Memories on this Date

[whogo]

February 28, 2011. The Veendam remained overnight in Buenos Aires. We toured the city. I was disappointed at the number of street people, I hadn't seen poverty in such evidence in Chile or Uruguay. I thought Eva Peron's tomb was the least interesting in La Recoleta Cemetery. Colorful, quirky La Boca neighborhood was fun, I travel to see things that are nothing like home and La Boca was nothing like home.

 

 

We have no memories of our meal at the Pinnacle Grill. Apparently one of us had a flaming something or other.

 

[Mtn2Sea]

On this date in 2019, we took a shuttle from the Amsterdam to downtown Wellington and then just wandered around the city.  After spending time at the Botonic Gardens, we found a place for lunch and then returned to the ship.

 

[rkacruiser]

2008, the Amsterdam arrived at Hong Kong.  Docked at Ocean Terminal which is a very convenient location for tourists.  The Star Ferry is close; the sights and experiences of Kowloon are all walkable.  

 

No tour today; having been here before, I was comfortable in doing my own sightseeing visiting the various markets, etc. and being at "the wrong place at the wrong time" when I passed a Mosque just as the service was over.  I was walking in the opposite direction of the worshippers who were going in going in the opposite direction.  (There were no issues other than the congestion of me trying to make some progress towards my destinations.)  

 

Booked a shore excursion dinner tour at a facility that had to be changed for reasons which I don't recall.  We ended up at a facility called the Quarterdeck.  We were put on a bus to travel the very short distance from the gangway to the Star Ferry Terminal.  (Why was that?)  We had 2nd Class tickets on the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island.  (Memorable because my seat mate on the ferry who was a citizen of HK, asked me "what are you doing here", as in 2nd Class.)  Bus ride to the Quarterdeck was not the dinner that had been described.  More Western than Oriental cuisine with crowded seating.  My journal reminds me that at my place seating there was not room for both a salad and dinner plate.  It was an interesting experience to drive through parts of the city after dark and we returned to Kowloon via and underwater tunnel.  But, it was disappointing.  Many of us complained to Shore Excursions and we did receive a partial refund of what we had paid.  

 

I will add that if one does visit Hong Kong and uses the Star Ferry, ride one way in 2nd Class and one way in 1st Class.  It's an interesting cultural experience.  

[ski ww]

This is what we saw when we got out of bed in 2016  the morning after arrival home from our 45 day Maasdam cruise to the Amazon - Caribbean. When the airport shuttle dropped us off the night before there was very little snow on the ground, welcome back to the real world. 

 

[Aardvaark]

Last year with the virus ramping up, we toured and then departed Mauritius.  Little did we know that the stops in Colombo, Cochin, Mumbai, and Dubai would never happen because the countries barred us from entry.  We finally ended the cruise early in Moscat, Oman, and flew home from there. 

[bennybear]

Such wonderful around the world adventures!   It’s nice to see them!   I really want to visit New Zealand,  and Hong Kong and....  

[Mtn2Sea]

Seven years ago today, MS Noordam spent the day at Grand Turk.  Being our first visit, we took a short excursions showing the highlights of the island.

[rkacruiser]

Amsterdam, 2008, Grand World Voyage:  we were at anchor in Halong Bay, Viet Nam.  

 

(Because of my feelings about the Viet Nam war and the loss of friends during the war, my initial thought was I would never set foot in this country.  I'd stay aboard the Amsterdam.  I changed my mind when the time came.  And, I am glad that I did.  The attitudes of the citizens of Viet Nam towards me as an American were shockingly different than what many of us Americans thought of them.  It was a cultural experience highlight of the cruise for me.)  

 

The tour of the day was a cruise on a junk around the Bay viewing the various limestone formations.  We landed for a tour through a large cave.  The junk moved to a different spot for us to re-board.  That proved to be "interesting/dangerous".  Steep, narrow steps down to water level; then, a wood plank that needed to be crossed to get into the junk.  The tour guide as well as the ship's escort were there to help us down the steps and across the plank.  As it was:  the plank was narrow enough that I had to do it on my own.  I got down on my hands and knees and crawled across the plank with a crew member reaching out for me as I got close to the end.  

