Fred Olsen Komodo Island Jan 2020

[tring]

2 hours ago, tallulahcruiser said:

Where are you going in India. We have spent a fair amount of time there on land based holidays. 

 

The main problem is Porbandar, which is Gandhi's birthplace were we are moored for a day, but only a half day trip is possible with Fred.  We will probably take a Fred trip there, but perhaps the "Porbandar on your own" as the details suggest we could come back independently later in the day if we get our own transport.  I spoke to Fred's shore tours and they are going to find out how easy it will be to come back by taxi if we stay on - it is not a main tourist area, so we are pretty wary, though the distance is less than 10 km from the port.

 

The other place we are wondering about is our 2 days in Mormugao in Goa (near the airport).  We have had 3 weeks in Candolim, so have done Old Goa, a spice farm and temples by taxi and got the ferry/bus to Panjim a couple of times and stayed on for a meal each night and did the sunset cruise there with a boat load of locals - great fun.  We loved all that, but do not particularly want to repeat, so are hoping we can pick up a taxi and do some places in south Goa, including some inland places.  We do not know South Goa other than a trip to a beach at the southern end where we had a stay in a tent (sort of glamping, but not that posh).

 

The other ports are Kochi (2 days) and Mumbai (1 day).  With both of those we will just do the cities and seems to be no probs. with that.  We did an overnight house boat in North Goa when we visited a village but otherwise just saw trees and men dredging mud with buckets, but it was a lovely, peaceful time.  We may have a holiday in Kerala sometime, if we can fit it in before we get much older, and would do the backwaters then. 

Edited July 17, 2019 by tring

[tallulahcruiser]

13 hours ago, tring said:

 

The main problem is Porbandar, which is Gandhi's birthplace were we are moored for a day, but only a half day trip is possible with Fred.  We will probably take a Fred trip there, but perhaps the "Porbandar on your own" as the details suggest we could come back independently later in the day if we get our own transport.  I spoke to Fred's shore tours and they are going to find out how easy it will be to come back by taxi if we stay on - it is not a main tourist area, so we are pretty wary, though the distance is less than 10 km from the port.

 

The other place we are wondering about is our 2 days in Mormugao in Goa (near the airport).  We have had 3 weeks in Candolim, so have done Old Goa, a spice farm and temples by taxi and got the ferry/bus to Panjim a couple of times and stayed on for a meal each night and did the sunset cruise there with a boat load of locals - great fun.  We loved all that, but do not particularly want to repeat, so are hoping we can pick up a taxi and do some places in south Goa, including some inland places.  We do not know South Goa other than a trip to a beach at the southern end where we had a stay in a tent (sort of glamping, but not that posh).

 

The other ports are Kochi (2 days) and Mumbai (1 day).  With both of those we will just do the cities and seems to be no probs. with that.  We did an overnight house boat in North Goa when we visited a village but otherwise just saw trees and men dredging mud with buckets, but it was a lovely, peaceful time.  We may have a holiday in Kerala sometime, if we can fit it in before we get much older, and would do the backwaters then. 

We did the sunset cruise with the locals in Panjim. It was great to see them all dressed in best saris, danci g to the  US is. I think we probrably stayed in the same tents as you. Cola beach in the south. We were staying in the north and hired a scooter to get there  I remember 2 big monkeys jumping out in from of us nearly causing us to fall off. We though we were very intrepid taking the scooter on an ancient ferry across a river and  finding our way to the tents. When we got there we found the occupants of the other tents were on a Thompsons trip which somehow made it seem less of an adventure!

Kerala is certainly worth seeing. A lot quieter than his. We did  the backwaters. Very serene. Cochin is an easy place to explore. Don't miss the Jewish quarter and the fishing nets. We got a man with a very old boat to take us from where the ship docked. He showed us all the sights and waited for us at each place. Hardly cost anything. The boat was full of water by the time we got back, had to keep bailing it our but bad a great time. 

