Week 3 (3/17

It’s a lazy day at sea after hectic Singapore. The weather remains about the same, although not quite as hot. It’s overcast, but not at all stormy and the sea is calm. That’s quite unusual for this part of the world where the ocean is usually an issue.

Our day starts with snacks in the Bistro. It became so busy and noisy that we moved on quickly. The plan was to check the weather, but one look out the door and we could tell it is too windy to venture out on the upper deck. No big loss, we’ll just wait around until lunchtime.

Appetizers
Fresh Black Mussels “Provencal” with Garlic Bread
Avocado Cocktail with Baby Shrimp and Yogurt Orange Dressing
Vegetable Summer Rolls with Thai Vinaigrette
Iced Fruit Cup with Strawberries and Plums

From the Soup Kettle
Chicken Broth “Mille Fanti”
Baked Cabbage and Bread Soup
Chilled Cream of Peanut Butter and Coconut Milk

Main Fares
Fisherman’s Platter
Sandwich of the Day – BBQ Shrimp Sandwich
Grilled Cajun Seasoned Turkey Medallions
Beef Goulash Hungarian Style

Desserts
Hazelnut Raspberry Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream
Cassis Chiffon Pie
Meringue Glace au Chocolate
Sugar-Free Lemon Delight

The Dining Room menu didn’t appeal to us and we found the Lido menu for today exactly the same. So, not being particularly hungry anyway, we decided to just have something fast at the grill and sit outside and listen to the band for an hour. Since there is a fairly strong wind, it keeps the temperature pleasant enough to be outside. The moment the breeze subsides, it is instantly stifling again.

Tonight’s dress code is Formal and another Crystal Society Party. We slipped in through the Express Lane at the side door and sat in the corner in back. We didn’t hide well enough because David de Havilland rushed over and then went to fetch a cocktail waitress for us (his idea, not ours.) The party was as usual, except the Virginia Gentlemen performed three songs that were the same routine they did a few nights ago in the lobby. Then several people received their double-diamond pins for their 20^th milestone and others were recognized for having the highest number of cruises. The highest for the late seating party is 78, the highest overall is 108.

Appetizers
Escargots “Bourguignon”
Fresh Oysters on Crushed Ice
Smoked Salmon Terrine with Spinach Yogurt-Herb Dressing and Walnut Baguette
Citrus Fruit in an Orange Basket, Perfumed with Crème de Cassis

From the Soup Kettle
French Onion Soup
Beef Consommé with Spinach Strudel
Vichyssoise with Bell Pepper Mousse

Salads
Panache of Mixed Greens with Red Leaf Lettuce, Chopped Egg, and Dijon Mustard Dressing
Vegetable Salad Niçoise

Main Fares
Pink Roasted Rack of Lamb
Pan Fried Fresh Lemon Sole
Coq au Vin
Filet Steak Montagnarde
Grilled Farmland Chicken Breast

Dessert
Soufflé Grand Marnier with Sauce Negresco
Gateau Opera with Vanilla Ice Cream
Pistachio Ice Parfait with Nougat Sauce
Assortment of Fruit in Season
Sugar-Free Vanilla Profiteroles with Diet Chocolate Sauce
Sugar-Free Spicy Apple Sauce Custard
Petit Fours and Chocolate Truffles
Cookies ‘n Cream Yogurt

Food review: The entire meal was outstanding. The entrée in particular was better than usual. Even the simple greens beans and carrots had a very fresh flavor. Usually the vegetables are boring, but these were well worth eating. This soufflé is usually outstanding as well, and this evening was no exception.

Augusto is happy because his mother got out of bed for the first time in five months. She has diabetes and doesn’t make any effort to eat properly, so she is paying the price. He was quite shocked that she is up and around, but very happy, of course. Jerry and Ger were also in jovial moods.

Tonight’s entertainment is the lavish production show “Million Dollar Musicals.” This show is outstanding in every way. The costumes are stunning, the staging is imaginative and the musical numbers are appropriate and exciting. They had several problems with the audio tonight, but the singers picked up the emergency microphones and carried on as if nothing had happened.

We sure would hate to be navigating the ship tonight! All day we have been dodging swarms of tiny fishing boats and tonight is no exception. The only reason they are visible is that they use bright lights to attract the fish. All along the horizon is a string of lights from the boats. Now and then, one will swish by just about fifty feet away. It’s amazing we haven’t run over any of them. Well, maybe we have and just don’t know about it?

Crystal Symphony’s visit to Ho Chi Minh City, known universally and affectionately by residents as Saigon, will offer a stimulating insight into Vietnam’s eventful past and a glimpse into its hopeful future.

Over two decades have passed since American forces left these shores. Since then, Ho Chi Minh City has regained a prosperous air of thriving activity. Rice boats float down the waterways, streets bustle with commerce, scooters speed by and a sense of history fills the air. There are quiet temples to discover, French colonial public buildings to admire and numerous street markets to stroll. Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City can be assured of a friendly and hospitable welcome.

Ho Chi Minh City serves as our main gateway to the alluring wonders of Cambodia (Kampuchea).

There was much clamoring and whistle blowing beginning very early this morning. The ship has to squeeze up the muddy Saigon River to reach the port and it is bustling with every type of barge, canoe, and whatever else will float. The trick was to turn the ship around to face out of the river with barely enough width to fit straight on. Of course, all is well now and we are safely docked on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. Regardless of the official name, everyone here still calls it Saigon. Even big new buildings use the name Saigon.

As expected, it is 96 degrees outside. But, on the plus side, it isn’t particularly humid. A minor trade off to be sure, but we’ll take whatever we can get. There is a sort of impromptu marketplace set up on the pier featuring huge ceramic elephants, vases, lacquer ware, etc. We’ll look at this after we return to the ship later this afternoon.

We had breakfast in the Lido, during which Eloise and Dick told us not to try to cross the street when we get to town. They said we’d be lucky to make it. They also said it was an experience not to be missed. They usually think along the same lines we do, so we believe them. We finally got a picture of JP, whom we have mentioned previously. He's one of the Deck Stewards who is the nicest next to Benjamin.

The shuttle bus is immaculate with functioning air conditioning. The pier area is somewhat dilapidated, but it isn’t disorganized. Immediately adjacent to the entrance to the port is a shantytown of corrugated metal buildings. Facing the street, which is a generous term for a gravel mud track, are shops of every sort. Behind them are houses made of any material the occupants could find.

The same scene graces the shoreline across from the ship where ramshackle houses teeter on the edge of the mud. Small fishing boats come and go while children run up and down the mud. In a way, it is picturesque with swaying coconut palms and the like. The river water is muddy and clumps of green water hyacinths float by, but it doesn’t look terribly nasty otherwise. There isn’t a lot of trash in the water or on the streets.

Driving through what is obviously a very poor area to the center of town takes about ten minutes from the port. From the ship we could see the skyline through the haze. Honestly, we are surprised to see any kind of skyline at all. We assumed this was basically a city frozen in time, but that obviously isn’t the case. Every available crevice along the way is crammed with motorcycle repair shops, tiny restaurants, seamstresses, and what have you. Above and behind are ramshackle houses, apartments and shacks. Unlike South America, these people are clean and do not appear to be threatening. They are simply going about their daily lives in spite of abject poverty.

The drop off point for the shuttle is in the middle of the “fashionable” section of town behind the Opera House. Immediately adjacent are several western luxury hotels, including a Park Hyatt under construction and the famous Rex Hotel. Obviously, these places are not intended for the locals.

