The cruise is over and we are in Singapore (though we still eat and sleep on board tonight)
The last 2 weeks have flown (or should I say, sailed).
As I noted in my previous blog, we were insulated somewhat from the local populace through our cruise tours. But nevertheless, there is a very cosmopolitan population on the ship itself.
The ship facilities and food were beyond our expectations. We had asked to be placed at a group table so we could meet fellow travellers, but we soon regretted that. The staff on board were very helpful and friendly, but some of our fellow guests complained so much about trivial things that it made me cringe and took away from our enjoyment. We went to see about moving tables, and found that another couple had also asked to move (perhaps because of us?). Anyway, both couples got moved together to a new table with some other people, and it all worked out well. We also met another English couple that we got on well with, and they joined our table too from time to time.
The new table included South African, Canadian, US and UK and another couple from Brisbane. The conversation flowed well and the waiter one night had to tell us to go at midnight. We had 4 courses most nights, and plenty to choose from. I even tried frogs legs one night, but didn't raise the courage to have snails. The food was good - too good perhaps.
We tried to go to the gym and spa each day, though a few days we took a break if we were on tours or in quarantine.
Overall impressions of the cruise were very positive, and we would go again, though preferably on a trip where the sightseeing was close to the port. Various people on board suggested Japan and Korea, Alaska and a few were thinking of coming to Australia/NZ.
The Ocean was extremely smooth for this trip, and it was often hard to tell if we were moving at all, though in fact we were travelling forward (mostly) at 17knots.
We are now preparing for the second part of our trip - to China. We just posted our 16kg of gladrags home using SingPost, and it should be there in 3 months. The rest of our trip we are using backpacks. Sue is not overly keen on that aspect of the trip, but I am sure she will see the benefits in time.(She is reading this over my shoulder)
Look forward to seeing you in China.
