LIVE from the Diamond Princess - 35 days Singapore to Vancouver

[ccrain]

We got back from Phu May last night and it was one of those weird nights in which I slept for 12 hours and feel like I haven’t slept in a week. I had to finally confide in Judy that I had some health issues, upon which she has now whipped out her pharmacopeia, provided by our travel doctor prior to leaving, and has prescribed a day of rest and relaxation. So we will miss Nha Trang today, while I stay out of the heat and keep well hydrated.

 

She has also decided to indulge in her cruise ritual of a Sushi Massage. A sort of wrapped in Seaweed affair.

 

Hopefully whatever this is can be resolved prior to Hong Kong.

 

In the meantime I'm on the wagon for the next few days - at least that will help the bar bill out!

[triple7tahoe]

I hope that all enjoyed "NAM". I have had the opportunity to return on Princess cruises a couple of times and can only say "Wow, things have changed". Rex Hotel, refered to in an earlier post was the site of "Friday night follies" during my earlier trips. Not thought of as a place that Bill Clinton visited.:)

For a comparison, I think you may have seen lots of motorcycles (sometimes with whole families on them). Well what are now bicyclists; were pedestrians: What are now motorcyclists; were bicycles and what are now cars; were motorcycles. Did you trying crossing any main streets?

Na Trang was more of a resort area-Think China Beach.

I found it very interesting and I don't even want to go into what my thoughts were when we visited the "Reunification" museum:mad:

It makes me sad that we lost so many good, young men there.

[Pia1913]

　

　

　

So off we went to tender ashore and promptly met by our tour guide Wie. This private tour here in Nha Trang was initially formulated by Ann L. who unfortunately had to cancel the cruise. She made the initial contact with Pham Tours and we ended up with 3 buses, which were spaced well and didn’t conflict at all. This is what we got for the unbelievable price of $50/pp. Our bus had 30; I imagine other two had approximately the same.

1. First stop was to XQ Dalat Historical Village, housing an embroidery museum and factory. I cannot explain how beautiful this handiwork is and how minute the stitches are that are sewn into each masterpiece. And that’s what they are; masterpieces. Everything done by hand by these craftswomen who look like they’re 13 years old.

　

2. Next to a Buddhist Temple which required what seemed like a thousand steps. Some went all the way up; others half way and others not at all.

　

3. We boarded motorboats which sat about 12 -15 (our group used 3 boats) and cruised down the Cai River for a while before stopping for a potty stop at a restaurant.

　

4. Back on the bus for a visit to a huge white Buddha; a photo stop only. I believe Buddha is 60 feet tall.

　

5. Next to a rice paper factory where we saw how they make the paper and then the noodles.

　

6. Back on the bus to see how the pointed mandarin (coolie) hats are made. Several in our group bought them for the low low price of $2.00 each. Can you imagine the wage structure here, when it takes one person 3 hours to make a hat and then they sell them for 2 bucks?

　

7. Time to visit a 200 year old house/museum where we saw women weaving fabrics on their looms. This was also a pre-lunch rest stop where we were served green tea and fruit. None of our group had tea. We bought Diet Cokes and beer; $1.00 each. I had Tiger beer yesterday and today tried 333, another Vietnamese beer. I like this one better.

　

　

8. Lunch time. We drove back to the restaurant mentioned in item #3 for a lunch of white rice, spring rolls, French fries, a white fish (they said it was tuna) in a tomato sauce, a soup that we made ourselves (shrimp and veggies) and dessert of watermelon. Here we tried another beer for a buck; Huda. Also good.

　

9. Last stop was to an orphanage/day care facility. My DH had just about had enough of the heat and opted to remain on the bus. I stayed with him as did several other couples. I understand we didn’t miss much.

　

We got back to the port at 3:30 and had lots of time to shop at the huge amount of vendors just waiting for us. Managed to spend a few dollars, $5 of which was for a bottle of white wine. Will let you know how that works out.

I am showered, pooped, but drinking wine. Not yet the Nam kind. Joyce, HCM filthy; Nha Trang clean.

Goodbye until tomorrow. We lose an hour tonight.

[mississauga]

Kimonos started at $20 each, ended up at $14 each – we probably still paid too much. Fans started at $5 each, we go them at 3 for $10, but one lady on the bus stuck to her guns and got 2 for $5.

Do they call Vietnamese clothing kimonos also? i thought it was Japanese. :confused:

[Eppe4]

　

　

　

So off we went to tender ashore and promptly met by our tour guide Wie. This private tour here in Nha Trang was initially formulated by Ann L. who unfortunately had to cancel the cruise. She made the initial contact with Pham Tours and we ended up with 3 buses, which were spaced well and didn’t conflict at all. This is what we got for the unbelievable price of $50/pp. Our bus had 30; I imagine other two had approximately the same.

