Yesterday was a very nice sea day that ended "up" with a wonderful dinner shared with a Scottish couple and an English couple and much laughter then later on "down" with Laurel eventually being quarantined for 24 hours with Norovirus. She's OK now, just in quarantine in the cabin till tomorrow.
Michael hopped the shuttle bus to Shanghai and wandered around the main downtown shopping area and The Bund--an old European architectural area along the river that was the "International Concession" after the Opium wars and up to the 1930s. Quite neat. Across the river is the new business area of Shanghai, with huge modern--not to say strange--buildings--the "oriental pearl" TV tower (think Eiffel tower, but bigger and taller with 3 tubes at the bottom supporting one big ball, tubes up to a second big ball, one tube up to a third smaller ball then a TV tower on top of that) and a building known in English as "the bottle opener" because that is what it looks like--square hole at the top, 80 something stories high. Google if you're curious. Walking along The Bund is complicated by the fact that they are building a new subway line along there and everything is under construction.
Nothing much else to report. 2 sea days, then The Great Wall for us!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sayonara Okinawa/Naha
(Naha is what the Japanese call it)
Despite 10 foot waves and 40 knot winds we managed to dock in Okinawa--Yay Captain Dino! We boarded the elevated monorail mass transit system and went to the end of line, then walked a kilometer to Shujiro Castle. A 15th century castle--now a replica because it was destroyed in WWII. Wandered through the King's work area and home--Japanese screens and tatami mats and beautiful wood everywhere. It is 4 buildings with a square in the middle--the square (about the size of a football field) is made of coloured bricks arranged in rows, so that the bureaucrats and visitors (think thousands) could be properly arranged in rows. There was entertainment--Japanese opera and dancing and Geisha. Back on the monorail to the downtown area, where the main street was blocked to traffic for about 2KM for the Sunday afternoon. It was filled with street performers, kids and oldies and their dogs, vendors, and the like. It was wonderful and fun to walk down the street--even did window shopping and got Laurel's glasses fixed.
Back to the ship for dinner and then the Crew Talent Show. It is always excellent and we enjoy it very much. Last night's highlights were the Phillipino and Thai dancers.
(2 things: Satellite communications--Internet and phone and fax service is cut off while the ship is in Japanese waters, per their regulations. Wierd, can't think of a good technical reason, but there you go. And they have a very onerous and time consuming immigration screening. They started at 7AM and we weren't last and didn't get off the ship until about 2PM.)
Sea day today, will blog after Shanghai.
Is anybody reading this? Please comment or email us...
Thanks to Linda for your comment. Congrats to Ed on his winning at Pool!
Despite 10 foot waves and 40 knot winds we managed to dock in Okinawa--Yay Captain Dino! We boarded the elevated monorail mass transit system and went to the end of line, then walked a kilometer to Shujiro Castle. A 15th century castle--now a replica because it was destroyed in WWII. Wandered through the King's work area and home--Japanese screens and tatami mats and beautiful wood everywhere. It is 4 buildings with a square in the middle--the square (about the size of a football field) is made of coloured bricks arranged in rows, so that the bureaucrats and visitors (think thousands) could be properly arranged in rows. There was entertainment--Japanese opera and dancing and Geisha. Back on the monorail to the downtown area, where the main street was blocked to traffic for about 2KM for the Sunday afternoon. It was filled with street performers, kids and oldies and their dogs, vendors, and the like. It was wonderful and fun to walk down the street--even did window shopping and got Laurel's glasses fixed.
Back to the ship for dinner and then the Crew Talent Show. It is always excellent and we enjoy it very much. Last night's highlights were the Phillipino and Thai dancers.
(2 things: Satellite communications--Internet and phone and fax service is cut off while the ship is in Japanese waters, per their regulations. Wierd, can't think of a good technical reason, but there you go. And they have a very onerous and time consuming immigration screening. They started at 7AM and we weren't last and didn't get off the ship until about 2PM.)
Sea day today, will blog after Shanghai.
Is anybody reading this? Please comment or email us...
