Live, Terry/Ohio, India to Singapore, Silver Moon Rising, Pix’s!

[TLCOhio]

Surprise?  In doing some checking today with things being so hot outside, I discovered a group of pictures from my photo files where I had not completed the updating.  Warning!  Lots of colorful and interesting visuals.  

 

Where?: Phuket!!   Thailand’s largest island promises ocean beauty and wide beaches of opulence, with dramatic scenery and sights.  Yes, it checked all of the various boxes!!  We explored the streets of busy Phuket Town with markets, lively activity, temples and fun architecture.  We had an afternoon, plus a full day here.  Lots to enjoy and love.   

 

Phang Nga Bay National Park is nearby with its remarkable landscape of towering limestone karst. The iconic rock formations are encased by theatrical inlets and greenery-clad rock formations.  Our speedboat tours allowed us to feel the salty air as we traveled between secluded islands, and visited an authentic stilted village.  Lavish temples, Chinese shrines and giant Buddha statues add another layer of cultural depth.

 

From a New York Times March 16, 2010, profile, they summarized:  "The teardrop-shaped island of Phuket has long been known for its dazzling beaches and naughty night life. But for many, it was the catastrophic Asian tsunami in 2004 that finally placed Phuket on the map. Recovery has been swift, and in recent years the island has firmly reasserted itself as a premier beach resort in southern Thailand, with a growing crop of luxury hotels, top-notch restaurants and even a thriving art community."

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Kotor/Montenegro:  Various visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 56,396 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

 

For the first afternoon in Thailand, we were recovering from being a "little under the weather" and did not want to do a group tour.  We hired a cab at the docking location and traveled to Phuket's city via a scenic, beachside routing.  Our "guide" was young and female, but a very careful, considerate driver that worked well at a reasonable price of only $50 for the afternoon.  First is a typical beach view and the second visual shows a wider water view with a large Buddha statute towering above from its higher mountain location.:

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Here are a few initial views for the colorful and interesting sights and architecture in the Phuket Town.:

 

 

This temple was newer and one of the most unique designs we observed during our Asian adventure.:

 

 

Here is my wife with our young guide/driver in front of one of the temple buildings.  Second is another example for their downtown shopping/dining area.  Not a boring or bland portion of this town.  More to come to prove my point for why we enjoyed exploring around here.:

 

[TLCOhio]

Need more proof and evidence from Phuket that we enjoyed the sights and experiences here?  It was super hot this day, but we survived.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Dubrovnik!  Visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic and historic location. Over 54,426 views.    

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

 

Here are more visual samples of the detailed design from the Phuket temple architecture.  Fancy??:

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In the Phuket downtown, here is a wider sample for the architecture, friendly people, various shops, designs, flowering touches, decorative details, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

More from Phuket?  Yes!!   And, this was only from our first afternoon there.  The next day's, all-day speedboat adventure to James Bond Island will be coming soon.   

 

On photography, here is some added background.  For this 31-day, "Around the World" adventure, I went back to check from numbers of the first photo taken in Delhi to the last in Japan and up with the numbers snapped for 2399 through 8389, plus then I add in those from my iPhone, plus my back-up Nikon 5500 and get a rough total of 6450 visuals, plus a few dozens or so taken by our guides in Singapore and Japan on their cameras.  That's lots!!  See why it takes some time to sort through all of the visuals, rate/pull out the best, do some cropping and editing, etc.  

 

Are visuals important??  The picture postings have been great fun in sharing  Visuals are very powerful and sometimes what people remember most!!  Right or wrong?  That's why this thing called television has done fairly well in our society.  

 

I like the Eyewitness and Insight travel books because of their great variety of good visuals.  An experienced trial lawyer taught me that people are four times more likely to remember what they . . . BOTH see and hear!!  Studies also show that those younger tend to be more visually-oriented. 

 

The old saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" incorporates the idea that a complex messages can be conveyed with just a single or a few still images. It is more probable to communicate large amounts of "data" or words quickly.  Supposedly, this familiar saying comes from a Chinese proverb attributed to Confucius. A Russian writer wrote "A picture shows me at a glance what it takes dozens of pages of a book to expound."   French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly said: "A good sketch is better than a long speech"

 

More soon on my photography approach and maybe a few "secrets"?  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal.  Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 33,425 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

 

When traveling into and out of Phuket, there appeared to be some sort of festival and/or event upcoming.  Lots of color, decorations and style on the streets as the below visuals document.  Is this a large, large dinosaur/  Cute creatures shown?:

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Loved this below sign for a chicken place in Phuket.  Maybe a memorable name for starting a  dining chain in the U.S.?:

[TLCOhio]

As detailed earlier, we super loved the Siam Niramit evening program.  Putting the "frosting on the cake" was having front-row, center seats for this amazing performance.  Below are some additional visuals.  Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed or permitted inside the theater.  

 

Here are some highlights at to how TripAdvisor summarized this attraction: "Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Thai history and culture. This exceptional journey begins an incredible spectacle of rich Thai arts and cultural heritage, presented through cutting-edge technology and breathtaking special effects on the world's largest stage. Witness history spring to life in an unforgettable tableau. Engage in traditional Thai village activities, and gain an appreciation for the timeless elegance of Thai traditions. The Siam Niramit is a journey steeped in Thai culture. Let the magic of Siam Niramit Phuket enrapture you."  Most all of the TA reviews were positive, including this example: "The show was phenomenal! The set was beautiful and the actors/actresses were so talented and professional. Don’t miss it if you wish to learn and experience Thai culture and tradition. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Thailand."

 

"Amazing" is the one-world summary I would offer.  Yes, aimed at tourists, but they put on a great show with such a large cast and first-close costumes, sets and staging.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 22,8240 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

From the Siam Niramit evening program near Phuket, here were a couple of examples for outdoor decorations seen as we waited to enter this large-scale theater.  Colorful?:

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Prior to the indoor performance, we toured around their outdoor, village-like displays, buildings and grounds reflecting Thai history and life.  Below are a few of my visual samples for these areas, the welcoming staff, crafts, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the spectacular, large-scale show concluded, we exited and certain of the costumed performers were outside, available for pictures.  Earlier I posted three different visuals to illustrate the amazing costumes.  Here is one different picture where an audiences member posed with some of the on-stage talent.:

[TLCOhio]

Ready for the famous Thailand and Phuket movie connection?

 

Ko Khao Phing Kan is an island in Thailand, in Phang Nga Bay northeast of Phuket. About 130 feet from the shores of Khao Phing Kan lies a 66 feet tall islet called Ko Ta Pu or Ko Tapu.   The islands are limestone karst towers and are a part of Ao Phang Nga National Park.

 

Since 1974, when this location was featured in the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun", it has been popularly called James Bond Island.  This was the exotic and high-tech hideout for Bond's antagonist, Francisco Scaramanga.  The movie ends with a wild shoot-out with many twists and turns. 

 

Love the various James Bond movie/fantasies we have enjoyed over the many decades.  Re-watched this 1970's classic before we did our visit here in late February 2024.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

For more Bangkok background, including a variety of options, potential, visuals, etc., check out this posting:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2915090-bangkok-ny-times-options-ideas-etc/#comment-64898979

 

Different boats were used to visit these nearby islands in this dramatic area of Thailand near Phuket.:

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Here is proof that we physically were visiting this famed James Bond Island.  Second is a closer view of this dramatic limestone karst tower/formation that rises up next to this base/location for the hired assassin/villain in this movie.  The final two visuals below were captured as we walked around this island and stood under these massive rock formations and observed a large cave at this film location.:

 

 

 

 

Here is another example at an adjoining island as to how visitors explored this scenic region of Thailand.:

 

[TLCOhio]

Here is added local background: Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand facing the Andaman Sea.  The island has an area of 222 square miles and is mostly mountainous with a range in the western part of the island. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China.  It was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders, but was never colonized by a European power, per Wikipedia.

 

It formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber and now from tourism.  On December 26,  2004, Phuket and other nearby areas on Thailand's west coast suffered damage when they were struck by a tsunami caused by the earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia. The waves destroyed several highly-populated areas in the region, killing up to 5,300 people in Thailand and two hundred thousand more throughout the South and Southeast Asian regions.  As with most of Thailand, the majority of the population is Buddhist, but a significant number are Muslims, including  20% of the population in Phuket.

