Part 10 – Dubai to Athens

Dubai was a fascinating place. A city built and still being built on a desert. The amount of construction going on there is phenomenal. My day there included visiting the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah in the morning before meeting up with my cast mates in the afternoon to catch a taxi to one of the big shopping malls in Dubai. The one we went to is the one that has the massive snow skiing slope inside it that people can go to, to actually snow ski. It’s quite a sight. Who’d have thought you could snow ski in the desert? Later heading back to the ship Amanda, Josh and I paid a taxi driver to take us to some of the major landmarks for a quick photo stop at the likes of the new Atlantis Hotel on ‘The Palm’ and the other major hotel (the name escapes me as I write this) that is the worlds only 6 star hotel.

Two sea days later we arrived in Salalah, Oman. I did a tour in the morning that visited Job’s Tomb. Salalah is really in the desert and we saw many camels wondering around everywhere. As there is not a lot to see and do in Salalah I spent the afternoon with Chris (dancer Chris in my cast) at the Hilton hotel. We had a lovely afternoon hanging out by the pool and giggling like school kids taking photos underwater in the pool with Chris’ camera. Chris has trouble opening his eyes under water which made for funny photos.

Four sea days later we thankfully were not taken over by pirates as we sailed through the Gulf of Aden towards the Red Sea. Our next ports were the ones I have been most excited about visiting… Egypt!! We docked in Safaga and I did a crew tour that drove us nearly four hours to see the Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple and the Luxor Temple. This was an amazing day. Entering the tombs was incredible. I find what the Egyptians achieved thousands of years ago fascinating.

Travelling through the Suez Canal we then docked two days later in Port Said. I did a tour to Cairo that took 3 hours to get there to see the Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx. The museum was interesting. Seeing the treasures from Tutankhamen after having been in his tomb two days before was very cool. As for the Pyramids I sucked up the courage to get over my claustrophobia and go inside the largest one. Josh and I rode a camel which was fun, but over all I just couldn’t believe I was actually there. I have always wanted to visit Egypt and see the pyramids.

The following day we docked in Ashdod, Israel. Ten of us got together and hired a taxi driver with a van for the day to drive us to Bethlehem and Jerusalem. We visited the Church of Nativity where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. To get to Bethlehem and back with had to change taxis and cross borders and go through security checks, it was quite an experience. In Jerusalem our driver took us to a great little place for some local cuisine. We then went to the church where Jesus tomb was and where he was crucified. Next stop was the Wailing Wall, that was an interesting experience, and then onto the garden of Gethsemane, before finally to the place where Jesus was arrested and then the place where Mary died.

Two more sea days and we then arrived in Istanbul, Turkey which I have to say is high on my list of places I have really enjoyed visiting. The old town is beautiful and the gardens were stunning. I loved it. Coincidently we sailed past the Dardanelles on Anzac Day the day before and in Istanbul all we heard all day was Aussie and Kiwi accents. So many of them had travelled to the Anzac Day service at Gallipoli the day before.

Amongst all the amazing ports I’ve visited life onboard the ship has been good. Stacey has her parents on at the moment which has been really nice. They are so lovely and our biggest supporters. Our shows have been going well. Dave and I did our own cabaret show the other night which went over well. One night in the crew bar we had a themed disco where the theme was fairytales and nursery rhymes with a twist. I went as ‘Tinker Smell’ and wore one of the suits that the crew have to wear when sanitising a noro cabin and some pink fairy wings. We also celebrated Amanda’s birthday on Anzac Day. Amanda is from Canada and our Production Manager. It has been such a privilege having her as part of our team. I’m really going to miss her.

In Athens my parents in law are joining me for 10 days before I come home. I’m looking forward to that. The count down is really on now though. I am going to be home before you know it!

Lots of love
Jess xx