Cabin no. 2028Crowds were mostly Australians, followed by Singaporeans and other Europeans. I had a chance to speak with a Mexican while dipping in the whirlpool and he told me how much he liked the transport system in Singapore and Hong Kong. He told me it would be difficult to get around in Mexico if you don't own a car. I asked how many cars his household own back home and he said "5." Each car (Ford) costs only around 10,000USD. This means that his 5 cars can trade in for 1 car in Singapore.
On the second day of our cruise, mum and I saw a Filipino elderly woman on the verge of crying and walking frantically along the corridor on deck 2. I asked her if she needed help and she told me she can't remember her room number (there were hundred over cabins on deck 2 alone!), and her husband must also be waiting for her.
I asked if she remembers her own name (although a little crude) and when she said "yes," bingo! Then I calmed her down by saying I'll bring her to the reception desk on deck 5 where they'll be able to help locate her room number.
She walked very slowly due to age and trembling in fear. Each time she repeats the same old story that her husband is waiting for her and on the verge of crying, I just need to repeat the same old remedy that the reception desk will be able to locate her room number, and then she would be in delight again. I held her hands and at times I had a tendency to walk rapidly, forgetting that I am assisting an elderly and need to have more patience. The receptionist from South Korea was very kind to say to the elderly woman as she held both her hands that "it is okay you're not the only one faced with this problem, this is only your first night of the cruise. Someone will escort you to your room." The receptionist thanked us profusely and off we went to catch a sunrise and buffet breakfast.
It's a scary thought that one may get senile when we come of age.
The rest of the cruise was smooth sailing.
Had mud bath in Vietnam's Nha Trang, voted as one of the world's most scenic bays. Still, that place really sucked to the max. Although I believe good people does exist, those whom we met were horrible! We initially agreed with the driver who can't speak English on 40USD for a 3-hour car hire. Towards the end of the trip, he stopped at a roadside where he sought the help of his English-speaking friend to dig another 10USD from us. He said 10USD is to drive us back to the pier. I told him that if he didn't drive us back to the pier immediately, he don't even have to think of that 40USD! I rolled up my window pane and he drove off immediately. At Cho Dam (Central) Market, we had a simple lunch (rice with meat) and coconut for 5USD per person! Simply conned. But I must say that one simple lunch alone beats the fine dining main course on board. The cod fish we had on board tasted like chicken breast, dry and hard. Mum said they use frozen fish. Obviously, how can they use fresh fish when the ship calls at a port only days later to re-stock? What's more is that they don't take in supplies from every port but main ports such as Singapore and Hong Kong where the stock is available and quality is good.
Thap Ba Mud Bath
On a tender boat (deep water docking) back to ship in Nha Trang
Spotted our ship from afarOn Hainan Island, I bought an iPhone cover. The seller's initial price was 50CNY, although I managed to bargain and bought at 20CNY (less than 4SGD). Happy!
Upon reaching Hong Kong, it was the Victoria Harbour that stunned me as the ship sailed past the Lantau Bridge.
Reached Shanghai and the weather turned chilly and started drizzling. It was only a transit stop and soon, we were on our flight to Xiamen in Fujian Province.
Xiamen was nice and the buildings looked just like those in Taiwan. And now I know, both Xiamen and the Taiwanese share close relationship in terms of trade and kinship.
Xiamen (view from Nanputuo Temple)Took a ferry across to Kinmen from Xiamen, a remote island of Taiwan (just like how Okinawa Island is so remote from mainland Japan). Much of Kinmen's remnants came from the Japanese occupation and civil war that took place on the island in the 1940's. Land mines still exist and one is safer sticking to proper roads. This half-day tour to Kinmen has earned me another passport stamp - "Admitted R.O.C, Duration of Stay: 30 Days."
Kinmen - my immediate thought was "what happen if tsunami come?"Flew back from Shantou, a place near to the Tropic of Cancer.
Lots of sun, sea and sand. Simply love a cruise vacation! Free-style!
