Viking China (Part 2)

[swanny727]

Originally Posted by Bushy H.

Just did our shots and they tried to get us to do one called Japenese something for the brain. We skipped it since that is in rural areas but did the MMR booster and thypoid, too long since Egypt when we had our last one. Yes very sore but pain reliever and working it shortens the time. They wanted us to do the malaria meds too but mmmm some have bad side effects like Hallucinations.

We are thinking of making some postcards of our home states and handing them out to people who approach us. We won't write anything on them in English incase someone gets upset thinking we are spreading propaganda. Any thoughts on this? Also thinking of taking packaged flower seeds for the school and thoughts on this? So far only items from infected areas for plants are not allowed and these will be packaged.

Since nothing is required, I guess each clinic makes their recommendations for vaccines. You are talking about the one for Japanese encephalitis - a serious illness carried by mosquitos, but, my clinic advised it only for camping and traveling in rural areas. DEET seems to be the suggestion for the trips we are taking.
And MMR booster was not mentioned to me.


As for typhoid, I was offered the pills, $55 or the shot, $70. 4 Pills are taken every other day for a week (e.g. Day 1, Day 3, Day 5 and 7). No alcohol during this week. Side effects can be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. This affords 5 years of 70% (I think) immunity. Shot is once and done, rare side effect of headache, same amount of immunity but, only good for 2 years. I took the shot and had arm soreness for 4 days - not as bad as a tetanus shot.

[HokiePoq]

Originally Posted by Peregrina651

LOL. But honestly, there is no reason to obsess over this issue; Viking knows its audience and there will always be a Western option. Don't let this issue stop you from traveling to this most fascinating and amazing country. It is a non-issue.

Thanks...I think you are right about Viking taking care of its customers. Too many women wouldn't book!

(Guess my fears come from my son who took a graduate school class tour of Southeast Asia. His roommate got an intestinal problem and there were just holes in the floor...)

[bayerisch]

Yes, I opted for the typhoid shot as well and won't fill the malaria script. I think repellant will be enough. I am going to the roof though and will start taking Aspirin a month prior to going to help with the altitude sickness. I googled the side effects of the altitude meds and they are severe, so I would rather not take them.
I mailed in my application for the visa on Friday. I also called Viking about flight reservations because some members posted that they had them many months in advance. I was told the flights would not be booked until 75 days prior to the trip so I'll have to be patient a couple more weeks.
As far as luggage goes, I have a carry-on but I also think I should find a backpack for daytrips. Haven't found one yet that is light weight but holds a good amount of stuff.
If someone has a good brand, please recommend.
I am planning on taking my trusty Cannon EOS camera with me, but in case something happens to it, like falling in the river I thought in China one ought to be able to purchase a camera. What are the thougths on that?
Since I live in Florida, I know how to dress for hot and humid weather. So I wasn't going to pack any jeans, just very lightweight cotton and linen. Are the restaurants cold and airconditioned to where one would need to bring sweaters?
I am so excited I feel like Peregrina's little avatar.

[Peregrina651]

Originally Posted by bayerisch

I am planning on taking my trusty Cannon EOS camera with me, but in case something happens to it, like falling in the river I thought in China one ought to be able to purchase a camera. What are the thougths on that?

You will not have time in China. Whatever happens to your camera will happen at THE most inopportune moment and you will be days without a camera.

If you are using an EOS, then you are picky about your camera. Take the time now to shop for one and learn how to use it (and charge the batteries before you go). After my 1-year old digital died on my first day in Venice, I always travel with two cameras. (Yes, fortunately I had my SLR with me as well)

Right now I am partial to my daughter's Sony digital which stitches together panoramas right in the camera (and I like the quality of the pictures). I am not happy with Lumix that I bought even though it has a good zoom on it (that is what I used to shoot the close-up that I just posted) and am this close to buying a new P&S if I didn't think that my husband would freak out because the Lumix is just a year old. (That is not to say that all Lumix are bad; it just refers to my camera).

And make sure you have a second battery for the EOS--and plenty of flash cards (unless you are planning to download to a computer each night). I managed to take hundreds of photos each day.

