Australia, Bali, Vietnam, Hong Kong

Friday, March 30, 2007
Cruise from Sydney, Australia to Hong Kong

March 1, 2007 - Sydney, Australia: Happy Mardi Gras from the Queens of the Desert! Yes, we arrived just in time for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardis Gras and yes, our hotel was conveniently located in the heart of the festivities. We will be gone before the big parade in 2 days; but, there is a flavor in the air. People by the thousands will attend the parade. We happen to go to our hotel rooms about the time the action starts developing on the streets.
Highlight: Tour of the Sydney Opera House - wonderful presentation by a woman who was very enthusiastic and did a great job explaining the tiles on the roofs, the design by John Utzon, the differences in woods used, the reason for the high ceilings, etc. Some rooms are designed to carry voice, others designed to carry music. There are special breaks throughout each area that stops sound from being echoed back. Amazing!! There are six individual areas for performances and a 1,000 rooms total in the buildings.
Al and Bob are walking the 1 1/2 mile bridge this morning. Marsali and I opted out, instead, sip our coffee, pack and prepare to board the cruise ship this afternoon.

one sea day here

March 4, 2007 - Brisbane, Australia: Today was the day to visit all the animals of Australia. Up close to the Koalas, the Kangaroos and baby (Joeys). Also, Emus, wombats, shrub Turkeys and crocodiles. We went through the Koala Sanctuary, similar to Lowry park in Tampa. Very hot here, Brisbane is similar to Tampa and this is the end of summer here (similar to September in Tampa). After the park visit, we took the CITY CAT back to the ship. Brisbane has a long river running through the city and people travel the large river catamarans just like using the city bus. Transportation via CAT or Bus is very easy over here. Tampa does not know how to provide bus transit - too inconvenient, etc. Here, we just get on the bus, pay the fare and away we go. Bus tickets usually cost $2.00 per trip and the CAT was $2.00 also. You can get a day pass for $4.00 - then get off and on along the river anywhere. The Koala park was $16.00.

Houses are half million dollars and up. Waterfront - 2 million +. Everything is more expensive than home. Gas is $5.00 per gallon.

Next day at sea. No word yet, as to whether we are going to change plans due to Cyclone Odette which may interfere with our travel to Darwin in a couple of days.

All clear for being bothered by storms. I did purchase wrist straps as I was a little whoozy (?sp) yesterday morning. It works! Or, the seas calmed down.

March 6 - Whitsunday Island, Australia. I marvel at the differences in land formations this continent has. From desert to lush tropical islands. We are on the Eastern coast where the the area is very tropical, much like South Florida in plants, etc. Animals are completely different! Last night, there was a little Koala bear (toy) sitting on my bed when we came back from the show. Sunny gets his souvenier! Supposedly most of the deadliest snakes are here in Australia - 'hope I don't see any! Today is the first TENDER day where the ship cannot anchor at the dock - instead we take those life boats in - ie, tendering.
The island had many little golf carts that are rented out. No cars. We rented one and went up to the high parts of the island. This is one of the most beautiful island complexes in the world. Mountains rising out of the sea. Prettier than the Hawaiian islands. A little hazy, but the seas are calm and the water is very clear and aqua color. No swimming here due to little jelly fish that are difficult to see; but, when stung by them creates a medical emergency - muscles are attacked and breathing is altered.
We also saw a beautiful white Cockatoo - native to these islands. We were told not to feed them as they have a delicate digestive system.

March 7 - Cairn, Australia - pronounced KENZ. Surrounded by mountains high in the clouds. Probably raining way up there. The train that goes up to these mountains is out of commission for 2 months due to land slides from rain. They have cable gondolas; but, we did not take them. Instead, we stayed in the quaint town. Looked a little like the old gold rush towns out west; but, much newer looking. Lots of shops and souvenirs. I bought a small kangaroo leather bag. In the shopping mall, we sat next to an aborigine family. I took a few photos and will send them copies. It's surprising to me how 'new' Australia is. 1770's was the beginning of realizing this continent existed. Only the Aborigine's were here. These people are actually black caucasions. Cairns is one of the gateways to the Great Barrier Reef.

March 8 and 9 - sea days. Days when we sleep in - not really. Still get up around 6:30 or 7:00am. But, more leisurely (?sp). The captain informed us we would be crossing the Great Barrier Reef and be on the lookout around 7:00am. Sooooo, yes, we were out there looking for that magical moment when the Reef would appear. Off in the horizon appeared a little boulder popping out of the water and a long line of azure blue. That was it! Not the picture I had in my mind. A school of dolphins surfaced at the back of the ship for several minutes. We did see much of the coast of Australia as we went along, and that azure blue stretched for miles on the horizon. The Reef is a couple thousand miles long! The high definition documentaries on TV is where to experience those magical moments on the reef.
Later in the day, misty rain. Time to continue reading a good book - The Buffalo Soldier by Chris Bohjalian. My goal is to finish the book on this voyage. There are still two cyclones that are out in the seas we will be traveling. George is forecast to go well south of us. The other one is intensifying; but, should be out of our way before we get into that area. Next stop - Darwin. On board there are two lecturers who are giving great talks on the history of Australia. Also, there's a movie theater - 'saw Babel the other day. Queen is showing today.

