Voyage 5

2011  World Cruise  Voyage 5

Hong Kong, China  (March 22)  to  Singapore City, Singapore (April 3)

13 days, 4 days at sea, 6 ports, 2703 nautical miles

Temperature Range:  55º - 82º

The best time of year to travel in Southeast Asia is Early Spring - the temperatures are warm, but not too warm; the tropical cyclone season is over, so less rain.  Therefore, we have 462 passengers for this popular segment of our cruise.

We are learning more about our ship -- our butler will do anything we ask (make dinner reservations, order special foods for room service, glue Randy's shoes, repair the camera tri-pod, standing order for daily cheese platter for sunset cocktail time); the chefs will cook anything you order (sausage pizza, macaroni & cheese instead of baked potato, pumpkin gnocchi).   We have laundry service (bag it by 9am and it is returned by 4pm).  Almost all of the crew (except maybe the engine room guys) know us by name; we heard that the crew is 'tested' to recognize us and call us by our name.  The bartenders  immediately serve us our favorite cocktails.  The crew is great; some are more friendly than others; in fact, some are almost friends.  We always provide comments to management about the great service as the crew get special rewards for their good service.

So, on with our Voyage 5.   Enjoy the links to the various videos.

March 22 was our 2nd day in Hong Kong, China    Hong Kong Island, just 30 square miles, is where the action is, from high finance to nightlife to luxury shopping.  The office towers and opulent shopping centers of Hong Kong's core business district occupy one of the most expensive stretches of land on Earth. The Central District also houses nearly every major investment and commercial bank, fashion designer, and luxury-goods boutiques.  Further removed, the Western District is gradually becoming more like Central, but it still retains a traditional feel.  Wanchai is the city's fabled nightlife district, now home to popular clubs and restaurants.

We still wanted to take the tram up Victoria Peak, but it was foggy and drizzly all day; so, we never made it.  We were told to visit Stanley Market to check out the market stalls filled with electronics, clothing, pet shops, food, jewelry - you can find anything you want at Stanley Market.  This involved a 30-minute bus ride through the mountains to the south peninsula of HK Island; some narrow winding roads.  Lots of things to see; we got a few good bargins.  And, we made it back to the ship with our bags full.  With new passengers aboard, we departed the pier at 6pm, going around the west and south of the island (seeing the condo buildings along the shore) rather than along Victoria Harbor (to see the buildings all lit up).

SUMMARY -- There is so much more of HK to see; so HK is on the 'let's go back' list.

March 23 was a cold, drizzly day 'at sea' with choppy seas as we headed south along the Southeast Asia coast.  Several speakers and presentations - Dan Rather (his presentation was excellent and quite emotional, as he has strong feelings about Vietnam's past and present)  and another speech by ex-Green Beret (who offended many in the audience with his tales of his 'screw-ups' in Vietnam; we never saw him again).   And, of course, there were many other activities to fill the day, including a lecture given by the Acupuncturist.  Ken Watson, CEO of Silversea is aboard and he had an 'open forum' meeting with passengers.  It was interesting to hear of passenger complaints - the closet is too small; there are too many slot machines in the casino and not enough game tables; why is the ship wasting so much water by giving me clean sheets and towels everyday; the food quality isn't always good; my eggs aren't cooked like I want them - such petty issues.  We had nothing to complain about; it was all wonderful.

The ship entered the Red River at 8pm heading for the port of Haiphong, Vietnam, arriving at the dock at 11pm.  Not much to see along the river at night.

March 24  was our day to visit Hanoi, Vietnam.  Hanoi, which has been Vietnam’s capital several times and is again today, remains a city of academics, artists, diplomats, and contradictions.  The self-appointed stronghold of Vietnamese anti-imperialist culture has learned to covet foreign tourist dollars. Originally built around an imperial citadel currently housing the modern military, Hanoi is divided into four main districts; Hoan Kiem District, named for the lake at its center, is the hub of most tourist activity.  Just north of the lake is the Old Quarter, a charming cluster of ancient streets.  South of the lake, you’ll find the modern city center, once the French Quarter.  The northwestern Ba Dinh District includes the zoo, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the West Lake area.  The Hai Ba Trung District to the southeast is a calm, elegant residential area.  The Dong Da District, to the southwest, is home to the Temple of Literature.

