Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound…The story of a name…Making decisions aboard ship…

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A small wake from the ship as we sailed through Doubtful Sound.

Yesterday, our ship sailed into Doubtful Sound, one of the three “sounds” we visited in one day, a few hours apart, as we approached New Zealand. The story of this particular sound was particularly interesting as follows:

“History of Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound was named ‘Doubtful Harbour’ in 1770 by Captain Cook, who did not enter the inlet as he was uncertain whether it was navigable under sail. It was later renamed Doubtful Sound by whalers and sealers, although it is not technically a sound but a fiord.

A Spanish scientific expedition commanded by Alessandro Malaspina visited Doubtful Sound in February 1793 to conduct experiments measuring the force of gravity using a pendulum, a part of the effort to establish a new metric system. The officers of the expedition, which included Felipe Bauzá y Cañas, a cartographer, also made the first chart of the entrance and lower parts of the Sound, naming features of it.

Today these form a unique cluster of the only Spanish names on the map of New Zealand: Febrero Point, Bauza Island and the Nee Islets, Pendulo Reach, and Malaspina Reach.“

As we made our way through Doubtful Sound.

As our ship made its way through the relatively narrow passageway, we were in awe of the pristine beauty of the unusual location along with the other two sounds we’d visited during the day, Milford Sound, as shown in yesterday’s post with a few photos of Dusky Sound, the third in the group. 

Spread throughout the day, we spent considerable time outdoors, freezing in the cool air and wind after a long period of hot and humid weather in our travels over these past years. In a way, it felt good to finally be cool. 

Exhaust from the ship.

As we all often do, we soon forget the discomforts of the past and only observe the moment’s conditions. Our hooded jackets, needed to keep the rain off our heads, weren’t warm enough to keep us from shivering although we’d each worn multiple layers underneath.

In any case, we were enthralled with the three sounds and the reality that we’d arrived in New Zealand, our home for the next three months where we’ll have a car and be able to travel about both the north and south islands at our leisure.

The colorful shoreline in Doubtful Sound.

This is our 12th cruise in 39 months. After all these cruises we’ve come to a few conclusions that we’ll carry with us on all future cruises:

1.  We’re using cruises as a means of transportation. In order to continue to do so, we must monitor expenses to ensure we don’t receive a huge bill at the end of the cruise. Overspending could deter us from future cruises.
2.  The cost of excursions are often too high for us to schedule any on each cruise although we have booked one upcoming next Monday.
3.  Getting off the ship to go sightseeing with the high cost of venues and transportation (none are included in the cruise fare) doesn’t make sense when we’ll be living in the country for months to come with a rental car.  If we’re not staying in the country, then we may explore on our own, keeping the costs as low as possible.
4.  The cost of WiFi is an expense we choose to bear on each cruise. On this particular cruise, the cost is US $244 each (at a discount from US $299 each due to our growing priority status) in order to be able to be online at the same time. With both of us busy with research and posting each day, sharing a connection is not an option for us.

It was rainy, cold, and windy when we took this photo of Dusky Sound, the last of the three sounds we sailed yesterday.

5.  We no longer feel the necessity of dining in specialty restaurants when the food in the main dining room has been very good for both of us including my way of eating.
6.  We don’t need to eat twice a day if we aren’t hungry (we never eat three meals a day). This morning I couldn’t eat a morsel when I still felt full from last night’s good meal of rare prime rib, salad, avocado and veggies. I joined Tom in the dining room this morning while he had a light breakfast. His snacking on pastries, ice cream, and daytime treats has diminished on this cruise when he said he doesn’t feel like being “bloated” from excess consumption. 

Passengers aboard this boat waved at our ship as we passed in the sound.

7.  Unless the “beverage package” is included in our fare as a promotion, most likely we won’t purchase it in the future. At US $65 per day per person, requiring that both parties in a couple purchase the same package to avoid “sharing” it makes no sense when all I drink is coffee and tea, both of which are “free” in the cafeteria on any ship. 

Tom doesn’t drink enough cocktails in a day to pay for it.  Even with the included two beverage packages for this cruise, he hasn’t had more than three cocktails in a day which would average around US $10 each. Sure, I’ve had several specialty teas and a once-a-day coffee with full fat cream with a splash of sugar-free vanilla syrup to create my own coffee drink, it certainly hasn’t been worth US $65 per day. I could easily forgo both of these without giving it a thought.

Following is a photo of the various drink packages offered on Celebrity Cruises at this time.  On the last cruise with Royal Caribbean (the same parent company), the cost was US $59 per person per day. Regardless of how we access these packages, none make a whole lot of sense.

This photo of the Celebrity drink packages can easily be enlarged to
more clearly see the prices.

Do our above “limitations” inhibit our enjoyment?  Not at all!  We’re having the time of our lives meeting other passengers, interacting with the thoughtful crew, and thoroughly enjoying the ship and the scenery as we continue on our way to Auckland, New Zealand, our final port of call where we’ll arrive on Tuesday, January 19th in six days. 

We’re feeling well, sleeping well, frequently walking about the ship for exercise, and of course, treasuring the time we spend sharing it with all of our readers worldwide.

Have a beautiful day!

Photo from one year ago today, January 13, 2015:

One year ago, we were two days until departure to Kauai, Hawaii. Tom took this beautiful sunrise photo from our veranda at the house on Big Island. For more details, please click here.

Rough waters in the Tasman Sea…Time changes…Fabulous times continue…

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View from the ship of monument in Tasmania.

We apologize for yet another late posting at almost 3:00 pm, our new time here in the Tasman Sea in the South Pacific. We overslept after I’d kept us both awake during the night with a hacking cough. 

This morning upon awakening late I immediately noticed if I’ve turned the corner and am on the mend. Thank goodness. I didn’t want this entire cruise to consist of stifling a dry cough. Tom’s abscess is healing and he feels good. We’re renewed and refreshed feeling like ourselves once again.

We missed breakfast which was fine. After eating two meals a day over the past four full days of cruising I felt stuffed and ready for an intermittent fasting day with a 24-hour reprieve from food. 

Tom is also avoiding food today, except for his Mudslide, an alcoholic ice cream type drink with vodka, Kahlua, coffee liqueur, and Bailey’s Irish Cream included in the drink package we both received as a perk with this cruise.

Last night, we met some amazing people at our dinner table. I sat next to an interesting and enlightening older couple. He’s an 86 year old Anglican priest and she’s a spiritual advisor. They’ve both traveled the world extensively. The three of us became engrossed in sharing our philosophical viewpoints on many topics for some highly stimulating conversation.

Tom at the martini bar last night.

Their warmth, kindness, and intellect precipitated my feeling grateful for meeting them. It’s these types of interactions that leave us reeling with happiness over the opportunities we encounter while cruising.

Tom sat next to an equally interesting couple with whom he became totally engrossed, as well as one more couple at our table. None of us hardly noticed our meals, eating little bites between conversations.

With a pending one-hour time change last night (with another tonight), by the time we returned to our cabin it was 11:30 PM and we’d yet to change the time on our watches and digital equipment. 

This morning, when we finally got up and ready for the day it was too late to make it to the dining room before breakfast service ended at 9:30 am. We could have gone to the buffet but, we’ve avoided this area due to a higher risk of “catching” something.

We just returned from waiting in a long queue to check-in with New Zealand immigration required of all passengers disembarking in NZ on 19th declaring any food products and where and how long they’d be staying in the country. We had no problem getting our 90-day stamp to stay in the country without an additional visa.

Once again, we’re back at the Café al-Bacio while Tom’s savoring his tasty drink and I’m sipping on my new favorite herbal African tea, visiting with a variety of passengers who stop by to chat. We couldn’t be more comfortable or enjoying ourselves more, especially now that we’re both on the mend.

Tom’s “new thing,” a crab cake with succotash.

The rolling seas are tolerable. We hardly notice until looking out the window and see the horizon moving up and down with the rough seas. Luckily, neither of us ever suffers from seasickness.

