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Forgap & Rumor, Singapore-Sydney, Feb. 2-20, 2018--LIVE!

Mr Rumor

By Mr Rumor,
in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

Posted
Posted

Wow - the carpeting is really a mess! Is it like that all over the ship? Guess I'll see it next month when we board.

 

Rich, please give Risky our regards and a hug (if you don't mind) and let her know that we'll see her in Bali. I didn't realize that she had a home in Jakarta. We won't be visiting there but will go to Semarang instead (think that you're going there as well). Also, if Olivia (Asst. C.D.) and Massimo (G.M.) are onboard, let them know that we're excited to see them next month (not sure if they are onboard yet but will be in March - as will the beautiful and delightful F&B Director, Daniela who boards in Darwin). If you don't have time for the greetings, I certainly understand since you are on vacation:D

 

Love what Ginny did with the artwork. She likely could have created something lovely for your suite!

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Johnthesailor

Johnthesailor

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John here to add a few comments. We noticed the carpet but did not think badly of it. Not something we would put in our home but we did not have a negative reaction to it. And the paintings , well, very subjective and there are always some that we like and others that we just say "what were they thinking". I always chuckle at the big white canvas with a tactile representation of barbed wire.

 

We had a great meal in Setti Mare. Had to ask repeated times for more water or wine but the food and food service was great. David stopped by to welcome us back by name. Learned that they switch the menu every two or three days. They, on different nights, have three versions of Oslo Bucco. Yum!

 

This may give the wrong impression (or not) but numerous bar staff greet me by name and remember my standard drink. It is a bit distinctive but I give them a lot of credit for remembering.

 

All in all, we are going to have a great trip! Looking forward to meeting Mr. rumor but have not yet had the pleasure.

 

Best,

John

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forgap "Live from...." Rare

forgap

Posted
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This is the painting opposite our bed.....reminds me of the elephants painting in Chiang Mai, although I liked their work better.

fde5b932cfd1159509e1a3be070c5bbb.jpg

 

I’ve had sleeping sickness since getting on board. I must be catching up after a week of terrible sleeping. We had a bit of a delay for dinner at 7:30 and had to wait it out in the nearby lounge. What a hardship! David came to get us and escort us to the table. Wes, he sends you and Ida his best and has been following your journey in South America on Facebook. He is a lovely man.

 

We missed the show last night in favor of sleep. We forgot to put the privacy card out so our laundry return woke me up. The laundry team is fantastic and much better than home (me)! Everything comes pressed, tags attached when the laundry team found invisible stains that they felt they couldn’t remove, and a note about a missing sock that I later found in the closet!

 

One note of disappointment/change - no Minutey Rose on board (they claim I drank it all last year!) and the bedtime chocolates are little green foil wrapped nothings now. Remember the lovely square envelopes with tissue wrapped chocolate in different flavors? Gone, gone, gone......

 

 

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briar14

briar14

Posted
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To everyone posting about your cruise and pre cruise, thank you! Sorry to hear about the chocolates. We have always saved them to take home and had one whenever we were remembering a wonderful trip and missing Regent. On our Voyager Asian trip last year, they disappeared briefly and reappeared. Maybe that will happen again :). Jan

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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To everyone posting about your cruise and pre cruise, thank you! Sorry to hear about the chocolates. We have always saved them to take home and had one whenever we were remembering a wonderful trip and missing Regent. On our Voyager Asian trip last year, they disappeared briefly and reappeared. Maybe that will happen again :). Jan

 

Not everyone dislikes the "new" chocolates. They are dark chocolate and we love them (but save them for when we are home)

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Hambagahle

Hambagahle

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Rich - this is a GREAT "blog". I have just stumbled on it (being in Florida right now on holiday!) and so enjoying hearing what you and Ginny are doing on the cruise which is to a part of the world that I know so well. (My father lived for 30 years in Jakarta and was married to a lovely Indonesian woman for most of that time...) If you remember we sailed together on the TA on the Mariner (again with Ray Solaire as CD) about 6 years ago. And I did not realise then - just found out now! - that we were also on the "ash cruise" together. Which ended far better for Ken and me than for you, Ginny and the Noons. We just got off the ship and took our Hertz car (previously rented) home. While you all were in Padova for a week.

 

Anyway - keep the posts and especially the photos coming. If I am right, today you are going (or have in fact already been) to "Taman Mini" - Indonesia in miniature. It is a great place because you can see the various architectural styles of houses/temples etc from all over the country.

 

A question - your F&B Manager Daniela. Is she the Daniela who used to be a Wine steward? if so - she is wonderful. And please - my warm regards to Ray Solaire. As you say, a truly great CD.

 

All the best - have a great time and I shall be following you every day!

Gerry (Hambagahle)

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Zqueeze1 "Live from...." Rare

Zqueeze1

Posted
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Folks: you guys are doing a great job with this thread and I look forward to reading every word of it daily. Loving the reporting and the pics. You also bring us back warm memories of our travels in the area while living in the Philippines back when I was young and handsome (loooong time ago).

