Last day at Sea

Well, this is Friday and our last day at sea.  Arrive Victoria later today.

Then home tomorrow!  It has been a great trip but like all vacations we will be glad to get home.

Day 2 at Sea

Roak decided to have a pedicure where he learned that he has puffy eyes; yellow teeth and his feet are in need of exfoliation.  So there ya go!  

He feet sure look nice. 

All in all, the Zuiderdam is a wonderful ship and the food is great!. 

Tomorrow at sea followed by Victoria on Friday.  Then home! 

Arrived at SD.

Well after having our flight delayed for 1 hour at LV we headed off to San Diego where we boarded the Zuiderdam without problem.  Beautiful ship!  Fun guests!  Now we are on our way home!

Arrived at SD.

Well after having our flight delayed for 1 hour at LV we headed off to San Diego where we boarded the Zuiderdam without problem.  Beautiful ship!  Fun guests!  Now we are on our way home!

Sunday in LV

Had a quiet and peaceful day.  Our first such day in over a month.  Gambled a bit.  Ate delicious meals. Spent time by the pool and swimming.

We had a fabulous dinner at Mon Ami Gabi where Roak had his oysters from Fanny Bay BC.

Then capped off the evening with a show: Jersey Boys.  If you get a chance, see that show.  It is phenomenal.

Today, another quiet day combining poolside tanning with swimming and a little more gambling.  Up early tomorrow to fly to San Diego where we plan to lunch with friends prior to boarding the ship for our leisurely journey home!

Here at Paris LV

Had a great flight.  Fast and comfortable.  Gambled abit in the evening.  We won abit.  Still ahead of the game!

Tonight a nice dinner and then going to see the show:  Jersey Boys!

We Need a Rest! :)

Well we have had quite the past month.  However, the racoon attacking the roof and creating 5 holes was the climax.  We need a rest.  On Saturday May 4th we fly to Las Vegas for a stay at Paris, LV; on Tuesday we board the MV Zuiderdam for our sail home to Vancouver.  Yeah!!

Home one week

Well one week ago we sailed into Singapore in the early morning to commence our long way home!

We flew from Singapore to Hong Kong and then on to Vancouver.  Total travelling time (in the air) 17 hours but with lay overs and additional 10 hours (total travelling time 27 hours) and numerous time zones.  

Yes Vancouver!

We have used the advice found on www.jetlagrooster.com to acclimatize ourselves and have experienced no jet lag.  So we highly recommend using jetlagrooster.

Glad to be home and looking forward to our next adventure. 

Halifax in June 2013.  

Day 10 - Celukan Bawang

Arrived in the early morning to a sunny but cooler day.  

Drove to the district of Singaraja  and then on to Lovina Beach.  We were able to lounge by the infinity pool at the Puris Bagus Lovina Hotel.  What a spot!  Magnificent.

After hours of swimming and a fabulous Indonesian buffet luncheon we returned to the ship to start our journey home.  Next stop Singapore.

Days 8 + 9 in Bali

Day 8 

Arrived to a sunny day in Bali (Benoa).  Toasted  our arrival while sitting on our lanai and drinking champagne.   Balinese dancers and gamelan performed on the dock.

We then set out on a 6 hour adventure visiting 3 Buddhist temples  (Ayun, Tabanan, and Tanah Lot), local markets and the monkey forest. 

Also viewed the depiction of a traditional cock fight.

Returned to the ship, to don our sarongs like everyone else and experience a Balinese feast, onboard ship.  A wonderful experience.

Day 9 – Bali

Spent a quiet day onboard ship in Benoa.  Tomorrow another day in Bali- Celukan Bawang.

Day 7 - Komodo Island

We arrived on a hot and sunny day and dropped anchor in the calm bay.  We spent a leisurely day onboard, walking the decks and swimming in the vacant pool. 

During the day small canoes filled with young people surrounded the ship waiting for food or money to be dropped to them.  Later in the evening we saw the convoy of these small canoes being hauled home by a bigger motorized boat.  All types of enterprises here.

Roak viewing the island from our lanai! A view of the island!

In the early evening, we sailed for Bali.  For 12 hours we experienced extremely rough seas and howling wind and rain.  

Tomorrow, our first day in Bali.  

Day 6 - Lombok

Arrived Lombok in the early morning, with sea mist dissipating to reveal blue and sunny skies.  The lush tree covered island looked truly tropical and similar to the South Pacific islands.   Spent 8 hours traveling the island and seeing some wonderful and sometimes “eye-opening” things.

Visited a world class heritage museum containing items from the colonial and pre-colonial periods.  Then came the deluge for about 20 minutes while we visited the formal Royal Palace at Narmada.  

