Grand Asian & Pacific Cruise 2014 - Ms Amsterdam

Sunday 21 September 2014

I woke early because I fell asleep about 6 pm last night, so this gave me the opportunity to catch up on emails and download photos before brekkie. Brekkie was a basic cafeteria style hot breakfast which was adequate and enjoyable.

I had heaps of time to repack and go down for the 10.30 am shuttle to the cruise terminal. The check in went very smoothly although the priority 4/5 star check in was crowded it may have been quicker to check-in with the other passengers. Like the world cruise the majority on board this Grand Asian Voyage are 4 and 5 star mariners.

I wasn’t long for Papaku to be in his kingdom having a G&T in the Crows Nest. I went to the Mariners welcome back lunch. I called into the Beverage Managers Office to say hello and Sir Raymond sent me up to the Lido to catch up with Sir Willie.

I couldn't get over how well Willie and Raymond were looking. Well that was the beginning of a great session as the drinks from 4 to 6 pm were on the house.

The sail away party was held on the Lido pool side deck and this gave me to opportunity to catch up with folk I had met before on the World cruises. Dolly is on board and in fine form.

My dinner table is one for 8 persons and although there were only 6 of us I was the only bloke. I will give it a day or two and I might move to another table. All the women wanted to do was try to impress each other with the number of cruises they had done. Yawn Yawn!

I had a nightcap in the Crows Nest and called it a night just after 10pm.

Monday 22 September 2014

I slept like a baby and felt well and rested by the time I got up at 7 am. I had a shower then went up to the Lido for brekkie. Today is a sea day as we sail up towards Kodiak, Alaska.

I spent the morning getting my laundry for the past week sorted out and then catching up with from folk that I had previously on the World cruises.

I had only one Bloody Mary prior to having my stir fry for lunch and then adjourned for a nanna nap.

I felt very refreshed after 2 hours sleep and headed off for Happy Hour in the Crows Nest where  I was joined by my train mates Steve and Rose. It is always fun when we 3 Musketeers get together.

After getting ready for dinner I called in on the Ocean Bar and to my surprise I was greeted with a very loud ‘Papaku’ and to find Pat an older barman from the Volendam.

By now 95% of the Filipino crew are calling me Papaku and I guess about 60% of the Indonesian crew are and this is only day 2.

I joined my table for dinner and there were only 2 ladies and a young Chinese bloke has joined us. It was good company so for the moment I will stay at this table.

After dinner I went to the Ocean Bar for a night cap and then called it an early night by 10.30pm.

Tuesday 23 September 2014

I awoke early at 5.30 am had a shower and was up in the lido for brekkie. I witnessed a beautiful sunrise and got some beaut photos. 

By going up there early I get the special Papaku table service.

I called into the office to get the breakdown of the nationalities on board and the main ones are:-

Yanks                  807

Canada                126             

Aussies               36

Poms                   7

German              12

Dutch                  9

The rest of the nations only have 2 or 3 so I'm not invaded by Aussies.

There are 115 '5' Star Mariners on board so it will not be like the VIP treatment I got on the Eurodam where there were only 5 of us. But as you all know by now Papaku always gets excellent VIP treatment on all the Dam ships.

Mid morning I went to the talk on the future ports from Alaska to Hong Kong.

I had a very delicious stir fry for lunch and then adjourned for my nanna nap.

Happy hour was a bit quiet as most of the Ice water brigade was down in the theatre for the Captain's welcome and the free drinks. As you know I don’t go to those functions.

It is a formal night tonight so I got all dolled up in the Tux for dinner. Dinner was interesting as we were joined by an Australian Couple and all he could do was complain about Holland America and say how good Princess was. Our table was hosted by Julie the HR Manager and all I can say this New South Wales Aussie (Born in the UK) was an embarrassment.

Other than that I enjoyed the meal and the rest of the table was great company.

After a night cap in the Piano Bar I made it an early night.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

I woke early and was up at the Lido for brekkie by 6.15 am. It was too cloudy to witness the sunrise. I caught up on the emails and Facebook.

I spent the morning catching up and chatting to folk from previous cruises then had lunch and the Bloody Mary at the Lido bar.

OMG I had a 3 hour nanna nap and was nearly late for Happy Hour in the Crows Nest. It was a good session meeting new friends and comparing trips.

At dinner another Aussie couple from Adelaide joined our table.  Thank god for the 2 Yankee ladies and the Chinese guy. Mr winger Aussie was extremely quiet although he was trying to bait me by calling me Joh. I have a feeling Mrs Adelaide will find another table for tomorrow night. 

I had a night cap at the Ocean bar and retired to bed by 11.00 pm

Thursday 25 September 2014

I had a long sleep in and went to brekkie in the dining room and then back to the cabin to take advantage of the wifi as many had left on their Kodiak day trips.

I finally left the ship just before 11 am after the rush so there was no waiting for the school bus shuttle into the town. I just walked around and then realised I had forgot to take my wallet so I ended up having a very cheap day and not spending a penny ashore.