When you hit Australia, please have a Toohey’s or Castlemain XXXX beer for me.

Z and TB

 

 

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Mr Rumor

Mr Rumor

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Good morning, Jakarta, population 10.5 million!

 

We were about a half hour late getting in due to what CD Ray called “horrendous traffic.” I call it a bunch of fishing vessels plopped down in our way!

c55fe33886e741795d3844522273bdd5.jpg

 

 

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forgap "Live from...." Rare

forgap

Posted
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We decided to take the walking tour of Chinatown today and we are glad we had an energetic, knowledgeable guide who was raised in this neighborhood. I doubt that we could have done this in our own. I think we walked five miles through labyrinths crowded with humanity on foot and on motorcycles. If you have COPD, this is not the tour for you! Fumes were everywhere - diesel, gas, smoke, cooking - and we walked at a fast pace.

 

Chinatown is in the throws of readying for the new year so the stalls were packed with traditional food and artifacts necessary for properly ringing in the new year.

 

As Rich said, Jakarta has many people, and mostly a poor population. They are trying to eliminate the slums but they do exist. The mayor of Jakarta is progressive so he is trying to effect some social change. Jakarta is not really a beautiful city - the waterways appear polluted, there is not much greenery, and the architecture is mostly of the cinderblock variety. Traffic is chaotic and crossing the street is not for the faint hearted.

 

Regent took good care of us on this tour but we were very glad to get back to the ship!

 

The internet god is not allowing me to upload photos today so I’ll try at a later time.

 

 

 

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Mr Rumor

Mr Rumor

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Our visit to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesian Mini Park) was what I’d hoped it would be, a nice introduction to Indonesian culture.

 

We started with a tour of the three-story Museum Indonesia led by our tour guide Sukandi. “Candy’s” English was rather heavily accented, but possible to understand if you worked at it a little, which I did most of the time. At various moments, however, I found myself focusing instead on particular costumes and artworks as well as depictions of epic tales and ceremonies. Among the latter I learned there is a Seven Months Pregnancy ceremony (but only for the first born), a Circumcision ceremony, a Touching Ground ceremony (a “baby starting to confront life’s challenges”) and even a Tooth Filling ceremony.

 

After the museum tour we took short drives to three pavilions at the park showcasing traditions in particular portions of this sprawling nation encompassing 14,000 islands and 500 languages. At the West Sumatra pavilion there was music and dancing and I was immediately invited by several participants (urged in fact!) to take the stage and join in. I just might have if we had had five more minutes.

 

There were a lot of smiles directed our way today:

ab32875023ecef0d25a4a40f26db55b1.jpg

 

On the museum grounds:

2f2b8370b1ccb4827a857738c7036134.jpg

 

 

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Mr Rumor

Mr Rumor

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Jennifer, when l’m having trouble posting, I try walking into the hallway and holding my iPhone or iPad up to the nearest saucer shaped relay. It usually works, like now (he wrote hopefully).

 

I accidentally edited this one out from the previous post:

 

Party time at the West Sumatra Pavilion, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah:

7b6eb4b553414dc508b0d3085d1bd93e.jpg

 

 

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Mr Rumor

Mr Rumor

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Gerry, thanks for dropping in! You bet I remember cruising with you and Ken on the Mariner 2012 TA. What I wouldn't expect you to know is that I actually cut my Cruise Critic blogging teeth on the blog that you started for that cruise! (That was about a dozen "Mr. Rumor" blogs ago.) I did not know about your family's Jakarta connection, so thanks for sharing. I hope that Jennifer's and my posts are bringing back memories. So glad to have you along for the ride.

 

Jackie, I welcome any excuse to give Risky a hug. I'll give her your regards, too, and let her know you and Dennis will see her soon. I'll also say hi to Massimo. Olivia just went on vacation; Elda is the current Assistant Cruise Director.

 

Roberto, how about my having a Toohey's AND a Castlemain XXX for you? I just have to remember not to drink before Ginny and I chance the Harbor Bridge Climb, as a breathalyzer test is mandatory for all participants! (Haven't made a final decision to do the climb, but Ginny and I seriously considering it on the urging of a dear Regent friend who did it and raved about the experience.)

 

Irishwitchy, now that you're back home I'm glad you get to continue cruising with us! Sheila, hope to keep your travel appetite whetted. Briar14, you're welcome!

 

Rich

 

 

 

 

 

 

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liptastic

liptastic

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So enjoying this wonderful combination blog. Posts and photographs are just making us feel as tho we are also enjoying this great itinerary.

Jennifer I am also a fan of the Minuty rose at lunchtime, but last year there was a very good dry French rose which was just every bit as enjoyable.

Thanks to you all for the daily updates. Jean.

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