We’ll continue to be out to sea over the next several days. Never bored for a moment, our cruise is comparable to being at one huge cocktail party filled with lively and enthusiastic guests who are highly sociable, friendly, and eager to start conversations. 

Surprisingly for a sea day, the wifi connection is good today even with many passengers also online on their iPads, phones, and laptops. Most likely, we’ll spend tomorrow morning in our cabin watching the Minnesota Vikings playoff game on TV. We’ll be back!

Have a wonderful day!

Photo from one year ago today, January 10, 2015:

Tom took this gorgeous sunrise photo on the Big Island as we wound down our last few days until departing for Kauai. We were prepared to continue on.  For more photos and details, please click here

Ship docked in Tasmania today…Great comment from a loyal reader…

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 Due to a poor signal aboard ship, we’re unable to post many photos each day. 
Last night at the show, Jane, Tom and Rob, our new Aussie friends.

Today, our ship has docked at the port in Hobart, Tasmania. With our upcoming three months on the island beginning in less than 11 months, we decided we’ll save touring this interesting location for that time.

We’ll have a rental car for the full period and can travel at our own pace as we choose. Besides, I’m still nursing a cold/virus I picked up on the flight to Sydney when the man sitting next to me sneezed and coughed during the entire flight. With the use of Tylenol and a nasal spray I’m nursing it, hoping to return to total health in a few days.
As much as we’d prefer not to whine about being ill, we feel it’s only fair to our readers to tell-it-like-it-is including the less than ideal periods we experience from time to time.  
On occasion, most of us get colds, flu, viruses, infections or injuries which regardless of our aggressive preventive measures we can’t seem to avoid. It’s life. Ups and downs. How foolish and unrealistic our site would be if we only shared the “up” times and not the “down” periods.
The thought of doing more today than lounging with a cup of hot tea was beyond me. Thank goodness I’m not sneezing and coughing during the day or I’d quarantine myself to the cabin. Now, as day four since the onset of these symptoms, I’m hoping I’m not contagious.
No flash photography was allowed during the performance, making these photos a bit dark.
Luckily, over the past five days, I haven’t felt so badly that we weren’t able to go to breakfast and dinner. Last night, we dined with new friends, Jane and Rob from Australia. After dinner, at 9:00 pm we all attended the Andy Joy show in the Solstice Theatre, who’s a talented and versatile musician and singer. 
When the show ended, we said good night (no handshakes, no hugs) and headed to our cabin where again I had a good night’s sleep, vital during periods of feeling less than ideal.
Now, with 80% of the passengers off the ship for one of many Tasmanian tours, we’re again quietly content to be lounging in the Café al Bacio coffee bar. We’re contemplating spending a little time at the pool once we’re done posting. 
Today is a mild, not humid, sunny day, a rarity in our lives over these past many months of living in outrageously hot and humid weather. As we move along on this cruise, we’re expecting cooler weather which we’ll fully embrace.

As our posts have continued over the years, we’ve had countless heartwarming experiences of hearing feedback from our readers. Often, they prefer to email rather than post a comment at the end of any day’s post. Some prefer anonymity while others find it quicker and easier to email rather than post a comment.  Either way is fine for us.

However, we suspect that many of our readers enjoy reading the comments of other readers, although they may not be comfortable posting their own comments. I can easily be a “lurker” never saying “boo” on another blog or website I may peruse regularly or on occasion.

Getting into the theatre at the last minute we had no choice but to take seats on the side, not center section.

Our reader, Amit, who stumbled upon us accidentally only a short time ago, has sent email and also posted a few comments. An email he sent a few days ago lingered in my mind that it may be of interest to our other readers. Here’s Amit’s email message sent on January 5, 2016:

“Hi, Jess,
 I have continued reading your blog with great interest and have gotten to the part where you visit the Namale resort to celebrate the third anniversary of your adventure with Tom. Belated congratulations on your new to me occasion. 
    
One of my Facebook friends from my only adventure in the last 25 years, a trip to Central Europe, posted about her upcoming trip to Australia and Fiji and asked for advice. I eagerly recommended your blog and have showed it to other friends, especially the 8 visitors in 1 day post from Marloth Park. 
It’s exciting to realize that I am only 2 months of posts away from your real-time adventures, on a new Pacific Cruise if I remember correctly. In the post I’m reading now you talk about the world map of your travels which I always open in another window when I read your blog. 
You talk about updating and correcting the map and I’d just like to make one minor observation. The map has a link to Borabora in New Guinea rather than Bora Bora in French Polynesia. It would be so exciting if you did get to New Guinea on a cruise. Maybe later. 
Thank you so much for all happiness you have given me with this blog. It makes me excited for my own travels in the future. I really would like to go to Morocco now, although just for a short trip. And I never even knew about your favorite place, Marloth Park.”
His message immediately inspired Tom to correct the map on our homepage. Tom, who handles the map, got to work to make the corrections. In our ongoing efforts to always present a realistic and accurate representation of every aspect of our lives of travel, we can’t express how much we appreciate Amit alerting us to the error. 
The performer was versatile, playing multiple instruments including the piano.
In the past, other readers have offered correction suggestions all of which we’ve taken seriously which we’ve immediately implement when applicable. We welcome suggestions provided they aren’t of a “bashing” or bullying nature. We’ve certainly had a few such comments we soon deleted to which we’ve seldom responded.
This is a positive and “happy” place for us to share our experiences. Yes, some days things go wrong or we’re “under the weather” but that doesn’t diminish the overall depth of the quality of our journey. It all a part of life which for all of us is rarely a constant stream of perfection and ease.
We wrote back to Amit, thanking him for sharing his thoughts with us, explaining that he started at the beginning to read from our first post in March 15, 2012 to the present, which he’s almost reached.  Perhaps, by the time he reads about himself here, he’ll be caught up.
Today’s post is #1257. Amit, that’s quite a commitment and we thank and commend you for tackling it and, for sharing it with your friends and for writing to us. 
As we strive to continue to grow our worldwide readership, sharing our web address with family and friends is so appreciated and meaningful to us. All you need to do is send them an email including this link:  www.worldwidewaftage.com
It will direct your friends to today’s newest post which changes daily as we continue to post 365 days a year…366 this year, a leap year.
That’s it for today, folks. We hope you have a wonderful day. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new photos as we continue to revel in our “boatload” of new friends and experiences!
Photo from one year ago today, January 9, 2015:
A map illustrating how the city of Hilo near the bay was wiped out from tsunamis over the years.  Notice the Lyman Museum name at the top of this page, which we’d also visited in December 2015 with the family. Click here for details.

We’re here!…Late posting due to WiFi issues out to sea…

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The beaches of Australia are pristine and unspoiled, even during these warm summer months. (It’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere).

We would have been late posting even if the WiFi issues hadn’t occurred when everyone aboard the ship was indoors trying to get online at the same time.

With a busy morning of socializing over a late breakfast and not even having a moment available to see if we could get online, finally seven hours later than we usually begin posting, we had a connection.

Overall, this is unusual. During our past 11 cruises, we’ve managed a good signal while out to sea allowing us to post with a few photos. As it turns out we won’t be able to post more than five or six photos a day with the slow service we’re experiencing. 

Yesterday we’d decided to stay on the ship knowing we’ll be back in Melbourne on other upcoming cruises.

Otherwise, we’re having the time of our lives. Tom’s abscess continues to improve and although I’ve picked up a bit of a cough over the past three days, I’m feeling relatively good. I supposed after three days, I must be less contagious especially when I’m not sneezing at all or coughing in public and, not touching others while learning to use the “Howie Mandell handshake” of bumping elbows.

I’m able to entirely contain the cough by taking deep breaths when the urge arises and by washing my hands at least once an hour, hoping not to infect others. If it doesn’t get any worse, I’m good. I can’t seem to escape getting the cruise cough these days. Most likely it’s entirely due to our lack of exposure to germs on a day-to-day basis, except when we fly or cruise. 

The remnants of an old pier no longer used.

“They” (whoever they are) say a little exposure to germs is the best way to toughen the immune system. But, our quiet lives spent mostly just the two of us certainly keeps us free from much exposure to the germs of others. 

Tom’s already on antibiotics for his abscess so it’s unlikely he’ll get any type of bacterial infection from me or others.

Most illnesses on cruises and from flying on airplanes are viruses, not bacterial infections. Antibiotics don’t work for viruses unless it turns into a bacterial infection, for example, a strep throat, bronchitis, or a sinus infection.  Thank goodness, none of that so far.

Melbourne appears to be a lovely city, although considerably smaller than Sydney.

As for our good time, it’s unbelievable. With mostly Aussies, Kiwi’s (NZ) and Americans on this ship, we’re amazed by how many wonderful people we’ve met and interacted with up to this point of only three days since embarking. It’s astounding! 

In each venue we engage in pleasant and meaningful conversations ending in our having handed out dozens of business cards which will enable us to stay in touch after the cruise. 

How does this happen? Is it anything about us, we ask? Not necessarily. Although a genuine smile and a warm and sincere “hello” can go a long way in starting conversations. A cruise is no place for shyness, never an issue for either of us.

View of a major overpass in Melbourne.

This cruise appears to have about 20% of its passengers under age 40, about 3% children under 16 with the rest falling into the middle age and senior category.

We don’t necessarily spend time with only seniors. This morning we had a blast in the Café el Bacio with a group of six from Sydney, all in their 40’s with all of their children along who’d busied themselves with a variety of kid-friendly activities.  

Tonight, we’re having dinner with a fabulous Australian couple from the Gold Coast that is in our age range that we met a few nights ago at the Ensemble Bar. We clicked instantly and have gabbed with one another several times in between. Tonight, we’ll meet at the main dining room at 6:30 for dinner.

The ship holds 2850 passengers (crew of 1250) and we suspect it’s filled to capacity. Although a little larger than our preferred under 2000, it still feels cozy enough to have an opportunity to meet people, running into familiar faces on many other occasions.

After a great night’s sleep last night in the comfy bed, most likely we’ll be able to stay out a little later than last night. We’ve yet to attend the shows held nightly in the Solstice Theatre nor have we had time for a movie or down time in the cabin. We’re simply too busy for such events. 

A buoy marking the bay in Melbourne.

Having fun is having fun. Where and how we have it is irrelevant to us. It’s certainly no wonder why we love cruising, cruise cough or not. With our included beverage packages, Tom is drinking in moderation and we’re both continuing to enjoy the coffee bar as our primary socialization spot during the day. 

The specialty teas are a luxury for me and I can’t seem to drink enough. Tom continues to enjoy the Caramel Macchiato a few times a day which I doubt he’d have tried if it wasn’t included in the beverage package. 

Not that he’s a total tightwad but at US $6, AU $8.49 he’d probably have ordered a cocktail over a coffee drink. Without the beverage package, most likely, I’d have opted for the complimentary teas as opposed to the specialty teas rather than spending US $5.50, AU $7.79 for a small pot barely filling my mug.

Well, folks, that’s it for today. Tomorrow, we’ll be back with a special email we received from a reader we’d loved to share with his permission granted to do so. Our readers throughout the world are wafting along with us, nautical mile after nautical mile. 

We’re grateful for your friendship, support, and continuing attention! What a gift!

Photo from one year ago today, January 8, 2015:

The cloud obstructed moon over the Big Island, one year ago caught our attention for this “packman” type shot. For more details as we approached our last week on the island of Hawai’i’, please click here.

The freedom to choose…Tom trying new things…

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At dinner last night, he really stretched himself trying and very much liking this liver pate, another first for him, saying it reminded him of Braunschweiger.

With five more upcoming Australian cruises in the next 15 months, we don’t feel compelled to get off the ship at every port of call on this cruise. The nice part about cruising is we can do whatever we want. There is no schedule we have to follow. Our dinner reservations can be “whenever” we’d like. 

With a variety of functions in which we can choose to participate, most can easily be attended with a last-minute decision. Most often there’s room for two more. 

We love this freedom to decide.  In part, this sense of liberation and lack of feeling of being encumbered, owning “stuff,” had been instrumental in our decision to travel the world.

Tom, for the first time ever, ordered a Caramel Macchiato and liked it very much, ordering another while we sat in the Café el Bacio again today preparing today’s post.

Now, aboard this ship, we’re totally entrenched in this feeling of choice and freedom, exactly how we feel when we’re settled into a vacation home for a few months or more. 

There is no feeling of entrapment, no schedules other than those we freely choose with no obligations than those in our little world except for the responsibility for our health and well-being, taking care of the houses we’re renting, fiscal responsibility, record keeping, and future planning.

As for the “responsibility” of taking photos and posting each day, it’s done without any sense of obligation or pressure. It almost feels as if I have a remote in hand each morning and I select “play” as the process flows through my fingers with ease and purpose. 

If someone would have ever told me I’d have to conceptually write an essay every day of the week, 365 days (or this leap year’s 366 days) including adding new photos daily, I’d had said, “Bite me! I’m not doing that!”

His next “outside the box” new drink, a Café Diablo with Courvoisier VS, Grand Marnier, Sambuca and hot coffee.

And yet, day after day, without stress, without boredom, without “writer’s block” it all comes easily to me.  Motivation is a powerful thing. Documenting this year’s long journey, having the ability to look back and see what we’ve done day after day, sharing it with family, friends and the people we don’t know throughout the world has been all the motivation we’ve needed.

Onboard the Celebrity Solstice now for the past 48 hours, we’ve already had more fun, met more people, engaged in more lively conversation as we’ve wandered about the ship thoroughly entertained together as a couple as companions, shipmates, and lovers. Without even trying, cruising is romantic in its own unique way. 

Last night, as we sat on bar stools at one of the popular bars, The Ensemble Lounge, with a jazz band playing in the background, we were not only reminded of times long past but, of past cruises when conversations on a bar stool are especially memorable. 

Tom was drinking his usual Courvoisier with Sprite Zero while I sipped on plain bubbly water in a tall glass with lots of ice, a lime, and a straw. I miss drinking alcohol but my health is better without it. Last night, my glass looked like a “cocktail” while I almost felt a pleasing buzz from the power of suggestion.High on life? 

A few years ago while on a cruise, he tried frog legs, enjoying them again as an appetizer at last night’s dinner.

From meeting new people while sharing our mutual stories, a unique connection aboard a ship is generated hour after hour. We spend little time in the cabin. At the moment we’re situated in comfy chairs in the Café al Bacio, our newly discovered coffee/tea bar.

On our last cruise on this same ship, we rarely lounged in this area while posting instead spending time outside in warm weather. We’d never tried the coffee or tea. Tom has since tried a few coffee drinks as shown in today’s photos in his attempt at “trying new things.” 

It was exciting to find they offer my favorite oolong tea which I can drink all day when every beverage and sweet treat (for Tom only) they offer in this area is included in the two drink packages included on this particular cruise via promotion through Celebrity: free gratuities (usually charged at US $13, AUD $18 per person per day), free classic drink package for two (Tom’s cocktails, specialty coffees, imported teas, and a wide array of bottled beverages which is usually US $59, AUD $83 per person per day), and a cabin credit of US $100, AUD $141 to be used however we’d like.

Once on the ship we immediately signed up for the unlimited Internet packages which don’t allow sharing unless one goes offline while the other is online.  his plan, at US $244, AUD $345 per person (if we didn’t want to share, which we don’t) resulted in our paying a total of US $488, AUD $690 to ensure we both could be online at the same time.

Tom’s dinner was less adventuresome, tournedos of beef with red wine reduction with potatoes, green beans, and carrots. He found the entire meal and beverages to be pleasing to his limited palate.

With Tom enjoying time online while I spend the better part of each morning preparing the post, sharing is not an option for us. Plus, while I prepare the post, he assists with exchange rates, searching for links, and researching pertinent information while I’m in the process of posting. Having to go offline after each of my many questions is not for us.

Most likely, our final cruise bill will only include the above WiFi fees and a few odds and ends for any purchases we may make. The almost dried-out Max Factor mascara I’d purchased in Sydney made me drool over the prospect of purchasing a three-pack of Lancôme Definicils, my old US favorite for US $72, AUD $102. Gee…I haven’t purchased something this pricey and extravagant in a long time. 

I’ve gone back to the ship’s cosmetic store a few times looking at this potential purchase hesitating to buy it when for the past three-plus years I’ve used what I could find at a local chemist or supermarket. 

My “girlie” mentality hasn’t entirely wafted away while living this life and I’m glad for it. Who said I had to give up everything? No one. The freedom to choose is gratifying. 

No, I don’t own a handbag. I have only two pairs of jeans and five total pairs of shoes. We make do with what we have. An occasional splurge now and then reminds us that we do have the freedom to choose and that most often, we choose that which is relatively frugal and practical.

Today, we decided to stay on board the ship. We’re currently docked in Melbourne (pronounced “mel-ban” here in AU) until 5:30 pm. We may walk off the ship or we may not since we’re certainly enjoying the quiet while other passengers are off the ship shopping, riding in full buses, and sightseeing. 

We’ll be back here on another cruise in November. Knowing this, it’s easy to choose to stay onboard, simply because we feel like it. There are two upcoming ports of call for which we’ve booked all-day small group tours.  That’s enough for us. We had no commitments for today. When we return to Melbourne we may plan a small group tour or take a taxi tour. However, today, we’ll take a number of photos of Melbourne to share here tomorrow. 

So please check back, if you choose to…

Photo from one year ago today, January 7, 2015:

When daughter-in-law Camille and granddaughter Madighan stayed behind a few days before returning to the mainland, Madighan and I made the gingerbread house we’d been too busy to make before Christmas  For more photos, please click here.

New booking to share…Packing day is upon us…

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On our three years of travel anniversary, we visited the Namale Resort for a tour and luncheon celebration. It was a great day!

Yesterday, I told Tom that if we had to pack with short notice in 20 minutes, I could do it. That’s how uncomplicated the process has become. I’ve already refolded all my clothes in the cupboard and with nothing on hangers (no closet bar here), it’s a breeze.

Add the bathroom items, power cords, digital equipment, and the few toiletries in the bathroom and we’re good to go. In the early days when we had so many bags, I had to begin a week in advance. It’s easy now that we have it narrowed down to three bags and a variety of carry-on bags. 

Tima and Ratnesh when they took us on the tour of the waterfall.

Over these years, I’ve become used to having such a small amount of clothing, although it’s a bit challenging on cruises when there’s a certain expectation for attire, especially for dress-up nights. Some cruise lines are lightening up the dress code for formal nights. This works for us.

Speaking of cruises, yesterday we booked another cruise, leaving us with 8 booked upcoming cruises. Since January, 2013 we’ve sailed on 11 cruises. Yep. We like cruising as we’ve mentioned countless times in the past. 

The egg guy at the Farmers Market where we purchased 2 1/2 dozen free-range organic eggs for FJD $12.50, USD $5.82 each week.

Our budgeting revolves around our ability to cruise as a top priority resulting in living relatively frugally in affordable vacation homes and in renting cars only when necessary. We enjoy cruising enough to make some sacrifices. But, we’ve hardly diminished the quality of our lives to do so. One only needs to check out the photos of the vacation homes we’ve been fortunate to find and make work for us.

So, here’s the new cruise upcoming on May 17, 2017, after we arrive in Seattle (from Australia) by a cruise on May 15, 2017, when we’ll get to Vancouver (a three-hour drive) where we’ll stay in a hotel for two nights and then board the Celebrity Solstice.

View from one of many overlook points in Namale Resort on the day of our anniversary visit.

Once again, we’ll spend a few nights in Vancouver as we did on September 17, 2014, to September 23, 2014, when stayed in a wonderful condo complex overlooking the harbor. This next time, we’ll stay at a hotel close to the port based on it only being two days.

Then off we go to fulfill another item on our to-do-list, a cruise to Alaska, while we happen to be in North America in 2017. This cruise will transpire before heading to Minnesota to see family and friends for about a month, planning that the grandkids will be out of school for the summer, allowing us to spend more time with them.

Bana, the Dive Master, at Namale Resort.

This new cruise ends in Seattle on May 26, 2017, at which point we’ll rent a car and begin the drive through the northern states toward Minnesota, taking our time with a plan to arrive around the end of the first week in June. 

Most Alaskan cruises are for 7 nights only. This particular cruise we selected on the day it was posted is for 9 nights. The early-in-the-season sailing in these frigid waters constitutes a better price but doesn’t limit what we’ll be able to see. We’ll bundle up with sweatshirts and jackets and be able to watch the wildlife and ice floes from the deck. 

Filo, our tour guide at Namale Resort provided an amazing tour.

Here are the cruise details for those who may be interested. We selected an upgraded balcony cabin, which price isn’t listed here. The prices listed are for the lowest priced options in each category. 

The cabin and class selection we’ve made brings our total to USD $4,452, FJD $9,495. Our rep at Vacations to Go is working on adding perks. As Celebrity adds more perks over this extended period, we’ll be able to add them to our cruise package but it’s up to us to frequently research when such options are added based on a “best price guarantee.” Here are the details:

9 nights departing May 17, 2017 on
Celebrity’s Celebrity Solstice
Cheapest Inside $1,399
Cheapest Oceanview $1,649
Cheapest Balcony $2,049
Cheapest Suite $4,099
Click for additional rates: Singles Rates
No brochure rates were provided by Celebrity. The prices shown are US dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. They include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees.
ITINERARY
DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE   DEPART
Wed May 17 Vancouver, BC, Canada 5:00pm
Thu May 18 Inside Passage, AK (Cruising)
Fri May 19 Ketchikan, AK 7:00am 4:00pm
Sat May 20 Juneau, AK 9:00am 8:30pm
Sun May 21 Skagway, AK 7:00am 6:00pm
Mon May 22 Hubbard Glacier, AK (Cruising)
Tue May 23 Sitka, AK 7:00am 4:00pm
Wed May 24 At Sea
Thu May 25 Victoria, BC, Canada Noon 8:00pm
Fri May 26 Seattle, WA 7:00am

Perhaps in years to come, we’ll return to Alaska for a long summer stay. For now, the prices are simply too high to book a long term vacation home during the short summer. We’ve done considerable research to no avail, deciding a cruise would be a better option for now. 

We’ve heard many avid cruisers extol the virtues of an Alaskan cruise and we couldn’t be more thrilled to add this cruise to our itinerary. As for the Celebrity Solstice, we’ll be on that ship in a little over a month sailing from Sydney to New Zealand. 

The beach for guests at Namale Resort on the Koro Sea.

Over a year ago, we sailed on the Solstice from Vancouver to Hawaii. The boarding process was the longest and most frustrating of any boarding process, we’d experienced due to US immigration taking almost three hours from the time we arrived at the pier until we entered the ship. At least this time, we’ll be prepared for the waiting time.

So, there it is folks. Now, we’ll concentrate on the packing for tomorrow’s departure as soon as Vika arrives to make the bed, the only spot in this house suitable for opening and loading the suitcases. Gosh, we’ve become lazy, not wanting to make the bed ourselves. That will certainly change at our upcoming location with a cleaning person only once a week over the four weeks.

Tom at the dentist’s office located in the hospital parking lot.  He was happy with the good service and the improvement in his tooth abscess which cleared up after taking the “free” antibiotics.

We already prepared tomorrow’s post with more great photos and with our final expenses for the almost three months we’ve spent in Savusavu which will be available online a few hours earlier than usual based on our early morning departure.

The day after tomorrow, Sunday for some of you, Monday for us, we’ll be back with photos of our new home in Pacific Harbour, Fiji! See you tomorrow and again the next day. 

Have a fulfilling weekend. Go Vikings.

Photo from one year ago today, December 5, 2015:

The first of two houses we rented in Pahoa on the Big Island had fabulous ocean views.  But, its close proximity to the raging surf created moisture problems in the house, contributing to wear and tear not visible in the photos. Overall, it worked out fine with a few adjustments and help from the cooperative owners.  For more photos, please click here.

