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

[TLCOhio]

From Condé Nast Traveler magazine late last month, they had this headline: “Most Beautiful Skylines in the World” with these highlights: “The world’s most beautiful skylines are more than just collections of buildings placed close together: They’re the façades of entire cities, the front doors to many of the earth’s most vibrant metropolises. It’s these man-made horizons that often offer the first impression to visitors and imbue a sense of home to returning locals."

 

Tokyo, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were among the top cities cited and they noted for this large Malaysia city:  "Petronas Towers designed by César Pelli in Kuala Lumpur are the tallest twin towers in the world. Designed in a postmodern style and drawing inspiration from Islamic architecture, the mirror sky-highs are defining additions of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Of course, they’re not the only ones, the city has 241 skyscrapers including Merdeka 118, the second tallest building in the world."

 

Did not realize that Merdeka 118 was the second tallest tower in the world.  Impressed!!  That building sits off by itself and somewhat distant from the Petronas Towers and most of the other major buildings in this city.  Below is one of pictures for this tall, tall tower.  Sorry this visual is long and narrow.  BUT, that's the way they built it.  

 

Per Wikipedia, it is "a 118-story megatall skyscraper. At 2,227 feet tall, it is the second-tallest building and structure in the world, only behind the Burj Khalifa at 2,717 feet.  The building's name, Merdeka, which means "independence" in Malay, is inspired by its proximity to Stadium Merdeka."  This web source also notes: "The building is designed with a mixture of diamond-shaped glass facades to signify the diversity of Malaysians."

 

Full story at:

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/most-beautiful-cities-skylines?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=cnt&utm_mailing=CNT_Daily_Unpaid_071124&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=5db3f99524c17c23c34ecf3e&cndid=6657468&hasha=e1ca3019f9f535a4b98389997c63b892&hashb=7daf2541a0de702392cfe60ed513a5c2d1d23598&hashc=f541a9e649534cc2931bd57d58d8c2cac2bb8c5d298f722bad5b05cc8ad5ece2&esrc=IDCONDENAST_REGGATE

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Dubrovnik!  Visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic and historic location. Over 54,616 views.    

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

[TLCOhio]

Have completed re-checking through ALL of my travel and sailing pictures from India to Singapore and in Japan.  Fun!!  Have a few more that might be of value as to the Silver Moon experience and for visiting these interesting parts of the world.  

 

On this live/blog, it has now passed the 20,000 views level.  Appreciate those who have dropped by, made comments, asked questions, etc.  Keep it coming!!  Happy to share more, respond to any info needs, etc.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit.  Now at 35,894 views.  Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

From several times dining at La Terrazza in the evenings, below is the pre-dinner tray served with a nice variety of meats and other tasty, Italian-related treats.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

In the roomy Dolce Vita area on the fifth floor on one of our last evenings on the ship, they had an amazing dessert and chocolate display.  Lots of sweet treats, including my favorite of Black Forest Cake.  Big, big range of options, plus dancers and music, etc.:

 

 

In the evening from our balcony room, it is always fun to see one of the tug and/or pilot boats doing their "thing" as the Silver Moon departs from port.:

 

On one of our later sailing nights, there was a pool party with music, dancing, beverages, etc.  In the second picture, you can see the full, real moon hanging over the Silver Moon!!:

 

[TLCOhio]

From southern India and Sri Lanka, have a few more visuals that might be of interest to reflect their many sights, experiences and options.  

 

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 33,570 views.

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

 

During a harbor boat tour in Cochin, India, here was a view of a large number of white birds assembled along a scenic waterway in the southern part of this country.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

In Sri Lanka's largest city, Colombo, this was an interior view for the luxury Taj Samundra Hotel where we had tea and light food.   Second is inside the worship area of the very active and highly-decorated Gangaramaya Temple.:

 

 

From Colombo, early the next morning, we drove south to Galle and this was the sunrise view from our vehicle.  Second is one of the religious symbols seen during our travel.:

 

 

During our boat exploration of the Madu Ganga River, here was a bird observed in the wild, plus two other religious sites observed in this part of Sri Lanka.:

 

 

[TLCOhio]

From Forbes magazine and this news website connected below yesterday, they had this headline: “Singapore is world’s safest city for tourists, Caracas is the most risky” with these highlights: “Singapore is the world’s safest city in 2024 according to a study by Forbes Advisor looking into the most and least risky cities for tourists to travel to this year.  The study compared 60 international cities, looking into risk metrics such as those related to crime, personal security or health security and relying on data sourced from the US Department of State’s 2024 travel advisories and The Economist’s Safe Cities Index 2021.  Out of 60 analysed cities, Singapore boasted the lowest natural disaster risk, and the second lowest health and infrastructure risks.  After Singapore, the study ranked Tokyo and Toronto as the next safest cities for travelers.”