[tring]

8 minutes ago, tallulahcruiser said:

We did the sunset cruise with the locals in Panjim. It was great to see them all dressed in best saris, danci g to the  US is. I think we probrably stayed in the same tents as you. Cola beach in the south. We were staying in the north and hired a scooter to get there  I remember 2 big monkeys jumping out in from of us nearly causing us to fall off. We though we were very intrepid taking the scooter on an ancient ferry across a river and  finding our way to the tents. When we got there we found the occupants of the other tents were on a Thompsons trip which somehow made it seem less of an adventure!

Kerala is certainly worth seeing. A lot quieter than his. We did  the backwaters. Very serene. Cochin is an easy place to explore. Don't miss the Jewish quarter and the fishing nets. We got a man with a very old boat to take us from where the ship docked. He showed us all the sights and waited for us at each place. Hardly cost anything. The boat was full of water by the time we got back, had to keep bailing it our but bad a great time. 

 

Yep, that sounds like India + the roaming cows or course.  We were sitting next to and were speaking to a young honeymoon couple on the sunset cruise - yes great to see and experience local life.  Sitting in a riverside restaurant at night was also very memorable with no other western tourists, whilst watching the throbbing, multi coloured lit casino boats on the river......  Mmmmm we may consider going back to Panjim next Feb.  We travelled to the tents on a small coach as we had booked with a local tour operator in Candolim (John's boats).  John's was very well spoken of on Trip Advisor and a great guy.  He also owned the boat, which he had transported from Kerala and had transformed into a two bedroom tourist boat, (like the ones used in Kerala) and put it on a river to the north of North Goa.  It was the only boat around (with just one other couple + 2 staff on board) - we were taken there by John's taxi arrangements.  The boat was booked up 2 weeks ahead, so we could only do it as we were there for 3 weeks (B&B in a small Thomson's hotel).  Would not have wanted to risk a scouter though - that is indeed intrepid!!!

 

Fred's shore tours rang and said we will be OK finding a taxi or tuk tuk  back to the ship as long as we stay in the town centre of Porbandar, as they will hang around town given there is a ship in port.  I think we will still book Fred's "on your own", trip in case we cannot easily get transport in to the town and we may yet decide that our allotted 3 hours will be enough and return with Fred.  She was also very helpful about "non official" toilets on another tour, having emailed their tour provider for details, but they are not the sort of thing they will be recommending people use - well we know what that means........    Oh to be a man 🙂

 

Thanks for the tips on Cochin - very useful.  Allan had read there were a number of ferries as well, so will look further into that nearer the time as we will have 2 full days there.  I assume you just made arrangements as you got off the ship.

 

Speaking to shore tours, it seems the ship is not due to dock in Mumbai until 11am and will be leaving mid morning the next day (only tour Fred offer's then is a dawn trip from 5 am to 8.30am - not my style).  So we are now thinking we may do the walking tour in Mumbai which goes at 12.30pm for 5 hours (as it transports between a few places by coach) and we will go off again independently, after we have had a quick bite and a rest, but we need to look closer at those plans.  Would love to just "wing it" there, but thinking if we went off alone it would be very difficult to get to anywhere much in that time.  May be able to book a local guide before we go though as an alternative.  We are very surprised at the very wide variety of tours available with Fred - different local experiences etc., so you could call there many times and still find something different - presumably catering for people who keep doing world cruises etc.

 

Well lots to look forward to for both of us, but must enjoy some of our summer as well,

 

Barbara

   

[berkshireboy]

21 hours ago, tallulahcruiser said:

I have just had a look at the distance from Thilawa where we dock, to Yangon. 16 miles. The traffic or the state of the roads must be really bad if it takes 2 hours.

 

Yes, I noticed the distance quoted as well and it did seem much further than that to us.  I looked at the ports of call section on Cruise Critic but there is not all that much there.  The two reviews that mentioned distance between the port and town say -

"The road to Yangon was very crude and subject to traffic jams. Our return from Yangon took about 2 1/2 hours" 

"Again too long a bus journey from the port to anything and the Port itself sadly was basically a concrete slab in front of what appeared to be a Bus Graveyard."

