Day 15 - A hot Darwin - Dec 9th

Not a good night at all for me, but even worse for Paula as my erratic snoring and snorting drove her to the other room.  But wait a minute, unlike home, we don’t HAVE another room,  so she decamped to the balcony for half an hour, but that was not exactly satisfactory, as the smoky people next door slept with their door open, so the stench was impossible to escape from.  Paula did the only thing possible and took a pill...

We were therefore out of bed quite late but there was no rush as Darwin isn’t a tender port.  After a light breakfast, we walked into town and it was already quite hot.  We hopped straight onto a number 4 bus heading for the Casuarina shopping mall.  (It is strange how through life, names like this appear to be coincidental, as the rental I was in when I first met Paula was on Casuarina Rd...)  We flashed our NZ Seniors’ passes and it cost us nothing.  Getting old isn’t all bad.  Route 4 is the ‘scenic’ route, covering three sides of a square, taking 55 minutes, so if you are in a hurry, you take a number 10 which is direct.

Not a very scenic route really, but we didn’t mind.  A great shopping mall and although I tried black trousers on at three different menswear shops, they either didn’t have my size or the cut was awful, so I resigned myself to the remaining formal nights with pale trousers.  Coffee at Gloria Jeans’ was just excellent and much better than on the ship.  In fact, coffee on this ship is a bit hit and miss, but more about that later when I do the ship comparisons.

Back to the ship with Ken & Barb (on the number 10 of course) and for a late buffet lunch.  We skipped trivia but met up with the others in the top floor Skywalker’s for the sailaway.  Dinner was nice with hot jubilee cherries for dessert.  I don’t often succumb to desserts but hot cherries and cream – yum!

The juggler wasn’t so hot and after, a long chat to Greg and Kathy from Florida.  Clocks forward 30 minutes tonight with two days at sea before Port Douglas.  The smokers have really done my head in though, and that is not good.  

Days 13 - 14 Two straightforward sea days. Dec 7 & 8th.

Not too much of either interest or note other than the Indian buffet was a bit lacking in variety, though the chicken madras and the fruited rice was tasty enough for a second run... We sat up on the balcony around the indoor calypso/conservatory pool to eat it and noted that not for the first time, a senior Japanese gentleman with an obvious passion for table tennis (complete with his own designed and constructed bat!), was keen to help the youngsters improve their game.  We watched as we ate, and saw a youngster improve so much, that in the 20 minutes or so we were there, he developed a formidable forehand smash from virtually nothing!  Great to see.

We did manage the salsa dance class for a bit of exercise, but most of the classes seem to be 30 mins, rather than the 1 hour on the Dawn.  Although I tried several times, internet access appeared to be impossible 9though this specific blog is written later anyway – much later...)  We had another formal night and I managed a lobster tail with a crab-cake, (for a starter rather than the published main...  Looking at the photograph now, it is also easy to see why this may have been a good choice as a starter only, as it wasn’t really up to the standard we have come to expect.) but my head’s taste department was still on strike anyway, so I can’t say too much about it.   (There was yet another toast to an absent friend, who is a lobsterholic...)  I did manage to enjoy the steak Rossini main though, which was superb.  A beautiful steak topped, with pate, nice vegetables.

Our table waiters Freddie & Oscar livened things up a bit with a bit of table sculpture, though Ros looks a bit perturbed as to its stability, Arnold is more intent on studying the dessert menu, trying to find the lost berries.

We went on to club fusion for a game show – “Blankety Blank”, but sadly, the three cruise members on the panel were too predictable and that meant that the audience’s answers soon turned out to be predictable and boring too. Not a success.

It appears to us that the whole tone of this cruise staff is a bit more serious and a bit too PC maybe.  Have they been told to be a bit less silly?  We miss the infectiousness of Bex and her laugh, Barbara for being Barbara and Warren’s rapport with Deputy director Dave.

We did enjoy a coffee afterwards and a chat with Ken & Barb in the Atrium - until about 11:45pm!

 

Next day, we once again were unable to enjoy the balcony that we’d paid for, as the smokers next door were outside. Very frustrating as not feeling well is a pain.  It is more of a pain when on holiday and even more so when I know that second-hand cigarette smoke from next door is the reason. 

The Princess theatre act was Grant Galea, a singer who put on a good show, enlivened a wee bit by singing impersonations.

