Hello everyone,
I hope that everyone has had a good March…I know that I've had quite the busy and excited end to my month. I can't believe that we're almost to April…everything is moving SO fast.
On to the blog:
Saturday, March 12th and Sunday, March 13th we were at sea….and to be quite honest…it was the fastest two seas day that we have had in quite some time. HOLD ON A MINUTE….am I okay? Did I just say that the sea days were okay…WOW. Anyway….I think what made the days go quicker was all the news about Japan and the horrible earthquake / tsunami….I still can't believe that happened and I was close to it…hmmm. Also, we were so excited to get to Bali to celebrate Lesley's 25th birthday!!!!
Monday, March 14th (HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLEY!!!!) we were in Benoa, Bali, Indonesia and had a great day. Lesley and I decided to get off early and scope out the place so that she could decide what she wanted to do for her birthday. Getting out of the terminal was a nightmare…with all the rain (that kept going on and off all day….wasn't horrible rain but just was a nuisance) and with all the locals trying to get us to take their taxis. I have NEVER in my life been so uncomfortable in my life. They were SWARMING us and Lesley and I didn't know what to do or where to go. We just kept walking and I just had to be rude and stern and say, "NO". Eventually we got to a place in the road where we were trying to talk to each other and collect our thoughts when out of no where this man said…."I'll take you to where you want to go…I understand that you don't like the crazy people…if you would like to come with me, you can…if not, I understand"…and I think because he was so honest and nice with us…we took his cab. He took us into town to get some money (which that right there was a joke) its 1 US dollar is 8,718 Indonesian dollars, so we were confused on how much to take out…it was a mess. Eventually our guide took us to a beach and we asked him to meet us back there at 4:00 to be back on board at the right time. We walked up to the beach and it was PORING down rain…like it was comical. Lesley and I took a picture of us in the rain and then decided to walk into a cafe and have a drink. We were looking at the different prices for everything and comparing it to the US dollar….their most expensive thing…which I think was a HUGE steak was $12.00…thats just how it work out to be…it was CRAZY. Afterwards, we decided to walk up to the main part of the road cause we saw some nicer places to eat and such. Walking up there, it was very strange to think that I was in Bali…someplace that I read about in Eat, Pray, Love….was just cool. Once we got to this restaurant called, "Arcade" Jodie, Greg and Emily were there and were excited to celebrate with us. We had a GREAT meal at "Arcade" (actually a lot better than I was expecting) but what made us laugh was when the bill came back and the total was over one million Indonesian dollars!!! We all laughed a loud and said, "Damn Les, you're expensive…that better have been the best meal ever if it was over a million dollars. Was just strange to say, "oh yeah…my bill wasn't bad..only 2 million dollars…HAHA". After we paid our check, our taxi guy (who had brought Jodie, Greg and Emily) asked us if we wanted to go to a few markets. It was raining at the time and we thought, there isn't anything better to do…why not. So, off we went to a fabric market first…which was so cool. All of these shirts and dresses and knick knack stuff that was all homemade by the people in the shop…was really awesome. We all bought a few things and then we were off to the wood market. On our way, we got to see all sorts of cool buildings and a little bit of the jungle…was just an awesome ride. We all had our cameras out and ready to take pictures that we thought looked awesome. When we got to the wood market…it was absolutely beautiful. Everything in the whole shop was made by the people there and actually, people were in the back making things as we were there….and actually got a few pictures of them working…was just amazing. They had all these animal carvings and cool musical instruments. What caught me off guard was how obsessed they were about the male…how can I make this politically correct….member? They had carvings all over the place of them…even "member" bottle openers…it was hilarious…haha. Everyone (except myself) got a wood carving and were very happy with their buys. Once we got back in the taxi, we were running a little later than we needed to, to get back on the ship at the right time. Our taxi guy said, No worries…I'll get you there in time. OH MY LORD, I have never been more nervous in a car in my entire life. I really don't understand why they had white lines on the road because no one payed ANY attention to them. It was a two lane road but with all the different cars / bikes all over the place…there were about 4 or 5. Sometimes he got a little TOO close for comfort and we all would hold our breath and grab onto each other. I asked our taxi guy in the middle of the craziness (and just to be funny), "So…have you ever been in an accident…cause this is crazy"….HE HASN'T!!!! Wow…thats impressive because if would have seen what we were doing….you wouldn't have believed it. Also, I thought….if anyone drove like this in American…you would be shot. He did get us back with our lives and 2 minutes to spare…what an adventure.
