Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The last of our time at the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 fighters flew overhead then 4 helicopters took off. this was the 4th.

 

 

Now the lake is also for waterskiing.

 

 

Personally I would rather have walked these trails instead of the rubbish that was to come.

 

 

 

[drron29]

We now drove the "Love" river to the famous harbour bridge.

Well we just drove beside the Love river twice but in the same direction. The second was to see the "night" lights. Just a row of lamps. So only people on the right of the bus saw it. Those of us on the left missed out. I doubt we missed anything important.

What I did notice was the proliferation of CCTV cameras. A couple of examples.

 

 

Now we were at the Famous bridge.

 

Views to the Muse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A light rail line goes past. It also stops at the cruise terminal.

 

Views from the bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the only picture I took of the "Great" bridge.

[drron29]

The area around the great bridge is an Arts area.

 

 

 

 

 

They grow my weeds as flowers here.

 

 

 

 

A convenience store with tables inside and out.

 

 

And a walk around the neighbourhood until it was time to get back on the bus.

 

 

 

 

Now driving to Central Park.

 

 

And a glimpse of the Love river.

 

And the shuttle stop opposite Central Park.

 

[silkismom]

Maybe it's just me, but I prefer the simplicity of Japanese temples and gardens.

[drron29]

On 11/1/2023 at 12:58 AM, silkismom said:

Maybe it's just me, but I prefer the simplicity of Japanese temples and gardens.

I completely agree. On the other hand it is interesting to view changes over time. Interesting to note how much Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam have taken Japanese landscaping into their public gardens far more than was the case when we visited Asia in the 70s and 80s.

[drron29]

A bit surprising. A place full of fun parlour kids machines frequented by adults.

 

Then across the road to Central Park.

 

But we weren't taken here to view the park but to look at an underground metro station. Went dow the long escalator. Nothing any different so straight back up in the elevator.

 

 

Having been given the time to be back at the bus I took off by myself to explore the park. the sun had just set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

 

 

Lots of men at several tables engrossed in what we called Chinese Checkers.

 

 

 

 

Now back on the bus to head back to the ship.

 

 

 

A seafood restaurant with 30 dishes for 100 NTD each, $A85, $US 3

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Dinner once more in Atlantide. the menu.

 

 

 

 

 

The wines.

 

 

Rojaan had the centre cut of Baltic salmon and then the duo of halibut and scallops.

 

 

Whilst I had the carpaccio with the small bits of meat barely visible.

 

I then had the tomato soup and the halibut dish as well.finished with the Baba al rhum.

 

[drron29]

The following day was a sea day on our way to Hong Kong and our first changeover day.there was a little swell which was no trouble for the Muse but a little up and down for small vessels.

 

 

Lunch in Atlantide.

I had a crab cake - all cake and very little crab. then the penne with tomato and mushrooms which was much nicer.

 

 

Rojaan had the roast lamb. She likes it extremely dead.

 

Then we both had the cheesecake.

 

Plus a little help for our points tally. One of the crew we have cruised with before insisted we enter the daily distance travelled competition. So I put down 158 nm and that was the exact distance. So got back to the suite with a big envelope saying congratulations and 15 points.

[drron29]

That night it was our only booking for La Dame. First the menu.

 

 

 

 

The setting.

 

Rojaan started with scallops. She didn't want them with the pork belly so she got double the number. I had the scallops with the pork belly. The scallops were nice but on the small size whist the pork belly was overcooked.

 

 

I then had the Foie gras. it was good.

 

The wines were good.

 

 

 

I then had the mushroom soup which was very nice.

 

I then had the dover sole which was moist and tasty.

 

Then the sorbet.

 

For mains Rojaan had the lobster with leek and peas. Unattractive presentation.

 

I had the filet steak. Tough and not as good as that served in Atlantide.

 

 

For desserts Rojaan had the crepes and I the souffle.

 

 

 

And the petit fours.

 

I am pretty sure this will be our last meal in La Dame. Nothing really outstanding so not worth an upcharge. Service is good though.

 

Got back to our deck and saw the most depressing view there is on SS.

Edited November 3, 2023 by drron29

[Brad1185]

Their menus seem to have a lot of tartare, foie gras, duck, veal, raw fish, all things we don’t eat and many repeated menu items.  

[drron29]

That night had been the Captain's farewell and crew parade. We don't miss that. The good Ukrainian pianist was leaving the next day.

 

The Captain Tomasz Kulas from Poland.