Finally, let me introduce you to photoblog.com. I use Shutterfly when I want to make a website with tons of pictures but I use Photoblog to tell the story in 5 or 6 photos per day. It forces me to really look at what I have shot that day and pick 5 or 6 photos that tell the story. It is a fun exercise and most people are more willing to look at a handful of photos, then to slog through every single picture that I took.

Originally Posted by bayerisch

I am so excited I feel like Peregrina's little avatar.

Yes, she is dancing up a storm, right now!! She is ready to travel.

[pacmom]

Peregrina, this is off thread, but wish you a wonderful trip in LESS than 2 weeks. Your advice has been so helpful--like you want to spend as much time as possible on the river in whatever country. Have a wondeful trip and looking forward to hearing about the trip. Pat

[bayerisch]

Thank you for the tips. I have 2 batteries, charging now. Several flash cards, maybe I'll purchase more. I thought of uploading to my Kindle Fire during the trip, although I am sure there will be plenty of nights when I'll be too tired. I could also take a small notebook computer, but wasn't really planning on taking it unless it is more convenient than the Kindle. I'll need to check that out. The Kindle would require WI-Fi though. The canon was my husband's and I fell in love with it when I started using it; I can't even remember what I used before then. I will need to check out the Sony, the panoramic feature sounds attractive. Photoblog is not available right now, but I'll try to sign on. I second Pacmom's sentiments, have a lovely trip.

[Kohola]

Originally Posted by bayerisch

Thank you for the tips. I have 2 batteries, charging now. Several flash cards, maybe I'll purchase more. I thought of uploading to my Kindle Fire during the trip, although I am sure there will be plenty of nights when I'll be too tired. I could also take a small notebook computer, but wasn't really planning on taking it unless it is more convenient than the Kindle. I'll need to check that out. The Kindle would require WI-Fi though. The canon was my husband's and I fell in love with it when I started using it; I can't even remember what I used before then. I will need to check out the Sony, the panoramic feature sounds attractive. Photoblog is not available right now, but I'll try to sign on. I second Pacmom's sentiments, have a lovely trip.

WiFi is available throughout the ship with a password. It appears people with Smartphones get better results with connecting to the internet. I was Video chatting yesterday with someone on the Emerald via their iPhone as the ship navigated the 3 gorges locks...beautiful reception! There is free WiFi in the lobbies of all the hotels we stayed at...Ritz Carlton, Shanghai; Hyatt, Xian, and Westin Chaoyang in Beijing, but it runs about $.50/min in your room, capped around $15/use or there are some plans available.

Electronics are more expensive in China than in the US...our Chinese friend recently paid $1000 USD for an iPhone 4S and no Siri;-( My iPhone worked great for messages and the like in China...I didn't need a data plan so I can't speak to its internet capability.

[jimhawkins]

Thanks for the advice. It confirms our hunch that the CD tour best suits our interests and pace. We are set for 11/3 starting in Shanghai, and adding the HK/Guilin extension. First time to Asia!

[jimhawkins]

Thanks for the advice. It confirms our instinct that the CD itinerary will allow a more leisurely pace and a bit more cultural interaction. Why else make the journey? Our first to Asia.

[Kohola]

Originally Posted by jimhawkins

Thanks for the advice. It confirms our hunch that the CD tour best suits our interests and pace. We are set for 11/3 starting in Shanghai, and adding the HK/Guilin extension. First time to Asia!

Enjoy your cruise! We loved every minute of it...well maybe not crossing the streets, but the rest was amazing;-)

One item I keep forgetting to mention is name tags...VRC provides a set in your travel documents, but you will given another one from your tour escort in China. It will have their name usually in Chinese, a place for your name, and most importantly on the back is their cell phone number. Both in 2009 and again this year we had people get separated from the group in the Forbidden City...the last time the individuals thought they had to use their personal cell phone, which neither had, to call and never asked anyone for help. Fortunately for them the VRC guide supervisor found both of them wandering and stayed with them at the exit until we finished the tour. One individual became separated not once, but twice.

If you get separated and feel the need to contact the tour escort...approach the nearest guide or Chinese person, point to your TEs name and the cell phone # on the back and they will be more than happy to assist you in calling your TE.