Immediately upon leaving the bus, we were swarmed by men trying to sell us on cyclo tours of the city. Cyclos are a sort of tricycle contraption with a one-person seat in the front. Think of a rickshaw powered by a bicycle. We ran the gauntlet of drivers and thought we had escaped until we came out the other side of a small pedestrian mall. There, a persistent driver followed us offering every sort of option he could imagine. The charge? $3.00 for an hour. He had a list of things he could show us and he spoke a rudimentary amount of English beginning with, “Americans good!” He claimed his father died in the war fighting with the Americans, but whether that is true or not is anyone’s guess.

Ordinarily, we would never consider hiring anyone like this, but since he did seem pleasant enough and spoke enough English to get by, we let him lead us on foot for a while. First he helped us find where we started on the map from the ship. Once we figured he would be helpful, we let him guide us to the Notre Dame Cathedral in the center of town.

All the while, his cohort was dragging two cyclos along hoping we would eventually give in and hire a ride. After he took us to the former Presidential Palace we decided to go for it and take a ride. Besides, the guide book we have says no visit to Saigon is complete without a cyclo ride.

The Presidential Palace is where the North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates upon the fall the Saigon. It is now the Reunification Hall. There is a wide, tree-lined boulevard that leads away from it. All in all, the city isn’t nearly as dilapidated as one would expect. It is poor, to be sure, but certainly not down and out. Everyone is selling something or other to make ends meet, not robbing tourists or one another. There are no electric fences and barbed wire around the shops here, nor are there guards outside the banks and tourist shops.

To say the traffic is chaotic is an understatement! We were warned not to cross the street, but our guide just ran into the street and stopped the traffic so we could cross. Eventually, we figured out that it isn’t really as bad as it looks. First of all, the traffic is made up of mostly mini-bikes and bicycles. There are virtually no cars except a few modern taxis. So, no one is going all that fast. Also, the drivers aren’t aggressive, just going about their business. True, they drive on whichever side of the street they feel like, on the sidewalk, the wrong way down one-way streets, but they never collide. Hooking the horn seems to be the norm, as well.

Even in the slow-moving cyclo, we weren’t afraid. It was obvious from the beginning that the other drivers wouldn’t run us over. In fact, they seemed to give us wide berth. Let’s just say it’s like Rome, but with polite drivers. Some of the mini-bikes had three or more people crammed onto the back and they were quite happy.

After viewing the American Consulate, which is on the site of the American Embassy where helicopters rescued the last remaining Americans when Saigon fell, the guide asked if we wanted to go to the lacquer factory. Sure, why not? We already know that prices here a very cheap and it was one of the shore excursions.

Immediately upon arrival at the factory, which was across town and through more harrowing traffic, we were given souvenir fans. Mr. Dien (meaning Wonderful, according to him) showed us a board that describes the many steps involved in making lacquer ware pieces. Vietnam is known for it eggshell pieces, but this factory also makes inlays with mother of pearl and painted images.

We were taken through the factory to see items being made step by step from start to finish. The detail is quite amazing. One worker was making an image of a Chinese woman’s face from a photograph and incorporating it into a picture of Quan Yin. The guide and the artist both thought it ridiculous, but said if she wants it and is willing to pay for it, they will do it. Anything for money is the rule here for sure.

Of course, the tour ends in a huge showroom, but we actually are interested in buying something, so it’s fine with us. There was no pressure to buy anything and the marked prices were reduced by 10% without any prompting. Eventually, the salesperson decided we were OK and offered us 20% off, again without us asking. Then he whispered that he would “accidentally” write down a cheaper price for a large item we want if we could slip him a little something. He trusted us to do that and marked it down before we offered him anything. He was concerned that we keep it a secret and even said that when the tour from the ship came to tell people we only got the regular 5% - 10% off.

We could have had the items shipped, but it was so expensive we decided to carry the items back to the ship with us. No problem for us, but would they go on the cyclos? “No worry,” was the answer to that question. We asked that one of the items be polished again and they took everything in back and polished it and then presented it for our inspection. The service couldn’t have been any more polite or accommodating. A credit card was accepted with no problem in U.S. dollars.

While we were waiting for our purchase to be packaged, we were offered seats and cold drinks. We bought some for both cyclo drivers, to their delight.

We were loaded back into the cyclos with a huge box in front of each of us and the ride back to the shuttle bus began. The driver pulled the cyclo directly out into a busy street to much honking and screeching. It was actually rather amusing and seemed to be a normal thing to do. On the way back we were offered “massages” if we came back tonight, but obviously we declined. He was afraid maybe we were offended by the offer, but we figure he gets a cut of everything he can sell and it doesn’t hurt to ask.

The guide wanted to take us to the Mekong Delta tomorrow in his car, but we have no intention of going quite that far. He’s certainly trustworthy and we’re sure he would be there at the appointed minute, but we’re just not interested. He kept persisting, but that’s just not something within our realm of reality. Once we reached the shuttle bus area, the guides helped us carry our purchases to the bus. They were beyond thrilled when we gave them $20 each. Remember, the original asking price was $3 per person. But, we got much more than the hour originally quoted and we know they really need the money.

At this time of day, the schoolchildren are out and swarming around the bus selling postcards and such. They are all girls and very persistent and grabby. Fortunately, they are very clean, but it was still annoying. We did buy a package of ten postcards for $2 from one particularly cute little girl, but that’s it. Others were tapping on the windows to get the attention of the occupants, but no one responded. You’d think that they would give up when a tactic doesn’t work, but they sure didn’t. One thing of note is that it is obvious that the women are the shrewd business people here, right down to the little girls. Women run the shops and keep the men in line.

The ride back to the port was uneventful, although it is now rush hour and the streets and every available sidewalk and field is full of bicycles on the way home from work. The women wear long gloves that look like evening wear plus a bandanna around their face to keep out the dust. Most also wear the familiar conical hat seen in the rice fields.

We gave the man who helped get our boxes out of the bus $3 and he practically kissed our feet. When we gave the driver a $5 tip, he smiled from ear to ear.

Once we dragged our boxes to our stateroom, we went down to get some change to shop on the pier. When Jeff found where we live in Laguna Niguel, a lengthy conversation began about his parents retiring and moving there, along with appalled input by Jessica who couldn’t believe the price of houses in the area. Jeff’s parents bought a house in Marina Hills, which is just over the hill from us.

On the dock, we chatted with Steven and Ben, two of the new dancers. They had bought some silk garments for friends as well as a ceramic elephant for $2. Our intention was to perhaps buy some ceramics, but despite ridiculously low prices, we decided the quality wasn’t high enough to be worth the trouble of hauling them home. The other items for sale were fake designer watches, Adidas shoes and other “brand name” clothing. Most of what we looked at was of very low quality and not worth it at any price. The ceramics were of fairly good quality and the prices certainly couldn’t be beat, but we just didn’t like anything enough to be bothered.

By the time we returned to the ship for good, there was barely enough time to shower and make it down to dinner.

Appetizers
Crab Cakes with Pico di Crystal
Fresh Green Asparagus with Gazpacho Dressing and Greens
Fresh Figs with Parma Ham, Parmesan Shavings and Olive Bread
Chilled Fresh Fruit with Plums and Lemon Yogurt Topping

From the Soup Kettle
Roasted Vegetable Soup with Basil Oil
Chicken Consommé with Matzo Balls
Chilled Kiwi Soup with Low-Fat Yogurt

Salads
Tossed Iceberg Lettuce with White Beans, Celery, Tomatoes, and Bell Peppers
Boston Lettuce Leaves with Artichoke Hearts, Chopped Egg, and Russian Dressing

Main Fares
Old Fashioned Baked Virginia Ham
Grilled Fresh Red Snapper
Veal Scaloppini Sorrentino
Grilled Sirloin Steak
Broiled Chicken Breast

Dessert
Citrus Soufflé Cake with Vanilla Sauce and Pistachio Ice Cream
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie à la Mode
Hazelnut Ice Parfait with Sour Cherries
Sugar-Free mango Chocolate Tart
Sugar-Free Rhubarb Mousse with Fresh Strawberries
Homemade Cookies
Assortment of Fruit in Season
Refreshing Grapefruit Campari Sherbet

Food review: The soup was excellent, we both had altered versions of the menu salads and they were very good. The fish entrée was tough and had an odd sauce with it. The ham was good except that it had gravy over it. Has anyone ever had Virginia ham with gravy on it? It tasted as odd as it sounds. The dessert was satisfactory.

