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Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Checking In
We're in Italy and have one destination left (Barcelona, Spain) on Thursday before England and transfering to the Queen Mary for our Atlantic crossing. We are both fine but the virus alert is still ongoing on board. It's been a busy time and I have come to the conclusion that this blog will be finished probably weeks after I get home with pictures and all... so I'll try to keep posting but if not we'll see you in less than two weeks.
PS: If you wish to be bored to death with thousands of pictures here we come!
PS: If you wish to be bored to death with thousands of pictures here we come!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Pictures
Sorry that I haven't been keeping up with the blog - but will try harder as we will quickly be going from port to port with few sea days and before we know it we will be home in three weeks.
Still having problems uploading pictures...
Still having problems uploading pictures...
Singapore
Singapore:
I didn’t get to tour the city but saw a lot as we drove to the Shangri La hotel for out dinner. The city is very wealthy appearing with lots of modern buildings and high end cars and shops. Singapore made the news in 1994 by “caning” Michael Fay for littering. Singapore’s rules are tough but clear. Jaywalkers are fined on the spot. Litter and you will pay (smokers beware!) and drug peddlers earn a death sentence. There is such little crime that you can walk anywhere at any time and feel safe.
Our round the world reception lived up to its billing. All of the passengers were decked out in their best formal wear and bus after bus took us from the ship to the hotel. A large red carpet was laid out and small children in elaborate clothing threw rose petals at our feet as we approached the first of the large ballrooms we would be in that night. Costumed warriers on stilts, lovely Malaysian dancers, dancers with huge peacock plumes and a Chinese mask magician performed. The magician would perform by blocking his face with his fan and then exposing the mask as all white or all black or half white and black or yellow or red or any combination making it all very mysterious and fun to watch.
We then went into another ballroom for dinner and dancing with a huge band and a Sinatra/Martin type of singer right out of the big band era. Huge chandeliers of crystal and lovely mosaics filled the room. The center pieces rose two or three feet high featuring roses and orchids and greenery.
The president of the cunard line attended the dinner and gave a presentation of the newest ship, the Queen Elizabeth that will be christened later this year. The Queen Elizabeth with be a sister ship of the Queen Victoria and behind the flagship Queen Mary 2. Cunard will then operate the newest fleet of cruise ships in the business.
I was on the first bus back to the ship with my pictures and cough medicine that I bought at the hotel shop and didn’t litter or chew gum the whole time!
I didn’t get to tour the city but saw a lot as we drove to the Shangri La hotel for out dinner. The city is very wealthy appearing with lots of modern buildings and high end cars and shops. Singapore made the news in 1994 by “caning” Michael Fay for littering. Singapore’s rules are tough but clear. Jaywalkers are fined on the spot. Litter and you will pay (smokers beware!) and drug peddlers earn a death sentence. There is such little crime that you can walk anywhere at any time and feel safe.
Our round the world reception lived up to its billing. All of the passengers were decked out in their best formal wear and bus after bus took us from the ship to the hotel. A large red carpet was laid out and small children in elaborate clothing threw rose petals at our feet as we approached the first of the large ballrooms we would be in that night. Costumed warriers on stilts, lovely Malaysian dancers, dancers with huge peacock plumes and a Chinese mask magician performed. The magician would perform by blocking his face with his fan and then exposing the mask as all white or all black or half white and black or yellow or red or any combination making it all very mysterious and fun to watch.
We then went into another ballroom for dinner and dancing with a huge band and a Sinatra/Martin type of singer right out of the big band era. Huge chandeliers of crystal and lovely mosaics filled the room. The center pieces rose two or three feet high featuring roses and orchids and greenery.
The president of the cunard line attended the dinner and gave a presentation of the newest ship, the Queen Elizabeth that will be christened later this year. The Queen Elizabeth with be a sister ship of the Queen Victoria and behind the flagship Queen Mary 2. Cunard will then operate the newest fleet of cruise ships in the business.
I was on the first bus back to the ship with my pictures and cough medicine that I bought at the hotel shop and didn’t litter or chew gum the whole time!
catching up
In the Red Sea on the way to Jordan:
When Sandy and I decided that we would do a round the world cruise well over a year ago grandson Clayton was just beginning his freshman year at UNC. Last summer he visited and studied in Turkey and wrote a paper on tourism in Turkey. His paper was submitted and he was invited to present his paper and findings at a symposium in Jordan. To pull the circle together: Clayton arrives in Jordan this afternoon and we arrive in Jordan tomorrow. We will be in Jordan at the same time! We’re probably not going to see each as we are in separate parts of the country but will talk on the phone. How is that for coincidence? Keeping with Clayton for just a moment longer – he applied with the State department for an immersion course in Turkey and although a sophomore when usually seniors are chosen Clayton will be living and studying in Turkey again this summer.
It has been an unusual couple of weeks since the last blog.
We had been told continuously about a very, very special dinner just for round the world cruisers that was to be held in Singapore. Just before Singapore Sandy came down with a touch cough, fever for a second time and visited the doctor on board down in the lower ring of infirmary inferno and was given a second antibiotic (Z pack first time and keflex second) for healing. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make the dinner but insisted that I go and take pictures. New friends brought back the beautiful rose and orchid centerpiece for Sandy and I brought back a lovely wrist flower braceIet. I’ll bring you up to date in the Singapore notes in a bit. After Singapore we headed for Phuket, Thailand then India and then Dubai. More to follow..
I of course then came down with the coughing but not the fever and headed down, down, down to the ping-pong cough waiting room and was also given the Z-pack for cure. We had several days of quietness and lots of reading and tomato soup and wonderful entrees from room service. Now just about this time but not related to our sickness we received the notice: “PRECAUTIONARY HEALTH ADVISORY NOROVIRUS” . A highly contagious and easily passed gastrointestinal illness was on board! I thought of the few times at home that I had read about this virus on cruise ships and felt sorry for the cruisers and now here we are in the middle of it. The symptom surfaces as you are merrily walking along feeling fine and dandy when you begin spouting from one end or the other. You contact the lower level and you are then quarantined to your room where bland chicken based food is sent to you every so often. There is no medication for the virus.
The ship goes on high alert and hand washing is stressed and buffet food is closed off and the staff passes you your choices. Salt and pepper shakers are removed from the tables. Shopping areas are closed on board and great attention is given to who goes missing from tables and statements such as “He’ll be out of quarantine tomorrow” become standard conversational remarks. The library closes for several days as every book is rubbed down with disinfectant. The pools and hot tubs are closed and the 24 hour ice cream is roped off. Cocktail parties, Captains receptions and other events are rescheduled. Truly the ship and the staff do a great job of preventative care but we are now in our second week of high alert. Fortunately, Sandy and I have managed to avoid this virus and life is pleasantly going along.
Last night we did star gazing with a noted astronomer and earlier yesterday we attended a lecture by Carol Thatcher the former Prime Ministers daughter. A bit like listening to Maureen Reagan I guess and we were a bit turned off by her.
Till next time
When Sandy and I decided that we would do a round the world cruise well over a year ago grandson Clayton was just beginning his freshman year at UNC. Last summer he visited and studied in Turkey and wrote a paper on tourism in Turkey. His paper was submitted and he was invited to present his paper and findings at a symposium in Jordan. To pull the circle together: Clayton arrives in Jordan this afternoon and we arrive in Jordan tomorrow. We will be in Jordan at the same time! We’re probably not going to see each as we are in separate parts of the country but will talk on the phone. How is that for coincidence? Keeping with Clayton for just a moment longer – he applied with the State department for an immersion course in Turkey and although a sophomore when usually seniors are chosen Clayton will be living and studying in Turkey again this summer.
It has been an unusual couple of weeks since the last blog.