 

The water village of Koh Panyi is comprised of several hundred homes built on stilts with attached wooden walkways. Its residents were Javanese fishermen who migrated from Indonesia in the 18th century.  About 360 families or 1,600 people live here and are descended from two seafaring Muslim families from Java.   With the rise in tourism here, life in Ko Panyi is primarily based around fishing as tourists only visit in significant numbers during the dry season.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Many visuals, Our firsts in these scenic areas!  Now at 22,078 views. Live/blog: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

 

From visiting the stilted island of Koh Panyi, here are a few sample visuals.  First shows this village's large mosque and a portion of the housing, boats, etc.  We stopped here on the speedboat after visiting James Bond Island.:

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There were a number of dining and shops available for the tourist visitors, including this one staffer providing a friendly greeting.:

 

Here is a sampling of the colorful boats, roofs, decorations during our Koh Panyi visit.:

 

[irvington]

On 6/8/2024 at 5:49 PM, TLCOhio said:

Across from our hotel was another Mumbai landmark.  It's the Gateway of India, completed in 1924.  This monument forms the symbolic entrance to British India.

 

Located on the waterfront at an angle, opposite the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, it overlooks the Arabian Sea.  The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the arrival of British King George V, on December 2, 1911.  He was the first British monarch to visit India. Construction, however, did not begin until 1915.  The monument commemorates the legacy of British colonial rule.  

 

The Gateway's arch has a height of 85 feet with its central dome being 49 feet in diameter.  The central dome is surrounded by four turrets.  NY Times summarized: “fine example of the Mughal-meets-Gothic style of architecture known as Indo-Saracenic.”   The Gateway is also the monument from where the last British troops left in 1948, following Indian independence a year earlier.

 

Below is a night visual of this monument, plus two other of my views/angles for this India/Mumbai landmark.  Nice to have it so close to where we were staying for three nights.  

 

 

 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 22,818 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

Thanks for these wonderful pictures. My trip to Mumbai and Rajasthan 25 years ago is still my most memorable   

[TLCOhio]

On 6/21/2024 at 10:59 PM, irvington said:

Thanks for these wonderful pictures. My trip to Mumbai and Rajasthan 25 years ago is still my most memorable   

 

Appreciate these kind comments and great follow-up from our friend in Portland, Oregon.  Especially in Mumbai, so very much has changed and been added in this fast-changing, huge city.  Not as much high and new in Jaipur's main, central area. Still more tradition in that part of the "Pink City".   We would have liked to have explored much more in the Rajasthan.  Hopefully for both of us, there will be time to return to India.  Such a large and diverse country!!  We did and saw much, but only a limited amount of time and money for us on our first visit there.    

 

From MSN News and a travel news website three days ago, they had this headline: “World’s 30 Best Travel Destinations, Ranked” with these highlights: “The ultimate ranking of travel destinations aims to solve a serious problem: so many places to visit, so little time.”   This media report had two of the locations visited during this "Round the World" journey listed in their Top Ten grouping.  Here's more background as to their most loves in these two locations: 

 

Tokyo:  "The Japanese capital is one of the most exciting cities on the entire planet. It is notoriously fast-paced, with neon lights illuminating the multitudes that are constantly rushing to their next destination. Tokyo is also a city of temples.  Make sure you enjoy the abundance of delicious food that can be found on basically every corner.   Hot tip: Visit between the months of March and April or September and November for more comfortable temperatures. Of course, spring is when the city's cherry blossoms are famously in full bloom.  Fun fact: Tokyo happens to be the largest metropolitan area in the world, with more than 40 million people calling the greater metro area home."

 

For Phuket, Thailand:  "If you’re looking for a vacation destination that feels luxurious but won’t break the bank, start searching for flights to Phuket now. White sandy beaches abound. For views of the island and beyond, climb to the top of the massive alabaster statue called Big Buddha. Hot tip: Visit between November and April for the best weather — and ideal conditions for beach activities like swimming and boating.   Fun fact: The island is not pronounced in the rather colorful way it appears to be. The correct way to say it is 'poo-ket' or 'poo-get.' "

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/world-s-30-best-travel-destinations-ranked/ar-BB1hrIYr?ocid=BingNewsVerp#

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia.  This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc:  Live/blog:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/

[TLCOhio]

In checking through some additional photos taken during our Silver Moon sailing, below is additional "proof" that we were not starving and/or bored with the "same old" offerings every day on the ship.  Sorry, I do not remember all of the specifics for each item, the dining locations, etc.  Use your imagination!!