Ger ordered some custom-made silk garments for his mother, sister and a few other people. All he had to do was give the shop their sizes and the clothing will be ready by tomorrow morning. We had heard that this is a great place to have clothing custom made and that it is like what Hong Kong was years ago.

We spent about an hour and a half after dinner talking to Jerry. He just wanted to vent about some guests he’s had problems with. It wasn’t over the top, he just seemed to want to talk, and so we listened to him. He was happy, so we were happy. Problem solved. Augusto was in a snit because there was a printing error in the Reflections that said there is a midnight buffet tonight. Ordinarily, there are no midnight buffets. They only have them if there is a shore excursion that returns after dinner. That’s not the case tonight and everyone knows it was an error. Too bad, it’s printed, they have to have it. So, an entire buffet was set up in the lobby. We stood there the entire time it was open and three, count ‘em, three people came in. All of those were staff, by the way, absolutely zero guests. That’s why they don’t have midnight buffets anymore! All of the food had to be thrown away.

Things remain as they were when we left off yesterday. It is about 96 outside, but it is somewhat overcast today. Not that it helps though.

We have no plans for today because we feel that we saw everything of interest yesterday without traveling outside of the city. So, we’re doing nothing at all! We did attempt to sleep in, but there is so much river traffic that there is a constant sound of boat whistles outside.

In general, there is much more traffic on the river than yesterday. Huge cargo ships pass by constantly along with small boats full of people, barges carrying piles of dirt, etc. The tide is quite high today and goes right up to the doorstep of the shacks across the way.

We had lunch in the Lido today, but the menu is basically the same as what is available in the Dining Room this afternoon.

Appetizers
Chicken Curry Salad with Kiwi Slices
Vietnamese Lettuce Wrapped Spring Rolls Stuffed with Mushrooms, Prawns, Pork, Bean Sprouts, and Vermicelli
Vegetable Quiche with Garden Greens
Assorted Fresh Fruit Cup with Mango and Mint

From the Soup Kettle
German-Style Lentil Soup with Frankfurter Slices
Beef Consommé with Diced Bell Peppers and Crisp Tortilla Strips
Cold Buttermilk and Lime Soup

Main Fares
Sandwich of the Day – Grilled Ciabotta Sandwich
Vietnamese Seafood Pot
Chicken with Pineapple and Cashews
Combination of Beef and Turkey Paillard

Desserts
Malakoff Cake
Sour Cherry Streusel Pie à la Mode
Coconut Custard with Caramelized Pineapple
Sugar-Free Banana Cream Tartlet

Our big thrill for the day was finding a tiny worm in the Chicken with Pineapple and Cashews. We’re fairly certain it came from the rice, but there is no way to tell for sure. In any case, it isn’t due to a dirty kitchen, it’s just one of those unavoidable things. However, we did feel someone should know about it just in case the rice is infested or something. So, we pointed it out to one of the waiters who went running for Rosario, the Lido Maitre ‘d.

Once that happened we could count in seconds how long it took for him to rush out and apologize. We told him it wasn’t a big deal, but we just thought we should tell someone for the reason already mentioned. As expected, a ripple effect began with the hysterical arrival of the Hotel Director followed by the Provisions Manager. When we saw them go in the kitchen, we made a run for it because we aren’t in the mood for ridiculous fawning over something so trivial. It will be interesting to see if anything else is said about it.

After lunch we borrowed some videos from the library and retired to the room for the afternoon. Between movies, some laundry was taken care of, so the day wasn’t totally wasted. We also had shakes from the ice cream bar in this time period.

Tonight’s dress code is Casual. We went to Palm Court for drinks. Mel and Barbara came over to tell us they found out the transportation for the Beijing tour is in 8-person mini vans and they want us to be in their group. We had already discussed that with them, but decided it might not be a good idea for us because one of their friends is too pushy to suit us. Mel brought up the fact that she is pushy, but they want us along so they can ditch her and hang out with us. We like them just fine, but that other woman will drive us nuts.

So, we might just not turn in the request form at all and just take the luck of the draw. We wouldn’t mind at all being with Mel and Barbara, but if they come with that other couple, no thanks. If we turn in the form at all, we will request to be with Eloise and Dick. We think that maybe if we request both couples we might have enough clout to get both of them and bump the bitchy people, but it’s a big chance to take.

Appetizers
Crisp Shrimp Roll with Hot Mustard Plum Sauce
Chilled Crab Meat Cocktail with Horseradish American Cocktail Sauce
Tossed Garden Greens with Grilled Forest Mushrooms and Goat Cheese Croutons
Iced Supreme of Melon, Pineapple, and Papaya, Flavored with Midori

From the Soup Kettle
Tomato Bisque with London Dry Gin
Consommé Double Royale
Chilled Strawberry Peach Soup with Low Fat Yogurt

Salads
Assorted Garden Greens with Marinated Tomatoes, Onions, and Chives
Marinated Potato-Cucumber Salad on Radicchio Leaves

Main Fares
Broiled Fresh Pacific Salmon Fillet
Broiled Herb Marinated Chicken Breast
Braised Baby Lamp Shank
Grilled Black Angus American T-Bone Steak
Grilled Turkey Scaloppini

Dessert
White Chocolate Caramel Cheese Cake with Sticky Caramel Sauce
Vanilla Strawberry Mille Feuille
Cinnamon Ice Parfait on Caramelized Apple Ragout
Sugar-Free Citrus Mousse
Sugar-Free Baked Pear in Puff Pastry
Homemade Cookies
Assortment of Fruit in Season
Freshly Frozen, Non-Fat Cappuccino Yogurt

Food review: Everything was very good tonight for a change. We wanted the cheese cake for dessert, but Augusto had special ordered chocolate chip soufflés for us (they were excellent). So, he ordered an entire cheese cake for tomorrow. He’s waiting to place the order otherwise he says they will just save some from tonight rather than make one for us.

The Dining Room is less than half full. They closed the doors at 9:00pm, which they almost never do. Apparently, they were trying to discourage people returning from late tours from coming in and ordering dinner. There is a late night buffet for them instead. That tactic didn’t work and people came in as late as 9:30pm for dinner. No one went to the buffet, as usual.

Tonight’s entertainment is a show featuring local Vietnamese specialty acts. We didn’t intend to go to the show anyway, but as it turned out we would have missed it. We were waylaid by a woman on the stairway who didn’t stop talking to us for over an hour. No kidding. Non-stop, no breaks, no way to get away from her without just walking away while she was talking. At first her conversation was reasonable, but then we heard about her children, grandchildren, her excruciating pain, a car accident, her husband died in a plane crash 20 years ago, she has made over 100 knitted hats for the staff, there are 300 more hats at home, she had two dogs, but one died, she can only have one now because her son will only take care of one if she dies, she doesn’t like to fly so she talks incessantly before she has to…are you bored yet? There’s more. Want to hear it? No? Well….

We were interrupted by a bitchy couple she had already told us about, but we didn’t escape fast enough and got sucked back into the vortex. Augusto was at the buffet below making talking gestures with his hand and rolling his eyes. We finally did get away after an hour. By the way, the bitchy people who interrupted us are the ones Jerry was complaining about the other night who refused to tip him a few cruises ago for something that was completely out of his control. We didn’t know it until now though. The woman has had so many face lifts that her expression never changes. Small world, huh?

