I left Sydney on March 10 2024 with 3 instructions from my foot surgeon – do not climb stairs, do not walk too far and enjoy yourself. My foot operation for Mortons Neuroma was still fresh in my mind and foot, even though it had been some time ago, November 22 2023.
My Qantas flight QF 127 left at 10.15am Sunday morning for Hong Kong. I scored a seat in economy section upstairs in the new A380. Business Class, Premium Economy and then 30 Economy seats are upstairs. Underneath are the remainder of the economy seats.
I lost my tub of QV cream at security. I should know better after travelling overseas on many occasions since late 1974.
I sat next to a lady, who came originally from Taiwan. Her late father had escaped Mainland China for Taiwan in 1949. She had immigrated to the USA, living first in Los Angeles, and now in Texas. We chatted during the flight, and also talked to the friendly Qantas crew, who were looking after our section.
My first boss had told me that “it would be a punishment sitting next to me on a Sydney to London flight.” My next boss said “no , quite the contrary ,as you always have interesting things to talk about “ In travelling alone , i always find that i had the opportunity to speak with lots of people . Ms Chatterbox is never lost for conversation!
When we touched down in Hong Kong it was raining; in fact it had rained all day. After I collected my luggage, and cleared Customs, I found my driver. When I arrived at my Hotel, Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees, to check in, reception could not find my booking. They used the reason that “my travel agent had not responded to their email. I reminded them that “my travel agent does not make mistakes “
By this time, I was distraught at the lack of a booking. ” Do you want me to be homeless in Hong Kong?’’ i asked. “I have travelled widely around the world, and this has never happened to me before.” I sat down in the nearby coffee shop. Manager 1 arrived quickly with water, Manager 2 arrived quickly with tissues, a Concierge desk staff member stood by reiterating the front desk’s comments, but assuring me that “there were rooms available”. Finally, half an hour later, Manager 3 arrived with my booking He apologised, and then slightly reduced my breakfast buffet cost from $ HK 110 to $HK90 and gave me a room on floor 18.
I was exhausted; it had been a long day. I enjoyed a quick dinner and a well-deserved glass of wine at 9pm, in a small restaurant in the hotel.
Monday morning, March 11 2024 I enjoyed a lovely buffet breakfast. I caught the hotel’s shuttle bus to Middle Road, Kowloon Hotel, which runs off Nathan Road. I found Mody Road, and walked some distance. OM Custom Tailors were located in the Peninsula Building. At 67 Mody Road, East Kowloon. A kind man took me to the building, and directed me to the Lower Ground Floor, Shop 56, where I found Vijay.
I chose a lovely red fabric, and insisted also on pockets in my coat. My measurements were taken at 11am, and i was told to return at 4pm for a fitting. Whilst i was there in the morning, two work colleagues from America walked in. The man chose a number of business suits, and the lady chose a variety of different business style outfits.
We chatted for some time when they also returned for a fitting at 4pm .I asked the lady as to “why can’t America choose 2 better candidates than the current 2 geriatric ones, for the Presidential election? She said that “she would like to know the answer to that question as well.”
I checked my Octopus Card at the station. I had last used it when in Hong Kong in late September 2019 .Fortunately, I had $ HK 178 credit on my seniors card. I had lunch at the nearby Shangri La Hotel, as i did not want to walk too far from this area. It was raining, and a miserable day. The view across to Central from the restaurant in the Hotel was almost non-existent. Not a good day to do tourist-related things, as the visibility was so poor.
After my visit to the tailor, I caught a local bus back to the hotel -11 stops, which I counted. On the inside of the front of the bus, the next stop is listed in English, and in Mandarin. It is good to travel on the local buses, as you get to see the back streets.
Dinner in the small restaurant at the hotel was followed by watching some English football on TV. It was good to again be able to watch BBC News.
After my buffet breakfast on Tuesday March 12 2024, I caught the local bus, 5C to Star Ferry. Then, the short journey across the Harbour on a ferry in order to get the local bus to The Peak. It was a magnificent day, so I knew that the views from The Peak would be wonderful.
My former School Principal, the late Jenny Rowse, always stayed with friends at The Peak whenever she holidayed in Hong Kong. I thought of Jenny’s past adventures when travelling up to The Peak. The bus was full of tourists along with some locals, who were returning home from shopping. The Peak has vastly changed since my last visit in September 2008.
