Twelfth Post - 10/27 to 10/31
Finally, Another Post!
October 27th - At Sea - Still HOT, partly cloudy
I am having a very hard time with internet access on this cruise. The speed to connect to Comcast, or this blog, or Facebook is VERY VERY slow. or times out completely. I guess with 2000 passengers and another 1000 crew members all trying to get on, slows things down considerably. That is my whine for the day.
The captain made an announcement this morning that we may have to skip the port of Manila, Philippines because of a typhoon in the area. Yikes - this will be the third port we missed because of the weather.
Went for ice cream and sat to watch the World Series game while we ate. They had it broadcast live on the giant screen over the pool. It was way too hot for me to sit there, so I went into a lounge to update my journal. One and half hours later, still no Dan. When I left him, the game was in the 8th inning. Lo and behold, he was still watching what turned out to be the longest world series game in history - 17 innings. Who would have thunk???
P.S. Dodgers won that game, 3 to 2.
Spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for an early (715 am) departure tomorrow for Saigon. Nice dinner and right to bed.
October 28th - Saigon, Vietnam - 90* HOT HOT
Tour left on time right at 7:15 am. Our guide was named Tre (pronounced tree), who was very interesting and entertaining. He spoke of the history of wars in Vietnam, mentioned several times that they were now a communist nation and are reminded of that as often as possible; the Russian influence is very heavy and all their weapons have come from Russia since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. But then he said they now have normal relationship with America and can buy better weapons from us.
It is a 1 1/2 hour drive from the ship to the city through small towns on a highway. The road is very dirty, litter everywhere and looks more like a city boulevard than a highway. Traffic, again, very heavy and wild - cars, buses, trucks and scooters zipping around everywhere.
On arrival in Saigon, we went right to the Reunification Hall, where the end of the war was signed. Dan enjoyed the weapons display and the helicopter, tank and airplanes on display at the entrance.
We then drove through the city seeing the US Embassy where the famous picture of crowds trying to board the last flight out. The old building was torn down because it was too symbolic of how many people wanted to leave. We also saw the Rex Hotel where all reporters stayed during the war, the famous Post Office building designed by Eiffel, and the Notre Dame Cathedral - never damaged during the war, but now under renovation.
We spent time at the Ho Chi Minh Museum' which included the famous round table and carpet used during negotiations for the end of the war. There were also several pictures of Richard Nixon taken with Vietnam officials. Finally found a western toilet at the museum - I am obsessed with bathroom facilities in this part of the world.
Street vendors were all over the sidewalk outside this museum selling tote bags, fans, t-shirts, hats etc. A woman on the bus sent her husband out to get her a tote bag, but he did not go to the woman vendor with whom she had negotiated. That started a fist fight between the two vendors!!! I think he got back on the bus without a bag!!!!
We went to lunch at a fabulous restaurant that had a great buffet with many dishes which I could eat - no peanut butter cookies sandwiches for me today HOORAY! We were entertained during lunch by lovely dancers and musicians. We were then taken downtown to a shopping area where I bought, more trinkets. And then taken back to the ship, where there were more vendors waiting, so I could buy more trinkets. No wonder Ellie says she loves me MORE than I love shopping!!!! Ha ha ha
I should comment on the passengers on our bus, who for the first time on this trip, were not a fun group. There was very little talking or laughing or helping each other.
Got back in time to change and go to dinner, which was DELICIOUS meatloaf! We then saw a Buddy Holly Tribute show and hit the sack. Captain did announce that it was still up in the air for a stop in Manila. This storm was doing a lot of damage along the way, and still heading for Manila. Fingers crossed.
October 29th, At Sea - 90* again and rough seas
Another update from captain - still not sure about stopping in Manila, but either way, a lot of rough seas ahead.
Woke at 3:30 am by ship rocking and rolling. Thank Goodness neither Dan nor I suffer from seasickness.
Had a manicure and pedicure at the spa. It was only $5 million dollars!!!!!! Dan watched Boston Red Sox beat the LA Dodgers for the World Series, then we both watched a Laura Croft Movie. We have seen more movies on this cruise than we have seen in the last 5 years! Don't know the names of the movies, or many of the actors, but are being entertained nevertheless.
There was a rock and roll Sock Hop instead of a show, and it was a lot of fun. Tavo, one of the entertainment staff, has become our friend since we met on the day we sailed from Los Angeles. He had us out on the floor rockin' and rollin' with him and having a lot of fun. He may have started a whole new activity for us!
October 30th - At Sea - Very warm and humid
I should mention that, on these very hot days, we cannot go to the pool. They closed all the pools because of the rough seas and high winds. Even when the pool is open, it is too hot and windy for us to sit out there. Even our #50 sunscreen won't help on these days. I do try the basketball court on some of these days, but don't stay too long because of the heat.
Tonight is a BIG night. After dinner, there is a Mardi Gras parade, with the band from the production show marching through the ship, playing Dixieland songs, and putting the crowd in a great mood for the big BALLOON DROP! Again, Tavo had us in the middle of the action - batting balloons everywhere, singing and dancing and marching to the theater for the Big Bayou Production show - also great fun. This cruise just gets better and better.