For an introduction to Vietnam's capital, we began this cool (55º in the morning to 65º by noon) day with a two and a half hour journey from Haiphong to Hanoi with a comfort stop at a well-known handicraft center.  Hanoi, with its French-colonial style buildings, tree-bordered boulevards, numerous pagodas and scenic lakes, this nearly thousand year old city offers many attractions.  With a population of roughly three and a half million, Hanoi is the country's economic, cultural and political center.  Its unique atmosphere derives from a blend of East and West, with beautiful French colonial buildings standing next to traditional houses, historical monuments and revered temples.  The city's streets teem with thousands of bicycles and motorcycles, vying for space with cars and buses.

We arrived at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a huge square that is dominated by the monumental shrine containing the embalmed body of the 'Father of the Country'.  Millions pass through this mausoleum every year.  HCM died in 1969 and his body is sent to Russia every year to be embalmed again.   There were thousands of people in line to walk through the mausoleum but it took only about 20 minutes to get to the entrance; there are guards all around that strictly enforce the rules - proper dress attire, no cameras, no hats, no sun glasses, keep walking, no talking.  Not sure if we were picked out as being Americans, but Colleen did get a little shove from one guard (don't recall if she was talking or just walking too slow).  Opposite the mausoleum stands the impressive former Presidential Palace and one-time residence of the French Governor.  Behind the mausoleum, we walked to Ho's garden.  We strolled past tranquil lotus ponds to Ho's cottage, a simple stilt house resembling the style of the ethnic hill tribes; Ho preferred living in this humble abode rather than the palace.   The 'One Pillar Pagoda', shrouded in local legends, was in this garden.

Next, we drove to an ancient temple complex, the Temple of Literature, a pleasant retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Founded in 1076 during the Ly Dynasty, the temple complex is the site of the country's first university and the pride of the nation.  The unique entrance gate and 82 stone steeples bear witness to an early high level of education at the time when the country gained independence from Chinese occupation.  Within the walled courtyards are ancient pavilions and the ornate main shrine dedicated to Confucius.

After a nice lunch, we traveled to Hanoi's Fine Arts Museum, housed in a building that once served as the French Ministry of Information.  The structure, while very classical, has oriental touches to the roof and the collections within its two wings range from ancient antiquities to contemporary art.  The ground floor of the main wing houses the oldest artefacts -- including the sandstone sculptures of the Champa and Funan kingdoms; among them is the elegantly carved Amitabha Buddha image, produced in 1057.

From the museum, we went to the bustling 36 Street Old Quarter, one of the most exciting parts of Hanoi.  Named for the original 36 streets that formed the quarter, this is the busiest part of downtown.  In streets named after a particular trade they once represented, merchants and buyers carry out their daily activities. Today, this is a shopping mecca for visitors and residents alike.  Lots of cheap junk.

It was a long day of many interesting sights, a good lunch, and several long bus rides.  One passenger just could not believe what our guide told us - special ceremonies where the people eat snake or dog; the history of shooting at American pilots; 25,000 people killed each year in motorcycles accidents just in Hanoi - her comment was always "Oh My God".  Randy kept looking for the remote control with the 'off' button'.  It was good to get back, safely, considering the traffic, for a quiet evening 'at home' as we departed at 11pm for the trip down the Red River.

SUMMARY --  Hanoi was a bustling city with thousands of motorcycles, horns honking, millions of people everywhere; the traffic was awful as signals and street signs are regularly ignored; you are simply engulfed by thousand of bikes. Glad that we had a chance to visit, however, we will put Hanoi on the 'been there, done that' list.

