Category Archives: Cruising

Corner Brook, Canada July 24 2024

Our second port in Canada was Corner Brook, pop 19,333, located on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

We were so impressed with the friendly citizens of Corner Brook. We were met on the dock by locals handing out maps and welcoming us. A small band and singers serenaded passengers as they walked off the ship. The town furnished free shuttles from the pier to the city center.

In the town square they had volunteers answering questions.

We walked around the town, finding a geocache and noticed “The Cathedral of St John the Evangelist”.

A sign welcomed the Zuiderdam passengers and invited us inside. So of course we went in. Two very friendly ladies greeted us warmly and handed each of us a small Canadian flag pin. It was a lovely little church.

Since it was such a nice day, we decided to walk back to the ship. What a lovely town and people!

Next up: Red Bay, Canada

Sydney, Canada July 23 2024

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Our second port of call was the Canadian town of Sydney, Nova Scotia. The name Nova Scotia means “New Scotland”. Nova Scotia is made up of 3,800 coastal islands. Sydney is located on the east coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. It was founded in 1785 by the British.

We were up early to explore the city. When we opened our balcony drapes we saw we had a close up view of the cruise terminal, including The Giant Fiddle. At 60 feet, it is the largest fiddle in the world and a tribute to the area’s Celtics community and folk music tradition.

We found several geocaches as we explored the town.

Along the boardwalk at the pier was the Merchant Mariners Memorial recognizing those in the merchant navy who transported supplies during WW2. There were over 12,000 men and women who served in Canada’s Merchant Navy. The casualty rate was one in seven. Over 25,000 merchant ship voyages were made during WW2.

As we walked back to the ship we passed a lone bagpipe player who spent the entire day playing for the visitors.

Captain Frank announced at the end of the day that had several more passengers join the trip after missing the ship in Boston.

These are photos taken as we sailed away from Sydney.

Next up: Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Bar Harbor, Maine July 21, 2024

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Our first port of call was Bar Harbor, Maine. The biggest attraction in this area is beautiful Acadia National Park. During our RVing years, Bill and I visited this area twice, in 2011 and in 2016. Here is our blog posting from 2016.

August 18, 2016 Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park, Maine

August 23, 2016 Bar Harbor & Acadia N. P. Part 2

Since we have been here twice, we decided to spend time walking around Bar Harbor. This was a tender port so we waited for the first large groups to get off the ship and therefore we did not have a long wait for a boat. It was about a 15 minute ride to the dock. It is interesting to note that by citizen vote, beginning in 2025, there will be a 1,000 person per day cap on cruise passengers allowed to visit. Cruise ships with more than 1,000 passengers will not be allowed to stop in Bar Harbor. The citizens voted to limit tourists due to the citizen quality of life. I would think it was not a popular decision for those who rely on tourism for their livelihood. I can see both points of view.

We enjoyed our walk around town on a beautiful summer day. We found a geocache at the public library.

The Mountain in the Background is Cadillac Mountain in the Middle Of Acadia National Park

We then waited for about 25 minutes to go into St Saviour’s Episcopal Parish. Since it was Sunday, we needed to wait for their church service to finish. Built beginning in 1877, the American shingle style church built of stone and wood.

The church is known for its twelve beautiful Tiffany stain glass windows.

There are also 18 other stained glass windows by American, English and European artists. Just beautiful!

The church has a tower of bells.

Next door was a cemetery with a Civil War memorial.

The Original Town Name Was Town of Eden

Captain Frank reported that we had eleven passengers join us who missed the ship in Boston due to flight delays and cancellation. So glad they were able to make their way to Bar Harbor to join us! Other passengers that started in Boston said they still don’t have their luggage.

Sailaway at the Seaview Pool was fun with a live band and beautiful harbor views.

On the Sea Again, A New Adventure July 19, 2024

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We had not planned on taking another cruise so quickly after our World Cruise. Definitely not. No way. BUT, then our travel agent contacted us with another deal too great to miss. So, here we go again! This cruise is known as “Voyage of the Vikings”. We are excited about the upcoming ports.

