Thai Folkloric Danc

One night while in Thailand, the ship sponsored an evening performance out on the pool deck of dancers retelling Thai folktales. The costumes were so impressive as was the music and the dancers. These were men dressed in traditional costumes that were so ornate and  must have weighed a ton. They reenacted a famous tale that we heard over and over while in Thailand. In every case, the costumes were very similar.

The music was played on traditional Thai instruments as well.

In other dances, girls game out and performed. One of the most interesting things was how both male and female (especially) performers could make their fingers flex backwards. Apparently they begin at a very early age (2) pulling the fingers back so that they actually grow that way! Sick. It looks very elegant from a distance. I remember some of my young Asian students sitting in their desks pushing their finger back and know I know why.

The Thai women are absolutely beautiful. Their smiles will melt your heart. The people are just so kind and gentle. It was a real treat to get to see these elegant dances. It was just another way to experience the history and culture of the country. This ship really had some wonderful entertainment for its guests.

The Azamara Quest is a small ship that holds 600 passengers and 400 crew. We had a little over 400 guests on board so it was a nice small number (2/3 full). We basically had a 1:1 ratio with the staff. Big ships can have as many as 4000 guests!

Dan and I really like the small ship experience for two reasons:

1- Nothing is ever crowded onboard the ship
2- You can get in closer to many areas that larger ships cannot, thus you see so much more.

It does cost a bit more, but I think we kind of like it and on this particular line there are no formal nights so you never pack any of the fancy clothes which we like. No prom dress or tux!!

Cruising Tips

One of the cool things about a cruise ship is that they feed you well, clean your room daily, and offer wonderful shows. I have cruised to Mexico, Bahamas, Norway, Alaska (2), Canada/East Coast, and now Asia. We have sailed on Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival (never again) and the small ship Azamara (part of Royal Caribbean). Dan and I love cruising and here are a few tips and reasons to see the world this way.
Tip 1
Before leaving home, pack several baggies of assorted sizes along with a small insulated lunch sack that can easily slip into a day pack/backpack. Once on ship you can fill them with all sorts of snacks to take along with you on those adventures on shore. The buffet bar is always open and has healthy stuff.
Tip 2
Start your day with a wonderful breakfast and stash away fruits, bread and cheese to take ashore if you don't want to pay for lunch. Better yet, room service is usually free, so order a sandwich sent to your stateroom in the morning along with ice in the ice bucket. Fill one of those baggies with ice then slip it into another baggie to insure against leakage. Pop the ice bag and the food into the little lunch bag you brought from home into your day pack and you are set for a "free" day on shore.
Tip 3
When planning your trip, book a room near the laundry room. Ships are well insulated and you don't hear the noise, but it is super convenient to dash across the hall and throw in a load of laundry so you feel fresh all the time. Even on a 7 day trip, it is nice to throw in a load or two. It also illuminates having to bring so much with you if you know you will be able to have clean undies etc. On some ships it is free and others there is a small fee. The front desk can make change for you.
Tip 4
Anytime dining is nice if you don't want to be tied to a set time for dinner, however there are down-sides to it. The biggest is that you never really get to know your wait -staff and that can be a real bummer. If you go to set dining, you will always be at the same table, with the same people and your waiter becomes your friend on the ship. He knows what you prefer to drink, what you like and don't like to eat, gets you "extra food" or has things prepared "just right" for your tastes without making a big deal about it. It is fun to chat with the same folks at night and hear what they have been up to. On the first night if you decide you don't like the table mates, you can request a new table for the next night. No big deal.
Tip 5
Spend the $$ on day excursions. You learn so much more than if you try to do it on your own AND if for some reason, you don't make it back to the dock before sail away time, they HAVE to wait for you. If you make your own plans and don't make it back, they sail without you and it is up to you to find a way to the next port to get back on the ship! I knew this and thought nothing of it until the last trip when our bus tour really was late returning and the ship waited for the 30 of us to return. This was in Vietnam and that is a place I would not have wanted to be left behind!
Tip 6
Let the cruise company shop for the airline to get you to your embarkation port and make all those arrangements for you. Unless you work for an airline or have access to cheap tickets, it is easier if they do it and they usually guarantee that if you let them book it and the plane is a little late they wait to sail until they can get you there. They usually find great deals too. Pay the little extra for a transfer from the plane to the dock. No hassles and you arrive relaxed and ready to vacation

When you take into account cost of hotels and their taxes, food, transportation, time to plan excursions etc. nightly entertainment, availability of medical care and Internet cruising makes sense. It is almost always cheaper and there is next to no stress. You don't have to move hotel rooms all the time either. So pick a destination, save up, and go enjoy the world!

Saudak Float Market

Need fruits and vegetables? Need shoes or hats? Need tourist gifts? All of the above can be found at the rural floating market about  1 1/2 hour's bus ride outside of Bangkok.

