We have just left Hong Kong, on our way to Taiwan.
Monday, January 20 - At Sea
A trivia anecdote. In defense of Pete, he has had a couple of correct answers that we've turned down . . . so sorry, Pete!! Do any of you know how many people have walked on the moon? Pete had the correct answer and was overruled!!
What does an herpetologist specialize in?
Who wrote the Count of Monte Cristo?
What is the smallest prime number greater than 50?
Who was the first golfer to win The Masters two years in a row?
Tuesday, January 21 - Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Today we were supposed to be Makung, Taiwan, but itinerary has changed and instead we are overnighting in Kaohsiung.
The berth here is one of my all-time favorites. I look out on to the backside of the new cruise terminal. It is pure whimsy, beautiful and elegant, and so much more. Guess you can tell that I really like it! "The building looks like a silver-white hull with a towering chimney". Didn't see that . . . if silver, it is a dark silver, more like gun-metal grey - perhaps it has weathered. It was completed in 2022, and designed by a husband and wife team, Reiser + Umemoto from the United States, along with Taiwan's Zong Mai Architects. For me, it is a it reminiscent of the work of Frank Gehry.
The total floor area is 869,440 square feet. The upper part is made of steel frame structure, with fifteen floors above ground and two floors underground. It can berth two large cruise ships of 225,000 tons at the same time (capable of carrying 5,400 passengers and 2,400 crew members), and the maximum passenger service level can reach 2,000 peple per hour. The design concept is to strengthen the integration of the port transportation center with the existing city and develop the commercial and leisure functions of the port space.
Here's the view from my veranda - it's perfect!
The next two photos were taken looking up at the facade of the building from the street side. So many interesting swirls and angles.
Tonight after dinner in Colonnade, six of us decided to Uber over to the Lui Night Market. Most interesting walking maybe three blocks of small food stands made up of barbecues, frying pans, and in one case, a barbecue that was being tended from the top with a blow torch! Most interesting!
We then walked on to the "metro" station. Really a beautiful terminal.
An herpetologist specializes in snakes.
Alexander Dumas
53
Jack Niklaus
Wednesday, January 22 - Kaohsiung, Taiwan
When the cruise ship next to us pulled away early this morning had another great building to look at! Looks like two conjoined caterpillars!
Thursday, January 23, At Sea
At Trivia today, we finally placed in the top three teams and tied for second place. Our team has moved to the bar because the adjacent team decided to steal all of the chairs from our usual spot. This is much better, and obviously brought us good luck. On this leg of our journey, we are known as The (Sea)Bourne Ultimatum!
Tonight we had dinner at Colonnade because they featured a wonderful fresh green salad, baby back ribs, sauteed spinach, baked beans and cornbread - all served family style. Food was good and we had a wonderful table outside near the edge of the deck which allowed a lovely breeze to keep us cool. The weather has heated up quite a bit since leaving Taiwan. Think we're in for some really hot and muggy days during our stay in the Philippines.
Which country can boast the longest mountain chain?
What was the name of Batman's city?
How many people have walked on the moon?
Friday, January 24, Manila, Philippines
Manila has outstanding sightseeing, it's true, but visitors who put in the effort will discover its creative soul - from edgy galleries to a lively indie music scene. Combine this with a penchant for speakeasy bars, artisan markets and single-origin coffees, and it's clear to see that Manila is not only one of Asia's most underrated cities, but one of its coolest. Manila's moniker, the "Pearl of the Orient", couldn't be more apt - it's unappealing shell reveals its jewel only to those resolute enough to pry. Skyscrapers pierce the hazy sky, mushrooming from the grinding poverty of expansive shanty towns, while gleaming malls foreshadow Manila's brave new air-conditioned world. The congested roads snarl with traffic, but, like the overworked arteries of a sweating giant, they are what keeps this modern metropolis alive. No stranger to hardship, the city has endured every disaster humans and nature could throw at it, and yet today, the chaotic metropolis thrives as a true Asian megacity.
The air quality today is horrible - I can barely see across the harbor. Not going out. So family and friends at home who are reading this, be grateful for our cleaner air! Went out on the veranda to take some photos and can't stop sneezing!!
Tonight am hosting the cocktail hour once again in honor of Elin's birthday, and then all eight of us are dining at Solis. We've been very fortunate to have several dinners there, and I believe have another reserved later next week.
Chile - the Andes Mountains
Gotham City
Twelve people have walked on the moon.
Saturday, January 25, Manila, Philippines
Today we enjoyed a private tour. Peter, Elin and I left the ship at 9:30 a.m. and walked over to the Manila Hotel, which was once home to General Douglas MacArthur during World War II. It is a beautiful and old historic hotel and today, a Saturday, seemed to be bursting with meetings and weddings. The lobby was decorated with lots of red decorations dripping from the already overdone crystal chandeliers. This would be a great place to people watch.
