Doin' All The Asia

januar – februar 2025
  • Laura Folk
Et 55-dags eventyr af Laura Læs mere
  • Laura Folk

Liste over lande

  • Vietnam Vietnam
  • Taiwan Taiwan
  • Japan Japan
  • Filippinerne Filippinerne
  • Malaysia Malaysia
  • Brunei Brunei
  • Thailand Thailand
  • Vis alt (8)
Kategorier
Par, Krydstogtskib, Venskab
  • 56,4krejste kilometer
Transportmidler
  • Flyvning37,8kkilometer
  • Gåture-kilometer
  • Vandring-kilometer
  • Cykel-kilometer
  • Motorcykel-kilometer
  • Tuk Tuk-kilometer
  • Bil-kilometer
  • Tog-kilometer
  • Bus-kilometer
  • Campingvogn-kilometer
  • Campingvogn-kilometer
  • 4x4-kilometer
  • Svømning-kilometer
  • Padling/Roning-kilometer
  • Motorbåd-kilometer
  • Sejlads-kilometer
  • Husbåd-kilometer
  • Færge-kilometer
  • Krydstogtskib-kilometer
  • Hest-kilometer
  • Skiløb-kilometer
  • At blaffe-kilometer
  • Cable car-kilometer
  • Helikopter-kilometer
  • Barfodet-kilometer
  • 36fodaftryk
  • 55dage
  • 293fotos
  • 94kan lide
  • Koto Kinabalu, Malaysia

    14. januar, Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Early morning, short port day, and lots going on.

    We started our "Gang of Eight" excursion with a ride toward the Cultural Center - when Darla saw a sign to a Chinese Temple. So we detoured and, WOW! It was quite a place- temples, offering places, prayer sites, incense- really interesting.

    The Mari Mari Cultural Center celebrated a number of native tribes including 2 tribes of head-hunters. We learned about their customs, foods and drinks, and saw representations of their homes. Some were long- houses with individual family rooms and a long common area. The females in several slept in lofts, and the ladders were removed to protect them.

    We were offered henna tattoos- I think mine is quite lovely. Then we saw dances, and were invited to come onstage to do bamboo dancing- reminded me of Tinikling we did in Girl Scouts. Lunch followed, with really good dishes.

    We stopped at a market- in the pouring rain - where our guide, Gary, got some mangoes for Darla.

    Philippine health screening (passive temp check) and then the Military Reception.

    Dinner was in Crossings - with another birthday recognition.
    Læs mere

  • Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines

    15. januar, Filippinerne ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    My first time in the Philippines, and a MacArthur -worthy "I have returned" from Wayne. We did a ship's "Highlights" excursion. The first stop was a WWII Museum of multinational artifacts from The Big One. Interesting that there were German, Italian, and Japanese items in addition to those from the Allied forces.

    Iwahig Penal Colony-a very unusual facility. I have no pictures, because using cell phones was prohibited. Residents in the minimum and medium security levels have freedom to move throughout the compound - raising crops, fishing, learning woodworking and other skills did dances including a coconut rhythm dance, another native dance, Tinikling, and a line dance that looked like fun- they invited us to join, but I was feeling uncoordinated. There were items made by the residents for sale, and I did a bit of spending. All the money goes to the residents and their families.
    Læs mere

  • Boracay, Philippines

    16. januar, Filippinerne ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Boracay is a resort island. We tendered, after long delay, having to turn the ship around due to high wind and choppy water, high swells.

    We took the hop-on-hop-off bus ($5!) to Station 2 which is White Sands Beach. We walked through "D'Mall," stopping at the Hobbit Tavern. It's a nice bar, staffed by little people. I tried our hotspot again, after not being able to get it to work since Singapore, and it worked! Wayne was able to get his long- desired San Miguel beer and we shared some calamari.

    Back to the ship, and dinner at Cagney's.
    Læs mere

  • Manila -Turnaround Day

    17. januar, Filippinerne ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    We arrived in Manila, and were escorted off with Judy and Glenn, and Carol and Scott and their luggage. Met up with Raymond who works for Jaime's company. Raymond drove us around Manila, where we went to the Central Park and saw the site of Dr. Rizal's execution, the Art Museum, Fort Santiago (where Rizal was held prior to being killed), and then to the Robinson Mall where my ATM card refused to cough up any cash. Grrrrr. We ate at a Chinese restaurant in the Robinson Mall.

    So. Much. Traffic. on the way back to the ship. 2 hours from the Mall. On arrival at the ship, we had to wait for the gangway to be reset because of the tide level.

    Back on the ship -Philippine immigration and dinner in Crossings.
    Læs mere

  • Boracay Redux

    18. januar, Filippinerne ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    We were glad that we'd been here before, and knew the lay of the land. We took the $5 island HoHo shuttle to the White Sands Beach stop, and transferred to the whole island bus. It was a great way to see the island. We met a guy who'd been in the Air Force, and now spends about half the year in the Philippines. He has a condo in the New Beach development - he recommended that as the bus emptied, that we move to the front for fewer bumps. He was right.

