Darwin - Australia

 Woke up early as usual and got a nice hot shower before trundling off to the Lido for coffee and eventually breakfast.  The sun was beautiful when it peeked up on the horizon glowing red.  I didn't move fast enough and so didn't get a picture of it.  Today is Sunday and so after breakfast, we went to the Wajang Theatre for a worship service.

About 0900 the gangway was open so we made our way off the ship and onto the waiting shuttle.  Greeting was cordial and in English.  How wonderful to hear your native tongue.

The shuttle took us to a mall that sadly was mostly locked up tight for Sunday.

We took the local bus and got off at a sort of street mall.  They had booths for clothing and food.  So, of course, we had to partake.  When I ordered a beer I was told I'd have to wait because it's Sunday.  So we found a seat and ate some of the food and visited with the natives.  They were very friendly and spoke English (with an accent).

It started raining and soon it was  a downpour,  so I went and bought two beers, one for Ron and one for myself.  It was really good.  It's called Ginger Beer.

Ron and I wanted to go to the Aviation Museum, but couldn't get the correct bus.  We finally gave up and decided to update our computers.

Today the weather is hot and humid.  Fortunately, there's a breeze and scattered clouds.  If we had a sunny day it would be awful hot.  As it is, we're in the low 80's. 

It's unfortunate that we came on a Sunday, because there's very little open.  I think I'll make my way back to the ship.

Next stop is Cairns Australia, but there'll be some sea time in between.

Stay thirsty my friends.

Bali - Indonesia

This friendly fellow was in Chinatown in Semarang.

     Today we departed the ship in Bali and linked up with a relative of one of our servers.  We both like her and knowingly paid top dollar for a car and driver.

     Best intentions, but a lackluster individual.  Anh tried to set him up with a carload to maximize his return, but he apparently didn't understand.  So we kept with our original deal and just the two of us hopped in for a ride.

     We had expressed our lack of interest in temples, but after a forty five minute drive, we discovered that's where we were going;  A Hindu temple.






     We walked around the grounds looking at ghouls, gargoyles, and goblins designed to protect the sanctity of the place.  On our way out I had a beer and Anh ate a mess of durian.

 I don't know if there's anything quite as doofy looking as me in a dress.

















Here is a more revealing look

So the deal with this temple is it's for people who want to cleanse themselves of bad habits.  At least that's what my driver said.  There is a pool with numerous spouts dispensing water under which one puts their body for cleansing.  I restrained myself from my bad habit of sarcasm and disrespect.  I'll confess here that the longer I was there, the more irritated I got.  Jesus is worthy of all praise and yet people pray to deaf, dumb and blind idols.

I suppose a positive take away is that people are mindful of their sinful state and sense a need or cleansing.

     So on our way back to the ship we stopped and both of us had a one-hour deep tissue massage.  It was wonderful.  I had to fight to stay awake because I didn't want to miss any of it.  I kept looking over at Anh, and I thought she was sleeping, but she denies it.

     So now I need to attend to some of the activities that require access.  Checking statements, returning emails, etc.  Tomorrow the ship sails to Komodo island where the dragons live.  I think we will stay aboard and relax.  Neither of us is excited about the critters.

Be blessed

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. 

Vietnam - Singapore

Riding the overhead cable car in Singapore

Nov 7 Nha Trang

     We went ashore about 0900 as a party of eight:  Ron and Ruth, Lyle and Chris, Ben and Virginia, Anh and myself.  The temperature was comfortable mid-seventies, and it began raining hard as we got onto the shuttle bus.  

     The rain continued all day.  The intensity abated shortly after it started but it drizzled all day long.  After the shuttle dropped us off, we had to walk a bit to find a beauty shop with capacity for our group.  I tried to go slow to minimize over-stressing the entourage.  People were nervous crossing the road (as I was my first time Vietnam).

Ruth and Ron Prosise at lunch in Nha Trang

     We descended on the beauty shop en mass.  We packed the place.  Some of us got haircuts, most got shampoo and facial massages.  Then some got manicures and/or pedicures.  I opted to add a foot massage which took much longer than expected.