Our guide, Greg, as American living in the Philippines for forty years, took us on a surprisingly interesting tour of Manila, through some really poor neighborhoods, juxtaposed with an area of opulent homes where current owners are buying two adjacent homes, tearing them down and building one mega home. All residences seem to be protected by high fences, and guards at the community entrances.
Our destination this morning was spectacular - it elicited a gamut of emotions - the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. This is the largest American war cemetery in the world. The cemetery is managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission and was dedicated on December 8, 1960. It is the final resting place for many and a memorial for those missing in action throughout the Operations in the Pacific from December 1941 to September 1945.
Dimensions: 152 acres
Headstones: 17,113
Latin Crosses: 16,938
Stars of David: 175
Walls of the Missing: 36,286 (an astounding number)
Sets of brothers: 21
Medal of Honor Recipients: 30
Walls of Missing: Engraved tablets honor the missing in action who gave their lives in the service of their country, including 22 Medal of Honor recipients. The missing in action also include the Philippine scouts who fought along side the Americans. Categories of Navy, Army, Army Air Force, and Marines.
The 25 Maps: Ten-foot-high mosaic maps of varying widths are displayed inside four rooms bordering the hemicycle walls. The maps portray important campaigns during WWII in the Pacific.
The Chapel: One sculpture represent St. George, as an American warrior, fighting his enemy, the dragon. Above them are the ideals for which he fought: Liberty, Justice and Country. The second sculpture of "Columbia With Child" sympolizes the future.
The Altar: The altar is decorated with mosaic on a predominantly blue background. A tall, graceful female figure scatters flowers. Natural light shines through stone grill-works flanking the altar.
After a visit to the Visitor Center at the cemetery we continued on our way in Greg's car toward the church of Quiapo where the the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (Referred to as the Black Nazarene), is housed. When returning to the ship and reading the description, I don't believe what we photographed was the statue of note, but I did gaze upon it when I studied what was over the altar. Here is a photo taken from the internet.
(Our Father Jesus of Nazarene) aka Poong Itim na Nazareno (Black Lord Nazarene) or Mahal na Poong Nazareno ng Quiapo (Nazarene of Quiapo) or Black Nazarene / Early 1600s / Original in darkwood; replicas in molave (body) and batikuling wood (head) / Life-size / Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Parish of Saint John the Baptist, Quiapo, Manila
Crafted in Mexico, the image of the Black Nazarene was brought to the Philippines by the Augustinian Recollects on 31 May 1606 and initially enshrined in the church of San Juan Bautista in Bagumbayan. Upon the request of then archbishop of Manila Basilio Sancho de Santa Justa, the image was transferred to the church of Quiapo in 1787. This historic transfer and the feast of the Black Nazarene are commemorated every 9th of January in a grand procession called the traslacion or transfer (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene 2014a).
The Black Nazarene is the representation in a maroon robe of a dark-skinned Christ carrying the cross on his right shoulder, positioned with one knee on the ground and looking heavenward with agony. Expressionist in style, it is a solitary image depicting Christ falling to the ground on the way to His crucifixion on Calvary. The image wears a crown of thorns, representing Jesus’s mockery. Three gold rays, called potencias, emanate from the image’s head, symbolizing Christ’s power and divinity. The image has a detachable head and movable arms and shoulders, with molave and batikuling wood used to replace the presumed original mahogany wood. In the 1990s, the original head of the image was transferred to a new body and permanently enshrined on the basilica’s main altar for preservation purposes. The original body in return was refurbished with a replica of the head and is the one brought out in processions (Bonilla 2006, 106-7).
Our driver couldn't park at Quiapo, so he let us off to climb up some stairs, cross over the road on an elevated walkway and down the other side to the church. He would return when texted and pick us up on the other side of the street. The climb up and down was tricky for me (thank God for Pete and Elin). Couldn't hold on to the railing because of poor indigents seated along side the railings. Such poverty in this area.
After the church visit we wandered briefly through the market behind the church. Happy not to have our purses or my cell phone. We were told that there is high thievery in this area so we left valuables in the car with the driver. Knowing that, chuckled a bit to see used cell phones being sold under the stairway!
At the market behind the church, there is a great push to buy bundles of different colored candles. Each color represents a specific wish when lit, i.e., wealth, conscience, health, etc. It's popular to get a multi colored bundle that is wrapped together, and then light the bunch. They burn all at once. Curious that the candles are not lit for prayer purposes, but for wishes . . .
Then it was on to The Bay Leaf hotel which has a wonderful viewing roof and a place where we could get a cold beer.