Tuesday, March 15th and Wednesday, March 16th were another quick sea days….I don't know whats wrong with me…maybe I'm getting use to the sea days. One the second day, we had another equator crossing celebration….meaning that we have to take bed sheets and wrap it around ourselves and parade in front of all the guests as the rulers of the sea (so stupid…haha). One fun thing though, we get to dump flour, whip cream, eggs on the guests and make them kiss a fish….oh the joys of my job…haha.
Thursday, March 17th we were in Sandakan, Malaysia and what an eye opening experience that was. It started off kinda crappy because we had missed the last shuttle that we wanted to take before we needed to be back on board. Our boss, Jean Ann Ryan and her husband were joining us for the remainder of the cruise and we had a rehearsal that day. Greg and I decided just to get off anyway….to get away from the ship for a little while. It was shocking when we got into the town and just how dirty it was and how run down it all looked. Its hard to explain what we were feeling because we couldn't wrap our minds around the fact that people actually lived and survived in a place like this. I feel bad for these people only in the sense of knowing where I come from and what I have….but at the same time (as Lesley says) don't feel bad for them…they don't know any different…and thats true. Experiencing this place made me totally appreciate everything that I have back home. I now know (knew before but its cemented in me now) not to take ANYTHING for granted…personal items, money, a roof over your head and most importantly, the people that you love. You cant take that for granted because we are truly blessed to have what we have and live the lives that we live in America. Well, Greg and I walked around….smelling the HORRIBLE smells…just bad. What made Greg and I laugh was the fact that we found air freshers in a grocery store but the grocery store itself smelled like a fish hole…just awful…we laughed about that all day. We found a KFC (which confused us) and thought…I think this is the only thing that we can have to eat and to tell you the truth…it was REALLY good, I was shocked. What I thought was so cool…when Greg had ordered something to take away….and while we were waiting…the man that took our order gave us a little drink while we waiting. I thought that it was AWESOME business to give us a drink while we waited…for free. It was a good day over all….and once we got back to the ship, we had a rehearsal with our boss, Jean Ann and it was nice to do the show for someone different again….I enjoyed the rehearsal process. Overall…had a great day in Sandakan, Malaysia.
Friday, March 18th we were at sea heading out to Manila, Philippines. Just the normal sea day except the fact that we had another rehearsal for our shows this night….to make some changes and fix a few problems….all in all a good day.
Saturday, March 19th we were in Manila, Philippines and this morning we had an early rehearsal before we went out for the day. After rehearsal, Greg, Jodie, Emily, Jen and myself went off into Manila…to the 4th largest mall in the world called "Mall of Asia". When we arrived there…I was just overwhelmed with the size of this place. It was a mixture of an outdoor mall and an indoor mall…it would take a LONG time to get use to this place…I'm sure of it. We first went to a store called, "Zara" and we bought a few things…it was nice. Afterwards, the girls went into another shop and Greg and myself went and checked out the indoor ice rink….yes, I said in door ice rink. I told everyone that I had never been ice skating before and they thought I was crazy….I didn't get to do it that day either….maybe NYC when I get back. We heard that they had a TGI Fridays in the mall so we all decided to go have a great lunch there and it sure was. We had a great time together just enjoying each others company and talking about stuff. After lunch, the girls wanted to go to a few shops so Greg and I walked around the mall, just window shopping and if something caught our eye…we went and looked at it. After a long day at the mall, we decided to head back to the ship. On our way back, we were talking about what people are called from different places (eg. People from Rome = Romans) and talking about all this stuff. I had said that I could name all the states in America and they didn't believe me. I was SO proud of myself that I got all the states except stupid Connecticut….ehhh, if I had a map…I could have done it but I was pretty proud of myself. Getting back to the ship, we all had early socializing duties this evening and we all went out in full force and I met some lovely people on the cruise….some that have been on for a while and have been coming to each and every show that we've had. What a great day in Manila.
