Yesterday the ship did spend some hours in a port between Bangkok and Pattaya. I rather took a shuttle to Pattaya, where I had to make some shopping but most important I needed a good massage and pedicure. I do not go to the details but in a private room two very pretty Thai girls gave their best to please me. Afterwards I really was happy, and still 24 hours later feel good.
Today we have a day at the sea to arrive tomorrow morning to Vietnam.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Sihanoukville, Cambodia
The first morning onboard had brought me to Sihanoukville, which I rather soon found a city with many poor people and some very rich. It was just a place in Indochina, rather uninteresting but the largest harbour in Cambodia. I took a Tuk Tuk for Sokha Beach Resort, and enjoyed the luxory hotels fantastic beach for a couple of hours and had my first bath in the Ocean this year.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Singapore now
After 25 hours travelling I got to Singapore tired but happy last Sunday. After all checkings etc. in London and Hongkong, I decided next time to fly directly with Finnair even more expensive instead of choosing the cheapest route. There was nothing wrong with Cathay Pacific but those airport controls took a lot of time and trouble. However I was lucky in timing as Heathtrow was closed few hours later because of a snow storm. Then as a curiosity between Hongkong and Singapore there was only 67 passegers instead of about 480. A chinaman and me, we devided the last compartment for about 100, and had both our private stewardess. I had a lot of time to chat with that of mine, who promised a first class service to me.
Singapore is absolutely not the same city it used to be during my last visit over 20 years ago, not to mention my first visit in 1972. Huge skycrapers and wow-buildnings at Orchard Road and elsewhere have changed the character of the city totally. It is still very tidy and friendly to tourists and Hotel Raffles' Longbar is selling more Singapore Slings than ever. I was not studying any sights excatly, just walking a lot to stop sometimes for a refreshing Bavarian beer. A couple of nights in Singapore went quickly, and I was ready board the cruiser P&O's "Arcadia".
Singapore is absolutely not the same city it used to be during my last visit over 20 years ago, not to mention my first visit in 1972. Huge skycrapers and wow-buildnings at Orchard Road and elsewhere have changed the character of the city totally. It is still very tidy and friendly to tourists and Hotel Raffles' Longbar is selling more Singapore Slings than ever. I was not studying any sights excatly, just walking a lot to stop sometimes for a refreshing Bavarian beer. A couple of nights in Singapore went quickly, and I was ready board the cruiser P&O's "Arcadia".
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Happy New Year!
Best wishes to all my readers around the world for 2012!
Since I wrote last time in October there has not been very much to report. We had here in Finland a record warm Autumn but also very rainy and stormy December. First snow here in Helsinki (for one night)on Jan.2.
In exactly one months time I'll fly to Singapore to start a World Cruise of 80 days and 30 harbours. I then shall have more to write.
Since I wrote last time in October there has not been very much to report. We had here in Finland a record warm Autumn but also very rainy and stormy December. First snow here in Helsinki (for one night)on Jan.2.
In exactly one months time I'll fly to Singapore to start a World Cruise of 80 days and 30 harbours. I then shall have more to write.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Curacao and Aruba
From Caracas I flew to the capital of Curacao, Willemstad. I immediately liked this colourful city and its charming people. Especially interesting was to look passing huge oil tankers on their way to the oil refinery, from a nice street bar "Iguana" at the quay. The same time you got a nice look on those island beauties walking lazily by. One day on Oct.10, "The Columbus Day", this young state celebrated their first Anniversary of independency with many speeches and loud music.
One early morning I was on my way to Oranjestad on Aruba to meet my diving son Tomas and his three friends, who were just arriving there from their diving adventures from Bonaire. At midnight I was back in Curacao,in my beautiful 18th century style hotel village "Kura Hulanda" which means Dutch Garden. My time in Willemstad and elsewhere on the island were mainly sunny and relaxing and I did enjoy these two weeks mostly very much.
