Beijing to Bangkok then to Angkor Wat -Live

[findacruise]

I meant to start this before I left home so I could post along the way. Obviously that didn't happen, as we are now a week in to our travels. I hope other fellow crusiers will feel free to post to this thread. I now there are some CCers who have booked this or a similar itinerary or are thinking about it. I hope this helps.

 

Also, I know I enjoy reading about others travels and will try to pass on intersting items. I won't have the unique cultural insights that Jackie is able to provide from her personal side trips. Nor will their be the wonderful crew profiles that Wes shares with us. But, we each view the world in our own way, so we'll see where my perspecive comes out this trip.

 

The internet is cooperating this morning. I am the only person here and we are in port. We could not take our morning excursion because of the time shuffles caused by the itinerary change. But I am going to start at the begining and try to catch up. I will do it on separate posts, as I don't trust the internet to stay up, and I probably can't get causght up until sea days.

 

I must say though, how happy I am to be back on the Voyager (propulsion problem aside) and felt at home the minute I walked on the ship.:)

[findacruise]

We purchased the 3 day pre-cruise since we are using the included offer for the post cruise to Angkor Wat. WE ewre met at the airport and their was a separate bus for those on the same flight from Chicago (14 I think) We would have left quickly, were it not for mssing 2 people. The local agent waited for a very long time for the 2 missing people to arrive and they never did. Finally the decsion was nade that the next bus could take them when they showed up.

 

The airport was finished in 2008 for the Olympics and is already too small - hard to believe having been in it. Another one is being built. The sun was actually out and there was blue sky - the only blue sky we saw the entire time! And traffic is a night mare.

 

Hotel check-in was a bit disorganized but we survived:) our keys not working and the bellman having to go exchange them. China World is an older hotel in the busniness district. It is lovely and the service was excellent. Great areas in the lobby for sitting. Gorgeous flowers everywhere, and outstanding breakfast buffet. Would recommend it. Nothing really to walk to, but it does sit over a mall (not where I'd shop -very high end). Prices in Beijing are expensive.

 

It is an easy walk to the tallest builing in Beijing. WE went their and took and elevator up with the idea of having a drink and seeing the skyline. Alas, not to be. The smog was so bad, it looked like we were fogged in.

 

Next will talk about the tours and my thoughts on what we saw and what I might do differently. But now it's off the computer and on to present time.

[RachelG]

Really looking forward to you posts! Have a great trip.

[WesW]

echo Rachel's well wises, thanks for posting Joanna, and taking us along, hope the propulsion problem gets fixed soonest.

[Gilly]

Findacruise, thanks for posting about your Voyager experience and allowing me to extend my cruise a little longer, albeit in the virtual sense!

 

WE too stayed at the China World and having read your comments and those of others, I realise that our experience might have been the exception. Our room was very stale, the shower didn't work properly and the furnishings old and tired. Because we were overnight only, I didn't get the chance to experience the great service which might have overwritten the shortcomings, but at least we appreciated the beautiful lobby and yummy breakfast!

 

The Mall, as you say, is very high end but was worth exploring deeper for a few less designery options and some fairly reasonable dining alternatives.

 

I hope you'll be able to make up for lost time and tours in the next few days. Such frustrations are not a good way to begin your travels. But have a great cruise. I'm really looking forward to tagging along!

[findacruise]

Rachael, Wea and Gilly - thank you for your comments. I hope to get some more written before the internet takes a npa - again!

[forevertravel]

We stayed at the China World for our three day precruise stay. Our room was lovely. It must haven been remodeled because everything was new. I had made arrangements with hotel to pick us up instead of using Regent. A lovely girl met us as we walked out of the plane, took us through Customs, get luggage, and off to a nice Audi. A customer service rep was waiting for us at the hotel and took us to our room. She checked us with her iPad in our room. The hotel was beautiful with flowers everywhere. The three days tour were good although my husband wished for more time at Great Wall of China. The lunches were so-so and I have had better Peking Duck back home. The guide we had was very professional and informative. Traffic in Beijing is awful and it took a long time to get from place to place. We are now on our way to Hong Kong and hopefully we'll make it on time. We are skipping Xiamen because of issues with propulsion. Shanghai was awesome. Our cabin faced all the beautiful buildings with lights changing to different colors at night. Other than problem with propulsion it's been a nice cruise so far. Hopefully, no more delays.