This cruise is round trip from Boston to Boston. On July 19th we woke up fully expecting to fly to Boston for an overnight stay at a hotel before our cruise on the 20th. However that was the day there was a worldwide computer outage affecting flights around the globe. We knew we had to be in Boston by 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon. We didn’t know whether to chance our flight leaving as scheduled, or ditching the airlines and renting a car and driving 20+ hours to Boston. We decided to chance the airport, knowing a flight cancellation would seriously impact us getting to the ship on time.

It turned out everything went like clockwork. jetBlue, who is notorious for delays and cancellations, left on time. After a smooth, uneventful flight, we arrived in Boston. A definite win for jetBlue. They left on time, had seats with generous legroom, free snacks and beverages, and very friendly flight attendants.

The hotel shuttle bus took us from the airport to the hotel. The next morning our travel agent arranged for a bus to take all of us to the cruise terminal. We felt very blessed as we heard horror stories from others who had long, difficult journeys to Boston. Several arrived but their luggage didn’t and they boarded the ship with no luggage.

After a short delay we boarded the ship. The Zuiderdam is the same ship as our World Cruise and it felt very much like going home.

Leaving The Dock

Captain Frank greeted us warmly and Kimberly, the fantastic Cruise Director, greeted us with big hugs. We were excited at the prospect of seeing our favorite crew members from the World Cruise. Sadly for us, most of them were on their vacation break. Time to make new friends! On the World Cruise we had cabin 5148. For this Voyage of the Vikings cruise, which is known as a Legendary Cruise, we are in cabin 5151. Cabins very close, so again like home!

The ship was originally supposed to leave at 5:00 P.M. but departure was delayed until 7:30 P.M. to give passengers flying in additional time to meet the ship. This included passengers as well as crew members who were struggling to get here in time.

Natural Gas Terminal

Fort Warren, Completed in 1861

It was amazing to see how close the airport is to the cruise terminal. We watched plane after plane take off and fly overhead.

We had a lovely sunset as we left Boston.

Next up: Bar Harbor, Maine

Da Nang and Phu My, Vietnam, MAR 19 2024

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We had one day at sea before our next sea port. It was St Patrick’s Day and the ship celebrated with cakes and decorations in the dining rooms.

We were thrilled that the weather was warming up considerably and we were once more able to enjoy our breakfast and lunch out by the Sea View pool each day. We were also enjoying very calm seas. No seasickness pills needed.

With the weather getting hotter, we found 2 one gallon jugs of drinking water in our stateroom provided by the ship with a card warning us to stay hydrated.

Our next port of call was Da Nang, Vietnam.

See this link to Da Nang, Vietnam JAN 27, 2020. The shipping port is extremely busy and for that reason we were not allowed to walk anywhere in the area. Very understanding considering all the trucks and forklifts. Definitely not a picturesque port. We were last here in 2020 right before the pandemic. On that visit we had a nice excursion to the charming little city of Hoi An. See this link to Hoi An, Vietnam JAN 26, 2020. This time we didn’t see any excursions of interest and hoped the cruise ship or city would offer a shuttle bus into the city of Da Nang. The shuttle never materialized so we decided to stay on the ship. They did offer a golf cart to the port gate.

We were told outside the security gate some locals had set up tents with souvenirs and handicrafts for sale. We rode the golf cart to the drop off point, only to discover a large group of young men aggressively wanting us to take taxis into the city or take us on private tours. They were very insistent and refused to take no for an answer. We never saw any items for sale and quickly took the golf cart back to the ship.

The ship celebrated Viet Nam with food and decorations.

We had a day at sea before reaching Phu My, our second Vietnam port. It is a deep water port and another busy shipping port. Ships docked here offer excursions to Hanoi. We did this in 2020 and remember the long bus ride to and from Hanoi. This time we found an excursion to the nearby town of Ba Ria. This is a rural area where many of the people have lived their lives the same way for generations, untouched by urban development.

Our first stop was a Buddhist temple. The property itself is large and we were told 700 elderly homeless people live here and are cared for.

Here are some of the city scenes.