We had been told continuously about a very, very special dinner just for round the world cruisers that was to be held in Singapore. Just before Singapore Sandy came down with a touch cough, fever for a second time and visited the doctor on board down in the lower ring of infirmary inferno and was given a second antibiotic (Z pack first time and keflex second) for healing. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make the dinner but insisted that I go and take pictures. New friends brought back the beautiful rose and orchid centerpiece for Sandy and I brought back a lovely wrist flower braceIet. I’ll bring you up to date in the Singapore notes in a bit. After Singapore we headed for Phuket, Thailand then India and then Dubai. More to follow..
I of course then came down with the coughing but not the fever and headed down, down, down to the ping-pong cough waiting room and was also given the Z-pack for cure. We had several days of quietness and lots of reading and tomato soup and wonderful entrees from room service. Now just about this time but not related to our sickness we received the notice: “PRECAUTIONARY HEALTH ADVISORY NOROVIRUS” . A highly contagious and easily passed gastrointestinal illness was on board! I thought of the few times at home that I had read about this virus on cruise ships and felt sorry for the cruisers and now here we are in the middle of it. The symptom surfaces as you are merrily walking along feeling fine and dandy when you begin spouting from one end or the other. You contact the lower level and you are then quarantined to your room where bland chicken based food is sent to you every so often. There is no medication for the virus.
The ship goes on high alert and hand washing is stressed and buffet food is closed off and the staff passes you your choices. Salt and pepper shakers are removed from the tables. Shopping areas are closed on board and great attention is given to who goes missing from tables and statements such as “He’ll be out of quarantine tomorrow” become standard conversational remarks. The library closes for several days as every book is rubbed down with disinfectant. The pools and hot tubs are closed and the 24 hour ice cream is roped off. Cocktail parties, Captains receptions and other events are rescheduled. Truly the ship and the staff do a great job of preventative care but we are now in our second week of high alert. Fortunately, Sandy and I have managed to avoid this virus and life is pleasantly going along.
Last night we did star gazing with a noted astronomer and earlier yesterday we attended a lecture by Carol Thatcher the former Prime Ministers daughter. A bit like listening to Maureen Reagan I guess and we were a bit turned off by her.
Till next time
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thailand
Sandy and I chose to visit an elephant sanctuary on this visit to Thailand. We come back to Thailand later in the week. A quick update on where we are. Tomorrow we dock in Singapore and complete the third of four legs of our round the world adventure. It is more than we thought and has surpassed all of our expectations. Our last leg on the Queen Victoria is from Singapore to Southhampton, England where we arrive on the 20th of April. We then board the Queen Mary for our trip home arriving on the 26th.
It was an hour drive to the sanctuary and many, many more cars then scooters. Very clean shops along the way closed up with air conditioning. Thailand is prospering.
The elephants were wonderful and performed for us all. Some of our travel mates rode the elephants into the water for baths and we all enjoyed the dunking. We then were taught how to mount an elephant by standing on the extended leg grabbing hold of the ear and jumping and pulling up and swinging your leg over the neck. I had a chance to ride so I put my right foot on the elephants extended leg and grabbed hold of the ear but I didn’t really want to pull it so I just lightly gripped it and then leapt and pulled up and moved about an inch. Several guys pushed my foot and leg and slowly scrunched me up the side and the elephant master (sits behind on the elephant) pushed my leg over the neck and there I was on top of the world. All and all an awkward beginning of my elephant riding career! A bit unsteady and feeling a bit like you will fall off at any second it is a wonderful experience as you lumber along. Dismounting is quite civilized as the elephant approaches a stand and you climb onto it and then go down a flight of stairs.
Sandy’s back was acting up and we had been told that we would be able to ride together on a bench seat that we could mount from the platform so she didn’t try to climb up to ride. Unfortunately, at the end of the show there was not time for rides as we were being rushed to a “shopping experience” at an upscale gift shop the turned out to be quite disappointment. So no elephant ride for Sandy.