It should be a neat trick getting out of the port at the crack of dawn tomorrow. The channel is full of anchored cargo ships and smaller boats of every conceivable size.

Regardless of the title, this is a sea day (notice the time). As the ship snaked its way down the Saigon River, there was much tipping from side to side, whistle blowing, etc. Once we reached the open sea, it was smooth again. The weather remains hot and there is not a cloud in the sky.

We were awakened early by all of this, but fell asleep again and didn’t get up until 11:00am. We have several small chores to take care of today, all of which were accomplished on the way to lunch in the Lido. First we stopped by the Front Desk to turn in our list of gratuities to charge to our account. We also gave our request for companions in the bus to Beijing. Our decision was to mention Eloise and Dick, Mel and Barbara, and then to say it’s no big deal if they can’t accommodate that. Ross said Renato is making the assignments, which gives us some hope of being assigned to a reasonable group. We also dropped off some stuff we had brought to give to Harry.

The menu in the Lido is once again mostly the same as what is available in the Dining Room.

Appetizers
Roast Beef High Roller with Horseradish Cream Cheese on Crunchy Lettuce
Stuffed Golden Brown Potato Cake with Spinach and Feta Cheese
Chilled Seafood Salad with Tropical Fruit
Pineapple, Papaya, and Melon Cup with Cherry Herring

From the Soup Kettle
Beef Broth with Julienne of Vegetable and Tortellini
Chicken Soup with Garlic, Saffron, Basil and Tomatoes
Chilled Cream of Herb with Smoked Salmon

Pasta Special
Mezze Rigate with Olive Oil, Chopped Tomatoes, Julienne of Bacon, Fresh Herbs, Mushrooms and Parmesan Cheese

Salad Entrees
Marinated Baby Shrimp and Egg Salad
Black Forest Ham Jumbo Croissant

Main Fares
Grilled Black Angus Beef Paillard
Seafood Gratin
Sandwich of the Day – The Tuna Melt
Old Fashioned Chicken in the Pot

Desserts
Irish Coffee Cream Cake
Chocolate Orange Tart à la Mode
Vanilla Cream Swan on Chocolate Mirror
Sugar-Free Blueberry Tarlet

We filled up on the Asian selection, which was average, and a very nice chopped salad with chicken and avocado. This is the first time we have had the freshly made tossed salad selection. They also had a table set up for guests to sample exotic fruits from Vietnam that was interesting. We looked at it, but didn’t try anything because the crowd was too big.

After lunch we make our usual stop outside to listen to the remaining half hour of the band. By this time, it was extremely windy and they are tying ropes along the upper decks with warning signs. Maybe it will be even worse later? At the moment, it isn’t rough because we are sailing directly into the wind, but if we change course the wind will be pushing the ship from side to side. The waves have become a bit larger, but they are still only a few feet high. We watched people try to cope with the flying lounge cushions and drinks. Deck Stewards couldn’t keep drinks on their tray.

Tonight’s dress code is Informal. It is getting rougher by the minute, but still hasn’t become a problem. We made it up to Palm Court for drinks.

Appetizers
Gratinated Seafood Crepe with Cheese on Capsicum Sauce
Symphony of Smoked Salmon with Sevruga Caviar, Baby Greens and White Toast
Roasted Vegetable Tower with Buffalo Mozzarella, Frissee Lettuce and Balsamic Dressing
Selected Fruit in an Iced Cup with Fresh Berries

From the Soup Kettle
Beef Consommé with Cheese Biscuits
Kansas City Beef Soup
Sparkling Pineapple Soup with Lemon and Mint

Salads
Heart of Boston Lettuce with Plum Tomatoes and Belgian Endive
Tossed Green Leaf Lettuce with Tangy Dressing, Mushrooms and Croutons

Main Fares
Broiled Fresh Halibut Fillet
Seafood Paella
Piccata Milanese
Grilled Black Angus New York Cut Sirloin Steak

Dessert
Pumpkin Layered Cheese Cake with Fudge Sauce
Crunchy Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Torta with Vanilla Ice Cream
Banana Walnut Mousse with Fresh Fruits
Sugar-Free Strawberry Passion Fruit Tart
Sugar-Free Pineapple Triangle à la Mode
Homemade Cookies
Assortment of Fruit in Season
Frozen Peach Yogurt

Food review: Jerry gave us one of those “you’ll be sorry” looks when we asked about the Roasted Vegetable Tower, so we stuck with the usual fruit. The soup looks disgusting, but tastes good. The halibut was disappointing and had sort of a metallic taste. We had the special-order caramel cheese cake for dessert, which was excellent. We insisted that Jerry, Ger and Augusto eat the leftovers.

We talked to Jerry after dinner about the problem people he was upset about several cruises ago. They are back, but not on his station. We met them last night and they are jerks, so we thought maybe if we informed him that it is their problem, not his, he might feel better. He was thrilled and said he would never forget us because we are so nice to him. He claimed he has never talked about other guests to non-crew before. We believe him, too. Even so, he certainly doesn't tell us anything inappropriate and we've certainly heard far worse from others.

The entertainment tonight is a Variety Showtime featuring Ventriloquist Mark Merchant and the Dance Team of Curtis and Natalie. We know we generally don’t enjoy Mark Merchant’s shows, mostly because we have seen them twenty times before, so no need to bother with this one. The evening begins with a ballroom dance presentation by a couple of guests. Are they desperate or what? Mel tried to get us to go to the show and when we told him we didn’t like this guy, he didn’t buy it. Now he just thinks we are whiny faces. Oh really? Took you that long to figure it out, huh?

In the Captain’s morning announcement, he acknowledged that he was “concerned” about the rough weather he expected to encounter overnight. Fortunately, it never materialized and we are sailing along as usual. The wind has shifted and is now pushing us along. Well, in reality, the ship is going faster than the wind, so there appears to be no air movement at all. The temperature has dropped slightly and it is now in the low 80’s. That trend is expected to continue as we sail farther north above the equator.

It’s time for the Grand Gala Buffet again, so we will go to the Lido for lunch. Susanna was sitting on the floor in the hallway when we emerged at noon, but she was also waiting for a woman who “sleeps all day.” She expressed a love for the marzipan at the buffet, so we went down to get some for her.

Jerry was manning the extensive dessert table, so it was no problem to collect an entire plate of marzipan Chinese men. He also pulled a candy mouse from a cheese cake and added it to the selection. Susanna couldn’t believe it when we actually returned with a huge selection for her.

Many of the selections offered at the buffet are also available in the Lido, especially the fancy desserts. The format of the buffet is still the scattered tables rather than one long table, which is far superior to the old way. Jerry said he was told that they will return to the old way after the World Cruise, but we believe they should stick with this method. It looks like more food, but it is actually less. There are no lines whatsoever because everyone can go directly to whatever they have in mind. We will have to remember to compliment this format again on our QAP at the end of this segment.

