The cruise ended on Wed. We checked out for Hard Rock on the day itself.
Hard Rock Hotel was really cool and casual from the start. The upsetting thing was that they made us wait for 2 hours getting one of our rooms ready although we were informed that our rooms were upgraded from hill view to sea view!
I decided to ask for a free dinner to compensate for the delay. I learned this from watching the Apprentice. You need to ask for some extras if checking in is delayed as hotels such as Hard Rock has a reputation in the hospitality industry and the comfort of the guests is paramount.
I was glad when the supervisor offered us evening cocktails at the King's Club, a place for the privileged and frequent customers of Hard Rock Hotel.
We had simple meals of spaghetti, fettuccine, prawn fritters, poh piah, cakes and sandwiches and also ordered mocktails and fruit juices. It was as good as a dinner actually and it was on the house!
We then drove down to the stretch of stalls at Batu Feringghi to have a look. It turned out that this place also sells original, branded, fake products. Amanda and I bought 2 longchamps for RM40 plus all in. Well worth it as the longchamp bag is a foldable bag that can be really handy for travel-lovers like us!
Supper was at Mcdonalds. We turned in early as we wanted to go swimming the next day.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Krabi long tail boat
From a very exciting, colorful and fantastic show in Phuket we sailed into quiet Krabi.
First time in Krabi, we signed up for the longtail boat trip to see stalactites and stalagmites high up in a cave.This cave was used by the Japanese to hide out during the war. We can see why. It was really high up and cooling. Apparently they found tents and equipment used by the Japanese when hiding out in the cave. Statues of the Japanese and prehistoric man were erected in the cave to remember the discovery. Apparently bones of people were discovered along with pots and pans and even jewelry in the cave when it was discovered, thus leading to the belief that prehistoric man lived in the cave before Christ.
I told the guide, Nick about the Bible story of the flood and Noah's ark. He said that he believed it was possible as fossils and shells were found at the top of mountains making it highly likely that the earth was covered by waters at one time many ages ago.
It was also here that I distributed a number of the tracts I took with me.
After the cave exploration (we had to take a long tail boat to the cave and waded through ankle high waters) we were taken a quiet Krabi island. Here we saw all kinds of fishes among which the most interesting was the puffer fish. The puffer fish could survive out of water for a long time. When taken out of the water, it puffs up its whole body like a small ball. It was so cute. I just could not understand why the Japanese would want to eat it!
We had a delicious lunch of prawns, crabs, mixed vegetables, white tomyum, fried cuttlefish at one of the fish farm where we met our first puffer fish and a long black fish that was the length of a hockey stick but as fat as a pillar!
We sat on tut-tuts, tricycles that could take about 3 people on board. The motorbike riders were elderly weather beaten Krabi-ans. The tut-tuts took us past narrow roads with padi fields, bungalow houses, isolated villages and narrowly missed some iguanas crossing the roads!
We then did some shopping at the Krabi fruit market. Here we saw cauldrons of food cooked like the chap fun ready for the lunch crowd. We saw people packing dishes for their lunch (dinner as well perhaps). The cauldrons were huge!
Amanda bought some clothes here. Tim and I bought some cashews and ikan bilis for gifts to Joseph's parents.
It was really idyllic. Krabi - I will not forget you! I will be back to tour your beautiful islands!
First time in Krabi, we signed up for the longtail boat trip to see stalactites and stalagmites high up in a cave.This cave was used by the Japanese to hide out during the war. We can see why. It was really high up and cooling. Apparently they found tents and equipment used by the Japanese when hiding out in the cave. Statues of the Japanese and prehistoric man were erected in the cave to remember the discovery. Apparently bones of people were discovered along with pots and pans and even jewelry in the cave when it was discovered, thus leading to the belief that prehistoric man lived in the cave before Christ.
I told the guide, Nick about the Bible story of the flood and Noah's ark. He said that he believed it was possible as fossils and shells were found at the top of mountains making it highly likely that the earth was covered by waters at one time many ages ago.
It was also here that I distributed a number of the tracts I took with me.
After the cave exploration (we had to take a long tail boat to the cave and waded through ankle high waters) we were taken a quiet Krabi island. Here we saw all kinds of fishes among which the most interesting was the puffer fish. The puffer fish could survive out of water for a long time. When taken out of the water, it puffs up its whole body like a small ball. It was so cute. I just could not understand why the Japanese would want to eat it!
We had a delicious lunch of prawns, crabs, mixed vegetables, white tomyum, fried cuttlefish at one of the fish farm where we met our first puffer fish and a long black fish that was the length of a hockey stick but as fat as a pillar!
