Flight to Delhi, Friday, March 15th

We get up and have breakfast at the hotel. We walk around a little and take some final photos of the area. Then we pack up and our taxi arrives. I forgot to mention yesterday that the septic systems here are like South America, do not flush toilet paper, put it in the trash can!

The Ides of March find us flying from Phuket, Thailand to New Delhi, India. A 2PM flight turns into a 3PM flight and takes 4.5 hours in the air. There is also a 1.5 hour time zone change. Don’t ask me why but we have seen 1/2 hour time zones before so we are no longer surprised. By the time we clear Customs in India, it is 8PM. Our ride ditched us and we get a public taxi to take us to our hotel. This is by far, the craziest traffic we have ever seen and our lives are in our driver’s hands! Lane demarcations mean absolutely nothing here. The most important driving tool here is your horn!

So a crazy 30 minutes later we arrive at our hotel and the ride has cost us 742 Rupees ($8.92 US). Cheapest cab ride ever! And the entertainment factor makes it the most exciting ride ever!

It turns out our hotel is an Air BNB and our hosts are friendly enough. They point out the direction to the local street market a block away and we go in search of snacks before bed. We don’t have time for a sit down meal as we will be getting up at 1AM for our next adventure. You’ll have to stay tuned to find out what it is!

Goodnight now!

Phuket, Thailand, Thursday, 3/14

Today we wake up on the ship in Phuket and have a leisurely breakfast in the buffet. We stop by reception afterwards to pick up our passports (which the ship holds against our desires). They delay us from doing so appropriately as they are using them to get us into Thailand. We go to our room and pack our short term bags for our side trip for the next 4 days. We get a call in our room that our passports are ready to be picked up.

Packing finished, we get our passports and leave the ship. The typical negotiating with the taxi vendors ensues and we pick one that will take us to Nai Yang Beach Resort for $100 US or $3000 Baht (Thailand dollars). Since it is over an hour ride diagonally across the island, it seems reasonable. On the map, the ship is on the lower right and our destination is on the upper left! We arrange with him to take us to an ATM as we don’t want to drain our cash reserves. We commence driving across the island and with a little difficulty finding the correct resort, we eventually get there. Sure glad we aren’t required to read road signs, as evidenced by a couple photos! We do spot a local stop sign because of the shape and color though!

The scenery is beautiful and we are excited to be here. This is my 48th country and Elee’s 45th. We are at a beach resort on the northwest coast of Phuket, Thailand. We are 5 minutes walk to the ocean and to get there we have to be ‘ferried’ across a small canal. We step on the ferry and it rocks in the water. Sure glad it had railings or I would have been in the canal! Once on the ferry (okay, it’s a small raft with railings! LOL), a little man pulls us across with a rope. Fun!

Then we walk on to the ocean, another 2-3 minutes. Beautiful scenic beach views adorned with mountains sloping to the sea and islands standing proud in the water! Looking the other direction, scores of fishing boats float, awaiting tomorrow morning when they will once again seek out the bounty that will get their captains their days wages!

We walk into the mellow surf and keep walking deeper. Approximately 100 yards (think a football field) into the water, we are barely knee deep in the bath water temperature water! This is truly paradise (if you could forget the humidity!). We vow to return and give Thailand some serious notice! We come across a couple dozen tables in the shade of the trees at the edge of the beach adorned with tablecloths and we take seats out of the harsh sun.

A waitress soon spots us and brings menus. Elee orders a cold drink of rum, ice and soda water. I order a cold Thai beer called ‘Chang’. Even though my beer preferences of late lean towards IPA’s, this is a very refreshing Pilsner made locally. And, they delivered it with a 3/8 inch thick rubber ‘coozie’ to keep it cold! And sure enough, the very last sip was ice cold!

So several photos later (to keep the cameras from revolting), we walk an inland path back under the trees with cool island breezes keeping us as cool as the climate will allow. Did I mention the temps today reached 36 degrees Celsius and 85% Humidity, That would be 97 degrees Fahrenheit! We arrive back at our hotel and spend some time in the double pools and arrive at the swim up bar!

The pools are refreshing yet we choose to sit out at a table next to the bar and have our drinks. Refreshed, we retire to our room for a nap in air conditioning. A couple hours later, we dress and go back downstairs for dinner. I order a deep fried soft shell crab dish that is fantastically flavored. Elee orders Sea Bass. All the food is prepared perfectly and we are happy campers.

The remainder of a Chilean Cabernet brought back to the room is the perfect accompaniment to writing this blog! So tomorrow builds more upon this adventure! See you then!

Goodnight!

Penang, Malaysia, Wednesday 3/13/24

We wake in no hurry today, knowing we don’t intend to spend every hour off the ship. When we do debark around 10AM, we are bombarded with taxi vendors off the ship. We negotiate and get a taxi for 4 hours for $50 US. A good deal. Our driver, Krishnan, has a good command of the English language, having lived in New York City for 13 years. A plus for us!

