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We're back cruising again. This time from Singapore to China with port calls along the way in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and South Korea. We have a large gang this trip, 13 family members/relatives and 2 groups of family friends.
After flying to Singapore on Thursday with Qantas, we have half-day on Friday to do some exploring in Singapore. It's been 20 years since i last visited Singapore so we decide to visit one of the new attractions - Marina Bay Sands, and the observation deck. Below is a view of Gardens by the Bay from the observation deck. Wish i could see it at night. I've seen pictures at night and looks spectactular.
It's Friday afternoon and time to head to the port to catch our ship. We are travelling on Ovation of the Seas, part of the Royal Carribeans cruise fleet. At this time it is 1 year old.
The ship has lots of fun activities to do. Below is a view from the North Star. An observation deck that rises above the ship like an arm.
There is rock climbing.
Flowriding.
iFly
Dodgem Cars.
Day 3 :
After 2 days of sailing our first stop is the port of Phu My for 2 nights. From here we can visit Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding sites. We are taking Royal Carribean ship tours. Although more expensive then finding your own, we have had difficulty in finding good tour guides who speak english and we were wary of getting back to the ship if the bus broke down. Which actually did happen in Vietnam.
Below is the Notre Dame Basilica of HCMC.
The founder of Ho Chi Minh City at the HCMC Museum.
How many people can you get on a motorbike ?
The local food market.
Day 4: We are still at port at Phu My. Todays tour is to the beach town of Vung Tau.
I will leave this to your imagination. Along the foreshore there are numerous sculptures. This is my pick of them all.
Our next stop is to a local temple where they have a reclining Buddha. Monk his doing one of his daily prayers.
Day 5 : Next port of call is Chan May, Vietnam.
We are doing a tour to the city of Hoi An. Hoi An has a rich history dating back 2000 years. It was a major port and reflects its heritage of Chinese, French colonial, Vietnamese and Japanese architectural styles. Below is the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda built in the 1600s by the Japanese community.
Lady in local dress walking down one of the colourful streets in Hoi An.
Getting ready for a ride on the bike around the township.
Sunset in Vietnam.
Hoi An should definitely be on everyones list of places to visit in Vietnam. It was very hot (43celsius), so take plenty of water. We had lunch at Morning Glory restaurant. Best place to eat local food and very reasonably priced. The ship left before sunset, but friends have been there at night time and is even more spectacular at night.
Day 5 - 6 : Cruising
Day 7 : Hong Kong
We only have 6 hours in Hong Kong, so we are just doing a Bus sightseeing tour around the city.
Day 8 - 9 : Cruising
Day 10 : Seoul, South Korea
Our port of call is Incheon, about 1.5hrs from Seoul, capital city of South Korea. We didn't know what to expect in this country but must say it is a beautiful place and we are looking forward to come back again one day.
Once again we are on a Royal Carribean full day tour. Our first stop is Gyeongbokgung Palace. Built in 1395, it was the main royal palace in the Joseon Dynasty.
Locals like to visit the palace in traditional Hanbok dress. They are very friendly and don't mind having your picture with them.
Our next stop was a local shopping area.
We found a local dress-up studio. I don't think i would pass as a South Korean. Daughter looks amazing though.
Day 11 : Cruising
Day 12 : We arrive at the port of Tianjin, Beijing China where we disembark from our cruise. It wasn't until 2pm before we got off the boat. At the port there are no transfers to Beijing offered by Royal Carribean. Taxis only go as far as the local train station. In the end we organised a Chinese tour operator in Beijing to come and pick us up and transfer to our hotels. It was 3 hours before they arrived and then another 3 hour bus trip to the Beijing hotel. Depending on how many you are, best to organise before-hand a transfer.
In the end we made it to our hotel at midnight. The Old Beijing Square Hotel is located in Hutong district. The hotel is 300 years old. Short walk to many shops and restaurants (including McDonalds). Large buses cannot make it through the narrow streets so to get to the front door you have to either walk, take a Tuk Tuk or mini bus. The ambience of the hotel is very nice, hot showers, smallish rooms though the beds are a bit hard.
The cruise came with a day tour around Beijing including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Great Wall. Here we are standing at Tiananmen Square, outside the entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing where the Chinese army guard. The Forbidden City was the imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty - years 1420 to 1912. It consists of 980 buildings and covers over 180 acres. It took us a few hours to travel from the entrance to the exit.
Intricate stone carvings along the steps.
Second half of the day we head to the Great Wall. We are visiting the Mutianyu part of the wall. Not as busy with visitors as you find other parts of the wall. This part is over 600 years old. To get to the wall we take a cable car from the town below. To get down we took the the luge. Yes thats right, we slid all the way down which was amazing. Although the locals in front of us were a bit slow.
Next day we have booked with a local private tour group called China Travel (group who picked us up from the cruise port).
We are going to Beijing Zoo, last day shopping at a discount shopping centre and lunch at a traditional chinese restaurant.
First stop is Beijing Zoo. Only wanted to see the Pandas. Must have been about a dozen Pandas, all enjoying there morning breakfast,
We did some shopping at a discount shopping centre. Some great bargains, but very rude salespeople. Always hassling you and even if you just touch a bag they expect you to buy it.
Well we have come to the end of this trip. The family has seen the other side of life, going to poor a country in Vietnam, to the hussle and bustle of Hong Kong and China. From the family, they look forward to going back to South Korea. If you ask the kids the least place they want to go back to and that is China.
Itinerary
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