As we neared the area, we loaded onto small long-tailed boats and motored up the 'klong' or canal to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

As tourists we were treated to scenes of everyday life along the river way. Homes were built on stilts out of wood and reeds. Clothes hung outside to dry and act as shields to the intense sun. You could tell it is a simple life and something you and I would not care to live in on a daily basis. Along the way we passed traditional boats with men and women heading toward the market as well. It appeared to be a hard life.

The market seemed to have 2 functions; one for the tourists and one for the townspeople. As tourists we could by wood carvings, Thai silk, paintings, fabric, and embroidered items in stalls set-up on the docks. Those that lived there came for the food. They would buy fruits and vegetables and could actually buy and eat lunch from the boats.

As tourists we were warned over and over not to eat any fruit or vegetable that did not have a thick skin that could be peeled (by us) away and no meat/fish that was uncooked. Of course, no water or ice or drinking from a bottle or can without a straw. Clearly, I was not going to sample ANYTHING!! But it was amazing to watch these women cook right in their boats and then pass the food up to the customers on the dock. Can you say "Mosquito nesting ground?" As you can imagine, we were completely covered again and it was in the 90s with at least  75% humidity. Very oppressive.

Local food in Thailand is a blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and French. Very spicy...and that is why I don't like it.  The national dish is Khao Phat which is fried rice and egg, cucumber and chilies. They also like Tum Yum Goong which is a soup with prawns, chilies, and lemon grass. The water is so nasty looking, there is no way I was eating anything that would possibly come from it! They do have some unusual fruits such as Mangosteen, Pomelos, Jack Fruit, Rambutan, and Durian. Again, I passed. I did try the Dragon Fruit and it was OK.

Here, Dan is posing with a local artist who painted a water scene for us and signed it. We got a little series of 4 for something like $6 US or some outrageous number of Bhat. It was taken up on the dock. Easy to pack souvenir.

Dan never minds the heat, so he doesn't reflect how we were dripping in sweat.

Wat Arun-Another Temple

Remember, the famous jade Buddha that is housed in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha? Well, before it was housed there, it was at Wat Arun, better known as the "Temple of Dawn." It looks really impressive in terms of height, but it isn't coated in gold and covered in mirrored mosaic designs. It is impressive none-the-less. It is 269 feet high.

Dan and Pat climbed up to the top, leaving the rest of us to try to stay cool at the bottom.  You can see from the photo below the view of the city and river below is would have been beautiful back when it was built at the beginning of the 19th century. Since the river was the main way of efficient, quick travel, locating the temple on along the river way was efficient and logical.

Bangkok, Thailand

Our trip officially began in Thailand where we spent two days in Klong Toey Bay in Bangkok. As you may remember, Thailand was once called Siam and there was a book/film/musical called The "King and I" based on the real life of King Rama IV. Today the country is ruled by King Rama the VII if I am not mistaken. Even today, these people highly regard their king and the Buddhist religion. Buddhism is an inseparable part of the Thai society. Everything they do is influenced by the teaching of the Buddah. They are a kind and gently people and it was my favorite country of this entire trip. It was also the hottest!

Our first stop was at the Grand Palace which was founded by King Rama I in 1782. As the monarchy grew the compound also grew and was expanded to encompass over 100 buildings in the 200 year Royal history. Located within the Grand Palace grounds are numerous statues, and smaller buildings and temples as well as  Wat Phra Kaew or 'Temple of the Emerald Buddha'. Dan and I are standing outside the temple. A Wat is a temple and this is the most decorated and ornate of all the temples in Thailand. Inside this temple is a Buddha carved from a single piece of jade. They believe it was carved around 1464-before Columbus discovered America. We were able to go inside, but as it is an official 'worship' site we had to take our shoes off and sit inside facing the Buddha. No photos inside. Pretty amazing. Pho dogs everywhere!

Note how we are dressed...it is 90F, humid and we are covered head to toe. BUGS, mosquitoes to be specific carry horrid diseases and despite all our shots, we were taking no chances. I fan is a must, so I invested in a $2 US fan and it got A LOT of use on this trip. You literally drip in sweat, but thanks to the miracle of wicking, this clothing was relatively comfortable.

Adventurous Eater I Am NOT

As you know, I am not an adventurous eater. I was very skeptical about going on this trip for many reasons, food being one of them. Thai and Vietnamese foods top my list of most disgusting foods served followed closely by Greek cuisine. It is not so much the actual food, but the spices used and method of preparation. Anyway, Singapore was an easy spot to get great Asian foods.

Right outside the Hop-on Hop-off bus station was a type of food court that served a bounty of luscious foods. Pat, Carol, Dan and I decided on a Japanese type menu for lunch and started with these wonderful Dim Sum dumplings. We had shrimp as it was a "known" food. Oh my goodness! The best ever. We then had tray after tray of sushi that melted in your mouth. Cost wise it was comparable to the US, but as you know, eating sushi adds up as you graze on food and more just keeps on coming. This was a rather high lunch tab, but SO WORTH it as it was one of my favorite Singapore meals. So far this trip is costing more than expected, but what can you do after you are already there?