[Peregrina651]

Originally Posted by Kohola

WiFi is available throughout the ship with a password. It appears people with Smartphones get better results with connecting to the internet. I was Video chatting yesterday with someone on the Emerald via their iPhone as the ship navigated the 3 gorges locks...beautiful reception! There is free WiFi in the lobbies of all the hotels we stayed at...Ritz Carlton, Shanghai; Hyatt, Xian, and Westin Chaoyang in Beijing, but it runs about $.50/min in your room, capped around $15/use or there are some plans available.

( My iPhone worked great for messages and the like in China...I didn't need a data plan so I can't speak to its internet capability.

See, this is what I don't understand. My provider says I need an international plan if I want to use my phone overseas for data. Am I missing something here? Can I just use the wi-fi and therefore circumvent the mobile data charges? I don't want to make phone calls but if I can send messages home via wi-fi, that would be all I need. I don't want to experiment while I am traveling because coming home and finding out that I've racked up hundreds in data charges would simply cause me to blow a gasket. Oh, and the other question is whether I would have to do something to my sim card for it to work overseas even if just on wi-fi. Then, if I can use just the wi-fi, can I set up Skype? (Heck, why didn't I ask these questions when I was in the phone store the other day??)

BTW, ethernet connection for my notebook was free in our hotel rooms (Shangri-La Pudong and China World, can't remember Xi'an). I keep a little retractable ethernet cord in my travel kit; very handy.

Bayerisch, I carried a notebook as well as a 320GB portable expansion drive. Between us, we shot close to 30GB. There was time most days to download pictures and back them up to the portable drive (yes, I'm a belt and suspenders kind of gal). Don't forget to format the memory cards every now and then.

Thank you for the bon voyage wishes.

[Kohola]

Originally Posted by Peregrina651

See, this is what I don't understand. My provider says I need an international plan if I want to use my phone overseas for data. Am I missing something here? Can I just use the wi-fi and therefore circumvent the mobile data charges? I don't want to make phone calls but if I can send messages home via wi-fi, that would be all I need. I don't want to experiment while I am traveling because coming home and finding out that I've racked up hundreds in data charges would simply cause me to blow a gasket. Oh, and the other question is whether I would have to do something to my sim card for it to work overseas even if just on wi-fi. Then, if I can use just the wi-fi, can I set up Skype? (Heck, why didn't I ask these questions when I was in the phone store the other day?).

I had an international plan for calls and messages only in case of emergency since we were in Thailand on an independent tour prior to China. My data roaming was turned off to ensure I didn't incur data charges. My phone always asked if I wanted to connect to the ship's WiFi whenever I powered it up, but I never tried it so see it I could by pass roaming charges. I didn't have any trouble sending or receiving messages with data roaming off. One issue is the randomness of the ship's WiFi signal...in Ukraine the signal is directly related to the ship's movement.

Our friend on the ship does not have an international plan so I couldn't call her from Deck 4 to Deck 1, but I could send and receive her messages. She uses an iPhone to video call us using Skype or using their Facebook on steroids social networking site QQ. I could put the QQ app on my iPhone and communicate directly with her without international charges, but I have some trust issues with Chinese websites.

Can't speak to any alterations of sim cards that may be required.

Mtlycrew1 spoke of using the GPS on his smartphone so he could probably tell you if data usage was free with the ship's WiFi.

[recyclelady]

Originally Posted by jimhawkins

Thanks for the advice. It confirms our hunch that the CD tour best suits our interests and pace. We are set for 11/3 starting in Shanghai, and adding the HK/Guilin extension. First time to Asia!

We are on your 11/3 trip and have also added the HK/Guilin extension!

[at_nyc]

Originally Posted by Peregrina651

Oh, and the other question is whether I would have to do something to my sim card for it to work overseas even if just on wi-fi. Then, if I can use just the wi-fi, can I set up Skype? (Heck, why didn't I ask these questions when I was in the phone store the other day??)

Sim card has to do with making and receiving calls. If you don't plan to use it as a phone, you don't even need a sim card.

My provider says I need an international plan if I want to use my phone overseas for data.