1. First stop was to XQ Dalat Historical Village, housing an embroidery museum and factory. I cannot explain how beautiful this handiwork is and how minute the stitches are that are sewn into each masterpiece. And that’s what they are; masterpieces. Everything done by hand by these craftswomen who look like they’re 13 years old.

　

2. Next to a Buddhist Temple which required what seemed like a thousand steps. Some went all the way up; others half way and others not at all.

　

3. We boarded motorboats which sat about 12 -15 (our group used 3 boats) and cruised down the Cai River for a while before stopping for a potty stop at a restaurant.

　

4. Back on the bus for a visit to a huge white Buddha; a photo stop only. I believe Buddha is 60 feet tall.

　

5. Next to a rice paper factory where we saw how they make the paper and then the noodles.

　

6. Back on the bus to see how the pointed mandarin (coolie) hats are made. Several in our group bought them for the low low price of $2.00 each. Can you imagine the wage structure here, when it takes one person 3 hours to make a hat and then they sell them for 2 bucks?

　

7. Time to visit a 200 year old house/museum where we saw women weaving fabrics on their looms. This was also a pre-lunch rest stop where we were served green tea and fruit. None of our group had tea. We bought Diet Cokes and beer; $1.00 each. I had Tiger beer yesterday and today tried 333, another Vietnamese beer. I like this one better.

　

　

8. Lunch time. We drove back to the restaurant mentioned in item #3 for a lunch of white rice, spring rolls, French fries, a white fish (they said it was tuna) in a tomato sauce, a soup that we made ourselves (shrimp and veggies) and dessert of watermelon. Here we tried another beer for a buck; Huda. Also good.

　

9. Last stop was to an orphanage/day care facility. My DH had just about had enough of the heat and opted to remain on the bus. I stayed with him as did several other couples. I understand we didn’t miss much.

　

We got back to the port at 3:30 and had lots of time to shop at the huge amount of vendors just waiting for us. Managed to spend a few dollars, $5 of which was for a bottle of white wine. Will let you know how that works out.

I am showered, pooped, but drinking wine. Not yet the Nam kind. Joyce, HCM filthy; Nha Trang clean.

Goodbye until tomorrow. We lose an hour tonight.

 

Pia, you've given all of us so much info for our visit, thank you so much. So sorry about loosing the hour of sleep, it's down right cruel! Have a great day.

[Texcruise]

Pia and ccrain....we had to cancel this cruise and have enjoyed your excellent posts...keep them coming because we are hooked reading about all of your adventures. Thank you!

[sunvalley cruisers]

I'm so glad the Nha Trang tour was a success. A special thanks to Donna and Kathleen who helped me out when I had to cancel the trip and to Meredith and Edith who headed up bus #2 and #3. What a group!

 

Anne L.

[Pia1913]

Sunday morning and a little bit wobbly at sea. We rocked and rolled during dinner and continued on and off throughout the evening. The weather remains hot and humid as we cruise to our next port tomorrow; Hong Kong.

　

Princess must think that our two Vietnam days knocked us out completely, since there is nothing going on today. Really, a very boring day unless you want to keep buying stuff. Other than a Hong Kong lecture in the AM, there is absolutely zilch until the afternoon movie “Descendants” at 2:00 PM. Crazy Stupid Love will be shown again at 3:00 on MUTS. Too bad we’ve seen them both. Twice.

Six, in our group of eight, have made it to the most traveled luncheon which will be held at noon. For those who enjoy it, there’s another pub lunch beginning at 11:30 in Savoy. An Indian buffet will be featured outside of and in Horizon Court.

　

The casino will probably be our venue tonight, since it’s a no smoking night and the only entertainment is the banjo guy again. Not even a MUTS movie or anything in Explorer’s.

　

Meanwhile, breakfast beckons and if I think of something interesting, or if something worthwhile occurs…………….I’ll be back. Otherwise, I may sign off until tomorrow.

[lovevacadays]

Pia and CCrain I am really enjoying reading your experiences. Very interesting. Sounds like you are having a great cruise.

[Bowie MeMe]

Husband and I are reading the posts on a Sat. night and dreaming of Oct. Hope it might be cooler (though probably won't) as I don't sweat I faint. This could be a little bit of a problem.:eek: Still I am looking forward to this trip in the biggest way. Thanks for helping all of us wait it out.

[Pia1913]

As I said, nothing worthwhile. ;) We lost AM trivia, we lost afternoon Where in the World. Now time to lose another trivia. Hey..........you can't win them all. :D

Captain's lunch was wonderful; as always. I logged in because I could. :)

[grandmaa]

Pia and ccrain..Thanks for taking us along on your cruise journey and also for the wonderful description of the places you are visiting. Here's wishing ccrain good health and a speedy recovery. Sorry you lost at Trivia Pia. You have more games to play so I am sure you will win..are Gloria and Lew on your team?