[findacruise]

As if internet problems weren't enough, this keyboard has the return key where I am used to the shift key being. Hence, the premature post above. Sorry for mispellings etc. I have decided to forego a lot of detail and will gladly answer any questions. General thoughts about the experience:

 

The first day after arrival was the busiest and IMHO should have been reversed with the 2nd day that had all the free time. We left at 8 am, went to the Great Wall, stopped for lunch, went to the Ming Tombs (got to see only 1 tomb) got back to the hotel and had about 2 hours before we left for a Peking Duck dinner. Night drive was highlight. Dinner was not! The reason you can see so little at one time is because of the time it takes to get anywhere. TRAFFIC is terrible!!!

 

Day 2 began at 8:30 and we were back at the hotel by 11:00 and the rest of the day was on our own. Smoggy day.

 

Day 3 (last) began at 7:30 when we left for Tianneman square. We had our tour through there and walked from there to the Forbidded City and then met our bus, went to lunch and headed to the port - a 2 hour drive

Since it was Saturday morning, we encountered a number of Chinese people and groups at these sites. Our guide told us that we were probably the first Westerners that some of these people had ever seen. It was so smoggy our guide provided masks if we wanted to wear them. Really not enough time to see the Forbidden City.

 

I'm glad we saw Beijing, but I have no desire to go back. It is very spread out and pollution is terrible, as is traffic. As far as the tour, I was disappointed. Our guide was good, but I felt that we didn't see much in our time there. The offered free time options were both shopping trips. The guide made a big deal about the Peking duck dinner and that we should dress up and bring our cameras for this big production of slicing the duck. Turned out to be a very normal place, with nothing to photograph, food average and it was so cold we left our coats on. Others may feel differently.

 

IMO best option for smoeone who is comfortable doing it is to arrange own itineray and tours, remembering it takes about 2 hours to get anywhere!

[findacruise]

No I don't mean THAT art that has reappeared on board. This is the wonderful program I knew nothing about that is bringing us Public Radio at Sea on this voyage. When we booked this cruise 15 months ago we knew nothing about NPR being on board, but I discovered it after we got home and signed us up for the program. Anyone can attend the lectures but they have some other events for those who signed up.

 

I have attended all the lectures and have enjoyed them. We have or will have, Shanghai correspondent, executive producer of "All Things Considered" "Morning Editions David Greene to name a few. On the first day I attend 4 lectures. Three were NPR and one was the outstanding China specialist they have on board. Today it's two more lectures. We also were allowed to screen a documentary that will be on PBS later this year titled Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. very moving and tied in perfectly to what we had seen and heard.

 

Time to to go enjoy another NPR presentation. This is so wonderful - at least for me!

[regent traveller]

So sory about

China World Hotel. We were there in 2006 and it was great. I don't think they build things in China to last long. Also in 2006 no pollution. We did 2 days of private tours and had a wonderful experience down to the Peking(now Beijing) duck dinner and the wonderful experience of meeting with a family in their Hutong. Also, went to China's largest pharmacy and me with doctors there who discussed working with western doctors on cancer research. I would recommend that travellers do as many private tours and give their guide some latitude. Yes, we have had some duds with this method but mostly unusual experiences that guide books cannot replecate.

 

Gilly, so glad to meet you and I can now understand why you usually have wonderful experiences. You are a very positive person and truely appreciate diversity. Isn't that why we travel?

[1982CruzStart]

We had a great room in China World, seemed new. I concur with the comments by the others. Traffic awful, smog horrible, our guide was good, the food indifferent for the most part but am glad we did the 3 day tour and in our case the extra tour to Xi'an. I would also not go back. Agree that if you are going you are better off doing it privately.

I thought the Forbidden City was fascinating but also terrifying. The mob of people we had to wend our way through to enter the city was frightening to me. It was funny to see various Chinese people staring at us and in some cases giggling and pointing or asking people in our group if they could take their picture with them. Quite cute.

