City Bore, sorry, Tour - Kuala Lumpur, Day 13.

Once again, a 6:30am wake up and once again we were virtually alongside the dock anyway.  On checking our envelopes of tour tickets, to our horror, we discovered that although we have been charged for them, they hadn’t been delivered.  This was resolved quite quickly by the front desk and duplicates were issued.  We joined the melee at the Wheelhouse Bar after a hastily snatched snack, to queue up for our  sticky labels.  (Mine fell off a few minutes later.)  Along with all the others on the same tour, we sat in colour coded areas in the theatre awaiting our call.

We trooped off the ship and across the wharf, through the Glenn Building to one of the fleet of waiting coaches. At least it was air-conditioned.   For the first 10 minutes of the tour, the guide fiddled around trying to get microphone to work. By the end of the tour, I rather wished he had been less successful.

He never stopped talking the whole trip and after every single sentence, it was “(All) right?”  It was like Michael Barrymore’s “Aw right?” – but on double strength Valium, repeated ad nauseum and without the humour.  The rather bumpy first section of road (being rebuilt by the looks of it) was followed by several Freeway sections – but they weren’t really Freeways as they were tolled.  We had a short stop to take pics of the Blue Mosque, then our first proper stop was 30 minutes at the museum.  By the time at least half the coach-load of 33 had visited the toilets, we had about 15 minutes left, as we were led by our guide, round the other side of the building, where we managed to walk through the dark ground floor of exhibitions of the history, out the other side and assembled for the coach again.  A steady 15 minutes or so drive to our next stop – probably the best of the tour – the Memorial park.  There is a massive memorial not only to the Malays fighting in the first and second World Wars, but to those who lost their lives fighting Communism. I never was one for history, but to see specific dates posted, was a bit of a surprise.  Well worth a visit and like walking into an RSA/British Legion, quite moving.  Paula managed to purchase a pair of shot glasses as souvenirs of the city so she was very happy and then she also managed a cheap ‘bling’ bracelet before hopping back onto the coach.  I think the guide was a bit miffed that we hadn’t stayed around for most of his spiel, but we were more than happy!

For some reason, the tour then stopped opposite another city mosque with a less traditional roof but he walked us around the corner in the hot sun, to a building that used to be the railway station. There was nothing to see anyway nor was the architecture very special.  Waste of time.  Next to last stop and he brought out the bottled water and by this time it was a few minutes before midday, was Independence square, where we gazed at the tallest flagpole in the world (wow!) whilst heeding warnings about bag snatching illegal immigrants on motorbikes or just hanging around for an opportunity to pounce.  All we saw were people sitting down in a temporary shelter from a celebration the previous weekend or marginally incontinent old codgers tempting fate with a bottle of water before the ride back.  A 10 minute photo opportunity to snap the twin towers from a distance, at spot on midday, and that was it, before heading back to the ship, and the relative peace and quiet – right?       

The ship was sailing at 5pm, earlier than the original plan, so we joined others on deck as we cruised past the docks.   A nice city Kuala Lumpur, but we didn’t really get the chance to experience it at all.  Others did and most enjoyed it.  I just wish Nadeson would have his tour videoed and then watch it with an impartial advisor, as his enthusiasm for the city is real enough, but he has no idea how to connect to a tour group and his previous Civil Service background was not the ideal training.  Shame.  

The star of the dinner table’s  ‘show and tell’ tonight, was Garry’s wonderful “Lolex” watch... We are taking bets on what time it will be showing by the end of the voyage – that is if it is still running of course.

Early to the cabin as another early start tomorrow and the two shows on offer didn’t really appeal – Kenny Bennett’s farewell performance was one. 

Early start again - Langkawi Island tomorrow.  Looking forward to that.

A page of pics I emailed to the blog earlier, don’t seem to have shown up – yet. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t.

Out of sunny Australia and into soggy Asia - Day 12 Singapore

Although we had the alarm set for 6:30am, the ship was virtually alongside the wharf anyway.  The usual steamy, humid atmosphere of Singapore, where it is generally about 30-33 degrees regardless and fogs up the camera lenses until the equipment has warmed up.  After a quick look at the wharf from deck 12, we headed up to the buffet to feed up for the day and watched with long faces as the drizzly rain just got heavier and heavier.

An easy disembarkation (first time through) where you have to take your passport and a landing card and we just wandered off about 10am.  At this time in Singapore, many shops in the various malls are not open until 11am.

We paid $3 each for a Monorail ticket to Sentosa Island, just two minutes away, then hopped off at the first stop – Universal Studios.  We bought our tickets on line a couple of weeks ago at the senior’s rate of $36 each. By the time we hopped off the monorail, it was raining quite hard but we entered the park anyway.  LA this is not, but that is more due to size than anything. The first (water) ride “Madagascar”, isn’t in LA but looked suitably tame – but it wasn’t operating... Shrek in 4D we have experienced already and next stop was to find shelter from the rain which was absolutely tipping down. After about 45 minutes, we called it a day and headed back to the ship for a change to dry clothes as we were soaked.   The bargain “2 for $50” Princess foldaway anoraks are no more than shower-proof.

By this time – about midday, we thought a bite to eat on the ship would be ideal but bumped into Ros and Arnold who were sitting outside Starbucks, so we joined them for a (pricey) coffee and lo and behold, Tina & Trevor also joined us.

By the time we got back to the immigration checkpoint, the queue of people waiting to get off the adjacent ship and into Singapore was well over an hour long, so we took our time having a bite to eat and opted to go back out again to look for shoes.  Paula managed 3 pairs at $12.90 each so was well pleased, whilst I acquired a yellow printed T-shirt, which will no doubt appear in someone’s photos at some stage – maybe even mine.

A bit of a queue to get back on, surrendering our passports to the ship’s staff.

The sailaway was almost dry and Garry filmed the whole thing from one spot, using his new wide angle lens.  (He was cursing the fact he hadn’t bought it when he took the cable car that went straight over the ship, just an hour or two earlier.) His intention being to speed it up for the video production.

We then went to a 45 minute piano recital by the ship’s orchestra leader, Tim Barton, on Ragtime, Boogie-Woogie, Gospel and jazz piano generally.  An extremely informative recital and exquisite piano playing.  As part of the recital, Tim claimed that in all honesty, playing ragtime properly was every bit as difficult as Chopin for example.  I videoed the concert for free, so felt obliged to buy his CD for $20.

After our usual enjoyable dinner where Casanova Arnold acquired the new nickname of “Big Mack” (don’t ask) we went to the so called comedian, Kenny Bennett, billed as “Master of Mirth, Australia’s Favourite Funnyman”.  Based on the other acts we have seen so far, he would not be anywhere near the top of my list, Australian or otherwise.   Even the Neil Diamond impersonator was far funnier – and he was billed as s singer.

So ended a day in our first non-Australian port.  Tomorrow, Port Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) for a City Coach Tour.

Message to Murray W, Dave & Marilyn T.  FREE soft serve ice cream on deck 12. Does that tempt you?

A wet one - and an itinerary change - or two. June 4th

Our last day at sea before a run of 3 shore days was supposed to be a celebration of crossing the equator.  A ceremony was planned around lunchtime with the pollywogs meeting King Neptune, but the drizzle turned into a thunderstorm and the ceremony was postponed until the day after Langkawi.

A relaxing day (for a change – well it was Saturday).

Alana’s dance class was the Rumba and once again, we learned a new move, with a different exit from the Aida.

At long last, we managed a visit to the grill bar with Joanne and Garry, Ros and Arnold.  Paula had the kebab (without the wrap – and very tasty it was too) whilst I sampled the burger and a few chips.  Although the rain had eased, we sat out on deck 12, alongside the two table tennis tables. When the others wandered off, we had a quick hit.

2012 Cruisers – Apparently, if you enter the ship’s table tennis tournament, you are supposed to use the ship’s bats, so no need to bring your own.  Our usual experiences of supplied bats and tables is that they are second rate and you are lucky if you can even find a ball.  The equipment on board is excellent, though we did hear of a 76 year old granny who wiped the floor with the opposition - but was using her own bat...

Somehow the coffee card (15 coffees) has crept up to $35 but if you use the coupon supplied, you get a smart free thermal coffee mug with the Princess logo.  Still good value and the real coffees are not too bad.

Even with several repeat questions at trivia, we still only managed a miserable 12 points.

 

At 5pm, the dreaded Captain’s announcement.  It appears that the faulty generator/engine will not be fixed before we reach Dover, so alterations to the itinerary were necessary. The most drastic was cutting out Abu Dhabi altogether and arriving and leaving Dubai a day early... For those due to fly into Dubai to join the ship, if they cannot change flights and were arriving on the day of departure, they are going to be in deep doo-doo.  As we expect to join the ship in Dubai next year, we are well prepared.

Most ports have been adjusted with changes to arrival and departure times. Oman has been substituted with Salalah and Casablanca/Marrakesh with Gibraltar.