March 25  we arrived just after sunrise to anchor in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Just 100 miles west of Hanoi, Ha Long Bay is a geological wonderland of limestone pinnacles rising out of the turquoise sea.  This UNESCO World Heritage site has 3,000 islands of dolomite and limestone that formed 300 and 500 million years ago.  Over millions of years, waters receded and exposed Ha Long Bay's limestone to winds, rain, and tidal erosion.  Secluded half-moon beaches lie at the base of steep untouched forest canopies, and grottoes of all shapes and sizes are open jaws of stalactites and stalagmites.  Ha Long Bay's famed seascape offers fantastic images of fragmented limestone outcroppings, sheer cliffs, huge rock arches and tranquil coves.  Some of the rock formations rise from the sea up to a height of 900 feet, projecting strange images.

The name Ha Long Bay, meaning 'where the dragon descends into the sea,' has its origin in an ancient legend according to which a huge dragon appeared, aiding the local people in their fight against northern invaders.  After victory was achieved, the dragon and its young remained, turning into a fence of rocky islets as protection from further invasion.  Even today, sailors and locals still claim sightings of a giant sea monster.

Ha Long Bay – Junks & Champagne   We joined our fellow passengers to explore this magical scenery via a cruise in traditional junks (also known as sampans).   The boats came alongside the ship to be boarded with the help of a barge; to make the ride more enjoyable, they limited the number of passengers to about 20 per sampan.  It was another chilly (57º) day so we had several sweaters, long pants, hats, and heavy jackets.  The vessel glided through breath-taking seascapes of fragmented limestone outcroppings, past huge rock arches, sheer cliffs, picturesque coves and islets rising out of the sea like green-clad monsters. We chatted with our friends, other passengers, Jean and Dan Rather were aboard (interesting couple), as we watched the amazing scenery unfold while sipping a glass of champagne.  A guide pointed out and explained the most interesting sights.  Unfortunately, not enough champagne to warm us up; our only experience during the 4 months when there was no champagne.

A sister-ship, Silver Shadow, was also anchored in the bay.  We tried to get a 'tour' but got the 'run around' of excuses.  It was the perfect opportunity to 'sell' future cruises on the newly refurbished ship but somehow that opportunity was not made available before we left the bay at 1pm.

We had dinner with Ken Watson (CEO of Silversea) and his wife, Margaret (very nice people), as well as another 'world cruiser' couple.  We talked about our experiences aboard.  Apparently, many repeat Silversea guests are very disappointed with Silver Spirit; they complained about some of the most petty things.  We told Watson that "Silversea is new to us, we haven't been on a cruise in 30 years, we are having a fabulous time, and feel everything about the ship is great"; and he laughed at our "No Whining" sign that we drew on our name plaque.

SUMMARY --  Ha Long Bay is beautiful.  We enjoyed the junk (sampan) cruise.

March 27 after a day 'at sea' in overcast or rain in choppy seas, we sailed up the Saigon River for five hours to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam docking at the new Saigon Premier Container Terminal at mid-day.  The French called their colonial capital the Pearl of the Orient, and the triumphant Communists renamed it Ho Chi Minh City, but this former Cambodian port town is still called Saigon by almost everyone who lives here.

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has served as a natural fortress and has been fought over by countless people during the past 2,000 years.  The ancient Cambodian empire of Funan used the area as a trading post, and the Khmer kingdom of Angkor transformed Prey Nokor, as Saigon was then called, into a flourishing center of trade protected by a standing army.  By the 14th century, while under Khmer rule, the city attracted international merchants.  In 1859, the French seized Saigon and made it the capital of their new colony, Cochin China.  The French arrival marked the beginning of an epoch of imperial feudalism and indentured servitude for many Vietnamese in the highlands. A new era began in 1975, when Communist forces defeated the government of South Vietnam, and the nation was reunited with Hanoi as its capital.  The city's character remains essentially French—with wide boulevards, colonial villas, great baguettes, and a café society—and resolutely Asian.  Still, Saigon is chaotic: sidewalks were crammed with noodle stands and vendors, markets were teeming, and roads were always gridlocked.

Since we were docked far from the heart of the city, Silversea arranged for shuttle buses for the one hour drive to downtown.  We traveled with our friends, Phil and Colleen.  After first visiting the Rex Hotel for a Tiger Beer and to plan our adventure, we took off to see the tourist sights around town taking heed of safety warnings from our ship (beware of your surroundings; take care crossing streets with all the cars, motorcycles, bicycles; stay on main streets, dress down, etc.)

