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Ocean Princess South China Sea Explorer - Jan 23-Feb 8 Semi-Live from....

Celandine

By Celandine,
in Princess Cruises

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Celandine

Celandine

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Day 14 – Laem Chabang

 

Today I booked the Nong Nuch gardens tour. Which were beautiful, though I was disappointed that we only got 30 minutes to see the gardens, then we were told to watch 2 different 45 minute shows (1 cultural show where there were no seats when we got there and the second an elephant show which at times was a bit upsetting as some of the ‘tricks’ they had to perform you could tell the elephants didn’t like). When I booked it, it talked about 1 show, but I assumed we would get more time to look around. Then we went and spent 55 minutes shopping at a reputable gemstone outlet. Not thrilled with how this tour went, but I did get to take a picture while feeding a baby tiger, and saw some beautiful flowers. I wish I had remembered to talk to the staff about this excursion, not that I wanted a refund but they need to be up front with information of how many shows you are ‘forced’ to watch.

 

I got back to the ship, and had some lunch, then did a load of laundry and watched the A-Team movie while my laundry washed and dried. I really didn’t do much this afternoon, got ready for dinner and listened to Daniel Oliver play before dinner.

 

Dinner tonight was the chefs dinner (though no palate cleansing sorbet was served, maybe we forgot to order it. Everyone at my table thought it a bit odd). I had the twice baked goat cheese soufflé, the wild mushroom creamed soup and the diver scallops. For dessert, I had the Menage a trois. All of the food was fantastic!

 

After dinner, the comedian of the trip was on, Lenny Windsor, he was alright. I laughed and had a good time. After dinner, I went to the champagne waterfall with 2 of the couples from our table. We had a great time that night, and ended up with a bottle of champagne to ourselves, which we drank, danced and enjoyed the night. We were there after last call, and eventually called it a night ourselves.

 

Day 15 – Ko Samui

 

I woke up around 9 am, got ready got breakfast and went to the cabaret lounge to wait for my tour group to tender. I hate tendering, I really do. I’ve been known to skip ports because of a tender, and I contemplated skipping this one, but didn’t.

 

When we got into the tender, the engine stopped working for a bit. People did some stuff, and it was working so we were sent off to the island, but he was told to return empty. It was a long ride too, like 20 minutes to the island. We actually started our tour a bit late. Our tour hit the monkey show/harvesting coconuts. That was interesting, and then we got to get our picture taken with a smaller monkey on your arm, I decided to do it and got someone to take my photo. After this, we went to the Big Buddha temple, which is becoming more like a tourist area, and we were told we would go see a real temple after. Then we stopped at a restaurant for a drink and to take some photos, then we were off to another temple, which was actually preparing for the cremation of the head of the monks, who died a few months ago. All very interesting, and I definitely loved Thailand, I think it was my favourite stop and would go back in a heartbeat.

 

We got back to the dock around 3 pm and the last tender was supposed to be at 3:30 but I think they extended it. I had a burger which was delicious and then met with 2 couples from our table to play table tennis, then we just sat out on the deck and had a drink. They were drinking beer, until I ordered a paradise punch, and then those started to get ordered and let me tell you, those are quite strong.

 

I finally made it to my room to get ready for dinner, Sean Alexander’s final show was before dinner tonight, so I went to that. I quite enjoyed him. Then dinner was South Asian night, I forgot the menu but I’m pretty sure I did the cesar salad fettucine appetizer and then some chicken dish (masala or tandoori) with yogurt sauce – that was really good. After dinner, well I went to the country and western hoe down. I did some line dancing, and even danced with one of the cruise staff, which simply pointed out to me I need to take some ballroom dance classes as I am fine by myself, but a complete idiot on feet when with a partner. After that, I pretty much called it a night, though I did some packing while watching Casino Royale.

 

Day 16 – Final Sea Day

 

It’s a little bit sad, that the cruise is at an end. I did have an appointment at 10 am though. Earlier in the week the captain invited me for a tour of the bridge. It was to be kept confidential, so I did, until it was over. On the tour, was a couple I had actually been friendly with all cruise, so it was nice to see them.

 

The bridge tour was fascinating, and I quite enjoyed it. The officers seem to mix in humour when they can, and seem to get along well. The captain is super nice, I would love to sail with him again.

 

After the tour, I met with my table mates for more table tennis, then we split off, some of them went to the pub lunch, I am not a fan of it, so I opted for buffet fare, and was the luckier of the bunch. There were more lobster tails, claws, crab claws, and jumbo black tiger shrimp. So that’s what I had for lunch.

 

At 1 pm I went to the behind the scenes with the dancers/cruise staff. We got to go backstage, see how little space they really have, feel how heavy some of the costumes are, and had all our questions answered. That was really neat. Then at 2:30 I went to learn how to make paper flowers, the two I made are right beside me as I type, and not half bad!