Again it must depend on time of day and time of year.  Our most recent visit was with Azamara and the Azamazing evening on that cruise was to celebrate the Water Festival in Yangon so likely to be busier than normal as this was a public holiday [probably the main one of the year].  I was also reminded that our trip on that occasion was in a fleet of 14 modern air conditioned coaches so they do exist!  The tourist industry in Myanmar has been built up from scratch in recent years so obviously conditions are improving steadily.

Viator does quote a 10 hour taxi excursion from the port gates as being from £65 per person but when I entered the dates we would be alongside, the price became £216.44 for two. To be honest it doesn't seem much different to Fred's Yangon Delights excursion at £96 per head [with a further 5% discount depending upon your Oceans loyalty level]. I thought that maybe there were other cruise ships in port that day to inflate the prices but nothing is showing other than Boudicca

I would emphasize though that Yangon is a must see destination and well worth the journey.  Please don't be put off by my saying that the journey into town was a bit fraught for us - it may have improved immeasurably by now and I wouldn't want to spoil your experience.

[tallulahcruiser]

17 hours ago, tring said:

 

Yep, that sounds like India + the roaming cows or course.  We were sitting next to and were speaking to a young honeymoon couple on the sunset cruise - yes great to see and experience local life.  Sitting in a riverside restaurant at night was also very memorable with no other western tourists, whilst watching the throbbing, multi coloured lit casino boats on the river......  Mmmmm we may consider going back to Panjim next Feb.  We travelled to the tents on a small coach as we had booked with a local tour operator in Candolim (John's boats).  John's was very well spoken of on Trip Advisor and a great guy.  He also owned the boat, which he had transported from Kerala and had transformed into a two bedroom tourist boat, (like the ones used in Kerala) and put it on a river to the north of North Goa.  It was the only boat around (with just one other couple + 2 staff on board) - we were taken there by John's taxi arrangements.  The boat was booked up 2 weeks ahead, so we could only do it as we were there for 3 weeks (B&B in a small Thomson's hotel).  Would not have wanted to risk a scouter though - that is indeed intrepid!!!

 

Fred's shore tours rang and said we will be OK finding a taxi or tuk tuk  back to the ship as long as we stay in the town centre of Porbandar, as they will hang around town given there is a ship in port.  I think we will still book Fred's "on your own", trip in case we cannot easily get transport in to the town and we may yet decide that our allotted 3 hours will be enough and return with Fred.  She was also very helpful about "non official" toilets on another tour, having emailed their tour provider for details, but they are not the sort of thing they will be recommending people use - well we know what that means........    Oh to be a man 🙂

 

Thanks for the tips on Cochin - very useful.  Allan had read there were a number of ferries as well, so will look further into that nearer the time as we will have 2 full days there.  I assume you just made arrangements as you got off the ship.

 

Speaking to shore tours, it seems the ship is not due to dock in Mumbai until 11am and will be leaving mid morning the next day (only tour Fred offer's then is a dawn trip from 5 am to 8.30am - not my style).  So we are now thinking we may do the walking tour in Mumbai which goes at 12.30pm for 5 hours (as it transports between a few places by coach) and we will go off again independently, after we have had a quick bite and a rest, but we need to look closer at those plans.  Would love to just "wing it" there, but thinking if we went off alone it would be very difficult to get to anywhere much in that time.  May be able to book a local guide before we go though as an alternative.  We are very surprised at the very wide variety of tours available with Fred - different local experiences etc., so you could call there many times and still find something different - presumably catering for people who keep doing world cruises etc.

 

Well lots to look forward to for both of us, but must enjoy some of our summer as well,

 

Barbara

   

Yes we   did make our own arrangeme ts when we got off the ship. The locals are very keen to show you arou nd so I am sure you will have no problem finding a boat, run run or taxi there. We were sailing on a very old cruise ship, now gone. It was called Ocean Oddysey. We visited the Lakshdweep islands which were beautiful. It broke down in Columbo so we had 3 extra days there while they got parts for the engine. The ship small, 250 passengers but only 65 on board. It was our first I production to india and we loved it.

