Rodney & Sheryl's Travels

Saturday, March 9, 2013

3/9 - Manila, Philippines

I think someone phoned ahead and told the tourism folks in Manila how welcoming the people of Puerto Princesa were, because they certainly tried to outdo them! We were once again greeted with singers and dancers who entertained for hours. And a lovely farewell band as we left. The people of the Philippines certainly know who to make one feel welcome!

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and one of the cities that make up the greater metropolitan area of Metro Manila. Well into the 13th century, the city consisted of a fortified settlement and trading quarter at the bay of the Pasig River, on top of previous older towns. Manila became the seat of the colonial government of Spain when it controlled the Philippine Islands for over three centuries from 1565 to 1898. Beginning in 1898, the United States occupied and controlled the city and the Philippine archipelago until 1946. During World War II, much of the city was destroyed and it was not until 1975 that the Metropolitan Manila region was enacted as an independent entity. Today, the city and the metropolis thrive as an important cultural and economic center. 1

The USS Blue Ridge is stationed in Manila and was directly across the dock from our ship. It is a communications ship and they had a three star admiral on board. Made us feel very proud to see one of our United States Navy ships in the same port we were in.

One of the biggest malls we have ever seen was in Manila — Robinsons Mall. We didn't really buy anything here (other than coffee @ Starbucks & lunch @ Wendy's), just wandered around in amazement! :-)

Our day in Manila ended with a wonderful fireworks competition between the Dutch and the Italians, which we were able to watch from out in the harbor.

Dancers greeting ship

USS Blue Ridge

Farewell entertainment

1 Holland America Explorer

Thursday, March 7, 2013

3/7 - Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Puerto Princesa was a maiden port for Holland America Line as they have only recently begun offering tours. The tour guides don't speak English very well and the transportation is still a work in progress. However, what they lack in the tourism expertise, they make up for in enthusiasm. We have been to many ports around the world and have never felt more welcome than we did in Puerto Princesa. They entertained us most of the day with music, dancing and greeters to meet and help us each time we came off the ship (and welcome us back when we returned). While they have very little, they are extremely proud of what they do have and the beauty that surrounds them. And I think most of the town was out on the pier to send us off as we departed (including the bees who swarmed the ship's spotlight!). To the person, they were friendly, helpful, and ever so happy to have us visit.

We didn't do a tour here, just walked the boardwalk along the waterfront and around the little town. Lovely little "City in a Forest".

Dancers greeting the ship

People greeting the ship

Banca (motorcycle taxi)

Boats along boardwalk

Flamingo on boardwalk

View from boardwalk

Rodney at Tourist Police Center

Haec Est Domus Dei Church

View from our verandah

Bees swarming the ship's spotlight

Farewell violin band

Monday, March 4, 2013

3/4 - Ujung Pandang (Makassar), Indonesia

We didn't do much in this port - almost got ran over walking to the little mall they have. There wasn't really a lot to see, it's a poor city and tourism is very new to the area.

Mall

Children waving goodbye

Farewell entertainment

Becaks (cycle taxis)

Saturday, March 2, 2013

3/2 - Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

Great tour in Bali! We rented a van with two other couples - one couple that we share the dinner table with, Terry & Helen from Ontario, Canada, and another couple we met through them. Our tour guide's name was Ebu and he was great!

We started off at Tenganan Village, a little historic village where the tour guide explained the way of life. There were several small temples, a gathering place where they celebrated "potluck" style, as well as homes and buildings where they worked. There were a couple of people weaving sarongs, some basket weavers, and a few vendors.

Our next stop was at Candi Dasa Beach, a beautiful beach where we were able to gather our little bucket of sand. Then we headed to Goa Lawah ('Bat Cave') Temple, one of the most sacred temples in eastern Bali. Dedicated in 1007AD, it is a small, but auspicious temple - one of the nine kayangan jagat ('directional temples') that protect Bali from evil spirits.

We had a delicious authentic Indonesian buffet lunch at Mahagiri Restaurant, and then headed to Klungkung Kertagosa - a building designed and built in 1710 by some of the finest artisans in the country. The compound contains the beautiful Bale Kambang floating pavilion and the Kertagosa (Royal Court of Justice) with its elaborate ceiling murals, which are still in great condition.

Today was the last day that the CEO of Holland America (Stein Kruse) was on the ship. He joined us in Bali and over the last few days there have been a few "Mariner Appreciation" events to honor us (actually to honor our money, but whatever). Anyway, tonight's celebration was the big finale. The staff on board are mostly from Bali, so it gave them great pleasure to show off their culture. Over the last two days, they blocked off the pool deck and transformed it into a little Indonesian village that included a rice field, bamboo huts, a tropical rainforest, Batik and wood carving displays, and a festival of lights. Upon arrival back to the ship, we enjoyed Pasar Malam Indonesia ('Night Market') - more authentic Indonesian food, to include suckling pig, Indonesian music and dancers, along with plenty of free booze (our favorite flavor!). They were selling Becak (cycle taxi) rides and a special dinner in one of the dining rooms, collecting around $2200 for the "Rainbow Foundation", a medical shelter for children.

Needless to say, we were completely exhausted by the time we fell into bed, but we had a great day in Bali!