     While I was getting my massage, Anh marched the group off for a bite to eat.  I followed her lame directions and then turned around and walked back to the beauty shop where I met Anh looking for me.  Her directions failed to include the critical turn that would have taken me past where the lunch was in progress.  The party was seated at the back of the place and not visible from the road.  As usual, finding them with her directions would have been something of a miracle.  They all seemed to enjoy the food and rustic cuisine.  She ordered a hot pot and noodles.

Put a Tiger in your tank

     It was a big hit.  I had a couple spring rolls and a few Tiger beers.

     After the meal, we all mounted up in two taxis and went to the market in search of bargains.  I bought a white Adidas ball cap to replace the one I had left behind in Hong Kong on the “Big Bus”.  Anh purchased a piece of luggage to facilitate dragging all our loot home at the end of the cruise.  Then we found the shuttle and rode back to our home away from home. 

     The first time I was in Nha Trang was 1995 and it has changed a lot.  They have high rise buildings, an amusement park and an elevated cable car to get you there.  I would not have recognized the city.  There were a couple sites I remember from the first visit: Cham temple, the bridge that had been bombed in the war, and the hospitality we enjoyed on our first visit.  

Nov 8 Phu My/Vung Tao. 

     It was a beautiful sunny day with a refreshing breeze.  Phu My is a shipping port with hugerific cranes for loading and unloading the ships.  I watched them transferring grain from a big ship to a little ship from the Lido deck before we left the ship.  Many from the ship are going to Saigon for the day.  It’s a long drive and we decided to go to Vung Tao instead.

Lunch in Vung Tao w/Judy, Tino, and Ron

     We were disappointed that Ruth didn’t feel up to going ashore with us, but it’s best to let each assess their own condition rather than cajoling.  So Ron, Anh and I took the shuttle to the main road.  We had a Cafe Sua beside the road while we waited for Judy to come and pick us up.  We have been to both in the past and it was nice to see Vung Tao again.  It’s a very nice city on the coast and much smaller than Saigon.  

     It was nice to see Judy again.  Her son (Tino) is thirteen now.  He was six the last time I saw him.  He was transfixed by his iPhone and iPad alternately and did not seem too interested in visiting.  He didn’t recognize me for want of the beard I used to have.  I was so glad that Ron was there to chat with.  Anh and Judy were clattering in VN the whole time.  

     They took Ron and me for a massage straightaway.  It was unusual.  They took us to a dark room where there was a row of massage chairs.  They handed each of us a pair of shorts to get into.  They were too small, but they indicated our skivvies would suffice.  I’m used to having a private room and a massage table, but this seemed okay.  It meant that Ron and I could talk.  The girls didn’t speak any English, but after twenty years I have enough VN to communicate numbers and very little more.  

Nov 9 At sea

     I always appreciate the time to recharge after a day of what seems like endless shopping and walking.  I like that we have a bible study every day at sea.

Nov 10-11 Singapore

    Day one we took the MRT (subway) to the Garden by the Sea.  It was very nice, although hot and humid.  We returned to the ship for a nap in the afternoon and then returned for the light show in the evening.

Garden by the Sea at night

The top of this hotel is a combo swimming pool, bar and observation deck

     Then the group had to have more Asian food before we returned to the ship.  It was almost 2200 by the time we got back onboard.  I was very tired.

     Day two we took Chris with us and rode the overhead tram.  After that Anh and Chris did some shopping in the air-conditioned mall next to the pier.  About 1330 Chris returned to the ship and Anh to her shopping.  I am sitting in the WIFI area trying to get an internet connection.

     I have more pics to share, but time is limited.  Stay tuned for updates as internet time becomes more available.
















     Singapore has a fast and (once learned) handy subway train system.  The city is very clean.  They have some rules that they take very seriously, such as, chewing gum and smoking.  Violate their laws and they will make you wish you hadn't.  I forgot momentarily that food and drink are not permitted in the MRT (subway).  Anh handed me a bottle of water and I drank without thinking.  A man quickly appeared to remind me that this is not allowed.  I apologized and was happy not to be cited for the infraction.

     Singapore has an interesting history and unique location for maritime navigation at a choke point between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.  Perhaps one of the busiest ports in the world.

Hong Kong - China (day2)

These ferries have been operating since the early 1900's.