Captain, finally announced we were cleared to enter Manila tomorrow - storm headed north of the city so we could get into the harbor.
October 31st - Manila, Philippines - HOT AND HUMID!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Arrived in Manila at 6:30 am, after a very rough sea ride. We have a 3 hour tour that starts at 8:45 a.m. and turned out to be disappointing. We had a guide, Carlo, who never stopped talking and laughing. He told us the history of the Philippines from the dawn of time to today - and I have forgotten or didn't understand half of what he said.
Our first stop was at Fort Santiago, after a ride along the coastline from the ship. It is very old and beautifully maintained. However, the road we took was again filthy! Tons of little, and I mean little, shops along the road with dirt and litter everywhere. The tour never went through the modern section of the city, so all we saw was squalor. The next stop was the American Cemetery, which was in a section of the city with high rise condos - so ritzy, we had to go through a toll/security gate to drive through a part of it to get to the cemetery. Only pretty part of the city that we saw.
The cemetery itself was beautiful, all white crosses, or stars of David, with graves sectioned off in alphabetical order by soldiers last names. there are about a dozen buildings that are open at 2 ends, and contain walls of mosaic maps of famous WWII Battles. There was one map for Battle of Midway, another of Corrigador, another for the Battle of the Marianas. Dan was very interested in this section and the maps.
First time we saw an American Flag prominently displayed, at half staff in memory of the killings at the Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Drove back to the ship on the same road we came out on. Did some more shopping on the pier. It's a sickness!!! ha ha ha
The heat and humidity got to both of us - took a loooong nap. Then got dressed for Halloween - I wore my orange shirt and black slacks, and Dan wore a long black robe with his Mickey Mouse Wizard Hat with Blinking Ears! He was a very big hit in the dining room.
However, our assistant waiter, Michael, who lives in Manila and had visited his family all day, was the best of all. His wife did face make-up in bright white and dark black, and dressed him in a Nun's Habit! He was a Zombie Nun! He took first prize in the crew costume parade. We are so proud of him.
The Costume Parade in the Universe Lounge was more fun. Lots and lots of passengers were in costumes and Dan was right in the thick of it all. Another wizard took first prize with a tall hat, big white beard, lush robes and a crystal ball, but Dan did make it to the third round with his blinking ears.
Of all the fun we have had on this cruise, this was the most fun night of all (so far!)!!
October 27th - At Sea - Still HOT, partly cloudy
I am having a very hard time with internet access on this cruise. The speed to connect to Comcast, or this blog, or Facebook is VERY VERY slow. or times out completely. I guess with 2000 passengers and another 1000 crew members all trying to get on, slows things down considerably. That is my whine for the day.
The captain made an announcement this morning that we may have to skip the port of Manila, Philippines because of a typhoon in the area. Yikes - this will be the third port we missed because of the weather.
Went for ice cream and sat to watch the World Series game while we ate. They had it broadcast live on the giant screen over the pool. It was way too hot for me to sit there, so I went into a lounge to update my journal. One and half hours later, still no Dan. When I left him, the game was in the 8th inning. Lo and behold, he was still watching what turned out to be the longest world series game in history - 17 innings. Who would have thunk???
P.S. Dodgers won that game, 3 to 2.
Spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for an early (715 am) departure tomorrow for Saigon. Nice dinner and right to bed.
October 28th - Saigon, Vietnam - 90* HOT HOT
Tour left on time right at 7:15 am. Our guide was named Tre (pronounced tree), who was very interesting and entertaining. He spoke of the history of wars in Vietnam, mentioned several times that they were now a communist nation and are reminded of that as often as possible; the Russian influence is very heavy and all their weapons have come from Russia since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. But then he said they now have normal relationship with America and can buy better weapons from us.
It is a 1 1/2 hour drive from the ship to the city through small towns on a highway. The road is very dirty, litter everywhere and looks more like a city boulevard than a highway. Traffic, again, very heavy and wild - cars, buses, trucks and scooters zipping around everywhere.
On arrival in Saigon, we went right to the Reunification Hall, where the end of the war was signed. Dan enjoyed the weapons display and the helicopter, tank and airplanes on display at the entrance.
We then drove through the city seeing the US Embassy where the famous picture of crowds trying to board the last flight out. The old building was torn down because it was too symbolic of how many people wanted to leave. We also saw the Rex Hotel where all reporters stayed during the war, the famous Post Office building designed by Eiffel, and the Notre Dame Cathedral - never damaged during the war, but now under renovation.
We spent time at the Ho Chi Minh Museum' which included the famous round table and carpet used during negotiations for the end of the war. There were also several pictures of Richard Nixon taken with Vietnam officials. Finally found a western toilet at the museum - I am obsessed with bathroom facilities in this part of the world.
