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  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 92: Sailing the Bay of Bengal

    March 23, 2024, Bay of Bengal ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Today we continued our journey for days traveling from Phuket, Thailand towards Colombo, Sri Lanka. Just typing that I am in awe that we are here in the middle of ocean on the other side of our planet. Our earth is becoming smaller with each port we visit. Traveling to distance places isn’t
    T as scary as it was before this trip

    So, what do you do on a sea day - You eat anywhere between three and seven meals a day. You can visit the Spa & Gym. - Today - I walked by them.

    In the morning I sat with Gail (The Grand Master Felt Maestro) you guided me to finish my dolphin. Than at 1:00pm we attended a champagne tasting session. The guys always do a great job teaching us about the different wines and teaching us how to examine and taste wines. Things to look for in color, linger, and palate. It’s educational and fun!

    We met the other “Paul & Donna” at the wine tasting. It’s been 92 days since we boarded Neptune and it is almost daily we meet someone new.

    In the afternoon Paul attended Jennifer Eremeere’s lecture “Time to Write that Book.” She does an amazing job leading her workshops. I love that there is always a practical exercise we do right then and there to support the lesson of the day.

    It was time for dinner - and I don’t think we attended the show in the Star Theater (I don’t have any photos). So, it must have been an early to bed night.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    1

    Day 91: Bay of Bengal - Surprise Party

    March 22, 2024, Indian Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    Today started out as a normal sea day. Breakfast at the World Cafe. Laundry, Felting class with Gail. Started our dolphins. The big evens was still to come. I have been working on this since the end of April.

    The last two photos are of Oscar “Ozzy” Thomas Wilson. Our new grandson - first one. Born March 7, 2024.

    So, I have been working with Viking Neptune Guest Services, The Restaurant, and some of our newly made Neptune family friends. We successfully pulled off a surprise “Grandma” party for Donna at The Captain’s Table. She didn’t have a clue.

    The ruse was that Patsy & Ken invited us to dinner at The Restaurant. Everyone was there ahead of time. If you look closely at the pics of Donna she didn’t know what was happening.

    Susan was our entertainment chairperson. And had a couple of fun games for us to play. The cake was beautiful. The food as always amazing.

    Ozzy is back in Indiana. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day special for Donna and me.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 90: Phuket (Patong Beach) Thailand

    March 21, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    We had a short day in Phuket (Patong Beach) Thailand. The ship was anchored off-shore which meant we had to take the tender to get ashore. We did not use the Neptune tenders. Instead, we used local ferries which worked out fine.

    We had chosen to do the included excursion. Donna decided to stay on the ship while I ventured off. She was happy to get some rest.

    The excursion was the typical bus ride around the area. We stopped at a temple, a mountain top with elephant statues, and a cashew factory/store.

    The excursion was okay - pretty typical. I think I got a couple of nice pics with the iPhone. I still need to go through the Sony pics to see what landed on the film.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 89: George Town, Malaysia

    March 20, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Today we visited Georgetown Penang, Malaysia. Our tour mainly consisted of visiting several temples, which were all lovely.

    There is a part of me which was hoping for some sort of spiritual connection as we visit the various temples. When you are given limited time and many tourists are there it is hard to find a quiet place for that sort of connection.

    I did try to go slow, look at the art work and admire the beauty. So, the connection for me is in the beauty and the energy of the art.

    We did take a tram up the mountain to see one of the temples, we had a wonderful lunch at a hotel restaurant called “EAT” and when walking back to the ship we saw a jelly fish.

    Overall we had a decent day.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    2

    Day 88: Langkawi, Malaysia

    March 19, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Today we docked at Langkawi, Malaysia and the VIking daily describes it as “Malaysia’s stunning archipelago of swaying coconut palms and islands shores fringed by power sand beach’s …”

    They are not wrong … However, today for me personally was getting hit in the face with “Tourism fatigue.”

    I found this definition on Google “Tourism fatigue relates to negative physical and psychological state of tourist caused by excessive tourism activities.”

    Langkawi, Malaysia is yet another really beautiful VERY HOT tropical island. We have been on the Neptune for 88 days now and experienced many beautiful places. If I have to watch another coconut get opened and drink the milk - I just might scream!

    We have a very limited time at each destination and barely have time enough to “enjoy” the tourist places nevertheless get to know the really country we are visiting. I am finding the times we venture off the “planned excursion” path are in “most” cases the most fulfilling. It is the unplanned interactions with locals or other tourists that we will remember.

    Clearly many of these countries major economic income comes from us the tourists. But, I am really getting burnt out visiting “planned” tourists locations that were only built to appease the tourists and generate income. It feels very fake at times.

    Yes, I have “tourism fatigue”. I am venting - I continue to feel very guilty when after 88 days I still have to ask Dennis what his name is. And that I mess up everyone else’s name.

    As I weave through the World Cafe I bump into someone - again. I am truly sorry, I didn’t mean it. Or a took a spoon off of the wrong table.

    Where is my key card? I just had it.

    It is hard to be excited and nice 100% of the time. Honestly, I don’t know how the Neptune staff stays so friendly and upbeat even after 88 days.

    It is hot in Langkawi, Malaysia. Langkawi is a beautiful island one of 99 islands in Malaysia. Honestly after 88 days of totally amazing experiences today this whole trip feels like one big blur. What day is it? What month is it?

    When we made it back to the ship, it was nice to get to the Pool Grill they made me a double Lamb Burger - it was totally luscious. I made it to our table without running into anyone or spilling my drink. Ordered a Rum Punch with Dark Rum - it was so refreshing I ordered another one.

    Waking up after a five hour nap - I see that other folks on Find Penguins have already posted - Donna went for dinner and I stay at the cabin to get this post done. Thank you all for allowing me to vent a bit.

    Is it just me?

    Cruising is hard work.

    Will definitely make it to the Star Theater to watch Joe perform. I love his voice and his pure spirit when he sings.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 87: Kula Lumpur, Port Klang Malaysia

    March 18, 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    We are up early today as the ship is guided to the pier by the pilot boat. Today we will see Kula Lumpur’s Blue Mosque and other Highlights. We have to be at the excursion checkpoint before 7:45 am.

    Our excursion guide was excellent - funny as heck and very informative. Seeing The Great Blue Mosque was inspiring I wish we could have gone inside.

    A view from the 421 Meter Radio Tower gave us a Birds Eye perspective of the city.

    We had an excellent buffet meal with local cuisine and a few “safe” items for those not so adventurous.

    And look who got a high level job from the tour guide.

    It was a hot long eight hour tour. A good time was had by all. I have a ton more pics but these will give you a sense of our day.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    1

    Day 86: Leaving Singapore

    March 17, 2024 in Singapore ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    So, I thought today was going to be a casual ship day - we pretty much saw everything we wanted to see in Singapore. However, since the mall was close to the ship and Donna’s Fitbit had died - we decided to take one more hike off the ship.

    We got Donna a new Fitbit, a little outfit for our new grandson, and I had one more cup of some of the best coffee I have had - ever. The coffee in Singapore is dark and rich and made with condensed milk. I am a convert.

    We got on the ship just in time to say good-bye to Brian & Sue as they head back to Australia. We will miss them, along with others Marshall & Lynn, Johnathan & Lucy, and others.

    We had a bit of lunch, a brief nap, Donna did a bit of laundry, I attended a creativity workshop led by Jennifer Eremeeva, we set up our future excursions (this is always a mad rush - and the Viking App had crashed, which didn’t help), then off to a light dinner.

    The next four days are going to be crazy we have four ports in Malaysia, four days in a row back-to-back. I wonder if I will ever have time to fill in the blog posts I have missed. I have over 2,000 photos on an SD card in which I haven’t even done pass #1 - My quick deletes pass.

    Tonight, we are going to stay in the room, watch a movie - maybe I will get a couple of posts put up.

    As we leave Singapore, we very very impressed we the city, the culture, and our brief experiences here. You never have enough time to see it all.

    Places which were in movies, on TV, in a book have become a reality to us. The world has become a lot more accessible, smaller, not as scary. I am still very proud to be an American, but have a better understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 85: Singapore, Day 2, Meet Dariel

    March 16, 2024 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F

    So just about everyone has seen the movie “Crazy Rich Asians” and the big scene with the infinity pool on top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore. Clearly this was a must-see, go-to place to visit.

    Day one in Singapore we drove by it a couple of times. Day two we took a taxi to the Marina Bay Sands with plans to get tickets to go to the top. The tickets were all sold out for the public entrance to Tower three. One of the gentlemen suggested we go to the restaurant at the top of Tower Two. We did and had a wonderful time.

    Even though not at the edge, we had a wonderful view from the bar looking out left or right we could see the whole city. Our bartender Dariel, made us some great drinks, even one he invented that is on the hotel’s menu. It was fun getting to know him and watching him make the various drinks for everyone.

    Enjoy some pictures from the top of the Marina Bay Sands, and meet Dariel our bartender. It was a great day.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    Chinatown in Singapore
    Chinatown

    Day 84: Singapore Day 1 Part 2

    March 15, 2024 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    We took the included excursion in the morning and then got off in Singapore’s Chinatown. We explored, got something to eat. Then realized we were lost and didn’t know how to get back to the ship.

    We got on the subway system, only to take it to the very end in the exact opposite direction from which we needed to go. Once someone was able to tell us what exit we needed to get off at we almost felt okay. So, well over an hour seeing the Singapore subway sights.

    Once we got off the subway, we had no idea how to find the Viking Shuttle stop. So, we took a taxi and he was able to get us safely home, back to the. Neptune.

    Chinatown was fun and exciting, the meal so-so, I got some Singapore money for my collection. Paul & Donna both bought a couple of things to wear.

    This gave us a sense of the city and the game plan to visit the Marina Beach Sands the next day.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 84: Singapore Day 1 Part 1

    March 15, 2024 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Singapore is an amazing city. I fell in love with the coffee made with condensed milk. The beans are dark and rich. I took advantage of any tie I could to have a cup.

    The city is very modern, very clean, and very safe. Here are some of the pictures from our first day in Singapore.Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 84: More Singapore before ashore

    March 15, 2024 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    It’s 1:00 pm they are running a bit late - pretty sure the line at immigration is long. There is a large group us waiting in the Star Theatre- We are bus #11.

    Please enjoy a few fun photos - Gede our room steward is on the deck a couple of doors down, our calligraphy instructors, and the view of the city from our deck.

    Singapore looks amazing we are excited to get ashore.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 84: Welcome to Singapore

    March 15, 2024, Singapore Strait ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    Good Morning Singapore! We appreciated being able to sleep in this morning. The Neptune will dock around 12:00 pm and our “Introduction to Singapore” excursion is at 12:45pm. We will be docked for two nights which means we will have time to check out the city without needing to rush back to the ship.

    Our biggest sadness is some of our new found friends are leaving the ship and not continuing on towards London. Because of the unrest in the Red Sea the itinerary to go through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean has shifted to go around Africa. The reasons for leaving vary. We will miss you for the rest of our journey. Thank you for touching our lives and making this adventure a bit more special for knowing you.

    The photos in this footprint display the activities happening right now aboard the Neptune.

    The ship is carefully guided around countless number of ships all waiting to get to the port. It is an ocean side traffic jam which reminds us of the city streets of Vietnam. The skyline is a dynamic cityscape.

    In the Wintergarden an Arts and Craft showing is going on. Displays of knitting and craft projects, as well as, the Calligraphy work many of us have been creating this past segment are on view for all to see. Can you find Donna’s and my calligraphy examples?

    So, in no particular order please enjoy the photos as we are welcomed into Singapore.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 83: Sea Day

    March 14, 2024 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F

    Another busy sea day: Breakfast, Calligraphy, A quick lunch, Felting a Koala Bear, A game of Five Crowns (I win again!), and Martin serves us wine with dinner.

    We are truly living a dream. We wake up everyday and have to pinch ourselves to check this is real.Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 82: #3 Koh Samui (Nathon) Thailand

    March 13, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    Here is the final post of our day on Koh Samui Island in Thailand.

    We stopped at a place to a restroom break and a provided drink. Honestly, by now a little snack would have been nice it was around 1:00 pm.

    I have not taken many photos of the various Men’s Room and toilet facilities on our cruise. I do find it interesting that the WC (Water Closet) can be all sorts of levels of cleanliness and design across the world. Today - The Men’s Room at this stop had a wonderful view which is unlike I have never experienced before. Please do not be offended by this one photo.

    We continued on our journey passing another statue and ending up at a coconut farm. We saw a water buffalo, and how coconuts are taken apart and used.

    It was a nice day and a very complete excursion as we enjoyed the Island in Thailand.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 82: #2 Koh Samui (Nathon) Thailand

    March 13, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Here are more imagers of our excursion in Thailand.The artwork in the temples is amazing. I climbed the stairs to the top of one of the temples it has a beautiful view, and there are prayer bells at the top. You can watch a short video and hear the tone of the bells. It is a very peaceful experience.

    I have decided that the Buddha just might be a woman. Why you ask? Because we all know that women are able to do multiple things at one time and even though we don’t see their many arms they use them every day.

    I am finding the spirit/energy of God can be found in many places. Nobody really has the market on how to find God. “There are many homes”    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 82: #1 Koh Samui (Nathon) Thailand

    March 13, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    We spent one day in Koh Samui (Nathon) Thailand. The ship was anchored off-shore and we took local ship as tendered into the port. Our excursion was a trip around most of the parameter of the island. We will be going to Thailand again in a couple of days.

    There are three posts for this day #1-3. Which are all presented in sequential order. The photos are all iPhone 14 photos. I did take pics with the Sony to be posted at a later date when I have time to go through everything.

    This post please enjoy the boat ride to shore, the temples, the big Buddha. We must take our shoes off, and cover our shoulders and knees for entering into the temple. Honestly, the men do get way with wearing shorts and showing their knees. The women have it harder.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    Sunset video as we leave Viet Nam
    Sunset as we leave Viet NamFinally won at Five Crowns.The tanks that chrashed throught the palace gatesThe CIA Building where the last Americans were evacuated from Viet NamThe Palace Gate which the tanks crashed through

    Day 80: Sunset - Leaving Viet Nam

    March 11, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    We had four days in Viet Nam, each day had its own special set of events. Later I will be posting a bunch of different posts from our Viet Nam experiences.

    Right now the Viking Neptune is sailing south towards our next stop in Thailand. As a group of us played cards “Five Crowns” - Happy to announce I finally won! It’s my first time winning.

    More importantly, we watched the sunset in the west. I made a short time-lapse video (18 seconds) it’s kinda cool to watch. It did give a peaceful moment of reflection to think about our time in Viet Nam as the sunset over Viet Nam.

    I am sure for many of us who visited our feelings are all mixed emotions. Some of you served here many years ago. Others like me were fortunate to have the draft eliminated when it came our time to get called.

    During today’s excursion we did stop at the Palace where the two tanks crashed through the gates as a gesture of power - an “In your face” statement. The tanks are still there off to the right hand side of the palace.

    We also saw the CIA building which is famous for the photos of the helicopter taking the last Americans out of Viet Nam. Remember not everyone got to come home - I wore a MIA bracelet for some time. It’s sad I forget the name on the bracelet. Seeing these places made it more real for me.

    I have friends back home in Connecticut which served. One of my college roommates, Rex, served.

    Most of us can agree - war just doesn’t make sense. It seems like every country we have visited has their own war stories.

    When will history actually teach us - nobody really wins?    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 79: Fried ball - Sticky Rice

    March 10, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 91 °F

    Donna and I did the Mekong Delta over night excursion, over-the-top amazing. Our guide Vin was excellent, Rodrigo was Viking’s support staff he went over the top helping people. It was like 6-7 mini-excursions wrapped up into one big tour. The Azerei Island Resort was amazing.

    But, this was just plain cool ….

    On the way back to the ship on day two we stopped at the “Mekong Rest Stop.” It is a very nice stop to get a toilet break, a nice meal, and souvenirs.

    I jumped ahead a bit and I saw this man making Fried Ball - It was just fun looking. I knew I would want one of these with our meal.

    Brian, Sue, Donna, and I sat down and ordered a lunch of spring rolls, rice, and I insisted on getting a Fried Ball - they looked at me like I had 4 eyes. They didn’t trust me for a minute. However, they didn’t see what I had seen earlier. I do wish I watched the whole process from beginning to end.

    We ate our lunch, the spring rolls had a different style wrapper that tasted wonderful not the heavy fried style you are use to being served. Then finally our Fried Ball arrived.

    How the heck are we going to eat this? The waitress took out a pair of scissors, and cut it into pieces and folded them one to a small plate. Some of the pieces had sticky rice in between. She also served us the a plate of the sticky rice that was in the bottom of the ball.

    The taste was a wonderful sweet desert. Brian, Sue, and Donna all apologized to me for having their doubts and not trusting me. It is an amazing desert. If you ever have the opportunity to try a Fried Ball & Sticky Rice don’t hesitate.

    #myvikingstory    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 78: Azeria (Part 2)

    March 9, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    Here are some more pictures of our stay at the Mekong River Delta. We did the overnight excursion through Viking. The Azeria Hotel was luxury class. Both dinner and breakfast meals were fantastic. We just wish we had more time to enjoy the location.Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    Waiting for the pontoon boat to take us to the island.
    1

    Day 78: Azerai (Part 1)

    March 9, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    Donna and I - along with about 70 other Viking Neptune passengers - took the Mekong Delta Overnight excursion. I have a bunch of photos from the last day and we aren’t even finished yet.

    This set of photos is us arriving at the Azeria Resort Island. Yes, our resort is on an island we had to take a pontoon boat to get there and check-in. It was actually nice to spend a couple of days on land. We had a suite with a view of the river, very luxurious.

    The pictures are as follows: Pontoon Boat Ride to Island, pictures of the property, our Suite, the view from our suite, and the video at the end is really cool - Now Donna wants these installed in our bedroom when we get home.    Read more

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