Then back to the ship. An interesting day, yucky air, hot and muggy, but would do it all over again.
Dinner tonight out on the pool deck at Earth and Ocean with Elin, Pete and Marsha. Again good food and perfect temperatures in the evening. Others of our group were in the main dining room.
A little time after dinner spent at the Casino - nothing wonderful happening there!
Sunday, January 26, Borocay, Philippines
Boracay, often shortened to Bora, is a resort island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located (0.50 miles) off the northwest coast of Panay. It has a total land area of almost 4 miles, and is under the jurisdiction of three barangays in Malay Akian.
Tiny Boracay is the Philippines' top tourist draw, fueled by explosive growth and a tsunami of hype. The influx of visitors caused the Philippines government to temporarily close Boracay to tourists for six months. This rehabilitation period was used to restore the island to its former glory and it has since reopened with a limit on the number of daily visitors. The center of the action is dreamy White Beach where a postcard-perfect stretch of sand that is lined from one end to the other with hotels, restaurants, bars and dive shops several blocks deep. The beach path is typically awash with visitors, including large groups of package tourists. The ocean is full of romantic paraws (outrigger sailboats) giving rides. Colorful parasails fill the air. After perfect sunsets, live music breaks out and fire dancers twirl their batons.
PIRATES! WHAT?
Notice in my room from head of security on the ship: "I'd like to inform you that over the next few days we will be operating under what's called a "heightened security protocol" to further ensure your safety as we transit an area that in the past has experienced some piracy activities . . . . ."
Lots of guests are off to the beautiful beaches of Borocay today. Am staying on board so I can keep an eye out for pirates. Marsha is having a massage this morning and then joining me. We may have room service and a visit, or whatever . . . I have the fixin's for Mimosa's . . . and in fact we did have a very nice lunch and a couple of Mimosas. Then we were off to meet our group for Trivia.
What is the capital of Libya?
In what year did Australia make the use of seatbelts mandatory?
What is the name of the last play written solely by William Shakespeare?
What creature can turn its stomach inside out?
Who said: "I think, therefore I am."?
While natives of the Philippines all rave about this beach, and indeed the reportage from my group is that it was pretty, I think perhaps a bit of a letdown from all of the hype. Apparently, looking out at the beach is quite nice, but looking from the water to the shore is not so nice - a bit ramshackle. Additionally, getting off the ship on to the tenders was delayed, but the time to come back to the ship remained the same, so the "beach day" only lasted a little over one hour!
We'd planned to meet at the Sky Bar for a beverage prior to dinner, but before Pete and Elin could meet me, the bar closed. Apparently, it closes at 6:30 every evening, unless there's some entertainment going on at the Pool Deck. Curious . . . On these hot days, it's a great spot for the early evening sail-aways . . . comfortable and cool.
Monday, January 27, Coron, Busuanga, Philippines
This island, only a 20-minute bangka ride from Coron town, has an imposing, mysterious skyline that wouldn't be out of place in a King Kong film. The entire island is the ancestral domain of the Tagbanua indigenous group, who are primarily fishers and gatherers of the very lucrative balinsasayaw (birds' nests).
Concerned about the impact of tourism, the Tagbanua have limited access to a handful of sights. Accessible by a steep 10-minute climb, the crystal clear waters of Kayangan Lake are nestled into the mountain walls. Underwater is like a moonscape. There's a wooden walkway and a platform to stash your belongings if you go for a swim.
Scenic Barracuda Lake is of interest to divers for its unique layers of fresh, salt and brackish water and dramatic temperature shifts underwater (it can get as hot as 38 degrees Celsius or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit!!). The lake is accessible by a short climb over a jagged, rocky wall that ends directly at the water's edge. Other stops that are open to visitors include Banol Beach, a small sandy area with shelter from the sun, and photogenic Twin Lagoon, one half of which is accessed by swimming through a narrow crevice.
Not certain what the temperatures are here today, but it is HOT!! The "kids" have all gone touring and I'm just going to veg on this nice cool ship. Quality of air has been a little better this last two days and am finally seeing a hint of blue in the sky . . . well, okay, a little more than a hint.
Tripoli
1969
Coriolanus
Starfish
Rene Descartes
Tuesday, January 28, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Ensconced in the paradise of Palawan, a sliver of an island teeming with exotic wildlife and quaint fishing villages. Puerto Princesa's pristine beaches, lush jungles, and crystal clear waters offer tropical escape like no other. The charm of this serene coastal town is flavored with the influences from the Philippines' rich culture. Every day beckons with freshly caught seafood, tropical fruits and authentic Filipino delicacies, all prepared with the warm hospitality of the locals. The awe-inspiring Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, takes visitors on a mesmerizing subterranean exploration through the ethereal beauty of limestone caves, adorned with mesmerizing stalactites and stalagmites.
