my review of SE Asia trip

[Rich Weese]

November 7, 2009 - December 6, 2009

Hong Kong to Sydney Cruise

Holland America – Volendam

Hong Kong - Arrived after a very long day which began in Los Angeles. The previous day we flew from Tampa to Dallas to Los Angeles. Morning we flew to San Francisco where we caught the 14.5 hour flight to Hong Kong. We finally boarded the ship about 8:00 p.m.

Sanya, China – New development, Paradise Island. Dredged off shore, built an island by loading dirt into the water. Now expensive large condo buildings are being built. Mopeds are the main transportation.

DaNang, Vietnam – Interesting day. Toured the famous China Beach, where GI’s took R & R. Many of the concrete hangars and the airstrip used by the U.S. are still there. Bicycles were found everywhere. Not the economic level of China and the mopeds. Later we traveled up to the The Marble Mountains. I hiked up the mountains to a long cave that emptied into a large room with 2 small holes at top that let sunlight in. This room was supposedly used by the Viet Cong during the war for the injured soldiers, secretly away from the Allied forces. Interesting excursion.

Saigon, Vietnam - After a couple days at sea, landed in Phu My, Vietnam. This was closest port to the previously know Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City. Bought 3 nice baseball hats for $5 total! I love a bargain! During the war, the Presidential Palace was used by the Allied forces as headquarters. Tours are now allowed. Upstairs were the furnished meeting rooms, President’s office, etc. The “bomb shelter and command center†were in the basement. All the old machines, concrete walls, maps of the country are still displayed. Fascinating, but made me angry we lost. Stupid beaueacracy! Also saw more Pagodas, Buddhas, Shrines and Temples than anyone could ever need to see.

Bangkok, Thailand – Several days later, docked at Laem Chabang, port to visit the city of Bangkok. During our 2 hr. drive from port, I saw where many of our American brands are now made. China, Vietnam and Thailand all had an abundance of gigantic manufacturing plants. Hundreds of them! People either farm (rice, etc.) out in the country or move to town to become employed in a plant. Bangkok is a lot like Venice. Tons of Canals (Klongs) where you’ll see houses on stilts, grocery stores, Royal Barge Dockyard and fancy Hotels and restaurants. Also visited the Marble Temple. Not that impressed. We also stopped at several Gems factories. We were treated well in all the countries we visited. We were never fearful and always felt safe. A stop was also made in Thailand at Koh Samui (Nathon) before traveling to Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia – We paid for a 3.5 hr. tour of Cambodia. It was too long! There is nothing to view. The country is really struggling. We were told by the guide we were the first cruise ship to visit all year! We definitely looked out of place. Visited a fishing village with homes on the water with rickety boardwalk in front. Kids barely dressed, no shoes, living in squalor hoping Dad would catch fish to be able to eat. A very sad, poor country: very few motorized vehicles with tons of bikes and city buses as only mode of transportation.

Singapore – Our next stop was fantastic. I could live in Singapore very easily. Here are some ideas and facts we in the U.S. could try:

1. During economic downtime, their unemployment “boomed†from 2.5% to 3.2%!

2. 90% home ownership

3. 2.6% mortgage rate

4. NO welfare. Only job assistance through additional schooling

5. Average income is $35,000 per person

6. 60% own NO car. Tremendous public transportation: bus, underground, etc.

7. One car maximum and significant luxury tax and fees. When you buy a car, you pay a luxury tax. Graduated % as price increases. You also pay a 10% usage fee. It costs $20,000 and is good for 10 years. Almost everyone trades in their vehicle in 5-6 years because of usage fee. Older cars are taken off the road, traded in and shipped to Africa for sale.

8. Taxes! Income tax is 4% to13%. No cap gain taxes! Business tax is low. Goods and services carry a 7% tax.

9. Average home (condo) is under $150,000 U.S. If you buy close to parents, the government will pay $40,000 toward purchase price of home. Government figures it will save public transportation usage, and help with care of elderly. Government will also pay 60% of child care for job related hours.