You can't do mobile data without the phone plan. However, you can use your phone as a (poor man's) laptop by connecting to wi-fi when it's available. Just keep in mind it's a lot slower than a proper laptop.

Am I missing something here? Can I just use the wi-fi and therefore circumvent the mobile data charges? I don't want to make phone calls but if I can send messages home via wi-fi, that would be all I need.

You can always use your phone as a computer and nothing more. But since you're already carrying a laptop, you'll be better off just use that instead. Phones are a poor substitute for computer. Sometimes I don't take my laptop with me and use my phone as a computer. Always find it frustratingly slow.

[Peregrina651]

Thanks, at nyc and Kohola. I'm beginning to understand.

[Cat lady2]

Thanks everyone for the tips and tricks. It is less then two weeks till we go and I finally got onto the boards. Is anyone else on this cruise? sorry i didn't know how to start a new thread.

[caribill]

Originally Posted by Cat lady2

Is anyone else on this cruise? sorry i didn't know how to start a new thread.

Welcome to Cruise Critic's Viking China thread.

There are very few Cruise Critic threads for specific Viking China river cruises, so you came to the correct place to post.

[Bushy H.]

Originally Posted by bayerisch

Thank you for the tips. I have 2 batteries, charging now. Several flash cards, maybe I'll purchase more. I thought of uploading to my Kindle Fire during the trip, although I am sure there will be plenty of nights when I'll be too tired. I could also take a small notebook computer, but wasn't really planning on taking it unless it is more convenient than the Kindle. I'll need to check that out. The Kindle would require WI-Fi though. The canon was my husband's and I fell in love with it when I started using it; I can't even remember what I used before then. I will need to check out the Sony, the panoramic feature sounds attractive. Photoblog is not available right now, but I'll try to sign on. I second Pacmom's sentiments, have a lovely trip.

Hey there Bayerisch
We always download our photos after each day incase the camera goes wacky (we had this happen after photographing 250+ headstones) and if something happens to the camera we won't lose all our photos. It also helps to keep the photos seperated incase we forget where we were when one was taken. I use the Canon point & shoot it also takes movies and is great for when you need to be fast to get a photo. We have not found yet a small camera that takes movies and allows you to zoom in while filming and keep the shot clear. Ruth Ann in an older post suggested a harness type holster that the larger cameras just attache to between shots making it easier to carry, we have ordered one to try it out before going in Sep then if it works for us we'll get another one.

I agree on not wearing jeans if hot they chaf, I wear the light cotton pants that will dry out if I sweat or get wet. I don't do skirts but skorts might be a good choice if they can be found.

I got the MMR they are having an outbreak in China right now it is on the State page and recommended you get a booster if born before 1957. If I was going to the open market where they have chickens I would be concerned about SARS but then again I have been told I should work for the government doing safety checks in restaurants.

[Bushy H.]

Peregina: While Bob and I are encouraging everyone to do Cultural Delights, I guess our entreaties are falling on deaf ears because they have actually cut back the number of CD cruises. Viking used to have two ships on the Yangtze; now they only have one. There were 8 CD cruises when we went in 2010 and now they are only doing 6 per year (March, August and October/November). CD cruises are always done in pairs because once they send the ship down to Nanjing, they have to sail it back up river, and they aren't going to sail empty.

I wanted to do this one but hubby can only get so much time off at once and this was just too long. I don't think it is the actual cruise it is time restrictions Also great pic of the wedding headdress, that thing is gorgeous.

[cmbath]

[quote=Bushy H.;33472810]
I use the Canon point & shoot it also takes movies and is great for when you need to be fast to get a photo. We have not found yet a small camera that takes movies and allows you to zoom in while filming and keep the shot clear.

I have a Sony DSC-H9v. It is 16.2 megapixels, 1080P movies, you can zoom and take stills while the movie is in progress. It has a built in GPS, panorama mode and great manual capabilites AND fits in your pocket. The auto is so good you really don't need manual. I bought it last year for around $300. The only real troublesome spot is the auto focus sometime has trouble on what to focus on (ie. through a screen). I should add that there are other models with different features that could raise or lower the price.
It beats the heck out of carrying my big camera and having to prove to security that those lens are really lenses.