Good to hear Fred are offering lots of local experiences for passengers. It can be a bit overwhelming until you get used to it.

[tallulahcruiser]

16 hours ago, berkshireboy said:

 

Yes, I noticed the distance quoted as well and it did seem much further than that to us.  I looked at the ports of call section on Cruise Critic but there is not all that much there.  The two reviews that mentioned distance between the port and town say -

"The road to Yangon was very crude and subject to traffic jams. Our return from Yangon took about 2 1/2 hours" 

 

"Again too long a bus journey from the port to anything and the Port itself sadly was basically a concrete slab in front of what appeared to be a Bus Graveyard."

 

Again it must depend on time of day and time of year.  Our most recent visit was with Azamara and the Azamazing evening on that cruise was to celebrate the Water Festival in Yangon so likely to be busier than normal as this was a public holiday [probably the main one of the year].  I was also reminded that our trip on that occasion was in a fleet of 14 modern air conditioned coaches so they do exist!  The tourist industry in Myanmar has been built up from scratch in recent years so obviously conditions are improving steadily.

Viator does quote a 10 hour taxi excursion from the port gates as being from £65 per person but when I entered the dates we would be alongside, the price became £216.44 for two. To be honest it doesn't seem much different to Fred's Yangon Delights excursion at £96 per head [with a further 5% discount depending upon your Oceans loyalty level]. I thought that maybe there were other cruise ships in port that day to inflate the prices but nothing is showing other than Boudicca

I would emphasize though that Yangon is a must see destination and well worth the journey.  Please don't be put off by my saying that the journey into town was a bit fraught for us - it may have improved immeasurably by now and I wouldn't want to spoil your experience.

Yes i found that with Viator, the prices increasing. We have one tour booked for Yangon with Fred but it doesn't actually go into the city. The options for the other day to go into the city seem quite limited. I would like to see the temple and the market so the only option would be the one tour including museum as well making it a long 91/2 hour day. The 6 hour one would be better but doesn't include the market. I wonder whether to risk getting a taxi at the ship to take us where we want go go.

[berkshireboy]

4 hours ago, tallulahcruiser said:

Yes i found that with Viator, the prices increasing. We have one tour booked for Yangon with Fred but it doesn't actually go into the city. The options for the other day to go into the city seem quite limited. I would like to see the temple and the market so the only option would be the one tour including museum as well making it a long 91/2 hour day. The 6 hour one would be better but doesn't include the market. I wonder whether to risk getting a taxi at the ship to take us where we want go go.

 

Probably your best bet then.  The journey will probably be much faster in a taxi and, once in Yangon, there will be no waiting around for other passengers to rejoin the coach. And you can specify exactly where you want to go.  I don't know the frequency of the shuttle to the port gates but it's not far so may even operate on demand.  Good luck anyway!

[tallulahcruiser]

22 hours ago, berkshireboy said:

 

Probably your best bet then.  The journey will probably be much faster in a taxi and, once in Yangon, there will be no waiting around for other passengers to rejoin the coach. And you can specify exactly where you want to go.  I don't know the frequency of the shuttle to the port gates but it's not far so may even operate on demand.  Good luck anyway!

Thanks. It will be inyetesting to see what happens. Maybe Fred will add more tours nearer the time.

[berkshireboy]

1 hour ago, tallulahcruiser said:

Thanks. It will be inyetesting to see what happens. Maybe Fred will add more tours nearer the time.

 

I doubt that they will add more tours.  The ones listed are the same as those we had with both Azamara and Celebrity in the past.  I remember with Celebrity there was a tour that visited a local family in their home which I haven't seen since but it must have been part of a longer tour.  That was back in 2015.

 

I looked back at our Cruise Critic Roll Call for our most recent visit - April last year and, although it was on Azamara where there are usually many private tours the only one I could see being organised was an 8hr "Yangon Highlights".  This was with a company called Shore Excursions Asia and the price was from $100 pp for a minimum of four. There is no feedback on the roll call as to how good this tour was.  However, the tour doesn't look any different to the ship organised ones. 

