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Around the World on Amtrak, KLM, and HAL

rafinmd

By rafinmd,
in Holland America Line

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RuthC

RuthC

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As of 8:30 Monday morning we are cleared to depart Shanghai at 10:30. The Volendam will follow at 11. With no further delays we should be in Hong Kong on time; I hope so, not a lot of free time between arrival and flight.

Happy to hear that things are looking up for you making your flight. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Don't you have an overnight on the ship when you land? That pads the wiggle-room if you do.

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kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

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Good news on explanation for the delayed departures and that you are setting sail, Roy. :)

 

It's so nice when the Captain keeps you informed.

 

Hopefully things go smoothly for you and you connect to your flight with no issues.

 

Good luck :) (yn)

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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Happy to hear that things are looking up for you making your flight. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Don't you have an overnight on the ship when you land? That pads the wiggle-room if you do.
The ship overnights but the segment ends the day of arrival and I fly out immediately on arrival. Roy
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RuthC

RuthC

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The ship overnights but the segment ends the day of arrival and I fly out immediately on arrival. Roy

I should have specified---I meant the Italy end. Is there any wiggle-room there, just in case?

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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Day A29, Monday, October 30, 2017, At sea, MS Amsterdam

 

The Oosterdam is at sea from Puerto Caldera to the Panama Canal. The Prinsendam is in Mgarr.

 

When I stepped out on deck the only thing that had changed was that the physical haze had lifted although the figurative haze was still very much with us and both we and the Volendam were still sitting at a dock deserted except for immigration agents stationed at a booth by the gangway.

 

I walked about 4 miles on the lower promenade deck before breakfast, I’m sure the longest walk I’ve ever taken while a ship was docked in port. It was still very cloudy (and chilly) but the sun found a couple of openings in the clouds to send rays through indirectly as it came up.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/dawn1030.jpg

 

Since nobody was allowed off the ship the program was fully configured as a sea day. Between my 8AM omelet and 9AM bible study Captain Eversen came on the PA with the welcome news that we had been cleared to depart at 10:30. He said “if there are no more delays” we can be in Hong Kong on time but I think I will be a white knuckle cruiser until I actually reach the KLM departure gate.

 

There were 2 morning lectures. Ian talked about Hong Kong at 10; I saw some of it on TV in the afternoon but was more interested in sailaway. I also missed Edward Murphy’s description of the capture of the Pueblo.

 

Sometime after 10 there were line handlers stationed on the dock, and also 2 tug boats standing by. I noticed the lines were all stowed about 10:25 but it was almost exactly 10:30 when water became visible between us and the pier.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/freeatlast.jpg

 

I watched us slip away from the dock on the lower promenade deck and then headed upstairs to the lido deck, swinging by the bow for my last close look at the Volendam until I board her July 18.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/aurevoir.jpg

I watched from deck 9 midships as we approached the bridge across the Huangpu and then passed under it, looking like about 1 more deck was all that could have had sufficient clearance.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/huangpubridge.jpg

 

A silver lining to having been held back in Shanghai so long was that the sail down the Huangpu and Yangtze is very nice and we would normally have done it in darkness. When I was there in 2001 and 2004 the Huangpu and Yangtze rivers were crawling with noisy little one-lung junks. They are mostly replaced by more modern boats but we did pass one as we left Shanghai.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/onelung.jpg

 

The whole length of our passage along the Huangpu the banks on both sides were heavily developed with just about everything, riverboat terminals, a couple of recreation areas, shipyards, and cargo cranes At one point a couple of submarines were in for repairs.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/chinasub.jpg

 

We were tethered to a following tug boat all the way down the Huangpu. As we approached the mouth the port of Wusong was extremely busy.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/wusong.jpg

 

At 12:30 several buoys indicated we had reached the end of the Huangpu and were entering the Yangtze river. An unidentified Princess ship was at a terminal just upstream from our point of entry to the Yangtze.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/themouth.jpg

 

For several miles down the Yangtze there were extensive cargo terminals around the river. The lower river was very wide but soon after entering we passed a large island which was also a steady string of cargo cranes.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/loweryangtze.jpg

 

While we sailed midway down the Yangtze Terry Greenberg had his talk on the political status of Hong Kong. The Volendam followed us in the distance most or all the way down the Yangtze. We slowed down just before dinner to disembark our pilot.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/vdamfollows.jpg

 

All 6 of us were back at table 43. For me it was the fruit cup, Veal Parmigiana and cherry crisp.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/dishes30.jpg

 

The featured entertainment was singer Chris Powley. After the show I stopped by the piano bar one last time, unless packing goes faster than is likely.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/powley.jpg

 

Today’s parting shot will be a wish for a safe and fun Halloween. I may be a bit early but with the time difference on this side of the world it’s hard to be sure.

 

Note: My Cruise Critic post for the final day may be quite delayed. Wordpress stores photos in folders by month and I’ll need to wait until that post has been published to see if it’s deemed to be October or November before I can merge in photo links.