 

Next safest in order were: Sydney, Australia, fourth and then in order Zurich, Switzerland; Copenhagen, Denmark; Seoul, South Korea; Osaka, Japan; Melbourne, Australia; Amsterdam, Netherlands.  

 

The top 10 riskiest cities ranked according to the study:  Caracas, Venezuela; Karachi, Pakistan;  Lagos, Nigeria; Manila, Philippines; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bogota, Colombia;  Cairo, Egypt; Mexico City, Mexico; Quito, Ecuador.

 

Full story at:

https://ftnnews.com/travel-news/tours/singapore-is-worlds-safest-city-for-tourists-caracas-is-the-most-risky-forbes-advisor/

 

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 22,937 views.  Connect at:

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

[TLCOhio]

From Condé Nast Traveler magazine today, they featured a new story about UNESCO adding 24 new World Heritage Sites for 2024.  With that, they featured an earlier story with this headline: “Best Places to Go in Asia in 2024” with these highlights: “It’s official, Asia is back—brighter, bolder, and more ambitious than ever. The region took longer than others to shake off pandemic-related travel restrictions and border closures, but has returned in full force, eager to remind international travelers what they’ve been missing.”

 

This report featured three location that we enjoyed during our Feb.-March 2024 adventure.  This includes for:

 

Kochi, India: Go for: sustainable initiatives, stunning waterways, local festivals. "Kochi’s waterways have lured visitors for centuries, its verdant backwaters, lagoons and rivers as attractive to travelers today as they were to Arab, Chinese, and European merchants in the 1300s."

 

Singapore:  Go for: forest trails, new luxury stays, and Taylor Swift hype. "In September, the country has its annual date with Formula 1 at the iconic Marina Bay Street Circuit, which, as F1’s original night race, is set against a dazzling backdrop of skyscrapers and city lights."

 

South and central Sri Lanka:  Go for: wellness retreats, a new food festival, and a nearly 200-mile nature trail.  "Rising from economic uncertainty, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is in the midst of a luxury and wellness boom—from its tea-filled highlands to its palm-fringed shores. In the south of the country, new luxury resorts continue to entice."

 

Full story at:

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-asia-2024

 

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 22,630 views. Live/blog: 

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

[TLCOhio]

From MSN News and Travel+Leisure magazine two days ago, they had this headline: “Here's What It's Like To Stay In Singapore's Most Iconic Hotel” with these highlights: “Marina Bay Sands is a dizzying playground.  Whether it looks like a boat, three decks of cards, or is simply an ingenious design by architect Moshe Safdie, the building has become synonymous with the Singapore skyline since it opened in 2010 — and now, it’s recently undergone a billion-dollar renovation, majorly upgrading more than 1,000 rooms in Towers 1 and 2.  There is so much going on at the Marina Bay Sands that it often feels like more than a hotel. It is its own microcosm of Singapore’s reputation as a financial hub, a cocktail bar haven, and the poshest place in Asia."

 

Many interesting details for this complex are detailed in this story.  This also includes: "With close to 50 food and beverage options spread around Marina Bay Sands, 11 of which are in the actual hotel, even the pickiest eaters will find something.  There’s fine dining by celebrity chefs like Daniel Boulud, Gordon Ramsey, and Wolfgang Puck.  The SkyPark is undoubtedly a major draw for guests. This rooftop area spans nearly three acres and is large enough to park four-and-a-half jumbo jets."

 

As mentioned earlier, from our visit there earlier this year, this Marina Bay Sands is fascinating to see from different angles outside and we super enjoyed the sights and view on and from its top level.  Not sure I would stay here as it is so large, vast and overwhelming.  The charm of an airport terminal?  But, it is well worth sampling and visiting briefly.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/heres-what-its-like-to-stay-in-singapores-most-iconic-hotel/ar-AA1ppcVL?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]

Found some more visuals from Thailand and Malaysia that might be of interest.  Fascinating areas that attract many tourist visitors.  

 

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 Phuket, here are a few more from this area with many cultural influences seen in their designs and style.  .:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

In downtown Phuket, their street light fixtures had a design to look like a bird cage.  First time seeing this special style.:

 

Gas prices?  Here is what I captured in Phuket for those costs. BUT, I did not translate the costs in dollars per US gallon.  Too complex with lots of hard work for my brain to calculate?:

 

Like to sample local beers in Asia?  Here was a good and popular brand in Malaysia that was enjoyed.: