helga38

Yes, Baor, this is a nice little library aboard Gemini.

It is well used

Some people bring newspapers aboard and leave them there and books as well-that is a good turnover.

The paper backs have a good selection,all done on an honour system.

There are 2 computers there at S$.23 a minute and they are VERY slow and in use a lot.

I used the library almost every day and did a lot of reading-no interruptions,excepts meals etc !! Wonderful.

helga

Ging, I heartily agree with you !

We really enjoyed our cruise,even when we did not do the excursions,but did our own thing in HongKong,walked for ages,got a taxi back to the ternimal and then asked for wheelchairs back to ship--as usual no problem.

The crew are fantastic-nothing is too small for them to do for you.

This has been our best holiday for a long time.There are so many places for a quiet time, or to join in,if that's good for you too. From the remarks that I heard from people,the excursions were great,and I really hear any complaints.

Everyone on board is so unhappy about the Gemini returning to Norway next january,but i can see the reason why-we were not at all at full capacity,so the company must be losing money on her.

It was beaut to meet up with Ging and Kuldali.

Cheers and Happy Sailing !

helga

I really remember all those times.There used to be guards on Victoria dock where the cargo ships berthed.seasy to walk up the gangway ,no one checked.

Big Al---and there was another person boarding Gemini in

Singapore on 1st June--perhaps we can meet in the bar at 6pm on the day at sea-2nd June ?

helga

That's fine,Ging,

We shall join you in fruit cocktails and tomato juice !

We rarely imbibe.

Well, Hardly ever !!!

xx

helga

Thank you,Kuldalai, for your kind offer,and have written to say yes,thanks.

See you and Ging in 3 weeks .

regards

helga

Hi there

Look forward to meeting you in the Gemini Bar on Thursday 12 June at 6pm.

 

Cheers

Ging466 aka Jennifer

Really looking forward to meeting both of you in the Gemini Bar at 6pm 12/6/8.

We are 2 of the larger kind of the species,but quite approachable; female of the species has a grey covering called hair on her head but more than the male !!!

We have just received our travel docus,with our cabin number,pick up details etc.

cheers helga:)

TENDER PORTS - there is no charge for use of the tender service to go ashore . Tender boats usually operate at regular intervals to meet pax demands. They will give you details on slip of last tender boat departure time and emergency contact phone numbers . When you get on the wharf in some places you can walk or get taxis at the wharf gate . In others a bus transfer service is operated at reasonable rates and they give you details of the departure and return times, frequency last trip back times; pick-up / drop-off locations etc . Details of this service and ticket sales at Shore Excursion desk on deck 5 .

WHARF PORTS : As above for taxis, walking, bus transfers .

 

ON THE Singapore - Hong Kong leg with SS GEMINI :

 

Koh Samui - tender port . Walk from wharf head is town centre or taxis.

Laem Chebang - basically a container port miles from anything . Bus transfer to Pattaya Beach/Town available . Long trip by taxi . Walking forget it . (We found Pattaya boring ; better take full day tour to Bangkok.)

Ho Chi Minh City : SS Gemini berths at foot of CBD . Taxis cheap to get up town . Bit far to walk . Ho Chi Minh City tours offered by Star excellent .

Da Nang : Basically a container port miles from town . Taxis hard to get . Bus transfer or tour is the go. Walking is out of question . Take the full day Hue Highlights tour - outstanding .

Hong Kong : Ocean Terminal is in heart of Kowloon . Walk or taxi no problem.

Singapore : Cruise Terminal . Taxis cheap into CBD . Also access by MRT underground train to CBD .

Kuldalai,

Thank you once again-very interesting. There are a couple of cities mu husband wants to visit again-otherwose, we shall hang around the swimming pool and enjoy life !

:p :) Cheers helga

Cruising is much nicer than coach tours - you don't have to keep packing suitcases every day. You get the beauty of visiting different places without the hasstles. - Mummsie :D

Heck, I so agree with you.

Now, Can anyone tell me the price for the buses/small boats that take people to the pick up point on shore ?

Are there various times during the day for pick up ?

Thanks folks

helga

Kuldalai, I had forgotten how long it took to get up to Melbourne from the Heads; It takes me ages to get over the jetlag, now if i went business class-haha !

helga

Kuldalai, I am sure you watched the Queen Vic come through and depart ?

Gald all went well on the trip.

helga/maggy

It sounds as if you have had a wonderful trip,Kuldalai.

Shame there were stops missed.

I always feel sorry when such a trip comes to an end, then start planning the next holiday.

BTW-who is your captain on this trip ?

cheers helga/maggy

Paddy, wow, for a newbie to cruising you have picked a beauty !

You will enjoy everything from your stay to the cruise to Bali--enjoy !

helga/Maggy:)

HAPPY NEW YEAR SHIP MATES.

Hope this year will be good for everyone.

Maggy/helga

Kuldalai, amazing so few pax. Thanks for keeping us plebs up to date on your cruise !

Maggy

Kuldalai,

Bon Voyage,friend.

Have a wonderful trip.

regards Margaret//helga38

Ah, you old sea dog! Bet you have a beaut time,good on you !!

Taking pics ?

Maggy

Thanks for that David,

Actually we do the same, except we use the dear old blue card for big things-hubby likes asian pottery !

Maggy

David, great picture-looking forward to the 21 days sAILING.

BTW-did you change aussie dollars into the currencies for the countries on the cruise=Vietnam etc ? Was thinking of change for markets etc.

Maggy

:D My husband would think I would be quite daft--so we shall see. Thanks for telling me how it works .

cheers Margaret

:) Thank you ,folks,what a helpful site we have. with such friendly and helpful people.

sort of raking up in the age group--oh,OK. 69 and 74 to be truthful !!!, I was a bit worried about climbing up and down steps etc. You have all set my mind at rest with your helpful remarks and I'm very greatful.

Was going through all the great tours--and rats--!! Most of them are out- not for the old and infirm !!!! -and I did want to climb on an elephant and have a ride !!

We have done much Asian travelling and have been to many of the places that are on the cruise,but Vietnam is new--so shall have a good think.

regards Margaret.

(helga)

Kudalai, On the cruise s/pore -h/k, does Gemini always dock at a wharf--? Any idea of where you go ashore by tender-and how do you get to them-rope ladders ??!

Just curious.

helga

Welcome Home Boeckli and Vera--glad that you both had good trips.

Helga/Maggy:)

Will do-nice to be able to meet someone before the trip-thanks Maggy/helga

hi Jennifer,a few are going S/pore-S/pore so will be able to catch up with all.

What date is your cruise,mine is 1 June '08.

cheers Margaret/helga

:D We shall do that,thanks Kuladai.

helga

Realized after posting Helga that you and Big Al and you and I can meet separately as whilst you are doing a full round trip, Big Al is doing Singapore - Hong Kong, ad I am doing Hong Kong - Singapore . So all three of us cannot get together at once . (if that makes sense.) I shall touch base again prior to departure to set up a meeting in Gemini Bar on the Hong Kong - Singapore leg . It would be up to Big Al and you to set up a similar meeting with on the Singapore - Hong Kong leg .