We also lucked out and our cabin faced all the high rises with the wonderful light show in Shanghai.

[Gilly]

Having read comments from RT and Findacruise, I am sure that the room we were assigned at the China World was an unrefurbished one - and as we were merely overnight, it's understandable that those staying longer get the nicer ones (sniff... ;-) Might be worth noting that there are indeed two types of room and therefore requesting a fresher one?!

 

RT, it was great to meet such likeminded travellers who share our enthusiasms - another of the joys of exploring the world.

 

The NPR programme on board sounds wonderful! Would love to hear more about that, please.

[WesW]

We also enjoyed sailing with Artful travelers (use to be known as PTV at Sea). We did not book with Artful but every Regent guest has the opportunity to attend their recurring lectures. On our voyage about four years ago we had one Washington's top election guru's/pundit's Charlie Cook explain the Presidential Election results, we had the executive producer of PBS's Great Performances give us background/back stories on many of the performers showcased, and Ken Burns (the wonderful documentary producer) gave us preview showings of many of his National Parks documentary film. Pls see artful travelers website below. Their next sailing is Luxor to Rome in May, Gwen Ifil is among the presenters.

 

http://www.artfultravelers.com/

[findacruise]

Up early this morning due to rolling and wrote a long post on our Ipad we brought. Just as I finished and hit submit, I lost the internet connection. I learned the lesson the hard way, and will now do "small plates" of information instead of full "entrees" at a time. We have no word processing on our Ipad so I can't write it and then upload. Perhaps the internet gods were telling me I was too verbose??

 

The trip into to Shanghai was improved, IMO, by the fact that it got dark. As we came up the river the first part toward the city is very industrial and not attractive at all. But as you approach the core of the city, the port side is the old city and the starboard is the new city. It welcomed us with an array of many shaped buildings, lit in various colored lights, some changing. The "centerpiece" of this new city side is the Pearl Tower, with its round shaped objects (don't call them balls!) that are lit. It is building after building.

 

We did not go into the city as we didn't dock until close to 9 but after dinner we did go up on deck and enjoy the amazing view of the buildings and boats constantly going up and down the river. Many of them with colored lights carrying passengers. Time to hit enter!

[findacruise]

WE had to forgo one excursion becasue of the schedule change, but enjoyed the one we stayed with. It was arranged by NPR and was combination of Regent Old and New Shanghai with added visit to the Shanghai Propoganda Poster Art Center. This private museum contains part of the collection of Yang Pei Ming, who took us through. He has collected these posters which depict Communistic propoganda through the years in China.

 

Part of what is so amazing is that very few people know about this museum; it is in the basement of an aprtment building in the old city. Frank Liggitt who is the NPR Shanghai correspondent arranged the visit for us, but anyone can go there. Yang finally received his government liscense last year,but had been operating without it. If you are nterested, his website is www.shanghaipropagandaart.com I have not been able to check it yet, as the internet has not cooperated.

[findacruise]

After the museum we did a coach tour of the old citywith it's more European influenced architechture. What was so nice is that these buildings have been preserved and not torn down. There are newer buildings, but they coexist. There are psrks and green areas and plantings. And yes, there are older neighborhoods which you would expect to see with their little shops and people living above them.

 

Traveling under the river we emerge into a totally different city - one of skyscrapers, glass and metal - the new city. But I find it equally as interesting. It too has beautiful street plantings, green spaces, trees. I never expected to see palm trees in Shanghai. It's raining, but I don't care.

 

This city's populations is as large as Beijing, but the city is more compact and not as spread out. To me, it has a more welcoming feeling and is more international. We did experience some of the "pushing" when we were standing in line to come back down the elevator from the tallest building, but that was just a few people in one tour group.

 

I would like to come back to Shanghai. There is a lot to see here and we had no chance to go outside the city, either.

 

Time to get ready to go to our next wonderful lecture - this one on Hong Kong. Wes _ Thanks for the informaiton..