 

More to come, if you don't mind.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island).  Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City.    Visual/Info Summaries:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

 

From LaTerrazza at lunch one day, they had some special, interesting, skilled, fruit carvings, plus a variety of seafood items.:

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Special serving dishes used for these items, but I cannot remember exactly where and when on the Silver Moon.  Anyone who can filled in with any added specifics?:

 

 

 

[billc23]

6 minutes ago, TLCOhio said:

Special serving dishes used for these items, but I cannot remember exactly where and when on the Silver Moon.  Anyone who can filled in with any added specifics?:

The dishes are from Silver Note. 

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, billc23 said:

The dishes are from Silver Note. 

 

YES!!  Super appreciate this follow-up from our New Hampshire friend to refresh my foggy memory from our dining at Silver Note.  Very much enjoyed the music, food, drinks, service, etc., there.  

 

Fun environment!!  

 

Below are more food-related visuals.  Lots of dining options and potentials on the Silver Moon.  

 

More to come!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Love the Caribbean? Here are popular posts/links with Dominica having nearly 30,000 views. Much information for . . . .

Barbados:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2179164-barbados-50th-birthday-our-pixs-experiences-feb2015/page/3/#comment-65530134Or, Dominica:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2169714-dominica-love-our-experience-pictures-etc/page/3/#comment-66637276

 

At The Grill on the pool deck, you can cook your own on the "Hot Rocks".  But sailing from Sri Lanka to Thailand, it was rather warm out and to grab an old phrase . . . why bother?  The staff would prepare and serve it for us.  Below is my filet mignon, large shrimp and loaded baked potato.  Wonderful and very tasty!!  Looking good??:

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After dinner, we thanked the helpful and talented kitchen staff.:

 

At La Terrazza during our sailing on another evening, there were menu rotations with different options in this Italian dining area.  Here's a sample for a few of the tasty options during another night there.:

 

 

 

 

From one of the S.A.L.T. staffers, he gave a presentation as to the history of Thai food.:

 

As I recall in one of the ship's sales shop, here was a cute and classic floral look.:

[TLCOhio]

Need more "Eye Candy" from the Silver Moon?  See below.  

 

As a follow-up to earlier photography postings, here is more.  On my main camera, I have a Nikon D7200 with an 18-140mm VR lens.  It is a very good camera, but not at the top-pro, highest-cost levels.  But, just like with an artist or cook, it is not always the quality of the paint brushes . . . or . . . pots and pans that make THE quality difference.  It's also the skill, attention to detail and interest of the camera user.  Right?  Also on this trip, I used my iPhone that does well for food and closer-range pictures, including night and low-light shots.  

 

Lenses are also important.  Mostly I shoot with that 18-140mm mid-range zoom lens that came with my original Nikon D7100 camera.  Also, I have a Nikon 55-300mm VR lens for longer shots and a 10-20mm Sigma wide angle that is great for churches and building interiors, etc.   This Nikon cameras also has 1080HD video capability that works well.  In most cases, I shoot in the program or auto setting, letting the camera do the work on settings and focus so that I can be more concerned on framing, subject and creative options.  These cameras can be “complicated”, but I try to avoid those challenges and distractions.  If purchasing a new camera these days, I would probably go the "mirrorless" route as these next-generation SLR (single lens reflex) cameras are lighter and more compact.  

 

In most cases, I shoot in the program or auto setting, letting the camera do the work on settings and focus so that I can be more concerned on framing and creative subject options.  These cameras can be “complicated”, but I try to avoid too many of those challenges and distractions.  Happy to respond to any and all photo-related questions, needs for added background information, etc.    Here are a few basic, key photography secrets:
 

1. Shooting lots of pictures!  That is easier with digital to do, learning/improving as you are taking pictures.  When done and sharing, only show people the "good ones!" and do not bother them with the duplicate and/or average/poor visuals.  The more you shoot, that improves your "odds" to get more better pictures, varied framings, magic moments, etc.  

 

2. Move closer!  Zoom in, fill up the frame, try different, more interesting angles. 

 

3. Involve people and light.  Make it interesting. Get that human element/connection when possible.  Do NOT be boring!!  Get something better than just the normal "post-card" picture that everyone has previously seen or can find easily on the Internet. 