The logistics of all the changes must be a nightmare but what happens at Dover???  Will Philip be able to join in Amsterdam??? Will we be able to join in Fort Lauderdale - or Dover!  The company compensation is a rather miserable $200 for those going to Dover and beyond.

The evening meal was the usual fun affair and when Maurizio made his rounds, we said that we were rating the wait staff – and all held up cards saying 10/10.  We then rated Maurizio and whilst Garry filmed, we also rated Maurizio 10/10 – he was quite overcome so he sat down and took Garry’s seat – and champagne.  It may sound a little juvenile to some, but we are blessed with a great table group who at least know how to laugh.

The ‘late show’ was one of those marriage games, where the men disappear for the ladies to answer questions and vice versa.  A little bit rude maybe and  a salutary lesson to not volunteer for that...  An early start for Singapore’s 7am arrival so many were expecting to get up and watch the sail in.  Although warm, the weather not so good, with rain expected.

 

A lady was so excited about passing the equator that she was parked on the deck an hour early.  Three hours later, she complained to the front desk that the Captain must have given them wrong information as she hadn’t seen it...

Still at sea for day 10

Are we bored?  Not a chance. In the ten days so far, I have only managed to read about 10 pages of my paperback; haven’t managed a single computer game of Roller Coaster Tycoon 2; still haven’t  managed to visit the grill bar or the Italian restaurant and even with the clocks going back, there is not enough time in the day.

This was a sea day with no special events on the schedule but the temperature was about 30 degrees and the sun rather warm too.

Alana’s dance class was Rock ‘n Roll with once again, a new step for us after the obligatory basic step and a turn for the ladies.

It was far too bright and warm outside to use the computer so I retreated to the air-conditioned comfort of the cabin to catch up with the blogs.  Uploading was easy enough but trying to get the pics into the correct place on line was hopeless, so from now on, I’ll just email the pics as attachments and they’ll appear at the top of the blog.  Maybe one day I’ll be able to put them where they should be.

We had skipped lunch (yes, Ray skipped a lunch...) but wandered up to the Horizon Court buffet at 3pm, making up a cheese and onion roll and a glass of lemonade.  Our normal eating patterns at home are brunch about 11:30am and dinner about 6pm, so we are trying to come to terms with an evening meal at 7:45pm and working backwards to a 7:30am start.

Our afternoon quiz we managed a staggering 19 points...  Woo hoo.  (There is a reason for that but I am not saying.)

Another swim in a 30 degree pool, another dance practice 7:00pm with Alana and the orchestra then dinner.  Nice but nothing special until Birdie made an appearance.  I didn’t get any pics so you might need to look at other blogs again.  A fair few laughs before heading to the Vista lounge for a Liverpudlian comedian – Ivor Richards.  Lots more laughs and a full house.

It appears that on previous cruises, the staff have had to deal with laundry rage but we have a new one on this cruise. Mah-jong rage.  Honest!  There is a small games room and apparently the chess is supposed to be 9am and Mah-jong at 10am. A couple of earnest chess players objected to the Mah-jong players using spare tables and at 10am, the chess players refused to vacate so it was probably down to a castles versus bricks at dawn duel, until one of the entertainment staff stepped in to sort it.

We thought it hilarious and on the morning show, Warren & Dave made mention of it!  We really like this cruise director and there is a good rapport between him and the more vertically challenged Dave, who Warren refers to as the Hobbit.       

 

At 5pm the Captain gave us an update on the problems. He has submitted the options to head office and will be able to give us an update 5pm tomorrow – just after we pass the equator and just hours before we reach Singapore.  We wait with baited breath.

 

   

  

More days at sea - June 1st & 2nd and caught up at last.

What I failed to mention previously was that the dreaded announcement over the Tannoy was made two or three days ago.  “Although we are still on schedule, one of our 4 diesel generators has thrown a wobbly (not the exact words...) and engineers will join the ship in Darwin to assess the extent of the problem.” Collective groan, but the Captain promised to keep us informed of progress and we know he will.

This time our first appointment of the day was for “new” cruisers, followed by Alana’s dance class – the Foxtrot. Amazing that in an hour, she not only does the basic step, but also manages a couple of moves. What is even more amazing is that 95% of the class seem to cope very well.

My body was almost back to full eating capacity so we went off to the Australian themed buffet. Funny, I never knew that spanakopita, moussaka or samosas were Australian.  With plate piled, we headed outside as there was very little table space inside.  I plonked myself down at a table that was probably a bit too close to the wooden banister rail, and promptly whacked the back of my lower neck on the nail.  Immediate return of shoulder pain...