On the way up to The Peak, a young business man sat next to me. We chatted and he said that “he had been working .from home. At the moment his technology was not working, so he decided to take his daily coffee much earlier than expected. Each morning he went to The Peak for coffee.” He said that “many expatriates had left after the riots in 2019, to either to return home or to go to Singapore. We can however feel the iron will of Communist China strengthening its hold “
There were lots of tourists at The Peak. Two new buildings, with lots of shops in them, had opened since my 2008 visit. A free observation viewing platform was available in one building; the other building offered a paid observation viewing platform. .
I had a cup of tea at Starbucks, hoping that i would get lunch when I returned to Kowloon. I decided against Central, as it was too far to walk in the various Shopping Arcades. I caught the ferry back to Kowloon and visited Harbour City, which also has many high end shops in its long arcades.
Harbour City is divided into Ocean Terminal, Marco Polo Hong Kong Arcade, Ocean Centre, Star Annex, and Gateway Arcade. I had walked too far and was looking for a café to sit down at .for lunch. I needed to rest my weary feet. I. found the Information Desk staff in Harbour City frustrating to deal with. I asked where I could find a café with Western style food, and they simply had no idea. I ended up having lunch at 3pm, at a Starbucks which was close by to the Shopping Mall. I then visited the old Police Station, a beautiful building, which was located nearby.
I caught bus 5C from Star Ferry back to my hotel .A young man ,who was in front of me in the bus queue , chatted to me . He was getting off at my stop, so he kindly made sure that i got off the bus, and showed me the way to my hotel.
Again, i had dinner in the small restaurant in the hotel, and i watched some English football
I again enjoyed my morning buffet breakfast on Wednesday, March13 2024. I chatted to a lady from Vancouver, Canada whose husband was currently ill in hospital in Hong Kong. She had owned a dress shop in Vancouver, as well as one in Hong Kong, but has now retired.
After breakfast, I caught the Hotel shuttle bus to the Kowloon Hotel, which is near Nathan Road. I needed to get some Hong Kong dollars as I had to pay for my taxi fares on Thursday. In Hong Kong, you still pay taxi fares in cash.
I found a bank in Nathan Road. However, I had to withdraw cash via an ATM machine inside the bank. Fortunately, the machine did not take my card.
I then caught a bus to Wing on Plus at 345 Nathan Road I realised when I passed the Eaton Hotel in Nathan Road, where I had stayed in 2008 , 2013 and 2019, that I had walked some considerable distance in the past to the Star Ferry.
I bought 3 jumpers on sale in Wing on plus, a Department store. The jumpers were “ size fits all ”and I saved $HK 546 .on the full price of $ HK 897. I decided to have lunch on the lower ground floor of the Eaton Hotel. I caught a bus down Nathan Road to Tai Pan Reflexology Parlour at Basement 83 Nathan Road Tsim Sha Tsui Mansion. I had arrived before 3pm, so there was a discount. After my session, I had a pot of Chinese tea. I will return the next time that i am in Hong Kong.
I returned to my hotel on the Hotel courtesy bus, as i was tired.
Wednesday night, i decided to have a buffet dinner in the large restaurant in the Hotel. The Hotel also allows the locals to attend this buffet .They support this wonderful buffet by bringing their family group to enjoy a night out.
Thursday morning, March 14 2024. I chatted again to the lady from Vancouver, Canada over breakfast. I caught bus 5C, a local bus, to visit the tailor to collect my suit. I decided that as I was early, that i would stop by the Kowloon Hotel for a pot of tea and some croissants.
I had a few photos taken wearing my new red suit, thanked Vijay and caught a taxi (HK65) back to my Hotel. My luggage had been in storage, as I had checked out at 10am .I had a quick lunch at the Hotel, collected the luggage and then caught a taxi to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a journey of maybe 15 minutes .
The port infrastructure is huge .Kai Tak Cruise Terminal was previously the old airport in Hong Kong. And there she was “Queen Mary, looking oh so regal and elegant.”
My suitcase was already tagged; it was taken from me when I got out of the taxi. I was told that I will see it in my room.
