Monday, July 31, 2006
July 31
Hong Kong (aka China)
Docking
We’d been fairly warned by Dean Don that we should plan on getting up for docking in Hong Kong. Since we docked at around 7am that wasn’t any problem. It was pretty good – mountains and LOTS of tall buildings along the shores. Turned out to be really foggy (aka smoggy) so it wasn’t quite the spectacle we’d hoped for, but worth getting up for, for sure.
We definitely had a preemo berth – right next to the Star Ferry in Kowloon (island across from Hong Kong island – Hong Kong is actually around 230 separate islands, one of which is called Hong Kong). The Star Ferry makes the crossing to Hong Kong from Kowloon as it has done pretty much round the clock since at least 1888.
Note: The bottom deck actually has the better view. The top deck is enclosed and air conditioned; the bottom deck is open.
My Hong Kong time
Only about 3 hours total. I went to Beijing and Xi’an (see below).
Bought another digital camera when we docked. Guy talked me up from what I thought I wanted. Seems OK.
Upon return from Xi’an, and after determining that “on ship” time was, indeed, 9pm rather than 8pm, ZZ and I took the Star Ferry to Hong Kong and walked around the block, then took it back. That was about all we had time for. We did see the Hong Kong light show on our return trip. So, we can at least say that we were actually in Hong Kong for a brief time. I had two goals for my short time here – the ferry and a drink at the Peninsula Hotel. Unfortunately, I didn’t accomplish the latter – or even see it – but the Ferry ride and setting foot on HK was more important. I’ll just have to return….
Beijing & Terracotta guys (Xi’an)
All good. Terracotta Warriors fully met my expectations. Just sort of magical. I very clearly remember when the first one was discovered (1974) which, I think, makes seeing them all the more meaningful for me.
Very full, structured trip – a bit too structured, but probably necessarily so.
Highlights
The Great Wall
We visited the Great Wall at Juyong Pass (I think). It was pretty extensively (the guide book says “to the point where you don’t feel as if you’re walking on a piece of history”) but still wonderful. Very smoggy. Not much view, though some. I climbed to the first tower on the more touristy side, then decided that the other, less crowded, less scenic side would be better. So, a student and I had the other side more or less to ourselves. Since there wasn’t much view anyway we liked what we did just fine.
Summer Palace
Not really a highlight. Too crowded. This is a royal garden, not actually a palace.
Chinese acrobats
Optional performance that several of us attended in the evening. Excellent. Really fun and amazing. I thought it would be a sad version of Cirque de Soleil, but it turned out to be very entertaining. Lots of wonderful balancing, plate twirling, jumping through hoops, etc. Those of us who attended agreed that we picked the best performance (the other was the Beijing Opera which those attendees agreed they’d made the better choice).
Terracotta Warriors
Met all my expectations. Very wonderful.
Our Guides
Chris & Melanie were both great. They might have tended to give a bit more information than I really wanted but they both really know their stuff. The travel agency is owned by the Chinese government and we think some of the stops and “sales pitches” were more or less mandated by them, but, regardless, it was a good trip.
Silk factory
We stopped at a restaurant/silk factory in Xi’an. They make and sell silk comforters. They demonstrated how they wash and stretch the cocoons into the size of a comforter. They also let us try to stretch the silk – really strong stuff. It seemed like playing tug of war with about 3 people to pull it to the size of a quilt. (Of course, I bought one.)
Hong Kong (aka China)
Docking
We’d been fairly warned by Dean Don that we should plan on getting up for docking in Hong Kong. Since we docked at around 7am that wasn’t any problem. It was pretty good – mountains and LOTS of tall buildings along the shores. Turned out to be really foggy (aka smoggy) so it wasn’t quite the spectacle we’d hoped for, but worth getting up for, for sure.
We definitely had a preemo berth – right next to the Star Ferry in Kowloon (island across from Hong Kong island – Hong Kong is actually around 230 separate islands, one of which is called Hong Kong). The Star Ferry makes the crossing to Hong Kong from Kowloon as it has done pretty much round the clock since at least 1888.
Note: The bottom deck actually has the better view. The top deck is enclosed and air conditioned; the bottom deck is open.
My Hong Kong time
Only about 3 hours total. I went to Beijing and Xi’an (see below).
Bought another digital camera when we docked. Guy talked me up from what I thought I wanted. Seems OK.
Upon return from Xi’an, and after determining that “on ship” time was, indeed, 9pm rather than 8pm, ZZ and I took the Star Ferry to Hong Kong and walked around the block, then took it back. That was about all we had time for. We did see the Hong Kong light show on our return trip. So, we can at least say that we were actually in Hong Kong for a brief time. I had two goals for my short time here – the ferry and a drink at the Peninsula Hotel. Unfortunately, I didn’t accomplish the latter – or even see it – but the Ferry ride and setting foot on HK was more important. I’ll just have to return….
Beijing & Terracotta guys (Xi’an)
All good. Terracotta Warriors fully met my expectations. Just sort of magical. I very clearly remember when the first one was discovered (1974) which, I think, makes seeing them all the more meaningful for me.
Very full, structured trip – a bit too structured, but probably necessarily so.
Highlights
The Great Wall
We visited the Great Wall at Juyong Pass (I think). It was pretty extensively (the guide book says “to the point where you don’t feel as if you’re walking on a piece of history”) but still wonderful. Very smoggy. Not much view, though some. I climbed to the first tower on the more touristy side, then decided that the other, less crowded, less scenic side would be better. So, a student and I had the other side more or less to ourselves. Since there wasn’t much view anyway we liked what we did just fine.
Summer Palace
Not really a highlight. Too crowded. This is a royal garden, not actually a palace.
