We made it by the skin of our teeth

The day felt surreal, almost wasting time until we could start the process of getting to Hong Kong with our rescheduled flight. We know we’re going to be pushing it to get to the ship on time, but as long as there are no crazy delays and our cases arrive, we’ll probably be the last to embark.

We made the most of our space and surroundings in our new-found luxury pad and generally lazed after a decent sleep and appreciated the arrival of our retrieved suitcases. Neither of us is particularly fussed about Dubai. We’ve done it on a few occasions already so we chose not to venture out. As we’d had a good breakfast, neither of us felt inclined for lunch and we weren’t exactly doing much, so finally went for dinner in the evening. What a difference greeted us after the calm and virtual emptiness of breakfast. Pretty much every table was full, with locals. The restaurant had only just opened, but it was heaving. As with our options for breakfast, there was a massive selection of mainly Middle Eastern food, but with a small food station for the less adventurous. I was delighted to find some Iran (watery yogurt drink with salt) and I insisted we toast dad’s anniversary with a glass each. Dad had raved about Iran when we’d travelled to Turkey back in 1975, way before Turkey was a holiday destination.

Loving anything golden, I was rather taken with why so many locals were pouring drinks from elaborate tall tea-pot like jugs. Naturally I had to ask and originally I’d assumed they were drinking mint tea, but no, it was Arabic coffee. Ok, that needed trying too and we were both surprised that it neither tasted very much of coffee and wasn’t heavily caffeinated. As suggested, I had it with dates which is supposed to bring the cardamom spices out in the coffee. Very lovely it was too.

Yesterday when we were having our travel arrangements rescheduled, both

Emirates and the hotel were suggesting that for a 3.30am flight, we be picked up from the hotel at 2am. Now, let’s be sensible here, if you’ve ever set foot in Dubai airport, you’ll know it is utterly vast. We have also experienced Dubai security before and know how time consuming that can be, so firmly advised both parties that we preferred a pick up of midnight. And of course there was an ulterior motive. Yes, you guessed it, the Emirates lounge and its lovely pop.

However, in the end, we have had a lovely time in a hotel that ranked 4.9 on Google and I have to say, I couldn’t pick a single fault with it. The staff were warm, chatty and friendly and the food excellent. It’s a long time since we’ve been to Dubai, but we both commented that there seemed something of a change from our last time here where there felt a certain reservation from the people .

No dramas with check in, security or walking the vast length of Dubai airport. We were glad, however, that we’d given ourselves that extra time. A brief interlude enjoying the delights of the lounge and then Nick got notification that we were ok for boarding. Ok, so the main screens didn’t say that, but we chose to accept what he was being told. Our gate was a hubbub of chaos and confusion, with serious milling and jockeying for position going on. No order, just an acceptance that at any moment the flood gates were going to open and there would be carnage. And indeed there was. The gates opened without an announcement and so everyone surged forward. The staff evidently realised their error and then announced the order of embarkation. This was the first time we’d experienced technology over crew. So basically what then ensued was that each passenger had to put their passport on the biometric system along with their boarding card. Mine failed along with loads of other people, so the result was that the staff trying to help you would shout a numbered code to another member of staff who was on a computer, until their voice was heard over anyone else’s and then you were allowed through the gate to board. Really!? Here we are in one of the most advanced countries, technically, in the world, and we are resorting to shouting. Somehow we managed to get through the gate, but were separated thereafter. Because we were bumped from the previous flight, we had basically taken the last two seats so were on the same aisle but at opposite sides of the plane. Nick was one happy bunny to have over seven hours on his own without being talked at.

And there we sat, all loaded up for a good half an hour, when they announced that they were removing someone’s luggage. At that point my heart lost more than one beat.

We finally left one hour and fifteen minutes late after doing a tour of Dubai airport perimeter. I don’t think I’ve known such a speedy takeoff once our slot was allocated. Nick has announced that this is the most stressful holiday EVER.  Oh dear. This is my fault as this was my bright idea. As I write this we are texting each other from one side of the plane to the other, wondering if we’re going to make our ship in time.

Hunkering down was the order of the day and I woke a couple of times, looked at my watch, calculated I’ve been asleep for a an hour or so, so bedded down again.  The same routine happened a couple of hours later and I did said calculations again. I turned down breakfast. We’ve only just left Dubai. Then I was rudely woken by an announcement advising of imminent imprisonment and hefty fines if I committed a variety of offences. Welcome to Hong Kong. What I hadn’t been reckoning on was that said watch was still on Dubai time. Well that’s one way to while away a flight.

It’s slightly alarming coming into Hong Kong as there is an expanse of sea. Two minutes from landing there is still just sea. Watching the landing on the camera, the runway  actually starts in the sea, so you have to hope your captain knows what he/she is doing. Mind you, this is a stack better than landing in the previous Hong Kong airport where the plane literally flew between skyscrapers and you could easily see the whites of the local resident’s eyes. You were that close to them.

We’d done pretty well and had made up good time even though we’d left from Dubai late. By the time we got to the ship it was 4.45. Made it! We were the second to last to board.

At this point we’ve not gone adventuring around the ship and have only got as far as our muster station and a cafe to have the tiniest of scones with jam and cream and the obligatory glass of pop. However, the ship is beautiful. It’s rather like wandering around an art gallery and so getting from A to B takes a bit of a while as we ohhhh and ahhhhh over the artwork.

As dusk approaches, Hong Kong comes into its own. This stunning overwhelming city glows with skyscrapers lit up, boats darting back and forth over the bay and just an overwhelming sense of activity. I’m just saddened that we weren’t able to have more time here. Next time, perhaps. If Nick will ever contemplate flying further than the Med again.

You can follow our progress on Silver Nova with the live tracker below.