Thanks to Linda for your comment. Congrats to Ed on his winning at Pool!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Taiwan
A sea day yesterday--nothing to report, and today, we are in Keelung, the port for Taipei. We took a ship's tour by bus into Taipei. We stopped at a temple and then at Chaing Kai Shek's Memorial Palace. It was an amazing place--Google it--and we watched the Changing of the Guard--only 2 Guards, so not much, but they did do some fancy footwork. A shopping stop and then a photo-op at the Taipei 101 building--now the tallest in the world. In the city's context, it is amazing because nothing else tops 30 stories, so it sticks out like a sore thumb. Quite an engineering feat, given that it sits on top of an active earthquake fault line, and in a typhoon zone. Back to the ship, where there were a bunch of Lion Dancers and Drum Players--kids from age 7 to 15--very talented--performing for the people on the pier area.
We have a half day in Okinawa tomorrow and will blog after that!
We have a half day in Okinawa tomorrow and will blog after that!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Hong Kong Redux
After a very relaxing sea day, we spent yesterday and today in Hong Kong.
Initially, we were docked at the container port, so we were bussed to the Kowloon side downtown. We wandered about and tried to go to the Ladies Market, but we were early and it didn't open till noon--so we just wandered around and shopped in the open stores and stalls. We headed off to Taikoo Shing--Brian's area--for lunch and some more shopping, and to get our suitcases. At that point, we heard about Dad going to the hospital, so there were some phone calls to Canada and some anxious moments. Thank goodness everything turned out OK enough. We dragged our suitcases through the subway and back to the shuttle bus. Along the way, we rescued a poor Romanian fellow-Diamond-Princesser who was lost, could only speak about 4 words of English, and who was in full panic mode. She was mightily happy to get on the bus!
At 8PM local, the ship sailed through Hong Kong Harbour so that we could see the Light Show. About 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour synchronize their lights, special effects, lasers and the like, to music. Quite fantastic.
This morning we went by tender to Hong Kong Island for a brunch with Brian and Ernest at "The Flying Pan", a breakfast restaurant run by a woman from New York. Good eats. Then we said goodbye, after a super visit and unparalled hospitality which we can only hope to reciprocate some day.
Souvenier shopping, stocking up on wine and treats took up the rest of the day. We had a lovely dinner in The Savoy Dining Room, followed by music from a string quartet in the Atrium. Quite marvellous. Tonight is Island Night, but we're probably not going to be able to stay awake that long! Sea day tomorrow, then Taiwan.
Initially, we were docked at the container port, so we were bussed to the Kowloon side downtown. We wandered about and tried to go to the Ladies Market, but we were early and it didn't open till noon--so we just wandered around and shopped in the open stores and stalls. We headed off to Taikoo Shing--Brian's area--for lunch and some more shopping, and to get our suitcases. At that point, we heard about Dad going to the hospital, so there were some phone calls to Canada and some anxious moments. Thank goodness everything turned out OK enough. We dragged our suitcases through the subway and back to the shuttle bus. Along the way, we rescued a poor Romanian fellow-Diamond-Princesser who was lost, could only speak about 4 words of English, and who was in full panic mode. She was mightily happy to get on the bus!
At 8PM local, the ship sailed through Hong Kong Harbour so that we could see the Light Show. About 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour synchronize their lights, special effects, lasers and the like, to music. Quite fantastic.
This morning we went by tender to Hong Kong Island for a brunch with Brian and Ernest at "The Flying Pan", a breakfast restaurant run by a woman from New York. Good eats. Then we said goodbye, after a super visit and unparalled hospitality which we can only hope to reciprocate some day.
Souvenier shopping, stocking up on wine and treats took up the rest of the day. We had a lovely dinner in The Savoy Dining Room, followed by music from a string quartet in the Atrium. Quite marvellous. Tonight is Island Night, but we're probably not going to be able to stay awake that long! Sea day tomorrow, then Taiwan.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Farewell to Vietnam...
Before getting started on today, I forgot something from yesterday--the Vietnamese Water Puppets. So, you get a shallow swimming pool--maybe 2 feet, and you curtain off the back half and fill it with opaque water. Then, you get a bunch of fantastic puppets out front acting out stories--fire breathing and water spouting dragons, phoenixes, people, fish, leopards--and 5 live musicians providing music on traditional instruments and singing out the stories. It was just amazing!!!