A diverse and unexpected day out and about…Problems with men’s shirts…Many new photos coming!

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It was easy to find the shopping center in Cairns with only a few turns required off the main highway into town.

Yesterday morning, after uploading the post and in an impromptu manner I suggested to Tom that we head to Cairns, the closest big city for a visit to the largest shopping mall within hundreds of miles/kilometers.

We’ve giggled when we’ve seen signs mentioning Australia’s biggest “stocktake” sales, an expression that is definitely Aussie.

We each needed a few items, none of which we’d ever be able to find in the next many months after leaving Australia. We’d never be able to find our shortlist in Fiji and receiving packages is the island is outrageous after estimates we received from our mailing service.

Tom needed a new white dress shirt for formal nights on the many upcoming cruises. Often there are as many as three formal nights on a 14-day cruise. On longer cruises, there may be as many as five formal nights.

In the US, a similar store is called “Bed, Bath and Beyond.”

We’ve learned that we both can get by dressing “business casual,” him in a long-sleeved white dress shirt (no tie or jacket) with black pants with his more dressy Cole Haan shoes and me, in a long skirt with any of my tops belted or with a scarf and a bit of costume jewelry. 

Tom asked me not to take any photos of him wearing this same shirt from the previous day. But, I do laundry every day and he wore this shirt again while trying to wear out a few shirts before tackling the less used stack of tee shirts tucked away in his luggage. He eyeballed the old fashioned candy in this store, not buying a thing.

Once we’re seated at a shared table with eight to twelve other cruise passengers and have an opportunity to explain our limited luggage, then rest assured we aren’t totally uncouth as they dine with us many wearing their evening gowns and tuxedos. 

After all these cruises (11 so far) we don’t feel uncomfortable in our more casual attire. However, having a few items to enhance our attire is crucial to feeling acceptably dressed. For Tom, a proper fitting white shirt is essential.

We noticed a number of these tax preparer kiosks in the shopping malls. The Australian tax year-end June 30th and returns are filed by October 31st. If a taxpayer uses a registered tax preparer they may apply for an extension which it appears most of these people have done.

The problem with that is the fact that now that his weight is down within 10 pounds of his lowest, once aboard the ship he’s unable to resist the carbs and sugary foods and he usually starts gaining weight on the very first day, no matter how much we walk the decks. Within a few days his white dress shirt begins to fit tighter and tighter each day until finally, it doesn’t fit at all.

The mall is as huge as any we’d visited in the US (except for the Mall of America in Minnesota) including a multiplex movie theatre, food court, and undercover parking ramp, referred to as a “car park” in Australia, not a parking lot.

Oh sure, he could curtail his eating. But, if my way of eating wasn’t necessary for my survival, I’d have no will power on a cruise ship. Maintaining one’s weight isn’t enough of a motivator to avoid those tempting desserts, appetizers, poolside burgers, and fries and ice cream cones in unlimited amounts. 

In my old life, before eating this way, I’d never been on a cruise ship to experience the temptations of unlimited appealing foods. Although I’ve always been relatively slim, I was always “watching” my weight, occasionally falling prey to sweet temptations. 

Peering over a railing to view a huge book sale.

Now, it’s no temptation at all when it comes to my health. It isn’t even about self-control.  It’s about quality of life. We wouldn’t be traveling the world if I started eating one of my past favorites, doughnuts, as shown in one of today’s photos. Doughnuts, pastries, cookies, cakes, pies…in my old life I loved it all frequently baking and struggling to resist excess amounts.

For a Tuesday midday, the mall was very busy as shown here.

Back to the white shirt. The one Tom had been wearing on the past few cruises no longer works. If he lost the last 10 pounds, it would fit perfectly. It will never work one more time on a cruise. 

The problem in finding him a long-sleeved dress shirt is a problem many men have today which may include smaller neck size, shoulder width, and sleeve length and yet possessing a bit of fluff around the middle. 

Before we know it we’ll be in Thailand to experience authentic Thai food firsthand.

I’m not complaining about the fluff. My only concern is in regard to how that fluff may affect health in the long run. The same goes for women. Had I not been on this strict way of eating, I’d certainly have fallen into that same belly fat condition. It’s an age related dilemma that few are exempt from after 60 years of age.

Tom is always shocked by the prices at McDonald’s but it’s been a long time since he made a purchase. Prices have changed over these past years since we’ve been gone from the US.

Yesterday around noon, when we entered the lavish shopping mall in Cairns,  Cairns Central, finding a new shirt for Tom was highest on our priority list. We’d seen online that Myer, a department store where we’d most likely find a wide selection of dress shirts.

After perusing many racks and noticing that most of the white dress shirts were marked “slim fit” we were ready to walk out until finally, a lovely saleswoman was available to assist us. In Australia, sizing is different than we were used to and honestly, we weren’t sure what size would actually work with his shorter sleeve length and smaller shoulder measurements.

Considering that a double-sized burger is AUD $9.70, the US price of $7.21 doesn’t seem that high to me.  Is that higher than in the US?

The trusty saleswoman shipped out a tape measure, quickly checked his measurements arriving at a size that would work for him all the way around. I was skeptical but kept my mouth shut as he tried on a shirt in the Aussie size of 43/86. Go figure. We’d never have figured this out on our own.

Hungry Jack in Australia is actually the same as Burger King in the US.

In a matter of minutes, we were walking out the door with a perfectly well-fitted shirt with room for “cruise food,” in a carefree fabric that was considered wrinkle-free and yet has a quality designer feel. 

At a meager USD $37.08, AUD $49.95, for the fine shirt, we were couldn’t have been more pleased. He’d easily have been willing to pay twice as much for such a great fit. I suggested he purchase two identical shirts at this price but, weight restrictions always prevail in any of our purchase decisions.

These prices appear considerably less than McDonald’s.

At that point, we were off to look for a few items on my shortlist. How shall I diplomatically say “undergarments,” simply put, panties. (What a weird word to put in writing!) I only share this tidbit of information as part of our travel experience.

This donut shop reminded us of Dunkin’ Donuts in the US.

Us girls (and guys) always have a preference for a particular fabric and style. The last time I purchased panties (ouch) was when Okee Dokee and I headed to Komatipoort in South Africa to a women’s shop in February 2014. Click here to see that post. 

I purchased eight pairs in South Africa in varying fabrics, none of which will survive one more washing. The bra I purchased at that time, later ended in a donation pile when it itched while wearing. Tom suggested commando.  I declined. No women my age goes commando unless they’ve “forgotten” to include these when dressing. I’m not there yet!

My mouth watered checking out these donuts. Tom had little interest in them since he doesn’t like the frosted or sugar-coated types. I’d have eaten any of these in my old life.

As we perused the shops in the vast mall we stumbled upon a shop, Body Cairns, that caught my eye. My eyes flitted over the wide array of workout wear and also, a table of panties not unlike one would find in Victoria’s Secret store in the US.  I purchased five pairs and, two Capri length workout/leggings that are perfect for everyday wear as well as trips to the fitness center. 

Here’s Tom’s new long-sleeved white dress shirt for which he paid USD $37.08, AUD $49.95.

After paying USD $59.31, AUD $79.90 for all seven items I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, selection, and prices, although a little confused by the sizing. A friendly young woman assisted me encouraging me to try on the leggings which I did, happy with the fit.

Purchases completed, we decided to wander through the remainder of the mall, checking out the stores and the food court. Although I encouraged Tom to have lunch, there was nothing he felt like ordering after his big breakfast at home. In any case, it was fun to see the shops and fast-food restaurants popular in Australia.

Here are my seven-item priced at AUD $79.90, USD $59.31.

After leaving the mall, we drove around Cairns on a self-directed sightseeing tour for the remainder of the afternoon enjoying every moment even on the cloudy day. We’ll share more photos over the next few days including a totally unexpected and somewhat peculiar find in tomorrow’s post.

Thanks to so many of our reader friends who wrote to us via comments and email to wish us well with the good health reports. Your interest in our well being means the world to us!