Krishnan takes us first to Penang Hill where we pay a small fee to ride a jeep to the top, some 5 kilometers each way. The views of the island are good, even though it is hazy. We don’t spend a long time as we want to maximize our time with Krishnan.

Krishnan then takes us around to different temples of note. There were two temples across the street from each other, one with a Budda lying down and one with a standing Budda. Lots and lots of money spent on statues and idols. Interesting culture. But our cameras are happy. Then, Krishnan takes us to a restaurant street where we indulge in a dessert, “Cendol”, made with frozen coconut milk, some kind of frozen noodle, Lentil and Kidney beans among other ingredients. Sounds gross but it was very good. We also share a lunch dish called, “Char Kuey Teow”, with noodles and shrimp. Also very tasty!

We also travel to a set of shops built on a jetty out on the water, “Chew Jetty”. We even spy a stand with the fruit, ‘Durian’, which hotels fine you for bringing in! Alas, they want $10 for a taste! Maybe another time! Also a Temple built on the jetty. Interesting way of life. We are tired and it is time to go back to our ship. We spend the rest of the afternoon on board, cruising the different parts of the ship and meeting new friends.

After dinner, where we get to know our table mates better, we make our way up on deck to a deck party, the “Dragon Full Moon Party”, glow in the dark party. We stay for a couple hours, relaxing in deck chairs near the pool. Not a very well attended deck party as cruise ship deck parties go. The moon was not full, there were no black lights to illuminate clothing and the party was scheduled on a port night with a port day tomorrow. Poor scheduling.

So I, at least, try a new drink, a ‘Kiwi Colada’. Sweet and cold but refreshing. Brought it back to the room and will turn in, right after I start to put a small bag together for our excursion that begins tomorrow.

Goodnight All!

At Sea, Adaman Sea, 3/12/24 Tuesday

We wake and find our way to the buffet breakfast in ‘Borough’s Market’ at the back of the ship. Today is “At Sea” in the Adaman Sea. Who’d have thought there were so many seas on earth? The old song, “I’ve Sailed The Seven Seas In My Dirty Dungarees” comes to mind, yet we have been in many more than 7 seas!

Studying the daily activity sheet, we find a couple morning activities that we are interested in and mark our times. Elee goes off and signs up for a painting class but is put on a wait list. My first that I will do today is Trivia at 10:30AM.

Trivia is fun with old friends. Or is that friends that are old? Either way, trivia is fun! Then it’s off to a seminar/lecture about an upcoming port that is very informative!

To lunch in the restaurant and we chat with new met friends. Lunch is very good yet we eat light. Elee and I head our separate ways after lunch, Elee going to play board games and I head to play Whist. I meet many new people and bump into 4-5 old friends from our RTW Cruise 4 years ago! Once a world cruiser, always a world cruiser!

I finish the Whist game and win the Guys top score! All of my new friends look at me and ask if I really needed that refresher course! But everybody laughs! The Lady’s Top Score beats mine by one point so I point out that I really didn’t win!

I check in on Elee’s board games and they have a full and happy group! So I go to my cabin and pick up my new Ukulele and head to Ukulele class! Maybe I can learn to play this tiny contraption! But class is confusing for a beginner player and an experienced player who was in the Whist Group recognizes me and takes me aside from the Group and gives me my first lesson!

Right after the Ukulele class, there is a Formal Reception for all us new people on the ship to meet the Captain and Crew. This is the first time I have met a Ship’s Captain that is from the USA. Idaho, who’d have thought? I asked if he brought the potatoes and he assured me he filled the Galley! LOL

So now it is off to dinner and it is Formal Night. Neither Elee nor I brought real formal clothes as we opted not to. So we put on decent clothes and attend and meet our new table mates for the first time! Turns out we are seated with others who just embarked in Singapore like we did! One British couple and a lady from Australia!

After dinner, we go to the show in the Paladium Theatre and listen to and watch Emily Haig perform soprano numbers, starting with a James Bond Medley, transitioning to Somewhere Over The Rainbow and West Side Story bits along with operatic numbers. Not exactly our cup of tea, but very good and entertaining!

Finish the evening with a Trivia Contest with friends and it is off to our room. Tomorrow will be here before we know it and we will be in Penang, Malaysia!

Goodnight All!

Departure from Singapore, 3/11/24 Monday

Today we get up and have breakfast. New highlights in Indian Food. Coffee Bao, Samosa & Idly with Tomato Chutney! I could get used to this! Breakfast of Champions! For any of you adventurous types, this food is Heaven on Earth!

