Day 44 - Fujairah, Beach Bliss, A Pink Car in the Sea & Wine Experiments

We sailed quietly into Fujairah, UAE early this morning while it was still completely dark. I’m really noticing how much darker the mornings are in this part of the world — such a shift from the early sunrises we enjoyed across Africa.

As I sat on the verandah with my morning coffee, the sky slowly brightened and the sun rose in a soft, glowing arc over the mountains. A peaceful, gentle moment.

Because today required an early start, I had to change up my usual routine — the gym wasn’t open yet — so I did a quick walk and stretch, followed by breakfast on the balcony, which was actually a lovely change.

Joe, unsurprisingly, was not impressed by the early wake-up call. But we made it on time for immigration, and then straight onto the bus for our excursion.

A Morning at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort

We were welcomed at the resort with a glass of apple juice and a wristband, then directed to choose towels and enjoy either the beach or the pool.

We went to the beach first. I took a stroll along the shoreline, spotting the most fantastic sight — a pink car in the sea!
If anything could tempt me into the water for some watersports, that might do it.



The sea here was noticeably colder than the Seychelles — refreshing, but a bit of a shock compared to the warm Indian Ocean.

When I returned, Joe was in a bit of a mood — he had realised he’d forgotten his hearing aids on the ship, meaning he couldn’t listen to his audiobooks. To make matters worse, the lady next to us was complaining about noise, so Joe felt stuck.

We decided to relocate nearer the pool, where there were no people nearby, so he could listen to his book without upsetting anyone.

As we were getting ready to leave, the sun came out properly — and naturally, Joe was devastated that he hadn’t been in either the sea or the pool during peak sunshine. Timing really is everything.

Back on Board

Once back on the ship, Joe headed upstairs for lunch and declared it one of the best lunches he’s had onboard — they served his beloved okra and fish, a real winner for him.

I spent the afternoon relaxing on our balcony, reading my new book and catching up with friends over messages.

Joe dashed off to trivia — arriving slightly late, of course — but still made it for the last few questions.

Then we got ready for the Shabbat service, followed by dinner at Sette Mari, which was delicious and relaxed.

Joe’s New Wine Era

Joe has decided that beer is bloating him, so he is now venturing into wine.
At dinner, he sampled all the whites on the menu…

…only to conclude that he can’t tell the difference between any of them.

A true connoisseur in the making!
(Or perhaps not.)

Planning the Next Chapter

When we returned to the room, we found the list of shore excursions for the next segment of the cruise, titled A New Year to Remember, which will take us from Doha to Singapore.

So we spent some time choosing the tours we’d like to do — a lovely moment of excitement for what’s ahead.

Another reasonably early night for us tonight, because tomorrow we have to be up and out by 8:45 a.m. for our 4x4 desert adventure.

Joe is still not convinced such early mornings are in his contract…

Daily Reflection:

Travel invites flexibility — some days start in darkness, some in sunshine,
some with beach walks, some with forgotten hearing aids —
but every day brings its own little treasures.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ The pink car in the sea — delightfully surreal and completely unexpected.

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