It almost goes without saying, that neither day provided a trivia win, but we still enjoy it.  Our team “The Guessalots” is aptly named but there are one or two really smart teams on board.  But hey, we don’t profess to know it all, but we are all still learning.

Another atrium late coffee stop with Ken & Barb and we were joined by the very bubbly and bouncy, but very single, Linda.  Quite a character that one...

Darwin tomorrow and that meant an easy immigration face to face whilst at sea which speeds things up.  We were in Darwin earlier in the year so we’ll just amble off again and maybe I’ll find some black trousers suitable for formal night, though with just three formal nights left, maybe I won’t...    

Day 12 - Benoa (Bali) - Dec 6th

For our last Asian stop, we accidentally caught up with Barb & Ken whilst waiting for our tender call and when we arrived on dry land, there were plenty of taxis available at a published fixed fare of $25 each way to Kuta beach.  We had never been to Bali before but we know it is a very popular destination for both Australians and Kiwis.  There are different spots on the island and the nearest for us was Kuta, which is  a beach resort.  We managed a modern Suzuki taxi van for the four of us and our driver was more than happy to drop us off and pick us up 3 hours later and refused to accept 50% payment for the outward trip.

We were somewhat surprised by the heavy traffic here and the driver did a bit of ducking and diving through the backstreets to try and avoid the worst bottlenecks.  As promised, he dropped us off at the market with a straight walk to the beach. At least 90% of the market must have been clothing – mainly singlets and tee shirts. All around, at almost every stall, were small offerings with incense burning, but often these seemed to get trampled on.  The singlets and tees seemed to be similar on every stall and we gained the impression that maybe one or two were wholesalers selling to other market traders, so there was a lot of haggling going on.

We walked down to the beach, turned right and walked along the water’s edge.  Plenty of offers of massage, cold drinks etc and dozens of small stalls.

Moving back in land again, the traffic was still extremely heavy, but what we noticed was that 80% of the jams were probably caused by slow moving taxis touting for custom and they contributed to about 80% of the traffic too!

Time for a coffee and we spied the Australian franchised Gloria Jeans.  Having had an excellent coffee in Vietnam and paying in $US, we were somewhat surprised to find that this branch only wanted local currency - so they missed out, as we didn’t have any.  Negotiating very poorly maintained pavements was a worry, as they effectively covered storm drains, but not all the coverings are in good condition. It was far too easy to put your foot down a hole so you had to be very vigilant.

Paula had spied a large dolphin carving earlier in the day so our last stop before the taxi at 3pm was to see how much he would drop his price of $100.  Now bargaining is the norm here so Paula offered $50.  He wasn’t happy.  Eventually he asked Paula her top price and she said $70. He wanted $80 and wouldn’t budge so we walked away.  He soon chased us and said OK, $70.  He wrapped it with bubble wrap and card board and when Paula handed over the $70, he claimed we had agreed on $80!  We paid $70 and staggered back to the taxi with our extra passenger...

Back at the wharf, it was quite entertaining to be in a fenced compound, whilst the traders tried to haggle through the fence.

We attacked the buffet at 4pm then caught up wit he others in the lofty Skywalker’s lounge for the sailaway, which as a tender port, wasn’t spectacular.

That concluded the Asian content of the trip as the remainder is more of an extended homecoming than anything.  With just three Australian ports before Sydney, the mood changed significantly and much of the talk was now of future plans...  

Days 9 - 11 At sea again, being lazy

As I have a bit of catching up to do, suffice to say that the three days at sea passed by without being attacked by pirates, hit by tornadoes or tsunamis.  There was no mass outbreak of bubonic plague, dengue fever, the lurghi or the squits – though there may have been isolated outbreaks here and there.  No mutinies of crew or passengers and no streakers - though given the likely state of so many un-ironed birthday suits around here, that is something of a blessing really.  Has anyone ever seen a geriatric with a walking frame, streaking?

We did turn up for the “Buddhism 101” lecture in the theatre one morning.  It was so peaceful that we both nodded off...

The following day it was port lecturer Hutch, on Benoa (Bali).  We didn’t nod off.

Unfortunately, the Diamond Cats lunch clashed with the crossing the equator ceremony but as viewing seems a little crowded compared to the Dawn, we did the lunch.  Nothing arranged other than the lunch, where Dave excused himself towards the end, as he was off to be verbally abused at bridge, where some old biddy objects to him smiling!  