The sun returned along with the humidity. The we went on to visit the Hindu temple at  Lingsar where a large family had come from Bali to pray for the health a loved one.

Then on to Senggigi where we were hosted to a wonderful lunch at the Sheraton hotel which also had “western” toilets.  Yeay!

After lunch we visited the pottery village of Banuymulek where we witnessed village women making “hand thrown” pots of all sizes.  We also were treated to a ride on a mini-horse drawn cart that held two people.   What a fabulous day!

One of the many temples visited during this trip!

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 5 – At Sea

Awoke to a drizzly warm morning.  Calm seas.  Tonight we are dining in the Aqualina restaurant preceded by drinking the bottle of champagne that was gifted to us. 

Quiet day!  Quite a change from yesterday.  

During the 1 ½ hours drive each way, with the police escort four our buses literally drove down the centre of the highway forcing trucks, buses, motor scooters and all like of pedestrians to head for the ditches along side the road, or suffer the consequences of being hit.  Many of our traveling companions spent the time ”oohing and aawing”.  We did too from time to time.  

Thank goodness, it is a once in a life time experience. 

Days 4 & 5

Day 4-At Sea           

Invited to a champagne brunch in the morning.  Spent the day by the pool and walking around the ship.  A relaxing and quiet day!

Day 5-Borobudur

This morning, we arrived at Semarang, Indonesia, the capital of the province of Central Java.  Rain subsided and we experienced a hot, sunny and humid day.   With a police escort to/and from the temple, we set out early in the morning.  At midday we arrived at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world and one of the wonders of the world.  We brought with us a momento from Alberdine that we bestowed on the sight.   Allegorically, Alberdine  (Roak’s mother) who was born on Java, has come home!  It was an emotional but happy day for Roak.

After a sumptuous lunch in a traditional Indonesian pavilion, we returned to the ship.

Tonight we sail for Lombok.

Here is a sample of Borobudur!

Here is one our first views of Semarang Indonesia Java!  Very emotional for Roak!

Day Three-At Sea

Awoke to beautiful sunshine that stayed with us the whole day.  34°C, humidity mitigated by the prevailing wind. 

Walked the decks, relaxed in the pool and hot tub.  Dining was fabulous.

Invited to a pre-dinner reception for drinks and hors d’oeuvres.  Got notice that we had been provided with free internet and laundry. Great!

Our stateroom was on the bow of the ship.  Here is our "sailing" view!

Day 2-Singapore

Started the day, swimming in the mineral water pool atop the Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel.   After a long and quiet breakfast, we headed out into the city.

The day was sunny, humid and hot.  Although we aren’t shoppers, we couldn’t resist the shopping on the Orchard Road.  Unlike Hong Kong, it was a delightful shopping experience.  We recommend it!

After a scrumptious lunch of noodles and beef (me)/tiger prawns (Roak), we were taken to ship in a torrential downpour.  As the ship had just come out of dry dock there were some glitches while boarding, but a bottle of champagne was waiting in our room. 

Now the cruise begins!


Here is the presentation of Ginger blossoms at the Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel.

Hello Singapore

Yesterday spent 17 hours “in the air” flying from Vancouver to Singapore.  Thank you, Cathay Pacific airlines that made the journey so effortless and for letting us sleep.  Having the snack bar open and available all night, also helped. 

Arrived in Singapore.  Beautiful place.   On our arrival it was 35°C with 90% humidity.  The humidity and warmth have been a blessing to Roak, from the outset. Immediately, his breathing got easier and he was raring to go. 

We have found that pushing the luggage cart helps with Roak’s walking and in Singapore it was hard for me to keep up with him as he pushed the cart through the airport.

The weather is typically tropical with torrential downpours followed by blue skies and sun.  Orchids abound.  We are in heaven!  Of course cockroaches also abound buy hey this is the tropics.

Like Hong Kong Singapore is congested but with the streetscape vibe more similar to London, Paris or Amsterdam.    The people are friendly and outgoing and extremely helpful.    Singapore is a repeat “must visit” for us!

Roak's review of the week

What a week it's been, wonderful lunch with my sister Els. Lunch with our friend Hilrie. Back and forth to the bank. House cleaning, getting the orchids ready for their caregiver, getting Tapi our canary ready for his holiday with Sharon. Now all we have to do is pack and tomorrow at 11 pm off to the airport and flight to Hong Kong.

Indonesia-three days and counting

Early Saturday morning we leave for Singapore where we will board the Azamara Journey for our trip to Indonesia.  As many of you know, Roak was born there and this will be his first trip back in 70+ years.  We cannot post pictures from the ship as the internet is too slow but we will be posting daily updates.