Xi'an, China; Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Beijing, Shanghai

On Thursday, March 5th, a group of 25 of us embarked on an unforgettable trip. We left the Rotterdam in Hong Kong and flew to Xi’an, China. Here we visited the world-famous Terra Cotta Warriors, an underground empire prepared for the after-life of Emporer QinShihuang. In 1974 local Chinese farmers were drilling wells searching for water when they discovered ancient bronze weapons and pottery fragments. The government stepped in and excavation began. There are now 3 pits open to the public, with hundreds of human sized, clay warriors, horses and relics. I was speechless when I first saw them.

The next day we flew to Beijing and climbed the famous Great Wall. Several young Chinese people motioned to me with their camera and I thought they wanted me to take their picture, but it was ME they wanted to photograph! This kept happening throughout China. I now have many new Chinese friends! Our visit to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City was also memorable. There were thousands of people celebrating Womens’ Day so we had to push our way through the crowded palaces and courtyards.

Besides visiting many mosques and pagodas, we stopped by Olympic Village and saw the Water Cube (which contains 5 separate swimming pools) the Birds Nest, hockey stadium and the athletes’ dormitories. We were treated to a Peking Duck dinner and Chinese beer – which is quite good.

We returned by air to Shanghai where we rejoined our ship. Shanghai on the Yangtze River, is a contrast of old and new: tall skyscrapers in the Global Financial Center surrounded by old mosques, temples, and people living in poverty in run-down shacks. We took the elevator to the 88th floor of the Oriental Pearl Tower (a 45 second smooth ride) to the observation deck. What a view! Shanghai is competing fiercely with Hong Kong and Beijing to become a world financial center and important trade city. However, I couldn’t help but see many empty cargo ships anchored off shore both in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Shipping has slowed down visibly. After 2 days in Shanghai, we set sail for Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Indonesia

After leaving Perth, Australia, we spent 4 days at sea and arrived on another continent, Asia in the port town of Lembar on the island of Lombok in Indonesia. It has been controlled by the Dutch since the 18th century but gained its independence on August 17, 1945 when it became a republic with its own president. The largest city is Jakarta, the capital, on the island of Jawa and the population is about 245,500,000. Indonesia is comprised of approximately 16,000 islands shaped in a half circle, but only 6000 of these islands are inhabited. The total area is 741,100 square miles. If flying from Sumatra on the west side of Indonesia to the farthest point east, East Timor would be like flying from Seattle to Miami. The official language is Bahasa and English, but there are about 350 dialects.

We also stopped in the city of Semarang on the island of Java. It is the fifth largest city with a population of 900,000. The volcanos which encircle Indonesia are called “the ring of fire” and the volcanic soil is very rich and produces many different crops including rice paddies, rubber, teak, coconut, spices, garlic, onions and coffee. Indonesia is the 3rd largest coffee producer after Brazil and Colombia. Hardwood timber from Indonesia is superb as is biofuel produced from palm oil which is 8 times more efficient than soy. There are rich gold mines, huge copper and sulphur mines and vast oil reserves controlled by the Pertamina Oil Company.

One of the highlights of Semarang was a visit to the Buddist temple Borobudur. It was built in the 14th century but soon afterwards was buried by a volcano. In the 1800’s it was excavated by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the governor of Sumatra. By 1873 tons of volcanic rock, dust and debris were cleared and 2 million cubic feet of stone of the temple was reconstructed. There are 6 square lower levels and the 3 top levels are round. There are 3 miles of walking to reach the top. In l983 it was dedicated as a Unesco protected site. You can see from the pictures that I made it to the top!

Another highlight was a stop in Slawi Bay on the island of Komodo. The inhabitants of this island are mostly descendants of former convicts, but the most famous residents are the Komodo dragons. It is the world’s largest type of monitor lizard and roams the island freely. They grow to 6-10 feet long and weigh up to 300 lbs. The komodo dragon has a yellow 18” tongue which senses blood from a great distance. They are fast and agile and can devour a goat in a matter of minutes. This is one of the few islands where these dragons are found; they are an endangered species and have been protected since 1938.

On February 28th we crossed the equator for the second time – we will be crossing it 2 more times during this cruise. After 4 days at sea, we will be arriving in Hong Kong on Wednesday, March 4th.

Australia

We arrived in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday, February 10 where we spent 2 wonderful days with our Czech cousin who lives there. Helene and her husband Luciano were great hosts. They drove us from one end of Sydney to the other, pointing out all the sights. What a treat! The famous Harbour Bridge (which Paul, Denise and Tina have climbed) is the widest long-span bridge in the world. Construction began in December 1928 and was completed on August 19, 1930. We took pictures in front of the famous Opera House and drove past the beautiful harbor of Woolloomooloo, where Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman have condominiums, with their yachts docked in front.

Australia has a population of 21 million people, 25% of which are non-Australian. Its national symbol is the kangaroo. Did you know that there are 10 times more kangaroos than people and Australia is one of the few countries that eats its national symbol? Over-population of these kangaroos is causing a major problem here.

Politically there is a growing mood toward a republic. A strict non-discriminatory policy is in effect; there are no quotas but Australia is tough on border protection. Sydney has a population of 4.3 million; exceeded only by New York City. Cities here are very large; only 10% of Australians live outside the cities.

Australia has many excellent wine producing areas and its wines are exported around the world. The major areas are: Sydney – Hunter Valley; Melbourne – Yarra Valley; Adelaide – Barossa Valley and Fremantle/Perth – Swan River Valley. I have developed an attachment to a wine called Fruitwood from the McWilliams Winery!

In 1788 the first fleet of convicts arrived in New South Wales from England and convict labor was used to build roads, bridges, buildings and railroads. Some of these convicts turned out to be brilliant mathematicians and some designed architectural wonders. Today many Australians are very proud of the fact that they descended from these convicts.

Melbourne was somewhat disappointing; lots of buildings, construction, confusing layout. But Adelaide was delightful – we had to take a 45 minute train ride from where we were docked to the heart of the city which was all contained in one square mile. We visited the Aboriginal Cultural Art Center which was fascinating. I hope to bring a painting home. Back on board our ship an Aussie dinner was waiting for us, complete with shrimp on the barbie poolside accompanied by an Aussie outback band!

We have been at sea for 3 days now. Fremantle/Perth is our next stop and then we’re off to Indonesia.

Vanuatu, Noumea, New Caledonia

Since leaving Los Angeles we have traveled 7200 miles at 18-20 mph to Sydney, Australia. We stopped in the French republic of Vanuatu in the New Hebrides, discovered by Captain Cook in 1774. Population is 208,000. Languages spoken are French, English, Bislama and pigin English. Currency is the vatu (2 V=.01 US cent). 84 bits of and make up the archipelago. The main cities are Luganville and Port Vila. In 1947 James Michener wrote Tales of the South Pacific when he was stationed in Vanuatu during WW11. 40,000 U.S. servicemen were stationed here and relics of WW11 can still be seen, however most of these relics were dumped in the Pacific Ocean at an area called the “Million Dollar Pier.”
Vanuatu is a site for off-shore banking and is the only “emerging nation” to receive $65 million from the USA from the Millenium Fund.
After Vanuatu, we stopped in Noumea on the French island of New Caledonia which was also discovered by Captain Cook in 1774 and was claimed by the French in 1853. Languages spoken are French and Melanasian dialects. Currency is the Pacific franc (US $1= 90 PF).Noumea was one of the Allies’ most important bases during WW11 and also served as a French colonial penal colony from 1864-1904. It is now known as the “Paris of the Pacific” with many French restaurants and boutiques surrounded by beautiful beaches and islands.

misc pictures:galley, creatures, b&w Ball, stateroom

Cabo, Los Angeles to Honolulu

Cabo San Lucas was so beautiful! We saw the famous rock formation “los arcos” which can be seen as you enter the bay. This is one of the best fishing regions in the world: there are over 800 varieties of fish and Cabo is often called “marlin alley.”

What a hectic but wonderful day in Los Angeles! My son Paul and his wife Denise picked me up at the pier in Long Beach where we were docked for the day and rushed me home to pick up another suitcase and check my mail! We returned to the ms Rotterdam where they were guests of Holland America. We took them on a tour of the ship and our “digs” for the next 4 months, followed by lunch on the Lido deck overlooking Long Beach harbor. It was so sad to say goodbye.

After 4 days at sea and 3000 miles at approximately 18-20 miles per hour (16-18 knots) we arrived in Hilo, Hawaii where we all made a mad dash to the local Walmart to replenish personal supplies. The next day was spent in Honolulu.
The things you see at the Honolulu Costco parking lot!

Hawaii was settled by the Polynesians thousands of years ago and entered the Union as our 50th state in 1959. There are 8 main islands, covering 11,000 square miles and a population of over one million. The state flower is the hibiscus. We learned that the most dangerous enemy of the rainforest in Hawaii is the feral pig. It destroys the natural flora & fauna as well as rainforest and domestic animals. Hundreds of years ago the Polynesians brought in small domestic pigs and much later they crossed with the European boar and produced a wild pig which has no natural predators. Today they are hunted by forest rangers with dogs and shot on the spot.

My sister Svata & I were fortunate to find a free internet café at the Bikini Cantina overlooking Honolulu Bay so we caught up on news from home. The internet connections from the ship are erratic, unpredictable and very expensive so be patient with me. It may take me days to reply to you.

We are now in the 7th of 8 days at sea and are due to dock in Luganville, Vanuatu in the South Pacific on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd and will have covered 3000 miles from Honolulu. That will make a total of 6000 miles we have sailed from Los Angeles.

Ship facts: The ms Rotterdam (ms = motor ship; ss = steamship; sts = steam/turbine ship) was built in 1997. Length: 780 feet; 62,000 tons; passenger capacity 1300, crew 590; registry: Netherlands. 150,000 gallons of potable water is produced daily from sea water.

Life at sea on the ms Rotterdam is very busy. There are so many things to do, choices to make. It’s something like going to camp! Daily activities include exercise classes, lectures on destination ports, eating, art & music appreciation classes, swimming, sunbathing, eating, flower arranging, (did you know that cut flowers will last longer if you add I tablespoon bleach & fresh water every 2 days) cooking classes, eating, making towel creatures, arts and crafts (“Mommy, look at the pin-cushion I made in class today!”) and more eating. We even have to dress up for formal night dinner once a week! Our latest formal was last night, the Black & White Ball which was spectacular.

We are fortunate to have celebrity guest chef Mr. Recipe Aaron Isaacson on board to teach us how to make crab crostini, spaghetti arrabbiata, vanilla lobster with bowtie pasta, insalata caprese and much, much more. He has also given us a lecture on spices and where to buy them in the spice markets of Indonesia, Mumbai and Madagascar. (Joy you would have loved this!)

Today, Friday January 30, 2009 at 12 oclock noon, we witnessed a rare phenomenon: we passed the equator which divides the earth into North and South Hemispheres and at the very same time we passed the international date line (180 degrees west). This is known as “the golden line.” Since we crossed the date line on a westerly course, we lost a day! Later in the cruise we will cross it again on an easterly course and we will experience the same day twice! At high noon today the captain made his announcement, gave one long blast of the ship’s horn and we were all treated to a “golden line” toast.

Hi Everyone!
Greetings from the ms Rotterdam somewhere in the Pacific Ocean approaching Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. What a trip this has been! We left Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 5th and our first port-of-call was Cartagena, Colombia where we searched for the famous emeralds and explored this old city.

Passing through the Panama Canal from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean was so exciting! We entered the canal at Gatun Lake and went through the first of 3 sets of locks, the Gatun Locks, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores. It took 8 hours to travel the 50 mile length of the canal. An unbelievable engineering feat!

Our next stop was Costa Rica. They are very ecologically aware and their rainforests have been well preserved to protect monkeys, raccoons, scarlet macaws, iguanas and crocodiles and thousands of species of birds.
The next port-of-call was Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. We visited the ancient city of Antigua, learned all about coffee on our visit to a plantation. We even got to pick some of the beans! I learned that jade is mined in Guatemala and was discovered here long before the Asian jade.
We relaxed on the beach at Huatulco, Mexico which reminded us of Acapulco’s early beginnings. We toured beautiful Acapulco with its coastline of tall resort hotels and clear blue-green water of the bay.
We enjoyed a wonderful classical piano concert this afternoon and look forward to our stop in Los Angeles on Monday.