Month: December 2018

If I could find the other one, I’d be walking tall!

The shoe is in a park just for children. Created by a wealthy man who loved kids.

Here I am with a replica of Big Ben.

Mani Bhavan

This was Mahatma Gandhi’s Mumbai headquarters from 1917 – 1934.

From here, he led the non-violent movement for Indian independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom around the world.

 

The boats have come in.

And the shrimp are being cleaned.

City of extreme wealth – This is the home of the 7th richest man in the world.

Cost $1 billion to build. Five people live here with a staff of 200+. He has 168 cars and the house has a 72-seat movie theater for his closest friends.

 

And city of extreme poverty – this is the Dhobi Ghat. It’s a 140-year old, open-air laundromat. It’s estimated that each day a half-million items are sent here from the cities hotels, hospitals and homes.

Simply amazing!  How do they keep it all straight?

This is a washing machine for the sheets.

This is the open-air dryer.

 

 

We must have eaten all the food, so we’re going shopping with the chef.

That was tough. Time for a little break.

And a little shopping.

Oh, and it must be nice to be the Sultan!!!

This is his boat.

We weren’t invited aboard. Bummer.

Now it’s 2 days at sea til we reach Mumbai. It won’t be too bad. We have a lot of fish. And I keep finding chocolates on the bed.

Not to mention caviar in the surf

,

champagne on the beach

and a beautiful beach

Welcome to Sir Bani Yas Island and the SBY Cruise Beach!

What an amazing place! The Bani Yas tribe abandoned this 30-square-mile desert island (no water – no trees) a century ago after a 7,000 year struggle. Oil money turned it into a glorious wildlife reserve and sanctuary surrounded by luxury resorts. Plants, trees and people are nourished by a 73,000 mile irrigation pipeline system.

 

I’m not sure how far it is to Tipperary, but I’m certain it’s a LONG way from Miami to Dubai. So, it was wonderful to find The Retreat on the Ovation: perfect tub for soothing tired bones and a plenty of champagne to soothe the spirit.

Found the new “Kelly’s Toy” floating around at the docks in Dubai. Looks as though someone changed the name to “Seabourn Ovation.” Oh, well.

As soon as we board, it’s off on a 32-day glorious voyage to Hong Kong!!!