Wood Is Need For Many Small Businesses

Statues Cutting Beside The Road (Mother Mary)

Everything Carried By Motorbike

Nhà thờ Kim Hải Catholic Church

County Government Office

Next we visited the home of what the guide said was a local wealthy family. It was rather strange since it appeared to be more of a museum than a home someone lived in.

With the weather getting hotter by the minute, we stopped to see the process of making rice paper. We were all offered the chance to make rice paper, but it was so hot in the cramped space, none of us lasted longer than the time it took to take pictures.

Drying In The Sun

The Kitchen

We noticed that the same vendors that had been at the temple were at this location. Our guide told us the vendors knew the tour schedule and followed us during the day on motorbikes from one location to another. They figured they would wear us down by the end of the day and everyone would eventually buy something. They not only followed our schedule, but managed to beat the bus to each location!

Next we stopped at a distillery to learn how to make moonshine or rice wine. Once again it was dreadfully hot inside. We noticed black flies on the drying white rice. Certainly did not make us want us to drink the wine, and none was offered. However they did offer us fresh pineapple, bananas and bottles of drinking water.

We stopped along the side of the road at a rice field where we were given the opportunity to look at the rice up close. Too small for a clear picture.

We visited the Cao Dai temple. The Cao Dai religion was founded here in 1926. Within a year the group had 26,000 followers. By the mid 1950s, eight percent of the South Vietnamese were CaoDaist. It is a combination of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism and native Vietnamese spirits. The official symbol is the “divine eye”, an inset into the front of the temple above the altar.

Our last stop was at a local market with food and a bit of everything else. Similar to a mini Walmart. By this time we were too hot and tired to do any shopping.

One thing we have noticed is an increase in the number of cases of colds, coughs and bronchitis among the passengers and crew. The bronchitis is of greatest concern because it seems to be making the passengers the sickest. Some are blaming it on the fact it was so cold in Japan and China and then warmed up quickly in Hong Kong. Some are blaming it on the severe smog in China. Someone told us the ship doctor called it the “Chinese Crud”. One passenger was taken off the ship in Phu My by ambulance because the ship doctor said his lungs were full of fluid and he needed to be hospitalized. Bill and I are fine and taking precautions. We brought plenty of cough drops and cough syrup on the ship. We gave them to some sick “neighbors” on our deck. We can always buy more in Singapore if needed.

Next up: Singapore and the cruise ends

Hong Kong, MAR 16 2024

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We arrived in Hong Kong on a very foggy morning. Visibility was practically zero. We were last here Hong Kong, FEB 1, 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. During that cruise, after Hong Kong our cruise ended unexpectedly.

Unlike last time, we did not get up early to see the sail into the harbor due to the fog. This time we were going to be in Hong Kong overnight. Like many of our ports, we were welcomed by local entertainers.

During our last visit to Hong Kong we took the Hop On Hop Off Bus around the island. This time we booked an excursion. We took a bus under the Victoria Harbour by tunnel and then the bus climbed a steep, winding road to a funicular.

The Peak Tram Entrance

We rode a funicular tram (1,300 feet) to The Peak Tower. The Peak Tower (1,376 feet above sea level) is Hong Kong’s highest viewing platform where on a clear day we would have had an exceptional view of Hong Kong. Due to the fog, we saw absolutely nothing. One passenger said she had been to Victoria’s Peak three times and had yet to have a clear view. But riding the funicular tram was fun!

The funicular began operating in 1888 and takes about 17,000 riders to six stations to the upper levels of Hong Kong Island. The tram was renovated and upgraded in 2022.

Posing With Benedict Cumberbatch

The excursion bus driver drove much too fast on the curvy road back down the mountain, leaving some passengers feeling queasy.

Sandy Public Beach

Our next stop was in Aberdeen, an area on the southwest side of Hong Kong where we took a sampan ride. A sampan is a small wooden boat normally propelled by oars. We had an enjoyable ride around the harbor.

An elderly lady maneuvered the boat.
Our last stop was at Stanley Market. This is a street market typical of traditional old open air markets in Hong Kong. It is a major tourist attraction known for bargains and haggling. We bought nothing.