Then there were the usual checks- passport, security before you are given the OK to board. It was a .long gang way, which took a few turns .The boarding instructions to passengers were to do so from after 2pm and until 430pm ; the process could simply not be completed in 10 minutes! Queen Mary was sailing at 8pm. Once you were on board, you were not allowed off the liner.
I met my Cabin Steward, Dave and had a walk around to familiarise myself .I was not far from the lifts or the laundry, and a pool was at the end of my deck. The Britannia Restaurant was on deck 3, and Kings Court buffet was on deck 7. And the corridors were so long.
I decided to choose open dining in the Britannia Restaurant, which was a huge restaurant that ran like clockwork. That way I sat on different tables each night for dinner. On the table for dinner at 830pm , were a couple from Grimsby in the UK , a couple from Brighton , UK and a couple from Vancouver , Canada. The couple from Grimsby had visited Happy Valley Races on Wednesday night, and had a great night. I was hesitant to attend as it was likely to be a lot of walking, and I had to avoid this at this point in time.
On Friday, March 15 2024 we were at sea. At breakfast, I chatted to a retired Physics Lecturer from Scarborough, UK. He and his wife cruise to avoid the awful English winter. He told me about the time, a few years ago, that he had been on Queen Mary in the North Atlantic. The waves had reached deck 12. Paintings were falling off the walls, crockery and cutlery was going everywhere.
Today, I visited the excellent Library, sorted out the internet for my phone, and booked a week’s use of the spa.
I also visited the laundry to wash some clothes. This is an experience. If you are in there with a group of English people, then you are guaranteed to have a good laugh! One elderly lady from near Wakefield, Yorkshire asked me in a serious tone if we had clothes dryers in Australia.”
People came and went with their washing and ironing. There was keen demand for the washing machines and dryers. I was told that sometimes there is a queue down the corridor. Someone mentioned that “there had almost been a fight between 2 women in the laundry recently.” The Captain had apparently warned the two combatants that “if there was a repeat performance that they would be marched off the ship.” The laundry apparently is the best place for gossip!
I attended a meeting in the Champagne Bar at 530pm. I met a well-dressed 90 year old lady from Florida, who had flown by herself to Sydney to board Queen Mary. She was travelling back to New York on the ship, and said that “she hoped that she would be alive when the Queen Mary reached New York. “There were a few 90 year olds on board. Clearly, there is hope for me when I am 90!
Dinner tonight was black tie. I wore a black and white dress to 7pm dinner. The men looked lovely in their dinner suits, and the ladies looked elegant. A special meal was prepared for tonight’s dinner.
On my table was a former Principal of Armidale High School (former music teacher) and his wife, who now live in Melbourne , their friend Christine from Dundee in Scotland, and a couple who spent time travelling between Australia and England . Currently, they were living in Suffolk, east of London. We had both a wonderful meal and conversation.
After dinner, there was a Welcome Concert for the new passengers. This happens each time a large group of new passenger’s board.
Saturday , was an early start, as i had to be at the Lion Pub for 815am to be given a colour coded and numbered sticker. I had early breakfast in Kings Court to ensure that i was ready; it was however still a rush Today, I was in a group of passengers , who were visiting the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Hoi An, Vietnam ,for a day long excursion .
We took a walk around Hoi An with our Vietnamese guide, and passed some shops selling beautiful scarves and dresses. I love scarves, but could not buy any more .The designs were spectacular. The traffic however was not. Motor scooters were constantly honking their horns to ensure that they could manoeuvre safely through the crowd.
Our group had lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant, which was interesting. I sat with a Hong Kong Chinese couple, who live in London. On the tour bus, I sat next to a New Zealand lady, who lives in Britain. We also met Dave and Patricia from York, UK on our tour, and made arrangements to have lunch on deck 12 on Sunday.
We visited a Taoist temple called Hoi Quan Quang Dong (Cantonese Assembly Hall) and finally a marble sculpture place. There were marble statues in all shapes and sizes, it was amazing We drove through Da Nang, and arrived back at the Queen Mary at 415pm.
Da Nang is known to many Australians from the Vietnam War .It was interesting that our Vietnamese guide today called the Vietnam War, the American War. I did meet someone on board the ship, who had served in the Royal Australian Air Force in Da Nang in the early 1970’s.