One couple did book an hotel in Myanmar for the duration [two nights rather than the one night on Fred] to avoid the daily  journey to and from the port.

 

Our Roll Call was organised by uktog and I'm sure she wont mind me quoting from what she told us [she is a frequent visitor to Myanmar on business.

 

"This is a nice country but lots of drawbacks. Lovely people but sadly an increasing number "cashing in" on tourists. My main advice would be (and this is from one who is very critical of them) take the ships tours. Be aware unless you personally know someone recommending a provider on a site (e.g. Tripadvisor) it is very possibly not entirely genuine. (That info came from reputable official sources).  The ship will be docked about an hour from Yangon. Whilst taxis into Yangon might be inexpensive finding one to return could be a challenge and do not rely on the driver coming back as "promised"  

This is in a country where the infrastructure does not readily include aircon. So be prepared. Also you are unlikely to find wifi off the ship.

As I say lovely country no Starbucks, Costa or Golden Arches but also no effective tourism infrastructure- they are trying and I know having been working with someone from the tourism ministry they want to get it right. With that in mind they requisition the best people to provide support to visiting cruise ships in terms of drivers and guides."

uktog"

Hope that that helps.

[tallulahcruiser]

7 hours ago, berkshireboy said:

 

I doubt that they will add more tours.  The ones listed are the same as those we had with both Azamara and Celebrity in the past.  I remember with Celebrity there was a tour that visited a local family in their home which I haven't seen since but it must have been part of a longer tour.  That was back in 2015.

 

I looked back at our Cruise Critic Roll Call for our most recent visit - April last year and, although it was on Azamara where there are usually many private tours the only one I could see being organised was an 8hr "Yangon Highlights".  This was with a company called Shore Excursions Asia and the price was from $100 pp for a minimum of four. There is no feedback on the roll call as to how good this tour was.  However, the tour doesn't look any different to the ship organised ones. 

One couple did book an hotel in Myanmar for the duration [two nights rather than the one night on Fred] to avoid the daily  journey to and from the port.

 

Our Roll Call was organised by uktog and I'm sure she wont mind me quoting from what she told us [she is a frequent visitor to Myanmar on business.

 

"This is a nice country but lots of drawbacks. Lovely people but sadly an increasing number "cashing in" on tourists. My main advice would be (and this is from one who is very critical of them) take the ships tours. Be aware unless you personally know someone recommending a provider on a site (e.g. Tripadvisor) it is very possibly not entirely genuine. (That info came from reputable official sources).  The ship will be docked about an hour from Yangon. Whilst taxis into Yangon might be inexpensive finding one to return could be a challenge and do not rely on the driver coming back as "promised"  

 

This is in a country where the infrastructure does not readily include aircon. So be prepared. Also you are unlikely to find wifi off the ship.

 

As I say lovely country no Starbucks, Costa or Golden Arches but also no effective tourism infrastructure- they are trying and I know having been working with someone from the tourism ministry they want to get it right. With that in mind they requisition the best people to provide support to visiting cruise ships in terms of drivers and guides."

 

uktog"

Hope that that helps.

 

Thanks for that. I had better get looking again at the excursions. The 9 and half hour one is longer than we would normally choose to do but I don't suppose it is a place we will revisit so probrably opt for that one as the it be one dosent include much at all.

[tallulahcruiser]

10 hours ago, berkshireboy said:

 

I doubt that they will add more tours.  The ones listed are the same as those we had with both Azamara and Celebrity in the past.  I remember with Celebrity there was a tour that visited a local family in their home which I haven't seen since but it must have been part of a longer tour.  That was back in 2015.

 

I looked back at our Cruise Critic Roll Call for our most recent visit - April last year and, although it was on Azamara where there are usually many private tours the only one I could see being organised was an 8hr "Yangon Highlights".  This was with a company called Shore Excursions Asia and the price was from $100 pp for a minimum of four. There is no feedback on the roll call as to how good this tour was.  However, the tour doesn't look any different to the ship organised ones. 

One couple did book an hotel in Myanmar for the duration [two nights rather than the one night on Fred] to avoid the daily  journey to and from the port.