                                               Photo from one year ago today,  July 22, 2014:

One year ago, we posted photos of the morphology of the banana tree with progressives photos of a bloom. Please click here to see these photos.

Part 1…The gap is filled!…

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Viking Mekong Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper
The Viking Mekong             

With the gap looming next summer for 65 days, we were anxious to find a way to fill it, especially when we noticed that a number of vacation homes were already booked during this period.  We asked ourselves, “Had we already missed the window of opportunity?”

Our location at the beginning of the gap had been of vital concern.  We’d be leaving Bali with two factors in mind; one, what flights out of Bali would be cost-effective when it’s far from many areas, and two, what flights wouldn’t require long travel days?

When reviewing a map of the South Pacific our options appeared limited based on countries and areas that we’d like to see along with being conveniently located. Hovering in my mind had been a visit to Vietnam.

When I mentioned this to Tom last year, he was adamantly opposed even cringing at the idea. His brother-in-law Ernie from his first marriage, was killed in Vietnam when he was only 19 years old. 

This had a tremendous effect on Tom and over the years he expressed considerable reverence and respect for fallen soldiers when it was “close to home.” He’s often stated that his two children had lost the opportunity to know an uncle they’d never met and cousins they never had. 

After hearing from many travelers that their own visits to Vietnam were often their favorite travel experience, I had a hard time getting it out of my head. After mentioning it a few times to Tom this past year I could tell how hard he was trying to let the negative perceptions waft away. Although I don’t nag, I gently mentioned it a few more times. 

On several occasions during this most recent cruise to Australia including at “The Shed” (guys only meetings) aboard ship, he had an opportunity to speak to veterans, both Australian and US, who emphatically stated that visiting Vietnam was a profound and memorable experience that under no circumstance should be avoided.

When I noticed his acceptance of this possibility, recently when we began searching, he mentioned we could consider the possibility of a trip to Vietnam. I was elated. The most logical way for us the see the full range of possibilities in the country was a cruise on the Mekong River.

Here are the details of the cruise:
“River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi, Vietnam
Fly to Hanoi, the former capital of French Indochina, then transfer to your hotel.* Check-in for a 2-night stay, then relax or take a walk to stretch your legs and get acquainted with the city.

Day 2 Hanoi, Vietnam
After breakfast, take a tour of this unique, thousand-year-old Asian capital, where old and new combine in a lush setting of parks and lakes. Visit the Museum of Ethnology, which includes a number of fascinating exhibits that bring Vietnam’s history and astonishingly diverse culture to life. Then tour the notorious “Hanoi Hilton,” the H Lò Prison, where American POWs were held captive during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, visit Hanoi’s Temple of Literature. Founded in 1070 as Vietnam’s first university, this maze-like compound features inviting courtyards, gateways, pavilions, walkways, lakes, and a museum. Continue on to the One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th-century monument that was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. En route, pass some colonial landmarks such as the magnificent Opera House and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Relax this afternoon before dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 3 Hanoi, Vietnam
In the morning, take a leisurely ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter by “green” electric car. Enjoy some free time before your short afternoon flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Check in to your hotel for a 3-night stay; tonight’s dinner is accompanied by a traditional Apsara dance show. (B, D)

Day 4 Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Begin your day with a visit to one of Angkor’s largest Khmer temples, Angkor Wat, built for King Suryavarman II in the 12th century AD. With its beautiful proportions and extensive, intricate bas-relief, stone carvings, it is one of the most spectacular sights in Southeast Asia. Spend some time exploring the fortified city of Angkor Thom, which houses several of Angkor’s most popular sights such as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King with their dramatic bas-reliefs. Today you also visit the mysterious Bayon Temple, known for its giant, stone-carved faces with their enigmatic smiles. Dine at a local restaurant and relax this evening. (B, D)

Day 5 Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Today, ride to the spectacular 10th-century Hindu temple Banteay Srei (“Citadel of Women”) to see magnificent carvings of Shiva and Vishnu. Then, journey to Ta Prohm, one of the most popular of the Temples of Angkor. Unlike many other buildings, it has been left as it was discovered, with trees and large shrubs growing over the ruins.
After lunch on your own, visit a local village supported by Viking River Cruises, observe school children at work, and find out how you can “adopt” a child to help support their education.
This evening, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant followed by a Cambodian Circus show, which uniquely blends together theater, music, dance, acrobatics, hugging, and aerial acts. (B, D)

Day 6 Kampong Cham, Cambodia
After breakfast, visit a local village supported by Viking River Cruises and spend time with children at one of the village schools. Check out of your Siem Reap hotel and begin your coach tour through the Cambodian countryside, which brings you to your ship in Kampong Cham, via the provincial capital of Kampong Thom. Due to its central location, this area is rapidly becoming an important hub for fishing and agriculture. It also has a rich archeological heritage, to which the 200 temples, some of which predate the Khmer Empire, attest. This afternoon, board your ship. After you get settled in, meet the ship’s officers over a welcome cocktail. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Kampong Cham, Cambodia
This morning visit the Twin Holy Mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey with their many temples and pagodas, still used during traditional Khmer festivals. After, visit a Kampong Cham orphanage where students create beautiful paintings that are available to purchase. This afternoon the ship will set sail toward a silk-weaving village. Take a walk through the village and admire the rich silk fabrics. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
This morning’s excursion takes you through a Cambodian village.  After, take a short ride to Udon Monastery for a tour and to receive a blessing by the monks. Then continue to the next village, famous for its silversmiths. Rejoin your ship and have lunch as we cruise into Phnom Penh.
Your afternoon is free to explore Phnom Penh’s historic riverfront area with its restaurants, art galleries and silk shops, or perhaps visit the distinctive Central Market or the “Russian Market” where you can buy jewelry, curios, clothes, and souvenirs. You might prefer to visit more of the city’s wats (monastery temples): Wat Langka, Wat Botum, Wat Koh, or Wat Ounalom, each with its own special character and purpose. Late this afternoon, there will be an onboard presentation about recent Cambodian history by a local expert. Dinner is served aboard the ship. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
After breakfast, disembark in Cambodia’s lovely waterfront capital and explore the city in style, in a cyclo. This mode of transportation provides many Cambodians with a source of income and visitors with a speedy and enjoyable way to move around. See the magnificent Royal Palace with its spectacular Silver Pagoda, built in the 19th century by the French, but inspired by the centuries-old architecture of the Khmer. Then take a tour of the National Museum of Cambodia, which houses treasures of Khmer art and craftsmanship and also displays art that predates the mighty empire. After lunch, join an excursion to the sobering memorial in the Tuol Sleng detention center, a former high school in which thousands of victims of the Khmer Rouge died, and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, or explore the city’s maze of small alleys, markets and busy streets on your own. Tonight’s dinner is accompanied by a folkloric performance. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Mekong River
Sail down the Mekong, one of the world’s great rivers, toward the Vietnamese border. The Mekong is truly the “Mother River of Southeast Asia,” sustaining civilizations through the centuries. Pass by some of the Mekong rice fields. The Khmer Empire was founded on a rice surplus, and rice is still the main staple of Vietnamese cuisine. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Tân Châu, Vietnam
Today you will have a rare glimpse of rural life as it has been lived for ages. Begin your morning with a ride on a traditional rickshaw in Tân Châu. Afterward, visit the floating fish farm by wooden sampan, then take a boat ride to Vinh Hoa, known as “Evergreen Island.” Here you can take a short walk to see various methods of traditional Vietnamese farming, craft-making, and other daily activities of local people first-hand.
Set sail in the afternoon, observing the daily life along the way. This evening, enjoy a screening of the film l’Amant (The Lover), which will prepare you for tomorrow’s visit to Sa Ðéc. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Sa Dec, Vietnam
This morning, board a sampan to explore the backwaters and canals of the Delta. Small factories line the river channels; get a glimpse of industry in the region with a visit to a brick factory. Stop in Sa Ðéc and see the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the protagonist in best-selling author Marguerite Duras’s autobiographical novel, l’Amant (The Lover). After lunch, visit the colorful floating market of Cái Bè; see local workers producing rice noodles, coconut candy, and a host of other handmade products. This evening, attend an onboard screening of the 2002 film The Quiet American, based on Graham Greene’s novel set in 1952 Saigon. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Bid farewell to your ship this morning as you cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam comes to an end. Disembark in M? Tho, a busy river port not far from the capital of South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Upon arrival, take a tour of Reunification Palace (also called ? Independence Palace”), the site of South Vietnam’s defeat. See the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. After your tour, check in to your hotel for a 2-night stay, then spend the rest of the day at leisure, getting acquainted with this lively city at your own pace. See some of the historic French colonial architecture and soak up some of the city’s youthful energy. Tonight’s dinner is at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
After breakfast, check out of your Siem Reap hotel and begin your coach tour through the Cambodian countryside, which brings you to your ship in Kampong Cham, via the provincial capital of Kampong Thom. Due to its central location, this area is rapidly becoming an important hub for fishing and agriculture. It also has a rich archaeological heritage, to which the 200 temples, some of which predate the Khmer Empire, attest. This afternoon, board your ship. After you get settled in, meet the ship’s officers over a welcome cocktail. (B, L, D)