 After about an hour of taking photos I got back on a shuttle and returned to the ship. Actually it was a cool but nice and sunny day with only a light breeze.

I had a late lunch before a nanna nap. Then it was time for Happy Hour and the regulars are now starting to lighten up and talk to each other. I am starting to get my own regulars that come over to my side of the bar and chat.

 I forgot to mention before Larry the guy from Vancouver is the singer guitarist for Happy hour and is a great entertainer. He is hundred times better than that young Matt on the Eurodam.

I called into the Piano Bar for the other Happy Hour before dinner. Debbie Bacon entertained us with her singing and piano playing and all her other wind instruments. Debbie is a fantastic musician and it was great to catch up with her again. Henk the Hotel Manager dropped in to say hello and ask how Papaku was going. I told him on this cruise I intend to visit all the bars as I don’t want to upset any of my anakku  by  not going to their bar. Let me tell you it is a tough life being the Papaku.

Now the good news starts with dinner, the complaining Aussie bloke and his little lady didn’t arrive. Mr and Mrs Adelaide were there and the 2 American ladies (Vicky and Susan) as well as the Young Chinese guy. Well I don’t know what happened to the Adelaide couple but it was like they had taken their happy and polite pills as they were excellent dinner company.

 So I like them now and will have to try and remember their names. Actually we were one of the last tables to leave the dining room so that’s an indication we were having a good time.

I went up to the Crows Nest for my night cap and to my surprise the Adelaide Couple were there also dancing and enjoying the music. I called it a night about 11.30.

Friday 26 September 2014

Well the weather has changed with rain choppy seas and strong winds. I went up to the dining room to meet up with Steve and Rose for brekkie. It is always heaps of fun when the 3 of us catch up for a meal.

As today is a sea day I got my laundry ready caught up with the emails and had a restful morning before going up to the Lido for the Bloody Marys and lunch.

The seas were rocking the ship which made it beaut for my nanna nap. At Happy hour we saw a big school of whales putting on a show.

Tonight there was a VIP cocktail party in the crows nest so I arranged to go in with Rose and Steve and we sat at the bar. It was a good party and I tried a Spanish Coffee which was yummy.

When I got down to the Table for dinner the 2 Adelaide Aussies had moved to join another table and I knew the 2 American ladies were going to the Pinnacle Grill, the Chinese guy was not to be seen so I went and joined Steve and Rose at there table. It was a fun night as we were just across the passage from Dolly. 

Dolly is concerned that I am getting too much attention on ‘her ‘ship from her boys. Dolly is unique and just about lives on the Amsterdam.

Then it was up to the Crows Nest for a night cap with Olga and Willy a lovely Belgium couple that I have met previously on a few cruises. I called it a night at about 11.30 pm.

Saturday 27 September 2014

The sun didn't come up until just on 9 am and it was cold and clear when we docked. I had brekkie with Rose and Steve and we decided we would go off about 9.30 am. Rent a crowd seemed to have the same idea and the line up for the only school bus to shuttle us in to the settlement was over a hundred metres long and when the bus came it could only take 40 pax.  Rose and Steve who like walking decided to walk into the settlement.

I spoke to the Chinese couple beside me in the shuttle bus line and we got a cab to the Museum for only $5 each. Then for another $5 each after the museum we were taken on a short drive around and then back to the ship. 

The small local museum was excellent and a most enjoyable visit.

When I got back to the ship I had a late lunch in the Lido and then went out to the Lido Bar for a Bloody Mary. They had held a salmon bake around the pool for lunch and got a large crowd. 

I don't like salmon so I didn’t partake in that lunch. The pool area was specially decorated for this farewell and sail away from Alaska.

I didn't have time for a nanna nap as I had my hair cut by a nice young lass from Co Down in the Green Spar.

Happy hour was a hoot and everyone was trying to dodge this loud geriatric loud mouthed pony tailed hippy type from New York. He would try to take over the conversations so folk would get up and move.

I caught up with Steve and Rose for the pre-dinner  Ocean Bar Happy hour which as always was heaps of fun.

Dinner was a hoot and our table was getting sideway glances from other tables because of all the fun we were having. I finished up the night with a nightcap in the Crows Nest.

Sunday 28 September 2014

As we had to put the clocks back by two hours last night it was a bonus to get a couple of hours extra sleep. 

I went to brekkie with Rose and Steve in the dining room. I am teaching them Aussie words for their visit to OZ.  

So far we have done

Arvo = afternoon

Sheila = woman

Bonza = very good

I went to the wine tasting and as usual on these grand or world cruises it was full of wine snobs and so called experts.  The wines were all Yankee and I didn't think they were that great, well I will make sure they are not in my package.

I had a beaut toasted sandwich and sweet potato chips for lunch with the Bloody Mary then the nanna nap before Happy Hour.

Happy Hour was its usual great time and went very quickly. The regulars are becoming a close nit fun group.