I visited the spa at 5pm, leaving it at 6pm .The facilities were wonderful: there was a reflexology foot bath, a Jacuzzi, and a sauna .Towels were provided for the guests.
I went to dinner at 645pm, and sat on a table with a New Zealand couple , who lived in Hong Kong for 16 years.( the gentleman was involved in the building of the new Airport .) Another lady was from Mulwala, NSW and her girlfriend was from Melbourne. They were going on to London on Queen Mary, and then joining the Queen Victoria to do a Mediterranean cruise for 30 days .i told this lady that had visited Mulwala last May when travelling around northern Victoria. I drove across the river from Yarrawonga, Victoria to Mulwala.
The New Zealand lady invited me to join their table. She said that “the lot behind us are a bit stiff! “.I saw the Mulwala lady again on a few occasions. The ship is so large that you could meet someone on day one, and not see them again for the duration of the cruise.
Sunday March 17 2024 was St Patricks Day. I enjoyed breakfast in my room, did some laundry, and was ready for a guest talk at 11am. The former Royal Butler, Grant Harold, a Scotsman talked about his time with the Royal family. He later presented a talk on Royal Etiquette, however i missed this talk.
I joined Dave and Patricia from York, England and Ali from New Zealand on deck 12 at 1pm at the Boardwalk Café .It was a casual lunch in some lovely sunshine. I went to the spa at 5pm, and at 6pm i had a 50 minute massage.
I decided to have a buffet dinner, as i was tired. i did not get to attend the St Patricks Day Concert.
Monday March 18 2024
I slept well, missing my 6am alarm. I had to move very quickly in order to get some breakfast My tour, highlights of Na Tran, met at 8am at the Royal Court Theatre. The lady I sat with on the bus was from New York .Her female partner was the event’s organiser on board Queen Mary, and she had joined her for a few weeks.
In Nha Trang ,we visited an Aquarium, then to a wonderful craft place highlighting a huge range of Vietnamese crafts :hat making , furniture , jewellery , fishing nets etc. Then we visited a Buddhist temple with a 24 metre tall white Buddha called Long Son Pagoda ,a large market and finally, Ponager Cham Towers. Long Son Pagoda and Cham Towers had stairs, and the stairs were no go for me .at the moment.
We were returned by tender back to the ship by 2pm I had a late lunch. and went to the spa at 515pm .I met a lady from Bexley, Sydney in the Jacuzzi. She was travelling with her nephew, and they were flying to the Philippines from Singapore to visit family, before returning home to Sydney.
At dinner, I sat with John and Sandra from the Gold Coast, and Michelle, who moved from the UK with her second husband to live in Brisbane. John and Sandra had caught Covid and missed catching up with their Darwin friends.
Tuesday March 19 2024 was a sea day I had breakfast at 8am in my room , then had a spa at 10am ,and lunch on deck 12 with Ali at 1pm. I went to afternoon high tea at 330pm and sat next to a couple from Shellharbour, South Coast.
In the restaurant that night, I sat next to Mark Roberts , who is a good friend of Wesley Fairhall , President of St George Historical Society .I am a member of St George Historical Society, and have known Wesley since the early 1990’s..I have not met Mark before .What are the chances of sitting down in a large dining room next to someone, who turns out to be known to someone you know well? Six degrees of separation!
I then attended The Vallies Concert, which was excellent.
Wednesday March 20 2024.
The Queen Mary docked in Phu My to allow us to be able to drive into Oh Chi Minh City. My group had to be at the designated muster spot on the ship at 730am .It took 2 hours to get into Oh Chi Minh City due to the traffic.
We visited the historic Post Office , observed that Notre Dam Cathedral was covered in scaffolding , and moved on to look at a beautiful palace style building .The building, from which the last American helicopter left in April 1975, was pointed out to us . In addition, we saw the Rex Hotel where foreign journalists used to meet during the Vietnam War. Today, it is a hotel for visiting politicians and VIP’s to Vietnam.
It was a hot day.-37 degrees. We stopped for a rest and i had a ginger tea. We had a lovely lunch in a wonderful upmarket restaurant, Hoi An Sense. In the afternoon we visited a wonderful craft centre, and then returned to Queen Mary.
