FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – Crossing the Equator – Day 10
February 6, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – Crossing the Equator – Day 10
Wednesday, February 3rd
- King Neptune reigned supreme as his court of crusty characters paraded on stage prior to the arrival of his Queen and her Mermaid court. They had the crowd howling with laughter as they swooned and swished their tails.
- Ship tradition, whenever you cross the equator, is the pomp and ceremony to commemorate the “pollywogs” (first timers). And on the Serenity that means they have to kiss the fish which appeared to be about a 22 pound Salmon. Lucky for us we celebrated our second crossing, this time heading south.
- Why is it that no matter how many times you see a man dressed as a woman with breasts the size of watermelons you crack up?
FUN-bonus – Our best guess is that under pressure from outraged passengers being charged for internet on an all inclusive cruise Crystal is giving all passengers one hour of FREE internet each day and it’s cumulative! And it’s relatively fast.
- I will be celebrating my birthday this week and I am still working on the vetting of FUN passengers for my “4th cruise surprise birthday party” on the 12th! I will send invitations to 3 couples and ask them not to let me know if they’re coming so I’ll be surprised.
FUN-food – Dinner at Tastes – Located on Deck 12 adjacent to the pool, this more casual dining option offers a small but varied menu with tapas portions. While the menu doesn’t change we think they offer enough tasty selections so as not to get boring. Our first meal – roast butternut squash salad, ahi tuna jar jar (tartar in a jar), oven roasted cauliflower, Gambas a la Plancha, Chimichurri steak with sweet potato fries & Moroccan baked swordfish – VG!
FUN-fact – Chris has made an additional 21 trips to the library for music CD’s (they only let you checkout 2 at a time) and has now downloaded 1,441 songs to date.
FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – 2nd Port – Fanning Island, Kiribati – Day 9
February 5, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – 2nd Port – Fanning Island, Kiribati – Day 9
Tuesday, February 2nd – Primitive Paradise
- Despite the rough seas the tenders were running and after a bouncy, jerky 20-minute ride we arrived at the palm frond covered rickety dock. My first thought was, “Thank god for the strong off shore winds.” Without them and the accompanying occasional cool rain drops, the heat and humidity would have been suffocating.
- A choir of over two dozen serenading islanders provided a most joyous welcome. Once off the dock, I just stood and took in as much as I could of this off the beaten path coconut palm laden island. I marveled at how it seemed all of the palms were swaying with their fronds wildly flapping in the wind – as if they were spreading their wings to take flight.
- Multiple paths like spokes on a bicycle snaked off in several directions. My big decision for the day was, “Which one do I take first?”
- Down one path tribal warriors in full costume and body paint struck various poses. Down another path hula dancers in their homemade palm-frond skirts added to the festive mood of having “company.” Down several others, islanders of all ages lined the paths in hopes of selling their wares. As we ambled along we were met with table after table of hand-strung shell necklaces, palm-frond basketry and carved coconut shells.
- While we all might assume this woman has had a hard life
– we would be mistaken if we thought it broke her playful spirit.
- And while many of us couldn’t imagine a life on a primitive island without electricity
- – we would be mistaken to think that these islanders in any way feel deprived
- – except when their big brother tries to control them!
FUN-fact – This remote nine-by-six-nautical-mile-long atoll is home to 1900 and their tourist season consists of 4 or 5 cruise ships a year.
More FF – the closing shots of the 60’s TV show Gilligan’s Island were filmed here.
FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – Serenity Sea Day Firsts
February 5, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – Serenity Sea Day Firsts
Serenity Sea Day Firsts
- Like the rings on a tree, you can tell the age of a ship by the number of electrical outlets in your stateroom. While this ship is a mere 13 years young, we only had one. Luckily, we at least got a power strip to keep our gadgets charged. And they were more than happy to secure a power cord to the wall so we could use our WaterPik in the bathroom.
- Main Dining Room – In the last several cruises we’ve done I remember reading that “you can dine whenever you choose” so I was a bit surprised when I read from our travel agent that we were on the late dinner seating at 8:30. I didn’t recall ever being given an option when we booked our trip (or when we filled out all the pre-cruise stuff online) and our preference would be earlier rather than later. Our Maître d’ Leo has been very accommodating by allowing us to vary our eating times in the main dining room depending on availability. It’s been really FUN not having the same table each night with the same people. We like the variety of different conversations and experiences with our culturally diverse cruise mates.
FUN-food – Lunch at the Trident Grill – 1 medium rare Angus burger perfectly cooked by Andres the “Hamburger Man”
on a heavenly toasted bun accompanied by crisp, thin, hot French fries – YUMMY!