I went to the Piano Bar for pre dinner drinks and enjoyed the lovely Debbie at the piano and her songs from the 60’s.

There were only 4 of us at the table for dinner the 2 ladies and me , the Chinese guy arrived 20 minutes late. He set his watch to the wrong time.

I went up to the Crows Nest after dinner for a nightcap and on the way home dropped into the Ocean Bar. The kids told me to stay up until after midnight as we had to reset our watches back by another 2 hours.  After resetting my watch I was in bed by 10.30 pm by the new time.

Monday 29 September 2014  ….. Wiped of the Calendar as we crossed the International Date Line.

Tuesday 30 September 2014

Well today is another sea day as we cross the Bering Sea towards Japan. This sea has a reputation for being very rough and stormy, well cross fingers it has been very calm so far.

Last night we crossed the International Date Line so we skipped Monday 29^th. At least we are on the same day as home in Cairns just 2 hours ahead.

I thought I would give the Sea View Bar a go and went out there for my Lunch time Bloody Mary, well huge mistake it was bloody freezing and windy so I bought the drink into the Lido to drink and have lunch.

In the Captain’s update he told us we were heading into bad weather as there was a large storm off the coast of the Philippines and it would affect our seas over the next 24 hours.

After lunch I went down to the cabin and had a hot shower to warm up before my nanna nap.

In Happy hour I was kept busy by giving tourist advice to folk going to OZ for the first time. Most wanted to know about Darwin, Cairns, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef.

I did the pre dinner drinks in the Piano Bar listening to Debbie and her beaut entertainment. Dinner was a hoot, even Madam South Australia was very relaxed and laughing and joking. The South Australian's names are Wendy and Colin.

The seas by now were no longer calm so I think most retired to their Cabin for the night. As we had to put our clocks back another 2 hours again tonight I didn't want to go to bed too early. I had a nightcap in the Ocean Bar and was the entertainment for the staff as I was the only guest there.

So when I got down to the cabin and reset my watch it was only 10.30 pm when I got into bed.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Yippee we are now on the same time zone as Cairns.

I went to brekkie with Rose and Steve and the Aussie word for today was ‘smoko’ meaning afternoon or morning tea break.

I really enjoy the company of this couple as we have so many laughs.

The morning was spent catching up with emails and face book as well as going to Barbara’s lecture on Tokyo.

By lunch time the seas were rocking the ship and I think a lot of the oldies had retired to their cabins. I has a fantastic feed of fish and sweet potato chips in the Lido for lunch. I then went down for the Nanna nap, but surprise, surprise with the very rough seas I went to sleep and was woken up by the phone at 6.30pm.

 I had slept for over 5 hours and missed a lot of the action as well as Happy Hour in the Crows Nest. The rough seas caused the ship to bounce around and all the drawers in my cabin slid open and a few things fell of the little coffee table and I was totally unaware of all the excitement.

Rose rang to say Steve was not well and we decided to postpone our Pinnacle Grill dinner so I joined my normal table.  Vicky and the Chinese guy were not there so there was only Susan the Adelaide couple and myself. Hay Dianne ‘Butterfly’ the Adelaide couple (Colin and Wendy) are friends of yours and you went to their place last year on the World Cruise.

I don’t mind the wild weather and had the Crows Nest to myself after dinner so It was good to catch up with the ‘kids’ without interruption of the demanding Ice water brigade.

I went to bed at 1 am but had to put the clock back an hour so it was then only midnight.

Thursday 2 October 2014

The final sea day in the series of four and it dawned a sunny and much calmer day than yesterday. Actually it was very nice to sit by the window at brekkie and feel the sun’s warm rays through the glass. The outside temp was only 8 degrees C.

Brekkie was the usual fun time with Rose and Steve as I continued to teach them Aussie slang.

I went to Barbara’s port lecture on Nagasaki before lunch, which was very informative in preparing us for our visit in a few days time.

I enjoyed fish and sweet potato chips again for lunch before adjourning for my nanna nap.

There was a good crowd of the regulars at happy hour and everyone was in their own seats.

Tonight is the formal Black and Silver Ball so I got all dolled up for it. We had the young marketing manager hosting our table for dinner. Would you believe the Wingy Aussie couple turned up for the free wine. What a boring negative couple they are but we have been lucky  as they don't normally turn up for dinner.

The ball had a good turn out however I just looked in and then went up to the Crows nest for a nightcap. Henk the Hotel manager came over to me for a chat and bought me a drink. I was suggesting places that he and his wife Christal could ride their bike to when the ship docks at Port Douglas.

Tomorrow we will arrive in the port of Kushiro Japan so we have to have a face to face passport check before we can get off the ship.

Friday 3 October 2014

Today we arrived at the Japanese Port of Kushiro just after 8 am but we had to have a face to face with passport meeting with the officials before we could go ashore.

I met with Steve and Rose for usual fun filled brekkie before going through the official process to leave the ship. It was about 9.30 pm by the time I was off the ship. The local folk were well organised by providing tourist information and tours right on the dock.

The Moo shop was only 200metres from the ship so I walked over to this 5 story shopping complex and had a look around. They had free Wifi so that was a bonus.  I then went walkabout to have a look at this very clean and modern city. The temp today reached a max of 11 degrees C so it was rugged up with a weather proof coat for this bloke from the tropics. 

It rained before we arrived but the day remained overcast for the rest of the day. By late afternoon a very thick sea fog had rolled in and it was dark by 5 pm so the sail away in the Crows Nest was a bit of a fizzer.

Now the big news because of the Typhoon heading for Japan 5he ship has been warned ‘to stay well clear of Tokyo’ so the Captain had changed the Itinerary for our safety. They have replaced  Tokyo with the  cities of Kanazawa and Fukuoka and are situated on the western side of Japan  facing the inland sea. It is hoped by being on the lee of the land we will be protected from the Typhoon as it approaches from the east. This news is a bonus for me as they are new ports for me as I have had about 4 days in Tokyo a few years ago.

The Capt. put on free wine for dinner to help make up for the inconvenience of the changes. Well the ‘Ice water brigade’ who only drink alcohol when it is free, were having a field day. You should have seen them and they couldn't get enough and were unashamedly like pigs at the trough.

It must have been all the free wine as everyone seemed to go to bed early. I left the Ocean Bar about 11 am.

Saturday 4 October 2014

Today is a sea day as we head to the new Port of Kanazawa.  The seas are full of white caps and very choppy but the skies are blue with heaps of sunshine and the temp is expected to reach 10C.

After brekkie I went to the talks on the new ports of Kanazawa and Fukuoka which was helpful for us to plan our time ashore.

I had a fantastic Chicken burger for lunch from the Drive In at the terrace grill.

I had an extra long nanna nap as the seas were a bit choppy and was woken up by a phone call from the barman from the Crows Nest who said. “Papaku you are late for happy hour so we started without you. But Papaku we have saved your place at the bar”.  

So with that it was a mad rush to get up to the Crows Nest and I was Greeted by lots of cheering and chanting ‘Papaku Papaku’. Well its all fun.

I had pre dinner drinks with Steve and Rose at the Ocean Bar and old “uncle Pat” a barman showed us his magic and had the whole bar in stitches of laughter.

There was only Vickie Susan and I at the dinner table as the Aussies and the Chinese bloke had gone to the Pinnacle Grill. 

I decided to go to bed after dinner just after 10 pm

Sunday 5 October 2014

I met Steve and Rose for brekkie in the dining room at the earlier time of 7.30 am and we planned our day in Kanazawa.

We were on the 2^nd shuttle bus into the Train Station in the city. What a clean and tidy city it proved to be as we walked from the rail Station to the markets and then on to the castle and the gardens. The traditional Japanese gardens were fantastic and a photographers  paradise.

We found a beaut little coffee house in the grounds of the Castle and were their only customers so we were treated like Royalty.  The young lady waiting on us even gave us presents of Japanese writing paper.

We had no luck trying to find a chemist shop as I wanted to by some garlic and horseradish vitamin tablets.

The rain started just after midday so we stayed in the shopping malls as much as possible and returned to the ship just after 3 pm. The general opinion of the passengers was that they had enjoyed this substituted city. I had a chicken burger from the Drive In and ate it in the Crows Nest.

By sail away the rain had actually set in and the seas were very choppy. The sail away party was held in the Crows Nest which was full. Mama Dolly arrived and was not amused as she was too late to get a recliner chair at the front of the ship. She reminder folk she was the ‘Owner’ of the ship and when no one took any notice of her she wander off mumbling.

 I met up with Rose and Steve for pre-dinner drinks in the Ocean bar.

Diner was a hoot and as is becoming the norm our table was the last to leave the dining room.

I had a nightcap in the Ocean Bar and was in Bed by 11.30 pm.

Monday 6 October 2014

Today is a sea day as we cruise towards Fukuoka along the western coast of Japan. The seas overnight were choppy but the ride wasn't as rough as I thought it might have been.  By lunch time the storm was really hitting Tokyo but where the ship was taken for safety to the Sea of Japan on the western side of the large island the sun was shining and we  surfing along with the waves behind us.

There was another nice sun set in the evening.

Our table less the Chinese bloke all went to the Canaletto for dinner and had a great time. 

I then went up to the Crows Nest for a nightcap. Because tomorrow we will be in Fukuoka everyone seemed to go to bed early. I am taking the 2 Crows Nest Barmen to lunch tomorrow. I called it a night about 11.30 pm

Tuesday 7 October 2014

The most perfect day had dawned with not a cloud in the sky for our arrival at Fukuoka’

After brekkie with Rose and Steve I filled in time downloading and sorting photos until 10.30 am when I met the Crows Nest boys for our lunch in town. 

Gerry, Eric, Lance and I got the shuttle bus to the main sea port terminal that was only 5 minutes away and the caught a cab to town.

The guys wanted to have a Ramon lunch so we asked many folk for directions to get to the area famous for the Ramon eating places.

That’s where the fun begun as they would only take Yen and no credit cards, so anyway we saw a bit of the city going from one bank to another  because the ATMs would only take Japan Visa cards.

 As the time off for the boys was limited we went to a traditional Japanese restaurant took off our shoes sat on the floor with our feet in the hole in the floor under the table and enjoyed a fantastic meal.

We got the taxi back directly to the ship after exploring this modern very clean city.

The happy hour was full of laughs as we talked about our dramas trying to get cash and the restaurants not wanting to take credit cards.

Only Susan and Vicky joined me for a fun filled dinner as the others had gone to the Pinnacle Grill for a special Japanese meal. I went to the Crows Nest for a nightCap before retiring at 10.30 pm.

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Today we had perfect weather again for our arrival at Nagasaki, so after brekkie I set off with Steve and Rose to explore this friendly clean and historic city. We walked around as the ship docked right down town.

 I will let the photos do the talking as we went through the old Dutch, and Chinese sectors of the city to the main shopping centre.

We found a traditional Japanese restaurant and had a very enjoyable lunch. 

We walked back to the ship as we gave up trying to get a tram as there were long queues to catch one and then when you got on they were packed like sardines in a can.

As today was our last day in Japan we wanted to get rid of our Japanese yen so I ended up buying a Chinese hat and a bottle of water to get rid of my remaining yen worth about $10.

When we got back to the terminal many of the crew were doing final wifi so asked me what I had bought and thought it was funny Papaku bought a Chinese hat in Japan.

Tonight Rose Steve and I had a great time at the Panicle Grill for dinner.

 I went straight down to my cabin after dinner as I was extremely tired after all the walking during the day.

Thursday 9 October 2014

It was a little cooler for our arrival at Jeju Korea today, so after brekkie Steve, Rose and I caught the shuttle into the city. This was only a short visit as the ship was departing the port at 12.30 pm.

We had heaps of fun going through the fish and food markets before going down to the subway shopping centre.

The time went so quickly and we went back to the ship for lunch and the early afternoon sail away.

We all commented that we had been spoilt by the cleanliness of Japan and found this Korean city not as clean or tidy as the Japanese cities we had visited.

After lunch with Steve and Rose, I went down to the cabin for 3 hours sleep.

There was only Vickie and myself at the table for dinner but by coffee and sweets time we had 9 folk at the table so the stories and laughter provided a great fun filled time. I had a nightcap at the crows nest before calling it an early night.

Friday 10 October 2014

We arrived at the port city of Incheon, South Korea as Rose Steve and I were having brekkie on a clear and sunny day. We met up and got the shuttle into town which proved a crazy adventure.

The bus driver got lost and was having to call his office for directions and his frustrations were complicated further by the old farts in the front of the bus yelling at him and wanting to drop them off at non scheduled stops. I thought it hilarious when he did a U-turn in a dead end narrow ally. It was about a ten point turn and the old farts were now very obnoxious with their comments about the time they were loosing from visiting the markets. Everyone clapped and cheered after this successful complicated turn.

The driver let most of us off at a non scheduled stop near the markets which was convenient for us. I reckon that poor non English speaking driver would have had to go and have counselling after the treatment he got from the loud mouthed old farts.

Well the markets were dirty and heaps of huge flies on all the fish and meat. Some of the cooking practices were unhygienic. Comparing the Korean markets to the Japanese markets was like chalk and cheese. There was no way we were going to try any food.

After a few hours of walking around we headed back to the ship on an uneventful shuttle ride, well I had to sit beside Dolly who told me how great she was for the 20 minute ride. I needed a bloody Mary and to toast my mate Kurt on his birthday.

After a late lido lunch and then a nap I was fresh for Happy Hour which was quieter than usual as many were on the night tour of Seoul.

There were only Colin, Wendy, Vicky and myself for dinner which was fun as Vicky and Wendy had bought ‘selfie sticks’ for their cameras.

I had a quick drink in the Ocean Bar before calling it a night just before 11 pm. The boys were going ashore so I didn't want to hold them up.

Saturday 11 October 2014

I had brekkie alone as Steve and Rose had room service brekkie as they were off on an early day tour. I had an easy morning before going into town on the shuttle which was full and as the last one on I sat on the step until the first stop. Then I sat in 1 Bravo just behind the driver.

I did the 1 hour return shuttle trip and treated it as a sight seeing trip. After lunch in the lido, yes you guessed it, I had my nanna nap.

Happy hour was packed as it was a good vantage point for the sail away from the port of Incheon. About an hour after the dock we had to go through a lock to be raised up to the sea level outside. It was fantastic watching the process as the sun was setting.

The second happy hour at the Ocean Bar before dinner was another enjoyable time with all the regulars taking up their places and exchanging stories of their day trips.