 

After that, I attended the book club final chat, with the 1 other person who showed up, she didn’t care for the book. Then I joined 2 of my table mates for tea.

 

Then I went back to my room, packed and got ready for the pre-dinner show, Lenny Windsor again. I had my suitcase out before I left for his show. This seemed very similar to his first show, and it was okay. Dinner was the landfall dinner, I had the watermelon and feta cheese, fettucine, and the New York cut strip steak. For dessert I opted for the Mud pie, as did most of my table. Although one couple shared a piece of backed Alaska.

 

After dinner, I listened to Daniel Oliver play for the last time, and completely enjoyed that. I exchanged email addresses with a few people, table mates included and returned my library book before going to bed.

 

Day 17 – Disembarkation and Singapore

 

Up for the last time, packing my last few items, and grabbing a quick breakfast. The captain came around the buffet area and was saying goodbye. I told him I’d try to sail with him again, as he’s been confirmed to be the captain for the rest of 2011 and through 2012.

 

Then I went down to the cabaret lounge to wait for my tour group to be called. I got to say goodbye to Richard, one of my favourite dancers/cruise staff. Then I just waited, then we went and boarded a bus while our luggage boarded a different truck…

 

We went to the downtown for photos, then to the botanical gardens, specifically the orchid garden, that was beautiful. Then for a Chinese lunch, which was pretty alright. Then we went to the Raffles Hotel, I so want to stay there one day, Chinatown and then to the airport. We left around 9 am, and got to the airport around 6 pm. I had over 12 hours until my flight, but didn’t want to spend the money on the crowne hotel. I regret that now. As I did not know only Singapore Airlines can check in 24 hours, and explore the rest of the terminal. I did get to see a few shops, and had dinner at Subway restaurant and then I sat and waited, and waited. Finally they opened my check in around 4 am, I went through, booked business class on United, so I got to go to their lounge.

 

I enjoyed my free drinks and breakfast foods. Then went to my gate and boarded the plane by 6 am. I loved business class on united, being able to put my feet up or make it a bed if I wanted and the blanket was so nice.

 

I landed in Hong Kong, found my way to transportation to the Mainland of China, and waited some more. I did find the book I started reading but couldn’t finish at the airport, so I bought it (Dan Brown “The Lost Symbol”). Finally got home around 6 pm exhausted.

 

 

 

Look for pictures and a final thoughts/overall review soon!

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paul929207

paul929207

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Thanks so much for your report.

 

Did you get an email for Dan Oliver? If not, we will be boarding the Ocean Princess April 13. Will he still be onboard? If so, send me an email about Apr 15 ( pfingalls1 at aol dor com ) and I will try to get his email for you.

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ckl001

ckl001

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Thanks for the live postings Celandine. I have really enjoyed your descriptions of everything. I will be on the Ocean in April Next year. You have really wetted my appatite. I can not wait.

Again, thanks, I have really enjoyed your posts and look forward to seeing your photos.

 

Chez

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Celandine

Celandine

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Thanks everyone!

 

I've been having issues with photobucket, which is why no pics yet... but as soon as I can get them up, I'll post some here (and link to my account if you really want to see ALL of them...)

 

I did not have a Singapore Sling at Raffles, since it cost 25$ Singapore dollars, and by the end of the trip I was on a rather tight budget!

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Celandine

Celandine

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Really enjoyed reading about your cruise -- it all sounded wonderful. You said you loved Thailand; was that your favourite port (Ko Samui, right?)?

 

I'm looking forward to seeing your photos.

 

 

Thailand was my favourite for sure. Ko Samui and even the bit I had in Nong Nooch gardens (outside of Bangkok). but I'm hoping to go to Thailand for a week next year, probably a beach resort in Ko Samui.

 

I cannot wait to share photos too!

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Celandine

Celandine

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I'm about half way through getting my photos edited and uploaded to photobucket. I should have some posted here by the weekend, Plus I'll post the link to my account incase people want to see all the hundreds of photos I took. :o

 

I'm excited that my review was posted in the review section today! (I wrote a general one, not the one I wrote in here obviously)

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Celandine

Celandine

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Thanks so much for your report.

 

Did you get an email for Dan Oliver? If not, we will be boarding the Ocean Princess April 13. Will he still be onboard? If so, send me an email about Apr 15 ( pfingalls1 at aol dor com ) and I will try to get his email for you.

 

I think he will still be on.

 

I would certainly appreciate if you could get his email (or facebook link) for me. I will email you on April 15 for sure!

 

(also can't believe I just saw this now, as I've been scouring the internet looking for someone who has his contact info) :o

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