- My greatest accomplishment so far was venturing up to the fitness center on Deck 13 for the Pilates mat class hoping that I could “stretch and breathe out” that nasty little kink in my back. Now picture this, me and 15 other cruise mates (packed like sardines) attempting to follow the instructors lead and stay balanced for a 45 minute class on a ship rocking in rough seas!
More FUN-food – Dinner at Silk Road – Located on Deck 7 adjacent to Prego, this second specialty restaurant features Asian cuisine by Nobu Matsuhisa and includes The Sushi Bar. We savored a sampling of their signature seafood items including sashimi, salmon, and shrimp proudly presented by the very attentive waiters – VG!
- In perusing the bar menu we spotted only one premium Gin. And one we’ve never heard of. Nolet is Dutch, and very smooth, and at $9 for a 2 oz pour, the house Bombay Sapphire tastes really, really good!
FUN-bonus – We received an invitation to a cocktail party and discovered that our travel agency is part of the Signature Collection. Apparently it is similar to Virtuoso in that you get extra perks. WOW was all I could say when I discovered that our $600 ship board credit was only for the first segment and we have 3 of them! That means a total of $1800! And we even got a fresh floral arrangement to boot! Oh and I almost forgot we got an upgraded stateroom too! For those of you who know me, “You can’t wear an upgrade.” We booked the least expensive picture window room and got one with a balcony. “Thank you Jerry for our nice birthday surprise,” I said.
- Jerry Zeller has worked for National Discount Cruise for over 20 years and has been great to work with. He has beat Costco Travel for perks and upfront pricing and depending on the cruise line you may get cash back. He says to let him know that we sent you and that “each cruise line has different perks” and he can only extend what they offer. He can be reached at 800-788-8108 xt105.
FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – 1st Port – Honolulu, Hawaii – Day 6
February 4, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – 1st Port – Honolulu, Hawaii – Day 6
Saturday, January 30th – Honolulu, Hawaii
- Like King Kamehameha the Aloha Tower at 184 feet tall once ruled the waterfront. Now at 90 years of age, it has been dwarfed by all of the downtown high rises.
- After docking at noon we hopped on the free shuttle bus that dropped us at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. Happy to be on solid ground after five fairly rough days at sea we strolled the length of the mall and back window shopping.
- Then we met up with two of Chris’s former Kaiser Permanente friends who live in Honolulu for a lovely dinner filled with reminiscing and sharing FUN travel stories. We felt like Hawaiian Royalty when they presented us with two tropical fabric bags filled with fresh leis and Hawaiian candies, chocolates and an assortment of flavored Macadamia nuts.
FUN-fact – My father was on duty at the Kaneohe Bay base the morning of December 7th, 1941. We had been looking forward to making the short drive across the island in hopes of feeling a sense of connection to his personal history.
Not so FF – The itinerary listed Honolulu as our port for Sunday. As is turned out we set sail at 1 am so we were only in port for 13 hours. And we were not the only passengers who had booked rental cars and had made plans for Sunday!
Me, Chris, Gladys & Kaki
FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – 4 Days at Sea
February 1, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Slow Boat to Singapore – 4 Days at Sea
January 25th – 29th – Sea Day Highlights
- The hardcore arrive early, take their seats, and patiently await the team of Baristas who will breathe life into La Cimbali – the God of the perfect cup! The Bistro espresso bar rapidly awakens to a crescendo of whirring, whizzing, clattering, & chatter. The aroma of freshly ground beans permeates the air. Ahh…my favorite way to start the day!
- The deep slate seas consistently churn 6 to 10 foot swells for the first three days, and even with the aid of an Ambien, a full night’s sleep has escaped us. Our 360 degree ocean view doesn’t change except for the frothy bright turquoise waters left in our ships wake.
- On the Deck 7 track, 10 laps roughly equal 3 miles. My first venture out produces 12 laps in 52 minutes despite the challenge of what feels like gale force winds pushing me backwards at the turns and the degree in which the swells cause the ships rapid rises and drops. It feels as if I am riding a teeter totter or “sea saw” without a board to sit on.
FUN-food – Dinner at Prego – I opted to order each of their signature dishes on our first visit – Carpaccio, mushroom soup, appetizer portion of lasagna & rack of lamb. Followed by a splurge of homemade vanilla & chocolate gelato – VG!
- Not surprisingly, I was way too easily lured by the daily Massage Special – 25 minute head, neck & shoulders followed by 25 minute feet, ankles & legs! To stretch out my spa time so I could savor more of it, I worked up a nice sweat in both the dry and steam saunas.
- Our temperamental “Weather God” has greeted us with skies that have gone from dark and dreary, to bright full sun, and then back again. As we head south, for every hour the clock turns back, we gain five degrees of warmth.
FUN-fact – The library has a vast & varied CD collection. They only allow you to checkout 2 at a time so Chris has made 15 trips and downloaded 465 songs to date.