Nha Trang today--and what a great day it was. Sunny, hot and humid, of course, but calm and except for the tender rides in and out, we were a lot closer to things today. Its a seaside community, with islands and mountains inland just a bit--and absolutely green and gorgeous. We were a Cruise Critic group of 12 on a private tour with a guide, driver and almost air conditioned van.
First stop was the Oceanographic Museum, which had a lot of live sea creatures and a special exhibit on Antarctica (!?!). Well done--who knew that Nemo had some black and white cousins? Then, to an embroidery place. That description doesn't do it justice--live music, people doing the work, and many examples. We bought one small piece for home, so you will be able to see the workmanship. Amazing, done by hand. Another stop was at a Buddist orphanage/children's home, where we saw the little kids eating. Another stop at a Vietnamese house that was old style--wonderful woodword--and we had some fruit there. Then, off to the river where we boarded a boat for a trip downriver.
We stopped for lunch at a riverbank shelter and had traditional Vietnamese foods, and beer. We were all wilting badly at that point so it was a good opportunity to get some energy back. Further on down river to a place with crocodiles and coconuts--we had some milk right out of a freshly chopped coconut--and an eel farm on the river just beside where we docked. Some more river time--it is interesting to see the land from the river. Just about at the mouth of the river we docked and climbed up the hill to a 1000 year old temple that was a Vietnamese-Hindu mix.
Then we shopped at the city market--the place where the Vietnamese shop. What a neat experience. Laurel's prize purchase was, well, we're going to make you wait, because words fail to describe it--but she will wear it on her head while riding, although maybe only once because it would be illegal anywhere in North America...if not any place other than Vietnam! Then, the best stop of the day--at the beach. Beautiful, gorgeous, wide, sandy beach with the warm South China Sea lapping against it. Laurel went for an impromptu swim--in her clothes!!--because it was so hot.
We're underway now--a sea day, then 2 days in Hong Kong. Bye for now!
Nha Trang today--and what a great day it was. Sunny, hot and humid, of course, but calm and except for the tender rides in and out, we were a lot closer to things today. Its a seaside community, with islands and mountains inland just a bit--and absolutely green and gorgeous. We were a Cruise Critic group of 12 on a private tour with a guide, driver and almost air conditioned van.
First stop was the Oceanographic Museum, which had a lot of live sea creatures and a special exhibit on Antarctica (!?!). Well done--who knew that Nemo had some black and white cousins? Then, to an embroidery place. That description doesn't do it justice--live music, people doing the work, and many examples. We bought one small piece for home, so you will be able to see the workmanship. Amazing, done by hand. Another stop was at a Buddist orphanage/children's home, where we saw the little kids eating. Another stop at a Vietnamese house that was old style--wonderful woodword--and we had some fruit there. Then, off to the river where we boarded a boat for a trip downriver.
We stopped for lunch at a riverbank shelter and had traditional Vietnamese foods, and beer. We were all wilting badly at that point so it was a good opportunity to get some energy back. Further on down river to a place with crocodiles and coconuts--we had some milk right out of a freshly chopped coconut--and an eel farm on the river just beside where we docked. Some more river time--it is interesting to see the land from the river. Just about at the mouth of the river we docked and climbed up the hill to a 1000 year old temple that was a Vietnamese-Hindu mix.
Then we shopped at the city market--the place where the Vietnamese shop. What a neat experience. Laurel's prize purchase was, well, we're going to make you wait, because words fail to describe it--but she will wear it on her head while riding, although maybe only once because it would be illegal anywhere in North America...if not any place other than Vietnam! Then, the best stop of the day--at the beach. Beautiful, gorgeous, wide, sandy beach with the warm South China Sea lapping against it. Laurel went for an impromptu swim--in her clothes!!--because it was so hot.
We're underway now--a sea day, then 2 days in Hong Kong. Bye for now!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Good Morning Vietnam!