• Central Post Office, where we went inside to check out the huge map of old Indochina in this classic French colonial building completed in 1891 and designed by Gustav Eiffel.  The ornate main pavilion featured a skylight ceiling, arched windows, a vast clock, and murals dedicated to communications pioneers.  Along with standard mail services, there were phones, fax machines, and internet access.

• Cong Xa Paris Square is opposite Notre Dame Cathedral with beautiful flowers and sculptures.

• Notre Dame Cathedral which was built by the French in 1880; this neo-Romanesque cathedral is a prominent presence on the Saigon skyline. Missionaries introduced Catholicism to Vietnam as early as the 16th century.  Today there are approximately 9 million Catholics in Vietnam, the largest Christian population in Asia outside the Philippines. 

• Hotel Continental where, during the Vietnam War, journalists and diplomats met on the terrace to discuss the latest events. 

• Reunification Palace was once the home of South Vietnam's president and was the centerpiece of the dramatic seizure of Saigon by the National Liberation Front in 1975, when tanks smashed down the gates and an NLF flag was draped over the building's balcony.

• Saigon's central Ben Thanh Market sells all kinds of goods—Western and Vietnamese clothing, wood carvings, shoes, plastic items, kitchenware, food, and more. 

Saigon was one of our stops with an overnight in port.  We decided to stay in town for dinner rather than another BBQ on the Pool Deck of our ship.  We asked around and were told to go to The Vietnam House for a wonderful dinner of the best Vietnamese food - total cost was 1,400,000 Vietnam Dong, that's $65 for 4 people including two bottles of wine.  We returned to the ship after 9pm.  We missed the Vietnamese Folkloric Dancers (somehow "Vietnam" and "folkloric" seem like two diverse terms).

March 28 was our 2nd day in Saigon.  We had planned to visit the Corsair Marine factory.  Our trimaran sailboat that we have in Bonaire was manufactured in Vietnam.  Over the last several months, we had talked with the manager about a tour and he gladly agreed.  We checked maps on Google Earth and got all the details to get to the factory.  However, we never made it there.  Instead, we were 'taxi scammed' - spending 5 hours in 5 different taxis costing $36 trying to get to the factory, get to downtown, or even to get back to the ship; we saw parts of Saigon that tourists never see.  Either the drivers didn't know where to go (even with a map), they didn't speak any English and we didn't speak Vietnamese, they were taking us to the normal 'cruise ship terminal' (not the Premier Container Terminal), just a scam for money, we didn't have an address or map of how to get back to the ship, we didn't have a shuttle bus schedule - a combination of misinformation, lacking information, mistakes.  We finally managed to get to a big shopping mall that we recognized, we were able to call the Corsair Marine manager, long after our meeting time, and he offerred to help get us back to the ship; and, at the same time, we had a chance meeting with a guest chef who was shopping at the mall.  It was an awful experience; but lessons were learned.  "Our 5-hour Taxis in Saigon To Nowhere Adventure!"

After that adventure, we deserved a long shower and late lunch.   The ship left port at 3pm that day to sail down the Saigon River to the open ocean before dark. There is lots of ship traffic on the river and it can be narrow at points, so it is good to make that transit in daylight.

SUMMARY of Vietnam -- Hanoi and Saigon are very hectic citites - too many people, too many cars, too much going on -- too much for us.  We have heard that Vietnam is the next China; we doubt it; maybe in 50 years?  Ha Long Bay was very pretty.  Overall, we can put Vietnam on the "been there, done that" list.

March 30 - 31  After a day 'at sea' sailing around the tip of Vietnam and north along Cambodia, we arrived at Laem Chabang, Thailand which is the cruiseship terminal port for Bangkok, Thailand.  Laem Chabang is approximately 80 miles from Bangkok.