At dinner there were only Susan, Vickie, myself and the Chinese bloke. The Chinese guy had caught up with his sister in Seoul so had some very animated stories to tell that had us in stitches of laughter. The dining room manager came over to us to say he wished all the tables were as happy as ours instead the sad sack faces some of them have and no conversation.

I had my first Wang Wang for this trip as my night cap. A ‘wang wang’ is a Filipino cocktail made with 7 spirits and orange juice.  The story goes it is called a wang wang because if you have too many of them and you fall off your stool  you will wake up in the Ambulance with the siren going Wang Wanw wang as they take you to the hospital.

Tonight we had to put the time back by one hour so in actual fact I was in bed by 9.30 pm.

Sunday 12 October 2014

Today is a sea day as we sail towards Xingang, PRC (China).

After brekkie with Rose and Steve I caught up with emails and Facebook because when we are in China there will be no Facebook, Gmail, or Google maps.

I had an easy day and of course a long nanna nap before going to Happy Hour. 

Tonight is a formal night so we had a young officer hosting our table. We have got rid of the ‘ugly Aussie ‘ couple so everyone could relax.

After dinner I met up with Goran the shop manager for a few drinks 

before calling it an early night.

Monday 13 October 2014

I woke early and had brekkie delivered to my cabin to save time as I had to meet Vickie for the day trip to the Great wall at 8 am. We thought we would take one of the last coaches so as to escape the old pushy selfish Zimmer frame and wheel chair brigade who take so long to get on and off a bus at each stop. Well our plan backfired as we had a mother and daughter that had a reputation for holding up previous shore excursions.

It was a cold clear day with the temp being 6C as we walked to the busses from the terminal. We were so lucky to have a very clear day with not a hint of smog. 

After the Immigration and Customs process we finally got away just after 9.30 am.

After about an hours drive we made a 10 minute toilet stop well it turned out to be a 40 minute stop as in the ladies there was only one western style toilet. The majority of the old dears lined up to use the western toilet as they refused to use the eastern squat style toilet.

We finally arrived at the Summer Palace and gardens which were nice but we spent too long there as most of us would like to have spent the maximum time at the Wall. Well as usual some old selfish folk were late at getting back to the meeting place. We were now about 90 minutes behind schedule.

We arrived at a fantastic restaurant for lunch and the food was great. We were to have had an hour for lunch but the general thought was that we only have 30 minutes and leave at 3.30 pm instead of 4.pm as we were still an hour away from the wall and we wanted to get there before dark.

All went well but the same folk held us up and to top it off mummy in the wheel chair decided she wanted to go back to the bathroom. We finally got away at 3.50 pm so by this time most of us were having murderous thoughts.

We finally got to the wall in good time and arrived at 4.30pm which would give us only an hour of daylight. The long shadows made it not the best for the photos.

The feeling of seeing, climbing and experiencing the wall seemed to make the previous frustrations of the day dissolve.  It was a hard to explain experience and certainly a huge ‘bucket list’ tick. I climbed up a fair way but thank God for the hand railing for the trip down.

It was so funny to hear folk calling out ‘Papaku how are you?’ as we passed on the wall. Many of the guests now call me Papaku.

I will let the photos of the Wall do the talking.

It was dark by the time the stragglers were rounded up and we got away just after 6 pm for the 3 hour trip back to the ship. Well that’s what we thought as there were traffic held up caused by accidents and then the bus driver got lost, and we finally got back to the ship about 11 pm.

So all these grumpy old farts went up to the lido for a late dinner and were met by the smiling happy faces of the crew which had to stay up to wait on us.

It was beaut to have a hot shower before going to bed. Overall the trip to the wall was fantastic and well worth while.

Tuesday 14 October 2014

I had a long sleep in and after brekkie took the shuttle to the nearby town and had a walk around the large mall. I was surprised with the prices and how high things cost.  I spent about an hour then got the shuttle back to the ship for lunch.

After sorting and downloading photos I had a nap before going to the Happy hour in the Crows Nest. It was good to have all our table mates back together for the first time for a few days to have dinner.

I had a nightcap in the Crows nest and called it a night just before 11.30 pm.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Today is a sea day so a great opportunity to catch up and sort out the photo as we sail through the Yellow sea towards Qingdao China. I had brekkie with Rose and Steve and it was the usual fun time as we had not had brekkie together for the last 2 days because of their shore excursion.

I had a beaut chicken burger for lunch in the Crows Nest before going down for my nanna nap.

At 4.30 pm I attended a Q&A session for folk getting off the ship in Hong Kong and Singapore. I have to congratulate Henk the Hotel Director for the way he handled this large crowd and some of the idiot questions that were asked, for example, the coffee is to strong. This was met with lots of negative comments by the majority who did not agree. I may not be the brightest little light on the Christmas tree but I would have just added water to weaken it. So on and on they went, what a mob of wingers and I missed out on Happy Hour. Don't get me wrong but some of these folk need to get a life. I have been to many Q&As before but only for small group of about 15 or so, and they have been very positive and constructive.

I went to the Pinnacle with Rose and Steve and Tom were joined by Tom Mullin from Cruise Specialist. 

We had an excellent meal with great service and of course fantastic company. 

I had a few nightcaps and called it a night after midnight.

Thursday 16 October 2014

I was up early to meet Steve and Rose for brekkie and to plan our day ashore in Qingdao China. It was another clear and perfect day as we sailed into this very large and busy port.

We caught the shuttle into the City just after 9 am for the 20 minute ride. Just from the bus ride we knew this was going to be a beaut place to visit. 

We walked through the Chinese markets and then on towards the large St Michael’s Cathedral. 

In the large square outside the church there would have been at least 30 brides posing for photos. They had not been married in the church but used it as a back drop for the photos. Some of the brides even had the traditional Chinese red gowns on.

This Gothic and Roman style church had been restored to its former glory because in the Cultural Revolution it had been seriously damaged.

We then continued our way down towards the seafront and heard drums beating so he went into a park to investigate and found a fantastic dragon dance and fire eating show going on to welcome a bride and groom to their wedding reception. 

Oh what a bonus however I will have to let the photos tell the story.

We wandered down to the pier and walked out to the pergola at the end and got some fantastic views looking back towards the very clean and modern city. Along the Esplanade we noticed a large but old style hotel so we decided to go there for lunch. What a great decision this proved to be. We had an excellent meal and local beer for less than $10 a head.

We felt very full and contented after lunch as we made our way back to the pick up point for the shuttle and got back to the ship just after 3 pm.

Dinner was another good time, all of us were back together at the table again as usual we were one of the last tables to leave the dining room. After dinner I went back to my cabin and was in bed before 10 pm. Well I had missed out on my nanna nap today.

Friday 17 October 2014

Today is a day at sea as we sail towards Shanghai. I had a restful day and just chatted in the Lido for most of the morning and had lunch with the dining table mates. I enjoyed the Chicken burger as usual.

Nanna nap followed lunch and then it was off to Happy hour. It was fantastic to watch all the shipping movements as we approached the port of Shanghai. The trip up the River is a sight to behold with all the lights of the city turning on.

I had an early night as I knew we would be doing heaps of walking tomorrow around Shanghai tomorrow.

Saturday 18 October 2014

Oh Shanghai (the Paris of the east) what a perfect day you have turned on for us today for us to discover your beauty. I could not get over how clear the air was for this visit and the max temp was a comfortable 25C.

 After brekkie Steve, Rose and I set off on the shuttle to start our tour of the city. We walked to the Fairmont Hotel where we reserved tickets for the jazz evening tomorrow night. It was great to look around this very posh hotel with all the high class trimmings of the mid 1900’s.

Then we walked over to the Gardens and the old town and all the attractions. Being a Saturday the place was crowded with locals enjoying this relaxing attraction. We spent over 3 hours there and had a beaut lunch in an old traditional dumpling restaurant. The galleries and rockery and other attractions of this part of the old city made us feel privileged to get a glimpse of a world long gone.

The shopping was excellent as we browsed through this old part of the city. We were walking along a crowded street and  I thought I heard someone yelling out Papaku, Papaku! Sure enough across the road were some of the bar staff trying to get my attention. Rose asked me ‘Papaku is there anywhere in the world can you go and not be known?’ I must say in a city of 27 million people it did seem a bit strange to have folk calling out to me.

After walking many miles we returned to the ship for arvo tea up in the Crows Nest. I must say the bar staff was very surprised to see me sitting down with the  the tea drinkers. After tea I went down to have a hot shower and freshen up for Happy Hour. Dinner was a quiet evening as only Susan and I were at the table. I had a few nightcaps before calling it an early night.

Sunday 19 October 2014

I met up with Rose and Steve for Brekkie as we planned our day. We were on the first shuttle and headed off to explore more parts of the city. We are now experts at getting our way around.

Being a perfect Sunday morning with free live concerts in the city place, we listened to some of the artists for a while and then made our way up to the Peoples Square. The whole city seemed to have a real carnival atmosphere with heaps of families taking advantage great sunny weather.

We found a nice place to have lunch and we were on a balcony about 2 steps higher than the foot path and we seemed to amuse the locals walking by as we were using forks to eat the meal.

After lunch we did some shopping and I now have my own year of the OX ‘Papaku’ stamp (seal). I got a very nice Chinese Tea Set for my green tea.

We walked back to the shuttle along the Bund for the great views of the river and the city skyline. On our return to the ship we did the arvo tea again which was very enjoyable.

We had all our table gang for dinner and were the last to leave the dining room as after some others finished their meal they seemed to gravitate towards our table. 

I partied on a bit and it was about 1 am by the time I got to bed.

