SINGAPORE

AND NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY…

After enduring the hassle of ingress and egress from the ship on our arrival  our first day in Singapore, Bill and I left the challenge of the hop on hop off bus to our spouses who double as photographers at large.  We decided to save our energy for viewing their pictures later.   Our second day in Singapore after an early breakfast Ken and Diane rushed off to “catch the day” in digital memory. 

As they enjoyed their ride atop the open bus, they were visited by a rather brisk gathering of storm clouds that reduced their enthusiasm for picture taking as well as open air sightseeing.  They returned to the ship wet and subdued from their exposure to the elements and an air of disappointment cast a veil over their usual enthusiastic demeanor.  Their  feedback was decidedly low key leaving Bill and I to conclude that we were glad we stayed aboard.

And the rain came down

Approximately 4,000 passengers departed the ship in Singapore and another 4,000 happy Asian families replaced them for what I have deemed as a “cruise to nowhere”.  

Native of Port Klang

Port Klang 

Our departure from Singapore was delayed for reasons unknown to us but it did not delay our arrival in Port Klang, Malaysia, the gateway to Kuala Lumpur.  Unfortunately, we did not properly review our tour alternatives in advance and too late we found that Kuala Lumpur would be a “missed” opportunity. 


We enjoyed our day aboard ship and watched the activities in the harbor as we relaxed in the peace and quiet of a ship half empty.  (That's better than a glass half empty.) After another sea day in which the 3 day guests could enjoy the shipboard amenities of their “outing”, we arrived back in Singapore.

We had coordinated a luncheon date with Ken’s cousins, George Martzen and his wife Chin Cheak, and they graciously arranged to meet us in China Town. Chin Cheak ordered a bountiful and delicious variety of Dim Sum to meld the scenery, culture and taste of Singapore with a memorable visit with family that we see too infrequently.  George and Chin Cheak have been missionaries to Singapore for the past 14 years doing the good work of their calling.  Our visit and the good vittles we shared was the “high point” of our visit to Singapore and another “crown”  in our  book of memories.

We are enjoying another sea day and tomorrow we visit Phu My (Ho Chi Minh) Vietnam.  One never knows what may happen when the Burns’ and Herbert’s are out and about.  Stay tuned – we only have another eleven days in what has been termed our “Royal Odyssey”.  My summation at the end of this trip may provide insight into just how “Royal” it was.

Old  Salt