Part of the afternoon was spent trying to edit a bit of video – unsuccessfully.  But, I did learn yet more about the Cyberlink programme.  I can now extract the sound track from a video.  I thought you’d like to know that...

Trivia – of course – at 4:30 and once again, we didn’t win, but we haven’t slipped down to below 10 – yet.

A light evening meal then to the theatre for an Irish/Australian Neil Diamond impersonator and comedian – Peter Byrne. Another great act with a Freddie Starr ‘ape walk’ impersonation that was probably lost on many of the audience.

He sang an extremely touching ballad called , I think, “My Old Man” about a boy’s relationship with his father.  One or two damp eyes from the men.

 

Day 9 – June 2^nd.

Now this was always going to be a full on day, so we were up early enough to grab a bit of fruit and a drink from the buffet before our TUST (The Ultimate Ship’s Tour), a behind the scenes tour of the ship.  This is by ballot from the names of those who register for the tour on the first day, so it is not widely advertised and is indeed a ballot.  Limited to just 12 per group, it can only be on a sea day.  Cost is I believe $175 for a two and a half hour tour.  Sounds expensive, but there is a bit more to it than that.

Meeting at the theatre, we were first given an insight into the Technical side, then the lead dancer – Lynsey (from Scotland) and her number 2, Francesca from Sheffield (about 30 miles from Nottingham) explained a bit of stage craft and what they do, plus a peek into the dressing room before we trooped off to a secure area.

Here it was all about anchors, ropes, mooring etc. Immaculate.  On to the deck 5 kitchen and the Head Chef and  Produce Manager (wrong title maybe) and Angus, the Chief Purser.  A complimentary glass of champagne, a chocolate dipped strawberry and on to the stores, veg and meat freezers. On then to the tiny print department where they showed us just how much technology has improved particularly how they create the stencils/paper plates, from my time as a printer, 50 years ago!

On to the photographic dept but we had to skip the medical centre unfortunately.  The chief engineer was next who explained all about his responsibilities.  Fascinating to hear how environmentally friendly, yet how self sufficient this great ship really is.  Needless to say, whilst he was talking, 8 of our party were avidly studying the CCTV where the engineers were working on the number 1 generator!

Down into the bowels of the ship to the sauna/laundry.  Phew!  Rather them than me working in there, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, months at a time. However, as mentioned previously, all staff regardless of where they are in the chain have a smile and cheery wave, even down here.  Then from hell underground/water (deck 4) so to speak to heaven - by lift up to the bridge on deck 12 – again.  Our paperwork specifically asked us to refrain from taking pics, yet the first thing the captain said as he joined us, was “take as many pics as you like...”

There are times when the circulated Princess paperwork and directives seem at odds with the reality.

Tip for 2012: Put your camera in your pocket, regardless as to what it says on the paperwork.

The tour ended in Magnum’s bar where most of the senior staff previously mentioned joined us again for another glass of champagne.  Two drinks before lunch!

Cruise Director Warren joined us and rounded things off. A great tour and there was more to come.

A “Crazy Cruisers” lunch in the dining room (we just had tortellini) before we could crash out and do the blog from four days ago followed by a miserable trivia performance.  On returning to our cabin, as part of the tour goodies, we each had a large package that contained a ‘one-size-fits-all’ (ho, ho, ho...) robe (see pic later), a sized chef’s jacket, a set of 4 group tour photographs and a personalised notepad. All up, not bad value for the money paid.

Back in Auckland, we know that come September, our regular dining friends (if they can still remember us) are going expect something rather more than a traditional BBQ or a stuffed pumpkin from us now we have the jackets.   

A splash in the pool for Paula and the spa for me before the dress up again for formal night number 2.  This time, Casanova Arnold (and Ros)  failed to make it after Arnold had a fall whilst walking.

Immediately before dinner, Alana had managed to persuade the orchestra (who may even have volunteered), to play for a dance practice in the Vista lounge.  With just about everyone dressed up, instead of the usual shorts, sandals and socks, it was most impressive . Having missed the morning class and with Alana calling out the steps, Paula managed to drag me onto the floor for an attempt at the New Vogue “Palma Waltz”.

At dinner, 7:45pm, Joanne was just about beside herself with excitement as the main, main, was lobster tail – with baked monkfish, creamed potatoes, asparagus and a butter sauce.  Immediately, she asked the ever obliging waiter for two tails. After we had all eaten the first plateful, the waiter asked who else (other than Joanne) wanted a second and I think 4 of the 8 of us said yes. We were brought a completely new extra plateful.  Beautiful. Back to normal eating for me then.