 

 

And the crew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

12 minutes ago, Brad1185 said:

Their menus seem to have a lot of tartare, foie gras, duck, veal, raw fish, all things we don’t eat and many repeated menu items.  

Yes but there are plenty of different items and with the different restaurants you would have to be very fussy not to find something you enjoyed.

I am happy they have tartare, carpaccio. foie gras and raw fish on the menu as we both enjoy those Immensely. Atlantide has a daily menu which changes daily. Indochine has changes every 3 - 4 days.

Plus There is the everyday menu at Atlantide which should satisfy most passengers.

 

Then there is the room service menu which is reasonably extensive and you can order from that when in a restaurant. We have done that for a change particularly dessert when we will order the room service Creme bruleee for dessert in Atlantide. You can find that under restaurants on your TV though they will provide a copy in a restaurant if you ask. A gentleman did it just a few hours ago in Kaiseki for lunch. Not sure why you go to a Japanese restaurant and order pasta though.

[drron29]

Next morning and we are in Hong Kong. Slept in. late light breakfast in the Arts Cafe. Some views from the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The we just went for a walk in the area near the cruise terminal. We used to go regularly to Hong Kong but have only had 1 trip there since 1997. Boy has it changed.

 

 

 

 

[Brad1185]

19 minutes ago, drron29 said:

Yes but there are plenty of different items and with the different restaurants you would have to be very fussy not to find something you enjoyed.

I am happy they have tartare, carpaccio. foie gras and raw fish on the menu as we both enjoy those Immensely. Atlantide has a daily menu which changes daily. Indochine has changes every 3 - 4 days.

Plus There is the everyday menu at Atlantide which should satisfy most passengers.

 

Then there is the room service menu which is reasonably extensive and you can order from that when in a restaurant. We have done that for a change particularly dessert when we will order the room service Creme bruleee for dessert in Atlantide. You can find that under restaurants on your TV though they will provide a copy in a restaurant if you ask. A gentleman did it just a few hours ago in Kaiseki for lunch. Not sure why you go to a Japanese restaurant and order pasta though.

 

[drron29]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the past we stayed many times at the sheraton and a couple of times at the Peninsula.

 

 

But we often ate at Gaddis. Funny even as a poor resident we could eat here. On one occasion about 5 years after becoming a specialist there was a conference in Hong Kong. Several who had been medical students or junior doctors under me were there and I took some to Gaddis. A table of 14. The Maitre'D quickly worked out I was paying so I received excellent service. Funny but I would baulk at the price for doing that now. Of course back then the Aussie Dollar was stronger than the US dollar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brad1185]

That’s good to know about the ability to order from room service in a restaurant (did Not know) and forgot about the everyday menu. I Really enjoyed your posts and pictures.  Doing Japan Oct 1 on the Nova. 

[drron29]

We then entered a shopping Mall It turned out to be connected with other building including the Cruise terminal. You could spend your whole time in here.

We did find a branch of one of our favourite Thai restaurants, Nara, here so decided to have lunch. The staff are helped by a couple of robots that bring dishes from the kitchen and can take used dishes back.

 

 

 

 

 

I had a beer and Rojaan a coconut smoothie.

 

 

We had an excellent Pomelo salad with prawns and tempura enoki mushrooms. More than enough for us.

 

 

When we got back to the ship the tide had obviously changed and we used the port's gangplank.

 

 

Them some views from our balcony.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Then the night lights of Hong Kong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Atlantide for dinner again.

 

 

 

 

Rojaan Had the salmon carpaccio and I the wild mushroom salad. both were very nice.

 

 

 

Rojaan had her usual lamb chops and I had the prime rib. Again very nice.

 

And sail away.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The next day was a sea day. Lots of activity mainly fishhing boats. some came quite close.

 

But we were observed by a Chinese coast guard vessel for some time.

 

There were in one place what looked to be large buoys. But this one had a small vessel attached.

 

 

 

We then traversed the narrow passage between the Chinese coast and Hainan island. From our balcony we could see China.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Lunch was in Atlantide.

 

 

Rojaan started with the avocado and baby shrimp and I had the quesadilla. Both were very tasty.

 

 

Then Rojaan had the veal and I the  beef salad. Both were good.

 

 

And we both had the banana to finish.

[drron29]

that evening was the Captain's welcome though it became the CEO's welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

Back to Atlantide for dinner.

 

Rojaan had a small serving of the lime marinated scallops to start and then her favourite lamb chops for main.

 

 

I had the carpaccio, potato and leek soup and halibut. All good.

 

 

And we both finished with the raspberry delight.