We had fun and got some of Anh's "to do's" accomplished.  We started late and I had failed to advance my watch somehow.  So we took the ferry to Hong Kong from Kow Loon and then hopped the Green bus to Stanley.  The driver speaks no English so asking questions was a wasted effort.  Consequently, we missed the stop we had planned to get off at and continued all the way to Stanley.  It was a beautiful and scary ride.  Very steep terrain and narrow road at what seemed like high speed to me (I guess I really am getting old).  The damage to the trees is telltale of the damage from a recent storm.

There are several bus companies here in Hong Kong.  "Big Bus" is the one we were using.  There are several things that could improve their business.  The best thing they have going for them is the salespeople on the ground.  The advise and direct you to accomplish your objectives.  The problem is they can't be with you on the bus to tell you to get off.  There is no indication when you arrive at one of the points of interest on their little map.  The driver just drives and generally has little if any multilingual qualifications going for him.  The earphones they provide are obviously provided by the lowest bidder.  The prerecorded speel is rarely in sync with what you're looking at.

The taxi drivers are generally some of the boldest drivers I've seen.  Add to that the incredibly small places they thread their cars through.  Plus I think I'm more mindful of my mortality than they.  Today we got a sleeper though.  This guy looked like he should have been retired long ago.  He fell asleep at a traffic light and wandered from side to side in his lane at a relative snail's pace.  He scared me more the others.  I told Anh to fasten her seat belt and began praying specifically for a safe trip in his car.

When we returned from the bus ride, ferry crossing, and taxi ride with Gramps, we went to do some of Anh's shopping in Kwan Tong (pronounce Coon Tong).  Found much better prices than yesterday.  The tip was from Oliver (one of our taxi drivers yesterday).  It was there we met Wendy. 

Our new friend Wendy

 She was listening to Anh try to communicate and had mercy on us.  She took us by the hand and then walked us over to the place she recommended for Dim Sum.  We got her card so we can communicate again later.  Then tried ordering in a totally Chinese only restaurant.  What a hoot!  We both decided Ginger Bistro was better.  

So lunch in our tummies, we braved the taxis again and asked them to take us to the Cruise Terminal.  He kept calling it "Ferry Terminal", but he knew where we needed to be.  Now it's 1540 and I need to finish and get onboard.  Will post more pics later.

Hong Kong - China (day1)

The Princess on the ferry -  Does that make here a ferry Princess?

After breakfast, we made our way off the ship and onto the shuttle.  It deposited us near the MTR (subway system).  Giving clear direction is not Hong Kongs long suit as we found out as the day unfolded.

       Just like all tests are easy if you know the answers, so finding a particular place is easy if you know where it is.  Of course, we didn't know where anything was or how to get there,  We rode the MTR like pros, but from there it was a treasure hunt to find the "Hop on Hop off" terminal.  Nobody seemed to know what we were talking about.  But they were happy to send us off with vague directions.  We finally found it around 1400, but before that, the tummies had to be placated.  So after we couldn't find any Dim Sum to make muster, we settled for just having lunch.  I, of course, had more than I needed.  All I really needed was a beer, but that just wouldn't be right, so I had a bowl of noodles and some meat too.  It was a whopper of a beer; .65 liters. 
 










After lunch, we found the "Big Bus" line and got ourselves onboard.  Not long after the bus started moving the Princess fell asleep and missed most of it. 

At the end of their circuit, we met a sweet young lady who helped us plan the remainder of the bus tour, which included a ferry ride, a night bus ride to see the lights of Hong Kong.  Her name is Jessica and she's already sent Anh a friend request on FB. 



     I have to confess that my body was feeling some pain and it's with me still.  Between my sore feet and back, I just want to get horizontal.

Night bus ride - where I forgot my hat on the bus...

 


















   After the night bus ride, we just had to eat again.  I chose another beer.  They had some Asian dish.  The meal was eaten while sitting at a table in the middle of a road. 

One of the guys that tied off the ferry

Loan on the ferry ride

 Just clowning around with the artwork.

After the late night meal, we hailed a cab and returned to the ship.    It's 2200 and my eyes are trying to close as I type.  So I'll call it a night and try to get rested up for day two.

Be blessed.