Onwards as usual at 9:45 to a show, this time in the theatre with the 6 dancers and 4 singers performing to a soundtrack “Thank You For The Music”. Those people can really sing and dance.  A few minutes in the Atrium where Alana threw in another practice for the Palma Waltz, which was appreciated, before returning to the normal music.

  

During the afternoon, the Captain had announced that the ship had reduced speed a little but would still arrive in Singapore on time, but the full extent of the problem and its effect on the schedule was yet to be determined, but the general amateur consensus was that whatever needed fixing, Singapore would be the logical place anyway and an extra day(?) there, was not really a major problem, even if it meant skipping either Port Kelang or Langkawi.  It seems almost certain that there will be a delay

Phew, almost up to date - but I’ll need to post one or two pics now.

Due in Singapore in Sunday and I think we cross the equator tomorrow, Saturday, with an appropriate ceremony for newbies...  Should be worth videoing, though apart from Helen and Katie, most of our loose mob have crossed it before.

A day on land - Darwin - Day 7

Much excitement for a day on land? Not really as life on the ship is so full on that the day on land was seen almost as a day off!  Needless to say, we managed to wake just before berthing and joined the hundreds up on deck to witness it – many clutching video cameras of course.

 

Afterwards,  a quick breakfast before joining the queue to disembark. Speed of the line is dictated by the speed at which one control point can accept your cruise card popped into the machine.  The sniffer dog didn’t take long to find the banana in the bag of the old boy who obviously never listened to the very clear and precise instructions about not taking ANY food off the ship.

A pleasant walk up to Darwin city was easy enough, helped by the lift up to the 5^th floor and the only tricky bit for the physically challenged was a flight of about 20 steps.  When you consider that each deck of the Dawn Princess means a climb or descent of 16 steps and we seem to spend half the day travelling between our starting point on deck 11, to deck 5 – the lowest we normally access, or deck 14, this was a piece of cake.  As has been mentioned before by previous bloggers, we were not surprised to find that the Princess map was rubbish...

Tip 2012: Grab the free Darwin guidebook when you disembark, find the street map, remove it and use it. Bin the Princess map.

We opted to book the 11:30 “Duckabout Tour” on the croc bus – an amphibious DUKW.  We missed the 10:00am tour by 1 minute.  Cost was $40 each but had we not looked so young and beautiful, maybe we would have been offered the senior’s rate, saving us $2 each.

A wander up the Mall and back then onto the croc bus, whereupon Paula was told to board, then a previous passenger decided to get off so Paula stepped back, grabbed the wobbly rope and banister pole and fell backwards, crashing to the ground whilst hanging on by her bad arm and badly grazing her good elbow...  Her first attempt at pole dancing deemed a total failure.

The tour was part land and part sea and apart from driving up  a sandbar (all OK) then crashing back down into the water without warning, sending us 3ft in the air on the other side, (not so good) and not being able to hear most of the commentary as we sat at the back, well worth the money.

A decent coffee and a freshly made chicken wrap between us from Cafe 21 followed by a trip to the liquor store for a six pack of cider ($18) and a bottle of port for Paula (about $20), a news paper and a magazine and a steady walk back to the ship.

It got interesting here, as those who were in the queue for the land based x-ray scanner all had their wine confiscated and those who were scanned on board didn’t! Needless to say, there were some very unhappy campers that evening, with talks of petitions, alcoholic drink boycotts, lawyers letters, mass demonstrations, mutinies, sabotage etc.  Fortunately, the powers that be realised that there had been confusion and apparently the Princess rules had been changed the previous month (good luck on that...) “and as an expression of goodwill, all confiscated alcohol would be returned that night.”  I fear that we have not heard the end of this saga...

A relaxing soak before getting ready for the 6pm sailaway into the sunset, with many of our group congregating on the rear of deck 11 for a drink.

Dinner that night was hilarious but we didn’t have a camera, but fortunately other’s did, to record Arnold’s animal magnetism and once again, the other’s may well have posted blog photographs, so if you haven’t seen them so far, you may well find them on there.

The Vista show afterwards was a juggler who may have started off a bit slowly, but once we pushed Garry and Joanne on stage as his helpers, it improved considerably.   So far, we haven’t seen any duff acts at all.

So off to bed late again, even with another 30 minute clock shift and I am still struggling to catch up, though at least the shoulder has improved.

 

Email in from brother Dave in the UK: “Sorry to hear about the bad shoulder.  Ask the captain if you can have a couple of days off the rowing.”