The dining room was about empty this morning, because most all of the same tours were available today. We heard one of the funniest stories this morning from friends that had gone on the dinner cruise last night. Guess some of the passengers expected something a whole lot different than what was delivered. The wooden traditional boat was not a yacht, and the meal was not served, but a buffet. Some demanding guests were horrified that they had to get their own food, then sit in plastic chairs with no tables. You had to balance your plate on your lap. We would love to have been a fly on the wall when these disgruntled passengers went to the shore excursion desk the following day. It probably would not have been so bad, if the excursion cost under $100, but it was much more. So more was expected. And this is why we don't do tours anymore……
Right before we left the ship, we went on deck three to check the temperature. It felt like it might be warmer today. That's when we saw a lady in a wheelchair being loaded into a waiting ambulance, obviously having injured her leg. Looked like she was going off for good. Seems that we have lost quite a few folks along the way with injuries or sickness. Accidents happen no matter where you are, but it pays to be careful and know your limitations.
It was 10am by the time we left the ship. With a quick ride in the shuttle, we were back in town where we started yesterday. Except this time, we headed down the main street to check out the larger hotels built on the gulf. At the very end of the road, there was a new complex under construction. The Westin has taken up this project, and it is going to be fabulous. Although it was fenced off from the gate, the guards told us all about the build as well as welcoming us to his country. We took a few photos, and continued on to check out the Intercontinental Resort next.
Now this place was so nice, we could have spent the day here. Perhaps the newest of the 5 star hotels, this resort had it all. Impressive and spacious lobby, fountains, and a stairway that led down to the "backyard". The pool area was gorgeous. When we came out of the doors, an attendant summoned us over to his desk, and offered to sell us a day pass. He added that it was 20% off for cruise ship passengers. We thanked him, but let him know we were just checking the property out for a possible future stay.
Once past the meandering pools, we ended up on the manicured fine sand beach. Local guests were sunbathing or swimming. The younger crowd wore typical swimwear, some quite brief, while another couple was in the water….the fellow in swim trunks, but his lady was dressed in a full length burka. Looked strange to see her up to her knees in the surf. Oh well, you have to expect to see such things in such a Muslim country.
There were some very nice restaurants in this resort, but it was still too early for lunch, We continued on to the next hotel……the Kempinski Hotel Aqaba. This property was a bit older, we think. Nice, but not as impressive. They also had a great pool and beach area. We did not ask about a day pass, but it was probably the same as the Intercontinental……about $30 per person. That would give you the use of the pool and beach, as well as the towels, lounges, and access to the restrooms. Food would be extra.
We passed by the Movenpick, only because it was across the street, and did not have a beach front pool. We had also run into three sets of friends who were off exploring like us. While we were talking along the road, a Ho-Ho bus went by with local Muslim girls having a fine time. They were cheering and singing, and waving to all that waved back. When we were on the beach, we saw several boats giving glass bottom boat rides. Some of the drivers were spinning the all-girl passengers in tight circles, making them yell even louder. Nice to see they have the freedom to at least have fun.
Knowing where the best pizza in town was, we headed back to the Royal Yacht Club and Romano Restaurant. We had the same lunch as yesterday, except this time we tried an Arabic dessert called muhalabeyeh, which was a pudding (more like a flan) sprinkled with chopped pistachios and drizzled with honey. There may have been some shredded coconut in the pudding. Our friends had told us about a special dessert they had while in Petra last night. They described the chef coating a flat pan with sugar, then spreading goat cheese over it. Placing the pan on a burner, the sugar melted and the cheese got browned. It was taken off of the heat, then drizzled with honey. They admitted that they were not a fan of the cheese, but made this way, it was most delicious. There has to be a name to this delicacy, but we don't know what it is. Something traditional for sure.
It was already 2pm, and we did not need to do any shopping. So we caught the next shuttle back to the ship. This time, we checked the signs on the buses, mostly to find out the name of the other ship in port. The bus had a sign in the window that said Thomson Cruises. So when we got back to the ship, we looked it up in our Berlitz book. The other ship in port with us was either the old Nieuw Amsterdam or the Noordam, both used to belong to HAL. Well at least that solved one mystery. Our tablemate Jim said he was sure this ship was the old Noordam, and we thought it was the Nieuw Amsterdam. All of us could be correct, because these two ships are sister ships….identical. Both were built in the early 1980's, are almost 34,000 gross tons, and hold up to 1200 guests. This ship ended up leaving the port around 7pm, sailing past our window. However, it was too dark to make out the name.
