28 October - Singapore

Finally got off the ship after a whole lot of rigmarole - guess 3,000 people getting off and going through immigration is like 7 Jumbos landing at one time!! And there was another ship parked the other side of the pier doing the same thing. 

Walked to the MRT station and could only buy a single ticket so took the train to City Hall to purchase a day ticket. Then set out for Chinatown.  An hour or two of wandering around in the heat caused rather a big thirst  so we found a nice airconditioned restaurant, mainly for a 'sit down and a beer' and decided on some nice spicy 🌶 food for a snack.  

We haven't been to Singapore for years and the new shipping terminal is very close to most things ie the Wheel, Harbourtown, Raffles etc but after Chinatown and then Harbourtown we had had enough & returned to the ship by train.  We are both weary from all the walking but had to go through another emergency drill at 5pm as many new guests on board.  An announcement just now to say that 19 passengers still haven't returned their passports to security and we can't sail until they have been handed in!  😬 

Another announcement - the passports are all in order but someone is sick & we're now waiting for an ambulance to come & collect them!!!  Probably better than another helicopter medi-vac at sea later on.  

We shared a table at dinner with a really nice couple from Perth.  In another life he used to be an officer on P & O ships in the 60's.  

Documents all signed and we left the dock at around 8 pm. George has gone to bed, I'm keen to see the show but will leave if it not up to standard!!!! 

27 October - At Sea

Overnight we headed in a south easterly course into the Strait of Malacca, a narrow, 850 km stretch of water between the Malay Peninsular and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. There have been non-stop cargo ships all the way today - no wonder as this is apparently the busiest shipping stretch of water in the world. Next Stop Singapore  tomorrow. 

This morning there was a cooking demonstration in the Princess Theatre followed by a ship galley tour.  The head chef prepared three dishes, pasta with pesto sauce, sea scallops with ratatouille and tira misu.  I watched the cooking demo but had to be at mahjong at 11 so missed the tour.  After our game we all had lunch in the dining room - farewelling Cathy & Peter (😅) who are disembarking tomorrow.  Dale, new friend from Bendigo, will replace them from now on.  

Happy hour again in the Wheelhouse bar with Margaret & Richard.  We see them there for a catchup most days and enjoy a buy one - get one for a $1 deal!!!!!  And before  the end of each sector there is a raffle draw for patrons but we didn't win anything.

The whale pool will be quiet now as a storm has hit and there is rain, thunder and some lightning.  

We are meeting Patti & Gaylord (retired Pastor) for dinner tonight - they're getting off in Singapore & spending some time there and in Malaysia. Will miss their company.

  

26 October - Phuket

Phuket!  Was very pretty coming in at dawn despite being foggy.  Is about 30 years since we were here when the girls were young.  We anchored at about 7am and those on our tour assembled by 7.15 ready to get off the ship as quickly as possible. As it turned out we were on the first tender which meant our tour got away to a good start.  We were divided into two buses of 9 with a guide on each.  First stop was a walk down a beautiful little street known as Romanee St which was famous for prostitutes and opium back in the tin mining days.  Arrived at a tourist information place where we were given the lowdown on what we'd be seeing and while there the mayor walked in accompanied by photographers!  She was a really beautiful lady, dressed in a black suit with lovely jewellery and apparently she lives close by.  She spoke to the group and we'll probably be in the Phuket Times in the morning LOL.  Most Thais are dressed in black and shop displays have all kinds of black outfits and t-shirts in their windows.  The official mourning period for the King goes on! Black & white bunting adorns most of the buildings. 

On to Chin Pracha Mansion, a privately owned house built for the family in 1903.  It was  great, the family still live upstairs and they allow certain tour operators to view the downstairs rooms.  The furnishings were older than the house as most of it had come from Penang and was a mixture of both Chinese and British.  Most interesting. This house has been used for at least 3 films including The Killing Fields and Heaven and Earth with Oliver Stone and for Indiana Jones.

Then we visited a Thai Buddhist Ordination Temple and from there went to a restaurant for lunch.  We were all looking forward to some spicy food and weren't disappointed 🌶🌶There was green curry, prawn cakes, calamari, chicken, fish, rices  etc etc. and watermelon, which all went down nicely with a cold beer!!!

Next stop was a gypsy fishing village - some of us opted to remain in the air-con of the bus but the others walked for ages through a very downmarket area to view a boat come to shore with a load of fish!!!  After an experience in a shanty town in South America earlier in the year I'm not going there again!!!!

Back now on the ship, we were tendered in a large local boat and all should be aboard by 5.30.  We are anchored near Mariner of the Seas which must have arrived this afternoon.  Dinner might be a cool G & T!!!!

25 October - At Sea

The ship entered into the into the Andaman Sea during the night.  This sea has been traditionally used for fishery and transportation of goods between the coastal countries.   Of course the coral reefs and islands are very popular tourist destinations. 

Not much to report from the day, by now I hardly have to list the exciting things we do each day!!!!!! 

Before dinner we enjoyed a 45 min New Orleans music soirée in the Piazza.  It was fantastic, possibly the best entertainment on the ship  yet.  The Princess orchestra is always excellent, on all ships, and very versatile, but last night they were amazing. 

Enjoyed the company of yet another Scottish couple at dinner then went to the late show in the theatre which was dreadful! An American comedian, Tom Briscoe - he was so boring. 

I may have given the impression that the cruise has been just so-so. Actually it has been great - just not a lot to report when we have so many sea days but it is truly the most relaxing holiday you could have!  This type of holiday may. not be for everyone, of course.  

An early start tomorrow in Phuket. 