10. Children - - Population is dwindling. Tons of jobs and not enough employees. Providing there are TWO PARENTS, MARRIED, then the following is in place:

a. If first child is born to MARRIED PARENTS, Government will give you $4,000 cash and a $10,000 tax rebate.

b. Second child, $4,000 cash and a $20,000 tax rebate!

c. Must be married and STAY MARRIED!

11. Drugs! My favorite. The visa we received had the following stamp on it. “Singapore is ZERO tolerance drug area. Death Penalty for dealing drugsâ€. WOW! Imagine the money saved in our “War on Drugs†fiasco. Dealers would think twice. Our prisons wouldn’t be costing us $50,000 a cell for all the drug infested losers in our prisons.

12. Foreigners owning real estate cannot buy up their coastline or expensive real estate. Foreigner can only own condo/apartment in a condo building on 6th floor or higher!

Hong Kong and Singapore have their crap together, IMO.

Our next country was Indonesia. First stop was Semarang.

Semarang, Indonesia – We took a tour to Borobudur. Amazing feat of construction. Like Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A true wonder in architecture. Constructed by the Buddhist monks of the Sailendra Dynasty in the 800 BC timeframe. Took over 100 years to construct and then people disappeared. Remained covered by jungle until rediscovered in 1814. Over 2 million pieces have been cleaned and restored. Hundreds of stone carved Buddhas, animals and relief panels with historic displays. I suggest you Google if interested in Borobudur. It was truly great. Took a steam train ride back down the mountain. Train was built in 1911 and only used when a tour ship is in port. We were the 12th cruise ship of the entire year. Little kids ran along the track. People came out of their homes to smile and wave. A wonderful visit.

Bali, Indonesia - Also, stopped in Padang Bai to visit Bali. Not impressed, but I did buy several “sensational†Rolex watches. $5 for one (with leather band) and $15 for a Rolex Oyster! They’re still working!

Komodo Island, Indonesia – Next port was Komodo Island. Yes that Komodo! The entire island is a National Park and only home left for the Komodo Dragons in any number. 1500 People and approximately 1100 of the endangered species, the infamous Komodo Dragon. Up to 11 feet in length and up to 300 pounds in weight. We were lucky enough to see 4 on our excursion. One under the pier! We have pictures to prove it! Interesting fact: we were given a warning the day before arriving. No open cuts and women on their menstrual cycle had to be careful. Dragons can smell blood for over 2 miles according to the Park Ranger. Nice tour and we were the 18th cruise of 2009. This was a once a year tour to most of these ports by Holland America line. It was a special trip.

The final week we visited ports in Australia.

Darwin, Australia – Definitely saw the “missing linkâ€. They are the Aborigines and Darwin of the Northwest Territory is where they are mostly concentrated.

Cairns, Australia – We took a nice ride up the mountain on the Kuranda Rail. Descended the mountain on the Skyrail Rain Forest Cablecar. Nice tour.

The Ship cruised the Far north and Torres Strait, Ribbon Reef Region, Hamilton Island before ending at Sydney. These weren’t a big deal since we’ve visited Australia several times. We did snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. Other than it being 1250 miles long, I was no more impressed than snorkeling in Cancun, Mexico, Cozumel, Hawaii or Bora Bora and other French Polynesian Islands.

Sydney, Australia – We got up early to watch the ship cruise into Sydney to dock. Beautiful sunrise with the Skyline, the Bridge and the famous Theater in view. Transferred to the airport for our 32 hour travel day back to Florida. Flight from Sydney to Los Angeles was 13 hours.

28 day cruise but we were celebrating our 28th cruise! It was LONG and we gained too much weight. We’ll have to set a New Year’s Resolution to lose it. We travelled on the Volendam Ship and about a C- in my rating. It had fascinating variances from Western World, to Communist, to strict, large & small, rich & poor. A fantastic tour.

Egypt, Red Sea and Nile River cruise next April 2010.

Wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season for non-Christians.

Leaving for Cancun for some dental work this week, then to Las Vegas Bowl to watch my beloved “BYU Cougars vs Oregon Stateâ€. One of the better bowls. Then to visit 3 of our kids, spouses and 7 of 11 grandkids.

RICH

p.s. Been sick. Didn’t get this posted earlier. BYU has snuffed Oregon State 44-20!