There are two Bangkoks, the ancient soul of Thailand with its long and fascinating history and the frantic, modern metropolis that embraces the latest trends both East and West.  The two blend together remarkably well—even the most jarring juxtapositions of old and new somehow make sense.  Bangkok is not only the biggest city in Thailand, but also the most mesmerizing, with some of the country's most beautiful temples and shrines.  The city's energy is palpable, especially at night, when traffic opens up a bit, its famous markets get going, and everything seems lite up—from its proudest monuments to its seediest streets.

Thailand is one of the few countries in the world that was never colonized.  Its first capital was Ayutthaya; when Ayutthaya was besieged and pillaged by the Burmese in 1766, Thonburi became Thailand's capital.  The Thais call Bangkok Krung Thep (City of Angels), and in 1782 King Rama I moved his capital here, just across the Chao Praya River.  Bangkok has changed into a dynamic metropolis over the last few decades without losing its unique culture and heritage.  The city offered scores of attractions ranging from glittering Buddhist temples to magnificent palaces, numerous shopping centers, and traditional markets lining timeless canals all along the Chao Phraya River.  Today, King Rama IX still reigns (for more than 65 years) over Thailand even though he is 84 years old and has been in the hospital for over 2 years.   The Thai's love their King.  We were glad that nothing happened to the King while we were there as his death would have 'shut down' the country.

Most of you remember The King and I (great movie) with Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr; well, the truth is that a real Thai King would 'never' dance with a foreign woman.

Bangkok Extravaganza was a Silversea Full World Cruise Overnight Event only offered to guests sailing for the full duration of the World Cruise 2011.  We were able to immerse ourselves in the immense treasure trove of cultural attractions that Thailand's exciting and sophisticated capital had to offer.  We stayed at the Shangri-La Hotel at the exclusive Krungthep Wing.  The Shangri-La is a five-star luxury hotel with lush gardens overlooking the Chao Phraya River with elegant rooms and full butler service, it was a relaxing atmosphere and provided the serenity of a tropical retreat.  Well-known for its sumptuous cuisine, lunch was offered on both days at the renowned Next2 Café, afternoon tea and cocktails were served at the Krungthep Wing's Riverside Lounge, the evening featured a themed gala dinner (good but spicy) with classical Thai entertainment, and breakfast the next day was delicious.

We selected two tours for the first day, both tied to our arrival at the Shangri La Hotel.  Our first tour, Grand Palace & Scenic Old Bangkok, a tour to explore the Imperial treasures of Bangkok, the Grand Palace and its Emerald Buddha. Following a 45-minute bus trip from Laem Chabang through the bustling streets of the city center to arrive at Bangkok's greatest treasure, The Grand Palace. During a 1.5-hour guided walking tour, we visited or viewed some of its most important highlights:

Royal Palace Grounds - These vast grounds encompass over 100 buildings, representing 200 years of history and architectural experimentation.  Most of the architecture, royal or sacred, can be classified as old Bangkok style.  Extensive murals line the inside walls of the compound.  The temple structures are colorful, comprising gilded stupas, polished orange and green tiled roofs, mosaic-encrusted pillars, and rich marble pediments.

Grand Palace - The main building is the Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Siam Court.  Built in 1782 by King Rama I at the beginning of the Chakkri Dynasty, the palace was at one time the residence of the Kings of Thailand.  Today, royal ceremonies and state events take place here. We visited the audience hall with its splendid interior.

Wat Phra Kaew - Known also as the 'Temple of the Emerald Buddha', Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the Grand Palace and houses the revered image of the 23-inch high Emerald Buddha.  The jade statue is enshrined in a glass case, sitting on a pedestal high above the worshippers.  This mystical figure and its legendary spiritual power draw pilgrims from all over.

At the end of our visit, we had a sightseeing drive through Old Bangkok, seeing the City Pillar Shrine, Chitraladarahotarn Palace (official residence of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit), the Democracy Monument (built in commemoration of the change of government from absolute monarchy to democracy with the king as head of state), and the City Pavilion, primarily used today for royal ceremonies and official events.  We had a brief stop for exterior photos of the majestic the Ananta Samakom Throne Hall, the ornate grey-marble Italian renaissance-style building, built by King Chulalongkorn in 1907 to receive guests and foreign dignitaries.  Currently, the Royal Throne Hall is only used for the ceremonial opening of the first session of Parliament, royal receptions, and private functions.