The port at Phu My (pronounced "foo me") was out our window this morning when we got up at 5:45 (ugh). Not much here--just a port. Brekkies and off the ship with our Cruise Critic group. Mr Hui, a 25 year old tourist guide/English student was waiting for us, as was Mr Driver--we never got his name--for the bus and off we went. Its a 2 hour trip from the port to Ho Chi Minh City--the first 5km into Phu My proper was over quite bumpy roads--even worse than Winnipeg's! The rest of the trip was over Winnipeg-spring-style 4 lane bumpy roads--but that was less of an issue than the traffic. Busses and trucks and about 250,000 50cc scooters, carrying families--Dad, Mom and a kid or 2, lots of single drivers, Laurel got a picture of 2 people on a scooter with 2 huge sack of live ducks, and a myriad of other examples of things you would not EVER see on the road in Winnipeg! The traffic flow itself was crazy too--As was said to us, keep moving--if you ever stop, they won't know where you are going. The traffic circles were beautifully landscaped in the middle and a horrendous puzzle of more or less randomly moving vehicles on the outside, coupled with much blowing of horns. (Fortunately, and amazingly, no accidents and just about every scooter occupant had a helmet on--although none of them would be DOT approved)
Our first stop in Ho Chi Minh City was the War Museum--weaponry, pictures from the French conflict as well as the "Vietnam War", stories and pictures of atrocities as told by the victor, the prisons, Agent Orange, etc.. All in all, depressing and sad. But, fortunately, the rest of the day was much better.
The second stop was the Reunification Hall--the wartime American embassy redone as the main governmental ceremonial building in HCM City. Beautiful furnishings.
A quick stop at 2 French-era buildings--a cathedral--think Notre Dame but smaller, and the Post Office--Huge, ornate, built in the 1800s and busy with both postal and telecommunications business.
Lunch at Pho24, a very good noodle shop for tourists, then off to the central market and the Tax Free shopping center for, guess what, shopping! Laurel got a formal Vietnamese Ladies outfit and we got a couple of other things. Then it was time to head back to the ship.
The landscape was pretty flat the whole way, but you could see mountains probably about 10km away. Green, green, green everywhere between the buildings. From Phu My into HCM City was pretty much solid buildings along the roadsides--mostly commercial but some residential...
The temperature was hot--over 30C and humid. The sun was burning down all day too. Thank goodness for the air conditioned bus and a few air conditioned shops and ample water. Will continue the story in tomorrow's post after we get back from Nha Trang.
Our first stop in Ho Chi Minh City was the War Museum--weaponry, pictures from the French conflict as well as the "Vietnam War", stories and pictures of atrocities as told by the victor, the prisons, Agent Orange, etc.. All in all, depressing and sad. But, fortunately, the rest of the day was much better.
The second stop was the Reunification Hall--the wartime American embassy redone as the main governmental ceremonial building in HCM City. Beautiful furnishings.
A quick stop at 2 French-era buildings--a cathedral--think Notre Dame but smaller, and the Post Office--Huge, ornate, built in the 1800s and busy with both postal and telecommunications business.
Lunch at Pho24, a very good noodle shop for tourists, then off to the central market and the Tax Free shopping center for, guess what, shopping! Laurel got a formal Vietnamese Ladies outfit and we got a couple of other things. Then it was time to head back to the ship.
The landscape was pretty flat the whole way, but you could see mountains probably about 10km away. Green, green, green everywhere between the buildings. From Phu My into HCM City was pretty much solid buildings along the roadsides--mostly commercial but some residential...
The temperature was hot--over 30C and humid. The sun was burning down all day too. Thank goodness for the air conditioned bus and a few air conditioned shops and ample water. Will continue the story in tomorrow's post after we get back from Nha Trang.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Lazy Laundry Sea Day
Today is another beautiful hot day on the South China Sea...many ships passing, sunny and puffy clouds. We had breakfast delivered at 8:30 and have plans to attend a talk about Vietnam, then a pub lunch, a little laundry,then swimming, Happy Hour and dinner. Cruising is one great vacation!
We are going ashore with a group of people from our cruise critic group, we hope being with a local guide and a small group will make our Vietnam experience more real.
Mike wants to say that we have seen many oil rigs out here in the South China Sea...did not get too close so did not see any people!
Off to the Princess Theatre...............
We are going ashore with a group of people from our cruise critic group, we hope being with a local guide and a small group will make our Vietnam experience more real.
Mike wants to say that we have seen many oil rigs out here in the South China Sea...did not get too close so did not see any people!
Off to the Princess Theatre...............
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