Manila, Philippines

We spent the day in Manila and got another great welcome and send off. The photos are of the two groups that welcomed us. There was a school band that gave us a big send off. I took the shuttle that went to one of the Mall's. I walked around a bit but did not do much of anything else. When we left the dock we anchored in the bay and stayed to watch part of the International Fireworks Competition. Italy and the Netherlands were the two countries that were competing. Both put on a good display but most of us agreed that the Italians put on a much better show. As I was standing out on Deck 8 I was thinking that being in Manila Bay watching fireworks was one of the last things I would ever have guessed I would be doing. I have liked visiting the Philippines. The people are really great.

Pueto Princesa, Philippines

Today was one of those really fun days. I started out on my own walking up to the cathedral and all along the way there were drivers with motorcycles attached to a covered side car offering to take we on a tour. One kept meeting me as I walked along so I hired him to give me a city tour. We went to the Palawan Butterfly Garden, The Museum, and several other points of interest. One of the best was a small shop where they wove natural fibers into different products. There were some really beautiful handbags among other things. It took about 3 and 1/2 hours and I saw a lot of the town. One of the things I noticed was that all of the signs were in English even though that is not the language that is spoken. There were several vendors set up on the dock and one picture is of me with the lady I purchased earrings from. There is one of the garden at the cathedral (it was almost open air with birds flying all around the inside). One of the weaving shop and another of my hand holding a butterfly. The followers were at one of our stops. There there is one with me and my driver. The driver in inside with me and the other person just wanted in the picture.

Crossing the Equator

We went back north of the Equator on March 5. There is a traditional ceremony for this. We did not do it going South so it was done when we went back North. King Neptune and his bride along with a judge decided what to do with some of the crew. The Lido deck where it all took place was packed. The Captain and his crew were the jury and decided the crew's fate. The terrible looking woman is the travel guide on the cruise.

More Bali

THese are from my Nikon camera. It is a big camera to carry so all of these were taken on the ship. I take my point and shoot on shore. One is an one of the many islands we saw sailing into port. Most had people living on them. There was another cruise ship in port. The last was a view of the dock taken from Deck 9 on the ship.

Ujung Pandang (Madassar), Indonesia

Our second port in Indonesia. I took a private tour to the Waterfall in a National Park outside of town. It was relatively inexpensive and I saw some of the town and the area outside of town. There is a picture of me outside the entrance to the park, a picture of the waterfall with one of the locals tubing down at the bottom. You do have to look closely to see him. There is also a picture of the foliage in the park. This is a Muslim country and there is a picture of a mosque and its minaret taken from the top deck of the ship. We passed some really beautiful mosque's going through town. One of a building the guide insisted we go see. It is very hot and humid here so I was glad to get back in the AC.

Pasar Malam Indonesia or Night Market

This is the biggest event on the Lido Deck for the entire cruise. The outdoor part of the Lido Deck has been turned into a Indonesian Market with vendors and entertainment from Bali. The costumes and the music are both wonderful but it is very crowded and hot. Here are a few photos. The dancers looked great and really put on a great performance. There were several different ones. I am posting a picture of just two. Look at the gentleman whose back is to the camera in the band. There is also a gentleman putting the wax on the cloth in the traditional way. The puppets are also great. I have to confess, I ate in the dining room where it was cool and less crowded. I had a traditional Indonesian meal there and was a lot more comfortable.

Bali, Indonesia

So far this has been very interesting. We were suppose to dock around 8:00 a.m. but a local ferry took our berth and we did not dock until almost 10:00. You could hear the steam coming out of the Captain's ears when he told the ship what was happening. We had local dancers great us on the pier. I did not schedule any tours here. Instead I hired a taxi to take me around to the sights. Just two pictures, one of the dancers and one of my taxi driver.