Raina’s blogging. Ovation HK to Syd Nov 2017

Very slow to load and may need several page refreshes to load.

True, I probably didn't wait long enough.

Photos are loading for me and they are amazing. Really love the shot with the monks. :D

Photos aren't loading for me sadly.

Will look forward to them when Rainer updates her blog then.

Photos aren't loading for me sadly.

 

Will look forward to them when Rainer updates her blog then.

Be patient, it's taking me 10-60 seconds or so to see each picture load.

Be patient, it's taking me 10-60 seconds or so to see each picture load.

I've left the pages open for over 30mins but they don't seem to load and all i get is an empty space where i assume the pictures are supposed to be.

I've left the pages open for over 30mins but they don't seem to load and all i get is an empty space where i assume the pictures are supposed to be.

As Biker mentioned, try doing page refreshes.

As Biker mentioned, try doing page refreshes.

Tried but each time only a few picture loads so its quite irritating. Find it easier for me to just go to source code and visit her photo links directly.

I am having no problem(s) viewing photos, I am using Chrome with Windows 10.

I am having no problem(s) viewing photos, I am using Chrome with Windows 10.

I'm seeing the photos faster this morning. Could be related to bandwidth load on the server holding the photos.

I'm hopping the photo problems have resolved themselves. For the people with problems I will upload it all to RainaTravels as soon as I get home.

Again I apologise for my slackness/ business/ an a bit if a cold so a few very quiet days.

Raina

Monday 20th November. Pattaya, Thailand.

We had an overnight at Laem Chabang, Thailand. Most people stayed on board the ship the second day, after huge days into Bangkok and beyond. Some went into the nearby town of Pattaya.

Pattaya was a little fishing village until the 1960's when US GI's came for R&R. It's now a full on holiday spot full of condos, resorts and 24 hour night cubs.

It has a reputation as a sex capital and has hundreds of beer bars, go-go clubs and massage parlours. The rest is dedicated to sun-seeking tourism, with a huge retired expat population.

Very full on with go-go clubs advertising like in Las Vegas. Cars blaring music, people giving out cards etc.

It was a short day and very rushed as the bus took 50 minutes to get in.

And it was such a hectic place. Traffic everywhere and so many tourists.

I went for a look around and - - - for a massage (not the sex capital kind). A great massage. a 2 hour massage. I gave the lady a $10 tip. She was confused at first thinking I was trying to pay her. When she realised it was a tip she was extremely happy. I found out why when I paid and converted. My 2 hour massage cost me $12US!

BONUS! No wonder people retire there.

Monday 20th November.

Pattaya, Thailand.

I'm hopping the photo problems have resolved themselves.

Still very slow to load and refreshes required to see all of them.

Monday 20th November.

Pattaya, Thailand.

So as I was catching a taxi back from Pattaya, another taxi driver flagged us down and handed me a bag saying “left in taxi”. It was an Ovation Crew bag and was full of all the trapping needed for an overnight put in a town reputed as being a Good place to get lucky. Fancy shoes, lots of perfumes and hair product, jewellery, Ray-bans and a few other things.

So I played detective to find the owner. Make. Taller then me. Pretty. Etc. Found him. A dancer. Yay. He was a happy man. Thought he had lost all his stuff. He was signing off in a few days so thought it was lost for good.

Tuesday 21st November

At Sea

This was a big day! Food wise.

Lunch was a C&A luncheon.

I guess the 350 point Lunch with an Officer AND the Pinnacle lunches are gone on Ovation. As it was an intimate lunch with all D, D+ and Pinnacles. A few hundred people.

It was lovely.

Lunch was followed up dinner at the big table with the Hotel Director.

Another lovely function.

Wednesday 22nd November

At Sea - then a 3pm arrival in Singapore.

We were to have an overnight in Singapore. The end of Leg one, then the start of leg 2.

We arrived at 3 pm and had a lovely sail in. Singapore Harbour was crazy busy. SO MANY SHIPS.

It is the main oil place for this part of the world and is where all of Australia's oil comes from. Took well over an hour to go the last 500 metres.

(Thanks to the person who shared this from a web cam).

We were given our passports back with a lovely welcome informing us of the death penalty for drug smuggling. Welcome to Sigapore!

Welcome to Sigapore!

Wednesday 22nd November

At Sea - then a 3pm arrival in Singapore.

I did a number of shore visits during this time.

#1 - I went to 'Gardens by the Bay.' A stunning place I had been to on two previous visits. But I had not been inside the domes. So off I went. And I was not disappointed.

This 250 acre park is built on reclaimed land and is the home of the famous 'tree structures' Supertree Grove - giant metal trees covered in amazing plant life. At night they host a fantastic laser show. So much better then fireworks. With the Mariner Bay Sands hotel in the background and huge suspended walk ways above.

There are two ginormous conservatories / glasshouses - energy efficient and sustainable building principals, the roof is self supporting without internal support poles.

The Flower Dome is 3 acres, is a mild, dry climate and houses Mediterranean, Australia, South America, South Africa plants.

Not my photo!.

Wednesday 22nd November

"Gardens by the Bay" Singapore.

Wednesday 22nd November

"Gardens by the Bay" Singapore.

The Cloud Forest is 2 acres, cool moist conditions found in tropical mountain regions between 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and 3,000 from South-East Asia, Middle- and South America. This one was hugely tall. You walked up ramps then went up a lift and walked back down though the mist, the orchids and the ferns.

There is a 35m (rainwater) waterfall that provides the cooling for the building.

The first cruise has been terrific. looking forward to the rest. Thanks Raina. :D

Wednesday 22nd November

"Gardens by the Bay" Singapore.

GOB SMACKINGLY AMAZING! How have I not gone there before this. Worth a visit just for the structures, let alone the plants.

I then went back to the ship. Had a shower as Singapore is so humid. Concierge Lounge time, sad as it was the last night for some of our lovely new friends.

Thanks for posting, enjoyed the photos.

Wednesday 22nd November

At Sea - then a 3pm arrival in Singapore.

We were to have an overnight in Singapore. The end of Leg one, then the start of leg 2.

We arrived at 3 pm and had a lovely sail in. Singapore Harbour was crazy busy. SO MANY SHIPS.

It is the main oil place for this part of the world and is where all of Australia's oil comes from. Took well over an hour to go the last 500 metres.

(Thanks to the person who shared this from a web cam).

We were given our passports back with a lovely welcome informing us of the death penalty for drug smuggling. Welcome to Sigapore!

Welcome to Sigapore!

Hi, great review,what restaurant is the above photo taken in?

Sent from my Lenovo TB3-X70F using Forums mobile app

Hi, great review,what restaurant is the above photo taken in?

 

 

Sent from my Lenovo TB3-X70F using Forums mobile app

That is in Coastal Kitchen. Deck 14 next to Windjammer.

Raina

Wednesday 22nd November

Watched a great sunset and much action on the harbour.

There was a huge thunder storm and a down pour. We watched two large building get struck by lightning a few times.

After a lovely dinner I took off back into Singapore. Back to the Gardens This time to the Supertree Grove for the laser show.