But, You should have seen her In the show. They brought an elephant right into the audience and we were sitting in the front row. People scattered but not our Sandy. She sat calmly right in front of the elephant and fed her bananas! She patted the trunk and place a banana right into the trunk as the elephant swung it into her mouth. All the while as calm as can be is our Sandy. They could have touched nose to trunk and most amazing foot to foot. This is a another memory that will stay forever.
OK, we’re somewhat up to date.
Till next time
It was an hour drive to the sanctuary and many, many more cars then scooters. Very clean shops along the way closed up with air conditioning. Thailand is prospering.
The elephants were wonderful and performed for us all. Some of our travel mates rode the elephants into the water for baths and we all enjoyed the dunking. We then were taught how to mount an elephant by standing on the extended leg grabbing hold of the ear and jumping and pulling up and swinging your leg over the neck. I had a chance to ride so I put my right foot on the elephants extended leg and grabbed hold of the ear but I didn’t really want to pull it so I just lightly gripped it and then leapt and pulled up and moved about an inch. Several guys pushed my foot and leg and slowly scrunched me up the side and the elephant master (sits behind on the elephant) pushed my leg over the neck and there I was on top of the world. All and all an awkward beginning of my elephant riding career! A bit unsteady and feeling a bit like you will fall off at any second it is a wonderful experience as you lumber along. Dismounting is quite civilized as the elephant approaches a stand and you climb onto it and then go down a flight of stairs.
Sandy’s back was acting up and we had been told that we would be able to ride together on a bench seat that we could mount from the platform so she didn’t try to climb up to ride. Unfortunately, at the end of the show there was not time for rides as we were being rushed to a “shopping experience” at an upscale gift shop the turned out to be quite disappointment. So no elephant ride for Sandy.
But, You should have seen her In the show. They brought an elephant right into the audience and we were sitting in the front row. People scattered but not our Sandy. She sat calmly right in front of the elephant and fed her bananas! She patted the trunk and place a banana right into the trunk as the elephant swung it into her mouth. All the while as calm as can be is our Sandy. They could have touched nose to trunk and most amazing foot to foot. This is a another memory that will stay forever.
OK, we’re somewhat up to date.
Till next time
We have made two stops in Vietnam. The first was a lovely beach area mid-country in an area called Nha Trang. We toured a local kindergarten and the four year old boys and girls lined up and sang to us. The boys were lined up in two columns of about four each and the girls in columns of four each in the middle of the boys. Each class has two teachers. The kids were happy and loved singing. Our guide suggested we sing a song for the children and someone suggested “you are my sunshine” and we had at it which prompted the closest boy to immediately put his fingers in his ears. We then mingled together and took pictures and hugged and then a little girl decided to try and kick Sandy in the shins. Sandy responded by tickling the little girl in her stomach and then all the little girls wanted to be tickled keeping Sandy busy avoiding kicks and giving out tickles.
The school, which was set in a courtyard and not air-conditioned (The temperature was in the 90’s) was clean and well organized. The backpacks were hung up with care and of course Disney characters were well represented.
We left and toured the local market that ranged from fruit and vegetables to clothing and books and random other goods but was overpowered by the smell of fish. On a scale of 1 to 10 for cleanliness the market was below zero. We left quickly to go back to the bus and ran into our group of aggressive salespeople selling “Polo collar shirts – 3 for 5 American dollars, postcards for 1 american dollar, fans for one American dollar” and so forth. The same people would show up at every stop on our tour.
We then went to a typical Vietnamese home. The entrance leads to a somewhat large room that is divided into four parts. Two walls extend out about five feet from the back wall making three small rooms. The center room is a shrine for the ancestors of the family. The room on the right with a small bed and a TV on a stand is the bedroom of the wife and mother. The room on the left was where the husband/father slept but he has passed away so now that room is a shrine to him.