Today we choose to kick back in the hotel until time to head for the ship. Our legs are tired and we feel we have visited the important sites in Singapore. So I catch up on some photo editing and before we know it, it is time to check out. Elee has called our taxi driver that brought us from the airport (yes, taxi drivers give you their personal numbers and love it when you call them for a ride!

So Hafiz picks us up and takes us to the ship terminal. We pay him and tip him well! Then we walk through the terminal and catch a few photos of the ship as we approach it!

We only have to roll our luggage a couple hundred feet, and compliments to a luggage cart, it is easy. They look at my passport and get my room number and the luggage is checked in! Then we walk to check ourselves in. This turns out to be the absolute easiest cruise ship check in we have ever experienced! Within 10 minutes we are on the ship! We go to our room and a porter is there to put our luggage into our room.

We should introduce you to the ship that will be our home for the next two months! Come with us as we explore the ship! The first thing we notice makes us roar with laughter! The same carpeting that was on our 2020 World Cruise is here! We nicknamed it ‘Covid Carpeting’ because of the pattern on it!

We start by going up to the top on Deck 14 and walking around. This is the walking track of the ship and the best views without windows. Singapore is interesting from this perspective!

In the front of the ship is the “Observatory”, which is the all night disco and bar! We get a Singapore Sling to accompany us on our exploratory journey!

Then down to Deck 12 and walk around again. Here we are on the pool deck and the buffet restaurant along with the custom coffee shop, the pizza and ice cream shops as well as the premiere restaurant, the ‘Sea & Grass’. And finally, the Bridge, which is closed to passengers without special permission.

Deck 11, all cabins and suites. Deck 10, more cabins and in the very front of the ship there is an open deck for observing wildlife and views coming into ports!

Deck 9 & Deck 8, both filled with cabins. In the back of the ship there are open viewing balconies mainly for guests staying on those floors. Ooh, the front half of Deck 8 has an interesting bar called the “Purple Turtle Pub” lounge! We will spend a lot of time here as you will learn. LOL.

Deck 7… The main entertainment deck. In the front of the ship is the “Palladium Theatre”, accessed on both Deck 7 and 8 (Balcony).

The back of Deck 7 is the “Buckingham Restaurant” where most of our meals will be served. In the Buckingham is the ‘Captain’s Table’ where special meals can be had at premium prices! In between the Buckingham and the Palladium are “Raffles Bar”, “Botanical Lounge” (both piano bars) and forward of that is the top level of the “Center Court” with seating and stairwells that lead down to Deck 6 and Deck 5 for midship entertainment!

The middle is open so all 3 floors can enjoy whatever entertainment is taking place! Deck 6… More fun places! Including our cabin! Here you will also find the “Casino” for gambling on sea days, Aces & Eights card room and “Kapoor’s” where most art classes are held. Behind that are cabins. Deck 5 has Reception next to the Center Court where the midship entertainment occurs, Dicken’s Bar and Destination Experiences where you can book future cruises.

The back of Deck 5 and below are cabins. If you wish to use the Gym or have a reason to go to the Medical Center, those, along with the Spa, are on Deck 2, down in the bowels of the ship! Deck 3 is Crew Cabins, you have to have a special key for that deck! I check my steps and have 5000 just from exploring the ship!

We go to our room and unpack most of our stuff. Then I walk into a lounge on Deck 7 and, lo and behold, here is an old friend from our RTW 2020 Cruise! Hello Ann! We catch up and Elee joins us. We knew she was on the ship already. She is headed out to see the Light Show that Elee and I saw 2 nights ago in the Garden By The Sea.

We go into the “Buckingham Restaurant” (The main restaurant on the ship) and have dinner. Tonight is ‘Open Seating’ which means you sit where you like. On a regular basis, we will have assigned seating with assigned table mates. We will see how that works out. We have had good and poor results with that in the past. The good thing is, we know we can choose to change tables if we don’t get along with our table mates!

After dinner, we go into one of the local lounges that offers a trivia game. We commonly enter trivia games, even not being very adept at them. And, as usual, we only get 4 of 15 questions correct! But it was fun! We will have to get a team together with a couple Brits included as these trivia games are geared towards British trivia! (It is a British ship, after all!) But it’s all in good fun and we meet some Aussies at the table next to us! Meeting new friends is one of life’s great pleasures!

The act that follows the trivia is a music trio. We attempt to listen but they have their amps set too loud and there is an uncomfortable echo factor in the room. So we go in search of another form of entertainment. We find ‘the Botanical Lounge, a lounge with a piano player and violin player that are much quieter and interesting to listen to. Alas, they only play for an hour! Must be a good gig if you can get it! We find out later that they move around the ship playing an hour here, an hour there and likely play 6 to 8 hours each day at the least!

We contemplate ending our evening when we spot another old friend from our 2020 RTW Cruise and we visit with Ron for a short while and catch up.

We agree to meet up the next day and we all head for our rooms.

Goodnight All!