Gravlax, Marinated On Board, Served wit Delicate Mustard-Dill Sauce
Smoked Norwegian Wild Salmon Served with Cream Cheese, Capers, and Onions
Smoked Baby Eel and Mountain River Trout
Norwegian Baby Shrimp and Jumbo Prawns on Ice
Poached Alaskan Salmon
Pacific Lobster Medallions
Roasted Young Turkey
Roasted Chicken
Roast Sirloin of Black Angus Beef
French Pate

Asparagus Spears in Herb Balsamic Vinaigrette
Waldorf Salad
Marinated Cucumber Salad
Marinated Red Beet Salad
Prepared to Your Order: Tossed Mixed Summer Greens with Marinated Sautéed Mushrooms
Cocktail Sauce, Caviar Mayonnaise, Creamed Horseradish, Sauce Rémoulade, Cranberries, Cognac Sauce

On the Carving Board Today:
Whole Beef Steamship
Old Fashioned Ham in Bread Crust
Whole Roasted Capon
Natural Gravy
Creamed Spinach, New Potatoes, Oven-Baked Root Vegetables

A Special Display of American and International Cheese
Crudités, Biscuits, Crackers
and our Large Selection of Home-Baked Bread

A Sumptuous Collection of Crystal Confections and Pastries including
Cheese Cake, Sacher Cake, Sugar Free Strawberry Cream Cake
Chocolate Mousse Cake, Black Forest Cake
Pina Colada Cake, Sunset Cake, Ganache Cake
Raspberry Mousse Cake, Pecan Pie
French Pastries, Pies, Custards, Crème Brulee, and Bread and Butter Pudding
A Splendid Presentation of Fresh Fruit in Season

Our lunch in the Lido was average, but the desserts of Bread Pudding and some of the fancier items made it worthwhile. The attendance in the Lido is about the same as at the Grand Buffet.

After lunch we went out to listen to the band for about half an hour. The sun is still shining and it is quite pleasant outside, although a bit bright when the sun bounces off the white ship. In the hallways today, there is a strong smell of lacquer that is rather unpleasant, but it hasn’t permeated the room yet.

Tonight’s dress code is Informal. We started off for Palm Court, but when we arrived there was a private party going on. So, we strolled down to pick up some photos and went to see how the Avenue Saloon was doing. Too noisy, we didn’t even walk all the way down the hallway.

While we were examining the route map, Felix walked by and stopped to chat. He thought that Hiroshima is in Vietnam and was shocked to find out otherwise. This lead to a history lesson from Dave about Vietnam and the whole point of it and what went on in the U.S. during that time. His brain hurt after he was finished, but Felix really seemed interested. Then he had to explain when the atomic bomb was dropped, why, and a bunch of other things about World War II that he didn’t know he knew. Susanne rushed out because she hasn't seen us since she moved to the Avenue this segment.

On the way to drop off the photos in the room, we encountered Ural in the hallway arranging fruit on plates. By the way, the silver stands are back, so we must be out of danger for rough seas. He entertained us long enough so that it was time to go to dinner.

Salad
Traditional Apple Salad on Belgian Endive Leaves with Caramelized Walnuts

Main Courses
Sautéed Dorade Fillet
or
Spicy Breast of Duck in Orange Sauce

Dessert
Vanilla Mousse on Strawberry Coulis, Garnished with Lychee Nuts and Berries

In addition to Guest Chef Michel Blanchet’s special menu items,
we offer these choices from the main galley:

Appetizers
Homemade Chicken Ravioli with Sage Butter and Tomato-Artichoke Ragout
Petit Beef Tartar with Silver Onions, Gherkins, and White Toast
Ice Fruit Cup with Peaches, Kiwi, and Grand Marnier

From the Soup Kettle
Chicken Consommé with Pistachio Quenelles
Cold Soup of Yogurt and Guava

Salad
Tossed Romaine Lettuce with Garden Greens, Melon Bits, and Pineapple-Papaya Dressing

Main Fares
Roasted Marinated Port Tenderloin
Grilled Marinated Australian Lamb Chops
Grilled Chicken Breast

Dessert
Chocolate Macadamia Nut Tart with Banana Ice Cream
Coconut Tapioca with Berry Bellini Sherbet
Sugar-Free Cream Cheese Tartlet with Blueberries
Sugar-Free Rhubarb Custard Pie
Homemade Cookies
Assortment of Fruit in Season

Food review: All of the guest chef items were very good, particularly the appetizer. It had a very nice lemon flavor. The duck also had a flavorful sauce, but we thought the duck was a bit too fatty. The pork was very good, but somewhat tough. The guest chef dessert was satisfactory, but nothing special. The macadamia tart was extremely sweet, more like fudge than anything.

Augusto tried to force off some of a meringue dessert people special order all the time. Even he thinks it is ridiculous and not all that good, but he brought a big plate of it to us anyway. We made him take it away or we would have had to eat it, you know. Jerry got nostalgic over working with Chris, who was our first assistant waiter. He was a headwaiter last time we saw him, but has now left the company.

Ger seems to have decided working on the ship isn’t so bad after all, but he still hasn’t decided whether he wants to come back or not. Jerry wants to go to the Crystal Serenity, but he says no one has even hinted to anyone who will go and who will stay. All we know for sure is that one-third of the crew from each of the existing ships will go to the Serenity.

One of the great natural wonders of Asia, the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay, or the “Bay of the Descending Dragon,” is outstanding. Speckled with over 3,000 limestone mountains bursting from the calm water, is Ha Long Bay.

Local myths hold that when the forefathers of the land were fighting foreign invaders from the north, the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend their land. The dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long ay and began spitting out jewels and jade, which turned into islands and islets upon hitting the sea. The islands functioned as natural barriers against invaders and the local people survived and vowed eternal honor to the dragon’s mercy.

Not only is Ha Long Bay’s landscape spectacular, but Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, is easily within reach. Hanoi lies in sometimes stark contrast with its southern sister city. While in Saigon, one sees Vietnam’s future; in Hanoi, one sees its past. In a city with a population of 2.6 million people and approximately 2 million motorbikes, the downtown intersections represent a free-for-all between pedestrians and cyclists. Surprisingly, Hanoians aren’t rushed and scrambling as are the Saigonese. Instead, they stroll and linger, converse and reflect. Old-fashioned in style, Hanoi is a city of lakes and parks, tree-lined, bicycle-filled boulevards, elegant colonial mansions and villas, all of which testify to its French legacy.

Venturing into the city is a must and will provide you with a microcosm of Vietnamese culture and a truly memorable experience.

Today the weather is foggy and overcast, but it remains around 80 degrees. Condensation is dripping down the windows from the high humidity. There were some delays with immigration procedures this morning, but the ship was ready to begin disembarking guests by 8:00am, which is a bit later than some of the tours were originally supposed to start.

We didn’t leave the room until just before lunchtime and went up on deck to take our usual port photos. Our interest in going ashore here is minimal and the presence of small boats grabbing at the tenders to beg for money doesn’t help any. We stepped to the railing and a woman in a boat far below began making money gestures and holding our her palm. We didn’t see anyone give these people money, so maybe this won’t grow into more of a problem.

We have never seen boats made out of woven material before. Basically, they are just giant baskets fitted with seats. Constant bailing is necessary to keep them afloat. Not the best construction method, is it?

With tip day coming up, we needed to get some change, so we stopped by the Front Desk. Harry came by to thank us for the things we brought him. We have to keep our men in uniform happy, you know. He said he had to get up at 3:00am to meet the immigration officer. However, only the pilot arrived and the person with him was just “security.” Eventually, the immigration officer did arrive, but that’s why there was a delay this morning.

After checking the Lido menu and discovering that it is almost identical to the Dining Room, we figured we might as well go have someone serve it to us. The ship is relatively empty. Most guests went on the boat trip around the bay or on a day trip to Hanoi.

Appetizers
Avocado with Black Forest Ham and Tomato Salad
Seafood Toasties with Marinated Arugala
Blue Cheese Dip with Vegetable Sticks
Exotic Fruit Cup with Jamaican Rum

From the Soup Kettle
Spicy Corn Soup with Bell Peppers
Clear Vegetable Broth with Herb Quenelles
Chilled Strawberry-Banana Yogurt Soup

Main Fares
English Fish and Chips
California Hamburger
Chinese Chicken Chow Mein
German Sauerbraten
Chicken Stuffed Baked Potato

Desserts
White Chocolate Raspberry Cake à la Mode
Budapest Slice
Ice Coupe Belle Helene
Sugar-Free Lemon Cheesecake

Food review: Both soups were very good. The Fish and Chips were satisfactory and the Chow Mein (spelled “Main” on the menu) was excellent.