Bangkok traffic was horrendous at mid-day.  It took us one and half hours to go the 5 miles to get to the hotel, but we saw hundreds of stores selling the perfect 'golden buddha', gold jewelry, noddle stands, flowers -- all part of everyday life in Bangkok.  We arrived at the Shangri La Hotel at 2pm, just enough time for a quick, delicious lunch.  A quick hotel check-in and freshen up in our room before our afternoon tour - River Cruise & Royal Barge Museum.  At the Shangri La Hotel pier, we boarded a private boat for a cruise on the Chao Phraya River and through some of the more peaceful canals where we observed the busy river traffic as well as the traditional way of the local people living and working along the water (and the LARGE lizards).  Continuing through the klongs (canals), we headed toward the Dockyard, home to the ceremonial royal barges.  Once a year, the king would proceed down the river to Wat Arun in a flotilla of royal barges. Today, these elaborately decorated boats are preserved in this specially constructed museum and are a rare treat to visit.  We continued back to the Chao Phraya River to visit Wat Arun, 'Temple of Dawn', which is among Bangkok's most picturesque temples and recognized landmarks.  While the temple is best seen from the river, its curious decorations and statues of mythical figures were well worth the hike up the steep steps.   Returning to the hotel, we had just a short time to relax before cocktails; it was interesting and fun to talk with our friends and fellow cruisers about the various tours each of us experienced.  The Gala Dinner was good, although too spicy, and the dancers performed some local Thai dances.

The next day, after breakfast, we walked along the nearby city streets and a boat ride to the River City Mall.  After the busy day yesterday, it was time to settle back around the pool, enjoy another wonderful lunch, and chat with friends before the afternoon trip back to the ship.  Silver Spirit was waiting for us with cold champagne and our butler, Saji, had decorated our suite with balloons and a 'welcome back' cheese platter.  What luxury!  Our ship departed at 8pm and we had dinner 'at home' (room service).

SUMMARY --  Bangkok was an exciting city, old but modern.  Now, we've seen the big city and would like to visit other parts of Thailand.

April 1 was supposed to be a stop at the holiday island of  Ko Samui, Thailand but the weather system that was developing a few days ago flooded the island, all of the roads were closed.  Therefore, the Captain proceeded on our course for Singapore to arrive in the late afternoon of April 2.   So, another day 'at sea' full of numerous activities, lectures, Galley Lunch.  We had several conversations with Dan Rather this day.  Lourae met with the pasta chef for a 'pasta making lesson' - actually he demonstrated his big fancy pasta machine; the ship makes fresh pasta every day; and, even if the kind of pasta that you want is not on the menu, they will make it for you.  And, here's a new fun thing to do - towel folding.

Video -   TOWEL FOLDING!

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April 2 we approached Singapore City, Singapore  in the late afternoon.  It's amazing to see all of the ship traffic; the Straits of Malacca are said to be the busiest in the world and almost the most susceptable to piracy (other than the more recent troubles near Somalia).

To arrive in Singapore is to step into a world where the call to prayer competes with the bustle of capitalism; where old men play mah-jong in the streets and white-clad bowlers send the ball flying down well-tended cricket pitches; where Chinese fortune-tellers and high-priced management consultants advise the same entrepreneur.  This great diversity of lifestyles, cultures, and religions thrives within the framework of a well-ordered society.  Singapore is a 'Fine City', spotlessly clean

modern metropolis surrounded by green, groomed parks and populated by 4.6 million orderly and well-regulated people, including many foreigners.  Of Singapore's total land area, more than half is built up, with the balance made up of parkland, farmland, plantations, swamp areas, and forest.  Well-paved roads connect all parts of the island, and Singapore city has an excellent public transportation system.  At the southern foot of the island is Singapore City, with its gleaming office towers and working docks.

