Usual activities. Won the big bingo. $80.00 this time. Some people are beginning to give me the stink eye. Booked our apartment in Split, Croatia. Did laundry. Nothing exciting, but it was wonderful to be in air conditioning. sending a few odd left over pictures
This was another small island and was a good rest from the big cities we have been in. I noticed the locals coming by in their scooters to look at us and our ship. Turns out, they do not get many ships there. Our tour was in a convoy of black vans and I felt like the president! No police escort though. Our driver did not speak English, and got lost for a little bit. After he made a call, ,we went to a school and were entertained by student singers and dancers. We got there in time to see the girls do a rope dance They kept time to a drumbeat and a flute like instrument. They wove a net. Fascinating!! We walked through the Dutch colonial part of twin that also included the city park. Everything else was closed. We are still in Ramadan where we go, getting towards the finish, and people are getting ready for the celebrations that come at the end. We went on a long drive up to the Jaboi Geothermal, a volcanic valley. We saw and smelled rising steam. Some of the fumaroles had hot water in them and I also saw yellow sulfa in the side of one hole. Last, we went to a local beach where some went swimming. We had snacks of local rice based sweets and our own coconut. I am really beginning to like fresh coconut water. We were glad to sit around for a while because the morning had been steamy hot. A big thunderstorm came by with lightning as we were boarding the ship. Wet again!!! We are just about a week before the rainy season.
What a wonderful day! We had a private tour where with a fabulous guide. He was very knowledgeable and spoke clear English. The first few place we went was to the Batu Caves. These caves are over 400 million years old and are currently being used as a Hindu temple. The upper caves are accessible by 272 steps some 330 feet above ground. Luckily, there were two caves at ground level also. We visited the newest Hindu temple there and and were able to go in and see the bright and colorful inside. Our guide said this temple is a depository for seeds in case the crops fail. Stopped at a batik shop and were able to meet the artist who draws the designs on silk. We were invited to put some ink on silk ourselves. It is harder to do than I thought it would be. Next, we drove back to the city and saw a variety of English, Chinese ,Indian, and Muslim areas. He said the various religions and cultures get along well and just go about their own business. He said after Singapore broke off to become a city state that things have been better for the country. We went to the kings palace and could not go in the grounds because a yellow flag was flying that meant the king was in residence. Next stop was a huge shopping center with instructions to eat in 25 minutes. Turned out, we had reservations to go to the top of the Petronas Twin Towers attached to the shopping center. Only 22 people are allowed at a time, so if you miss, tough for you! We did get there in time. First we were let off at the walkway between the buildings. Then, we were sent up two more elevators to the top. We were allowed 20 min up there. The view was great, and I had only a few deep breath moments!Towers are over 900 feet tall and once were the tallest in the world. After all this, we were happy to get back to the ship!
Saw the sights of Singapore today. We went on a tour that started at the summit in Mount Faber. Well, certainly a very tall hill that had spectacular views. Lots of buildings. Mostly apartments. There was a lovely garden there and we noticed several people who were meditating in a shaded area. Very peaceful. We went to various neighborhoods and ended up at Gardens by the Bay. This large area had a tram with a recorded tour guide. We were glad because the ship was leaving in the afternoon and time was limited. We saw beautiful flowers, plants, and statues. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Singapore has very strict laws. If you are caught dealing drugs, you are put to death!
Singapore is one of the three city states in the world. The others are Monaco and Vatican City. Good trivia info to know! We had a nine hour trip to the zoo in very hot and humid weather. Left at one and home at ten. One hour ride each way as it is out of town. The zoo is very large and well laid out with much greenery and short walks between the various animals viewing sites. Many sites had covered sitting spaces with fans. There were no cages with bars.
The habitats were large and clean. We were there when many of the animals were being fed and so we got to see them up close. There was a show in an amphitheater with a sea lion. Sort of a mini Sea World . We went around leisurely and got to see it all. After the zoo closed for the day, we went to another part where we were signed up for the Zoo After Dark Tour. We ate what we thought would be the least spicy food. Luckily there was an ice cream shop next to us that helped us get back to normal. The night tour was done by riding on a tram with an oral commentary. The animals were being fed near where the tram stopped so we could see them closely. The last thing we saw was the animal show in a large amphitheater. They had birds, and other animals that were trained to do tricks for food rewards. We were delighted with the whole day and are glad we got to see this beautiful and well designed zoo.
Last day here. Ship left in afternoon. Had a chance to go to the small downtown area and wander around. Saw some interesting signs and lots of wiring. I just wonder how they figure out whose is whose?
Samui Elephant Sancutary
This sanctuary is home to elephants that have never lived in the wild and have been rescued from bad living conditions. You are greeted by an explanation of their lives there and how they are cared for. Then you are given a bowl of various ingredients and are taught how to mix them up to make balls to feed the elephants. While doing this mushing by hand, the elephants come over and start stretching their trunks out to get the first treats. After feeding them they wander away when they notice the bowls the bowls are being put away. After a much needed hand wash, there is an opportunity to walk across a bridge near their watering hole and drop off some more treats like sugar cane, bananas, and grass. They eat the bananas and sugarcane first ! Grass is left for later.
Left at 8am for Ko Sami Thailand. Missed the big question in Trivia. Name the Marx Brothers. We got four but did not get Chico. Now, really!!! All the clothes I have bought from Chico’s? I will remember Chico forever now. Speaking of shops, Asia is full of H&M stores. 7-11s on every other block, and of course Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds,and Burger Kings. Probably good investments. The sea is green here, not aqua or blue green. Looking forward to seeing more of Thailand tomorrow. It is everything that people say it is, and is a beautiful country. It has never been taken over by another country and has been allowed to develop without other cultures interfering. I think being Buddhist may have something to do with it also.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour
This was a six hour tour. We rode a bus for an hour and a half to get to this special market in a fishing village. It was interesting to be able to get away from a city and see how people live inland. Passed a huge area where people were making salt from ocean water by evaporation. They salt a lot of the fish they catch and export. Saw what must have been the world’s largest IKEA. This is a Buddhist nation and there were little shrines outside most driveways leading to businesses. We got to the market and got in a flat boat with a motor. The fishing villagers live in teak houses on stilts on the canals. Sort of a tiny Venice. We quickly got to the market. The vendors were in both sides and also in boats like ours. No prices. Had to bargain. We got out of the boat and were allowed to ….guess what! Wander around the market on shore. A parade came by with dragon dancers, fireworks, and several trucks with holy men who who blessed us with holy water. The vendors came out to see what was going on and got blessed too. A police car followed to show the parade was official. I think it was about trying to get people to vote for someone, or a show coming to town and drumming up business. So, long drive back. Rested up and back in busses for an amazing evening. We were taken to a Thai event center that sits on 200 acres. This place has exact replicas of ancient shrines, grand palaces, and traditional palaces. The place was opened for our event. We were treated to Thai drinks and snacks and a great show of traditional Thai dances. Costumes were beautiful and dancers were so were the dances we saw. We finished the evening lighting candles and making a wish then setting the candles into a pond. A lovely site. So then back by bus home. Same IKEA. Very long day.
Our group is now in second place in the trivia contest! We laugh a lot trying to come to agreement with our answers. Had a special dinner out by the pool. Tried on my polyester travel pants and they still fit! Amazing.
Where in the world is Dalna