Augusto and Jerry were debating about whether to go ashore today. Augusto said he would go with us if we went, but the longer we sat and looked out the window, the less we wanted to go. Jerry decided he would just get the news from Ger when he gets back and that’s good enough for him.

The whole point of this port is just to look at the spectacular scenery with the jagged peaks reflected in the bay. We can see it just fine from the ship, so there’s no reason to go into the town. Well, there is a unique thing to buy here, coal sculptures. We think we can live without one of those.

There must be one of those mafia-type arrangements here because the ship isn’t allowed to use its own tenders. Local tenders come out and take guests to shore. They look like something out of “African Queen” only a bit larger. The owners live on the boats. In the wheelhouse is a big mattress for a bed and behind the passenger area down below is a kitchen and bathroom. They aren’t bad for what they are and are probably more comfortable than living in the town. If there weren’t so many boats begging for money at the tender opening, we might have gone ashore just to look, but as it is, no thanks.

As the day wore on, it became even more cloudy and foggy. It’s sort of a weird yellow-gray color and does look like a painting sometimes. Besides the old tenders, there are fishing boats and other small boats around. None of them are luxurious by any means, but they seem to be in reasonably good repair. The city where the tender takes guests is non-descript. The more scenic part of town is adjacent to one of the large peaks and is only accessible by ferry. We think they take us to the “wrong” side of town to drum up business for the ferry, but that’s just our opinion.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the cabin looking at the view and/or watching TV and sleeping.

Tonight’s dress code is Casual. There is alternative dining at the Trident Grill tonight, also. When we emerged from the room, Susanna said we had made the right decision by staying on board today. Her description was, “It’s shitty!” People grabbed at her incessantly to buy postcards, the town had nothing interesting to offer, and it was dirty. We heard from another person that the prices, although still very low, were double the prices of Ho Chi Minh City.

Appetizers
Warm Sautéed Sea Scallops with Truffle-Vegetable Vinaigrette and Summer Greens
Fresh New Zealand Oysters on Ice with Red Wine Shallot Vinegar or Horseradish Sauce
Roasted Beet Napoleon with Sherry Walnut Vinaigrette
Chilled Fruit Cocktail Topped with Local Fruit

From the Soup Kettle
White Bean Soup Flavored with Truffle Oil
Chicken Consommé with Spinach Célestine
Chilled Raspberry and Hazelnut Soup

Salads
Heart of Iceberg Lettuce with Marinated Red Onions, Eggplant, and Tomato
Crisp Garden Greens Tossed in French Herb Dressing with Blue Cheese and Bacon Bits

Main Fares
Roasted Veal Chop with Forest Mushrooms
Broiled Fresh Barramundi Fillet
Honey Glazed Roasted Chicken
Filet Steak “Mermaid”
Grilled Farmland Chicken Breast

Dessert
Chocolate “Ooze” Cake with Vanilla Bean Cream and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Almond Cream Puffs with Mocha Sauce
Vanilla Ice Parfait with Strawberry Rhubarb Compote
Sugar-Free Apple Custard Pie
Sugar-Free Peach Crumble Tartlet
Homemade Cookies
Assortment of Fruit in Season
Freshly Frozen Cappuccino Yogurt

Food review: The soup was different on the Dining Room menu than the one we received this morning in our room. In any case, it was very good. Salad was satisfactory. The pasta dish was outstanding, but would have been too rich to have for an entrée. It was perfect as an appetizer with just two large ravioli per serving. The entrée was very good. By “mermaid” they mean it comes with a giant grilled prawn. Dessert was satisfactory.

Ger said he had fun today. He paid a guy on a motorbike $2 for the entire afternoon of touring around outside of the city. When they came back, he paid a guy with a boat $3 to take he and another waiter out to the caves in the bay. He thought that part was a bit risky, but it turned out fine. Allen told us that he just got on the tender and didn’t get off in port when he saw the people begging. Jerry and Augusto stayed on board and did the same thing we did…sleep.

Tonight’s entertainment is “Internationally Acclaimed Classical Pianist” Min Kwon presenting a “romantic evening of selected works from Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff.” There is also Big Band dancing in the Crystal Cove from 8:30pm – 11:30pm. There were a few people dancing when we went in to dinner and it was about the same afterward. We didn’t attend the concert.

The sailing occurred promptly at 10:00pm in spite of several announcements asking certain guests to report to the Front Desk. They only do that when someone isn’t accounted for or hasn’t turned in the required paperwork. In this case, we had to return our Vietnamese Landing Cards to the Front Desk. Usually, it’s just that someone's card didn’t scan properly and it checked them out instead of in when they returned.

Weather reports for the upcoming days aren’t the greatest. There is supposed to be rain in Japan, blowing dust in Korea that is closing everything down, and snow in China. So far, no weather report has been even remotely accurate, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens when we get to each port, as always.

Today it is cloudy and/or foggy and therefore very humid. The temperature is still comfortable, around 75. It is extremely windy, but we are sailing into the wind, so it doesn’t affect the ride much. Although it did look as though it would rain several times, it never did during the day.

We were up earlier than usual, but we stayed in the room until just before lunchtime. There is a form to turn in regarding our disembarkation transfer when he get home that we had to deliver to the Concierge Desk. We also wanted to ask a few questions regarding our private tour arrangements. Some of them are very expensive and we wanted to make sure we are getting an English-speaking guide plus a driver. That did prove to be the case, plus we were able to add their tips to our account so we don’t have to bother changing money right away. The tour in Shanghai only costs $350.00 for a half day, but all of the tours in Japan are at least $1200.00. Some of them are full days, but it’s still ridiculous. If it weren’t free because of all of our credit, we would cut out a couple of them. We will probably end up owing a bit on our account at the end, but it’s better than wasting the $6,000+ we still have in credit.

In spite of being out at sea all day, the ship had to spend most of the afternoon diligently dodging fishing boats and big traps that look like floating baskets. Land is visible just on the horizon or not at all, so the tiny fishing boats are quite a ways from shore in somewhat stormy conditions.

There is an American Classic Buffet today, which isn’t one of our favorites. We’ve mentioned before that no American would recognize most of what the Austrian chefs consider to be classic American. We went to the Dining Room instead.

Appetizers
Vitello Tonnato – Roasted Veal Loin with Tuna Cream Sauce
Breaded Chicken Wings with Cajun Tartar
Smoked Salmon Carpaccio with Onions, Capers, and Herb Vinaigrette
Iced Fruit Cup with Plums and Figs

From the Soup Kettle
Seafood Gumbo
Chicken Consommé with Vegetable Biscuit
Chilled Cream of Cucumbers with Herb Croutons

Pasta Special
Pappardelle – Broad Noodles with White Wine Sauce and Gorgonzola

Main Fares
Sandwich of the Day – The New York Roast Beef
Grilled Chicken Quesadilla
Mixed Grill of the Ocean
Viennese Veal Goulash
Boiled Beef Brisket

Desserts
Black Forest Cake
Passion Fruit Chiffon Pie
Brownie and Coffee Ice Cream Sandwich
Sugar-Free Crème Royal

Food review: The sandwich was good except it was piled too high to fit on the croissant. The quesadilla wasn’t really anything you would recognize, but it was actually a bit spicy and had a nice flavor.