One early morning I was on my way to Oranjestad on Aruba to meet my diving son Tomas and his three friends, who were just arriving there from their diving adventures from Bonaire. At midnight I was back in Curacao,in my beautiful 18th century style hotel village "Kura Hulanda" which means Dutch Garden. My time in Willemstad and elsewhere on the island were mainly sunny and relaxing and I did enjoy these two weeks mostly very much.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Flying to Caracas, Venezuela
On Oct.4 I was heading with Lufthansa to Caracas. I like to mention this company because its overwhelming higher level in everything compared with the famous French air carrier company I flew with to Havanna last January.
I had been in Caracas once before, year 1975. I remembered it as a blooming city with lots of fun. Now it was mainly boring city with all kind of restricting regulations. People did not smile, even those beautiful girls looked too serious and less sexy than before. And when leaving after a couple of days for Willemstad, Curacao, you had to pay just taxes worth of about USD 75.
The positive happening was at the Frankfurt airport in a wine bar, where I met a charming lady from Dallas, who almost promised to visit me some day in Helsinki.
I had been in Caracas once before, year 1975. I remembered it as a blooming city with lots of fun. Now it was mainly boring city with all kind of restricting regulations. People did not smile, even those beautiful girls looked too serious and less sexy than before. And when leaving after a couple of days for Willemstad, Curacao, you had to pay just taxes worth of about USD 75.
The positive happening was at the Frankfurt airport in a wine bar, where I met a charming lady from Dallas, who almost promised to visit me some day in Helsinki.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Cruising from Dubrovnik (Croatia) to Istambul (Turkey)
Just few weeks after my luxory Russian cruise I left for Mediterranea to start a journey with a ship with Finnish flag. "Kristiina Katariina" is a nice, clean and friendly vessel but you cannot compare it with "Volga Dream" by any standard.
We spent first evening and the next day in very charming Dubrovnik. It's old city and the massive fortress, partly destroyed 1991 in the war against Serbia and Montenegro, have been totally rebuilt. Colourful small cafes, restaurants and boutigues make an amazing temptation for all visitors.
Next day on Sept.12 the boat already was in the harbour of Durres in Albania.It was a small town, not especially atractive, non-communicating and no credit cards. In all the opposit of Dubrovnik. In one our I had seen most of it, and went back to the ship for a nice cool beer on sunny deck. We then had a beautiful day at sea just to relax before Piraeus in Greece. There was a hot day, I did not like to go to Athens because even hotter there and crowded with other million tourists. And I have seen Akropolis several times. After a small sightseeing in Piraeus by my own, as always, I was back onboard. Then next day there was Mykonos, this unbelievable island with its wind mills, pelicans and nice bars. During my big trip four years ago I spent nine days there.
We then had an other beautiful day at sea before arriving to Istambul at noon on Sept.16. I have been in this very interesting city also before, so I left all museums and tourist attractions to other people, and was just strolling there without any special goal. We then still had an other day in Istambul before flying back home in the evening. Nice trip but nothing special to remember.
We spent first evening and the next day in very charming Dubrovnik. It's old city and the massive fortress, partly destroyed 1991 in the war against Serbia and Montenegro, have been totally rebuilt. Colourful small cafes, restaurants and boutigues make an amazing temptation for all visitors.
Next day on Sept.12 the boat already was in the harbour of Durres in Albania.It was a small town, not especially atractive, non-communicating and no credit cards. In all the opposit of Dubrovnik. In one our I had seen most of it, and went back to the ship for a nice cool beer on sunny deck. We then had a beautiful day at sea just to relax before Piraeus in Greece. There was a hot day, I did not like to go to Athens because even hotter there and crowded with other million tourists. And I have seen Akropolis several times. After a small sightseeing in Piraeus by my own, as always, I was back onboard. Then next day there was Mykonos, this unbelievable island with its wind mills, pelicans and nice bars. During my big trip four years ago I spent nine days there.
We then had an other beautiful day at sea before arriving to Istambul at noon on Sept.16. I have been in this very interesting city also before, so I left all museums and tourist attractions to other people, and was just strolling there without any special goal. We then still had an other day in Istambul before flying back home in the evening. Nice trip but nothing special to remember.
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