 

4. Hold things steady.  Gently squeeze.  Use door frames, walls to give more “stability” and lessen the blurs in lower-light and indoor situations.  Night pictures can have a real drama.  While newer iPhone do it automatically, setting the ISO setting (like film speed from the old days) allows caputuring amazing low-light images.  

 

5. Editing. Fine-tune your pictures on your lap-top, brighten when needed, level it out, improve the cropping, etc. Narrow down to only your “best of the best” pictures before sharing. Like with beef dining, focus on the “filet mignon”, not bothering viewers with ground chuck.   I have done editing on my MacBook Pro computer using their Photos software tool.  Fairly quick and easy!!  There are fancier photo editing options, but having a simplier program practiced over time makes the process easier and quicker.  That thoughtful editing really can make a major difference to increase quality and interest.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon vs. Porto?  Many different Portugal tips, options, ideas, visuals, etc. with more than 31,100 views at:   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2558841-lisbon-vs-porto-which-best/page/7/#comment-66782296

 

Desserts?  Yes, we had some variety of tasty treats!  Below are two samples/examples.  First from The Grill/pool deck and second from La Dame.:

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Here is another flower arrangement on board the Silver Moon.:  

 

Among the many helpful and friendly staff on the Silver Moon, here is Rakesh from northern India.  Loved our time visiting and exploring his country.:

 

[Lois R]

Terry, thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures with us😀I will be on the Moon in November and looking forward to sailing her again. I sailed her back in 2021 when the re-start happened. It was definitely a different type of cruising experience. 

It will be fun to step back on her again😀and your photos make it all the better!

[TLCOhio]

6 hours ago, Lois R said:

Terry, thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures with us😀I will be on the Moon in November and looking forward to sailing her again. I sailed her back in 2021 when the re-start happened. It was definitely a different type of cruising experience.  It will be fun to step back on her again😀and your photos make it all the better!

 

Super appreciate the kind comments and follow-up from Lois.  YES, we super liked our first sailing on the Silver Moon.  Lots of options and comfortable areas on this classy ship.  Good luck with your upcoming November sailing on the Silver Moon. 

 

During our February Mumbai to Singapore sailing, we only dined once in S.A.L.T.  That one time was a little "mixed".  Maybe we hit an off-night and/or did not pick our choices with the right luck/skill.  It was OK and good.  Not great and spectacular.  Also, it can be challenging for the staff with such a varied, fast-changing menu, etc.  Below are some of my visual from being there in S.A.L.T.  Looking good?

 

Here are some notes about this dining venue:  The logistics of this daily smorgasbord approach, of coordinating and procuring the necessary ingredients enroute in these trying times, is daunting.  Former Saveur magazine editor-in-chief Adam Sachs built a program devoted to seeking out new tastes from around the world and educating guests in a manner that fits their individual level of culinary interest.  S.A.L.T. Kitchen: menu changes most nights.   "This is the Anthony Bourdain generation," explained the Silversea President Barbara Muckermann as to why the program was conceived.  SS views that sophisticated cruisers today want to dive deep into the cuisine of visited ports, so Silversea came up with an on-brand way to give travelers what they want.  

 

What have been your favorites from S.A.L.T.??

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai?  Many different UAE tips, options, ideas, visuals, etc., with more than 21,600 views at:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2521493-abu-dhabi-vs-dubai-procon-factors/page/5/#comment-66634467

 

Here is one angle/view for the S.A.L.T. interior design and decoration.:

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We were in the Thailand/Malaysia region when we dined at S.A.L.T. on the Silver Moon. This is a sampling for some of our dining items that evening.:

 

 

 

 

As I recall, here were a couple of the dessert offerings that evening in S.A.L.T.:

 

 

Here is another angle/view for the S.A.L.T. interior design and decoration.:

[TLCOhio]

YES, have more "Tasty Treats" and other visuals from the Silver Moon.  See added photos below.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoy the Caribbean? Here are two popular posts/links with thousands of views with much info for . . . . Grenada   

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2179927-grenada-pixs-fun-experiences-jan2015/page/2/#comment-66823149

Or, Aruba:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2178325-aruba-pixs-fun-experiences-feb2015/page/3/#comment-66677721

 

One morning while having breakfast on the open terrace of La Terrazza, I captured this interesting angle with me and my camera shown in the glass reflection.  Also featured is the water and mountains in the background.  We loved having breakfast in the part of the ship where we could enjoy the sea air, water, etc.:

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While docked in Malaysia, next to us was this colorful ship owned by an Asian cruise line.  Glad we were on the smaller and more personal Silver Moon, not such a large, mass sailing ship.:  

 

On the crew recognition program, here was a sampling of the wonderful and hard-working staff that make the Silver Moon fun and enjoyable.:

 

From a later visit to La Terrazza, here are some "food porn" examples for certain dishes enjoyed at this dining venue.  Yes, tasty!  Any of these look familiar from your dining there?:  

 

 

 

[ScotsLady]

On 2/16/2024 at 5:24 AM, TLCOhio said:

Need more "eye-candy"???  See below.  Lots of fun and interesting visuals from our pre-cruise exploring in and around the "Golden Triangle", including for Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.  Plus, in Mumbai.  Four very different cities and such charm, energy and excitement. Much more to share and I will be happy to answer any questions about this ship, the ports, etc.  Don't be shy!! 

 

For pandawil, I did ask about that return trip and the key ship officials told me last night, that there is still not an "official" decision as to if that return Singapore to Mumbai cruise is on or off.  Clearly, lots of rumors and guesses.  BUT, nothing, yet, being said by Silversea as to how they make these expected future adjustments. 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 257,791 views.
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/

 

From our three days in Mumbai, as adjusted and added, the Silver Moon could not arrive as scheduled on Feb. 11.  We stayed at the famed and historic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai.  We were in the adjoining and connected Taj Tower.  Below are several visuals from in and around that hotel, including as to how they wonderfully celebrated Valentine's Day on Feb. 14.  In India at these top hotels, they know how to do pure "magic" with flowers and even with ballons.:

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T-Blade

 

 

Security was tight as we entered the port terminal preparing to board the Silver Moon.:

Yes, we super enjoyed a nice day earlier at the Taj Mahal in Agra.  First, as proof, from our Oberoi balcony room facing the famed architectural wonder of the world.  Second, closer when exploring the busy grounds there.  Many more to share later from the Taj, including for both sunset and sunrise.:

 

I have loved your pictures. Have just booked a cruise to India and want to do post cruise trip to Golden Triangle. Can you recommend a company ?

[DavyWavey70]

6 hours ago, ScotsLady said:

I have loved your pictures. Have just booked a cruise to India and want to do post cruise trip to Golden Triangle. Can you recommend a company ?

I’d very happily recommend https://www.goldentriangletourindia.com

I did a 3 week week tour of Rajasthan with them Jan 23 and it was impeccable. Own driver and fully customisable. I Specified that I wanted to stay in locally owned heritage properties and my money was spent locally rather than with a big multi national. They have options for Orberoi and Taj hotels too. Can’t recommend highly enough. 

[TLCOhio]

15 hours ago, ScotsLady said:

I have loved your pictures. Have just booked a cruise to India and want to do post cruise trip to Golden Triangle. Can you recommend a company ?

 

Appreciate these kind comments and follow-up.  Choose wisely!!  Do not just grab the first contact to reply.  Ask the right, smart questions!!   Of both potential tour operators and yourself.  Costs must be considered, but cheapest is not always the best. 

 

As mentioned earlier, thanks to the help and suggetion of former U.S. Ambassador to India (1997-2001) and Ohio Governor (1983-1991) Richard Celeste and his skilled wife, we connected with Ganeve Rajkotia in Delhi.  

 

Her firm is Nexxtop India Tours.  Website: www.nexxtopindia.com.   Very experiened with great expertise, super knowledge.  She knew her “stuff” and it resulted in an awesome experience.  Since they are living and working in India, they are up-to-the-minute with new properties and challenges that may impact an itinerary  You can reach Ganeve at ganeve@gmail.com and/or nexxtopindia@gmail.com.   Tell her Terry from Ohio said “Hi!” and that you are a smart traveler.   

 

We looked at many potentials to craft our detailed itinerary. I is important to consider carefully your many, many options to fit YOUR needs, personal interests and travel style.  One size does not fit all!!  And, the options/potentials are so very many that you cannot do it “ALL” in India during your first visit to this amazing and diverse country/culture.  