Ho Chi Minh City was a busy city with lots of motor bikes and tall buildings, one of which was 81 storeys. The French colonists left their legacy in some of the beautiful buildings in this city. There were lots of tourists in Ho Chi Minh City today.
Thursday March 21 2024
I had breakfast in my room, which was a wonderful luxury.
I had a constant cough and tightness in my chest. I paid a visit to the ship’s Medical Centre at 1020am on Deck One. .It was a costly visit .The visit to the doctor, plus medicines, amounted to $US 177. The doctor suggested that I stay on board on Friday and rest. The cough it seems had been travelling around the ship.
I had lunch on deck 12 and went to the Tours Office to cancel my Friday trip to the Battlefields and War Cemeteries tour in Singapore. I had a quick dinner in the buffet Tonight was Masked Ball night, which i could not attend due to feeling quite unwell.
Whilst in the Medical Centre, I chatted to an American man, whose friend was writing a memoir of his many years of working in the White House.
Friday March 22 2024
Queen Mary had docked in Singapore. I stayed on board to rest. I returned a library book, and filled in my digital entry form to Singapore, whilst in the Library. I had a light lunch and took the opportunity to walk deck 7 and to photograph the Singapore skyline.
Most passengers had gotten off the ship to do land excursions.
Suitcases for those disembarking in Singapore had to be outside the cabin by 11pm tonight. In fact, 600 passengers were getting off and 800 passengers were getting on board.
Saturday March 23 2024.
I decided to have breakfast and leave the ship early. i met a 90 year old man at breakfast who had had Covid twice whilst on board. Some passengers were pleased to be disembarking in Singapore as a result of the viruses circulating on board. I was one of those passengers.
It was a seamless exit through Customs and Security etc. All suitcases were colour coded. Mine was purple no 2, so it was easy to find amongst rows and rows of cases.
I again had trouble with my thumb print, which Singapore requires The officer tried and tried and then resorted to hand sanitiser to moisten my thumb. It worked.
I waited for half an hour and then caught a taxi to my hotel, Hotel Miramar in Harcourt Road. I had loaded Singapore dollars onto my travel card, and i knew that taxi drivers accepted cards.
The taxi driver asked me “had I gotten off Her Majesty? “My fare to my hotel was $Singapore 15 I arrived at the hotel and had to wait in the foyer for some time. I had a light lunch. Finally, at 130pm, I had access to my room on the 11th floor.
I walked to the nearby Furama Hotel, as they had a Tour desk. It was unattended .I walked in the heat to Great World City Shopping Centre, a large shopping centre. I had a look around, enjoyed a coffee, got some Singapore currency, and booked a hairdressing appointment for next Tuesday morning at 11am. A train station called Harcourt was not far from my hotel.
Sunday March 24 2024
I walked again to the nearby Furama Hotel to visit the tourist desk. This time I rang the contact number, and was then emailed some tours. I had a look at the tours , and decided that I would do my own thing.
I decided to catch a taxi to the Ion Centre in Orchard Road. It was too hot to walk too far outside, so catching a taxi was a good option . It was 37 degrees celcius today. The taxis drop you at designated drop off area on the ground floor of the building and you walk inside to air conditioning .
I had late morning tea and a delicious cake at TWG Tea 1837. I knew that I would not make Raffles ,which many considered to be too expensive . and a tourist trap. So I was happy to enjoy TWG Tea 1837. Next time, I will visit the Writers Bar in Raffles.
Orchard Road is a very long shopping street . I am told that there are excellent sales in Orchard Road in July. I managed to visit only a few shopping malls , which have many shops .Orchard Road was very busy as it was a Sunday . Shops in Singapore are open until 10pm .
I crossed the road by going under the road. Whilst in Shaw House, I had tea and something to eat . I chatted to a lady, who lives in Perth for part of the year, and the rest of the year in Singapore ..
In Shaw House, I purchased two lovely headbands ,which I can wear to the races. One headband will go very well with my new Hong Kong suit .The sales assistant was delighted that she had sold me 2 headbands – one red and one black . .She gave me a big hug as i was leaving . I kept my receipt with the shop assistant’s name on it , so i intend to send her a photo of me wearing my new red suit , plus red headband .