 

Once aboard the junk, I was able to buy a Vietnamese Beer.  My journal reminds me that I "thought it weak".  If it had been a bit less weak, I may have had another one or two.  

 

Getting off the Amsterdam and onto the junk as well as back onto the Amsterdam was noteworthy.  Several pallets had to be placed next to the the Amsterdam's tender platform to get us safely from the ship to the junk that was moored next to the pallets.  Returning to the ship, some type of work boat had tied up to the Amsterdam.  We transferred to the work boat, crossing it, and to the stairs leading to the ship.  It was a complex port visit.  But, it was a really memorable one.

 

There were some debates among those of us who were on the tour about the natural beauty of the limestone formations that we saw during the tour through the area.  Some thought they were better than the fjords/Sounds that we had witnessed in New Zealand.  Some did not agree.  

[rkacruiser]

2008 on this date, Amsterdam was docked at Da Nang.  My tour was to the Imperial City of Hue through the mountains.  Very scenic and interesting when we arrived at the Royal Tombs site.  I was wearing shorts.  Had to cover up; was given something that was like a skirt to wear while I was at the site.  Tour visited the Pagoda on a very steep hill.  (Did not attempt that; even then, too many steps up/down to navigate for me to safely navigate.)  The Royal  Tombs seemed to me to have been created much like the Forbidden City was.  A nice Vietnamese lunch at the Century Hotel; but, it was rushed.  Not much time to "wander around" the area; eat lunch--get to the restroom (still have a small bar of soap that I acquired from my rest room visit)--back on the bus to return to the city.  The return trip was on an express type highway through tunnels and was much shorter than the drive to Hue through the mountains.  Not as scenic; but, it was another interesting view to me as to how much Vietnam has changed.   My journal reminds me that I was so tired at the end of this day that I went to bed soon after my dinner.  No attempt was made to attend whatever show was scheduled for that evening.  

[nw gardener]

Hard to believe it's been a year,  we were on the last cruise on the Oosterdam to the Mexican Riviera.  We had splurged for a Neptune suite (a wonderful deck 5 aft), were   anxious about going with the pandemic just starting,  but decided to go.  Cruise was about 2 thirds full,  weather was wonderful,  but such a shock in that one week with the change in the world - ending the cruise with all cruising halted. A bittersweet memory looking through my photos this morning.

[bcummin]

In 2013 we were on ms Rotterdam's "Passage to the Far East" from Singapore to Rotterdam and docked at Mumbai, India.  After walking to the green gate, we hired a taxi to the Gateway of India.  Then we met our friend Jennifer at the Taj Palace hotel.  She had grown up in our church, so we were thrilled to spend today together.  I wanted to visit the historic Crawford's market, where we bought spices and fruit.  She also took us to three nice stores, then drove north past Chowpatty Beach (Queen's Necklace).  Lunch in a cafe was tasty vegetarian treats.  We enjoyed visiting Jen's family at her home before going out for dinner.  Our feast included Chicken Tiki, spring rolls, mutton, more chicken, rice, a lime drink, and a sweet dessert.

The Queen's Necklace was ablaze with lights on our drive back to the ship.

Back onboard, I enjoyed the Mumba cultural show in the Queen's Lounge.

Fond, warm memories.

Barbara

 

Edited March 10, 2021 by bcummin

[Chinook Wind]

nw gardener, I was on the same cruise on the Oosterdam. 

My sister was supposed to sail with me but bailed at the last minute so I had a Signature Suite all to myself.  This cruise was very strange on a number of different levels.  Half way through the itinerary Guest Services announced that anyone willing to sail on the following cruise could extend their current cruise for another week at 50% off because HAL had had so many cancellations -- and people were speculating that HAL needed a specific number of passengers to be able to sail.  Then you'd see little clusters of crew having what looked like very serious conversations.  Then came the announcement on the second to last night that this would be the final sailing.  Say what?!  Very surreal.