Day 15 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* Or, continue your Southeast Asia adventure with a 3-night stay in Bangkok, Thailand’s exciting capital. (B)

Tour Map
All This Included
Explore the stunningly scenic and culturally distinctive lands that lie along the remarkable Mekong River. On this 15-day cruise tour, from Vietnam’s bustling cities to the tranquility of Cambodia, discover two countries, two cultures, and two ways of life linked by Indochina’s most important river. Encounter ancient Khmer monuments at Angkor Wat and the elegant French colonial capital of Phnom Penh in Cambodia; in Vietnam, visit the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, experience the intimate charm of Hanoi’s old quarter, and tour dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Here you will find gracious hosts and some of the finest cuisines in the world while enjoying the natural beauty and rich history just beyond the banks of the magnificent Mekong.
  • 8-day cruise with river-view stateroom
  • 2 nights in Hanoi’s deluxe Sofitel Metropole; 3 nights in Siem Reap’s superior first-class Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra; 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City’s superior first-class Sofitel Saigon Plaza (or similar)
  • Fully escorted: 14 guided tours with audio headset
  • Included meals: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 13 dinners, featuring regional specialties
  • Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch service
  • 1 intra-itinerary flight
  • Culture Curriculum: Attend an Apsara dance show in Siem Reap; enjoy lectures on current affairs in Vietnam and Cambodia; visit a local elementary school
  • All port charges
Accommodations on this Tour
Hanoi: Sofitel Metropole
Siem Reap: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra
Cruising: Cabin onboard Viking Mekong
Ho Chi Minh City: Sofitel Saigon Plaza”

Tom spent days searching online for possible river cruise while, after posting for the day, I joined in searching for possible vacation homes in Southeast Asia either before or after a cruise.

It was challenging to say the least.  Although there were hundreds of vacation homes, most of them were apartments in the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, neither of which appealed to us for an extended period. 

As we’ve mentioned many times in past posts, we just aren’t “city people.” Plus, with the almost daily ports of call on a river cruise, we’d have had an opportunity to see many of the cities, both large and small, during the river cruise and its subsequent included tours to many points of interest.

In most cases, we don’t care to join in on ship sponsored tour groups. In this case, it makes all the sense in the world when attempting to book all of these events separately would have been a time consuming and costly task. This time, we’ll “go with the flow” knowing we’ll be able to see as much as possible in this short two week period.

After many days of searching, on June 30th, we booked the Viking Mekong for 14 nights from July 8, 2016, to July 22nd with a passenger capacity of 60 with 28 cabins. The actual cruising time is only seven days with the remaining time spent on tours throughout the area, all arranged through the cruise line. 

As it turned out the Viking Cruises was offering a “two for one” sale for a limited period of time.  As a result, the cruise was almost sold out. If we wanted to book this cruise, we’d have to choose from one of the five remaining cabins. 

Since most cabins on river cruises of this size have similar, if not identical cabins, we were happy with our choice. We booked it on the last day of the “two for one sale.” Even with the discount, it  is the most expensive cruise we’ve booked to date:
 
Charges
Package USD $6,998.00 Discount  – 400.00  (discount provided by Vacations to Go)  AUD $9309.19 Discount – $532.11

Total Sal: USD $ 6,598.00  AUD $8777.09

A condition of the “two for one” discount was the cruise had to be paid in full by June 30th, the same day we booked it. Ouch! We hadn’t budgeted for this early payment in full but, we made it work.

Here is the detailed information about the ship, the Viking Mekong:

Detailed Information

Viking Mekong Deck Plans
Deck Plans
Dining Info
 Ship Statistics 
Year Built 2012
Refurbished 2013
Registry Vietnam
Length 180 feet
Beam 34 feet
Passenger Capacity 60
Crew Size 28
Total Inside Cabins 0
Total Outside Cabins 28
Cabins & Suites w/ verandas 0
Suites 0
Maximum Occupancy per room 2
Age Restrictions All must be 18-20 or one must be 21 or older
Dinner Seatings 1
Seating Assignments Open
Dining Hours 7PM
Dining Room Dress Code 1 Formal Night
Tipping Recommended? No
Tipping Guidelines Europe Sailings: €12-15 per person, per day; Sailings to Russia/Ukraine, China, Egypt and Southeast Asia: $15-28 per person, per day.
Onboard Currency US Dollar
 Services & Amenities 
 Bars/Lounges  Yes
 Beauty Salon/Barber Shop  No
 Casino  No
 Chapel  No
 Disco/Dancing  No
 Elevators  No
 Hot Tub  No
 Cell Phone Service  No
 Internet Access  No
 Internet Center  No
 Wireless Internet Access  Yes
 Laundry/Dry Cleaning  Yes
 Library  Yes
 Movie Theatre  No
 Outdoor Movie Screen  No
 Onboard Weddings  No
 Self Serve Laundromats  No
 Shops  Yes
 Showroom  No
 Spa  No
 Video Arcade  No
 Fitness & Sports Facilities 
 Basketball Court  No
 Fitness Center  No
 Golf Driving Net  No
 Golf Simulator  No
 Ice Skating Rink  No
 Jogging Track  No
 Mini-Golf Course  No
 Rock Climbing Wall  No
 Swimming Pool  No
 Tennis Court  No
 Water Slide  No
 Water Sports Platform  No
 Cabin Features & Amenities 
 24-Hour Room Service  No
 Hair Dryer  No
 Safe  Yes
 Telephone  No
 Television  No
 Kids Facilities 
 Babysitting  No
 Children’s Playroom  No
 Kiddie Pool  No
 Supervised Youth Program  No
 Teen Center  No
 Special Needs & Requests 
 Adjoining Cabins
(private connecting doors)		  No
 Kosher Meals  No
 Single Occupancy Cabins  No
 Single Share Program  No
 Wheelchair-Accessible Cabins  No

At this point, we had no idea what we’d do between July 22 and September 1, 2016, still a gap in the schedule.  With sheer will and determination along with a willingness to use a substantial amount of data for our search, we went to work with a great result we’ll share tomorrow in Part 2.  

We couldn’t be more thrilled in selecting this cruise and also, a fabulous vacation home in an entirely new country located in Southeast Asia which we’ll be posting tomorrow with photos.

Today, in the US is the national holiday, the 4th of July. We wish all of our family, friends, and readers in the US a safe and enjoyable holiday as the fireworks fly!

                                                  Photo from one year ago today, July 5, 2014:

As we drove to the small village of Sao Vincente we spotted this church while I took this lopsided photo while standing on a hill, my lame justification for not straightening the camera!.  For more details, please click here.

Happy Father’s Day to those where it’s Sunday, June 21st…The shortest day of the year here in Australia…The longest for others…

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View from our veranda. 

It’s a weird phenomenon for us. Today is June 22nd here in Australia, June 21st in many other parts of the world. For those for which it is June 21st, it is the longest day of the year.

