Around the world in Photos

Dermotsgirl · April 7, 2021

I have some photos of Bali from 2017

Aulanis · April 7, 2021

Great! I love the through the "window "shot.

Next up from me is Sandakan

I am sure this sparrow is following us.

Aulanis · April 7, 2021

Next is Kota Kinbalu

Aulanis · April 7, 2021

and Puerto Princessa -- Whilst worth seeing the caves this meant

an hours drive at breakneck speed a fairly fast boat ride and

a frightening return minibusride. Sadly not a great deal to see

en route -paddy fields and bushes and no time to see anything of the city.

Edited April 7, 2021 by Aulanis

Aulanis · April 7, 2021

And just when you thought you were finished - The BIG one

Manilla.

Bicycle frames are made of Bamboo!!

Edited April 7, 2021 by Aulanis

bee-ess · April 8, 2021

Here are my Hong Kong pictures

bee-ess · April 8, 2021

Hong Kong - Lamma Island and Aberdeen

bee-ess · April 8, 2021

Hong Kong - Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha on Lantau Island

Izzywiz · April 8, 2021

Morning fellow cruisers and thank you for the wonderful pictures of some of my favourite places.

Bee-ess has pulled into Hong Kong before me today so obviously an early riser!

We will have turned west tomorrow when we arrive in Singapore and its surrounding areas.

here are my Hong Kong pictures taken over a number of visits.

Arriving in 2019!

I love the hustle and bustle....

and the Temple Street night market..

We also enjoy the parks and gardens

as well as Repulse Bay and the spectacular skyline

Izzywiz · April 8, 2021

It's always great fun to ride on the Peak tram and to see the views from the top...

Izzywiz · April 8, 2021

On our first visit in 1995, we went on the ferry across to Macau which had a very 'olde worlde' Portuguese feel....

We went back in 2019 via the newly opened bridge and we were amazed to find ourselves in 'Las Vegas'. The Chinese love to gamble!

Adawn47 · April 8, 2021

1 hour ago, bee-ess said:

Hong Kong - Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha on Lantau Island

We visited Hong Kong in 1995, before the lease with Britain expired. I recognise much of the places. Happy Valley, Aberdeen and the views from Victoria peak. Did you have dinner in the revolving restaurant? We also went to Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island. Lantau Island with the big bronze Buddah was lovely, and we had a vegetarian lunch at the Po Lin monastary. We were only in Hong Kong for 5 days before we flew on to Bali, but it was amazing what we managed to cram into those days. We were exhausted but so glad we did it. lovely memories, thank you.

Avril

Aulanis · April 8, 2021

We visited way back when as well. I think it was maybe 10 days and we crammed a lot in

included was a helicopter ride. -Put me off helicopter rides for life - too noisy & couldnt see a lot.

One place we didnt go was Lantau and we were going to go, maybe on a 2017 pre cruise visit, had it all worked out. Train ,cable car Big Budha & other attractions I think we could book and pay

when we got there. Anyway did all we could got to HK and it was all closed down due to

a near cyclone hit!. Consequently I have only a few Pics anyone want to be a Pilot eek!

Singapore is similar we have been on a Land tour and a couple of stopovers pre digital

so have no pictures available for there, so I will rest up for a few days and maybe join the ship later

Adawn47 · April 8, 2021

One of the most memorable sights for me was flying into Kai Tak airport. When we flew over Hong Kong harbour I was disappointed to see thick cloud cover as I was hoping to see it from the air. As the plane banked to turn towards the runway, it broke through the clouds and there it was, an amazing view with the ferries, junks and the Jumbo restaurant. As he dropped low over the runway coming in to land, I will never forget the sight of the Marlbro' Man passing by the window almost at touching distance. The flight out of Hong Kong using the runway that went out into the harbour was just as exciting. An unforgetable 5 days from landing to take off. Wonderful memories these pictures bringing back.

Avril

bee-ess · April 8, 2021

2 hours ago, Adawn47 said:

We visited Hong Kong in 1995, before the lease with Britain expired. I recognise much of the places. Happy Valley, Aberdeen and the views from Victoria peak. Did you have dinner in the revolving restaurant? We also went to Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island. Lantau Island with the big bronze Buddah was lovely, and we had a vegetarian lunch at the Po Lin monastary. We were only in Hong Kong for 5 days before we flew on to Bali, but it was amazing what we managed to cram into those days. We were exhausted but so glad we did it. lovely memories, thank you.

Avril

Thanks Avril, we were only there for 3 days in 2006 pre cruise, so it was even more of a rush around for us. We did a world cruise sector from HK to Mumbai on Aurora and it was a bit strange really as there seemed very little night life, lots seem to just have their meal and retire, I guess it was over halfway through the whole cruise and many had had enough of the night life. Put us off of ever doing a world cruise a bit, but realistically we are never likely to anyway.

Edited April 8, 2021 by bee-ess

Izzywiz · April 9, 2021

Another day and another port but before we dock in Singapore, I'd like to say thank you to Adawn and Bee-ess for reminding me of happy memories of Hong Kong, especially flying in to and out of Kai Tak airport in the 1990s. That was a very scary experience. It seems strange now to be boarding a ship instead of a plane at kai Tak now!

We continue heading west tomorrow and dock in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

My Singapore pictures are mostly from our most recent visit in January 2020 with a couple from New Year 2014.

We docked in the old cruise port in 2020.....

and spent a lot of time at the gorgeous Botanical Gardens

We were very impressed with the orchid garden

Izzywiz · April 9, 2021

We also enjoyed touring the city centre and seeing how much the city has grown since our first visit in 1994

bee-ess · April 9, 2021

Singapore - we had a short days stay in Singapore so not many photos, and we spent spent a large portion of the day at the Kranji War Cemetery which are the next set of photos.

bee-ess · April 9, 2021

Singapore - Kranji War Cemetery and the Changi Memorial Chapel

Edited April 9, 2021 by bee-ess

Izzywiz · April 10, 2021

We visited the war cemetery many years ago and it left a lasting impression. A very moving and humbling experience.

It is Sri Lanka today and we dock in a rain storm. Tomorrow we head to India with our first stop being Cochin/Kochi.

Colombo...

Izzywiz · April 10, 2021

On our first visit in 2017 we did a tour down the coast to the city of Galle...

Izzywiz · April 10, 2021

In 2020 we travelled from to Colombo into the centre of the island where we visited the Botanical Gardens.....

Adawn47 · April 10, 2021

We visited Sri Lanka in the early 90's when there was unrest with the Tamils and security was high. We stayed at The Mount Lavinia and enjoyed our time in Sri Lanka, although not as much as other countries and had no thoughts about returning. The one thing that sticks in my mind is the total contrast between those that have and those that have not. We went through Colombo one evening and saw a family of 4 unrolling mats to bed down for the night in the doorway of a large gold and jewellry store. It's something you see everywhere in Asia, but for some reason that family with 2 small children really affected me.

Avril