Sailing the Bay of Bengal towards Mumbai, India
We are glad to be out of the China Sea and the Chinese influenced Internet. I have not been online due to a virus that affected my phone and computer. Most folks on board the ship got clobbered and we were warned not to use public Free WiFi. In my case, the warning was a little late. I have since used the newest version of antivirus software downloaded on the ship and all is well. The ship’s sat is working again. My phone continues to be an issue which means my Apple watch is not 100%. Geez … unexpected hazard of travel. I was really looking forward to great Internet connections in Hong Kong but it was not meant to be.
The weather has improved. As we entered the Indian Ocean, the deep blue colors of the water appeared and the sky was less polluted. Large white cumulus clouds are on our horizon. This has been a welcomed change. I have only one thing to say about East and Southeast Asia …. polluted.
Hong Kong was great. Leon went to the tailor he likes, got a hair cut and did some other shopping. We sampled great Dim Sum.
OUT OF ORDER ---
Our next port of call was Port Kelang, Malaysia. Leon and I did a city tour of Kuala Lumpur as he wanted to visit the tallest twin tour in the world. We visited a monument done by the same artist that did our Iwo Jima monument in Washington. I could see the style similarities. After the tour, it was back to the ship, some shopping in the market and a swim in the pool. Weather greatly improving.
Vietnam - Nha Trang
Vietnam was pleasant and we enjoyed the ports of call in Nha Trang and Saigon.
Golf in Singapore
I played golf in Singapore at the Marina Bay Golf Resort. We were docked very close to this area and I enjoyed a difficult links style course with pot bunkers. There was a par 6 hole. The golf marshals were in abundance and their golf carts had full police style bar lights on top. When they witnessed an infraction of the copious club rules, the lights went on and they scurried over to the perpetrator. It was a kick to see. My two play mates ended up in several bunkers, my claim to fame on this round - I did not go into a pot bunker all day! No penalty strokes. However, this was short lived as Columbo, Sri Lanka was coming up next for golf adventures.
We spent the rest of our time in Singapore wandering the sights, shopping and enjoying the shipboard pianist as she gave a concert on the back deck with the skyline of Singapore in background. We enjoyed a nice Livermore wine during this concert, it was a wonderful experience half way around the world from friends and family. A mega ship from Norwegian Lines (NCL) was docked next to us and many folks from their ship lined the decks to also enjoy our concert. Debby Bacon, our pianist, enjoyed the audience. The NCL captain delayed departure of his ship until the concert was over and gave Debby a grand salute with the ship’s horn. It was a special moment.
Our next port of call was Port Kelang, Malaysia. Leon and I did a city tour of Kuala Lumpur as he wanted to visit the tallest twin tour in the world. We visited a monument done by the same artist that did our Iwo Jima monument in Washington. I could see the style similarities. After the tour, it was back to the ship, some shopping in the market and a swim in the pool. Weather greatly improving.
Upon our arrival in Columbo, Sri Lanka we where amazed at the work completed on the land reclamation. Last year, we could see were the dikes had been built awaiting the land fill. This year the land fill was nearly completed enlarging the area of Columbo. There was a big cricket match going on in the city and the crowds were huge.
A short ride from the ship and my two shipmates and I were at the Royal Columbo Golf Course. We paired with our caddies and off we went. The locals are still in the ponds awaiting your errant balls - selling them back to you for US $$s. I was lucky this year, I had no need to buy back my balls. I was really affected by the heat on this course. It was about 95 degrees and 90% humidity. When there was a breeze all was good, when the breeze was blocked by trees or buildings it was rough. I drank 5 large bottles of water, had iced tea at the turn and still felt dehydrated. I liked my caddy and on the 17th hole, I let him play the hole with my clubs. He kept eyeballing the woods and I could tell he wanted to swing them real bad. The smile on his face was priceless. I was bone tired as we headed up the 18th. I hit the best drive of the day and then landed my approach shot about 3 feet from the pin. Clapping was heard from the club house - it is amazing how I can hit better when I just want to finish, get a drink of something cold and be done! If only I could concentrate during the entire game - but then again - its golf! It is those moments in golf play that keep you coming back for more punishment. Our next playdate is Muscat, Oman and the Almouji Golf Course. It is on the Indian Ocean, the BMW LPGA event is held there - truly a beautiful course.
We look forward to Petra and the Rose City. I believe we will be putting up the razor wire in Mumbai.
Characters on Board:
Dolly is onboard and still spry. She had a week or two of illness and many were concerned. All is well with her and she is unique for sure. She has changed her dinning and show times to the early seating so I do not see her in the evenings like I did last year. She said she needed her beauty rest and now has dinner at 5:30 and goes to the 8pm show.
Bell Lady - I don’t know what else to say other than she were bells on all her shoes. I can hear her coming from yards away. The bells are not a single bell on each foot but a string of bells encircling her shoe sole. Weird.
Late Night dancers in the Crows Nest
This is fun to watch, older folks late at night dancing the night away!!! Some with walkers
Well coming to the end of things to write about. I’m on the back deck, scanning the sea with a gentle breeze blowing. Life is good. I do miss my family and friends. I miss my home, my bed, my cat, my golf club but its tough to complain. Oh, I miss the Internet bigtime …. although I’m thinking I love not seeing the news or reading about politics. So for that ignorance I’m thankful for being cut off from the everyday things.
I enjoyed getting caught up with your adventures. And we miss you! Keep the updates coming when you can. Maybe the bell lady was a cat in her last life?
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