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[jpalbny]

Great stuff Terry! The monuments around Luxor are just incredible. Glad you took the time to see many of them. Looking forward to seeing more pictures when you have a chance.

 

Are there a lot of crowds? Just wondering if tourism has picked up again. Hatshepsut's temple doesn't look that crowded in your photo. I think there were more people around when we visited, and tourism was very low even then.

 

Enjoy Petra! Hope you have time to get to the quieter parts further away from the entrance.

[dkbustr]

Hello Terry!

I've been a little lax following Cruise critic lately, but just saw your thread. I know you had a great time in Luxor and will again in Petra. I haven't had a chance to read all your posts for this adventure so far, is Hassan onboard for lectures?

Mike

[cruise kitty]

Happily following along :)  We'll be on a similar itinerary (not till Spring 2021)  except going the reverse direction, Dubai to Athens.   Can't wait to see your Petra post!

[TLCOhio]

On 11/27/2018 at 7:04 AM, cruise kitty said:

Happily following along 🙂  We'll be on a similar itinerary (not till Spring 2021)  except going the reverse direction, Dubai to Athens.   Can't wait to see your Petra post!

 

Super appreciate these great follow-ups and kind comments from Kitty, Mike and J.P.  YES, have many wonderful visuals and details to share from our experiences yesterday in amazing Petra and while exploring Wadi Rum.  

 

Below is a little update as to the current snowy and chilly weather in Central Ohio and upcoming for the United States.  It's nice and warm as we are now starting our sailing down the Red Sea today.  Four sea days to go!!!  Lots of time available to be used for sorting through the many, many pictures from Jordan, Egypt., etc.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

SE Asia/Mekong River, Etc.!  Live/blog from early 2018, first adventure through SE Asia, stops in Hong Kong and Bangkok, before exploring all over Vietnam and Cambodia, seven days sailing on the Mekong River. Now at 39,332 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2591474

 

Here are two different graphics from AccuWeather this morning.  Yes, glad we are escaping this near-record cold fo this currentr late November period.  Much more enjoyable here!!  First is the Central Ohio forecast for today.  Second is an overview for the United States Dec. 6-11.:

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[TLCOhio]

In considering this Athens to Dubai, 20-day sailing with Oceania, one of the top attractions for us was being able to visit Jordan and Petra for the first time.  Were our expectations met?  Maybe exceeded??  YES, YES!!  And then some by a very, very large measure.  Need evidence and proof?  See my below visuals to verify the point.  From about 500+ photographs taken yesterday, I have worked and worked to narrow the selections down to just my top 38.  

 

Fortunately, we both booked a private tour for the four of us to visit historic Petra . . . AND . . . also arranged for a later afternoon stop at Wadi Rum, another Jordan "Super Star"!  I planned our tour through the good folks at www.jo-horizonstours.com.  They were excellent to work with, ask questions, do schedule fine-tuning, etc.   We got up very early and met our expert guide/driver, Amjad Omish, at 6:30 am. It took about two and a half hours to reach Petra, including a nice gift/shopping stop at a super scenic location.  Our guide in making the tour down to and around Petra was Wasfi AL-Hendawi.  He was really awesome in explaining all of the details, history, background, etc., for Petra.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Dubrovnik!  Nice visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic location. Over 44,379 views.    

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

 

As we neared Petra, we traveled up, UP mountains in Jordan.  We were over a mile-high at certain stages.  Here is the view of the area as we approached  this history town that was a key trading city.  We traveledvia the old historic Silk Road.  It is also called the Kings' Highway dating back to Bible-times, 2000 years ago.:

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Because Milt in our group of four was just recovering from serious back disk challenges, we were able to pay extra and have an electric golf cart to take us down and back.  This traveling method was much quicker and safer that the wild drivers of those horse-carts.  Here we are stopped at one point to check out more closely the details for this "Siq", a narrow crevice-canyon lined with niches that once held statues of gods and spirits that protected the city.  Our guide is wearing the aqua-color hat. Second is a picture of our group as we neared the famed Treasury.  See how narrow is this Siq?  Fourth is that amazing "first view" of the Treasury through these narrow canyon walls.  Amazing!!??:

 

 

 

Here are some close-ups and added details for this Treasury structure that is carved into the sandstones here in Jordan.  This complex was hidden from the outside world for hundreds of years.   Like the third shot of this camel in front of the Treasury?  Cute??  Finally, our group is right here in front of this structure from the Indian Jones film!:

 

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

Below is part two from Petra yesterday.  Like camels and unique architecture, design and history?  Yes??!!  More to come. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Kotor/Montenegro:  Exciting visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 44,191 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

 

For our two grandsons, ages eight and six, in Charlottesville, Va., we knew that they would love seeing these various camel pictures.  More camel snaps to come later from Wadi Run.  Hope others like seeing these unique animals!:

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In addition to the Treasury, it is important to "turn right" and walk farther and down hill to experience more from Petra.  Many more interesting structures and rock carvings can been seen, including a large outdoor theater carved into the solid stone.  The final visual gives some sense of the "scale" of these large "buildings" compared to the people walking around.  Some of the more primitive-looking carving were done in the earlier days before they were able to perfect and make their designs more sophisticated and complicated.:

 

 

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

Below finishes more of the visual samples from the main areas of historic Petra, including the Royal Tombs. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 43,651 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

 

First is a view of the Royal Tombs at Petra.  No, sorry, I did not try to climb all of the way up to the top there. I know my limits!!  But, many other visitors, mostly those younger of age and legs, did go up there for a closer examination.  The fourth picture shows the "sacrifice" site where such ceremonies were conducted on animals at Petra.  Fifth shows the Treasury structure closer with two "guards" positioned in front of it.  Their shields and swords were rather "fakey" but it was all of part of "experience". :

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[TLCOhio]

While our friends, Amy and Milt, both having had serious back challenges, took the electric golf cart back to the main visitor's center, my wife and I stayed longer and then did the long hike back.  It took some time and effort.  BUT, it was super worth it in being able to sample more of the many visuals "treats" and unique angles/sights.  Plus, I gained many more special photographic opportunities.   For those more challenged in seeking to get back, there were those horse carts available to haul people back up the include and reach the visitors center.  But, the "suspension" system for those carts is non-existent and it can be rough traveling over the stone passage way of the Siq. 

 

Our travel firm (Horizon) was very flexible as to how much time we wanted to spend down in the Petra historic area.  After completing our hike back, we called our driver on a cell phone he provided to us for letting him know we had completed this "journey".  Now, we were ready for the buffet lunch at a nearby hotel.  Excellent lunch!!  Not just a canned, boring Tourist 101 version of dining.  

 

Next will be a visual sampling from Wadi Rum.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Athens & Greece: Many visuals, details for a city with great history, culture and architecture.  Now at 28,114 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

 

Going back from Petra via the Siq can be challenging!.  It's uphill, plus dodging those horse carriages roaring down this narrow passageway.  Much fun with many places to pause, rest, sample the sights, etc.:

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After completing our long "walk" (or the semi-death-march for me) back from Petra, here is my wife with our very friendly and helpful guide, Wasfi AL-Hendawi.  Overall, I have been pleased with how my body and legs have been holding up.  It was late May 2018 when I had a total knee replacement done on my left knee.  All operating well!!  It's just that my stamina is still not quite back to 100%.  Maybe it's a little about my age, too??:  

[TLCOhio]

Wadi Rum Nature Reserve is also known as “The Valley of the Moon”.  This location has amazing sandstone and granite rock formations.  It was used as a background location for much of the film “Lawrence of Arabia”. More recently, earlier this month, they completed shooting segments for an upcoming version of “Star Wars”.  It also was used for the movie, Martian, plus its settings stood in for the planet Mars in the movie “Red Planet” in 2000.

 

Inhabited for centuries, Wadi Rum shelters a number of important Nabatean temples, along with ancient petroglyphs. Today, many Bedouins live here and serve as guides to those exploring Wadi Rum's wonders.  Many like to climb the rocks here.  You can also arrange for camping, etc.  You can obtain more information by checking the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature website (www.rscn.org.jo), which contains specific information about eco-tourism to these dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum and at other nature and wildlife reserves in the Kingdom of Jordan.

 

THANKS! Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio.

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast.  Now at 26,447 views.  Many interesting pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

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Near Petra, we passed by this mountain.  This is the location where Moses' brother, Aaron died before the Israelites crossed the North Jordan River.  Arron was buried on Mount Hor and you can see a portion of the memorial erected on this site near Petra.:

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At Wadi Rum, these visuals give you a small sampling for what we experienced while being driven around in the back of a Toyota four-wheel vehicle by a Bedouin driver.  Great fun and exciting exploring around on the reddish sands of this scenic location.  In the third picture, we can got some people on the top of this rock formation to spell out our home state of "O-H-I-O".  They were able to get most all of the four letters done correctly.:  

 

 

 

This next picture at Wadi Rum gives an idea for the type of vehicles used to explore this area.  Second is a picture of Amy and Milt enjoying this unique environment and the super special sights.  Do they look happy?? Yes, it was getting cool out here late on this afternoon and we were glad to be bundled up to keep warm.  Third is another wonderful camel sighting in the dessert!:

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2018 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

Here are the final visuals from Wadi Rum.  It was getting a little cloudy late in the afternoon and the sun was starting to set.  Did we we get any interesting views for this late in the day?  See below!!  From this location, it was only about 50-60 minutes back to our ship and its port location.  After starting the day at 6:30 am with our tour pick-up, we returned exactly at 6 pm.  Two hours ahead of our sailing-away time.  

 

THANKS! Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio.

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 25,181 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

 

From Wadi Rum in Jordan, here are some of our final visual samples and treats.  This includes my wife with our Bedouin driver.  The various sunset views and impacts on the rock formations was an "Exclamation Point" for a wonderful day and experience in Jordan.  Great memories!!  Do these pictures bring back memories for those who have visited this part of the world?:

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Edited November 28, 2018 by TLCOhio

[liptastic]

Terry thanks for posting these excellent photos and information. It’s a destination my husband would add to the bucket list for sure.

i would say well done just 6 months post total knee joint replacement, it won’t have been easy with the terrain and climate.

Thanks, Jean.

[dani negreanu]

5 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Near Petra, we passed by this mountain.  This is the location where Moses' brother, Aaron died before the Israelites crossed the North Jordan River.  Arron was buried on Mount Hor and you can see a portion of the memorial erected on this site near Petra.:

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Amazing pics from neighboring Egypt and Jordan. Since they're "close", I haven't yet visited... waiting for the "right time"..

 

BTW, DH's name is Aaron😀

[JoePDX]

Terry - Glad to see you are having a great time!   This itinerary (which we did in reverse) if on the top of our best ever trips!   Petra is certainly an amazing place!

 

Joe

[TLCOhio]

6 hours ago, JoePDX said:

Terry - Glad to see you are having a great time!   This itinerary (which we did in reverse) if on the top of our best ever trips!   Petra is certainly an amazing place!    Joe

 

Wonderfully appreciate these nice comments and follow-ups from Joe, Dani and Jean.  Yes, all can agree that Petra and this part of Jordan is very unique, historic, scenic and interesting.  Glad that we have been able to check off this key world attraction from our long "bucket list".  For Jean and others, do not wait too long to do Petra, etc.  As we age and our bodies challenge us, it is helpful to be "young" in spirit and mind in order to physically and mentally taken on these type of "journeys" and adventures.  As Nike says . . . "Just Do It!!"

 

As we are traveling now down the Red Sea towards the Gulf of Aden, it has become very warm and humid outside.  It's better than being back home in the cold and/or snow.  BUT, the cooling air conditioned temperatures of the ship can be nicely refreshing.

 

Last night we had a wonderfully enjoyable dinner in the Polo Grill and we had a special guest join us for fun and enlightened conversations.  He is Hassan Eltaher, one of the two ship speakers for this 20-day sailing.  He has been a Lecturer with Canada’s Foreign Service Institute and a former diplomat specializing in Mediterranean/Arab world issues.  Raised in Egypt and Lebanon, he has lived/worked in Saudi Arabia, Libya, Morocco and U.S., before moving to Canada in 1980.   For the Canadian Transport Department, he was Chief, Civil Aviation Security Intelligence. He has a Political Studies/International Relations degree from American University of Beirut and an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. He speaks five languages.  For the past seven years, he has been a lecturer aboard ships sailing between Europe and the Persian Gulf.   This includes with Seabourn and Regent, plus frequently with Oceania.  His ship presentations have been very interesting and he makes nice use of added audio and video clips to highlight his informative talks.  Plus, he has an excellent sense of humor and is informed on a wide range of issues. 

 

His father was Muhammad ‘Ali Eltaher, born in 1896 in Palestine in the city of Nablus, the ancient Roman town of Flavia Neapolis. At the age of 16 his father decided to leave for Egypt and traveled to Port Said from Jaffa in March 1912 in a fisherman’s boat. He then moved to Cairo where he rented a small two bedroom apartment in the Shubrah neighborhood.  Great history on his father at: 
https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2017/06/an-arab-nationalist-survival-against-all-odds-muhammad-ali-eltaher/
More at:  eltaher.org

 

Am working now on doing final reviews for the large majority of my Egypt and Luxor pictures.  I took about 800+ pictures during those two days in this part of Egypt and it does take some time and effort to review, fine-tune and post these wonderful highlights.  Nice to have these sea-days for those projects and such "catching-up".  More to come later today with added trip postings. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For “Copenhagen: Love, Pix's, etc.”, with many visuals, news clips, tips and ideas for this Denmark capital, check:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2356372

 

Here is one of my visuals of Hassan Eltaher as he was in the Horizon Lounge during our Suez Canal passage.  He narrated and gave background on the Canal, Egypt, etc., during this transit day.  In front of him are some of the maps he shared on the Canal.:

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From a few nights back, here is one of the evening show visual highlights.  Four of the singers were doing some Broadway musical favorites.  There is one show each night at 9:30 pm.  It's not quite London's West End or Broadway staging.  But the five-piece band or "orchestra" does a nice job and the singers have great energy, spirit and voices.:

[TLCOhio]

Below is a real and fresh "UPDATE" as to our ship's position in the Red Sea and the current weather conditions.  It's a little cloudy outside, but the visual I just snapped on our cabin TV screen shows a temperature of 87F with a humidity of 79%.  Yes, I was correct in sensing these conditions earlier in the morning as to be hot and humid.  I am sure it will get even warmer by mid afternoon.  

 

We next arrive Sunday, December 2 in Salalah, Oman.  We will be in port there 10 am-6 pm.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Super loved different many parts of the Caribbean in 2015!!!  See more details and lots of great visual samples/examples at the link of "Barbados: Our Pix's, Experiences!":

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2262999

 

This visual below summarizes well our current ship/travel position (yellow downward arrow).  Tomorrow we will be approaching the potential "danger zone" as the passage narrows in going into the Gulf of Aden and then we will be closest to the pirates and/or others from Somalia, Yemen, etc.   Soon, we will be passing fairly new countries called Eritrea and Djibouti with their very exotic names.  Eritrea used to be a part of Ethiopia until 1991 and several decades of battles.  Djibouti had earlier connection with France until 1977.  This is an interesting and unique part of the world.  Glad that we will not be making any port stops in Yemen or Somalia.  Just keep on sailing to Salalah in Oman will be fine for our schedule!!:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)