I was worn out from the walking, so I caught a taxi from the Marriott Plaza Hotel back to my hotel . I concluded that it would take a few days to make good progress along Orchard Road to visit the many hundreds of shops. in the various malls . It certainly is a shopper’s paradise.
Monday, March 25 2024
I caught a taxi to Clarke Quays . From here I took a bum boat, which is now electrified, down the Singapore River. This trip provided me with a good view of the major tourist sites in Singapore –the early traders’ houses , Fullerton Hotel , The Singapore Lion Statue –the Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands etc. .
I observed a number of Pet Parking signs at Clarke Quays. You are able to put one pet per hook , and keep the leash at no more than 1 metre. The sign tells you that are obliged to clean up any mess that your pet makes . A wonderful idea for Clarke Quays , where there are so many restaurants/cafes and people eat outside. This sign is certainly adaptable to our outdoor eateries.
I ate lunch in Clarke Quays, and caught a taxi back to my Hotel, where I rested. I decided to visit Gardens by the Bay on my next visit . Gardens By the Bay , was set up in 2005. Is a hugely popular tourist site. I will definitely visit on my next trip to Singapore .
Tuesday Match 26 2024
I caught a taxi to World City Shopping Centre for my 11am hair appointment at Evolve Salon, where Ace Chai was my stylist My hair was washed , cut and tinted at a great cost . It cost much more than it does with my Sydney hairdresser -well over $Singapore 200. Ace did a very good job with my new colour etc. It was my special Singapore treat.
I had lunch and then caught a taxi to the Botanic Gardens and Orchid Centre. I was impressed at the behavior of the students, who were visiting the Botanic Gardens with their teachers. I walked through the Botanic Gardens to the orchid exhibition. It was wonderful. Next time I will spend much more time here and admire more orchids.
I had to pack tonight, as I was leaving tomorrow night on a Qantas flight.
Wednesday March 27 2024.
I had time to visit a tourist site this morning, as my Qantas flight left at 715pm tonight .I decided to visit a Museum, the National Museum of Singapore. This is an impressive Museum . I will be returning to visit in the future. .
I found the Fall of Singapore a very moving exhibition The display on World War 2 in Singapore highlighted a very significant period of the nation’s history.
I returned to my hotel to wait for my driver to the airport. The taxi ride back to my hotel was interesting! The taxi driver asked me lots of questions during the journey . He reminded me of my trip from the Mercure Hotel at Schiphol Airport across to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam in October 2019.
He asked me if i was travelling alone . “Yes” i said that” I usually travel alone and meet people at my destination. “ “ Do you know any people to visit in Singapore ? “No” I said . “Are you retired ? “ the taxi driver asked. I said that “I am a retired secondary teacher, I enjoy writing , and doing guest talks these days along with many other things . “ He replied that “he was semi retired, but did not want to be. “Where do you live ?” he asked. ‘Sydney” I replied and “I am going back to Australia tonight .”.
Then he asked me “how old i was ?“ I did not reply. Then he turned around and said directly to me “are you 80?” I answered with an indignant ‘No “ Fortunately, we had reached my hotel so there would be no more questions . I hate to think of what might have come next!
My driver arrived early, and I left for Changi Airport about 230pm . I checked my luggage in at the Early Check In, collected my boarding pass and went to have something to eat. From memory the gate was no 46 . Changi is one big airport! My flight was QF 2 from London to Sydney via Singapore.
I sat near a lady from Gloucestershire, England who was holidaying in Australia with a friend for one month. She was doing a Masters in Environmental Science, and was particularly interested in coral. She indicated that she would be visiting the Great Barrier Reef.
It was a night flight, so we did not chat much at all .There were few empty seats. We arrived in Sydney to a very crowded baggage collection and customs area. I could not wait to collect my luggage and have a coffee. I chatted to the couple sitting next to me . They had returned from Stockholm , Sweden. . They had been viewing the Northern Lights , riding a snowmobile and viewing reindeers. They had visited Finland as I have done first in February 1975 ,and then again for Xmas 1983, so we had a chat about Helsinki.
I then walked to the taxi queue . My adventure was sadly over.