March 10 - Actually it is one day ahead of the dates I list (USA dates). We cross the international dateline way before Australia. Yesterday, we set our clocks '30 minutes' back, not the usual hour.
DARWIN, Australia is our last Ausie port of call. "Where winter never visits" - Darwin was the site where the Japanese attacked during WWII. Lots of historical battles took place in the coral sea and near this area. Australia is forever grateful to the US for the help they recvd during the war. We've had a wonderful lecturer on sea days who tells the historical stories as if he was 'grampa telling his grandchildren' about personal adventures. What a story teller! So factual and yet, so entertaining. His wife says he's had this gift all his life. (More than just a photographic mind!) (Dr Jay Wolf - sells discs of many of his travels)
Water lillies - the usual white is indigenous to Florida. Not so, in Australia - it's the pink ones! They are all over, as well as many tropical plants. No swimming here! The box jelly fish and the saltwater crocodile call these shores home. Instead they have an olympic sized swimming pool.
We just spent a very hot day in Darwin. We saw some Aborigine folks in the shopping areas. They still have their own language; but, clothing is much like others. Much of this area is majestic when seen by air. We didn't venture out that far. The second cyclone has stayed well clear of us.

Sea day tomorrow and then off to Bali.

Marlch 11 and 12 - Sea Days: - attended lectures - Digital Photography and the story of Charles Darwin. Went to the gym for treadmill walks both days. The machines are very nice. Did 25 minutes - I'm out of shape!!
Added 20 minutes FREE to the internet by attending a beginners computer class (usual price: 40 cents/minute). I benefited by seeing how the computer guy (mere child) teaches. He has his laptop with all notes/pics/etc on it - then hooks it up to a computer via an SVGA cable which transmits the info to the projector and onto a movie screen. The technician recommended a SONY projector (for video/multiple inputs). Hmmmmm, 'wonder if Life Enrichment Center could get someone to spring for this equipment??!! All of the presenters used the same method. They simply used their own computer with their own notes.

March 13 - Bali - Padang Bai (Town/port). 'Have been to and seen many, many islands during out trips; but, Bali is the most beautiful and culturally different islands that sets it apart. We met a waiter on the ship and he arranged for his brother-in-law to provide a private tour of the island. The trip was one of the best!! 'Made' (his name meaning first born) took us to temples, a monkey forrest (monkies came up to inches looking for food), a wood working village (where all the beautiful Bali carvings come from) and to a housing complex that represents the real way of life for the Balinese. 'Made' lives in one where there are 15 people, some married with children) each son's family lives in little one room concrete huts, a separate concrete 'room' for a communal kitchen - a stone stove/oven is about all there is in the 'kitchen', and a shrine in the central courtyard. There is even a small concrete area where a pig is kept and chickens wander freeling. The roosters are kept in cages to conserve their strength for illegal cock fights. The oldest (parents) live in the main structure. Women leave their compounds to go to their husbands compound when married. That's one of the reasons parents want sons instead of daughters. 'Made' says there are lots of MBA marriages ("Married By Accident" - it babies come first)

Hinduism is an ingrained and very important part of Balinese life. It permeates all activities. You can see small food offerings everywhere, doorsteps to stores, homes, hotels, streets, etc. There are 5 -10 temples in every village and shrines everywhere, including homes. 90% of people participate in religious ceremones. They have a New Year coming in 5 days. 'Made' went into great detail why the men where head coverings (to join their minds to their gods, why they were surrongs (?sp) to keep the unclean away from the gods. The colors of black/evil and white/good are represented in black and white checkered cloth - symbolic of good and evil existing together in their society. They do not try to erradicate evil; but they give multiple offerings to recieve blessings from the good gods so as to protect them from evil. Too much info on this subject to express here.

Agriculture is so visible. The entire island has literally thousands of rice paddies that are harvested every four months (rotate the fields - where harvesting takes place constantly). I HAD A LIGHT BULB moment when we were shown where the rice comes from. Each rice shaft looks something like a wheat shaft and the rice grows at the very tip of the stalk - just like wheat does. I always thought it grew in the water just below the grass shafts!!!! Duh! The paddies were in all stages of growth.

Food - they eat lots of rice. Porcupines are caught and eaten (they damage the rice paddies). Then, there are eels that swim in the rice paddies, dragon flies - remove wings and deep fry, grasshoppers, crickets, ducks + their entrails and other delectable delights. We ate in a hotel; but, very carefully!

Vista - The middle of the island is made up of a mountain range that has 5 volcanoes, two which are active. We were able to get photos of the smoke plumes coming from one of them. Lots of black volcanic ash in many of the places - this provides rich noursishment to all the fruits and vegetables on the island.