Street vendors were all over the sidewalk outside this museum selling tote bags, fans, t-shirts, hats etc. A woman on the bus sent her husband out to get her a tote bag, but he did not go to the woman vendor with whom she had negotiated. That started a fist fight between the two vendors!!! I think he got back on the bus without a bag!!!!
We went to lunch at a fabulous restaurant that had a great buffet with many dishes which I could eat - no peanut butter cookies sandwiches for me today HOORAY! We were entertained during lunch by lovely dancers and musicians. We were then taken downtown to a shopping area where I bought, more trinkets. And then taken back to the ship, where there were more vendors waiting, so I could buy more trinkets. No wonder Ellie says she loves me MORE than I love shopping!!!! Ha ha ha
I should comment on the passengers on our bus, who for the first time on this trip, were not a fun group. There was very little talking or laughing or helping each other.
Got back in time to change and go to dinner, which was DELICIOUS meatloaf! We then saw a Buddy Holly Tribute show and hit the sack. Captain did announce that it was still up in the air for a stop in Manila. This storm was doing a lot of damage along the way, and still heading for Manila. Fingers crossed.
October 29th, At Sea - 90* again and rough seas
Another update from captain - still not sure about stopping in Manila, but either way, a lot of rough seas ahead.
Woke at 3:30 am by ship rocking and rolling. Thank Goodness neither Dan nor I suffer from seasickness.
Had a manicure and pedicure at the spa. It was only $5 million dollars!!!!!! Dan watched Boston Red Sox beat the LA Dodgers for the World Series, then we both watched a Laura Croft Movie. We have seen more movies on this cruise than we have seen in the last 5 years! Don't know the names of the movies, or many of the actors, but are being entertained nevertheless.
There was a rock and roll Sock Hop instead of a show, and it was a lot of fun. Tavo, one of the entertainment staff, has become our friend since we met on the day we sailed from Los Angeles. He had us out on the floor rockin' and rollin' with him and having a lot of fun. He may have started a whole new activity for us!
October 30th - At Sea - Very warm and humid
I should mention that, on these very hot days, we cannot go to the pool. They closed all the pools because of the rough seas and high winds. Even when the pool is open, it is too hot and windy for us to sit out there. Even our #50 sunscreen won't help on these days. I do try the basketball court on some of these days, but don't stay too long because of the heat.
Tonight is a BIG night. After dinner, there is a Mardi Gras parade, with the band from the production show marching through the ship, playing Dixieland songs, and putting the crowd in a great mood for the big BALLOON DROP! Again, Tavo had us in the middle of the action - batting balloons everywhere, singing and dancing and marching to the theater for the Big Bayou Production show - also great fun. This cruise just gets better and better.
Captain, finally announced we were cleared to enter Manila tomorrow - storm headed north of the city so we could get into the harbor.
October 31st - Manila, Philippines - HOT AND HUMID!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Arrived in Manila at 6:30 am, after a very rough sea ride. We have a 3 hour tour that starts at 8:45 a.m. and turned out to be disappointing. We had a guide, Carlo, who never stopped talking and laughing. He told us the history of the Philippines from the dawn of time to today - and I have forgotten or didn't understand half of what he said.
Our first stop was at Fort Santiago, after a ride along the coastline from the ship. It is very old and beautifully maintained. However, the road we took was again filthy! Tons of little, and I mean little, shops along the road with dirt and litter everywhere. The tour never went through the modern section of the city, so all we saw was squalor. The next stop was the American Cemetery, which was in a section of the city with high rise condos - so ritzy, we had to go through a toll/security gate to drive through a part of it to get to the cemetery. Only pretty part of the city that we saw.
The cemetery itself was beautiful, all white crosses, or stars of David, with graves sectioned off in alphabetical order by soldiers last names. there are about a dozen buildings that are open at 2 ends, and contain walls of mosaic maps of famous WWII Battles. There was one map for Battle of Midway, another of Corrigador, another for the Battle of the Marianas. Dan was very interested in this section and the maps.
First time we saw an American Flag prominently displayed, at half staff in memory of the killings at the Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Drove back to the ship on the same road we came out on. Did some more shopping on the pier. It's a sickness!!! ha ha ha
The heat and humidity got to both of us - took a loooong nap. Then got dressed for Halloween - I wore my orange shirt and black slacks, and Dan wore a long black robe with his Mickey Mouse Wizard Hat with Blinking Ears! He was a very big hit in the dining room.
However, our assistant waiter, Michael, who lives in Manila and had visited his family all day, was the best of all. His wife did face make-up in bright white and dark black, and dressed him in a Nun's Habit! He was a Zombie Nun! He took first prize in the crew costume parade. We are so proud of him.
The Costume Parade in the Universe Lounge was more fun. Lots and lots of passengers were in costumes and Dan was right in the thick of it all. Another wizard took first prize with a tall hat, big white beard, lush robes and a crystal ball, but Dan did make it to the third round with his blinking ears.
Of all the fun we have had on this cruise, this was the most fun night of all (so far!)!!
Difficult to believe this journey will soon be over...
ReplyDelete