Observations Hong Kong
I missed catching up with a former Legal Studies student, Valerie from the mid 2000’s, as she was on a business trip in Europe. Valerie is now a partner in a Hong Kong legal firm as a copyright lawyer. We had contact by email, and agreed that we will catch up the next time that I am in Hong Kong The St George Girls High School connection can extend far past the classroom.
Hong Kong is business as usual. I was last in Hong Kong in late September 2019, my third visit, when the riots were happening. The influence of Mainland China is most likely happening through financial areas etc. I had not noticed any significant changes since my last visit in last September 2019.
I would hope that chairs/rest areas would be placed in future in their huge shopping malls . I particularly noticed the issue this visit ,my 4th visit , as result of my recent foot operation There is simply is no where to sit .in order to have a rest .We are spoilt with the seating in our shopping centres.
The hotel and restaurant staff were always courteous and hard working. I had no problems in using local buses. In fact, I enjoyed using the local buses as I can see the real Hong Kong.
My hotel, Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees had a shuttle service to the Kowloon Hotel near Nathan Road , and there was a bus stop 2 minutes away which made its location , very convenient. It was a 15 minute taxi ride to the cruise Terminal.
Hong Kong people were helpful, I commend them.
Vietnam
Lovely people. Vietnam is a country, which is moving towards development. This may take ten to twenty years for this to filter through to improved living standards ,which are desperately needed. I loved the crafts of the Vietnamese people. And the beautiful scarves, which I saw in Hoi An – I could have bought them all as they were stunning. And I loved the French inspired buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Classy architecture.
It was interesting that one of our tour guides called the Vietnam War, the American War.
There are 10 million scooters in Vietnam.
Singapore .
A very clean and disciplined country. I found the people to be friendly and helpful The staff all wore masks –in hotels , in retail etc.
It is easy to get around. Next time, I will try the train system. I was impressed this time with the taxi system. When you booked a taxi you are given a booking number, and told when the taxi would arrive. An efficient system. This island state operates like clockwork.
I enjoyed staying at the Mirramar Hotel and would stay here again. The wait staff and hotel staff were wonderful.
I observed and photographed the different architectural styles of the high rise buildings.
The shopping centres in Singapore also need to provide seating .The malls are long , and are usually wide enough to provide seating in the middle, or a cluster of seats near an elevator. I did not see many elderly people shopping in these malls.
Cunard
Cunard commemorated some of its history by memorabilia on the walls There were also beautiful paintings on the walls .
The food was delightful and service was of a high standard. The kitchen was always busy as the staff have to work so quickly to provide so many meals. The staff always wore masks. Passengers did not, and unfortunately there was Covid and a throat virus on board.
My steward, Dave was lovely. Each night my bed was turned down and I received a chocolate Sometimes i had two chocolates!
I noticed passengers with walkers, walking sticks , a mobility scooter. I met a couple of 90 year olds on board. One lady, at 90 years of age, had flown alone from Florida to Sydney to board , and was travelling back to New York on Queen Mary.
Some passengers were regular cruisers, and others were cruising for the first time . Many English people cruised to avoid the English winter .There were so many English accents .
Cunard were advertising their latest arrival in the fleet , Queen Anne . I met a passenger on board Queen Mary 2, who is attending an official service in Liverpool, England on June 3 2024 to launch Queen Anne .
I met lots of interesting people from many parts of the world , and got to visit Vietnam and Singapore for the first time. I enjoyed both countries. It was a pleasure to travel on Queen Mary 2. It is fortunate that I am Ms Chatterbox, as I got to talk to so many interesting people .
My next big trip, sometime in the future, will be Sydney to Singapore, then to Helsinki in Finland to visit friends of 50 years, Ismo and Tarja. I will then fly to Bergen in Norway, and do the coastal shipping run up the Norwegian coast .And then visit Glasgow, Scotland to visit relatives. My Glasgow relatives have always regarded me as “the cyclone –I blow into Glasgow and i blow out of Glasgow .”
Teddy
Teddy, my Cavalier had a wonderful stay with Keith , Emily and Alannah . He was spoilt with his visits to the nearby Woronora River, Kurnell Beach, the local Kurnell café, and his many walks. Alannah kept me posted with photos –Teddy at the beach , on his walk ,etc April 23 2024
As I took over 400 photos, I will try to post some of those photos within the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