 

As an example, some companies will provide guides that come from each of the different local cities visiting such as Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.  That’s OK, maybe.  But, we had the same guide with us for the whole six days in exploring the Golden Triangle.  We got to know her.  She knew us!  We could discuss our interests and get our questions answered as we traveled between the various locations.  With some tours, you probably will have the same driver for the entire trip.  But that driver might only speak “some” English, but not be as fully conversational and knowlegeable as you might assume, need or desire.   

 

Also, there are many hotel variations with a wide range of pro/con factors to consider.  Reasearching and fine-tuning, ahead of time, makes a major difference for deciding what things “fit” as to maximizing to achieve the best experiences and highest learning/photo opportunities. Additionally, adjusting as you go is important as the "pacing" is needed to fit your interests.  You want to see and do lots and lots, but not kill yourself in the process. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio 

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 260,182 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/

 

In a small village between Agra and Jaipur, our super skilled guide, Parveen Paul, took us inside a family home to meet "locals" and learn about life in this part of India.  Some guide are "good", repeating the standard "talking points" memorized from Wikipedia.  Others, like Parveen, operate at a much higher level in being honest, highly knowledgeable and able to customize and adjust for our needs and personal interests as we traveled.:

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When dining in Jaipur, our guide was conversing with our waiter and making sure we ordered what worked best for our dining needs at this location.:

[TLCOhio]

On 6/28/2024 at 8:05 AM, DavyWavey70 said:

I’d very happily recommend https://www.goldentriangletourindia.com

I did a 3 week week tour of Rajasthan with them Jan 23 and it was impeccable. Own driver and fully customisable. I Specified that I wanted to stay in locally owned heritage properties and my money was spent locally rather than with a big multi national. They have options for Orberoi and Taj hotels too. Can’t recommend highly enough. 

 

YES!!  Great savvy follow-up, as always, from DavyWavey70.  Avoiding the traditional Marriotts and Hiltons, etc., is important in India.  Nothing wrong with those American-based chains.  

 

BUT, local is best for multiple, excellent reasons, including what mentioned above.  We stayed for three nights at the Taj in Delhi, the Oberoi in Agra and the flagship Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai.  All very excellent with unique architecture and interior details that made us really "feel" that we are actually "there" in India.  

 

"Boring and bland" needs to be avoided in India.  We can do that back home and that is not why we go to India and other exotic locations in the world. 

 

Our heritage property used in Jaipur also fit well for what Davy has correctly prioritized.  Below are some more visuals not previously posted to offer more reasons and "evidence" to go "local", unique and special in India.   

 

Keep it coming with great questions, comments, sharing, etc.  All very helpful.  Don't be shy as to seeking aded info and background. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 253,043 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

 

Here are some additional visuals from the Taj hotel in Delhi where we super enjoyed our first three nights in India.  These visuals offer more samples for the high-quality exterior grounds, interiors, etc.:

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When doing breakfast at the Taj in Delhi, I enjoyed seeing this unique set-up for how the honey comb was displayed and accessed.  Also, below were my Eggs Benedict at the Taj Club level of this hotel.  Looking tasty and good?:

 

[TLCOhio]

Like some more, but different, food visuals?  Not, this time, however, from India, the Silver Moon or Asia.  

 

For our flight on Tuesday, March 5, from Tokyo to Dallas/Ft. Worth, we depart mid-day from Japan.  But arrived around 7 am on the same day of March 5.  Magic?  No, it was crossing the International Date Line in the middle of the Pacific.  We saved a whole day!!

 

Fortunately with our American Airlines' Frequent Flyer miles we were luck to have Business Class seats from Tokyo to DFW . . . at a reasonable miles cost.  Not the 300K per seat, per flight that is often required on such flights.  

 

We flew on JAL or Japan Air Lines and expected/hoped for a little "different" experience than the same-old, same-old.  How did it go?

 

Below was our dining experience.  Worked well!!  Not a super-fancy, exotic dining delight, but above average, especially for airline food!! 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 251,905 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

 

Here was our opening offer with salad, bread and beer from Japan.  Loved the colorful can used by the historic beer company.:

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Then, the main entree, dessert, etc.  Worked well and not being jammed in a narrow, tight coach seat elevates the experience up, UP!:

 

 

Here was the JAL graphic as to our flight path to return us to the USA.:

 

As we approached the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport early in the morning of March 5, we could see the sun rising in the east on the same day we departed Tokyo.: