Far East Discovery

HAL Volendam -- Far East Discovery 2016

When we went on the HAL Volendam cruise last February, we were compensated with a $1000 future cruise credit because we paid at a higher rate before their prices dropped significantly at a later date. The only thing was that we had to use the credit given before the end of this year. MOR had his eyes on this itinerary which sails from Singapore to Hong Kong and just waiting for the right time when he can fit it in his work schedule. He finally figured out that this trip will work out for him. We booked this cruise after final payment period at a very decent rate for an oceanview cabin. SIL and her husband decided to come along and we had a memorable two weeks visiting these wonderful ports. With the limited time MOR has, we only spent one night pre-cruise in Singapore and two nights post-cruise in Hong Kong, much less than what I would like but it all worked out at the end.

Itinerary--

Nov. 20, 2016 -- Los Angeles to Singapore (via Shanghai) on China Eastern Airlines

Nov. 21 -- Marina Bay Sands Singapore 

Nov. 22 -- Sail from Singapore (4:00pm)

Nov. 23 -- Sea Day

Nov. 24 -- Koh Samui, Thailand (8:00am~3:00pm)

Nov. 25 -- Laem Chabang, Thailand (7:00am~)

Nov. 26 -- Laem Chabang, Thailand (~3:00pm)

Nov. 27 -- Sihanoukville, Cambodia (8:00am~9:00pm)

Nov. 28 -- Sea Day

Nov. 29 -- Phu My, Vietnam (6:00am~6:00pm)

Nov. 30 -- Nha Tran, Vietnam (12:00n~11:00pm)

Dec. 1   -- Sea Day

Dec. 2   -- Da Nang (Hue), Vietnam (7:00am~5:00pm)

Dec. 3   -- Sea Day

Dec. 4   -- Halong Bay, Vietnam (7:00am~8:00pm)

Dec. 5   -- Sea Day

Dec. 6   -- Debark Ship Hong Kong, China (7:00am)

Dec. 7   -- Post-cruise Hong Kong

Dec. 8   -- Hong Kong to Los Angeles (via Shanghai)

November 20, 2016 LAX-PVG-SIN (MU 578 and MU 567)

Our very efficient travel agent Connie, of International Grandway Travel, was able to find a few tickets on China Eastern Airlines for us at a very good price of $615 roundtrip Los Angeles to Singapore, then Hong Kong to Los Angeles. We would have to transit in Pudong, Shanghai both flying in and out. It turned out to be a pain going through transit at PVG. More on that later. The low price for the ticket was unheard of and we felt that we hit a jackpot. Our friends from southeast Asia all telling us that it usually cost over $1200 R/T to fly to SE Asia. I guess with all the low airfare that was going on this year, we just hit it at the right time.

Our flight would leave at midnight on November 20, which means we had to go to the airport on November 19. LAX was busy as usual and JC had to drop us off at the arrival level avoiding the congestion up on departure level at Tom Bradley. It was an easy escalator ride up for our check-in counters which had a solid line already formed. I asked the check-in clerk if they had any upgrade sales that evening and she said for an additional $1600 per person one way, we could take the business seats. Ah...no...thanks! That's not a sale. We will stick to our $615 seats. I remember a few years back, they were screaming at the check-in area, selling $500 upgrades and no one was taking those offers. 

Security check was very busy but it moved right along with no hassle. Comparing to PVG transit, LAX is a piece of cake. After getting through security to air side, we found a quiet place to sit and relaxed a little before boarding time. I still had some money left on a Starbucks gift card, so I got in line and ordered a cup of special coffee for the holiday season, some kind of chestnut flavor drink. Quite delicious!

Boarding was on time and uneventful, well, that is if you ignore that confusing and crowded line of people picking up their duty-free purchases which they had to finally give up and closed it, telling people that they will pass them out on board. (?) We found our chosen seats way at the back of the plane. We couldn't pick the exit row this time because we have no status on this airline so we picked the first two seaters in the back. With one less seat in the row, it felt much more spacious and I did not have to climb over two people to get to the lavatory. The negative was that it felt much bumpier throughout the flight being seated at the back of the plane.

Looked kind of old but it worked.

Good space, knees not bumping into the seat in front.

First meal...decent.

Actually quite tasty.

A second meal was served before landing at PVG but I forgot to take pictures of it.

November 21, 2016 PVG, Shanghai, China

Now, we had to transit in PVG. Following the signs and finding the transit point was not a problem. The problem was the long line. For some reasons they only had one person checking boarding passes at the transit point when there were three other employees sitting around doing nothing. Then we had to go through passport check, another long and slow line. The worst line was through security upstairs which they required everyone to take out every little thing like camera, laptop, umbrella, cup, coin, battery pack, etc. etc. in the trays without overlapping. Which means you would need several trays which they did not have enough of. That was why it took so long to get through that line. Felt bad for those who had a short connection to their next flight. As for us, we were fine, we had close to three hours transit time and not in any rush. We even had time for a Hong Kong style breakfast when we came out of that ridiculous line.

Surprised to see a popular Hong Kong style cafe in Shanghai. Just had to try it out. They only serve breakfast sets which came with a bowl of noodle of your choice,

scrambled eggs and buttered roll, coffee or tea. Not bad! I would much prefer the thick slice of buttered toast instead of the roll though.

We only ordered two breakfast and this was the total.

PVG to SIN -- MU 567

Our next flight was parked at a remote area so we had to take the shuttle to board that plane, in the rain. This time our seats were in the front part of economy.

A first, this blanket says "Please take me home!"

Another meal was served but we were not hungry after that HK style breakfast.

"Seafood noodle", all I could see was shrimps.

Chinese style chicken salad

Changi Airport, Singapore

After about five hours, we arrived beautiful Changi Airport, terminal 3. Short lines, easy passage made this a pleasant arrival for the start of our holidays.

Baggage Claim area

Can you imagine? Trees!

That's our carousel!

We had a new friend who picked us up holding a sign as we exit the terminal. We have never met him before but his sister who lives in L.A. asked us to bring an important key to him when she found out that we were going to Singapore. She had asked him to take us to the hotel which was not too far from his house. It only took about 15 minutes for us to get from the airport to Marina Bay Sands. 

Marina Bay Sands Tower 1

When we tried to figure out where to stay for the night, we found out that MOR's soon to be canceled credit card had some points which we could use for a room at Marina Bay Sands. We quickly booked a room for the three of us using those points and then booked a room for SIL on MBS website. Both were for the cheapest deluxe rooms. Luckily, we checked in with a very nice young caucasian man who upgraded our rooms when I asked him to put us as close as possible. He said we were both upgraded to premium but he couldn't put us on the same floor. We ended up a couple of floors apart in the same tower, which turned out to be just fine. We were very happy with our room, I think it was more than just a premium room. It was actually more like a corner suite, which he said should be big enough for the three of us.

Bathroom with a view (shade down here.)

Separated toilet

and shower

Spacious room

Sitting area

console divider

Dining area

Entry way

First thing we saw upon entering.

amenities

bathtub

Now, the view...of Gardens by the Bay next to the bathtub. Just have to remember to close the shade, otherwise people in the hallway may very well see everything inside the bathroom.

This was our view from the room. The skyline of downtown Singapore.

The walkway from the hotel to the gardens.

The Merlion right outside our window.

After settling in, we were ready to explore the city a little.

Taking the subway to Chinatown.

Chinatown station exit (Pagoda Street)

Colorful!

Everything looked so familiar. We were here just a few months ago.

Pagoda Street, lots of vendors.

Sri Mariamman Temple on South Bridge Road.

From South Bridge Road, we made a left turn on Erskine Road towards Maxwell Hawker Center.

Turn right when you see the sign to this area, then follow the arrow to Maxwell.

We wanted to try Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice since we had Ah Tai last time we were here. Unfortunately, Tian Tian was closed, again, on this day. I believe Monday is their day off. Fortunately, Ah Tai was opened and we enjoyed a great Hainanese chicken dinner there.

We ordered these for the five of us.

A whole chicken, tender and flavorful!

All gone!

We also had some sugar cane juice, and some bean curd as dessert inside this huge hawker center. We were so stuffed that we gave up the idea for some ba kut teh.

I thought these row houses are so beautiful.

We decided to just walk along South Bridge Street towards Clarke Quay. Hoping to walk off some calories.

I could be wrong, but I think this is Masjid Jamae.

Some interesting sculptures and paintings depicting early Chinese settlers in the area.

Reaching Singapore River with a view of downtown.

Interesting buildings across the other side of Elgin Bridge.

Eateries, bars, and pubs along Boat Quay.

By now, my camera ran out of battery and my iphone ran low also. I was only able to take a couple more pictures before returning to the hotel.

Just one photo of the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands.

Continued our walk on Bridge Jubilee, then along Waterfront promenade. Watched the laser show from there as we rested and then back to the hotel through Helix Bridge. We had taken a long, long walk and everybody was dead tired. 

But we still had one place in mind...to cross over to Gardens by the Bay...

to see the light show. We were a little late but managed to catch a glimpse of the show with Christmas theme. Very crowded but still very nice.

Back to the hotel for the night.

The third bed was delivered after calling the front desk. ChC decided to keep the shades opened. Sleeping and waking up with the gorgeous view of Singapore.