Our second day in Hong Kong we thought about taking the Hop On Hop Off Bus again but it was another very foggy day. We decided to visit the garden on top of the huge cruise terminal beside our ship. How like Hong Kong to create a garden and walking area on top of the roof of a cruise terminal. We not only enjoyed the exercise but we also found two geocaches.

View Of The Cruise Terminal

We saw a group of children having a kindergarten graduation ceremony. In Asia the school year ends in March and the new school year begins in May.

During sail away the ship provides special music, snacks and drinks.

We Waited For the Cruise Ship Behind Us To Go First

The Pilot Pickup Boat

Next up: Da Nang, Vietnam

Tianjin, China MAR 12 2024

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The second day in Tianjin, we decided to take an excursion into the city of Tianjin. We had considered an excursion into Beijing to see the capital, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. But that would mean another three hour bus ride each way including the police checkpoint, so we decided not to go. Even getting from the port into the city of Tianjin was an hour ride each way. We left the ship very early in the morning on a very cold day with temperatures in the low 30’s.

Another One Of Those Super Tall Buildings

Even a Walmart in China

Our Lady of Victory Church also known as Wanghailou Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Tianjin, China.

Towering 120-m. Ferris wheel above the Hai River, illuminated with colorful lights at night.

Tianjin, with a population of 14,000,000, is the seventh largest city in China. Our first stop was at the Confucian Temple. It is a temple consecrated to offer sacrifices to the memory of Confucius, a great thinker, educator and statesman in ancient China. Built in 1302, it is the second largest Confucian temple in China. It is the largest traditional architectural complex in the city and one of the oldest. There are actually two temples here, one on the east side and one on the west side. The temples underwent extensive repair in 1985. We spent quite a bit of time here walking through the temples and various buildings.

Next we went to the Guwenhua Jie Street market with many brightly colored stores. It was very loud with music and vendors selling their wares. It was a pedestrian area and we had a false sense of security regarding traffic. Bill was slightly in front of me and looking to the left. Suddenly I saw a speeding motor scooter coming from the right, straight at him as he was about to step into its path. I screamed for him to watch out and he stopped inches from the scooter as it flew by. Whew! That was a really close call. We really didn’t want to end up in a Chinese hospital!

Near the market was a large statue of Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess they believe protect sailors and fishermen.

Next we went to a Chinese restaurant for another “authentic” Chinese lunch. It was very similar to yesterday’s restaurant with a table for eight and a Lazy Susan in the center. The food was similar to the day before but no soup or orange slices for dessert.

Tianjin University is the oldest university in China, 1895

Children Exercising

After what seemed like a long hour bus ride back to the ship, we went through security and turned in the copies of our passports they had stamped. We were officially checked out of China.

This Is The View Of The Port Area

One comment about Chinese public bathrooms. They were horrible everywhere except for the two nice restaurants. The restaurants had western style toilets which were fully stocked with toilet tissue, soap and paper towels. But other public restrooms throughout China are filthy and disgusting. Most were Asian style with a hole in the floor. If we were lucky they had one western toilet with a seat, but the stalls were very small. There was no toilet tissue, soap or paper towels. Most of the women, me included, limited our fluid content so as not to have to use those restrooms any more than necessary.

Once again we were over two hours late leaving Tianjin due to the stringent Chinese immigration officials. The captain remarked during his noon talk the next day that the Tianjin officials were the hardest to work with, bordering on rudeness. He commented he was very glad our China ports were over. He apologized for what we had to endure during the police checks, etc. He said he notified the Holland America corporate office and perhaps they would consider that when planning future cruises.

We now had three days at sea before our next port of call, Hong Kong. It was obvious everyone was tired from all the back to back early morning Chinese ports. Everyone welcomed a much needed rest.

On one of those evenings they had the Zuiderdam Ball beginning with a formal dinner. Various officers hosted tables in the dining room. We were invited to be the guest of George who is the director of the food and beverage services. He is in charge of a very large staff from dining room managers to maitre d’s to servers and cooks in the dining room and buffet. There was a table of three couples and George. We all had a big laugh when we found out the three ladies at the table were all named Diane. We jokingly told him they did that to make it easier for him to remember our names. He was a great host. It was a very enjoyable evening with complimentary wine and great conversation.

Unfortunately we have to say goodbye to our beloved Captain Frank and his friendly wife when we reach Hong Kong. He originally was not supposed to be the captain of the World Cruise, but he had to fill in for another captain who had a personal emergency. Captain Frank’s duty ended in Hong Kong. The sea day before we reached Hong Kong there was a farewell salute for the captain and his wife in the Grand Theater. Two standing ovations from passengers and crew brought tears to his eyes. A touching video of highlights from the cruise was shown. At the end of the salute, the crew crowded the stage while the song “We Are Family” played and the passengers clapped and cheered. We sure will miss Captain Frank and Alexandra. They are going back to their home in the Netherlands for a well deserved vacation.

We heard from a crew member that the new captain has a similar style to Captain Frank. If that is true, then we will all be A-okay.

We also received an invitation for a private tour of the ship’s galley. The galley is under the direction of an Executive Chef who supervises 134 people. We were given a printout of the amount of food prepared, dishes washed, etc that is mind boggling. The complimentary champagne at the end of the tour was a nice touch.

Next up: Hong Kong and foggy weather that is finally warming up

The Great Wall of China, MAR 11 2024

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We arrived at the port of Tianjin, China for an overnight stay. The cruise terminal is 110 miles from Beijing, China.

The first day we booked an excursion to The Great Wall, outside of Beijing. We knew when we booked the tour that it was a three and a half hour bus ride each way. But we also knew this was our chance to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We had to bite the bullet and endure the ride.

But first, a delay getting off the ship. Chinese regulations require cruise ships to use their gangway. Problem was their gangway had an electrical problem and they had to wait for a mechanic to arrive. As time passed and tour buses waited, they refused to allow Holland America to use their own gangway. As you can see in this photo the wheels are pointed in opposite directions to what was needed.

Then Chinese officials had to come onboard to clear the ship. Their rigid, strict regulations meant this took longer than most clearances in other countries. This is also the first port that had a strict overnight curfew that required the gangway to be dismantled at night. During the hours of 11:00 P.M. and 5:30 A.M., no passengers or crew would be allowed to enter or exit the ship. This was important because we were staying in the port and some people taking private tours could arrive back late.

Finally we were on our way. Near the Cruise Terminal is many apartment complexes that were built for people to move to, but our guide said people don’t like it because there is no restaurants or other normal city amenities.

Many Workers in China Use Branches to Sweep

Don’t Throw Banana Peels

If you ever wondered where some of the shipping containers come from, we think we found the factory that makes them.

Brand New Empty Shipping Containers

They Are Waiting To Be Delivered To The Owner Companies

We would pass around Beijing along our route. There were twenty Holland America buses on the road, some going to the Great Wall and others headed to Beijing for a tour of the capital city. As we reached a police checkpoint, we were pulled over. We could see the other Holland America buses had already been stopped and more followed behind us. Our tour guide got off and we waited an hour before our guide came back onboard and said the police wanted to see our passports. Evidently in Beijing they were having the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and therefore security was very tight. The ship had everyone’s passports, so we gave him our passport copy with the official immigration stamp their immigration officials on the ship had given us. The police didn’t seem to know what to do with these passport copies given to us by their own officials. A supervisor had to be called. After another 30 minute wait we were wondering if we needed to call the ship’s emergency number for help, but just then our guide came back with our passport copies and we were again on our way But this delay of 90 minutes made an already long trip even longer.

Very Large Windturbines

We Saw two Power Plants

This Very Tall Building is in Beijing City Center

After what felt like an endless ride, we arrived at The Great Wall of China, 31 miles from central Beijing. This section of the wall is located at Juyong Pass, a mountain pass. The Great Wall is a series of fortifications built across the northern border of China as military protection against nomadic groups such as the Mongolians. It is not really a wall but a series of fortifications. The total length was 13,171 miles, making it the longest man made structure in the world and half the length of the Equator! The height ranged from 20 to 23 feet with the highest being 46 feet. The average width was a little over 21 feet. The construction lasted over 2,300 years from 680 BC to 1681 AD during more than nine dynasties. More than 1,000,000 laborers built the wall. Of the Seven Wonders of the World, it the largest and took the longest to build. Due to natural erosion, earthquakes and other natural disasters and human activity, only 10% is still standing today and 30% has vanished with no trace. The part that we visited, and the parts seen on television and those that tourists see, was rebuilt in modern times.

The Cloud Platform at Juyongguan is a mid-14th-century architectural that was repaired in 1961.

Cloud Platform

We had a little less than two hours here. In an attempt to make up for the late arrival due to the police checkpoint, our guide bought each of us a Snickers bar to snack on before our walk. Nice of him since what happened was not his fault and out of his control. The guide warned us several times about the steep, unlevel steps of varying heights. He told us many people fall here, especially going down the steps. We had our walking sticks with us and we took his warning very seriously. The last thing we wanted was to get hurt and end up in a Chinese hospital! I did not walk up as far as Bill. Our guide told us we were very lucky as there were not big crowds of people today. The Great Wall has 50 million visitors a year.

After leaving the Wall we went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. A very late lunch since it was 3:30 instead of the planned 12:30. We were seated at tables of ten with a Lazy Susan in the middle of the table with many beef, chicken and fish dishes, as well as soup. We were given the choice of water, Coke or beer. Dessert was orange slices.

The restaurant was part of a large jade store, so of course after lunch they wanted to show everyone their large collection of expensive pieces of jade for sale.

With the three and and a half ride back to the ship, lengthened by rush hour traffic, most buses arrived back at the ship three hours later than expected. It was 9:30 P.M. and everyone was tired and hungry. Usually the dining room and buffet closes at 9:00 P.M. and we wondered what we would find to eat. Imagine our surprise and joy when we found the buffet open with a full menu and service. The ship knew we would be arriving late and rearranged the buffet schedule. How nice! On mornings when excursions are leaving very early, they open the buffet at 5:00 A.M. rather than 6:30 A.M.. It means the cooks and servers need to get up at 3:00 A.M. to have everything ready. And yet, they always have a smile on their faces.

What a day!

Next up: Visiting Tianjin and Bill almost gets hurt

Dalian, China MAR 10 2024

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After two busy days in Shanghai, we were glad to have a sea day before the next port, Dalian,

On our sea day between Shanghai and Dalian, we were surprised with the opportunity for another exclusive ship tour. This time it was a tour of the ship’s laundry facilities. A group of eight of us was taken down by special elevator to the lowest deck on the ship. There we saw tailors making uniforms for the staff. An order for uniforms had not come in so they were using tablecloths to make chef jackets.

Uniform Supply

Large washers and dryers lined the walls. They had special machines designated for clothes of anyone on the ship ill, such as with Covid or a stomach virus.

One Washing Machine For Contaminated Items

We saw how they use machines to label each item of clothing with a laundry mark. The guide told us these machines are a critical piece of equipment. Otherwise each item would have to be labeled by hand, significantly slowing down the process. Each bag of laundry turned in has a turn around time of less than 24 hours!! He said they usually process around 400 bags of laundry a day, 500 bags daily when in hot weather.

Of course there are also sheets, towels, cloth napkins and tablecloths. This machine takes a flat sheet and folds it.

They also have dry cleaning and pressing available. They are all such hard, dedicated workers.

Folding By Hand

The process for passengers is to fill a laundry bag with dirty clothing and give it to the room steward. It is returned to us by the room steward within 24 hours. We can have the laundry hung or neatly folded and returned in a basket. There is a charge for the services. You can pay by piece, by bag or buy unlimited laundry service. Our travel agent secured free unlimited laundry for us on this cruise. A first for us and has certainly been a treat!

Dalian

China. Dalian has been owned by England, China, Japan, Russia and then given back to China by Russia in 1950. It is located on Korea Bay. North Korea is about 310 miles away. Dalian has a population of 7.5 million. Our tour guide said we are the first cruise ship to visit in five years. He said he was nervous and embarrassed because his English is rusty since he hasn’t spoken it in five years. We thought his English was very good. During the pandemic there was no work for tour guides so he became a middle school teacher and took the day off from school to be our guide for the day. Our visit was a big deal for the city and we were told they spruced up for our visit, including repaving some sidewalks.

Once again, before leaving the ship, we had to go through two security checks where stern immigration officials checked our passports and any bags we were taking with us. Everything was done twice.

Musicians Played For Us

The day was very chilly as we boarded the bus. We rode by Zhongshan Square, the oldest square in Dalian, built by the Russians in 1899. It is a small square located in the middle of a five lane roundabout.

We rode to the top of Lushan Hill for a panoramic view of the city. It was a very steep, narrow, curvy road and I worried about the condition of the brakes on these tour buses.

Next up was People’s Square. This square was first built by the occupying Japanese in 1914. In 1949 it was changed to Stalin Square by the occupying Russians before finally being renamed People’s Square in 1999. We had an opportunity to get off the bus and walk around. Since it was a Sunday there were many families who smiled shyly at us with curiosity.

We rode to Xinghai Square, located on the Yellow Sea, which was built in 1997 to commemorate the return of Hong Kong to China. Built entirely through land reclamation (landfill), it is the largest city square in the world (270 acres). Again, being a Sunday, it was busy with families and young people.

Finally we rode along a coastal road to Beida Bridge. Our guide had us walk across the bridge holding hands. He said the Chinese believe everyone who walks across this bridge holding hands stays together forever.

At the sail away time, once again the ship had a party on Deck 3 with appetizers, drinks and music. It was very chilly so once again the crew passed out deck blankets. Everyone lined decks and balconies, waiting to watch the ship leave the port. We waited and waited and waited. Chinese immigration officials who worked in the port came out for a group picture with the ship in the background. They turned around, smiled and waved at us. We cheered and waved back. They then quickly filed into formation and marched away.

We Believe Many Were Here For Training

We continued to wait. And wait. One of our officers came out and met with some Chinese officials on the dock who handed him paperwork. They talked, then they each got on their cell phones, talked some more, back on cell phones. Our officer finally walked back on the ship and the Chinese waited. We’ll this didn’t look good. It appeared they were not letting us go.

The Waiters Killed The Time By Dancing

By now it was getting dark and colder so we gave up and went to dinner. During dinner we finally saw the ship pulling away from the dock. At last. Two hours behind schedule which meant the captain would have to increase his speed to reach the next port on time. We never heard what the problem was, but we do know the Chinese officials are precise, rigid and unwavering with their regulations. Perhaps after not having a cruise ship in five years, they were a little rusty in processing cruise ships.

Our visit to Dalian was pleasant. Not the most exciting city, but one of those places usually not on a cruise itinerary. I doubt we will ever return.

We were amazed how MOST of the skyscrapers changed colors and patterns.

It was also International Women’s Day and the ship celebrated with cakes in the buffet.

Next up: Tianjin, China, the Great Wall and being detained by Chinese officials on the road

Shanghai, China PT 2 MAR 8 2024

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The second day our excursion was Shanghai Old and New.

Today’s Guide Was Younger

We saw more of the new area and then went to People’s Square. A large square, it is the commercial, cultural and political hub of the city. Shangai’s municipal government headquarters building is located here. This area was once a former colonial British horse racing course and a popular place for the Chinese and British for gambling on horse racing.

In the winter of 1986-1987, the park was the site of tens of thousands of protesters who demanded democracy and political changes. In 1989 there was the famous Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing and once again tens of thousands gathered here in support of the Beijing protesters.

We went over the Nanpu Bridge.

All The Best Cars: BMW, Telsa, Mercedes

Bicycles and Scooters have their Own Lanes

Armored Truck Being Loaded

We drove through French Town or French Concession, is an area in Shanghai that the French government ruled from 1849 to 1946. It continues to be a popular and sought after residential area. Huaihai Road in the area is one of the busiest shopping areas in Shanghai with many expensive designer stores.

Here are some of the photos we took from the bus.