[aaerobear]

Luggage tags, keep thinking "luggage tags"

[HKM]

Just catching up on your "live from". It's always fun to travel with you vicariously! Just remembering that we had to leave our last cruise on the Diamond when Jerry was hospitalized in Hong Kong. We ended up spending nearly 2 weeks there. I must say he got great care and the people were wonderful. Hope you'll be there overnight for the light show.

[CruisingObsessed]

Thanks Pia for doing the LIVE thread. Also thanks to other contributors, very interesting read! :)

[caribill]

Luggage tags, keep thinking "luggage tags"

 

Have not seen those for a while.

 

More recent prizes have been the "lanyards" to hold a cruise card, magnets, decks of cards, flashlights, and small battery operated fans.

[Pia1913]

Monday morning in Hong Kong. Almost. We are scheduled to arrive into a container port at 9:00 AM where there will be a complementary bus service run by the local authorities which will take us to Harbor City. Mike and I have been here before; I say 6 times, he says seven. In any event, we sort of know the “neighborhood.” We are going to do our own thing; whatever that turns out to be. Maybe the Jade market, the Ladies market or perhaps no shopping at all. We are in port until midnight, so there’s no time element involved. Skies are overcast and temps have cooled considerably as we now sail beside large skyscrapers.

　

We ended up having a fun day yesterday by actually winning the afternoon trivia (I shouldn’t have been so pessimistic) and then doing very well in the casino on “no smoking” night. Afterwards we watched a cute/silly Tom Hanks/Julia Roberts movies, “Larry Crowne” on TV in our cabin.

　

On board today is “Touring the World: China” a documentary on MUTS in the morning. That takes care of the AM. Afternoon brings “The Muppets” movie in the theater at 2:00, and that’s it for the afternoon. Tonight there is folkloric showtime; two presentations of an acrobatic and magic show, and MUTS has Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. There were a whole lot of Princess shorex options, both day and night, and I imagine most of the ship will be empty a good part of the day and evening. We’ll probably be “home” for dinner.

Grandma: they don't play

Ed: As Bill said, no tags. We won carabiners yesterday. Remember those?

Bye for now.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The cam has swung around to show a rather large bridge.

Is that the bridge that comes in from the new(ish) airport?

 

[WWLL]

Kiwi Kruser

 

I was on that bridge April 17 & 19. From the airport that opened in 1997, it is a quick connection to the new West Kowloon District, and then Jordan Road.

[caribill]

　

 

We ended up having a fun day yesterday by actually winning the afternoon trivia (I shouldn’t have been so pessimistic) and then doing very well in the casino on “no smoking” night.

 

And what was the great prize for winning trivia?

[grandmaa]

And what was the great prize for winning trivia?

 

She posted they won carabiners...those metal loops. What a strange prize! I wonder if they have the Princess logo on them?

[caribill]

She posted they won carabiners...those metal loops. What a strange prize! I wonder if they have the Princess logo on them?

 

Oops. I missed that in the sentence at the end of her post.

[Pia1913]

Hello again from Hong Kong, and we’ve just returned to the ship. Weather fortunately stayed overcast with intermittent drizzles. Good thing, because sun and humidity would have killed us. We are so ready for some cooler weather, which hopefully will occur two days from now in Shanghai.

　

We boarded one of the first shuttle buses at 9:15 for the 20 minute ride into Kowloon. Our dropoff point was Harbour City Mall; very upscale with every designer name you can think of. Things in HK more or less the same as when we left it the last time we were here, but noticeably absent are the street vendors. We had heard about a year ago that they had cleaned up Nathan Road and those rumors are fact. Not even the side streets have lurking vendors. Too bad. That’s how you get all the bargains. We walked our feet off for several hours and only purchases made were coffee at McCafe (needed the facilities), something in a supermarket, and Mike bought a “tool.” Another tool. One of those guy things that have multiple uses.

　

Ship is very quiet now. All our friends are off doing various tours and only Donna and Dennis will be back for dinner. The others are doing Hong Kong by night; dinner, night market and light show. Fun thing to do if this is your first visit. As stated in an earlier post, we are in port until midnight.

Yes, carabiners have Princess logo. Nothing else to report.

Ciao.

[generichandle]

FYI, NWS shows highs in the low 70's, lows in the 55-65 range next 10 days in Shanghia, similar in Beijing. Looking pretty good.

 

See you soon in Beijing! Very soon!! Your descriptions open up too many questions. I will wait and absorb it when there. Meanwhile, keep it coming.

 

Doug