Category Archives: China

Travel in China in 2016

Saturday, Mariner of the Seas

Saturday is a day at sea. The Internet is very poor so I was unable to load this post immediaately and I am doing the posts offline. There are a lot of activities to join in but today we went to Trivia in the Schooner Bar 3 times!!! No winnings, not even a plastic yellow highlighter! Also attended a lecture about the history of Ho Chi Minh City. Walked around the ship in between eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was a formal night and most people gathered for party before dinner in the main mall with the captain giving a welcoming speech. There are apparently over 500 Australians on board.

Paul getting drinks on the formal night

Paul getting drinks on the formal night

Captain's speech

Captain’s speech

partying in the mall

partying in the mall

 

leaving Singapore on Mariner of the Seas

We did get to Singapore against all odds, including repacking my case at 4am the morningwe were leaving. Today we entered Mariner of the Seas, a massive cruise ship with 14 levels and about 3500 people on board. We are travelling with Inny (Paul’s sister) and her husband Ian with cabins close to each other on deck 10. The view from the balcony is on the starboard side and is fantastic to look out at sea. Thanks go to Inny and Ian for Paul’s birthday celebrations for 2016 (turning 60!!!) We spent the time before departure checking out the levels – it is astonishing what this vessel holds but I think a big water slide going down from top to bottom could be an interesting addition. Ian showed us around the ship because they are seasoned cruisers so it was great to get his information about cruising ( us being first-timers).

tour of ship

Ian and Paul on our tour of the ship

There is a shopping mall inside selling jewellery,perfume, leather goods, watches, wine and so on.

mall

Inny and Paul in the mall

It’s blowing a gale outside as we cross towards Vietnam but you wouldn’t know it!!!

looking to Singapore

looking to Singapore

 

floor decoration

floor decoration

inside the ship

inside the ship

 

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