Chasing the Perfect Fuji shot.

[drron29]

I developed a viral illness just after boarding. running nose,cough, a few aches and pains but no energy . That and 3 sea days has meant I have had a lot of time getting to know my pillow. Two days ago I got motivated to start walking and hopefully today begin to post some more.

So here we go. On Sunday we had a lunch invitation from 2 of the World Cruisers on the Silver Shadow. Turned out we got on exceptionally well with @mysty and myster. We had lunch in the main dining room. I only took a photo of my main course a vegetable Biryani. quite tasty. There is always an Indian chef somewhere on board.

 

 

We had got a Bali Blue Taxi from the IC. He was just the first in line. A safe driver and the cost was at the bottom of the suggested rate that we were given at the hotel. We knew what time we were leaving the ship so got him to take us back as well arranged for him the next day to take us back to board the Silver Muse.

Dinner was as usual grazing at the IC Club.

 

 

And because I have never tried it before I drank Arak Madu and enjoyed it.

 

The next morning we had truffled scrambled eggs for breakfast. Very nice.

 

Then at 1120 a long check out process as they were without electricity for 2 hours. Computers worked but pretty dark.
At 1130 picked up by our taxi driver in cab 007. Arrived at the port at 1150.

 

When we got there we had to take a seat as check in only opened at Midday. But we were able to do some of the paperwork so pretty much straight through when it opened. We were the second couple to board. We went to the Dolce Vita lounge and I had a gin and tonic or two. We decided not to have lunch.
The lounge and one of the orchids. Lots of them around the ship.

 

 

And a lovely sunset before we went to dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 23 by drron29

[drron29]

We went to Atlantide for dinner. Quite a few don't like it but it basically is our favourite restaurant for dinner. Ususlly a decent selection of dishes which change regularly. Always has a menu of the day. As well the last vestiges of Covid behaviour have gone. You are asked when you arrive whether you want to share a table with others. We like to do this but not every night. We shared with another Aussie couple and a couple from Wales.
So the menu. The day's menu photo wasn't any good so the last 3 pages.

 

 

 

The menu has been pruned and a fair bit which was available every day has gone. As well the Soups and Salads section has gone. The made up an intermediate course so now 3 courses rather than 4.
I started with the Seafood chowder. Not a chowder and an extremely small amount of seafood.

 

 

Mrsdrron had the Argentinian prawns which were OK.

 

And I had the beef char sui. Disappointing.

 

The desserts haven't changed. I have decided not to partake of desserts as my walking distance is less than on the previous cruise.
Rojaan had the Pavlova which she enjoys. No picture this time,

 

We start off with 3 sea days. Great for relaxing but can get a little boring. Great moment when a ship passes by.

 

Lunch in Atlantide. Always quiet at lunch with most eating in La Terraza for the buffet or up by the pool. We prefer the much more relaxed atmosphere and smaller serves so easy to keep your intake of calories down.
So to the menu. It changes every day.

 

 

I had the Cajun chicken wrap and the sea bass on a vegetable ragout. I liked both.

 

 

 

The fish was cooked to perfection. Rojaan had the penne and the crumble. I continued to decline desserts.

 

 

But in between lunch and dinner was trivia where we again have a great team. No Americans this time but a very knowledgeable Canadian. In fact we won the first 3 days though on the 4th hit rock bottom. Then there was the Captain's welcome introducing th Senior officers.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

So to dinner once more in Atlantide. This time shared with two Australian couples. A much more lively and enjoyable evening. So to the menu changes.

 

Rojaan had the shrimps and then the salmon.

 

 

I ordered the beef tartare but got the artichoke and beef carpaccio. No problem for me as I like both. Some though would be very upset. Of course it shouldn't happen. I then had the beef. Much better than what I saw being served on the first night. Cooked just as I ordered and tender, juicy and tasty.

 

 

 

Lunch the next day was Kaiseki.

 

 

 

And more of the Orchids.

 

 

 

 

Dinner that night was in Indochine with a solo cruiser from Connecticut. No menu photos or mains. Rojaan went for 2. Ginger and kaffir lime Creme Brulee and coconut rice pudding. For starters Rojaan had the prawn and I the tuna. For mains we both had the lobster Pad Thai. Me with chilli andRojaan without. Certainly wasn't authentic Pad Thai but it was nice.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The next day was the crossing of the Equator whilst we were transitting the Makassar strait between Sulawesi and Borneo. A pretty poor ceremony.

 

 

 

 

A few sea birds around.

 

 

 

As some of you know I like to stand out in a crowd so here is typical day wear then on informal nights.

