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2023 Adventure ATW
  • Sonia Gelman

2023 Adventure ATW

This is our third attempt to see Africa. Baca lagi
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  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman
    Elephant Orphanage
    1

    Colombo/Kandy, Sri Lanka. Day 1 of 2

    5 Mei 2023, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    The ship got cleared at 2pm, but the first shuttle to the gates was supposed to start at 3:00pm.
    I booked a private overnight tour to Kandy, Sri Lanka where Buddhist temple with Buddha tooth is located. As it happens, we arrived to Sri Lanka on their holiday called Vesak.
    It is the most important Buddhist festival. The festival commemorates the birth and death of Gautama Buddha.

    The ship was cleared at 2:00pm and we decided not to wait for the shuttle to get to the port gates, but got a taxi and $10 and 3 min later met our guide. So far so good.
    We settled comfortably in the van and our journey began. According to the Google maps we checked before the trip should take 3 hours. Unfortunately, we did not realized the complications due to the holiday. The traffic was horrendous. People everywhere in line for free food, ice cream and drinks due to the holiday. Parked motorcycles and Tuktuks along the road, traffic jams. Our driver was a magician. He managed somehow to navigate through the traffic and we slowly moved to our destination.

    On the way we stopped for 30min at elephant orphanage and could get close to elephants and observe them eating and bathing.

    We continue toward Kandy, was getting dark and the traffic was getting worse close to the destination. By 8:00pm we reached the Temple. We had 30min to see it grounds and go inside. The closing time is 8:30. On the plus side due to the holiday it was decorated with lights and hanging paper lotuses. The mood was very festive.
    Boris could not go inside because everyone must remove shoes.

    By now we had only 5 minutes before closing to get inside. We had a quick look inside the room with “Buddha tooth” richly decorated, but could not take pictures.
    After visiting the Temple we drove to the hotel. After a quick bite, straight to bed.
    Tomorrow will be another busy day of sightseeing.    Baca lagi

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    Colombo, Sri Lanka. Day 2

    6 Mei 2023, Bay of Bengal ⋅ 🌬 84 °F

    After more or less restful night, we had an early breakfast at the hotel and were on the road by 8:00am. The Google map showed the driving time to Colombo around 3,5 hours. On the way we stopped to take pictures of the lake and a Temple during the day light. Another location for a short stop was a place where lots of monkey were sitting on the guard rails.
    We stopped at the tea factory where we had a tour and tasting of 9 different teas. Gold tea is only available in Sri Lanka. Short stop to take pictures of the rice plantation.

    Then we arrived in Colombo and the first stop was an Independence Square with Independence Memorial Hall in the middle.

    Independence Memorial Hall is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the restoration of full governing responsibility to a Ceylonese-elected legislature on 4 February 1948. Located at the head of the monument is the statue of the first prime minister of the country

    Our last stop was Gangaramaya Temple. The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.
    We spent quite a long time there. Unfortunately, the heat was unbearable and we were getting really tired.
    We asked our guide to take us back to the ship.
    After quick lunch and a shower we felt a little better, but still very tired after seven days of touring in the heat. Glad we have two sea days in front of us. We went to bed at 8:00pm.    Baca lagi

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    Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India

    9 Mei 2023, India ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is Indian territory in the Bay of Bengal. It is about 3 hours flight from mainland India.
    As I previously posted, it is an unplanned stop. We were supposed to stay in Yangon for three days, but due to the unstable situation, we skipped it and it was substituted with other stops. One of them is Port Blair.
    We arrived at 7:00am. By 8:30am we met with our friends Younga and David and decided to go together.
    We took shuttle from the port to the center of the city and then hire two Tuk-Turks to the main attraction: the Cellular Jail, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    The Cellular Jail, was a British colonial prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The prison was used by the colonial government of India for the purpose of exiling criminals and political prisoners. Many notable independence activists were jailed there.

    Today, the complex serves as a national memorial monument.
    After touring the prison, we hired two mor Tuk-Tuks for the rest of the day and went to Corbyn’s Cove| hotel. We were told that it is the best hotel on the island and the only one with the beach.
    The hotel looked like a 2 star hotel, the beach was no very good and the waves were too high.
    Since it was extremely hot and humid, we spent some time in the hotel’s cool restaurant.
    The next stop was interested Anthropological museum. It was established in 1975.
    The museum is describing local community tribes.
    There are displays that describing the houses of the tribes, ornaments, utensils and even musical instruments.
    No photo pictures allowed.

    By now the heat was getting to be unbearable, so we decided to visit one more museum: Marine Museum.
    It is a small museum with displays of marine life endemic to the island and found in the Indo-Pacific ocean and the Bay of Bengal.

    After visiting the last museum we went straight to the ship. The heat was the worst we ever experienced.    Baca lagi

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    Sabang, Indonesia

    11 Mei 2023, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    This is another port which is a substitution for Yangon.
    As our research shown, not much to see in this port, but the beaches were supposed to be good.
    Erin did the whole work of finding where to go and hiring a transportation both ways.
    At 8:30an we were picked up at the port and arrived few minutes later at the Freddy’s resort. To our surprise, to get to the beach, we had to navigate lots of stairs with rails and without rails. Also, there were no chairs on the beach and the beach was pretty rocky. Boris, David and I stayed at the resort while Erin, Mui and Younga went to another resort to check it our. Shortly they came back and told us, the other resort is even worse. More stairs and no rails at all.
    The workers at our resort were so nice, they set up chairs and umbrellas for us on the beach and we happily settled.
    The waves were pretty big, but Mui and I went to swim and snorkel. Later Younga went into water too.
    By noon we were pretty hungry, so we had a lunch at the resort.
    After lunch, back to the ship.
    All of us were very tired from swimming and being on the heat. Also we are loosing one hour a day for the last few days.
    Tomorrow is another day of touring.    Baca lagi

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    Langkawi, Malaysia

    12 Mei 2023, Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    Langkawi, is a duty-free island and an archipelago of 100 islands located some 30 km off the coast of northwestern Malaysia.
    Our tour today (organised by Erin) took us to Cable car and Sky Bridge.

    The Langkawi Cable Car, also known as Langkawi SkyCab, is a gondola lift and one of the major attractions in Langkawi Island.
    It was opened in 2003.
    It provides an aerial link from the Oriental Village at Teluk Burau to the peak of Gunung Machinchang, which is also the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The total length is 2.2 km which takes approximately 15min from the base to the top.
    First, we took a cable car to the platform with wonderful view of the area, then there were two options to get to the Sky Bridge: walk over 200 steps or take a funicular. Boris and I took the second option. The rest of our group walked.
    The view from the bridge offers areal views of the islands and tropical forest. Very impressive.
    We traced our way back to the base and went to a 3D museum. It has over 100 interactive paintings on three floors. All of us had a great time posing and taking pictures.
    We then had a tour of the city and stopped at the few landmarks.    Baca lagi

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    Phuket, Thailand. Day 1

    13 Mei 2023, Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    We have been in Phuket six years ago and had the tour of the city and surrounding area. We decided to take it easy today and go to the beach.
    We split the taxi cost with another couple that was going to the resort for overnight stay. That resort did not rent a lounge chairs, so we had to walk a short distance to the public beach full of taws of lounge chairs.
    The beach was really beautiful with white sand, blue water, but the waves were pretty strong,
    We spent few hours on the beach (was really hot) and then went to eat lunch. Few doors from the restaurant was a salon. Boris needed a haircut, so we stopped there. While he was having a haircut I thought it would be a great to get a Thai massage. We settled on 1.5 hour of massage for each ot us. Great massage. The whole thing at the salon….less then $40.
    After massage we were too tired to go back on the beach. Took a Tuk-Tuk and got back on the ship.
    After shower and a short rest, Younga, David and us went back to Patong Beach area.
    Had a great Tai dinner and a walk in the night Phuket to Patong street. That is where the night action of Phuket happens. Interesting experience.
    Even at night it was very hot, so after an hour we decided to call the car and go back to the ship. The drive to the ship is 50min without traffic.    Baca lagi

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    Phuket, Thailand. Day 2

    14 Mei 2023, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    On the second day in Phuket we booked an Oceania tour to see James Bond Island.
    The tour is for 8.5 hours.
    Phuket as an island and to reach today’s destination we drove north to Phang Nga Bay to the mainland. The drive was close to 1.5 hours. Then we were transferred to the longboat in the Mangrove Forest Conservation Center. The boat ride was incredibly enjoyable and beautiful among many islands and mangroves.
    After an hour on the boat we stopped in Koh paneer village. The totally Muslim village of under 2000 people built on stilts.
    This village has K-12 school, mosque, restaurants, clubs, many vendors selling all kind of products. Men are fisherman and women are running shops.
    We also had a lunch in this village.
    After lunch we walked thru the village and many shop (no shopping for us) to the school yard. The school was. Closed due to the holiday. It was an election day.
    Back on the pier, we took our long boat again and an hour later we reached James. Bond Island. That where 007 movie with Roger Moore was filmed and made the island a popular travel destination.
    It is a limestone tall rock sticking high above two adjacent islands.
    Then the rise back to the bus and another 1.5 hours on the bus to the ship.
    It was a long but enjoyable day of touring.    Baca lagi

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    Penang, Malaysia

    15 Mei 2023, Singapura ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    We booked a private tour for 4 people. Erin and Mui joined us for this tour.

    Penang is the 8th most populated state in Malaysia. Its population stood at nearly 1.8million. The density of population is one of the highest in Malaysia.

    Aside from the three main races, the Malays, Chinese, and Indians, Penang is home to significant Eurasian, Siamese and expatriate communities.

    Penang Island and Seberang Perai on the Malay Peninsula connected by 15miles bridge.
    The area became British colony in 1867.

    Our first stop was George Town where we had a chance to see and take pictures of some murals.
    Our next destination was The Pinang Peranakan Mansion. It is a museum dedicated to Penang's Peranakan heritage. The museum itself is housed within a distinctive green-hued mansion at Church Street, George Town, which once served as the residence and office of a 19th-century Chinese tycoon.
    It has thousands of collectible items from furniture to rugs to dishes to decorations. Hard to describe.

    After spending few hours in this museum, we continue driving and stopping at few Chinese temples to take pictures.
    On our next stop, our tour guide was taking us to the Penang Hill. Unfortunately, the weather was getting cloudy and we were wondering if it’s make sense to go on the hill. The visibility was getting pretty bad.

    To reach the top we had to take Penang Hill Railway. It is a one-section funicular railway. The railway first opened in 1923 as a two-section railway, but was overhauled in 2010 into a one-section system. It is build and controls by Sweden. It takes only 5min to reach the top.

    By the time we got to the top, it was pouring rain, no visibility. We took few pictures, tried to have something to eat, but no eatery took credit cards or dollars.
    Back in the car, we stopped at another colourful temple and returned to the ship.    Baca lagi

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    1

    Penang, Malaysia Evening.

    15 Mei 2023, Singapore Strait ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    In the evening we had a wonderful dinner with friends…. Erin, Mui, Younga and David celebrating my birthday with delicious flourless chocolate cake for dessert that was ordered in advance.
    Pat, a lovely lady, friend had her birthday on the same day. We had a chance to get together for a short time and exchange best wishes to each other.
    After dinner we came to our decorated cabin. Nice touch!    Baca lagi

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    1

    Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia

    16 Mei 2023, Singapura ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    This is a new port for us.
    Our tour starting time was “upon cruise ship arrival”. According to the schedule we had to arrive at 8:00am, but we arrived a little earlier and Boris and I were at the terminal by 7:45am. Our tour guide was not there. So we thought he will arrive by 8:00am. By 8:30am still no tour guide. We started to worry. I tried to call the numbers on the reservation…no answer. Two other people were waiting for the same tour.
    Finally the tour guide showed up at 9:00am. His papers indicated the tour starting time 9:00am. Can’t blame him, it the agency fault.
    The van was very comfortable for 4 people. Each of us had a row.
    After driving for 45min we arrived at downtown of the city at KLCC park to take pictures of Petronas Towers. They are second tallest buildings in the world.
    Then we drove to the Batu Caves. This Hindu Temple is placed on the inside of the massive cave on top of a huge mountain. The only way to see it is to climb up the 272 stairs while avoiding 300 monkeys and lots of pigeons. Also suffering from the heat. When I reached the top, the view was amazing. The second cave is where the real beauty is: the hanging vines and trees line the cliff with monkeys all around.
    Boris went up only 20 or so steps and I was trying to climb up and down as fast as I could. When I came down, I could not find him. I tried to call him few times, but his phone was off. I saw a couple from our ship and asked them if they see Boris send him to the store 10. Finally, after apparently 20 min he came.
    Our next stop was Medeka Square (Independence Square). On August 30th of 1957, the British flag was lowered and Malayan flag was raised for the first time, the ceremony of Malayan independence was then held.
    A95 meter flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, located there.

    The next stop was King’s Palace. It is an official residence of the monarch of Malaysia. The palace opened in 2011 and replaced the old one located in a different part of the city. There are 9 sultans in Malaysia and each Sultan has 5 years term to be the main Sultan.

    After a quick lunch, we visited a place in a city where two rivers merge. That is the place where the name of the city originated.
    Kuala Lumpur is translates as the muddy confluence is two rivers. It is the spot where Klang River and Combak River meet.

    The next stop was Central Market, where we spent useless 40 minutes.
    Then he drove us thru China Town and then to see Thean Hou Temple.
    In addition to be one of the most beautiful temples, the view of the city is very nice when you climb many steps to the top.

    By now we had to drive back to the ship. After an hour drive, we were back on the ship very tired, but we loved the tour.    Baca lagi

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    Singapore, Singapore. Day 1

    17 Mei 2023, Singapura ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    We arrived Singapore at 1:00pm. It is an overnight port. Leaving tomorrow late afternoon.
    We have been in Singapore before and loved it, except for the heat.
    Last time we went to Botanical Garden, walked through the city, China town, went on top of the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel to see city from the top and light show in the evening.
    For today we wanted to stay inside in air conditioning places. We hire a cab and in 10min were at the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest dome.
    Flower Dome is a gigantic air-conditioned glass greenhouse with themed gardens with many exotic plants.
    Cloud forest is a lush vegetation of the tropical highlands & tallest inside waterfall in a contemporary greenhouse.
    We enjoyed walking through both of them for 4 hours. Getting hungry, we decided to go for a Mediterranean meal. I found an excellent rated restaurant, took a taxi and 15 min later we were in Arab part of the city. After a very good meal, we walked to the metro station. Singapore metro is amazing. Easy to use, very clean.
    Looking forward to our next day in the city.    Baca lagi

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    Singapore, Singapore. Day 2

    18 Mei 2023, Singapura ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    On the second day in Singapore we wanted to take it easy. The plan was to go to the Art and Science Museum. It is not the highest rated museum in the city, but the architecture of the building is very interesting and was designed by the same architect as famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The architecture is said to be a form reminiscent of a lotus flower. Rainwater is harvested and channelled down the centre of the building, flowing through its bowl-shaped roof into a reflecting pond at the lowest level of the building. The rainwater is then recycled for use in the building's restrooms.
    In addition to this, the museum is not big so we did not have to spend a lot of time there.
    We, again, took a taxi and for some reason the driver dropped us 1/2 mile from the museum. Likely, we could walk thru luxury mall to reach this museum. We are trying to minimise being outside.

    Opened on 17 February 2011 by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, it is the world's first ArtScience museum, featuring major exhibitions that blend art, science, culture and technology.
    After spending 90 min at the museum, we walked outside to take some pictures in a very upscale neighbourhood. Then walked thru luxury mall into the city, took a bus and 30min later were at the mall adjacent to the harbour mall and cruise ship port.

    We had a delicious lunch at Vietnamese restaurant and then did some more walking in the mall. Boris needed reading glasses. He broke the only pair he took. Likely, we found a store to buy another pair.
    We also really wanted an ice cream. We found Ben and Jerry. Not my favourite, but will do.
    By 4:00pm we were back on the ship.    Baca lagi

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    On the tender boatLagoon

    Bintan Island, Indonesia

    19 Mei 2023, Natuna Sea ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    Known as one of the exotic tourist destinations in Indonesia to some, we never heard of it.
    Today was a tender port, we had to take a small boat from the ship to the island.
    A day before I did a little research and the only thing I found is a resort 1km from the docking location.
    Our usual gang of 6 took first tender boat to the island and walked 10min to the resort. We paid entrance fee of approximately $8pp and settled under umbrellas. It is not a beachfront resort, but it has a huge salt water lagoon.
    We went swimming right away and I spent most of the time in the water. I took one picture only.
    By 10:00am Erin and Mui went to get a massage, but we continued to enjoy lagoon.
    By 11:00am it became too hot. The umbrellas did not provide enough shade.
    We moved to another location, still too hot.
    By 11:45 Younga and David decided to go back. We thought we can stay longer, by 15 min later we gave up.
    Then we spot Erin and Mui all massaged and started our way back. It was hot!
    Luckily, the car passed by and gave us a ride to the dock. Erin and Mui decided to walk.
    And that was our day. Since I can post 10 pictures, I decided to share Boris’s art work.    Baca lagi

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    At Sea - South China Sea

    20 Mei 2023, South China Sea ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    It was a usual sea day, but in the evening we were invited to Younga and David’s suit for some appetisers before dinner. We supplied white wine and Erin and Mui brought red wine.
    We had a fun night, followed by a light dinner at Terrace Cafe.Baca lagi

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    Muara, Brunei Darussalam

    21 Mei 2023, Brunei ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F

    We had a short stop today - 5hours.
    In 2017 we visited this port and had a very good tour.
    It is a 45min drive to the city, in addition it’s very hot. We decided not to go at all and make it a relaxing see day, but when we docked, we were one of the first out of the ship ready to explore nearby area. We walked may be 1/4 of the mile to see what is around. We found nothing, but little stores, barber shops and fast food eateries. In 15 min of walking we were very hot, we turned around and went back on the ship. Boris stayed in the terminal to do some finances with fast WiFi. In the evening we had a lovely dinner with our friends in specialty restaurant and then a fun concert by our assistant cruise director Robbi.
    I added two more art works by Boris.    Baca lagi

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    Ha Long Bay Vietnam. Morning

    24 Mei 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    About a month ago, I had a toothache and inflammation of my gum. When we were in Mumbai, India, I purchased an antibiotic and after few days I was feeling better and the swelling wend down.
    Yesterday the mild toothache came back. I went to the ship doctor, but he would not give me more antibiotics.
    I had no choice, but go to a local dentist in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
    Yesterday was day at sea, so I had time to find dentist not too far from the port, send them a message and got a reply with 9:00am appointment.
    The ship was cleared only after 9:00am instead of 8:30am. We took a taxi to the office and without waiting a minute, I was taking by a nice nurse.
    The communication was thru translation on the phone.
    I had a 3d panoramic x-Ray and she explained to me that the one of the roots of the tooth broke.
    The best solution is extraction. I agreed.
    I was taken upstairs to a very modern office and immediately three more assistants showed. Also a doctor. The blood pressure was taken and preparation started. Thirty minutes later my tooth was gone. Another 3d x-Ray. All looked good.
    We went downstairs and the nurse explained about all medications I have to take. All was labelled and nicely packed.
    I gave them my credit card, but for some reason their machine was not working.
    After trying multiple times, offered to take money from ATM and pay cash. Unfortunately, there was no ATM close by.
    The next thing…..one of the nurses offered me to go with her to the ATM. What I did not realise, we have to ride a motorcycle.
    They put a helmet on me, shows me how to get on motorcycles and we went. The ride was not too long, May be 4 blocks.
    I did not know how much money i should withdraw, so I took the maximum, which is was 2 millions.
    When we came back, the bill was 1 mil 700 thousand. I paid cash, got my medicine and we went outside to get a cab back to the ship. At the terminal, we had ice coffee and ice chocolate and came back on the ship. Then I calculated the charges. The whole thing is…..$71. Hahaha 😝.
    Back on the ship I need a little rest before going to a special event in the cave.    Baca lagi

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    Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. ATW Event

    24 Mei 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    After a little rest, shower and some pain killer drugs, we were ready for Oceania Around the World event.
    After riding in the bus for 45min we arrived to a stunning setting. It was in a huge cave with candlelights. Beautifully decorated, white cloth tables. Delicious plentiful food, folkloric show and later dancing.
    Another outstanding event!
    We came back on the ship at around 8:00pm and I went straight to bed. Hope to feel much better tomorrow.    Baca lagi

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    Chan May/Hoi An, Vietnam

    25 Mei 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    Few days before arrival in Chan May we had no idea what to do for the first day of our overnight stay in this port. The arrival time was 3:30pm. A little late for the tour. Especially, there is nothing in the port.
    Likely Younga has been here before and suggested to go to Hoi An. The UNESCO heritage city. The drive should take roughly 1.5 hours one way, but we don’t have to rush to come back. It’s an overnight port. Erin found a transportation and we decided to go.

    Below is the description of the city from internet:
    Hoi An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.

    We took a little detour to reach Hoi An. The is a famous Dragon Bridge everybody wanted to see. Unfortunately, our driver did not speak English, so he took us over the Dragon Bridge, but crossing the bridge we saw only pieces of dragon. The picture of the bridge is from internet.
    We arrived to the city by 6:00pm. It was already getting dark. We told our driver to meet us at 10:00pm.
    The city was colourful, decorated with many lanterns, lotuses on the canal, canoes with people enjoying evening, music and lots of vendors selling all different stuff. It was very festive. Apparently, they celebrated Buddha Birthday.
    We stopped for a quick meal and continued walking. Lots of people and lots of fun. By 9:30 pm we were ready to go back on the ship.
    We came back by 11:00pm. Tomorrow we will have another hot busy day that will start very early.    Baca lagi

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    Chan May/Hue, Vietnam

    26 Mei 2023, South China Sea ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Up by 6:00am, we had a quick breakfast and met our group by 7:15am.
    Today, our group of 6 was: Erin and Mui, Margaret and Kevin from NZ and us.
    To safe $25pp, we had to walk out of the port area to meet our guide. It was pretty hot long walk despite early morning, but we made it.

    Today is the tour to visit Imperial city of Hue, citadel, the UNESCO world heritage site, the capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty.

    To reach old imperial city of Hue took us around an hour of drive. We also stopped along the road for much needed delish Vietnamese ice coffee. It tastes like chocolate.
    We visited many historical places, climbed many steps, had fantastic lunch in a beautiful restaurant and 😓 a lot.
    Came back to the ship all hot and very tired.
    In the evening we celebrated birthday of husband of the artist in residence. Fun dinner with friends.
    Glad, tomorrow is much needed sea day.    Baca lagi

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    Day at Sea. Boris’s Birthday

    28 Mei 2023, South China Sea ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Today was a relaxing day at sea. Everyone needed it after days of sightseeing in a heat.
    I spent today basically doing nothing, except eating and drinking water. Boris was participating in an art class. Oh, I forgot … we played trivia.
    In the evening, we had captain’s party and right after birthday dinner in the main dinning room. It was fun, relaxing day.    Baca lagi

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    On the boat tour around islands in Mekong River
    Lunch on one of the islandsCoconut Candy ans alchogolic drinks making.To out next destinationTea and fruit testingRoom in our hotel

    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Day 1

    28 Mei 2023, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    Today and tomorrow we are docked in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). We are staying overnight.
    Instead of Saigon (we have been there in 2017), I booked a private tour to delta of Mekong River.

    The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of south-western Vietnam. The size of the area covered by water depends on the season. Its makes it an important source of agriculture for the country.

    The ship was cleared by 11:00am and shortly after we met our guide. Today, there are 6 people in our group: Younga, David, Peggy, Clyde and us.
    After driving for 1.5 hours (1/2 way to our destination) we arrived at town My Tho.
    We got transferred to a small boat and went around islands on the river to one of the islands with a restaurant.
    We had delicious lunch of local fish, shrimp, chicken, veggies and sticky rice, followed by watermelon.
    Then into a coconut candy making presentation. We got into hand rowing sampan ride to see local folk music performance. Riding along the water canals was very soothing.
    After sampling local fruits and tea and listening to local singers, back on the boat to meet our van.
    We drove for another two hours to reach our final destination city of Can Tho.
    We checked into our hotel. Our room overlooked Mekong river. The room was big and beautiful, the bed was huge, the size of two queen size beds put together.
    Younga and David stayed in a different hotel.
    We met at our hotel and went to a famous street market. It is about 5 min walk, but took us longer. With traffic and uneven roads, it was very hard on Boris. The streets were full of people, vendors selling food and merchandise. The street along the river felt very festive with lights and music. We also were looking for a restaurant to eat dinner.
    After dinner, Boris and I went back to our hotel, but Younga and David found another market and walked to their hotel.
    After a quick shower, it was time to sleep. Tomorrow is an early start.    Baca lagi

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  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam. Day 2

    29 Mei 2023, South China Sea ⋅ 🌬 84 °F

    After sleeping for a few hours, we got up at 5:40am, packed and went to eat breakfast at 6:00am.
    We were picked up at 7:00am and drove to Ninh Kieu wharf for a boat trip to visit Cai Rang Floating Market. It is a wholesale market that sells produce picked up the same day. Small business are buying produce and then selling it on the small stalls on the streets or small shops. Some of these boats used as combinations of cargo for the products, have some primitive bed and kitchen. We were treated to a fresh pineapples that were picked up that morning.
    Then we kept going into the small creeks called Rach Nho in which the Southern countryside countryside can be seen. Then we cruised back to Ninh Kieu Wharf.
    The drive back to the ship took almost four hours. The traffic with cars and endless motorcycles trying to bypass.
    Safely on the ship, after lunch, rest and shower, we were ready for usual ship activity.    Baca lagi

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  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Koh Samui, Thailand

    31 Mei 2023, Gulf of Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F

    This is our second time in Ko Samui. We toured the island before, visited many temples and shrines. For today, I booked a private tour for 4. Our friends from 2017, Pat and Norm joined us.
    We took first tender boat from our ship.
    Insignia anchored very fat from the island and we were told it will take 30 min to get to the shore. Instead of the our ship boats, local boat were used to transport passengers from the ship to the shore.
    The reason our ship stopped so far from the shore is there was an accident when ships’s anchor cut the cable under water.

    The sea was pretty choppy, the ride was not very fast, but by 8:40am we got off the boat. We met our tour guide/driver right away and got on the back of an open 4x4 truck.

    We drove up high in the mountain where the temperature was cooler and there was a light wind to cool us off. We had to navigate few suspended bridges to reach mountain restaurant. The setting was beautiful. Lounge chairs soft bean bags for seating, netting beds with a view below, canopy beds and a restaurant. The view was beautiful.
    More bumpy driving, we arrived at another view point. On the way we stopped many times and our guide talked about plants and fruits that grow in the area.
    We stopped in Lamai village with temple, big Buddha and zodiac sights sculptures.

    After more bumpy driving we arrived at the hidden Buddha statues gardens. Unfortunately, there were many steps to get there, so Boris was waiting for us.
    The place is very peaceful and there are very many buddhas and gods scattered around. That was our last stop on the tour.

    We asked our tour guide/driver to take us to the beach. We arrived at Crystal Beach Resort on the western part of the island, settled at the open air restaurant overlooking beautiful beach. After lunch, swim in the pool and in the ocean, Pat and I went for a Thai massage. That was probably the best one I ever had. As soon as we got off the beds, we saw dark clouds. In 2 minutes the wind picked up and the palm and tree branches were falling all over. By the time we met Norm and Boris, which took 3 more minutes, the pouring rain was over us. Luckily, our driver was waiting for us.

    Back in the open truck, we were back in the dock all soaked, but not hot.
    We got onto tender boat and 40 min bumpy ride we were on the ship. It was a fantastic day of adventure.    Baca lagi

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  • Sonia Gelman2023 Adventure ATWSonia Gelman

    Bangkok, Thailand. Day 1

    1 Jun 2023, Thailand ⋅ 🌧 95 °F

    We visited Bangkok in 2017.
    Today, we arrived at 2:00pm, but the ship was cleared by 2:30pm.
    We met our guide Air who Erin and Mui used in 2017.
    We got into a fancy comfortable van and drove to our first stop: Golden Buddha.

    The Golden Buddha, with a weight of 5.5 tonnes (5,500 kilograms). It is located in the temple of Wat Traimit, Bangkok. At one point in its history the statue was covered with a layer of stucco and coloured glass to conceal its true value, and it remained in this condition for almost 200 years, ending up as what was then a pagoda of minor significance. During relocation of the statue in 1955, the plaster was chipped off and the gold revealed.

    The origins of this statue are uncertain. It is made in 13th–14th centuries. The head of the statue is egg-shaped, which indicated it was made in India.

    In the 1950th, a new building was built at the temple to house the statue. It was moved to its new location in 1955; during the final attempt to lift the statue from its pedestal, the ropes broke and the statue fell hard on the ground. At that moment, some of the plaster coating chipped off, allowing the gold surface underneath to be seen. Work was immediately stopped.
    When all the plaster was removed, it was found that the gold statue actually consisted of nine parts that fit smoothly together. A key was also found encased in plaster at its base, which can be used to disassemble the statue, allowing for easier transportation.

    In 2010, a large new building was inaugurated at the Wat Traimit Temple to house the Gold Buddha.

    Not far away we stopped at the beautiful Chinese temple and then walked through China town with a busy market.

    Our last stop before dinner was Wat Arun (aka Temple of dawn), one of the most iconic and beautiful temples in Thailand located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple is famous for its magnificent 79-meter-high central spire/prang which has a unique design and a Khmer style craftsmanship.

    And finally, our last stop…dinner at Royal Thai Navy Dinner Club. Beautiful setting overlooking river, sunset and relishes food.
    After dinner our friends decided to walk the city and visit night marker, but Boris was tired, so we went back to ship.
    Tomorrow is another busy day with the start time at 6:50am.    Baca lagi

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