Chinese acrobats
Optional performance that several of us attended in the evening. Excellent. Really fun and amazing. I thought it would be a sad version of Cirque de Soleil, but it turned out to be very entertaining. Lots of wonderful balancing, plate twirling, jumping through hoops, etc. Those of us who attended agreed that we picked the best performance (the other was the Beijing Opera which those attendees agreed they’d made the better choice).
Terracotta Warriors
Met all my expectations. Very wonderful.
Our Guides
Chris & Melanie were both great. They might have tended to give a bit more information than I really wanted but they both really know their stuff. The travel agency is owned by the Chinese government and we think some of the stops and “sales pitches” were more or less mandated by them, but, regardless, it was a good trip.
Silk factory
We stopped at a restaurant/silk factory in Xi’an. They make and sell silk comforters. They demonstrated how they wash and stretch the cocoons into the size of a comforter. They also let us try to stretch the silk – really strong stuff. It seemed like playing tug of war with about 3 people to pull it to the size of a quilt. (Of course, I bought one.)
Saturday, July 22, 2006
July 23
I'll ost more from Vietnam tomorrow. I hope I'll be able to put up some photos. We'll see. This is DEFINITELY my favorite port so far.
10 Reasons to Fly Vietnam Airlines
10. The planes are painted a wonderful blue green color.
9. They board from the front AND the back.
8. They give you a wrapped, damp washcloth when you board.
7. They actually feed you on flights as short as 2 hours!
6. The flight attendants wear traditional Vietnamese outfits.
5. The seats have foot rests.
4. They serve Hanoi beer.
3. The in-flight magazine (in Vietnamese, French, and English) featured a short article on Halong Bay (where I’d just been).
2. They left on time.
1. Way cool camera on the underside of the plane showed us take off and landing on monitors.
Ho Chi Minh City (or as many here still say, Saigon)
Bussling, busy city. Vibrant. Street vendors and market stall folks a bit too insistent, but a good “khong” (pronounced “com”) with a shake of both hands raised to about shoulder height does seem to work pretty well. Or, if you have spare dollar bills, just buy your 5th copy of “The Quiet American” or a pirated LP phrase book. Bring LOTS of dollar bills. (I did, but they have a way of disappearing.)
Shuttle bus
The government provided (I believe) shuttle buses for us from the dock (very nead District 1 in HCMC) and the Rex Hotel in central District 1. Use it! One student had her bag snatched as she and another student were walking to the bus. Even though the dock is convienent it’s in a construction area and a bit isolated. There are 3 buses running continuously. Very helpful.
Motorcycles/Mopeds
They’re everywhere. Cars cost between $30,000 and $70,000 for just a plain Toyota. The government keeps they expensive (according to our tour guide in Hanoi) because the roads and other infrastructure can support many cars. However, everyone has a motorcycle.
Oddest things being carried by motorcycle rider
• Basket of live ducks
• Block of ice abou the size of two microwaves end to end
• A bench
• Metal piping about 12 feet long
• Sheets of 5x7 plywood
• Four people, including a baby (this is so common that it didn’t make my list, but others did comment on it.
• Large piece of plate glass
• Pool table – in three pieces
Driving
The road from Hanoi to Halong Bay is two lanes with fairly wide shoulders. The mopeds, for the most part stay to the sides. When one truck/bus/car wants to pass another they sort of look ahead to see in there’s oncoming traffic, they then pull out into the oncoming lane and honk. The bus/car/truck being passed seems to honk in acknowledgement. If it turns out there IS an oncoming bus/truck/car it pulls over the far shoulder the the passer simply squeezes between the vehicle being passed and the one on the other side. Mopeds simply squeeze further to the sides and everyone seems to be fairly happy.
Turning left
Most of the time this works well. The biggest vehicle just does it, and others make way. However, as we entered Hanoi there was one busy intersection at which a policeman is usually stationed. He wasn’t there the day we arrived for some reason. It was pandemonium. No one gives way at all. Moped squeeze through, but the 20 or so buses, trucks, and cars weren’t going to budge unless it got them closer to turning. Our bus ended up going straight. I have no idea how long the impass lasted, but I’m guessing hours. There are traffic lights in HCMC and Hanoi, but not in the countryside, or on the outskirts. I do think that until Vietnam gets a better grip on it’s traffic issues it will have a difficult time joining the modern world, despite its recent WTO membership – much touted here.
Prices
Ridicously low – Erika – if you’re coming to Vietnam save you money and buy your gifts here. On the way from Hanoi to Halong Bay we stopped at a handicraft workshop which employs some disabled workers. I’m pretty sure this was a government mandated stop. Our guide warned us that the prices there wouldn’t be as low as some other places, but I bought a bunch of stuff anyway – good quality and a
good cause.
Examples
• Silk blouse - $8
• Beaded evening purse - $7
• Having a man’s suit made (including fabric) - $100-$200
• Can of beer - $1
• Full dinner for 3, including drinks and dessert - $35
I’m sure some of these prices could even be lower, but I’m not much of a bargainer. My policy is to offer $2 less than the price, then walk if that’s not accepted. However, in shops I’ve mostly been paying full price – still a good deal by our standards.
Millionaires
A million dong is about $60.
English
Much more common, at least in the tourist areas and museaums, than we’d been lead to believe. At least enough to help a tourist buy a skirt or meal.
The People
Amazing. I really didn’t know what to expect. They are so hospitable and friendly. Don’get me wrong – walking on the street they’ll push you (simply a cultural thing), and not really make eye contact. But, if you smile, they will too. If you start a conversation with a young person who speaks some English they are very open and talkative. If you grab a man next to you on the plane when it encounters a fair amount of turbulence he smiles and doesn’t seem to mind. Baggage claim it’s every man for himself, but, hey, it’s often that way in the US too. We just tend to maintain our personal space a bit more insistently than the Vietnamese do.
I'll ost more from Vietnam tomorrow. I hope I'll be able to put up some photos. We'll see. This is DEFINITELY my favorite port so far.
10 Reasons to Fly Vietnam Airlines
10. The planes are painted a wonderful blue green color.
9. They board from the front AND the back.
8. They give you a wrapped, damp washcloth when you board.
7. They actually feed you on flights as short as 2 hours!
6. The flight attendants wear traditional Vietnamese outfits.
5. The seats have foot rests.
4. They serve Hanoi beer.
3. The in-flight magazine (in Vietnamese, French, and English) featured a short article on Halong Bay (where I’d just been).
2. They left on time.
1. Way cool camera on the underside of the plane showed us take off and landing on monitors.
Ho Chi Minh City (or as many here still say, Saigon)
Bussling, busy city. Vibrant. Street vendors and market stall folks a bit too insistent, but a good “khong” (pronounced “com”) with a shake of both hands raised to about shoulder height does seem to work pretty well. Or, if you have spare dollar bills, just buy your 5th copy of “The Quiet American” or a pirated LP phrase book. Bring LOTS of dollar bills. (I did, but they have a way of disappearing.)
Shuttle bus
The government provided (I believe) shuttle buses for us from the dock (very nead District 1 in HCMC) and the Rex Hotel in central District 1. Use it! One student had her bag snatched as she and another student were walking to the bus. Even though the dock is convienent it’s in a construction area and a bit isolated. There are 3 buses running continuously. Very helpful.
Motorcycles/Mopeds
They’re everywhere. Cars cost between $30,000 and $70,000 for just a plain Toyota. The government keeps they expensive (according to our tour guide in Hanoi) because the roads and other infrastructure can support many cars. However, everyone has a motorcycle.
Oddest things being carried by motorcycle rider
• Basket of live ducks
• Block of ice abou the size of two microwaves end to end
• A bench
• Metal piping about 12 feet long
• Sheets of 5x7 plywood
• Four people, including a baby (this is so common that it didn’t make my list, but others did comment on it.
• Large piece of plate glass
• Pool table – in three pieces
Driving
The road from Hanoi to Halong Bay is two lanes with fairly wide shoulders. The mopeds, for the most part stay to the sides. When one truck/bus/car wants to pass another they sort of look ahead to see in there’s oncoming traffic, they then pull out into the oncoming lane and honk. The bus/car/truck being passed seems to honk in acknowledgement. If it turns out there IS an oncoming bus/truck/car it pulls over the far shoulder the the passer simply squeezes between the vehicle being passed and the one on the other side. Mopeds simply squeeze further to the sides and everyone seems to be fairly happy.
Turning left
Most of the time this works well. The biggest vehicle just does it, and others make way. However, as we entered Hanoi there was one busy intersection at which a policeman is usually stationed. He wasn’t there the day we arrived for some reason. It was pandemonium. No one gives way at all. Moped squeeze through, but the 20 or so buses, trucks, and cars weren’t going to budge unless it got them closer to turning. Our bus ended up going straight. I have no idea how long the impass lasted, but I’m guessing hours. There are traffic lights in HCMC and Hanoi, but not in the countryside, or on the outskirts. I do think that until Vietnam gets a better grip on it’s traffic issues it will have a difficult time joining the modern world, despite its recent WTO membership – much touted here.
Prices
Ridicously low – Erika – if you’re coming to Vietnam save you money and buy your gifts here. On the way from Hanoi to Halong Bay we stopped at a handicraft workshop which employs some disabled workers. I’m pretty sure this was a government mandated stop. Our guide warned us that the prices there wouldn’t be as low as some other places, but I bought a bunch of stuff anyway – good quality and a
good cause.
Examples
• Silk blouse - $8
• Beaded evening purse - $7
• Having a man’s suit made (including fabric) - $100-$200
• Can of beer - $1
• Full dinner for 3, including drinks and dessert - $35
I’m sure some of these prices could even be lower, but I’m not much of a bargainer. My policy is to offer $2 less than the price, then walk if that’s not accepted. However, in shops I’ve mostly been paying full price – still a good deal by our standards.
Millionaires
A million dong is about $60.
English
Much more common, at least in the tourist areas and museaums, than we’d been lead to believe. At least enough to help a tourist buy a skirt or meal.
The People
Amazing. I really didn’t know what to expect. They are so hospitable and friendly. Don’get me wrong – walking on the street they’ll push you (simply a cultural thing), and not really make eye contact. But, if you smile, they will too. If you start a conversation with a young person who speaks some English they are very open and talkative. If you grab a man next to you on the plane when it encounters a fair amount of turbulence he smiles and doesn’t seem to mind. Baggage claim it’s every man for himself, but, hey, it’s often that way in the US too. We just tend to maintain our personal space a bit more insistently than the Vietnamese do.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Good Morning, Vietnam!
Just a brief note as we dock in HO Chi Minh City. The Saigon port is about 4 miles up the Saigon River. So we sailed through rice paddies and fisheries beginning at about 4am this morning. Very beautiful. I think the older folks (me) will have a very different reaction and experience of this port from the students. It's just another city to them, to us it's quite a lot more than that.
As we were being turned around to dock facing the sea our wake sank a small boat. This evidently happens with some frequency. It was awful watching the owner trying to hold to the line to his boat, and watching it sink. Hope we compensate him somehow.
I'll be here in HMC for a day, then fly to Hanoi and a place on the coast called Hulong Bay - very beautiful rock formations and caves - for two nights. I really wanted to see Hanoi. Many folks are going to Ankgor Wat.
Just a brief note as we dock in HO Chi Minh City. The Saigon port is about 4 miles up the Saigon River. So we sailed through rice paddies and fisheries beginning at about 4am this morning. Very beautiful. I think the older folks (me) will have a very different reaction and experience of this port from the students. It's just another city to them, to us it's quite a lot more than that.
As we were being turned around to dock facing the sea our wake sank a small boat. This evidently happens with some frequency. It was awful watching the owner trying to hold to the line to his boat, and watching it sink. Hope we compensate him somehow.
I'll be here in HMC for a day, then fly to Hanoi and a place on the coast called Hulong Bay - very beautiful rock formations and caves - for two nights. I really wanted to see Hanoi. Many folks are going to Ankgor Wat.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Malaysia – who knew?
Despite an inauspicious beginning, my favorite port so far (although each one has had that title until the next). We developed a “technical problem” on the run from Singapore to Khuntan (read, engine trouble). Got into the port at 1pm rather than 7am. Had we gotten in at 7am there were evidently dancers, a welcoming committee, and plenty of cabs. However, none of them waited for us. When we arrived we could see the remnants of a welcoming committee in traditional costume. But, since we then didn’t get off the ship for another almost 2 hours, even they departed before we disembarked.
Port
Picture trying to visit Charlottesville, but getting dropped off in Crozet – but without Crozet being there – only warehouses. That’s the situation of the port in Khuntan. And, essentially no taxis. (Erika, Jean, Erin – if there are LOTS of two night overnights from a port where the ship is only spending two nights take the hint. It might mean, as it did here, that there’s not a lot at the actual port.)
Taxis
Turns out off duty port policemen make excellent taxi drivers/tour guides. Ellen, her husband, Rich, and I spent a wonderful day with Azmi who took us to Cherating, a beach about 45 kilometers, a turtle “farm” where they let the eggs incubate in the sand and then do controlled releases of the young sea turtles, his house, a deer farm, a petting zoo, and “Batik Village” where I split off.
Beaches
Wonderful. Water is perfect. No sign of the jellyfish that surrounded our ship when we docked. Constant breeze off the ocean. Wide and sandy. Cute hermit crabs to watch. Big fish eagles of some sort above. Palm trees, cats (plenty of them all over), rocky outcrops. All very picturesque.
Pictures
Speaking of pictures. I broke my camera on a Malay beach (sounds kinda cool, doesn’t it?). I put my backpack in a puddle accidently – on one of those picturesque rock outcrops. (Chip – the rock seemed to be full of iron seams – very red, very jagged. Not worn down by weather at all. Hard to climb on. Good for collecting pools of water to put backpacks in unawares.) I’ll try to upload a few photos from the ones that people on the ship post to the ship’s intranet.
Khuntan
The guide books describe it as “drab.” I actually don’t know, since I never made it into town. I freely admit that I basically spent this port at the beach. (See above notes on “Beaches.”)
Malaysia
People who’ve seen both compared this to parts of Central America. The standard of living is not high, though our port policeman’s house was nice. One can easily get a wonderful dinner for about $3 or $4. The people are very nice and friendly. Many folks caught rides with passenger cars who didn’t charge them at all.
International Resort
I spent one night at a hotel on the beach closest to the ship – Beluk beach. At one point around the hotel pool (yes it was a nice place) there were people speaking English – from at least two places – New Zealand and the US, Dutch, German, French, Japanese, Chinese, Farsi, Malay, and probably more. Pretty international clientele.
Cultural differences
I think our “green sheet” on Malaysia said that it’s about 70% Muslim. I believe that we all tried to dress conservatively and respect the dominant culture. When several of us were dropped off at the beach on our fist day we ended up near a school camp. We kept on our long skirts to walk the beach. The few Muslim women who did wade did so fully clothed – long pands, head scarves, long sleeves. We ended up walking down the way to a more mixed part of the beach – the hotel I ended up spending the second night at.
Despite an inauspicious beginning, my favorite port so far (although each one has had that title until the next). We developed a “technical problem” on the run from Singapore to Khuntan (read, engine trouble). Got into the port at 1pm rather than 7am. Had we gotten in at 7am there were evidently dancers, a welcoming committee, and plenty of cabs. However, none of them waited for us. When we arrived we could see the remnants of a welcoming committee in traditional costume. But, since we then didn’t get off the ship for another almost 2 hours, even they departed before we disembarked.
Port
Picture trying to visit Charlottesville, but getting dropped off in Crozet – but without Crozet being there – only warehouses. That’s the situation of the port in Khuntan. And, essentially no taxis. (Erika, Jean, Erin – if there are LOTS of two night overnights from a port where the ship is only spending two nights take the hint. It might mean, as it did here, that there’s not a lot at the actual port.)
Taxis
Turns out off duty port policemen make excellent taxi drivers/tour guides. Ellen, her husband, Rich, and I spent a wonderful day with Azmi who took us to Cherating, a beach about 45 kilometers, a turtle “farm” where they let the eggs incubate in the sand and then do controlled releases of the young sea turtles, his house, a deer farm, a petting zoo, and “Batik Village” where I split off.
Beaches
Wonderful. Water is perfect. No sign of the jellyfish that surrounded our ship when we docked. Constant breeze off the ocean. Wide and sandy. Cute hermit crabs to watch. Big fish eagles of some sort above. Palm trees, cats (plenty of them all over), rocky outcrops. All very picturesque.
Pictures
Speaking of pictures. I broke my camera on a Malay beach (sounds kinda cool, doesn’t it?). I put my backpack in a puddle accidently – on one of those picturesque rock outcrops. (Chip – the rock seemed to be full of iron seams – very red, very jagged. Not worn down by weather at all. Hard to climb on. Good for collecting pools of water to put backpacks in unawares.) I’ll try to upload a few photos from the ones that people on the ship post to the ship’s intranet.
Khuntan
The guide books describe it as “drab.” I actually don’t know, since I never made it into town. I freely admit that I basically spent this port at the beach. (See above notes on “Beaches.”)
Malaysia
People who’ve seen both compared this to parts of Central America. The standard of living is not high, though our port policeman’s house was nice. One can easily get a wonderful dinner for about $3 or $4. The people are very nice and friendly. Many folks caught rides with passenger cars who didn’t charge them at all.
International Resort
I spent one night at a hotel on the beach closest to the ship – Beluk beach. At one point around the hotel pool (yes it was a nice place) there were people speaking English – from at least two places – New Zealand and the US, Dutch, German, French, Japanese, Chinese, Farsi, Malay, and probably more. Pretty international clientele.
Cultural differences
I think our “green sheet” on Malaysia said that it’s about 70% Muslim. I believe that we all tried to dress conservatively and respect the dominant culture. When several of us were dropped off at the beach on our fist day we ended up near a school camp. We kept on our long skirts to walk the beach. The few Muslim women who did wade did so fully clothed – long pands, head scarves, long sleeves. We ended up walking down the way to a more mixed part of the beach – the hotel I ended up spending the second night at.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Some Singapore photos
Raffles - my home away from home away from home (visited 3 times - twice for a drink, and once to photograph)
Macaque
Jane at the National Library - great tour!
National Library
My favorite Tiger beer sculpture - Tiger fooseball
July 15 – waiting to get to Kuantan
On the quick trip from Singapore to Kuantan we evidently had some engine trouble. We’re currently slowly making our way into Kuantan on one engine. We are at least 4 hours behind schedule at this point.
Nature in Singapore
I took a cab to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on Friday morning. It was raining for most of my hike, and pouring for some of it. I took some of the smaller trails, off the paved main trail. I heard what I took to be monkeys screaming and waited and looked for about 15 minutes to see them in the tree tops. Way cool. As I left the reserve I mentioned this to the staff. They were polite but seemingly unimpressed. Walking down to the main street to catch a cab I realized why – I saw at least 6 long tailed macaques on the street! One with a baby hanging on. Oh well, I saw the ones who hadn’t figured out that the trash of the neighboring apartments could be dinner.
Raffles
I love big, old hotels, and this one is pretty great. The Long Bar is fine, but I preferred the Courtyard Bar as it turned out. The people were very nice. They don’t encourage casual dress in the main lobby, but I asked permission to go in, and when I left the bell captain asked if I didn’t want to take photos. Since I had taken some the day before I said I didn’t need to. I thought it was nice of him to ask.
Fullerton
Walking around in downtown on my last day (after my nature hike) I took a break at the Fullerton – the old post office (or some other official building). Very nice.
Tiger Beer
Good, maybe not as good as Taiwan Beer. The National Library had displays of Tiger beer. They had had large TVs set up in the open courtyard for watching the World Cup. In true Singapore style they held a contest for making sculptures out of the left over cans.
MRT
Great subway system. Interesting to read the public service announcements. Very state-run feeling. Possibly a bit “Stepford wives”ish. However, as a visitor for a few days it was wonderful feeling absolutely safe anywhere I went. Also, so clean, and easy.
Raffles - my home away from home away from home (visited 3 times - twice for a drink, and once to photograph)
Macaque
Jane at the National Library - great tour!
National Library
My favorite Tiger beer sculpture - Tiger fooseball
July 15 – waiting to get to Kuantan
On the quick trip from Singapore to Kuantan we evidently had some engine trouble. We’re currently slowly making our way into Kuantan on one engine. We are at least 4 hours behind schedule at this point.
Nature in Singapore
I took a cab to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on Friday morning. It was raining for most of my hike, and pouring for some of it. I took some of the smaller trails, off the paved main trail. I heard what I took to be monkeys screaming and waited and looked for about 15 minutes to see them in the tree tops. Way cool. As I left the reserve I mentioned this to the staff. They were polite but seemingly unimpressed. Walking down to the main street to catch a cab I realized why – I saw at least 6 long tailed macaques on the street! One with a baby hanging on. Oh well, I saw the ones who hadn’t figured out that the trash of the neighboring apartments could be dinner.
Raffles
I love big, old hotels, and this one is pretty great. The Long Bar is fine, but I preferred the Courtyard Bar as it turned out. The people were very nice. They don’t encourage casual dress in the main lobby, but I asked permission to go in, and when I left the bell captain asked if I didn’t want to take photos. Since I had taken some the day before I said I didn’t need to. I thought it was nice of him to ask.
Fullerton
Walking around in downtown on my last day (after my nature hike) I took a break at the Fullerton – the old post office (or some other official building). Very nice.
Tiger Beer
Good, maybe not as good as Taiwan Beer. The National Library had displays of Tiger beer. They had had large TVs set up in the open courtyard for watching the World Cup. In true Singapore style they held a contest for making sculptures out of the left over cans.
MRT
Great subway system. Interesting to read the public service announcements. Very state-run feeling. Possibly a bit “Stepford wives”ish. However, as a visitor for a few days it was wonderful feeling absolutely safe anywhere I went. Also, so clean, and easy.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
July 13
From a public library in Singapore
Haven't posted for a few days. Very slow internet on ship and lots to keep me busy. Good seas from Taiwan to Singapore. Singapore not nearly as hot as Taiwan. Evidently a great lightening display in the wee hours of Wednesday morning as we approached Singapore. (I didn't get up to see.)
City tour
Chief and I paired up for the city orientation again. Very helpful. Little India, Chinatown, Orchid Garden, etc. Good orientation to this small nation. Very lush and green here. Very clean and well planned. I feel perfectly safe by myself in streets, and anywhere.
Raffles
Had to go to Raffles Hotel the first night for a drink. Joined by Kathleen and Tony and two students who also made that pilgrimage. Very nice place. Returned today after my tour of the National Library.
National Library
Bryson's friend, Jane, gave me a wonderful tour of the Singapore National Library. I'll post photos later. Beautiful new building. I'm currently in a public library branch in an upscale shopping district after a good tour of it. The librarian here who gave me the tour had attended ALA in New Orleans. She enjoyed it very much. She also visited libraries in Arizona and Illinois.
User friendly
Singapore, with it's predominent English language, is certainly going to be our easiest port. The MRT (subway) is easier and cleaner than the Metro (which I think is great). Can get to most areas via MRT. Buses for the rest. Taxis are cheap as well. Weather is cooler (relatively speaking) than Taiwan. Taiwan was experiencing record heat while we were there.
I don't want to over stay my welcome in this public library branch, so good bye for now.
From a public library in Singapore
Haven't posted for a few days. Very slow internet on ship and lots to keep me busy. Good seas from Taiwan to Singapore. Singapore not nearly as hot as Taiwan. Evidently a great lightening display in the wee hours of Wednesday morning as we approached Singapore. (I didn't get up to see.)
City tour
Chief and I paired up for the city orientation again. Very helpful. Little India, Chinatown, Orchid Garden, etc. Good orientation to this small nation. Very lush and green here. Very clean and well planned. I feel perfectly safe by myself in streets, and anywhere.
Raffles
Had to go to Raffles Hotel the first night for a drink. Joined by Kathleen and Tony and two students who also made that pilgrimage. Very nice place. Returned today after my tour of the National Library.
National Library
Bryson's friend, Jane, gave me a wonderful tour of the Singapore National Library. I'll post photos later. Beautiful new building. I'm currently in a public library branch in an upscale shopping district after a good tour of it. The librarian here who gave me the tour had attended ALA in New Orleans. She enjoyed it very much. She also visited libraries in Arizona and Illinois.
User friendly
Singapore, with it's predominent English language, is certainly going to be our easiest port. The MRT (subway) is easier and cleaner than the Metro (which I think is great). Can get to most areas via MRT. Buses for the rest. Taxis are cheap as well. Weather is cooler (relatively speaking) than Taiwan. Taiwan was experiencing record heat while we were there.
I don't want to over stay my welcome in this public library branch, so good bye for now.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Taiwan
Taroko Gorge & rafting trip – July 7-8
Fun, but tiring. This is truly a beautiful island. The train ride up between the mountains and sea was wonderful. Scenery like Big Sur combined with British Columbia and Hawaii. Some of the youngest mountains in the world – still growing. Being pushed up by the Pacific plate subducting under the Asian landmass (or something of that sort). Anyway, the mountains are VERY steep, and sharp. Despite all the rain here they haven’t eroded much at all. Very lush too. Very green. We’re here during the rainy season. The fact that we haven’t had a drop of rain for our entire stay is unusual. However, it’s been a very dry summer here and a hot one. Global warming, I’m sure.
Being trip leader
I did not enjoy this experience. I enjoyed the trip, but having to be the time keeper and disciplinarian and herder (for lack of a better word) and enforcer and reporter wasn’t fun at all. I’m not going to go into details here. I’d probably do a better job next time, but I’m not sure I will find out. Don’t know that I’ll volunteer to lead another trip, at least not an overnight trip. That said, many of the students on the trip were great. I probably over reacted toward the end because I was in such a difficult role for two days.
Taroko Gorge & rafting trip – July 7-8
Fun, but tiring. This is truly a beautiful island. The train ride up between the mountains and sea was wonderful. Scenery like Big Sur combined with British Columbia and Hawaii. Some of the youngest mountains in the world – still growing. Being pushed up by the Pacific plate subducting under the Asian landmass (or something of that sort). Anyway, the mountains are VERY steep, and sharp. Despite all the rain here they haven’t eroded much at all. Very lush too. Very green. We’re here during the rainy season. The fact that we haven’t had a drop of rain for our entire stay is unusual. However, it’s been a very dry summer here and a hot one. Global warming, I’m sure.
Being trip leader
I did not enjoy this experience. I enjoyed the trip, but having to be the time keeper and disciplinarian and herder (for lack of a better word) and enforcer and reporter wasn’t fun at all. I’m not going to go into details here. I’d probably do a better job next time, but I’m not sure I will find out. Don’t know that I’ll volunteer to lead another trip, at least not an overnight trip. That said, many of the students on the trip were great. I probably over reacted toward the end because I was in such a difficult role for two days.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
A few photos from Taiwan
Keelung
Chief and me
Coast
Even with not many folks on the ship it's too slow to upload many of these.
Oh, and most important thing today - bought phone card, and finally successfully called Don and my parents. What a wonderful thing.
Keelung
Chief and me
Coast
Even with not many folks on the ship it's too slow to upload many of these.
Oh, and most important thing today - bought phone card, and finally successfully called Don and my parents. What a wonderful thing.
July 6
Yesterday we got to Taiwan. Land at last! Although I don't think I've minded the long sea voyage as much as many folks. I really like looking out at the endless sea. As YY's tee shirt says "same, same, different."
I wanderer around Keelung in search of a book store for English langauge magazines. Had directions, sort of. Found it!!! Very proud.
As we docked in Keelung, I was talking to Cheif - 91 year old gentleman on our voyage. very charming and open to new experiences. Anyway, I knew he was in search of a ticket for the Tiapei city orientation and Mongolian BBQ. Suzy gave him her ticket, and he and I agreed to be pals for the day. What fun. A very long, hot tiring day, but he was great. Game for most stuff. After a very long, hot walk from the Chen Ki Chek (sorry for the bad spelling - on pool deck - can't spell or see screen very well) he figured he'd sit out a few stops. Really looking forward to a beer with dinner, which we both had.
I saw him before Ellen and I struck off for the coast this morning. Looked fine.
Today, Ellen (nurse practioner) and I went to a rock beach. Our cab driver didn't quite know where it was, but sort of dropped os off somewhere in the vicinity. After climbing up, up, down, up, down, up, up, down, down - we hit the water. Very refreshing. Both went in in various states of dress. Then a long, hot walk back to what turned out to be more or less a junk yard - complete with dog. Back to main road and a cab home. Quite the adventure! Sitting by pool now. Probably try the Keelung night market tonight. Night Makket - open air food and other stalls. Start around 7pm until... went in Taipei last night. Very popular.
I'll try to post pictures of our adventures.
Yesterday we got to Taiwan. Land at last! Although I don't think I've minded the long sea voyage as much as many folks. I really like looking out at the endless sea. As YY's tee shirt says "same, same, different."
I wanderer around Keelung in search of a book store for English langauge magazines. Had directions, sort of. Found it!!! Very proud.
As we docked in Keelung, I was talking to Cheif - 91 year old gentleman on our voyage. very charming and open to new experiences. Anyway, I knew he was in search of a ticket for the Tiapei city orientation and Mongolian BBQ. Suzy gave him her ticket, and he and I agreed to be pals for the day. What fun. A very long, hot tiring day, but he was great. Game for most stuff. After a very long, hot walk from the Chen Ki Chek (sorry for the bad spelling - on pool deck - can't spell or see screen very well) he figured he'd sit out a few stops. Really looking forward to a beer with dinner, which we both had.
I saw him before Ellen and I struck off for the coast this morning. Looked fine.
Today, Ellen (nurse practioner) and I went to a rock beach. Our cab driver didn't quite know where it was, but sort of dropped os off somewhere in the vicinity. After climbing up, up, down, up, down, up, up, down, down - we hit the water. Very refreshing. Both went in in various states of dress. Then a long, hot walk back to what turned out to be more or less a junk yard - complete with dog. Back to main road and a cab home. Quite the adventure! Sitting by pool now. Probably try the Keelung night market tonight. Night Makket - open air food and other stalls. Start around 7pm until... went in Taipei last night. Very popular.
I'll try to post pictures of our adventures.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Some Sea Olympics photos
Events included:Wet clothes pass - putting on a crew uniform, swimming to the other end of the pool, taking it off, the next person doing same - teams of 4
Saltine whistle - eat a bunch of saltines and then try to whistle
Orange pass
Orange roll - unsure of rules
Hotdog eating - timed event - consume 8 hotdogs (I think)
Team Spirit
Rock/Paper/Sissors contest
Cream Pie eating
Trivia contest - Fanta Sea took this one!!
Lip sinc
July 4
We just spotted Okinawa on starboard!!! Everyone's excited. Tomorrow - Taiwan.
My itinerary:
Wednesday - City orientation and Mongolian BBQ. Almost everyone on ship is doing this. I hadn't planned on it, but then I figured out that everyone was, so I am too!
Thursday - more or less on my own. Not sure what I'll do yet - head back to Teipei or hang around Keelung. There's a nice coastal park in Keelung that sounds good.
Friday - take off for the Toroko Gorge and an overnight white water rafting trip. I'm trip leader. Meaning I have to be sure no one drowns and everyone makes it back to the ship. I've finally talked to a number of folks on "my" trip. We're going to have a great time.
Today we have China Day/4th of July. A BBQ on the pool deck and various activities dealing with China all day long. Tonight is our first "real" logisitcal pre-port - medical advice, transportation advice, very practical information.
Happy 4th of July!!!
We just spotted Okinawa on starboard!!! Everyone's excited. Tomorrow - Taiwan.
My itinerary:
Wednesday - City orientation and Mongolian BBQ. Almost everyone on ship is doing this. I hadn't planned on it, but then I figured out that everyone was, so I am too!
Thursday - more or less on my own. Not sure what I'll do yet - head back to Teipei or hang around Keelung. There's a nice coastal park in Keelung that sounds good.
Friday - take off for the Toroko Gorge and an overnight white water rafting trip. I'm trip leader. Meaning I have to be sure no one drowns and everyone makes it back to the ship. I've finally talked to a number of folks on "my" trip. We're going to have a great time.
Today we have China Day/4th of July. A BBQ on the pool deck and various activities dealing with China all day long. Tonight is our first "real" logisitcal pre-port - medical advice, transportation advice, very practical information.
Happy 4th of July!!!
July 3
Phantom barcodes
Finally figured out how to programatically delete these guys. Yea!! The library went from around 20,000 barcodes to more like 8500. Much more realistic. I don't think I deleted too many barcodes that actually exist. I'm so happy.
Getting close
We're all excited to be getting close to Taiwan. We had our cultural pre-port tonight. Ho Ming (definitely not how you really spell his name), the Taiwanese student, gave a great language lesson and pre-port intro to his country.
Almost all of the ship is going on the city orientation and Mongolian BBQ on Wednesday. Should be fun with all of us there, I think.
Weather
Hot and sticky. We went through lots of rain today. Cloudy and blustery. Evidently there's a hurricane about 3 days south of us. We're just on the edge. Won't really affect us at all.
The humidity is already much more than I''m used to. You feel very sticky when you walk outside. Probably also has to do with being on the ocean, but until today it didn't feel like this.
Global Studies
The first test is tomorrow (July 4th). Many students are sort of freaking out about it. Unnecessarily so. They're smart, and they are working hard.
Books
I got permission for the crew to get some of our surplus books. I sorted through many of the books today. I've put aside a lot of novels, travel books, and some reference material for them. I think this, along with donating books to ports when we have the opportunity, will help us get rid of some of the extra books. I will also talk with Sandy about talking with Stephan, the hotel director, and the head of housekeeping about disposing of the rest of the old text books we've accumulated.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
July 2
Sea Olympics
Well, the Mediterranean Sea came from no where and won. Those pirates! Fanta did take the trivia and lip sincing contests. I'm quite sure that the fact that I was one judge of the lip sincing contest had nothing to do with the Fanta win.
Unfortunately, I seem to have deleted all my photos from the excellent lip sincing contest.
Very creative.
Fanta - Octopus's Garden, complete with snorkles, flippers, and very creative choreography (by Tavia, I suspect). Darian's lip sincing was great.
Red (my choice for second) did a great job with their song. I can't think of it right now, but will update when I remember the title and artist. (There was a Mountain Dew commercial a few years ago that used it.)
Everyone did great. Really fun.
(Erika - you'd be very popular in the fall if you bring some good music to lip sinc to. Be sure to sign up for the Olympics. I vote to name the Fac/staff/adult team the Dead Sea. Or, maybe the Rough Sea.)
July 2
Update on Sea Olympics
It’s neck and neck. Fanta Sea (aka Faculty/staff/family/adult passengers/teachers at sea) started out strong in the “Spirit competition.” We definitely have the most beautiful team banner. We also do a mean “gimea F” “gimea A” etc. cheer. However, once the Mediterranean Sea Pirates in their green with their rap cheer took the stage we were history.
Fanta Sea came in second in the hotdog eating contest – way to go, Dillon. Red Sea came in first, I believe. Red also took the cream pie eating contest due to a luckly slurp which got the buried cherry on the first try!. I’m back at the Library now, but I believe that despite Andrea and Stephen’s best sharp nails Fanta came in second in the all important mustard pack cup filling contest. (Figure that one out!)
I believe the athletes are taking a well earned break before competing in the orange roll, orange pass, wet clothes pass, toilet paper dressing, and big hair afternoon events.
Stayed tuned. Winner gets off the ship first in San Diego – so, this really means something – it’s not just for the honor.
Yellow – 35 points
Fanta – 20 points
We’re in second place at the halfway mark!
I’d say about a third of the students are participating in the Olympics. The rest are diligently studying or writing papers. I decided to come back to the Library because I could tell that there were certainly folks around who wanted to use it today.
Update on Sea Olympics
It’s neck and neck. Fanta Sea (aka Faculty/staff/family/adult passengers/teachers at sea) started out strong in the “Spirit competition.” We definitely have the most beautiful team banner. We also do a mean “gimea F” “gimea A” etc. cheer. However, once the Mediterranean Sea Pirates in their green with their rap cheer took the stage we were history.
Fanta Sea came in second in the hotdog eating contest – way to go, Dillon. Red Sea came in first, I believe. Red also took the cream pie eating contest due to a luckly slurp which got the buried cherry on the first try!. I’m back at the Library now, but I believe that despite Andrea and Stephen’s best sharp nails Fanta came in second in the all important mustard pack cup filling contest. (Figure that one out!)
I believe the athletes are taking a well earned break before competing in the orange roll, orange pass, wet clothes pass, toilet paper dressing, and big hair afternoon events.
Stayed tuned. Winner gets off the ship first in San Diego – so, this really means something – it’s not just for the honor.
Yellow – 35 points
Fanta – 20 points
We’re in second place at the halfway mark!
I’d say about a third of the students are participating in the Olympics. The rest are diligently studying or writing papers. I decided to come back to the Library because I could tell that there were certainly folks around who wanted to use it today.
July 2
Captain’s Dinner
I attended the third of three Captain’s Dinners last night – faculty, staff, and adult passengers. I got to sit at the Captain’s table. Very nice. Drinks and wonderful appetizers in the Fac/Staff Lounge at 1930. Here’s photo of Roxana and me all dressed up. Also, Emily and Stephen all dressed up.
The dinner itself was quite an affair. I had attended the Dinner in San Diego for UVA and ISE folks, so I knew more of less what to expect. Many courses – endive with smoked salmon, French onion soup (not the over cheesy kind, but a nice onion soup with a piece of bread with just enough cheese on top), a very good salad of cucumbers, feta, tomatoes, filet of beef (or salmon), and crème brule. Good wine as well. Nice to finally have a glass of wine at dinner. Wine isn’t usually served in the dining room. Many of us lament not having a glass of wine with our meal. Oh well.
Good conversation at our table. Very enjoyable, all in all.
Reserve shelves
Here’s me opening the liquor cabinet reserve shelves. This takes a bit of practice. Definitely helps to build arm muscles. While I trust all our students completely, I do make sure to close the reserve shelves when we close the library. I also plan to close them during the Sea Olympics today.
Wildlife
We’re starting to see more wildlife in the sea. I didn’t realize it, but there really isn’t much animal life in the middle of the Pacific. Like on land, edge environments are where animals are most plentiful. Currents around the edges of continents are where we might see whales, dolphins, etc.
Yesterday the crew saw a pod of dolphins in the morning. I saw some big jumping fish in the afternoon (I’m pretty sure they were fish and not dolphins). David and others saw some spouts from either whales or dolphins. We should start seeing more sea life as we get closer to Asia.
Birds
We continue to see albatrosses. Also, some smaller birds. Amazing that they can fly so far. The crew finds birds on deck from time to time. They are usually tired and dying. The crew put on heavy gloves, and gently pick up the bird. They drop the bird over the side and look after it, hoping it will be able to fly away. We’ve been cautioned not to pick up any bird, but to call a crew member if we spot one.