 

Joanna

[findacruise]

We have now dined in all venues. On our last cruise (and 1st) we had 2 poor evenings in Prime 7, both food and service. Our experience this time was totally opposite. Excellent service a food. DH isn't ready yet to let them off the hook until we have our second visit, but we were very pleased.

 

Signatures was delightful and service even better, if possible. We had dinner for the first time in Sette Mari last night and loved it. After the Amuse Bouche they brought to the table, 3 of the 4 of us didn't bother with getting anti pasta from the buffet. Many choices for dinner. I had an outstanding sea bass and our dinner mates spoke highly of their choices, too. Based on what I had read here, we arrived about 7 and got right in. By 7:20 it was packed. We will go back.

 

CR seems better, too. Service has been even, both for a few luches we have had there and the couple of dinners. Hoping that remains. Soups have arrived hot, wine service good, dishes cleared within reasonable amount of time, etc.

 

Anxious to get off the ship today in Hong Kong. We slowed down yesterday becasue Chinese officials would not let us into port early. We are going to be at a different port than usual - not city center. Lookinf forward to warm weather. It's finally gong to be warmer outside than inside!

 

Joanna

[RachelG]

Joanna, on you iPad, you should have a tab that says "notes". What I did on our silversea cruise to the arctic, with notoriously unreliable Internet, was to write my post on that, copy it, get the connection, then paste. You should be able to do this with any iPad.

[mrlevin]

Why in the world did Voyager dock on west side of Hong Kong Island? :confused: This is a lot worse decision than not carrying the Super Bowl. :mad:

 

Kowloon right by Star Ferry dock is so convenient; this new dock is way out of the way even for Hong Kong Island sites. :confused:

 

Marc

[1982CruzStart]

Why in the world did Voyager dock on west side of Hong Kong Island? :confused: This is a lot worse decision than not carrying the Super Bowl. :mad:

 

Kowloon right by Star Ferry dock is so convenient; this new dock is way out of the way even for Hong Kong Island sites. :confused:

 

Marc

 

I am only guessing as we weren't officially told but there were at least 4 cruise ships in Hong Kong and it seems Oceania and Crystal beat us to the prime docking spots.

[findacruise]

Joanna, on you iPad, you should have a tab that says "notes". What I did on our silversea cruise to the arctic, with notoriously unreliable Internet, was to write my post on that, copy it, get the connection, then paste. You should be able to do this with any iPad.

 

Thanks. Just got our Ipad a couple of days before we left and still learning Will give it a try. So busy not had time to post. Been to 2 lectures today and 2 more coming. Gone all day yesterday. Love it!

[findacruise]

I am only guessing as we weren't officially told but there were at least 4 cruise ships in Hong Kong and it seems Oceania and Crystal beat us to the prime docking spots.

 

I was told there also was a Star ship in port and they get first choice. Yes it was not very convenient, especially for those of who went to Macau yesterday or if you wanted to just get out for awhile. But no control so we just get on with things. Vietnam tomorrow.

[Gilly]

That's a crowded corner of the harbour, there at the Ocean Terminal but I agree, it's a terrific location and we were fortunate that Voyager secured a spot there last month. As we left Hong Kong however, Sandra Bowern mentioned in her narrative some plans to make a cruise terminal at the old Kai Tak airport. I can't add any more than that - it's not that I wasn't listening, simply that I was distracted by the amazing scenes which were all around me. But my ears pricked up and I stored that little detail away for future investigation and thanks to this thread, I will!

 

Enjoy Vietnam. Wishing you smooth seas on the way, too!

[Gilly]

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/uk/see-do/cruise/cruise-terminals/kai-tak-cruise-terminal.jsp

 

Sometimes all I need to do is Google. Oh, and remember what it was I wanted to find out ;-)

[mrlevin]

Current passengers didn't even get to see Hong Kong skyline at night as they sailed away; went other direction. There are plenty of berths at Ocean Terminal; if Regent isn't going to pay for one and claim priority, to me, they might as well take Hong Kong off the itinerary.

 

I hope you dock downtown in Saigon; would be a pity if Regent lost the good space there, too. :(

 

Marc