For us, yesterday on June 21st, it was the shortest day of the year with the least amount of daylight. It’s now winter here. The longest day of the year in Australia will be December 21st when summer begins.

Colorful plants surround the yard,

In our old lives, we never gave any of this a thought. We lived our lives with a calendar commensurate with what we saw when we looked out the window; all four seasons with June being the beginning of the short Minnesota summer months.

By late August the leaves began to fall, the temperatures quickly began to change and less than two months later, we would turn on the furnaces and prepare for the long winter months.  

On occasion it snowed on Halloween with the trick or treaters wearing coats over their costumes, the house becoming chilled each time we opened the door to hand out the candy. That was our old life. This is our new life.

The high humidity is a perfect climate for mushrooms.

It’s Monday morning here.  Sunday afternoon, we took a drive looking for the fitness club that I plan to join in a few days. I’ve put this off since we arrived 10 days ago and the time has come for me to face the music. 

It’s so easy to lose the momentum for working out. I worked out on the ship but most likely lost a certain amount of my fitness level by missing over a week. With the high-intensity interval training I do once every six days as recommended by scientific research, with lots of walking and activity, I am not as far behind as I may have been in my old style of working out five times a week, an hour and a half each time. Those days are long gone.

Wildflowers in the yard.

It was tricky finding the fitness center which was closed by the time we arrived. Like typical seniors, we like to scope out where what we’re looking for in the area. We’ve already noticed that driving directions may be off in this area when using online maps. After navigating a few roundabouts (common in Australia), we finally found it and hope to return tomorrow so I can join and do my first workout.

Now as we reflect, we don’t think we had jet lag. In reality, we were off an entire day after crossing the International Dateline plus a few hours. Not enough to cause jet lag. The entire day time difference wouldn’t result in jet lag. It’s just a different day on the calendar. In any case, we’re back to our “old” selves, cheerful, feeling great, and anxious to see more of our immediate surroundings.

We spotted these White Ibis on the front lawn of a house near the fitness center.

Australia is considered one of the most expensive areas to live and visit in the world. As we’ve investigated what we hope to do we’ve decided it makes sense to stay within a day’s drive of our current location. 

Investigating trains to other larger cities, the cost for a round trip 24 hours train ride with a modest reclining sleeper was US $1165, AUD $1500 (for two, round trip).  By adding the cost of accommodations, other transportation, dining out, and various tourist venues a three-day visit could easily cost US $2500, AUD $3216.

The beak on White Ibis is long and hooked, ideal for catching fish.

Driving the same distance would take six days round trip plus the cost of gas, accommodations, meals, and venues and result in our being gone for nine days. Paying rent for our house in Trinity Beach makes no sense for us to be gone for nine days. Our budgetary concerns must always prevail.

Instead, we’ve booked several cruises that travel around the continent allowing us to “live” on the ships with no other rents paid at that time and to see the majority of the larger Australian cities on tours. For us, this is an economical and logical alternative. 

In the interim, there’s an abundance of sights to see within a one day drive in this amazing area with beautiful weather during its winter months. Today we awoke to exquisite sunshine and ideal temperatures.

A kangaroo posing for us. They aren’t a friendly as warthogs in South Africa or birds in Kauai so I won’t go overboard with kangaroo photos. I can’t wait to see a “joey” in a pouch.

As soon as I upload today’s post, we’re off to Woolie’s and the farmer’s market. We’re literally out of any options for tonight’s dinner. The last time we shopped was six days ago and with the tiny freezer stocking up for longer periods isn’t possible. Tomorrow, we’ll post a photo of our receipts.

However, we have no concerns that this will be an issue for us. We try to make each planned meal last for no less than two nights, made fresh each day. When we enjoy our meal as much we do we actually look forward to repeats.

Again, Father’s Day to all the dads out there on the opposite side of the International Dateline including our two sons, both of whom are great dads and to whom we send our utmost love and affection.     

                                              Photo from one year ago today, June 22, 2014:

Water in the creek in Campanario, Madeira after a night’s heavy rains. For more details of our life in Madeira, one year ago, please click here.

Wrapping up Sydney…Final cruise tally…Shocking numbers…New Sydney photos…

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The early morning lights of Luna Park, Sydney.

Spending only a half a day in Sydney, viewing the amazing port, as seen from the ship, and driving through the city to the airport gave us a perception that it is truly an amazing city. 

We’ll be returning and staying overnight on several occasions as we board more cruises to tour this amazing continent. Australians spend a lifetime scouring this vast continent never feeling they’ve even scratched the surface. 

Image showing Australia and the British Isles sizes compared
Australia compared to the size of the US is nearly as big.  Our perception may have been it’s a large island. From this map, it’s evident that not the case, and its vastness and wilderness are unique in many ways as we’ll illustrate over the next many months.

As the world’s sixth-largest country after Canada, Russia, China. USA and Brazil, its size exceeded our perceptions of years past. For us, as visitors for so little time, we’d decided cruising around the country would give us a better opportunity to explore its many major states and cities. 

At some point, down the road during gaps in our schedule, we may decide to rent a “caravan” (an RV) to further explore the mysterious barren Outback which intrigues both of us.

Even the glow of the ship against the backdrop of the beautiful harbor was appealing.

For now, we’ve moved into our Trinity Beach home for the next three months and as soon as it stops raining, we’ll begin taking endless photos of the exquisite beauty surrounding us. The property is exactly as shown in the photos and the owners, Sylvie and Andy, living quietly above us, are even more charming than expected.  It couldn’t be more desirable. Photos to come tomorrow.

Getting here was challenging. We were exhausted and hungry after a long 12 hour travel day. But we always recall the 36 hour travel day to Africa to remind ourselves how short, these less trying days can be, comparatively.

Buildings line up along the shore.

On the way from the airport to Trinity Beach, we stopped at a Woolworth’s grocery store to buy bottled water, cream, roasted chickens, and salad for dinner. We hadn’t had a bite all day and needed quick sustenance. The store was much more well-stocked than we’d expected and today we’ll return to do the first big shopping. 

Renting the car was somewhat of a fiasco when our prepaid reservation was missing which finally they found after considerable time and effort. They rented us our usual smallish vehicle, some Mazda model into which our luggage manages to fit.

There’s no doubt that Sydney is one of the most beautiful port cities in the world.

By the end of today, we’ll be totally unpacked and situated, with piles of laundry to wash and dry. With our own washer and dryer right outside the front door, it will be a breeze.

We’ve always heard about the Harbour Bridge but had no idea how impressive it would be in person.

With the rush over the past few days, we had little opportunity to elaborate on our final cruise expenses. Here they are in detail including the cruise fare.
USD               AUD
Cruise fare including taxes, fees, and gratuities:           6,011.63       7,754.39
Final bill from 17 nights incl. wifi, cocktails, spec. din.:  1,577.19        2,034.41
Additional out of pocket cash gratuities:                         200.00          257.97
Tours, not included in the bill:                                         75.00           96.74
Grand Total:                                                            $7,863.80   $10,143.50
Average Cost per day (for two):                                $   462.58   $     596.68

Our usual average cost per day when living in rentals, paying for rental cars, groceries, tours, dining out, and miscellaneous is approximately US $200, AUD $257.97. By cruising, as opposed to flying, which may have been as much as US $3000, AUD $3871.12 we really didn’t pay much more at approximately an extra US $86, AUD $110.97 per day than our usual living costs.

Another view of the famous Sydney Opera House.

For the extra difference, the extraordinary experience made it well worth the expenditure. We’re pleasantly shocked by these numbers.

We’ll be back tomorrow with photos of our new home as we wait for the rain and cloudy skies to clear. You won’t be disappointed. Nor are we!

                                                 Photo from one year ago on June 12, 2014:

We drove to the village of Boa Morte to check out the scenery. For details, please click here.

Photo from one year ago today, June 11, 2014:

We never thought we’d have views comparable to those in Madeira but we’re beginning to think that the views here in Trinity Beach may compare. For details, please click here.