 

Our Roll Call was organised by uktog and I'm sure she wont mind me quoting from what she told us [she is a frequent visitor to Myanmar on business.

 

"This is a nice country but lots of drawbacks. Lovely people but sadly an increasing number "cashing in" on tourists. My main advice would be (and this is from one who is very critical of them) take the ships tours. Be aware unless you personally know someone recommending a provider on a site (e.g. Tripadvisor) it is very possibly not entirely genuine. (That info came from reputable official sources).  The ship will be docked about an hour from Yangon. Whilst taxis into Yangon might be inexpensive finding one to return could be a challenge and do not rely on the driver coming back as "promised"  

 

This is in a country where the infrastructure does not readily include aircon. So be prepared. Also you are unlikely to find wifi off the ship.

 

As I say lovely country no Starbucks, Costa or Golden Arches but also no effective tourism infrastructure- they are trying and I know having been working with someone from the tourism ministry they want to get it right. With that in mind they requisition the best people to provide support to visiting cruise ships in terms of drivers and guides."

 

uktog"

Hope that that helps.

 

Just booked A taste of Yangon. 2 temples a a tea room. 

[berkshireboy]

 

Looks like a good compromise.

[tallulahcruiser]

3 hours ago, berkshireboy said:

 

Looks like a good compromise.

Yes looking forward to seeing the pagoda. Was unsure whether to choose the sunset tour but it didn't include anywhere else and as we haven't been to Yangon before I do want to have a bit if a look round. I do tho k the tours Fred are offering there are rather limited.

I have been looking at things to do in Singapore. We spent a few days there on the way to Australia so have seen some of the city including a Singapore along in Raffles.

It looks very easy to get to Sentosa island from where the ship docks so think we might go to Universal Studios.

[berkshireboy]

It's easy to get anywhere in Singapore!  It looks like we will dock at Marina Bay Cruise Centre which is a little further from Sentosa than the Singapore Cruise Centre but there isn't much in it.  Have you thought of going across by the cable car - definitely worth it if you haven't done it already.

For anyone wanting to try the true Singapore Sling, Raffles is due to reopen next month.

[tallulahcruiser]

1 hour ago, berkshireboy said:

It's easy to get anywhere in Singapore!  It looks like we will dock at Marina Bay Cruise Centre which is a little further from Sentosa than the Singapore Cruise Centre but there isn't much in it.  Have you thought of going across by the cable car - definitely worth it if you haven't done it already.

For anyone wanting to try the true Singapore Sling, Raffles is due to reopen next month.

Yes we went on the cavle car last time we were there  I wonder if the train will be driverless line those in Dubai  I just thought universal studios might be a bit of light relief from all the  cultural sightseeing and the price is a lot less than the one we went to in California 

[berkshireboy]

The BBC have put together a very interesting summery of the proposed changes to Komodo Island next year, including evicting all the islanders.  When it reopens the entrance fee could be $1000 [valid for twelve months] against the current $10.  Looking to attract the very rich [not us I'm afraid]!  By comparison the fee to enter the Galapagos National Park is $100

 

“The Komodo is not being protected,” says Laiskodat. [The Governor]

“Too many people are coming in - they are paying next to nothing, and that means anyone can enter,” he says.

The current charge is about $10 (£8) a person. For his new vision he would charge a much higher price.  

“People will have to become members and pay $1,000 [£790] to enter for a year. I think that’s cheap. So if we let 50,000 people in we will have $50m [£40m] a year.”

 

Living Among the Dragons is on BBC iPlayer and on BBC World on Thursday 25 July, 09:30 GMT, and Friday 26 July, 08:00 GMT.

 

Maybe the existing arrangements will will still be in place when we visit on the 21 January next year.  If not Rinca Island looks like the only viable option  [1049 dragons as against 1727 on Komodo Island itself].

[tallulahcruiser]

Yes I have seen it. FO must be making an awful lot of profit from the tours. I would much rather pay directly to local tour operators so hope I can still go ahead with my original plan. If we do go to Rinca instead the local operators can arrange a private tour their for us.