The Subterranean River National Park was certainly of interest to me, but not with a two-hour van trip each way . . . not in this heat. As it turned out it was a cancelled outing.
Pete, Elin and I decided to a self guided walk to see the high points of this interesting port. We did walk part of the way and then decided to use a tuk-tuk - a really smart move. When one is walking, footing is treacherous, not only in the streets, but also on the so-called "sidewalks". We were actually safer using local transport. Fun!
There is still evidence in the town of Prisoner of War camps where many American soldiers and Philippine guerrillas were interred and finally executed.
We visited the Palawan Heritage Center which we all found of much interest, especially since it was air-conditioned and we had a guide who was easy to understand! One thing that caught my attention was the history of the Palawan Cave People. Fascinating!
The Tau't Bato (Tao't Bato, Taaw't Bato) are a subgroup of the Palawan people numbering about 500 persons still practicing a simple lifestyle who live in the area of Singnapan Valley and take shelter in the large nearby caves during the rainy season. They grow various plants with cassava as the major product.
These people were unable to absorb their culture into the modern day culture of Palawan, though they tried. (I use the phrase "modern day culture of Palawan" very loosely!) So they've have returned to the caves. Only a few know of their final destination deep in the jungle so that there will be no disturbance to their culture. The few who support them from the outside, do so by supplying medicines and other essentials, when needed.
The Palawan Hero, Dr. Higinio Acosta-Mendoza was born on July 27, 1898 in Puerto Princesa, capital of Palawan in the Philippines. He gained his Bachelor of Science in 1921 at Indiana University, USA. And then, he earned his Doctor of Medicine at Hahneman Medical College ... ranking 4th among the 400 examinees in Pennsylvania in 1929.
In 1930, went back home to the Philippines and elected governor from 1932-38. He is known for passing a resolution in proposing to make Palawan as one of the States of the USA.
When the World War II occurred in the Asia-Pacific, he organized the Palawan guerillas/forces fighting the Japanese, with the rank of captain.
He was beheaded on January 24, 1944 at Puerto Princesa upon orders by the high ranking Japanese officials. His remains are now at the Mendoza Park located at the middle of the city of Puerto Princesa.
The steeple of the church one can see from the port is the Church of the Immaculate Conception - a pretty church, beautifully maintained.
Wednesday, January 29, At Sea
Today was Trivia day, and also a round of Name That Tune, where Pete once again played the piano to Joe's (the Cruise Director) guitar and singing. Really fun, and because we had Elin, believe we won!
In the evening at The Restaurant, our Chef prepared a Signature dinner. It really was good, only made better by a wine introduced to me by Pete and Elin - Turley Zinfandel. This winery is close to my home so I will probably want to do a tasting there in the future.
CHEF'S SIGNATURE DINNER
Marinated Diver Scallops & Smoked Trout
ossetra caviar
White Plum Tomato Cappuccino
Veal Raviolo
veal jus, parmesan shavings
Butter Grilled Halibut
lemon mashed potato asparagus, caviar butter emulsion
(or)
Fillet of Beef Wellington
fresh garden vegetables, pommes dauphine, sauce perigourdine,
spinach crepes prosciutto di parma
(or)
Black Truffle Risotto
parmigiano-reggiano, micro greens
Soft Centered Chocolate Ganache Cake
fresh berries and vanilla gelato
Gelato Pralines
Thursday, January 30, Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, Malaysia
The temperatures here today are in the low 90's, with humidity in the 80 percentiles! Feels like one huge sauna . . . So happy I can say that I was here in 2010, did a tour, and today can stay on board in the cool. This is our last port of call before arriving in Singapore on February 2, and disembarking. The trip is almost finished!
Kota Kinabalu is a large and important city on the island of Borneo, in the Malaysian section called Sabah. It was known as Jesselton during the British colonial period. The busy port is likely to reveal ships from every corner of the globe, including the itinerant Bugis sloops that dominate the inter-island trade. The city has made reminders of different periods in its history, and a fascinating Chinatown called Gaya Street. The Mari Mari Cultural Village is a good place to get a handle on the cultures of Borneo's numerous indigenous, ethnic groups. Another fascinating local culture is seen in the stilt villages that line the coast, where generations live their lives suspended above the water and connected by precarious wooden walkways. Nearby, towering Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo's tallest peak at over 13,000 feet invites a sortie up its slopes, to view some of the over 1,200 species of orchids that bloom, there.
Friday, January 31, At Sea
Saturday, February 1, At Sea
Sunday, February 2, Singapore
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