    We returned to White Sand Beach, in search of Lumpia and more San Miguel. We found both at the Jeepney Stop- a restaurant in D'Mall. The fresh and fried Lumpia were delicious - I had a mango shake... Will definitely have to get HaloHalo one of these stops.
    Læs mere

  • Coron- Fun in the Sun&45 for J&G

    19. januar, Filippinerne ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Glenn and Judy's 45th anniversary. It was a wonderful day with a rocky start. We had some breakfast in the Great Outdoors - hotter'n blazes. Joined up with our group, and were welcomed ashore with woven hats and a group of students playing glockenspiels- Marine Hymn- and baton twirlers. We attempted to meet our guide "at the gas station across from the main gate." Darla had a heck of a time- phoned the guy a couple of times-- finally he showed up, and had us ride in tricycles to the boat dock. Really neat, colorful boats with outriggers.

    We clumsily made it aboard (hey-- some of us are old!) and set out on our adventure-for about 5 minutes - and then the engine died. We made jokes about getting tugs from Melbourne (we are, after all, Star survivors, before we were Spirit survivors). A boat towed us back, and then we boarded it for our amazing adventure.

    Swimming and snorkeling - and a swim in a fresh water lake- stairs up and down to get there.

    We stopped at a beach for the delicious lunch that the boat captain prepared for us. There was a beautiful white dog who started out giving me puppy eyes- then nosed my thigh to try to get my attention - then sat ... I didn't succumb to the begging - but she sure was trying to edge into my heart.

    Our guide realized his mess-up, made adjustments, and had a van to return us to the ship. Showered and cleaned up well, then made it topside for a lovely sunset.

    We were blessed to be able to celebrate with our group at Cagney's - serenade by the waiters, and a cake that was pretty amazing!

    Exhausted and really full- we crashed!
    Læs mere

  • Busy Sea Day

    20. januar, South China Sea ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    I skipped breakfast, opting for a bit more sleep. My dear husband stopped by Starbucks to get me an iced Americano. What a guy.

    After prepping laundry, we headed to our Meet&Greet- organized by Darla and fun as always.

    Light lunch, and some LCR. Great conversation. We have some bumpy weather predicted -

    The Captain had a VIP reception - I think it is for b2b'ers. Had a good talk with Lori- and she and another friend went to Crossings with us. As we were waiting to be seated, I realized I wasn't feeling well - I excused myself and Wayne had dinner with the two lovely ladies.
    Læs mere

  • Kaoshiung, Taiwan

    21. januar, South China Sea ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    Today would have been our Mom's 100th birthday. Usually I would celebrate with a Scotch, but today was a bust for me. I woke up feeling badly, and opted out of today's excursion. In addition to the malaise, I don't want to expose my friends if it's something bad. I'm chasing symptoms today with all the meds.

    Seems prudent.

    The group got back in the nick of time. My view was from the bowcam.
    Læs mere

  • Ishigaki, Japan and a Sea Day

    22. januar, Japan ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    Still under the weather, but Wayne and I ventured out on the shuttle bus to the terminal. It was a tiny bite of differences- observe the miniscule seats in the waiting area. Very little English, (well duh- we're in Japan!) lots of vending machines - and we couldn't figure out if the bottles contained rice wine or vinegar. And there was Spam!

    Thursday Jan 23 was a Sea Day- we met D&R and J&G for lunch in Crossings. I had tomato soup and cheese quesadillas, then skipped the Latitudes Reception. I also opted out of LCR to save energy for the Military Reception. We joined our group for dinner in Cagney's. I had to excuse myself - hopefully will be ok for tomorrow's excursion.
    Læs mere

  • Naha, Okinawa to Keelung, Taiwan

    26. januar, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    23-26 January 2025
    Several days of malaise, with occasional bursts of energy.

    I opted out of my planned tour with Darla et al. from Naha. Wayne did an Okinawa Battle tour with the ship, which he enjoyed.

    We entered Keelung harbor with a welcome from the fire tugs. It's a tradition for vessels on their first arrival and final departure from a port- and Sky had had many first visits on this voyage.

    While I would have welcomed yet another full day of hanging out in the stateroom, it was not meant to be. We had to do face-to-face immigration for Taiwan. The entire ship has to clear before we could reboard. The procedure was quick, but then we didn't see a waiting area. A very nice young woman took us up to the second floor, where we were the only passengers for quite awhile. There were some kiddie gymnastics classes at the end of the area- the kids-3-4 year olds- were so cute. We were there nearly 4 hours.

    I was glad to get back. We had planned on dinner at La Bistro - Wayne ended up doing a solo act.

    We're overnight inport- and a new leg starts tomorrow.
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