Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thursday, 22^nd January.

Forecast Sunny 32 degrees.

We made phone contact with our driver Sam and he met us about an hour later at gate #8 as very few taxi/tour operators where allowed to enter the dock area. The day started with a slow trip though the city streets to the Highway. We were heading down to the south West coast. The Highway drive gave us the opportunity to see the country side and all the crops of rice, tea, cinnamon and rubber. The entire area is so green and lush.

We stopped for a snorkel and also had lunch at a place called MAMA’s. The service and attention given us was lovely. The snorkelling was hard work as the waves were breaking over the reef and thereby pushing us back to the beach. It was not the best underwater world but not the worst either.

On our return journey we saw the coastal areas hit by the tsunami. A Temple built on a little island very close to land miraculously survived the tsunami were the whole mainland coastal area was destroyed.

We then stopped at a Moonstone mine, to see the production from bringing the clay and rocks to the surface, washing, and then sorting them. We were also able to view the polishing and setting stage. They have a shop on site. While there we also were able to see cinnamon distillery process. Very little oil is produced from a vast amount of bark.

Back to the ship we headed, the city traffic again slowing the trip. We had a great day, Sri Lanka is a very clean city and I would visit it again if the opportunity arose. Sam is a very knowledgeable and accommodating guide and I would recommend him to anyone travelling to Colombo.

Highway

Sign at MAMA's

Looking back to beach from our snorkel spot

snorkel spot

We snorkelled at the break point

Temple on the Island

Looking down mine shaft

Bringing up the Clay

Washing

Stones collected

Polishing

Setting stones

Moonstone

Moonstone before polishing

Cinnamon distillery 

Road side fruit seller

Rice Crops

Chennai, India

Tuesday 19^th January.

The visa process has been a long ever changing process for Princess who had to make changes at the whim of the officials who embarked in Phuket. We all needed to do a face to face with the officials and Princess staff had to make us shore passes which included a photo. It was a long job for them and having completed that the Indians then decided we needed to list our cameras,  phones and video equipment that we were planning on taking ashore and get them to authorise us to do so. Strange i do think Princess will try to keep India off their itineraries in the future.

Today we joined a CC group. 22 of us travelled in 2 small air-conditioned buses on a tour of Chennai. The Tour Company was Magic Tours of India.

We were very lucky that our buses were allowed to come onto the dock and we were the first passengers to disembark. The day started with a drive past a beach area that was no more than a vast expanse of dirty sand. The coastal waters are not safe to swim in, so the people just come on spend time near the water. We also saw a section of this beach area that consisted of old fishing villages. The fish were being cleaned as we drove past in the bus. We made a pact not to eat fish that day as they were covered in flies.

Our first stop was a market street. The locals were selling their fruit amongst other goods. We walked this street to get to a Temple. Shoes off and in we went to this temple area, our lovely guide told us some stories of the gods, which were interesting, but there was little to see as there were repairs taking place.

Money changer was our next stop to get $Aus changed to pay for the tour and then off to a Sari shop for a quick look. I did buy a Sari.

Next stop Lunch at a Vegetarian local restaurant. We and our table mates only had fried bread and black tea, not being game to eat what may upset our bellies.

St Thomas ‘  Church was next, were it is said that the remains of  Apostle Thomas is buried.

Onward to the Historic St. George Fort, the first fortress of British power in India. The Military still use part of it. Inside the fort are the oldest surviving British Church, St Mary’s, and also a Museum displaying uniform, weaponry, paintings etc.

Having covered the tourist spots of Chennai we headed back to the ship for Food and sleep before Dinner.

The Beach Area

Fishing Nets

Fish being cleaned

Typical Street.

Fruit Stalls

St Thomas' Church

Our group walking the streets.

Selling "Plates"

Tuk Tuk Taxi.

 

 

 

 

Phuket

Saturday, 16^th January

We took a ship tour today to Phi Phi Islands

This tour entailed a half hour bus ride, followed by more than an hour boat ride to Phi Phi Lei the smaller of the Phi Phi Islands. This beach is the one featured in the Leo Di Caprio Movie “The Beach”. Thousands of people were there and I reckon most did managed to Pee Pee at Phi Phi Is. Back on the boat on a sightseeing tour around the island before heading to Phi Phi Don the bigger Is.  Here we stopped for a snorkel. Nice enough but not great, still hoping the Maldives live up to their hype.

Last stop was a restaurant for lunch before our long boat trip back to Phuket. A good day was wrecked for me because when I got on the bus for the return journey to the ship a headache got me good and proper. Back on the ship I went to bed for 12 + hours.  

Who did Pee Pee at Phi Phi

Us at "The Beach"

"The Beach"

Snorkelling off Phi Phi Don

Snorkelling off Phi Phi Don

Snorkelling off Phi Phi Don

Snorkelling off Phi Phi Don

Phi Phi Don

Singapore

Thursday 14^th January

We took the free shuttle from the cruise terminal to Suntec City to see the Fountain of Wealth. It is apparently the largest fountain in the world...not sure about that fact, hard to believe there is not one bigger. You get to walk to the centre of this fountain.

We then found the MRT (train system) Station and went to Chinatown to buy Tony a pair of trousers., the ones we brought with us are a little on the tight side. Having made that purchase we headed back to the ship to video call our Llittle Humans who had been napping we  tried earlier and also to see if the future cruise consultant on the ship was available to book another cruise.  We had a lovely chat with the kiddies and went on board to find no one available for booking cruises so after a pot of tea we again set off the MRT.

We went to the Gardens by the Bay to wait til sun set to see the wonderful trees lit up. It is a wonderful display.

All aboard was 930pm so we headed back, with time to use the terminal free WIFI to book a cruise to PNG in May so as to join our cruise buddies. Yeah.... all done with time to spare.

Sailaway was scheduled for 11pm but 3 missing passengers held that up. 2 reported in but one was still missing and we are still unsure if he was located. We finally sailed just after midnight.

Fountain of Wealth

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay

Many Days at Sea.

Friday 8^th January.

We arrived back in Fremantle to a hot humid day. Lightning could be seen in the distance.

Silly us debarked and caught a train to Perth with the idea of getting a ferry back. Unfortunately  we missed the ferry and had no intention of waiting in the heat for an hour and a half to get the next one, so we returned by train.

A quick stop at the shops for cordial and wine and we were back on board. We did not have to do the safety drill again so we sat in the international Cafe and had a cuppa while waiting.

We went to the back of deck 14 for sail away and managed to meet some of the CCers. We are at the same dining table as the 4 dayer.  Two from the previous trip are also continuing and 6 others have joined us.

We have put out our first lot of laundry as we have been told it will probably take 72 hours to get back to us  as there are now hundreds of Elites on board.

Saturday 9^th January.

The international Cafe has become our go to place.

Lunch in the Dining Room is always nice and today was no exception. We had an afternoon nap and everyone was again present at our dining table.

The late show tonight was Kaitlyn Carr a wee lass from Scotland who sang and played a number of instruments and I will certainly go and see her next performance as it was very entertaining.

Sunday 10^th January.

Bit of a sleep in today. Lunch again in the dining room and then  a 2 hour nap.

Formal Night tonight: an early show, Champagne Waterfall and Dinner followed by drinks outside the Wheelhouse Bar during Happy Hour. Happy Hour is held twice a day 3 -4 in the arvo and 9.30 – 10.30 in the evening. Buy one drink and get another for $1.

The Vista show tonight was a young couple calling themselves Flight Risk. They are a comedy Juggling act. It was a very enjoyable show with many laughs and they are certainly good jugglers.

Monday 11^th January.

Another day spent doing a lot of nothing. Lunch in the dining room, pre-dinner show was a comedian Rikki Jay, who was quite entertaining. After dinner we sat outside the Wheelhouse Bar with two of our table mates til the Bar closed.

Tuesday 12^th January.

For something different today the Captain changed the scenery....we cruised past land, which became the talking point of the day.

The CC meeting was well attended in the nightclub before lunch around 120 turned up and many senior Officers came to say hello.

Wednesday 13^th January

Last Sea Day before Singapore. We sat watching the calm seas go by and saw a pod of dolphins. This is the second dolphin sighting this trip.

The afternoon was spent chatting with new friends. Pre-dinner show was a Beatles sing-a-long.

4 Day coastal cruise

Was hoping to be able to publish via email from my tablet but for some reason it does not want to work for me, so therefore the delay.

We were able to board the Sun Princess soon after 11.30 am on Monday 4th January.. The ship needed some maintenance so our departure was delayed to 7 am Tuesday morning. We were allowed to come and go from the ship after the safety drill  was concluded. This delay gave us the chance to have dinner in Fremantle with BJ & K. It was really good to be able to catch up with them both.

Tuesday was a lovely relaxing day at sea. Lots of walking and getting re acquainted with this ship. It has been a few years and she has had a refurbishment since then.

Wednesday we docked in Albany. We did a self-guided walking tour of the heritage buildings in the town, including the Goal built by the convicts.

Thursday had us anchored off Busselton. The weather was hot and humid so we did not stay long. We were back on board by 12.30 for lunch.

The most travelled passengers this trip were given dinner in the Sterling Steakhouse and a drink voucher in lieu of the usual luncheon. Apparently there were only 41 Elites on board this trip so once again we were amongst the lucky recipients.

Happy New Year.

Happy New Year. Three more days until we fly off to Perth.
I am so ready. Bags are partly packed just have to throw in the last minute things.