We sat on tut-tuts, tricycles that could take about 3 people on board. The motorbike riders were elderly weather beaten Krabi-ans. The tut-tuts took us past narrow roads with padi fields, bungalow houses, isolated villages and narrowly missed some iguanas crossing the roads!
We then did some shopping at the Krabi fruit market. Here we saw cauldrons of food cooked like the chap fun ready for the lunch crowd. We saw people packing dishes for their lunch (dinner as well perhaps). The cauldrons were huge!
Amanda bought some clothes here. Tim and I bought some cashews and ikan bilis for gifts to Joseph's parents.
It was really idyllic. Krabi - I will not forget you! I will be back to tour your beautiful islands!
Phuket Fantasea
If you haven't seen Phuket Fantasea then you haven't seen Phuket or even the cultural aspect of Thailand.
We decided that we were not going on any shopping trips as per previous but we decided to watch Phuket Fantasea. Never mind if we had to get down at 4 pm when the ship had docked at 9 am in the morning. Never mind if we had to get home minutes before the ship sailed for Krabi. Never mind if this was the most expensive of all the tours. We had to see Phuket Fantasea.
Anyway let's start from Monday morning.
At 6 am in the morning while it was dark, I went up the highest level on the ship and walked a few rounds. The wind was absolutely relaxing and I had a wonderful time with the Lord. I also met a group of 12 from PJ - Catholics who prayed with the rising of the sun! I was to bump into the group a few times during the trip.
I then did my devotion and the 40 day prayer and fasting prayer focus. The sun began to rise from behind dark clouds. It was an awesome sight. Believe me there is nothing as beautiful as sunrise on a ship!
We decided to have a continental breakfast at Four Seasons. 3 restaurants serve free meals on the ship. Four Seasons - European cuisine. Ocean Palace - Chinese cuisine and Mariner's Buffet which services an international cuisine. You can eat 5 meals a day on a cruise and still be hungry because there is just so much to do to work off the calories.
We had a lovely leisurely breakfast of eggs, tea and fruits. Nothing much but very filling.
At 9 am we had a dancersize with the crew to the tune of Gentlemen. Now I had earlier thought that because of the name Gentlemen, the dance exercise was only for men! How naive I was! Gentlemen was actually Psy's latest song! Anyway I think gangnam dance steps are so much easier! I love line dancing or simple dance steps as it is the best form of low impact exercise for me.
You see I suffered mild arthritis after my trip to Beijing. The doctor prescribe me Viatril-S. After taking it for 2 months, the condition of my knee improved. He said that the arthritis was due to age and it was normal. In fact there was a crick sound when he moved my knee! Getting old! However after a 2 month dosage, the sound left my knee.
Tim and the children went for a dip in the jacuzzi in the blazing heat. Me....I chickened out as I forgot to bring my swimsuit. I watched TV till 4 pm....the time to leave the ship for Phuket.
At 4 pm we were guided off the ship and taken to a van. About 11 of us had signed up for Phuket Fantasea.
I guess the small number must be due to the fact that this was the most expensive tour organized for Phuket.
We had a friendly tour guide who spoke American English by the name of Woody. He allowed us to go shopping at Patong beach and a shopping complex in Phuket before taking us to Phuket Fantasea.
We were told by the ship entertainment director that we could buy original branded fake stuff at Patong beach. He was right! The choices were just mind boggling. The haggling was fierce and furious. Amanda bought a Jimmy Choo wallet for RM30. I almost wanted to buy a Jimmy Choo handbag for RM70. Decided not to at the last minute as I had just ordered an Oppo bag from Living Social.
Phuket Fantasea is about 40 minutes away from Patong. When we reached the place it was packed with people.
Some amazing things:
1. A musical mountain at the entrace. Rows of lights on a mountain forming shapes of musical instruments that played music became a favorite picture taking spot. The musical instruments looked like the traditional instruments. I just could not describe them.
At the little lake below the mountain, fat (I mean really fat) goldfish of many lovely golden, white and orange colors swam happily.
2. We went inside the Phuket Fantasea cultural village. Now this is a village like no other. Shops had beautifully colored facades. At first look they did not look like shops. They look like fancy buildings from a children's story books!
3. There was a sort of like a miniature zoo housing a white tiger. After dinner at the biggest restaurant in Asia (really humongous) we went through dark tunnels and caves to see the most beautiful pair of white tigers ever seen! I have seen white lion at Bukit Gambang (not exactly white) but these tigers are really white!
