drron29

Then off in busses to "Old Manilla". Not all the trucks were in good repair. And we now set off in the horse and cart -"kalesa". Cars moved out of the way.

This is the Easter Basket on the Muse tonight.

The next morning we were arriving in Manilla. And a welcome as we disembarked for our tours.

That night we gave La Terraza a try. It has never been our favourite restaurant. back home most of our Italian restaurants are Sicilian family run. We love them and they are certainly different to La Terraza. Our favourite dishes there in the past were the carpaccio and Osso Bucco. As well they had a lovely gorgonzola for the cheese plate. At times I would just have a plate of the gorgonzola. None of those dishes are on the menu. So here is the menu. And the antipasti platter. Despite the menu changes I can't remember any changes to this. I had the pappardelle and the strip loin. OK but the pasta no better than the Tagliatelle I had for lunch in Atlantide and beef in Atlantide is better. Rojaan had the prawns which were disappointing and the lemon sponge cake. I had the cheeses platter which was disappointing. Told there was no gorgonzola on the ship. I wonder what they use for those dishes that have gorgonzola mentioned as one of the ingredients. There are quite a few.

I agree that the evening meal in Kaiseki on the Dawn and Muse is not worth the upcharge and is a poor example of Japanese cuisine. However on the Muse the Kaiseki evening meal is worth the upcharge being a Teppenyaki experience. certainly not the best we have had but usually we pay way more than $US 40 for a Teppenyaki meal featuring lobster, Waygu and fish.

The rest of my meal last night was also of good quality. I had the strip loin with caramelised roasted vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. Each element was very good. I decided to try dessert for the first time this cruise and the apple crumble was well executed. This was the first meal I have had since Covid that was of the quality of pre COVID meals. I hope this continues.

Actually it isn't. I was looking every day for it in my messages but it was a paper survey. I told Reception I wanted one so now have it to do.

It's a berry compote on it. They actually went together well.

Though tonight on the Muse the first two courses have been reminiscent of the pre COVID days. The service has been excellent. So started with foie gras and then the tomato soup from the every day menu.

I am not sure if SS is reading CC and have noted my somewhat negative recent posts or it is because of 3 rather robust discussions we have had in the last 4 months re unacceptable changes to 3 of our upcoming cruises but somehow the mid cruise survey didn't make it to our cabin.

In 2013 we were in Japan for Sakura time. We really loved the cherry blossoms at the Akita Castle ruins though it was about a week later in April. At that point we were land based and they did a night visit to the ruins with the blossoms illuminated which was magic. We have also had the train excursion in Shimizu cancelled.

I now turned around to walk back to the ship. And back into the port. Someone probably waiting for this. Lots of small imports at this port. And back to the ship.

Not sure how many would use a car wash. But you are told who will be driving your garbage truck. And just build your house around the tree. Food is cheap. 100P is just $A3. An upmarket restaurant. The laundry offers just to spin dry your clothes. Some newer buildings.

After we finished our cruise I went for an hour's walk towards Coron City. The road to the Port is a National Highway. As you come out of the Port you are immediately besieged by the Tuk tuk drivers offering cheap transport. And they keep asking until you get back to the port gate. A school. And this little girl wanted her photo taken. When she eventually put on her"crown" I obliged. Street Art.

But no one had pointed out this koala before. And how you leave your boat.

Most of the places here are for day tours. Around this area our guide pointed out rocks that resembled animals including humans.

From near here you can climb over the hill to a large lake called barracuda lake. There are apparently some small channels through the lock which they can get through when young. And this is where a smaller second lake can be reached.

The excursion today was a cruise around the bay in a local boat. With my balance problem boarding was a little difficult but fine once aboard. First class facilities. Our crew.

The next morning we were steaming into Coron.

Atlantide for dinner once more. The menu had changed a little. Rojaan ordered and got the beef tartare. Whilst I had the crispy fried octopus though it was neither crispy nor octopus. It was calamari. For mains Rojaan had lobster which was very dry and I had the pork belly which was quite ordinary. I continue to decline desert but this time a picture of Rojaan's pavlova.

We had lunch on the pool deck for a change. Rojaan had the burger and I tried the buffet -mainly Fillipino dishes. It didn't look particularly appetising but tasted good. Good street food. A soup - pork sinigang. I avoided it.

Sorry for the interruption but Starlink isn't available in Taiwan so internet very flaky.

In 2026 we have a cruise ending in Capetown. Leopard are also on my bucket list. I have seen a couple but at great distance so we have picked Londolozi to spend a few days after the cruise. Graet to see your photos even that behind the undergrowth.

The next day was the crossing of the Equator whilst we were transitting the Makassar strait between Sulawesi and Borneo. A pretty poor ceremony. A few sea birds around. As some of you know I like to stand out in a crowd so here is typical day wear then on informal nights.

So to dinner once more in Atlantide. This time shared with two Australian couples. A much more lively and enjoyable evening. So to the menu changes. Rojaan had the shrimps and then the salmon. I ordered the beef tartare but got the artichoke and beef carpaccio. No problem for me as I like both. Some though would be very upset. Of course it shouldn't happen. I then had the beef. Much better than what I saw being served on the first night. Cooked just as I ordered and tender, juicy and tasty. Lunch the next day was Kaiseki. And more of the Orchids. Dinner that night was in Indochine with a solo cruiser from Connecticut. No menu photos or mains. Rojaan went for 2. Ginger and kaffir lime Creme Brulee and coconut rice pudding. For starters Rojaan had the prawn and I the tuna. For mains we both had the lobster Pad Thai. Me with chilli andRojaan without. Certainly wasn't authentic Pad Thai but it was nice.