A Gift Of Memories

We had three full days in Tokyo before we boarded our ship in Yokahama for a 32 day cruise of Asia and Australia. That first full day in Tokyo, we woke up to a nasty weather report that a typhoon named Vong Fong was making landfall that afternoon in Japan.

Our plans had been to travel by bullet train that morning, then by private car, from Tokyo to Hakone, where we would stay one night in Hakone and then return to Tokyo. It was all part of something very special that had been in the planning stages beginning months prior. Looked like the typhoon was going to change things. But...before I go any further, let's turn back the time to those few months of planning prior to this trip and let me explain the significance behind Hakone. 

Amusement On The Ocean

  
Once again, we were on home turf and this marked the end of our trip. After our whirlwind tour of Asia and Australia, I had to admit that when I saw the iconic "LAX" and the "arch" at Los Angeles Airport, it made me smile. No place like home. Well, actually this was a stop over and we wouldn't be home until the following day. But in true "Conover style" we weren't letting any real estate go unexplored.

Sydney, Australia

During the night we had traveled southbound along the coast of Australia to Port Jackson, a natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Once we tucked inside Port Jackson, a Sydney harbour pilot gently guided the Diamond Princess to her berth at the Overseas Passenger Terminal located just in front of Circular Quay, next to the famous Sydney Opera House.

Great Barrier Reef

Two days at sea and ready to set foot on terra firma. On Wednesday, November 12th around 5:50 a.m., our ship rounded Cape Kimberly from a southwesterly course. Approximately 2 nautical miles from land, we dropped anchor in Port Douglas, Australia. Around 6:40 a.m., the Diamond Princess was ready to commence tendering passengers ashore from the ship's docks.

Darwin, Australia

Two sea days had passed after our stop in Benoa (Bali), Indonesia. During that time, we had sailed southeast across the Lombok Basin of the Indian Ocean. After passing through a group of shoals named Fantome Shoal and Jabiru Shoal, the Diamond Princess entered the Timor Sea. From there we cut an easterly course towards Australia. Early Sunday morning on November 9, 2014, our ship approached the Darwin Harbour passing Charles Point Patches off the Cox Peninsula. Once we entered the channel, we passed Elliot Point and Emery Point on the port side around 6:30 a.m. At approximately 6:38 a.m. we came alongside our berth at Forthill Wharf located at the waterfront in Darwin, Australia. 

Wow, we were in Australia! I was excited to step foot on Aussie soil for the first time. 

Benoa (Bali), Indonesia

Prior to arriving in Benoa (Bali), we had been at sea for three days. So I believe the majority of passengers (including me) were ready for the feet to touch land. We had sailed a southerly course across the South China Sea and left the Vietnamese Islands (Con Dao Islands).Then we steamed southeast through the archipelago shipping lanes then crossed the equator beginning our journey into the southern hemisphere. Once in the Bali Sea, we rounded the eastern part of Bali and passed the islands of Pulau Lembogan and Pulau Nusapenida on the portside. Around 6:00 a.m we found our position near the Port of Benoa and dropped anchor. Once customs were satisfied and tenders were lowered, passengers were given the "go ahead" around 7:00 a.m. to begin ferrying to shore. 

Wondering "where in the world' we were? Bali is an island belonging to Indonesia just 8 degrees south of the equator and is 95 miles (153 km) wide and 69 miles (112 km) long north to south. 

Some Things To Remember

Another sea day and these are always welcome after so many ports back to back and long days of sightseeing. Don't get me wrong - I'm never complaining. It's like being able to catch your breath and hydrate in the middle of a long run and the run is your passion.

"Do That Thing That You Do So Well" - Pintu

I believe very strongly that Customer Service is an art form. Not everyone can do it and only those special few take it to a level that outshines all others. I come from a service industry so I understand and empathize for the difficulties that go with it. No matter where I travel, my eye is always on service and I am constantly looking for those little gems that stand out in a crowd.

Here is an example of one such employee - Pintu, a Bar Steward from India. On our cruise through the Orient and Australia on the Diamond Princess, we met Pintu for the second time. It is always like "coming home" when we see familiar faces in the crew and it is something Rick and I always treasure during our adventures.

Halloween 2014

Our ship left Laem Chabang, Thailand and that evening we were sailing through the Gulf of Thailand and celebrating Halloween 2014 as we steered towards Indonesia. What a unique place to be.

The crew threw their energy into decorating the ship's atrium area with festive pumpkins, witches, cakes, spiders and webs. I must say that the pumpkin carvings were spectacular! It was easy to see talent and artistry demonstrated by the kitchen staff. These folks could take anything and make it look good from radishes and breads to ice and watermelons at any time. So Halloween must have been fun for them to "let loose" and get crazy.

  

Laem Chabang, Thailand

From Koh Samui, the ship sailed north/northwest past the coast of mainland Thailand. In the early morning hours on Friday, October 31st, we boarded a local pilot who guided us safely into our berth in the port of Laem Chabang which was located in the Gulf of Thailand. After a custom's inspection the ship was released by authorities and passengers were allowed to go ashore around 7:15 a.m. The day that greeted us was partly cloudy with temperatures hovering in the mid 80F (29C).

  

Koh Samui, Thailand

The Diamond Princess navigated across the Gulf of Thailand and found anchorage off the port of Koh Samui (pronounced Ko Sam-moo-ee) in the gulf. This would be a tender port.

Singapore

Singapore! This was a port I had heard so much about with descriptions such as beautiful, efficient and clean to too many laws, expensive and ever changing. It would also be a port that held many memories for our traveling companion and dear friend Frank during his years in the Royal Air Force. So this post is written with him in mind and I hope to do it justice.

As we reached Singapore, we had officially traveled 3,413 nautical miles from Yokohama over twelve days. Singapore would mark the beginning of the second portion of our cruise which was taking us further south to Australia over nineteen more days on the same ship. 

Phu My, Vietnam

During the night, the Diamond Princess had continued it's south westerly course along the coast of Vietnam. In the early morning hours, the local pilot boarded our vessel and guided us safely to our berth in the Port of Phu My (pronounced "Foo Me").  By 7:00 a.m., all clearances were received and passengers were given the green light go ashore.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

The Diamond Princess traveled south along the coast of Vietnam. Around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25 we boarded a local pilot who guided us through the waters of Nha Trang. 

Hong Kong

From the South China Sea, the ship reached the Hong Kong Traffic Separation Scheme then transited Tahlong Channel. We then had a local Hong Kong pilot safely guide us into Hong Kong Harbor. There we berthed at the ultra modern Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Our arrival was early in the morning and it was 7:00 a.m. when passengers were cleared by customs and allowed disembarkation to begin their day.

 

Osaka

Ahoy! It was landing time in Osaka, Japan.

Da Nang, Vietnam

Early that morning, the Diamond Princess rounded the Chan May Point and made her final approach to her berth in the Bay of Chan May. There we swung to port on arrival and docked port side to the quay. By 7:00 a.m. all customs has been cleared and passengers were permitted to disembark. Various law enforcement officials gladly posed for me and were all smiles as we went ashore.

  

Celebration At Sea

Another sea day upon us as we sailed towards our next port of call - Chan May (Da Nang), Vietnam. That particular sea day was a special event in our lives with a wonderful story behind it. 

Taiwan

From the East China Sea, we headed to the northern portion of Taiwan to Keelung. In order to reach Keelung and berth in it's harbor, we had to pass through the Taiwan Straits into the Keelung Traffic Separation Scheme, through the breakwaters and into the inner harbor.

Okinawa

We were in the East China Sea. The Diamond Princess made berth at the port of Okinawa just before 7:00 a.m. Unfortunately, this would be another short day in port due to the domino effect from the typhoon in Tokyo. No tour that day - we were venturing out on our own.