 

 

 

 

[Tothesunset]

Colourful and smart. 👍

[drron29]

Sorry for the interruption but Starlink isn't available in Taiwan so internet very flaky.

[drron29]

We had lunch on the pool deck for a change.

 

 

Rojaan had the burger and I tried the buffet -mainly Fillipino dishes. It didn't look particularly appetising but tasted good. Good street food.

 

 

 

A soup - pork sinigang. I avoided it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Atlantide for dinner once more. The menu had changed a little.

 

 

 

 

Rojaan ordered and got the beef tartare. Whilst I had the crispy fried octopus though it was neither crispy nor octopus. It was calamari.

 

For mains Rojaan had lobster which was very dry and I had the pork belly which was quite ordinary.

 

I continue to decline desert but this time a picture of Rojaan's pavlova.

 

 

Edited March 27 by drron29

[drron29]

The next morning we were steaming into Coron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The excursion today was a cruise around the bay in a local boat. With my balance problem boarding was a little difficult but fine once aboard.

 

 

 

 

 

First class facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our crew.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

From near here you can climb over the hill to a large lake called barracuda lake. There are apparently some small channels through the lock which they can get through when young.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is where a smaller second lake can be reached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Most of the places here are for day tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around this area our guide pointed out rocks that resembled animals including humans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gourmet Gal]

48 minutes ago, drron29 said:

Atlantide for dinner once more. The menu had changed a little.

 

 

Rojaan ordered and got the beef tartare. Whilst I had the crispy fried octopus though it was neither crispy nor octopus. It was calamari.

 

 

 

For mains Rojaan had lobster which was very dry and I had the pork belly which was quite ordinary.

I continue to decline desert but this time a picture of Rojaan's pavlova.

 

 

 

 

Well, the menu did say squid.

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But no one had pointed out this koala before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And how you leave your boat.

 

[drron29]

After we finished our cruise I went for an hour's walk towards Coron City. The road to the Port is a National Highway. As you come out of the Port you are immediately besieged by the Tuk tuk drivers offering cheap transport. And they keep asking until you get back to the port gate.

 

 

 

 

 

A school.

 

 

 

 

 

And this little girl wanted her photo taken. When she eventually put on her"crown" I obliged.

 

 

 

 

 

Street Art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Not sure how many would use a car wash.

 

 

 

But you are told who will be driving your garbage truck.

 

 

 

And just build your house around the tree.

 

 

 

Food is cheap. 100P is just $A3.

 

 

An upmarket restaurant.

 

The laundry offers just to spin dry your clothes.

 

 

 

Some newer buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

I now turned around to walk back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And back into the port.

 

Someone probably waiting for this.

 

Lots of small imports at this port.

 

 

 

 

And back to the ship.

 

 

 

[goldengatecruisers]

Thank you for posting so many photographs from your travels.  It is wonderful to accompany you on your local walks and I appreciate seeing the stores and homes, and life in general of the local communities.

[drron29]

That night we gave La Terraza a try. It has never been our favourite restaurant. back home most of our Italian restaurants are Sicilian family run. We love them and they are certainly different to La Terraza. Our favourite dishes there in the past were the carpaccio and Osso Bucco. As well they had a lovely gorgonzola for the cheese plate. At times I would just have a plate of the gorgonzola. None of those dishes are on the menu.
So here is the menu.

 

 

 

 

 

And the antipasti platter. Despite the menu changes I can't remember any changes to this.

 

I had the pappardelle and the strip loin. OK but the pasta no better than the Tagliatelle I had for lunch in Atlantide and beef in Atlantide is better.

 

 

Rojaan had the prawns which were disappointing and the lemon sponge cake.

 

 

I had the cheeses platter which was disappointing. Told there was no gorgonzola on the ship. I wonder what they use for those dishes that have gorgonzola mentioned as one of the ingredients. There are quite a few.

 

 

 

[drron29]

The next morning we were arriving in Manilla.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a welcome as we disembarked for our tours.

 

 

 

 

[DavyWavey70]

I Must say Dr Ron, especially having shared a wonderful meal with you both myself, is that your food photos onboard fill my heart with sadness. I’ve never been a fan of MDR cuisine on any line but I now find myself hoping that Bea Smith, Lizzy Birdsworth and Doreen Burns never had to endure such horrors is at the forefront of my mind. 

[Joc123]

My heart sinks every time I see the menus and photos.

[spinnaker2]

Drron

its the same on the dawn. So many cutbacks

[drron29]

Then off in busses to "Old Manilla".

 

Not all the trucks were in good repair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we now set off in the horse and cart -"kalesa". Cars moved out of the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So now time to see the Church and it's museum.