Augusto tried to convince us to stay at the table so Jerry could save his energy for the Tug of War at 2:30pm today. Augusto is the coach for the Dining Room One team. Ger is on Dining Room Two. The crew Olympics isn’t announced to the guests, so we’re glad he mentioned it. We really want to watch the competition where they try to knock the other guy off of a big pole stretched across the pool.

It’s very windy outside and threatening to rain, but we braved it and waited for the appointed hour. They were finishing up the swimming competition for guests while we waited. After that it took a while for them to organize the huge rope for the crew Tug of War.

The first two teams are Prego and something else. Prego won. Next is Dining Room One and Housekeeping. Housekeeping includes the butlers and the team is made up entirely of butlers and Filipino men dressed in Stewardess uniforms complete with wigs. It was hysterical. Peter and Ural make really scary women! Jerry is on the Dining Room team and they won this match.

Next up was Dining Room Two and a group made up of equally small Filipinos, maybe Deck? Dining Room Two lost. There was a final competition for medals between Engine Room (who always win for obvious reasons) and Dining Room Two who had beaten Prego. As always, Engine Room won. The whole thing was a lot of fun for the participants and the few guests who were watching.

The pole thing never happened because only two guys signed up for it. Steven said there was something odd about the way they had to sign up and no one could figure it out. We talked to him for a while during his lunch and our ice cream snack after the Olympics were over. He told us to be sure to show up at 4:00pm for the Closing Ceremony in the Crystal Cove. They are doing the things that were intended for the opening, but were cancelled due to the pouring rain that night. He said it was quite a feat for them to have to cram it all into the lobby rather than the wide open deck.

We arrived early in the lobby and found a place on the upper level. Philip was already there staking out a prime location. They had the music from the Sydney Olympics, complete with French announcements, as they did at the opening. Someone really spent a lot of time working out all the details, right down to the uniforms for the judges and such.

They awarded the final medals (they have done this every afternoon all along) and then moved on to the Closing Ceremony. It featured Josef’s son extinguishing the flame, which was adorable. No really, it was! There were speeches by David and the Captain.

Next came the typical closing show with singers, lots of dancing, Filipinos dressed as butterflies (that is the part that was cut from the opening) and a big blast of confetti at the end. We’d hate to be the ones to fish the confetti out of the waterfall! They really did an outstanding job of it. The medals awarded to the winners are much nicer than one would expect. We spoke to one of the winners in the elevator afterwards and she was shocked at how nice it is. She said she didn’t expect anything except to have some fun, but they got certificates and professionally made medals.

We’re still sailing along trying to avoid small boats. Now and then there is a bit of whistle blowing, although we can’t see any boats on the cabin Bridge Cam. Ural brought our snacks and thanked us profusely for the extra tip we added to his account. He leaves the second day we are in Hong Kong.

Tonight’s dress code is Formal for the Captain’s Gala Reception. The Express Lane was closed this evening so we had to go through the receiving line starting with Lara, the Captain, David and Josef, the Hotel Director. David ran to get a cocktail server again, as though we can’t wait two minutes like everyone else. Felix came over before he could get anyone.

Our dinner tonight is in Prego to avoid the Baked Alaska Parade they do on the farewell formal evening. Here is the Dining Room menu anyway in case you would have chosen that instead.

Appetizers
Iced Russian Sevruga Caviar with Traditional Condiments, Blinis and Melba Toast
Pate de Fois Gras with Warm Brioche and Port Wine Gelée
Gulf Shrimp in Root Vegetable Aspic
Combination of Tropical Fruits, Sprinkled with Drambuie

From the Soup Kettle
Cream of Asparagus Argenteuil
Consommé Double with Truffle-Flavored Profiteroles

Pasta Special
Capellini Pasta with Light Porcini Mushroom Sauce Topped with Grilled Scallops

Main Fares
Broiled Australian Lobster Tail
Roasted Stuffed Wild Pheasant Breast
Filet of Beef Wellington
Sautéed Veal Medallions “Provence”

Dessert
The American Institution – Baked Alaska Flambé en Parade
Vanilla Cinnamon Mousse with Lingonberry Sauce
Sugar-Free Chocolate Mousse Cake
Tropical Fruit in Season
Plantation Pralines, Truffles, and Petit Fours

We were tardy for our reservation at Prego due to the Captain’s Gala, but it’s never busy on Formal Night anyway. The waiter wanted to talk about the Tug of War because he saw us there. He whined that the Dining Room guys are too big and it isn’t fair. He was very energetic and wanted to help us choose the best items on the menu. Interestingly enough, he didn’t recommend any of the special Valentino items. In fact, he hinted that we were better off with the regular items. There are four specials tonight, one in each category. We only had the salad, which was OK, but nothing interesting enough to talk about.

Welcome to Prego where our chef prepares your Italian meals individually upon request.
This “a la minute” style of cooking may require a slightly longer preparation,
but allows us to provide you with the freshest and finest Italian cuisine.
Buon Appetito!

VALENTINO at PREGO
Crystal Cruises offers a unique association with the acclaimed Valentino restaurant of
Santa Monica and Las Vegas. The philosophy of both our cuisines is simple: let the
natural flavors speak for themselves, utilizing the best, freshest ingredients to create
innovative, authentic Italian cuisine. We offer this exclusive tasting menu of Valentino
specialties, along with suggested wine pairings carefully selected for your culinary
pleasure by Valentino proprietor and renowned wine expert Piero Selvaggio.

Herb Marinated Grilled Giant Prawn on Fennel Salad, Sprinkled with Orange Dressing

Sea Bass alla Pizzaiola
Sea Bass Cooked in Tomato Sauce with White Wine, Capers, and Herbs
Served with Rosemary Potatoes and Asparagus

Pan-Seared Filet of Pimontese Beef with Barolo Red Wine Sauce,
Served with Sweet Garlic, Grilled Polenta, and Sautéed Spinach

Antipasti
Melone con Prosciutto di Parma
Sweet Melon and Italian Prosciutto
Carpaccio de Manzo
Thinly Sliced Raw Beef Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce and Capers
Torre di Vegetali con Fette di Aragosta
Tower of Grilled Marinated Vegetables with Lobster,
Sautéed Prawns, and Scallops in Truffle Vinaigrette
Antipasti
Italian Bresaola and Salami, Mozzarano, Mortadella, Grilled Melanzane,
Plum Tomato, Mozzarella, plus Baby Artichoke and Black Olives

Zuppe
Minestrone alla “Genovese”
Traditional Minestrone Soup with Genova Style Pesto
Crème di Funghi Servita nel Pane All’Origano
Cream Soup of Selected Italian Mushrooms: Porcini, Morel, Champignon de Paris,
and Oyster Mushrooms, Served in an Oregano Bread Cup
Zuppa di Ribollita
Borlotti Bean and Vegetable Soup

Insalate
Insalata “Cesare”
Caesar Salad Prepared by Your Head Waiter
Insalata Caprese
Sliced Roma Tomatoes and Mozzarella Cheese
Topped with Mesclun of Greens, Tossed in Basil Vinaigrette
Insalata di Melanzane
Salad of Grilled Eggplant, Bell Peppers, Baby Artichokes, Olives,
Mozzarella, and Young Greens

Piatti Principali
Lasagna alla Casalinga
Layers of Fresh Pasta with Ground Meat, Porcini Mushrooms,
Tomato, Béchamel, and Mozzarella Cheese
Linguine con Aragosta e Zucchini
Linguine with Lobster and Grilled Zucchini in a Light Tomato Sauce
Flavored with Italian Parsley
Ravioli di Pollo e Funghi con Burro alle Erbe
Homemade Chicken and Mushroom Ravioli, Tossed in a Light Lemon Herb Butter Sauce,
Sprinkled with Arugala Pesto
Spaghetti o Penne Rigate
Linguini, Spaghetti, Whole Wheat Pasta or Penne Rigate with Your Choice of
Bolognese, Puttanesca, Arrabiata, or Tomato-Basil Sauce
Risotto con Funghi
Italian Risotto with Forest Mushrooms

