Sun 1/5/20 - Singapore
- Singapore has changed dramatically since my last visit nearly 30 years ago. There were plenty of new things to see, and we had already seen a few things on New Year's Eve. It was mostly sunny, hot and humid - so what else is new?
- We stayed on the ship as long as we could - enjoying our last breakfast and saying goodbyes. We then dropped off our bags at Google office for the day before wandering around. We will pick up the bags later and go to the airport directly for 10 PM non-stop flight to SFO.
- By now, we were experts at navigating Singpaore's SMRT metro system using GPay. Two things we wanted to do for sure were to visit Gardens by the Bay - Cloud Forest conservatory, and go to the top of Marina Sands Hotel. We still had plenty of time to walk around the city.
- We got off at City Hall station, visited the War Memorial, Raffles Hotel and got on MRT at Esplanade Station at Marriott South Beach to Bayfront station for Marina Sands hotel. We walked though the luxury mall to enter the hotel's gigantic lobby for its pronged towers. From the registration desk at the bottom of tower 3, a separate lift takes you to the 56th floor and the outdoor viewing area. Preferred time is around sunset, but day views are also spectacular on clear days like today.
- As everyone seems to know (or may be not), CÉ LA VI rooftop bar on the 57th floor also has great views. They charge S$23 cover charge and give you a food credit for the same amount. In effect, you get the views and drink/snack for about the same price as going just to the observation deck on the 56th floor. The place gets busy around sunset, since you can sit, drink, eat as long as you want.
- You can wander around the restaurant for city views, and also see the infinity pool on one side. After spending a couple of hours here - and enjoying the famous Singapore Sling cocktail, we moved on. - The security guard in the lobby told us about the Marina Bay Overpass from the sixth floor that would take us to the viewpoint. Taking an elevator down and then crossing Dragonfly Lake on Dragonfly Bridge dropped us in to Gardens by the Bay. Kedar visited the Cloud Forest conservatory while I waited in the cool breeze enjoying the view.
- We then returned to Labrador Park to get the luggage and back to Changi airport around 7 PM. There are plenty of man made attractions in each of the Airport Terminals. We had time and planned to visit some of them - Cactus Garden in Terminal 1, Butterfly Garden in Terminal 3 but just visited the Sunflower Garden in Terminal 2 where our flight was to depart.
- Ran into several passengers from our ship at the airport check in, and also on our flight. In fact, two passengers on my either side were both among them (but didn't know them.)
- Nonstop flight on United left SIN and arrived at SFO on time. Mission accomplished.
- Kuala Lumpur has a compact sight seeing area, except for Batu Caves (a limestone hill with a series of caves and Hindu temple) is further up north and not to be missed. We had very limited amount of time and we returned just in the nick of time - though there were plenty of people behind us. President's Palace, Independence (Merdeka) Square, Petronas Towers and KL Menara Tower were the other attractions. See details.
- I had coordinated this Shore Excursion through Viator from Port Klang Terminal $409 (12 Adults @$34 each.) This was a great price. We had a 15 people van for 12 people - so some extra legroom.
- We did not have time to go to the top of either towers, nor for shopping or even lunch. Lunch from Jaipur Mahal was included so we took to go and ate at the Independence Square to save time. Everyone was very happy with the food - Thankfully.
- Organized through Cruise Critic with a local operator, this was another great deal ($20 pp) and covered the following:
- 升旗山 Penang Hill
极乐寺 Kek Lok Si Temple
卧佛寺 Reclining Buddha
缅甸寺 Burmese Temple
姓氏桥 Clan Jetty
壁画街 Street Art and Peranakan Museum - Penang is a popular expat island from all over the world. They gave tax subsidies to make it an attractive proposition. It has rain forests, waterfalls and sandy beaches. George Town's historic district has mix of architecture and the usual attractions for shoppers and foodies. Views from the top of Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple were the highlights. We visited the local food market where many had lunch.
- We chose to go island hopping in Phuket. A private group of 9 was transported to the other (Northeast) end of the island to get on this speed boat going 25-30 knots. So many islands in Phang Nga Bay are worth visiting. From sandy beaches to sandbars, to coves where you could swim or snorkel, to caves and lagoons at Hong Island, to Fishing Village on stilts. It was a great experience.
- A distinctive feature of Phang Nga Bay is the sheer limestone karsts that jut vertically out of the emerald-green water. James Bond Island where Man with the Golden Gun was filmed is but one example.
- Isabella has taken the lead on this private tour at Phuket island hopping.
- Ship left Singapore early morning. Tomorrow will be our 3rd day in Thailand.
- Docked at 8 am facing the city to watch fireworks tonight. Left at 8:15, walked to Gardens by the Bay, then to Marina Sands Hotel. MRT to Raffles Place (wrong stop) so walked to Maryamman temple, and then back from Chinatown (Purple line to Dhobi Ghaut, then Red line to Marina South Pier) to the ship. Walked 4 miles or so. Back at noon exhausted. Took shower and ate.
- Kedar went to Google office at Labrador Park. Met with his colleague and another expat, had lunch at Google, got a temporary badge for the 5th, went to Botanical Gardens and returned at 5.
- Watched tree lighting at 745 and 845. Went to Hedy (Cabin 9500) to watch fireworks. Started at 11 pm and continued a bit after midnight. Returned to the room at 1 am. Tomorrow is a sea day.
- Only one day in Singapore 12/31. Leaving 530 am on January 1 - essentially a sea day. However, we do have the entire day on Jan 5 after disembarking.
- Ho chi Minh City - left on a private tour $100 for 2 to the city to see five places - reunification hall (closed for lunch 11-1 pm), cathedral (closed for renovations), Post office - photos of the outside. War remnants museum (propaganda against the US), skipped the market. 9 am to 1245 - no traffic due to Sunday
- 1100 of 2600 passengers on the ship have drinks packages. 451 kids.
- Stood in line at 530 am to get #1 tender tickets. Waited until much later #11 to get off ship. For $10 pp, rode a motorcycle to Po Nagar Durga temple 8 km north just past the river and town. It was fairly crowded, but temperature was mild and breezy.
- Stopped at the beach on the way back. They tried to charge $5 for $1 temple ticket - paid $1.
- Kedar wasn't feeling well since yesterday, so he slept much of the time.
- Good rest day. Weather was cloudy, cooler and some rough seas due to typhoon that hit the Philippines earlier in the week.
- Watched partial solar eclipse in the morning - showed around 50 people on the ship.
- No tender. Docked at Pier. Waited until 230 to go ashore. Shuttle to port gate. Then walked to the nearest beach. Road was very dusty. Sidewalk either dug up or missing. Walking on the road with two way traffic was no fun.
- The beach was deserted. No one on the beach, no one in the water. Drains directly in the ocean. Our sandals were covered in mud by the time we came back. Tried walking to the independence park, but too much construction.
- Returned by 4 PM
- Woke up at 4 am. Checked out at 430. Tuk tuk to ticket center.
- Room $55, tuk tuk $22 +$10 sunrise+$7 back to airport.
- Credit cards did not work at Angkor so paid cash $74 ($37*2). Tickets with photo - checked at every entrance.
- Reached Angkor at 5 am. Sunrise at 625. Waited by the lake for photos. Clouds rolled in as darkness lifted. Realized that there were a number of vantage points for great pictures.
- Entered the temple at 615 and finished about an hour later.
- Small loop included 4 other stops - half hour each, before visiting Angkor Thom. Finished at 11, at the airport at 1130.
- Flight at 135 - left on time even after multiple gate changes. Gate 5, bus to the plane at both ends. Boeing 737.
- Immigration - supervisor had to clear entering the country to a cruise ship.
- Person with a sign waiting for us to take to the taxi.
- We didn't know where the ship was parked. Went A1 and then to C0 to Jade. Returned by 445.
- Worth the trip though hectic and a lot of walking/sweating.
- Gettransfer taxi took a long time to show up. Only after Kedar texting pictures, we connected. Julie joined us. Not much traffic, but still 135 km distance. Reached grand palace at 11 am. Julie took off. Kedar had to buy long pants 200 bahts to enter palace. Palace 500 bahts was worth it. Then walked to sleeping Buddha behind the palace.
- Ate lunch across the street. Walked 0.6 km to MRT one stop to Wat Arun 0.9 km away and back. 18 BHT.
- Took MRT to Mckessan 40 BHT and then airport express 35 BHT pp.
- The flight was on time. Bus to prop plane. Kedar met a co-worker. May meet up with him in Singapore (did.)
- Tuk tuk to the hotel. Checked in - good service but slow. Upgraded to one king size bed room. Nice amenities.
- Next morning, breakfast boxes since we're leaving very early.
- Waterfall, elephant sanctuary, hinya and hints, cheweng beatch, big Buddha, second temple. 1500 BHT, 1040 am to 240 pm. Back on boat by 330 pm.
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