It was a very long day; but, we learned so much. Did not have time to experience the shopping that is everywhere in Bali. Miles and miles of shops selling art, wood, clothing, statues, etc. We would recommend Bali to anyone who wants to visit an exotic land that is so different from ours. I will keep 'Made's contact info in case anyone needs an exellent tour guide in Bali.

'Worthy of mention: we discovered a new drink. Orange juice in glass, small amount of sugar/splenda and HOT WATER poured into glass to make hot orange drink - like a tea. Delicious!

March 14: Samarang, Indonesia - Java - a Muslim country (Bali was Hindu). Many Java ship staff are meeting their families today. The families come on board until 2:30 in the afternoon. Many of the staff do not see their families for months at a time. This is a special day for some. Our friends, Bob and Marsali took an 8 hour trip to a temple (World Heritage Site) and said they were glad to have gone. The weather is in the 90's and very humid. Al and I stayed on ship, I got some good photos of visitors to the ship. We ventured out to the small markets/tents set up along the ship area to sell trinkets to the tourists. We lasted approximately 5 minutes! There were literally dozens and dozens of locals that descended like mosquitos as we emerged from the terminal. That was it! We did a 180 and returned to the peace and quiet of the ship.

March 15: sea day - Crossing the equator today. There is a tradition on all cruise ships - King Neptune appears on this day - a silly ceremony with the ship staff in costume. The ship issues lots of horn sounds at the moment we cross. Great entertainment - comedian, xylophone player - never heard it sound so good!
March 16: Singapore - City of the Lion, though no lions have ever lived on this penisula. Many ships come and go from this popular port. A very homogenous group of Indian, Chinese, Arab, Malaysian and Indonesians all living in harmony and refer to themselves as a 'family'. During WWII, thousands were killed by the Japanese who occupied this area for 3 years until the end of the war. The British then occupied it; but soon it became an independent country. This is where that American boy was caned for trashing autos several years ago. They do not accept unacceptable behavior to this day.
We rode the cable cars up to the highest point and saw the city view. Also visited a million square foot shopping mall with all the big and expensive names from around the world. Did not buy anything. This was our second visit; so we did not revisit the famous Raffles hotel which is a must see.
Also, this was the first time we were able to make a connection with our SKYPE wireless internet phone. Unfortunately it was 1:00AM when we telephoned Marty and Fran while overlooking the Singapore harbor. What an experience to communicate through a wireless hotspot at the Corduroy Cafe in such a faraway land!

March 17 - sea day. While on the treadmill, listening to a podcast, I heard this saying:

IF YOU'VE GOT A HOLE IN YOUR HEART,
THE BEST WAY TO FILL IT IS ....
TO GIVE AWAY WHAT YOU WISH YOU HAD.

March 18 - still on sea day. Captain has issued orders to take extra precautions of disinfecting hands, etc. Also, all food handling is now done by crew - no taking breads, salads at the buffet line. Apparently, 6 have come to medical station with stomach cramps. Captain said it's probably from eating on Semarang. There are disinfecting liquids available at all the elevators, dining areas, workout rooms, gangway, etc.

March 19 - Nha Trang, Vietnam. Today, we were on a 'mission'. Teresa and Marcia visited us in January and Teresa introduced us to her cousin (Martin) who is married to a woman (Phuc) from Nha Trang! Phuc wrote a note to her mother way back then and our mission was to deliver it to her mother and family when we visited Nha Trang. Early today, we hailed a taxi and he took us to the restaurant that Phuc's mother owns and operates. When we arrived, we were greeted by both her mom and her sister. They proceeded to serve us a wide assortment of vegetables, meats, rice, sauces, fish and other items. Their hospitality was much appreciated. Mission accomplished.
We then went to the central market where everything you can possibly imagine from meats to vegetables to clothing to electronics are bartered and sold. I bought a Rolex for $12! I wonder if it's a 'real' Rolex?
A funny note: went we entered the port, there are cable cars that cross the harbor from the main land to a plush resort area. Those cable lines had to be 'lifted and stretched tight' so the ship could go underneath. It took awhile for this process to be accomplished. 'Wonder if this will discourage ships from entering this harbor? Our ship, the Statendam is not one of the bigger ships. Who 'thunk' of this brilliant idea????

March 20-21 sea days

March 22 - Hong Kong - The final port of call. It was raining and very misty; but we could still see the magnificence of this 'city of life'. Hundreds of very tall sky scrapers - they are building one 118 stories high. Many of the buildings are less than 10 years old - so the city looks quite new. It is surrounded by mountains. We were able to take a city tour - all 44 square miles. Al did not purchase any property there as the cost of a single family home with a nice view was approx $2,700.00 per square FOOT. The average size of a condo is 600 square feet. The older public housing was about 250 square feet. That would house parents, children. Typical family is husband, wife and 2-5 children. Some families have 7-8 children - still in the same square footage.

March 23 and 24. Back to the USA! Stayed with Uncle Artie and Aunt Jane for a couple days and are now planted at the San Francisco airport waiting for our flight HOME. I am soooooo ready for my own bed.

END OF TRAVEL JOURNAL - I'll be sending you an invite to view my photos as soon as I get them posted.