For the second night, we caught an act that we had seen on the Dawn.   The first was illusionist Wayne Hoffman and the second was pianist/guitarist Bayne Bacon.  Good acts, but there is never enough seating unless you want to wait until the 10:30pm performances.

We also managed a couple of production shows, but we are now in the zone of getting repeats, though the stage equipment and effects appear to be  a bit more advanced than on the Dawn, or certainly compared to the first half of the cruise.

Benoa (Bali) tomorrow concludes the real overseas sector as after that it is all Australia and NZ.

Apologies for the delays...

Apart from the time factor of trying to get the blog up to date; the fact that the connection keeps dropping out; a severe attack of sinusitis/head-cold, probably caused by the chain-smokers in the adjoining cabin, all is well.  Already, there is talk of plans for 2013, as Princess has just released the itineraries.

When you are addicted, you always need to plan when your next fix is coming along.

I promise I will get the blog up to date but quite when, I am not too sure.  Apart from Gary & Joanne, I am not even sure if anyone is even reading it, as internet access is so fragile I haven’t even bothered checking the stats.

In real time, we have already been to Bali, Darwin, Port Douglas and are currently an hour or so away from leaving Airlie Beach, then the run down to Sydney, where all of our table friends will be getting off.  Sob, sob.

Oh no.  The smokers are back on their balcony next door...

Days 7/8 Dec 1st & 2nd - at sea and Vietnam

Back to a leisurely start to the day and the usual relaxed routine before a swim in the Conservatory pool, which is all under cover and the temperature in the water must have been about 30 degrees plus.  Lovely.

A very nice lunch that was so good, I just had to have a second plateful – a bit of a rarity for me on board.  This was followed by a visit to the tropical fruit buffet where we had the opportunity to try various items we normally wouldn’t see or have the courage to try.  Maintaining 5 portions of fruit/veg per day is so easy.  Jackfruit, lychees, massive guava, chocco, pineapple, dates, paw-paw, oranges and no doubt others I missed.   (Please note Mrs Wallace, 8 fruits on my plate...) Very nice too.

We didn’t win at trivia.

After a dinner that included two mains – prawns and veal rack, (I skipped on the soup) we went to see Maurizio in the Explorer’s Lounge, rather than his usual spot in the atrium where he has a massive following.  This was more  a concert than the usual sing-along /dance-along.  Very enjoyable but ruined for us by some woman of foreign extraction seated just behind us at the rear of the area, who yapped all the way through.  Turning round and glowering had no effect.

With an early start tomorrow for a tour to Ho Chi Min city (Saigon), we crashed early.  We had a 6am alarm set as Paula wanted to see the sail in.

 

Day 8 Vietnam

The sail in wasn’t really very interesting but it did give us time for a quick breakfast before the 2 hour run to Hi Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon.

Until I’d seen the UK’s “Top Gear in Vietnam”, I had no real wish to visit, but for a programme that is based on cars, they did a stellar job of promoting Vietnam.  Although we didn’t get out and about to see the real beauty of the countryside, this was a fascinating stop.  Our guide “Ho”, looked a lot like a slimmed down smiling Buddha, with a round face and he did smile a lot and was also quite gentle with his commentary.   I just love to analyse some of these guides for mannerisms, as they all seem to have them.  Ho’s mannerism was repeating half of the last sentence or phrase at least twice, so the day went something like this.

“In Vietnam we have 85 million people and 70 million motorbikes: - motorbikes. The adults have to wear crash-helmets: - crash-helmets, but not the children: - children.”

The journey in from the port at Phu My was interesting, as for the only time of this trip, we drove on the “wrong” side of the road.  Having said that, watching the kamikaze motorcyclists, you could so easily have been forgiven for thinking that they drove on the left.  Our very skilful coach driver took no prisoners and when making right turns from lane 2, across the motorcyclists, he turned quite slowly and the motorcyclists continued to dive in front as we were turning until we were well through and then they passed behind.  Scary!  Seeing the stuff they carry on the bikes is mind boggling, but it seems that whatever you want delivering to your house, it arrives on the back of a bike.  We passed a couple of bikes carrying not one, but 4 single mattresses.  As most families have just the one bike, seeing mum, dad and one or two kids on at the same time was the norm.  (Families are limited to two children...)  Amazingly, throughout the trip, we saw no accidents so it does make you think.  NZ prices motorbikes off the road, (the registration fee is higher than for a car) yet in many countries we have visited this year, including some in Europe, it is the most efficient means of transport.

