Semarang Java - Indonesia

Nov 12 (yesterday)  At sea, 

     Fair seas light wind overcast with scattered showers.  Had breakfast with the early risers.  There was lots of jocularity about the functioning of stateroom toilets and speculation as to what might happen in various scenarios of misuse.  Lounged a bit until two ill-tempered females moved in. 

     Wonder off to Ocean lounge and set up chairs.  Now I have some free time to type.  Our next stop is in Indonesia; Semarang (I think).  

     There are several briefings today; 1000 re. Australia, New Caledonia and Vanuatu 1100 re. Semarang.  They are both from Ian of EXC Tours.  He leaves a lot to be desired.  He seems impressed with himself and provides very little usable information.  At 1400 Kate Mead is giving a talk about “Indonesia’s Spice Islands” and then at 1500 Mark Lax is giving a talk “Land of Seventeen Thousand Islands”

Nov 13

     Good morning from the former Dutch East Indies.  For three hundred and fifty years it was a colony of the Dutch.  It has been known as Indonesia since WWII, but I remember hearing about it by the old name and thought you might find the history interesting.  After the Japanese were defeated in WWII the Dutch tried to reassert their claim to this place, but the people didn't want it.  This is probably the shortest explanation of the situation you'll ever find.

     Semarang is not much as a tourist destination.  It is located East of Jakarta (a more recognizable name).  There are a couple of noteworthy Buddhist and Hindu temples nearby, but I'm not much interested in temples.  FYI these temples had fallen into disrepair until Sir Thomas Raffles decided that they should be preserved.  Mr. Raffles was a big shot several hundred years ago.  Singapore has a street named for him and numerous other attractions( Raffles Hotel, Raffles Place...).

     We walked off the ship around 0845 and onto a waiting shuttle.  The bus wound its way through what looks very much like a Vietnamese city until it stopped outside a shopping mall.  Nice, clean, air-conditioned and wifi equipt.  I ignored my revulsion of Starbucks so I could get internet access.  I purchased a Mocha Frappachino so as to stake my claim to a seat.  Since it's early in the day, many shops are just opening up.

     No sooner did I get started than I was summoned via text message to come with the group and drive all over town to see China town.

     I must say it was very dirty and had a memorable odor.
I asked the driver to let me know when there was a cold beer to be had and so I am once again a happy man.

This church was built seven hundred years ago, I'm told.  In remarkable condition for its age.

As usual, I'm running short on time and must return to the ship.  Tomorrow I think we will be in Bali.
Hopefully will have more time to post more.