Singapore City was another well-visited place by our friend, Phil.  He has many memories of this city and wanted us to join him for dinner at his favorite restaurant - Shangri La.  So, after our ship cleared customs, our group (Phil and Colleen, Geoff and Sharon, us ) departed the ship to grab taxis to the restaurant - great food.  Everyone started with beer then changed to wine with dinner; the wine was more than half of the total bill; guess wine is highly taxed in Singapore.  After dinner, we rode to another of Phil's favorite places for drinks or coffee.  Great evening and a good introduction to Singapore.   We got back to the ship at midnight (late night for all of us) but some of our ship's crew were heading out for 'fun around town'.

April 3 was a full day of exploring Singapore City, Singapore.  Singapore is one of the most developed cities in Asia and the world for that matter. Getting around is easy, the people are educated and friendly and the crime rate is extremely low. 

After breakfast, we took a taxi to Singapore's Chinatown in search of some light-weight, hot weather shirts; we were early so many shops had not yet opened.  We then got on the Metro subway to Raffles Square - near one of Singapore's many shopping malls, Raffles City, and Raffles Hotel.  Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style hotel and one of the world's most famous hotels.  Opened in 1899, it was named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles.  It is known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum and Victorian-style theatre.  This is where the Singapore Sling (cocktail) was invented.  We returned to the ship for a late lunch then rode the cable car over Silver Spirit to Senosa Island (which turned out to be like Disneyland); but the views of the city and surrounding area from the cable car were great.  We left the dock at sunset to begin our next voyage.

SUMMARY -- We will visit Singapore again someday.  A very clean city with lots to offer.

SPECIAL EVENTS Dress Attire:  7 casual, 3 informal, 3 formal

World Cruiser Dinner - Apr 1 at Hot Rocks

World Cruiser Morning Mimosas - Apr 2 with Dan Rather & Ken Watson

Pool Deck BBQ - Mar 27

Galley Lunch - Apr 2

Venetian Cocktail Party - Mar 29

SPEAKERS

Dan Rather, Journalist and Broadcaster

"Personal Reflections and Recollections of My Experiences in Vietnam"

"Overview of the U.S. Relations and Involvement with Southeast Asia"

"Open Forum Q & A Session"

George Frazier

"My Vietnam Experiences with the Green Berets in 1968-69"

Kenneth W. Watson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Silversea Cruises

Robin Hanbury-Tenison, OBE Adventurer, Explorer

"Mulu: the Rainforest" the story of the Royal Geographical Society's largest expedition

"Tribes of Northeast India"

"Albania: Land of Eagles"

"The Great Explorers of the Americas"

"Explorations of South America"

Denise Heywood, Author, Journalist and Photographer

"Vietnam: Land of the Ascending Dragon"

"Cambodia Odyssey"

H. Leighton Steward, Spokesman for Plants Need CO2

"Global Climate Change"

"Q & A Session on Climate Change"

ENTERTAINERS

Silver Spirit Singers and Dancers (here we go again with the same shows)

"Rocketman"

"Aquarius Dawning"

Helen Jayne, Singer

"Sensational Performance"

"Singing with Thien Fu's Comedy"

"Tribute to Great Composers"

Thien Fu,  Comedy Juggler

"Master of Action Comedy"

"Comedy with Helen Jayne"

Gary Arbuthnot, Singer

"Music from the Stage and the Screen"

"Singing with Martin Toal"

Martin Toal, Tenor

"Simply Martin"

"Singing with Gary Arbuthnot"

Jazz Duo  Mikki Brown and Eric Niessner performed nightly in the Stars Supper Club

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Singapore was the last port for Voyage 5.  It was an interesting two weeks -- Hong Kong was great; we saw Vietnam and can say "we've been there"; Bangkok has numerous historical sights; and Singapore has more things that we would like to see.  It was sure a mix of cultures.  We had good weather; on the cool side but that was fine considering that these places can be abnormally hot.

Video -   VOYAGE 5

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Here is a link to GooglePlus Web Albums.  Just click on the link and it goes directly to the site.  You may want to STOP the video, let it load some, move the cursor back to the start, click for FULL SCREEN (at the far right), then PLAY.  And, don't forget about the volume.

Thanks for coming along with us.  There is more to follow and come back.

Hugs,

Lourae and Randy