Botanical Gardens

In the heart of Singapore are the Botanical Gardens. While they are not at the level of Buschard Gardens, in Victoria, BC, they are absolutely beautiful. Because the climate is so hot and humid, it is the perfect place to grow orchids-and grow orchids, they do! I think they are touted as having the largest public display of orchids.

As we walk through the gardens we were drenched in perspiration!

I do OK growing orchids at home, but once they stop blooming, I throw them out because I forget to water them over they year and they dry up. I really am better with silk plants. My sisters are both better with the green thumb thing and my dad was a natural gardener. He always had orchids, cactus, and bulb flowers blooming. Guess I missed out on the gardening chip just like the directional chip when God was handing out "talent chips."

Singapore- A City of Contrasts

Singapore is a city of contrasts. It is as modern and cosmopolitan as cities such as NYC or LA. High-rises create a beautiful skyline. Technology is everywhere. In the downtown area traffic is constant, loud, and very efficient. People are everywhere and dressed fashionably. High-end hotels drip with elegance. Cost of a meal is outrageous!

Then there is the real world. The working folks. There is no unemployment in Singapore. The government subsidizes much of the housing. Everyone works or they don't eat.  There is some sort of job for everyone. There is no welfare of any kind nor any shelters for homeless. There are drug rehab centers, but it isn't a big problem.

There are many of these outside eateries and shopping marts, each crammed with tourists looking for deals. Not many deals are found in Singapore, however. It is very expensive here. You can see the typical Asian style architecture in the foreground and in the back you can see a high-rise. This is still in a fairly well-to-do area just outside of the downtown area.

Farther away from the city, you see the poorer side of Singapore and yet, everyone is working, doing something. This is a typical street market - we saw no evidence of what we would call a supermarket. Everyone is by fresh fruits or vegetables or perhaps dried fish.

Check out the electrical wiring! Wires strung everywhere. It looked so unsafe and seemed to have no rhyme or reason.

The pictures were taken from a bus as we rode a Hop-on Hop-off bus one morning to get our bearings as we toured the city for 3 days before the cruise started. We used one of these busses in Bergan, Norway and Bath, England two years ago and they are the way to go if you want to get familiar with an area and then go back to see specific things. It is like $17 for 24 hours and for us we got two days out it since we started late the first morning.

Travel and the iPad

I recently got a new iPad2, giving Dan my original iPad. The purpose of this was so that we could get the G3 model and take it when we travel rather than lugging the laptop. This was the inauguration trip and I learned a few things that will help with future travel.

1. It is super light weight and you don't have to pull it out in the airport security line.
2. It is great to turn the G3 on for 30 days/2GB at a time and you can disable it every time you are around free WiFi, thus saving on the data. Otherwise you leave it in the WiFi mode and it's free.
3. We set up a special email account so we only had to check a few emails, thus cutting down on time that the cruise ship charged
4. Great way to back up pictures
5. Games are fun on a bigger screen than the phone
6. Reading books 

The negative I have learned is that the blogger program in the newer interactive version isn't supported by the iPad device, so I didn't think the message I wrote worked at all. Now I know it does. It just won't do pictures or an interactive things. I will have to go in an insert pictures at a later time.

NowI will be ready for the next adventure...which will be sooner than you think! We are taking an extended family get-away vacation to the river in Bull Head City and then to the Grand Canyon the end of March! Just a 5 day excursion with Margey, Tom, Beth, Heidi, Jay, me, and Dan and hopefully Joey. What a hoot.

So between now and then I will share highlights of the Far East.

Water Retention

Long air plane rides suck if you retain water. Seriously, if your ankles become kankles after 5 hours in the air, just imagine what they are like after 17 hours!! I wanted to be able to walk once we got to Singapore, so I took some advice from a very smart cookie (my sister) and invested in some serious support stockings. Not those knee sock things...I mean SERIOUS stockings. These things are THICK and go all the way up your thigh. They are by Jobst and they are WONDERFUL. You can get them in different thicknesses and I got the mild. They worked well, but the medium thickness might have been even better considering how much I swell. The first leg of the trip I did swell as we went to Hong Kong then on the Singapore. The return trip was Hong Kong direct and only 12 hours and I had minimal to no swelling.

I asked my Dr. what he thought about the knee high vs. the thigh high stockings and he suggested the higher ones. Well, he was right, my sister was right, so now I am passing along the tip. Invest in the support stockings with toes and you will get off the plane with ankles that flex and move and mostly water free.

Now that I know this, I hope we will continue to travel so I can get my money back from the $50 investment. Actually, it is was worth it for just this trip.