What was even more surreal was arriving at the San Diego airport and finding it nearly empty!  Flight home to Canada was quiet as no one knew what to expect when we landed.

Got home and went immediately into a 14-day quarantine -- friend brought me groceries but left them at the door like I was some kind of pariah.  (In hindsight I suppose I was, 😷)

What a strange year it has been.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that my April 2022 trip goes ahead...

[nw gardener]

Agreed,  it was a strange cruise and I was crying right along with our server at breakfast before disembarking.  What a year looking back.  Now that I and DH are fully vaccinated,  time to look forward.  Hoping to cruise next year,  anywhere!

[rkacruiser]

March 11, 2008, the Amsterdam was nearing Chennai, India as our first Indian port.  I was excited with much anticipation since I had booked an overland trip that would include a visit to the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra as well as New Delhi and Jaipur, re-joining the ship at Mumbai.  Packing was done; Indian currency had been obtained; I was ready to go!

[rkacruiser]

Arriving at the port of Chennai on this date in 2008, the Amsterdam was delayed in docking because a crane along the dock needed to be moved.  That took some time to happen.  A face to face passport inspection was required.  Disembarking the ship to board the bus to the airport as my tour began, we found the dock to be filthy and oily.  (Returning from my tour, guests who stayed with the ship after Chennai said that the crew had much work to do to clean the carpets, etc. because of the oil that had been tracked onboard.)  Our flight to New Delhi was aboard a Jet Airways 737-700 with good room in Economy Class.  An Indian style lunch was served with some items that I ate that were good, but no idea what they were.  (This situation would be repeated in the next few days.)  Efficient transfer to our hotel Le Meredian in New Delhi with a good Indian dinner with my travel group.  Service was disappointing and one of our cruise agency hosts let management know "this is not how we expect our clients to be treated".  Service suddenly improved.  Another solo traveler and me decided to take a walk outside the hotel after dinner; it was a pleasant evening.  A security guard at the hotel let us know that we ought not wander very far.  It was a really good first day for me in India.  

[bennybear]

Good thing we had Indian food last night after looking at these pictures! 
What  bittersweet memories from a year ago! Hope it won’t be too much longer.   Stay safe!  

Edited March 13, 2021 by bennybear

[highscar]

A year ago today we were in the pacific heading to San Diego during a wonderful circle Hawaii cruise. Little did we know what we were facing. 

[rkacruiser]

March 13, 2008 continued:

 

Tour to the Sikh Temple in New Delhi, barefoot, with the soles of my feet turning black.  (The socks that I wore that day were discarded that evening and a bath was required.)  A visit to a school for slum children who were welcoming, presenting different presentations to us based on their age levels, and remembering classrooms containing children of so many different age levels.  We would enter a classroom; the students would arise from their seats.  A very friendly young girl was at the entrance to our bus along a street lined with fabric coverings over a rope line across the street where people lived.  She continued to wave and began to run along the side of the bus waving until the bus gained speed.  

 

Whatever happened to all of those good people whom I encountered?  My heart aches tonight.  We had so much.  They had so little.  

[Aardvaark]

Today is the anniversary of our departure from Quest at Muscat, Oman, where our Cape Town to Dubai cruise terminated early when Dubai wouldn't have us.  Azamara arranged our repatriation admirably, but we did feel a little odd being the only two passengers in business class FRA-JFK.

 

[bcummin]

On 3/13/2021 at 4:48 PM, rkacruiser said:

March 13, 2008 continued:

 

Tour to the Sikh Temple in New Delhi, barefoot, with the soles of my feet turning black.  (The socks that I wore that day were discarded that evening and a bath was required.)  A visit to a school for slum children who were welcoming, presenting different presentations to us based on their age levels, and remembering classrooms containing children of so many different age levels.  We would enter a classroom; the students would arise from their seats.  A very friendly young girl was at the entrance to our bus along a street lined with fabric coverings over a rope line across the street where people lived.  She continued to wave and

began to run along the side of the bus waving until the bus gained speed.  