4. The Kinnaree restaurant serves the best tom yum. I mean the best. The food was absolutely scrumptious. Dot said that it was even better than the ship. I just loved the tom yum soup!
5. Phuket Fantasea started at 9 pm (Phuket time). We had good seats. The show was fantastic. Elephants marched in. Thai dancers in resplendent costumes of ancient Thai kingdoms danced all over the stage. The dancing actually told a story but I could not make it out. I just knew that the magic shows interwoven with the dancing were funny and comical. The dancing was really beautiful, full of Thai charm and grace. There was a part where pictures of the smiling Thai people were shown. It was like a patriotic concert like no other!
I particularly like the bamboo dancing which was executed with great finesse. Elephants performed sit-ups, waved their ears, marched with their tails linked to each other, put their feet on each other's back. Chickens ran in rows along the stage in a village scene. Kambing or goats jumped over obstacles. Birds flew in pairs over our heads. Rain also fell on the stage!
I really like the padi harvesting dancing and singing scene. They sang in Thai but it was so lively and sweet and captivating and really sweet!
The finale was a magic show of a live elephant dissapearing on stage!
All I can say is if I come for another cruise, I would like to watch this show again in Phuket!
We decided that we were not going on any shopping trips as per previous but we decided to watch Phuket Fantasea. Never mind if we had to get down at 4 pm when the ship had docked at 9 am in the morning. Never mind if we had to get home minutes before the ship sailed for Krabi. Never mind if this was the most expensive of all the tours. We had to see Phuket Fantasea.
Anyway let's start from Monday morning.
At 6 am in the morning while it was dark, I went up the highest level on the ship and walked a few rounds. The wind was absolutely relaxing and I had a wonderful time with the Lord. I also met a group of 12 from PJ - Catholics who prayed with the rising of the sun! I was to bump into the group a few times during the trip.
I then did my devotion and the 40 day prayer and fasting prayer focus. The sun began to rise from behind dark clouds. It was an awesome sight. Believe me there is nothing as beautiful as sunrise on a ship!
We decided to have a continental breakfast at Four Seasons. 3 restaurants serve free meals on the ship. Four Seasons - European cuisine. Ocean Palace - Chinese cuisine and Mariner's Buffet which services an international cuisine. You can eat 5 meals a day on a cruise and still be hungry because there is just so much to do to work off the calories.
We had a lovely leisurely breakfast of eggs, tea and fruits. Nothing much but very filling.
At 9 am we had a dancersize with the crew to the tune of Gentlemen. Now I had earlier thought that because of the name Gentlemen, the dance exercise was only for men! How naive I was! Gentlemen was actually Psy's latest song! Anyway I think gangnam dance steps are so much easier! I love line dancing or simple dance steps as it is the best form of low impact exercise for me.
You see I suffered mild arthritis after my trip to Beijing. The doctor prescribe me Viatril-S. After taking it for 2 months, the condition of my knee improved. He said that the arthritis was due to age and it was normal. In fact there was a crick sound when he moved my knee! Getting old! However after a 2 month dosage, the sound left my knee.
Tim and the children went for a dip in the jacuzzi in the blazing heat. Me....I chickened out as I forgot to bring my swimsuit. I watched TV till 4 pm....the time to leave the ship for Phuket.
At 4 pm we were guided off the ship and taken to a van. About 11 of us had signed up for Phuket Fantasea.
I guess the small number must be due to the fact that this was the most expensive tour organized for Phuket.
We had a friendly tour guide who spoke American English by the name of Woody. He allowed us to go shopping at Patong beach and a shopping complex in Phuket before taking us to Phuket Fantasea.
We were told by the ship entertainment director that we could buy original branded fake stuff at Patong beach. He was right! The choices were just mind boggling. The haggling was fierce and furious. Amanda bought a Jimmy Choo wallet for RM30. I almost wanted to buy a Jimmy Choo handbag for RM70. Decided not to at the last minute as I had just ordered an Oppo bag from Living Social.
Phuket Fantasea is about 40 minutes away from Patong. When we reached the place it was packed with people.
Some amazing things:
1. A musical mountain at the entrace. Rows of lights on a mountain forming shapes of musical instruments that played music became a favorite picture taking spot. The musical instruments looked like the traditional instruments. I just could not describe them.
At the little lake below the mountain, fat (I mean really fat) goldfish of many lovely golden, white and orange colors swam happily.
2. We went inside the Phuket Fantasea cultural village. Now this is a village like no other. Shops had beautifully colored facades. At first look they did not look like shops. They look like fancy buildings from a children's story books!
3. There was a sort of like a miniature zoo housing a white tiger. After dinner at the biggest restaurant in Asia (really humongous) we went through dark tunnels and caves to see the most beautiful pair of white tigers ever seen! I have seen white lion at Bukit Gambang (not exactly white) but these tigers are really white!
4. The Kinnaree restaurant serves the best tom yum. I mean the best. The food was absolutely scrumptious. Dot said that it was even better than the ship. I just loved the tom yum soup!
5. Phuket Fantasea started at 9 pm (Phuket time). We had good seats. The show was fantastic. Elephants marched in. Thai dancers in resplendent costumes of ancient Thai kingdoms danced all over the stage. The dancing actually told a story but I could not make it out. I just knew that the magic shows interwoven with the dancing were funny and comical. The dancing was really beautiful, full of Thai charm and grace. There was a part where pictures of the smiling Thai people were shown. It was like a patriotic concert like no other!
I particularly like the bamboo dancing which was executed with great finesse. Elephants performed sit-ups, waved their ears, marched with their tails linked to each other, put their feet on each other's back. Chickens ran in rows along the stage in a village scene. Kambing or goats jumped over obstacles. Birds flew in pairs over our heads. Rain also fell on the stage!
I really like the padi harvesting dancing and singing scene. They sang in Thai but it was so lively and sweet and captivating and really sweet!
The finale was a magic show of a live elephant dissapearing on stage!
All I can say is if I come for another cruise, I would like to watch this show again in Phuket!
Superstar Libra - Aug 18 to Aug 23
Well I can't remember how many times we have boarded the Libra but I think this must be the 4th time.
We were excited because this time we were trying out a Groupon deal. This deal cost us only RM1,200 per person (inclusive all the port charges). A normal deal is about RM2k per person.
Will it be value for money, we wonder?
From the first day we were not dissapointed.
On Sunday 6 of us (Dot and Fong Cheh included) boarded the Superstar Libra. We had a quick bite at the Chinese restaurant and were pleasantly surprised at the size of our rooms. Usually we were given levels 3 and we had to sleep in double deckers that were really narrow. This time there were no double deckers, just 2 L-shaped beds and even a TV!
We decided to watch the early show of Zee Deneck. For shows on board ships, one had to book seats as early as an hour especially for the front seats. Zee Deneck combines humor, magic and pick-pocketing as his show.
Guess who were selected to take part?
ZD pick pocketed Tim's room key card from his pocket and poor Tim had to go on stage to claim it back! Whilst onstage, Tim got his belt removed.
It was absolutely hilarious to see Tim trying to hold up his pants cos his belt was taken away! As for yours truly, ZD gave me the mike to hold and requested me to say "O my God!" every time he pointed to me which was quite often!
After the show, we had dinner at the pool deck. It was a good barbeque dinner and we met the captain.
We then decided to visit a Bollywood meets Hollywood event at Boomers Disco and instead met up with a group of 55 people from Chennai celebrating the 50th birthday of one of their family members. We had fun learning how to bollywood as well as eating their delicious nuts from Chennai!
We were excited because this time we were trying out a Groupon deal. This deal cost us only RM1,200 per person (inclusive all the port charges). A normal deal is about RM2k per person.
Will it be value for money, we wonder?
From the first day we were not dissapointed.
On Sunday 6 of us (Dot and Fong Cheh included) boarded the Superstar Libra. We had a quick bite at the Chinese restaurant and were pleasantly surprised at the size of our rooms. Usually we were given levels 3 and we had to sleep in double deckers that were really narrow. This time there were no double deckers, just 2 L-shaped beds and even a TV!
We decided to watch the early show of Zee Deneck. For shows on board ships, one had to book seats as early as an hour especially for the front seats. Zee Deneck combines humor, magic and pick-pocketing as his show.
Guess who were selected to take part?
ZD pick pocketed Tim's room key card from his pocket and poor Tim had to go on stage to claim it back! Whilst onstage, Tim got his belt removed.
It was absolutely hilarious to see Tim trying to hold up his pants cos his belt was taken away! As for yours truly, ZD gave me the mike to hold and requested me to say "O my God!" every time he pointed to me which was quite often!
After the show, we had dinner at the pool deck. It was a good barbeque dinner and we met the captain.
We then decided to visit a Bollywood meets Hollywood event at Boomers Disco and instead met up with a group of 55 people from Chennai celebrating the 50th birthday of one of their family members. We had fun learning how to bollywood as well as eating their delicious nuts from Chennai!
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