News Flash:

Those with complimentary unlimited internet access no longer have to get a new card after allotted time runs out. One only needs to initially set up an account and your good to go for the rest of the voyage. NICE.

Lots of fun at dinner last night. Dressed as an Arab Sheik and some of the staff made it all the more fun by teasing me.

I have to go see another ear doctor today and then I'm done, hopefully.

Cheers! Ray

One of the good things about the new(old) system is that it does not dump you when the time runs out.

Peggy

After traversing the souqs of Dubai and Muscat back to back, I have come to the conclusion that Dubai is the Neiman-Marcus of souqs while Muscat is the Walmart of souqs. My preference? Muscat!! Stan and I even got our hair cut there.

Ardis

Sorry to hear that you will be skipping Salalah. Job's tomb is one of those sites that I would like to see someday along with getting some frankincense.

Hope all continues well and you all enjoy Petra.

Olivia, after Muscat, according to Ray's blog, they are skipping Salalah. I guess my post doesn't follow very well from Ardis' post. :(

WOW, a case of piracy near Somalia the same day Voyager came through. A small French ship was taken. There were only 35 crew on board since the passengers had been disembarked. Lots of excited chatter on board here.

Ardis

Here's a link to the BBC article on the piracy.

Tauck Tours charters The Ponant every year for a Med itinerary.

This threat with these pirates is a serious one, especially to smaller ships that can be so easily seized. I would really not worry on a large ship like the Voyager it is too big a target but to be on a small ship like this in that area of the world I would never consider.

In fact I am not too thrilled with small charter yachts in the Caribbean either. Have had several friends want me to do this and go to some of the more remote islands. This is out of my comfort zone. I just feel you are too vulnerable on open water, in a small boat and few yachts or other people around. Some will think I am nuts to worry about that I guess we all have our tolerances.

When I was on the Shadow, and we were passing through another threatened area, the captain came on and said "don't worry", they don't target big cruise ships!

Back to frankincense, there is plenty in Oman, along wih myhr. I set off our smoke alarms at Christmas with ours, as did the friends I gave some to.

I hadn't thought of being afraid in the Caribbean on a charter since so many do it, but certainly you never now. I know stories of people disappearing just going fishing.