Once again, we went up to deck nine to catch the sunset. A gigantic car carrier had pulled into the dock, and a group of drivers were busy loading it with new vehicles from a parking lot on the hillside. There was still loading happening with what we found out was phosphate, that powdery substance that put clouds of yellow soot in the air. At least the direction of the wind had changed, and it was drifting away from us instead of over the decks all day.
Soaring overhead, very high in the sky, were a dozen eagles. They never came close to us, so it may be hard to ID them. Could it be that is why a new high rise apartment development in a canyon on the hillsides is named Eagle Hills?
Same as last evening, the minarets began sounding off right before the sun dipped behind the hills. There was a little color in the clouds overhead, but it did not last too long. It was so pleasant outside, that we stayed out until 7pm.
There were six of us at dinner since Martha had still not returned from her overland to Petra and Amman. Scoop was still MIA. Dinner for us was the beef brisket entrée with creamy mashed potatoes…..quite tasty. Conversation kept us in the dining room until 10pm.
There was one show at 9:30pm in the Queen's Lounge, the Ma'an Folkoric Band, a local group of 25 young members performing popular folk and traditional songs. All of us missed it, since we were still dining at that time.
The Amsterdam ended up leaving the port around 10:45pm. The advertised sail away on the front page of our Daily Navigator said to join us for hot appetizers and drink specials in the Crow's Nest to bid farewell to Puntarenas. Whaaaat??? None of knew we were in Costa Rica…… Does anyone ever check these things? Oh well, at least it gave everyone a laugh.
We are now headed towards the Suez Canal, and the entrance to a whole different culture in the Mediterranean Sea.
Bill & Mary Ann
On our way to downtown again today
Ayla Square
Following the palm trees
Early Islamic Ayla
Founded around 650 AD
Important archeological site
A stopping place for Egyptian pilgrims to Mecca
Now a spot for high-end hotels and residences
Movenpick – 5 star residences
More nice hotels on King Hussein Bin Tala Street
Movenpick Hotel
Really nice palm trees
Newly-planted palms
A new hotel going up
New resort area in Aqabah
Reminds us of Dubai
End of the road – a Westin complex
A concept drawing
Future complex when completed
The Intercontinental Aqaba Resort
The nicest of properties we thought
We were welcomed to pay a visit
Inside the lobby
Central fountain
Beautiful flower arrangements
Their "backyard"
Mature palms for shade
Massive swimming pool
Meandering pool
This one was for adults only
The water looked cold
Expansive patio
Beachside cabanas
The shores of the Gulf of Aqaba
Bet this sand was imported
Water sports from the hotel
Some ladies wore full burkas in the water
Speedboat ride with the flag in the backround
Many colors of the waters
A stretch of sandy beach – very private
Looking towards the main port and the grain loading dust cloud
The mystery ship on the left and a ferry
Another pier for water sports
The nicest beachfront
Could have bought a day pass here
Walkways to the pool area
Access to the water sports
No need to walk in the sand
Wooden bridges over the pool
The way back to the lobby
Some rooms faced the pool
Nice bridge
A few swimmers (all guys)
Quite inviting
Back inside the lobby
Two restaurants downstairs
One was a café and the other was a Lebanese restaurant
Water falling down the sides of the stairs
Lobby with a chandelier
Elegant and impressive
Chandelier looks like icicles
Banquet rooms off of the lobby
Shops at the Intercontinental – suggested swimwear
Spring flowers
The next stop was at the Kempinski Hotel
Nice, but not as new
Outdoor ponds
Spacious lobby of the Kempinski
Their "backyard"
Pool area
Modern pool
Beach front with umbrellas
Lounge area
Also inviting
Outdoor dining
Covered cabanas
Also a private beach
Clean, but rocky sand
Not crowded today
Probably gets busy on weekends
Many flags
Palm trees line the street
The hidden walkway to the Royal Yacht Club
We like their pizza the best
Noontime was not busy
Had our pick of any table
Ice cold pint of Amstel