Monday 20 October 2014

I slept in until 9.45 am and just had time to get ready and have a cuppa  before meeting the boys to go out to lunch.

We got the shuttle into the city then walked up to the main pedestrian mall where we found a 3^rd floor restaurant and it took credit cards. The six guys and I had a great time as we devoured the delicious food.  

The Peking Duck was to die for. It is always great to see the crew relax away from the ship.

As some of the guys had early afternoon starts a couple left straight after lunch and the other 4 and I did some final shopping on the way back to the ship.

It had come in very foggy by late afternoon, but to our enjoyment the fog lifted after dark and in time for our sail away. Wow, what a sight the lights of this fantastic city displayed.

We had a beaut time at dinner and again we were all there for the meal. I had an early night after one night cap. The boys told me we had to put our time forward an hour so I had one of them adjust my watch before I left the bar.

Tuesday 21 October 2014

I was up early and started packing and filling in time before going to meet Steve and Rose for 8 am brekkie. Well at Five to Eight on my watch I set off for the dining room and I thought it was a bit quiet and presumed folk were sleeping in as it is a sea day. I got to the dining room and only a few of the guys were setting up for brekkie.

The joke was on me as there was no time change and I had arrived an hour early so I went up to the Lido to get a cuppa. Everyone I told thought this was a great joke.

I had lunch with Vickie, Colin and Wendy in the Lido around the pool. I had another great chicken burger. Then it was time to go down and start the packing. That took up most of the afternoon.

It was a very quiet Happy Hour for some reason but we had a good time. Tonight was the last formal night of my cruise so I decided to wear a black shirt with a bright pink bow tie.

I ended up having a late night in the Ocean Bar so it was well after midnight by the time I got to bed.

Wednesday 22 October 2014

I had my final brekkie with Rose and Steve as tomorrow they were doing a tour in Hong Hong and I was leaving the ship.

Today is a sea day as we sail towards Hong Kong I attended the Mariners brunch and was called out to receive a gold medal. 

Half the table I sat with consisted of 3 others from our dinner table. Wendy and Colin received a silver medal. Vickie is already a Platinum medal holder and 3 of the others at the table received bronze medals. It was a nice lunch.

During the afternoon I was invited to a farewell party in the theatre, I normally do not go to these but as I was finishing the final packing I got a call from Vickie to say I should be there as she was getting a presentation. I thought Oh no!! as this clashed with Happy Hour my last in the Crows Nest. I agreed and was going to sneak in to the balcony and cheer at the appropriate time and head back to the Crows Nest. Well no such luck. The doors to the balcony were locked so I had to go down to the theatre main entrance and was told by Henk the Hotel Manager there was a special seat for me at a table reserved in the middle of the dance floor.

 Yea, good one I thought as I only had shorts and t-shirt on I stood down the back ready for my get away.

Then Willie the Beverage Manager took me by the arm to this special table and at that time I was the only one there at it. I felt so embarrassed as everyone was looking at me and also I wasn't in the dress of the day. After a few minutes that seemed like hours of me trying to hide my bare legs under the tablecloth Vickie, Colin and Wendy arrived. I then bolted out the side door to my cabin and changed.

I got back just before the function began and as part of the function the Captain presented Vickie with flowers to acknowledge her Platinum status. It was a good party with free drinks, dancing and music. Needless to say I missed out on Happy Hour and saying good bye to the regulars I had met.

I went to have a quick final drink with Rose and Steve in the Ocean Bar and then had to race off to the Crows nest too have a pre-dinner drink with Paul the Culinary Manager.

Dinner was a riot as we were joined by Henk and Jean the Cruise Director. OMG we were the last table to leave the Dining room. As it was now after 10.00pm I went straight down to the cabin as I wanted to be well and fit with a clear head for the departure procedures to morrow.

Thursday 23 October 2014

I had brekkie delivered to the cabin, so I could take it easy as I watched our arrival into Hong Hong.

Vickie and I took the shuttle transfer to the airport, however I was too early to check in my bags. We took our luggage in the van over to the Marriott at the airport where Vickie was staying for  few days before flying back to the USA.

We decided we would fill in the day by going to the Big Buddha. We went over by taxi which was an experience on the winding mountainous country roads. We spent a few hours there and then took the Cable Car ride back. 

I was a slight shame the air wasn't as clear as when Kurt and I were there last year.

We had a late lunch at the Marriott before I went back to check in at the airport. The flight to Sydney was in an old 747 and the crew were the most unfriendly I have ever encountered, other than that I managed to get in a few hours sleep.

Friday 24 October 2014

The arrival in Sydney and the transfer to the Domestic Terminal went very well. The flight home to Cairns was much better and I had a good seat 4C just behind business class and nobody was in 4B so I wasn't cramped up.

The flight landed at 12.35 pm and my friend Dan was there to meet me and drive me home.

Tomorrow the Ms Volendam will be in Cairns so I have been invited by my Kiwi friends Lorraine and Stuart to come on board after I take them for a drive around Cairns.