 

Roy

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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Sheila, it's fairly common to have bible study on sea days when there's a protestant chaplain on board. Sadly, while there used to be one on all longer cruises that only happens now on Grand Voyages and holiday cruises.

 

RuthC, no wiggle room on the Rome end. Prinsendam sails at 4 PM the next day. Wiggle room would be the next port.

 

I did get a "sort of" cruise log after dinner. I've already packed my scanner so I won't post it until after I'm on the Prinsendam.

 

Roy

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cruisin'teach

cruisin'teach

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Enjoy following your travels!

Sorry to hear Protestant pastors are only on World and holiday cruises. We have had some amazing Bible teaching on our cruises. This is one of the reasons we sail HAL. Hope they will reconsider having pastors on other longer cruises!

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bcummin

bcummin

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Enjoy following your travels!

Sorry to hear Protestant pastors are only on World and holiday cruises. We have had some amazing Bible teaching on our cruises. This is one of the reasons we sail HAL. Hope they will reconsider having pastors on other longer cruises!

 

This year's Voyage of the Vikings was the first without a Protestant pastor or a Rabbi. I was disappointed that HAL provided only the Catholic Priest.

However, we did have two superb Protestant ministers aboard to lead Sunday services.

Barbara

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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Thank you everybody.

 

Day A30, Tuesday, October 31, 2017, At sea, MS Amsterdam

 

The Oosterdam is transiting the Panama Canal. The Prinsendam is in Naples.

 

My last full day on the Amsterdam started pretty pleasantly. With a following wind, the wind across the deck was pretty minimal despite sailing “pedal to the metal” at over 21 kt. It was cloudy with a temperature of about 60F as I completed my final 5-mile walk on the Amsterdam. The sun did not quite come out but there was some evidence of it through breaks in the clouds.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/dawn1031.jpg

 

While there was quite a full sea day program I passed on most of it. After 9AM bible study Ian had his talk on Vietnam; while he talked I packed. There was a back stage tour of the Queens Lounge at 11 but it was also the Mariner Brunch for the 40 or so of us disembarking in Hong Kong. I had been surprised not to be invited to the usual awards ceremony before the brunch but the medallions were given out in the dining room, 3 bronze (100 days) and one for 300 days. The brunch was near the back windows and I ended up at the same table as on my 2014 World Cruise segment. After the pear soup my menu choice was the steak and we finished up with Key Lime Pie.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/brunch.jpg

 

In his midday update Captain Eversen indicated we were sailing past Taiwan and were about 65 miles from Taipei at noon. We should pick up our pilot at 7AM, arrive at the dock at 7:30, and be tied up by 8. My estimated calloff time from the ship is 8:30 and I should be in good shape for my 1:35 flight.

 

Edward Murphy had his final lecture at 2, covering how the Pueblo came to be captured and talked a bit about his experience as a prisoner and eventual release.

 

While preparing for dinner I noticed the dimming light outside my window and stepped outside for my final sunset. The horizon was cloudy but the sunset was nice anyway.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/dusk1031.jpg

 

The dining room was decorated for Halloween and some people were dressed in costumes. No costumes at table 43 but most of my tablemates were at least wearing orange. The wine steward snapped a picture of our final night together.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/halloween43.jpg

 

I was still not very hungry after the mariner brunch. In addition to the strawberry bisque I chose the oven roasted chicken and the apricot sundae.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/dishes31.jpg

 

The featured entertainment was dulcimer artist Pingxin Xu. He was very good. After the show I stopped by the piano bar for a final few minutes.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/pingxin.jpg

 

I had put my larger bag in the hallway before dinner before the show and the checked back pack at 9:30. I did better than I expected with the bags, the big one was 49 pounds and the back pack 35. I still have a fair amount for carry on, electronics and medication mostly.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/bagsout.jpg

 

My parting shot will be about how easy it can be to make a mistake when rushed. I had prepared envelopes with some cash for my room stewards. As I was leaving for dinner I suddenly realized I didn’t see them and did a quick search. They were in the trash along with a number of papers I tossed in bulk. Almost a costly mistake. In addition, I got a too good to be true offer when checking in for my flight, a business class upgrade for a really good price. Jumping quickly on the offer I discovered as I completed the offer that it was business class on the local flight from Amsterdam to Rome, not the marathon endurance test. I think it was still worth while but not the bargain I had assumed. Live and Learn.

 

Roy

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rafinmd "Live from...." Rare

rafinmd

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Breathing a bit easier.

 

Things went well with disembarkation and I am now at HKG Gate 18. The Business class to Rome has already proved somewhat useful as it got me into the priority checkin lane. Also got Priority Tags on my bags. No luck though with getting into the HKG lounge. My plane just arrived at the gate.

 

I feel good but will not fully relax until I’m on the Elegant Explorer.

 

Roy

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kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

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Oh my heavens on your envelopes in the garbage, Roy.

 

That would be SO easy to do. Glad you discovered it and rescued them before it was too late.

 

YAY on your arrival at the airport. You are on your way. Is the entire flight KLM? Hope it is a good one and smooth one.

 

Safe travels and hoping your connection is an easy one.

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