Whispering Around The World 2019

[Silver Spectre]

13 hours ago, Emtbsam said:

Also one of the ports in Ghana has been changed.

That is extremely annoying, I had only just got around to booking a trip in Lomé, Togo last week, and now - poof it’s gone. Thanks again SS for making sure that Cruise Critic is the first place where SS news appears!

 

As far as I can tell, the situation in Togo hasn’t really changed since the end of December, however there has been political turmoil there. Interesting, the only reliable news source that I can find is Al Jazeera, and even that is out of date.

 

Looks like SS made this decision some time ago and just got around to publicising it.

Edited March 2, 2019 by Silver Spectre

[Wellseasoned]

Thanks again, Mysty.  Look forward to meeting you soon!

[mysty]

Some pics from the first day of the Osaka to Tokyo overland.....

 

Todaiji Temple, Nara

 

 

 

Kasuga Shrine, Nara

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 3, 2019 by mysty

[mysty]

Day 2 of the overland involved a visit to Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market and Konkai Komyoji Temple.

 

Nijo Castle (no photos allowed inside).....

 

 

 

Nishiki Market.....

 

 

Konkai Komyoji Temple.....

 

[jpalbny]

Wow Mysty. Every day is another amazing sight - thanks for sharing your adventure with us!

[mysty]

Day 3 involved a visit to Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Tenryu Temple Complex and the Shinkansen Nozomi (bullet rain) to Tokyo.

 

Golden Pavilion.....

 

 

Tenryu Temple Complex Gardens.....

 

 

Then the Shinkansen Nozomi (bullet rain) to Tokyo.....

 

[mysty]

Shanghai!

 

Our greeting yesterday afternoon.....

 

 

Night view from the ship.....

 

[mysty]

Water Town of Zhujiajiao 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 7, 2019 by mysty

[jpalbny]

Reminds me of Amsterdam, but with much different architecture! Looks very pretty.

 

4°F this morning in Albany, and we tried shoveling the front walk but gave up because it's frozen. Just in case you wondered what you are missing! Keep enjoying your trip.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Lovely pics M! 🙂

[Emtbsam]

Let the packing begin!  We are beyond excited and so looking forward to joining all our friends on board in Singapore.

[CruisinPashmina]

Bon voyage! Have a wonderful adventure in my favorite part of our fascinating world...and be brilliant at Trivia! ❤️

 

 

[DCCruiser57]

Writing from Shanghai Airlines on our way to see the pandas in Chengdu.  A nice small group of 8 with Tracy Fleming as our escort.

Edited March 8, 2019 by DCCruiser57

[turtlemichael]

Enjoy the trip DCCruiser57.  We'll miss you on board. And indeed, wonderful pictures mysty.

[mysty]

Yesterday Myster and I and about 30 other passengers did the Dumpling Revolution tour.  The tour started with a Wet Market visit with Chef Mike in the French Concession Area.  This was an amazing place.  Lots of live fish, beautiful vegetables, meat, candy, clothes, watches, eyeglasses and the list goes on.  We were advised before we went in that this market is very much a place where the locals shop and we would be "foreigners" there.  We got smiles and curious gazes.  🙂  We then went to the Chinese Cooking Workshop to learn how to make 'jiaozi', a type of Chinese dumpling commonly eaten in China and other parts of East Asia.  This was a hands on cooking class and we dined on our creations for our lunch.  Great fun!

 

Here is a picture of live eels at the wet market:

 

 

Here is a picture of our dumpling creations.....

 

[RachelG]

The dumplings look amazing.  How did they taste?

[mysty]

3 hours ago, RachelG said:

The dumplings look amazing.  How did they taste?

I think we did a credible job!  The meal was very good!  To be fair, our contribution was the dumpling dough.  The fillings were already prepared by the CCW staff.  We made the dough, rolled out the little "skins" and stuffed them.  The finished products were whisked away to be steamed, boiled or fried.  It was great fun!  Almost everyone wore a coating of flour by the time the dumplings were assembled.

[DCCruiser57]

An amazing overland so far.  Three hours in the giant panda breeding and research center in Chengdu.  A great tour tour guide, only eight people and Tracy Fleming as our escort.  Got to see 32 different pandas, to include several young ones.  They were very active due to he cool weather.  Pretty cool to see they munching lots of bamboo.  Lunch was great at the center bamboo house.  Must have had 13 or 15 courses with wine and beer included.  Another over the top Silversea experience.

Edited March 9, 2019 by DCCruiser57

[Lois R]

Hi Mysty, the pictures continue to be amazing

[Emtbsam]

Did Vickie replace Fernando on the Whisper or are they both on board?  I read on another thread that she joined the Whisper.

[mysty]

7 hours ago, Emtbsam said:

Did Vickie replace Fernando on the Whisper or are they both on board?  I read on another thread that she joined the Whisper.

Fernando is very much here!  🙂  I don't know Vickie so I can't answer that.  Maybe someone in the know can respond.

[Bluebelle14]

On ‎12‎/‎8‎/‎2018 at 1:02 PM, SSCAF001 said:

 

You could ask one of the staff if Vickie is aboard.

[turtlemichael]

Some pics from our trip in Shanghai to the canals and gardens of Suzhou.

 

 

Edited March 10, 2019 by turtlemichael

[rojaan19]

4 hours ago, mysty said:

Fernando is very much here!  🙂  I don't know Vickie so I can't answer that.  Maybe someone in the know can respond.

 

If Miss Vicki was on board  you would know it  !!   

[mysty]

Beautiful photos Turtle!  Thanks so much for sharing them!