We had a “Happy Room” stop about 1 hour in, and as I hadn’t packed enough leisure shirts, I was happy to buy 3 genuine Ralp Lauren polos for $20.  (Yes, I have spelt the label name correctly!)  I didn’t bother bargaining but others managed 3 for $10!  Needless to say, on the return to the ship, there were quite a few passengers supporting Ralp Lauren.

Our first stop on the tour was a 45 minute stop at a lacquer factory, where just for the tourists, there were about 10 operatives showing the different processes including some intricate work using mother of pearl and even egg shells!  I have to say that this was one of the better of these showroom stops.  We duly got back on the coach and waited; and waited; and waited.  Twenty minutes after our due time, two passengers who are from world’s third largest continent, finally made it to the coach, which was parked at the showroom exit.  They received the slow handclap from the rest of the passengers.  They couldn’t understand why they were given the treatment until someone told them in no uncertain terms how selfish they were.  Our next stop was the Post Office for 20 minutes – but they didn’t get off the coach...   It was left to a further two of their countrymen to be a further 10 minutes late...

On then to the market.  As with all indoor markets, hot and steamy with in this instance, the outer ring of stalls manned by government employees and everything at fixed prices, so no bargaining.  Once past them, the bargaining started in earnest  - it is almost a national sport.  NOT bargaining they find quite disappointing.  Paula did well here and bought a few more items to add to the Ralp shirts and also a couple of coolie hats we’d bought at the stall inside the post office.

Thankfully, no one was late this time and the coach dropped us off at Duong St in the city.   We led the rush to a “Gloria Jeans” coffee shop, where they took US dollars and provided a superb coffee.  Just what we need before strolling up and down the street, marvelling once again at the motorbikes travelling on whatever side of the road took their fancy.  We walked as far as the river, but wisely I think, elected to not cross over the road.  The general rule here seems to be, amble across the road at a steady pace and whatever you, do, don’t run.  The traffic should (repeat, should) flow around you.  If you stop or run, the oncoming gaggle of bikes has no idea whether to go in front or behind.  

A quick photo stop at the palace where we were allowed inside the gate, but not more than about ten metres from it.

Almost the whole journey back to the port, the road was lined with small businesses.  Far more interesting than passing large modern factory buildings.  In Vietnam and Thailand, I think I could have cheerfully taken my time passing through and taken enough interesting photographs to fill a book or two.  There was just so much of human interest and the people are very likeable.

Very noticeable was that in NZ and most western countries, there are always car sale yards, here there were a lot of yards selling second-hand construction equipment such as cranes, rollers, diggers etc. There are many road side eating establishments as the food is so cheap and with people working long hours, it is easier to eat out rather than cook.  Many of these road side establishments had hammocks for the use of clients. Now that is something that the west could offer!  On the outskirts of Saigon is an amusement park that looked quite large but I have no idea what it was called, though there was a massive rock structure, not quite as big as Disney’s Matterhorn, but pretty impressive. We were back the ship at 5:10pm with once again, our driver skilfully using any of the three lanes available, but the run was noticeable by the number of broken down trucks in the ‘slow’ lane.

A visit to the buffet then to an 8:15pm comedy show by Don Ware.  Don was for six years, a script writer on the Cosby show - and at times he even spoke like Bill Cosby!  His recall of his Bangkok hotel with free massage was hilarious.  Totally non PC – thank goodness - and with a fair bit of picking on the audience.  He challenged one guy, who was escaping for a cigarette, “ Who cut your hair? Stevie Wonder?”.  My kind of humour.

A coffee in the atrium – virtually the only place you can get one.

Now we have three days at sea to look forward to, when I may give our comparisons of the Diamond and Dawn Princes ships - if I can find the time of course - and if there is internet available.  With 2700 passengers, compared to the 1950 of the Dawn, the pressure on the internet is so much greater, so getting connected and getting anything done, such as viewing emails on line, sending them or posting blogs, is not that easy.  We may now have to wait for Darwin before we can upload, so what you are reading today may have been written days ago.