24 October - At Sea

Firstly, Annie, this is not the Herald Sun - if it doesn't get published daily, don't panic!!!!!

After passing south off the coast of Sri Lanka we entered into the Bay of Bengal which is the largest bay in the world and which forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean.  Roughly triangular it is bordered mostly by India and Sri Lanka to the west, Bangladesh to the north and Myanmar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the east.  At the Captain's noon announcement the depth of the ocean was 3,200 metres!!! 

The weather is warm and humid and will stay that way now probably till we hit the heads of Port Phillip Bay!!! 

Another lazy day for me, not sure how I'll cope when I get home and have to make my own bed, use the same towel for more than one shower, or order the next cocktail!!

One third of the passengers are disembarking in Singapore and apparently we'll be full again at least until Perth.  Two of the mahjong players (husband & wife) are leaving and we have a replacement lined up which is good.  She (the wife) is a motor mouth, you would  never know just what will come out and she knows everything! Has been everywhere, done everything, if you get my drift.  

The captain had another cocktail party tonight.  We dressed and went to the piazza early in order to get a table on the lower level and sat people watching for an hour or so.  Then they served the drinks and I had every intention of taking some pics of the captain making his speech (he always does this) but George wanted to get to the dining room before the crowd and he insisted the captain would not be in attendance.  So, you've guessed it, as soon as we left............!  But what would I know.  

Dinner was lovely, we shared a table with a couple from the UK.  They are partners, she's 87 & he'll  be 88 in 2 days. We all had the lobster which was delicious. On the way home I donated another $20 to the casino fund.  

23 October - At Sea

People seemed a bit lethargic this morning, late to breakfast and very few in the deck chairs early. For most, yesterday was a big day in the heat and rather grotty conditions.  But everyone I spoke to loved Cochin despite the conditions.  Those who left the ship in Dubai for a side trip to the Taj Mahal arrived back safely just before we sailed last night.

Not a lot to report today - there was a port lecture on Singapore and as we haven't been there for a few years I thought it a good idea to go along.  Mahjong as usual, we're all enjoying that very much. 

There are many things to do on the ship, eg art auctions, all kinds of dancing classes, choir practice, trivia, bingo, lectures, wine tastings, films, carpet bowls, health seminars, bridge, board games, ten pin bowling, table tennis, knitters & Knatters, casino games etc, then at night discos, vocal entertainment.  All these things to get us ready for the nursing home LOL.  Not sure how many go to all these activities but I do know that the trivia is popular. Have watched them and they are like locusts grabbing for tables and chairs!

After lunch I sat on the balcony reading and watching the coastline of Sri Lanka - with binoculars it was possible to see what looked like a very large city, possibly a resort.  Quite a number of ships in the area, too, all cargo of course.  

Then tonight we dined with Patti & Gaylord again before going to the show which was a tribute act, the Elton John Experience.  This guy, Greg Andrew, appeared on stage looking just like EJ, blue sparkly outfit, big sunglasses etc and sang two songs.  He then spoke with an Australian accent & turns out he is from Brisbane.  He should have left the outfit at home and just played the piano! 

We are now in the Indian Ocean with two more sea days before reaching Phuket.  

22 October - Cochin, India

Approaching Cochin this morning I saw probably a dozen dolphin from the balcony.  They looked lethargic, just poking their heads out of the water then skimming along below the surface. They were obviously unaware we could see them from high up!!!  

By the time we had docked there were many local stalls already erected dockside ready to sell us some stuff we just can't do without!!!! 

Our tour bus left at 9am and there were 16 of us - heading to the canals, or Backwaters,  The 'Venice' of India.  Well, canals they are but Venice it's not!!!!! Having said that, we did have a good day.  We were taken on to a houseboat which had seating for all of us - these boats are usually privately owned and have 2 ensuite bedrooms, a lounging area and a kitchen.  Two chefs were there to make lunch for us - curry, chicken, salads, etc, fresh pineapple and soft drinks.  Many people live along these waters in very primitave conditions and several women were standing in knee deep water washing their clothes as we passed by.  One lady was washing her hair and some kids were swimming - not sure what else they do in the water but it certainly wouldn't be a place to swim!!! There are also some very lovely houses, too. 

The drive back to Cochin took nearly two hours and it was probably just as well I slept most of the way as apparently the traffic conditions were horrendous!  How well do I remember a similar drive from Agra to Delhi 36 years ago!!!! In Cochin we were shown the famous Chinese nets,and the oldest European church in India!  It was formerly a Catholic church, then became Protestant and is now an Anglican church.  It was built in 1503 and has had many facelifts since then.  The Portugese navigator Vasco da Gama was buried there and there is a tribute to him in the church but his remains were taken back to Lisbon 14 years after his death.  

India would have to be one of the dirtiest countries on earth - such a shame as the countryside

is lush and beautiful.  But there is no law on litter - it is everywhere!  And there are open pits along the roadside, the waterways are dirty and disgusting, powerlines hang all over the place, men were urinating wherever, and the traffic was a nightmare.  But in spite of this everyone appeared happy, clean and friendly and I reckon that if they put 1 million of the 35 million people in this state of Kerala on a 'clean up' campaign Cochin would be up there with other beautiful cities of the world.  

We checked out the stalls dockside before boarding the ship and made a few small purchases.  

Was lovely to have a shower then wave goodbye from the balcony.  Dinner with a couple from Cornwall before doing a 'slow-gear' through the casino where we found a blackjack tournament!  In for a penny........... yes, now have our names on the board (at the moment) but the final isn't for 4 days!!!