We saw water buffalo working the rice fields and workers hoeing the fields. Overall, it is not a very clean place in-land and away from the beach. It is a very meager living and very poor with little sign of progress.
Our second port led us to Ho Chi Ming city/Saigon. It’s about a two hour drive from the port to the city. The city has a population of six million. There are motor scooters everywhere and traffic is always at rush hour levels. Vietnam has a helmut law but doesn’t seem to have anything but a go where you want to go mentality and keep your head down. A motor scooter will hold one passenger or one and a baby, or two, or two and a baby or three adults or believe it or not four adults speeding along on one motor scooter. I also saw two guys on a motor scooter with the guy in the rear extending his leg out to a bicycle beside them and pushing the bike along the road. All along the road into the city are Buddhist shrines and restaurants and shops. Almost all opened on the front with no air conditioning. Trash and dirt and junk are everywhere. Sandy said it best when she described the conditions as “wretched”.
We saw a water puppet show in Saigon that was original and fun. We enjoyed a buffet lunch at a very nice air conditioned restaurant and were entertained by musicians and dancers performing songs. The rest of Saigon was disappointing to me. I probably carry a bit of baggage about Vietnam from the war but I would rank this area just behind the devastation of New Guinea.
On reflection I keep mentioning air conditioning not from my own comfort level as we are out in the heat on our tours but as a sign of progress for the country as a whole. There are wonderful, modern hotels and shops in the city proper but the rest of the countryside appears not to have progressed in decades. Unless you count the scooters!
The school, which was set in a courtyard and not air-conditioned (The temperature was in the 90’s) was clean and well organized. The backpacks were hung up with care and of course Disney characters were well represented.
We left and toured the local market that ranged from fruit and vegetables to clothing and books and random other goods but was overpowered by the smell of fish. On a scale of 1 to 10 for cleanliness the market was below zero. We left quickly to go back to the bus and ran into our group of aggressive salespeople selling “Polo collar shirts – 3 for 5 American dollars, postcards for 1 american dollar, fans for one American dollar” and so forth. The same people would show up at every stop on our tour.
We then went to a typical Vietnamese home. The entrance leads to a somewhat large room that is divided into four parts. Two walls extend out about five feet from the back wall making three small rooms. The center room is a shrine for the ancestors of the family. The room on the right with a small bed and a TV on a stand is the bedroom of the wife and mother. The room on the left was where the husband/father slept but he has passed away so now that room is a shrine to him.
We saw water buffalo working the rice fields and workers hoeing the fields. Overall, it is not a very clean place in-land and away from the beach. It is a very meager living and very poor with little sign of progress.
Our second port led us to Ho Chi Ming city/Saigon. It’s about a two hour drive from the port to the city. The city has a population of six million. There are motor scooters everywhere and traffic is always at rush hour levels. Vietnam has a helmut law but doesn’t seem to have anything but a go where you want to go mentality and keep your head down. A motor scooter will hold one passenger or one and a baby, or two, or two and a baby or three adults or believe it or not four adults speeding along on one motor scooter. I also saw two guys on a motor scooter with the guy in the rear extending his leg out to a bicycle beside them and pushing the bike along the road. All along the road into the city are Buddhist shrines and restaurants and shops. Almost all opened on the front with no air conditioning. Trash and dirt and junk are everywhere. Sandy said it best when she described the conditions as “wretched”.
We saw a water puppet show in Saigon that was original and fun. We enjoyed a buffet lunch at a very nice air conditioned restaurant and were entertained by musicians and dancers performing songs. The rest of Saigon was disappointing to me. I probably carry a bit of baggage about Vietnam from the war but I would rank this area just behind the devastation of New Guinea.
On reflection I keep mentioning air conditioning not from my own comfort level as we are out in the heat on our tours but as a sign of progress for the country as a whole. There are wonderful, modern hotels and shops in the city proper but the rest of the countryside appears not to have progressed in decades. Unless you count the scooters!
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