Whatever happened to all of those good people whom I encountered?  My heart aches tonight.  We had so much.  They had so little.  

 

I am looking forward to hearing about your visit to the Taj Majal.  

We never made it there.

Barbara

 

[rkacruiser]

March 15, 2008:  we left Jaipur for Agra.  Our bus driving along the highway, we ran into a traffic jam.  Our Indian guide got off the bus to determine what was happening.  An accident had occurred.  A vehicle had struck a motorcyclist and the motorcyclist was dead.  Village residents living where this happened blocked the highway--the entire the road including the berms--until Police could arrive to determine who was at fault.  Our guide determined we would be stuck here for quite some time.  Upon consultation with our bus driver and our own agency's hosts, the decision was made to turn around and return to another village that had a dirt road that would bypass the accident scene, yet return us to the highway to get to  Agra.  

 

The dirt road and narrow stone bridges that we crossed were truly in the rural part of India.  We passed a school where the children came out to view us, waving.  (I thought then and still do:  when these kids went home and told their parents about the big bus that they saw today, how many parents would think their kids were lying.)  The road was not built to accommodate our bus!  But, such a detour provided a different view of India that I would have missed.  Water buffalo plowing the fields; stacks and stacks of cow patties in fields/ and yards; more surprised and friendly Indian citizens.  We got to the highway and got to Agra, one hour late.

 

Our visit to the Taj Mahal required a walk from where our bus could park, through a gate, and onto the grounds of the memorial.  Lovely landscaped grounds leading to the memorial.  Arriving at the memorial, one had to take off one's shoes and leave them with the multitude of others (I hate this!  Will I see my shoes again?  But, I know it's a cultural necessity.)  Hundreds of others were at the memorial and in its interior where the tombs are.  One's perspective would be different if one was alone in that space; just not possible, I suppose.  Yet, it was a special time for me.

 

Our guide positioned us outside the Taj at sunset in order for us to witness the change of colors that does occur given the sunlight available.  Our hotel overlooked the Taj and I could see the difference in colors when I arose the next morning.  

 

After being in the inside of the Memorial, I remembered walking around the rear side's plaza overlooking the river.  Few people there; it provided for a few moments of reflection as to what I had experienced.  I think it provided a different perspective for me if I had not done that.  

 

 

[bcummin]

Thank you, rkacruiser.  I enjoyed reading about your remarkable travels through India to the Taj Majal.  You paint good pictures with your words, and you have a good heart for the people.  I am looking forward to hearing more.

Barbara

Edited March 16, 2021 by bcummin

[bennybear]

Thank you @rkacruiser ,  I can almost see the colours!   Hope to see it myself one day, but in the meantime I appreciate your visit! 

[bcummin]

Good morning.  Our "Passage to the Far East" on ms Rotterdam docked in Muscat, Oman.  My "Culture of Oman" tour was guided by a young man from India.  Half the population are foreigners.  They have the skills and are more willing to work.  (But only locals drive the trucks and buses.)  The Sultan is encouraging education of the young Omanis.

We started at the Souk, where I enjoyed shopping. 

Then we drove to the Sultan's Palace, where we walked up to the front gates and admired the elegant complex.

The Bait Adam Museum was full of historic swords, jewelry, etc.  Mr. Adam had his granddaughter recite the U.S. Presidents and an American poem for us.  One of their treasures was a letter from their Sultan to our President Andrew Jackson.  We were served coffee and delicious dates and felt most welcome here.

Barbara

 

 

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, bcummin said:

  Our "Passage to the Far East" on ms Rotterdam docked in Muscat, Oman

 

When the Amsterdam visited Oman in 2008, we docked at Salalah and I took a tour that included a visit to the tomb of Job (supposedly), a visit to a souk, and a view of a palace of the Sultan.  My memory of this country is a memory of monochromatic color:  tan, tan, and more tan.  The souk was interesting, but did not compare to what I would soon experience in Istanbul.  Oman is not on my list for a repeat visit.