Days 94, 95 and 96 at Sea

Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th April

Tuesday

Nice day at sea enjoying the sun and the ship, perfect.

Passed close to the Maldives, sadly no stop, looked nice even at a distance.

Clock back just 30 minutes tonight

Wednesday

Another lovely day at sea only disturbed by the ceremonies for crossing the equator.  Quite entertaining watching the passengers and crew going through the “fun” of getting gunked and dunked while being converted from pollywogs to shellbacks.

A Couple of Junior Officers being Gunked

Didn’t actually cross the equator today but it must have be very early tomorrow morning.

Pirate precaution’s start proper today, security walking the decks on the lookout, deterrent equipment set up on prom deck and unnecessary lights to be turned off at night.  Procedures for use in any pirate event sent out to everyone!

No pirates today, just a few dolphins.

We were hoping for good stargazing this evening, but Cunard’s idea of essential lights at night doesn’t seem to be any less than any other day of the cruise!

Thursday

Weather a bit cloudier today but continues very hot and humid.

Dinner tonight in the main restaurant, thought it was about time we showed our faces again.

Security remains vigilant, but no threat in evidence.

Day 93 - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Monday 9th April

Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, a pear shaped island just 18 miles from the southern tip of India.  Approximately 70% of the population is Buddhist.  The coastal communities of the island were devastated by the 2004 tsunami, killing more than 30,000 people.  The island had the first female Prime Minister in 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike.  The island is the world’s fourth largest producer of tea, after China, India and Kenya.

Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city is situated at the crossroads of the great spice routes, where many cultures and races have combined and collided for centuries resulting in colourful bazaars, vibrant temples and colonial buildings.

Docked this morning in a remote corner of the commercial docks well away from the main part of the city.

Our excursion today hasn’t a too early meet time, well it is called leisurely Colombo!  Once away soon into town, very busy everywhere, lots of traffic and thousands of tuk-tuks,  everyone driving very energetically and without any apparent road discipline. 

This is definitely not a place to hire a car.  Their seems to be room in any two lane road for three lanes of traffic and still space for  motorcycles.  The Tuk-tuks are more dangerous than need be as the drivers always disable the only safety feature provided by removing the governor which prevents sharp cornering which makes then very unstable.

Amazing the way everyone squeezes their vehicle through any tiny gap available, but it seems to work, with liberal use of their horns.  Luckily I think our coach driver learnt to drive in a tuk-tuk, he seems to be able to get the coach through any space only just big enough for one.

Our tour gave us views of colonial buildings, skyscrapers, temples, churches, lighthouses, a brand new performing arts complex and the unfinished Lotus Tower, a real mixture and we even had a run out of town to see he new Parliament Buildings.

New Performing Arts Complex

New unfinished Lotus Tower and ancient Buddhist Temple

New Parliament Building in the middle of a new lake

Everywhere there are little shops, street stalls and markets crowded with people by the thousand.

Our three stops included the Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple complex.

Next the Colombo Museum, external views only, and thirdly Independence Square where a commemorative structure of reinforced concrete has been built.

All the stops had some photo opportunities but mainly seemed to be scheduled for potty-breaks, Cunard seem to be getting a bit paranoid about giving comfort breaks more than even visits to the tourist sites.

All around there are new parks with lakes, to assist with flood prevention in case of another tsunami and the dual purpose of encouraging the population to spend time out walking for their health.

Our drive back to the ship continued the roundabout tour of the city, we seemed to pass most places several times in different directions, at least this made for a fair chance to see most things from each side of the coach anyway.  Sri Lanka is very proud of it’s cricket team and we saw several cricket grounds, no-one playing though all looked well kept.

A roadside standing Buddha

Another roadside Buddha

A Pelican flying near the seafront

The latest developments are by the Chinese who are reclaiming land on the seafront for a huge development of condos, hotels and offices.

Back on board ship, time to relax, too far to town for any independent additional visit.

Late sailaway this evening, last two buses had to be waited for, some of today’s excursions were very long.

Days 91 and 92 - at Sea

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th April

Saturday

Rather cloudy today, showers around, still hot and humid.

Relaxing day at sea with usual entertainment.  Serious thunder and lightning with heavy rain, soon gone and all dried up.

Sunday

A very hot and partly cloudy day at sea.  Still no internet.

Couple of pods of dolphins passing the ship today.  Just occasionally the bridge team announce the presence of dolphins, unfortunately always too late, when they are well down the side of the ship, the ship travelling too fast for the dolphins to play on the wake, can’t imagine why we are in such a hurry!

This evening went to the Golden Lion for dinner, a new option by Cunard as another alternative dining venue.  Dinner very good and a new menu.  A bit awkward to get timing right, the time available goes right through the evening wipeout trivia event, very crowded for an hour or so, not conducive to a quiet dinner experience! luckily we had finished our dinner in time.

More spectacular thunder and lightning today with some very heavy squally rain.

Day 90 - Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Friday 6th April

The island of Penang, described as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, is located on the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This delightful ‘Miniature Malaysia’ is steeped in history and tradition with many churches, temples and mosques.

No trip again today, docked very conveniently in Georgetown, close to enough of the tourist spots to make anything other than a long drive out of town unnecessary.

Lots of delays again today supposedly mostly caused by Cunard’s computer system in Southampton going down.  Eventually all the tours left and things quietened down so a shore visit was possible without delay.

A short walk from the ship to the Victoria Clock Tower and Fort Cornwallis.

  

Walking a little further to Pitt Street, now called Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.  Here are St George’s Church the oldest Anglican Church in SE Asia, the Buddhist  Kuan Yin Teng Temple, the Hindu Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and the Kapitan Keling Mosque.

A slightly different route back to the ship via the Town Hall, The City Hall, the Esplanade park and the Cenotaph.  Another hot and humid day so enough’s enough.

The ship has now sprouted various bits of equipment, like water cannons, in preparation for protection from pirates.

Computer systems still in crisis, no internet, no automatic booking passengers on and off the ship, no financial transactions, etc. etc.

Clocks back on hour tonight.

Day 89 - Malacca, Malaysia

Thursday 5th April

Strategically located along the Straits of Malacca, the city of Malacca (Melaka) is the 2nd smallest state in Malaysia. A former old spice centre for Eastern and Western traders, Malacca boasts a colourful history forged by Malay Sultans, European powers (conquered by the Portuguese in 1511 overthrown by the Dutch in 1641 and then by the British in 1795 lasting until 1957) and multi-cultural communities. Each of these impressive historical eras has left their own indelible heritage and influence. The birthplace of the nation’s history and cultural remnants of its long and illustrious past are well preserved. This can still be seen today earning it the title of UNESCO World Heritage City in 2008.

Anchored today, well off shore, a very shallow bay.

A shambolic effort at tendering everyone ashore mainly using local boats, all the trips were late starting and some tempers rather frayed from other passengers.

Once we had got ashore joined our tour bus and after a few minutes drive reached the first stop at the Portuguese Gate.  On the journey we were passed by numerous very colourful and frequently accompanied by very loud music trishaws plying for trade.

Malacca tree and fruit

Next stop was the Floating Mosque, which can hold 10,000 worshipers! 

Then a tour round Chinese Hill with Chinese and Buddhist cemeteries up the hill, and Muslim cemeteries down the hill.

On again to Dutch Square, Bangunan Stadthuys.  The location of a clock Tower and the Dutch Governors residence.

Governors House

A short walk to catch the boat for a cruise up and down the river. 

This seems to be the centre for evenings mostly, restaurants etc, plus some historic buildings and living museums with the occasional Monitor Lizard, huge, in the water or on the banks, NO swimming here, apparently.

Next up a rotating viewing tower, the Menara Taming Sari for panoramas over the city.  Interesting that from up here it just shows how small an area we have covered, the coach must have been going round in circles.  

Though at these temperatures, 33 degrees this afternoon and high humidity walking might not be such a good option.

Back to ship by tender, we had little delay but later there were many delays and frustrations.

Back in time for afternoon trivia and to catch up on doing the laundry, the laundrette always a hotbed of gossip and can be liable to cause the occasional punch-up when there are not enough machines.

Day 88 - Singapore

Wednesday 4th April

An island republic at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, just 85 miles north of the equator. Singapore has come a long way since Sir Stamford Raffles founded it in 1819. Once symbolic of the mystery and romance of the Orient, it still retains its Eastern flavour.  Famous for Raffles Hotel and it’s Singapore Sling Cocktail.

Once considered Britain’s key defence base in the Far East, lost to and occupied by the Japanese during WW2.

After independence from Britain a separate colony it then joined the Malaysian Federation and since 1965 an independent republic.

I don’t like to say it but it’s another very early start, not sure why all these shore days start so early?

Anyway joined our tour-group and boarded the bus.  Nice ride round town passing all the sights described at length by our guide.    One interesting fact we were told about life here is that among many decisions by their government is to not provide pensions or health care for the elderly but to make it illegal for their children not to pay for such things for their parents and to enable them to be sued if they don’t.

Went by the famous Raffles Hotel, closed for renovations, to the great disappointment of all those hoping to have a Singapore Gin Sling in the Long Bar.

Still it gives them an excuse to come back another time.

Quick photo stop at the Taoist Temple, Thian Hock Kheng.

Then to Clark’s Quay to catch our Bum Boat for a ride on the river going past Boat Quay riverfront area where old properties and wharfs have been turned into fashionable restaurants, etc.

Out on to the Marina Bay to view the sights, including a clever statue of boys jumping into the river, the bridges and the Merlion.

Next on for a quick stop in Chinatown and it’s market for a short visit to the shops and stalls.

In the market spotted Durian fruits on sale, they are very big and spiky, when opened the smell is absolutely dreadful, beyond description apparently.  The opening of these in public, notably on the MRT, which is the Mass Rapid Transport, aka the underground, attracts a hefty fine.  This is just one of the misdemeanours which have given Singapore the nickname of “The Fine City’ due to the many fines handed out for jay walking, chewing gum, smoking, eating in public places etc. all designed to keep the city clean, which works wonderfully.

Just time to look at the nearby Buddhist Tooth Relic Temple and the Sri Mariamamman Hindu Temple before rejoining the bus.

Buddhist Temple 

Hindu Temple

Then on to the Singapore Flyer, a very large ferris wheel.  Luckily it’s just reopened after a four month refit after “technical difficulties”.  Each gondola now only holds 14, was 28 before, but as it happened  the short queue meant we were only 4 in ours.  Superb views all over the Marina Bay area.

Then back to ship for a quick snack.

Then ashore again to catch the MRT to the Bayfront Station to visit the Marina Bay Shops, just by the Marina Bay Hotel, full of  designer label shops, an internal canal with boats and all sorts of fancy architectural and entertaining design features.

Out to walk across the Helix Bridge and then continued into the Marina Gardens.

Time to stop for a coffee.  Then to the Giant Tree Grove and up to walk round the Skywalk.

Timed our visit so that we were there as dusk fell and all the lights were coming on.

Couldn’t wait quite long enough for the full music and light show as we needed to get back before the ship left.  Train back to the ship in nice time for as late supper and to enjoy the sailaway.

Singapore a very nice clean city which felt very safe and welcoming.