Sunday, March 20th we were at sea….our last sea day for this voyage….YES…on our way to Hong Kong, China. We had another day of duties and rehearsals in the evening….getting ready for our days in Hong Kong….I'm so excited!!! Something during the day which surprised me was how foggy it was and I had asked someone what that was and they said, "The pollution from Hong Kong"…HOLY CRAP!!!
Monday, March 21st we finally were ending our cruise in Hong Kong, China. I was on IPM which was nice cause we had rehearsals all day long with our boss, Jean Ann. I went outside at one point and I looked at the skyline of Hong Kong and you know what….it wasn't what I thought it was going to be like. I thought that it was going to be massive…like 2 or 3 NYC's but it wasn't. Granted we were docked in a horrible place in Hong Kong but still….it wasn't what I thought..hmmm, interesting. Later this night we had a great meal in the main dinning room with our boss, Jean Ann and her husband Howard. It was great to have them on board and I had a great time talking with them both. That night, everyone else (who wasn't on IPM) went out to the night market on the Kowloon side of the city…which they said was AWESOME. I was a little jealous cause they all came back with this awesome presents and stuff….oh well….can't do everything in life…haha.
Tuesday, March 22nd was another day in Hong Kong and the embarkation day for the new cruise. It was sad to say goodbye to some of the half world cruisers and others that were so pleasant but happy to say goodbye to some of those people that made our life hell on the ship….ehhhh. Before my embarkation duty, I went out with Lesley and Jen to see some of the city and to my surprise, Mickki Brown (our stars club singer) got on the shuttle bus to come out as well. It was great to see Mickki again since it had been 2 months since I last saw her. We talked for a while and she asked us where we wanted to go / wanted to see. She took us to the Hong Kong Island side of the city and we walked around for a while with each other. Lesley and Jen had decided to go down a few other side alley's to get a few things cause they had to be back earlier than myself…so Mickki and I had a great day together walking around. She use to work in Hong Kong at a very nice hotel not far from where we were. She took me on one of the above ground subways just to get a sense of what Hong Kong was about…it was a great time. We walked around, we got a few things at the 7/11 that was on one of the corners (I had to put that it in the blog…I joked with her about that) and then we made it to her hotel area that she use to work out. She told me a very funny story that I won't put here (love you Mickki) because I told her I wouldn't but it was quite funny and we laughed about it for a while. Had a great lunch in the mall that was connected to where she use to work and finally got to go to the hotel, the Island Shangri-La. It was a BEAUTIFUL hotel…very high class. It was cool (Mickki mentioned to me) that in the elevator…the carpet was changed everyday to say the day on the floor (eg. Tuesday, Wednesday…) which I thought was pretty cool. After the hotel, we took a taxi back to the area that we started in…I bought something cute for my niece and Mickki bought a few things before we headed back to the ship. She pointed out to me the two places that they shot "Dark Knight" in Hong Kong…which I thought was AWESOME and then we made it back to the ship so I could start my embarkation duties for the day. What a great day and wonderful way to end the LONGEST cruise that I've had during this contract…whoosh.
The next cruise's itinerary is: At Sea / Haiphong, Vietnam on March 23rd / Haiphong, Vietnam on March March 24th / Ha Long Bay, Vietnam on March 25th / At Sea on March 26th / Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam on March 27th and 28th / At Sea on March 29th / Bangkok, Thailand on March 30 and 31st / Ko Samui, Thailand on April 1st / At Sea on April 2nd and ending this part of the world cruise in Singapore, Singapore on April 3rd.
I am so excited to be able to say now that I've officially been to 6 of the 7 continents on the earth…which I still can't believe. Like I've said many times that I've always dreamed to be able to travel the world and see different places and now I think (funny that its taken this long) that its starting to sink in how much I've seen and how truly blest I am to have this experience….very overwhelming at times but I'm very grateful for it.
Until Next Time,
Jason
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