Carne e Pesci
Gamberoni Marinati alla Griglia
Grilled Marinated Prawns, Served with Capellini, Tossed in Eggplant,
Zucchini, and Lemon Flavored Tomato Sauce
Scaloppini di Vitello Servite con Capelli D’Angelo
Sautéed Veal Scaloppini in Light Lemon or Mushroom Sauce,
Served with Angel Hair Pasta and Seasonal Vegetables
Carre D’Agnello Arrostito
Roasted Rack of Baby Lamb with Fresh Herbs,
Served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Zucchini
Ossobuco alla Milanese
Veal Shanks Braised in Jus of Vegetable, Tomato, and Porcini Mushroom
with Fresh Herbs, Served with Saffron Risotto
Filetto di Manzo al Barolo
Pan-Seared Filet of American Black Angus Beef with Barolo Red Wine Sauce,
Served with Sweet Garlic, Grilled Polenta, and Sautéed Spinach

Dessert Specialties
Assaggini Tipici
Dessert Sampler – Panna Cotta with Passion Fruit Sauce,
Tiramisu, and Flourless Chocolate Cake
Torta di Cioccolato
Flourless Chocolate Almond Cake with Fudge Sauce
Panna Cotta
Cooked Italian Cream with Fresh Fruit and Berry Sauce
Tiramisu
Espresso Flavored Lady Fingers,
Layered with Light Mascapone Cheese
Semifreddo all’Amaretto
Amaretto Parfait
Crema di Caffe
Light Coffee Custard
Gelato Italiano alla Vaniglia, Cioccolato, Fragole
Vanilla, Chocolate, or Spumoni Ice Cream,
or Sherbet of the Day

Food review: The soup was fresh and good, but it would be better if cooked longer, or maybe the day ahead, so the flavor could mature. As mentioned, the special salad was edible, but nothing exciting. Both entrees were very good, but again, nothing exciting. We had the sampler dessert and the Valentino item just to try it. The Valentino dessert was OK, but we wouldn’t order it again. The best item in the sampler is the chocolate cake. The custard had an odd consistency and it didn’t really taste like anything. The tiramisu was good, but quite heavy on the liqueur. We are probably the only two people in the entire world who aren’t enamored of Prego. The ambience is outstanding, but the variety just doesn’t thrill us. Everyone else seems to love it, so don’t go by our opinion on this one.

Service in both alternative restaurants is always wonderful and extremely friendly. There is a suggested gratuity of $6.00 per person, which is charged to your onboard account by signing a check at the end of the meal. The waiters at Prego are particularly gregarious and friendly, always joking with the guests and one another. It’s amusing that they put the guys who look Italian here and make them learn Italian phrases. Our waiter is from Hungary, but certainly looked the part.

Daniel joked with us the entire time. On the way out he stopped us because he didn’t think we spent enough time there, considering he has been waiting for us for three months. We ended up talking to Rosario at the desk for over half an hour. He’s obsessed with the United States and never stops talking about how wonderful he thinks it is. We have no idea why he talks to us so much. We had never met him before he arrived at the beginning of this segment.

Tonight’s entertainment is another Variety Showtime featuring singer George DeMott and ventriloquist Mark Merchant. You can guess whether we went to the show or not. Well, we almost went. We heard the ensemble singing the farewell number, so we went in to watch that. Unfortunately, it was at the beginning of the show and George DeMott came out afterward. We were in the back row, so we could leave.

No other city is quite like gleaming Hong Kong. Nor does any other city have a skyline quite like Hong Kong. Soaring skyscrapers rise from the hills and harbor, blending geography and nature with commercial concrete, steel and pulsating neon in a way that brings traditional Chinese culture and Western-style commerce into perfect harmony.

The bustling city streets are lined with teeming markets and sophisticated boutiques tucked tightly into any available crevice. Some of the world’s best shopping is found in Central, located on Hong Kong Island and only a short ferry ride away, while the city’s remarkable skyline is best viewed from Kowloon.

East meets West and the result is electric. Although Hong Kong has returned to its original Chinese roots, it still remains a cosmopolitan city with influences, languages and accents form around the world.

Too bad for anyone who hasn’t seen Hong Kong before! It is cloudy to the extreme, so the top half of the picturesque skyline is invisible. It’s windy, and a little chilly without a jacket, but certainly not cold. We were awakened at 6:00am by the arrival commotion, whistle blowing, etc. We did manage to fall asleep again at 7:30am and didn’t wake up again until 11:45am, the latest yet. There is a big banner welcoming Crystal Symphony to Hong Kong.

We went directly to lunch in the Lido, which was fairly good. They had fajita burritos with guacamole that were the closest thing to authentic we have had yet. JP is beside himself with excitement because he leaves for vacation tomorrow. The Filipinos have 9-10 month contracts, much longer than any other crewmembers. For example, waiters have 5-6 months contracts.

After lunch we went up on deck for some rather foggy photos of the skyline across the harbor. Normally, Hong Kong’s skyline is dramatic and beautiful. Most of the skyscrapers and new and have some sort of architectural innovation. The latest one always trying to outdo whatever came before.

The ship is docked at Ocean Terminal that puts us right in the center of Kowloon and the main shopping district. Most of the fancy hotels are less than a block away. The terminal itself is a gigantic shopping mall with three levels. Shops such as Gucci, Godiva, Lalique, etc. are there. You name it, it’s here. We’re told prices are no longer a great bargain, but we don’t care if we buy anything anyway. If we find something, great. If not, that’s OK, too.

Less than a block away is the landmark Star Ferry Terminal. The old ferries crisscross the harbor to the Hong Kong Island Central district, which is where the modern skyscrapers can be found. Beyond the skyline is Victoria Peak. On the other side of the island is a residential area, the famous Stanley Market (now selling only cheap knockoffs), and an underwater aquarium called Ocean Park. It only costs 30-cents U.S. for the ferry ride and it is a must for first time visitors. That does not include us, by the way.

We set out after our photo session for a large Chinese government store on Nathan Road. This street is known as the Golden Mile for it’s wall-to-wall shops selling everything from name brand goods to fake Rolex watches. It took us a good fifteen minutes just to walk through the interconnected malls to the street. They don’t make it obvious how to get outside. Corridors lead every which way. Some to more shops, others to hotels, still another to an office tower. We finally had to consult a map to find our way to the street.

Street life here is exactly like it is in New York except most everyone is Chinese. Everyone has a tiny cell phone at their ear, wears the latest fashions, and looks about as trendy as it is possible to be. Although the narrow streets and sidewalks are jammed with people, it isn’t threatening or difficult. People don’t push and shove, they are just walking…fast. Look down any narrow side street and you’ll find a high rise canyon topped with a ceiling of every variety of neon sign you can think of.

We must have been offered directions to the nearest tailor shop at least ten times. People are handing out fliers for some sort of discount or other on every street corner. Men sidle up and expose their arm full of fake Rolex watches. One even referred to them as “copy cat-ahs.” It isn’t annoying and just adds to the energy of the streets.

The shop we are looking for is in a two story mall along Nathan Road that backs to Hong Kong park. There are huge trees with hanging vines all along the front of it. Right next to a legitimate Lacrosse store is another one called Crocodile selling clothing with the identical logo. We found the Chinese store and went in for a look. Sorry, but they don’t have the beaded evening bags anymore. What we really wanted were the cloisonné items that look like stained glass. Those don’t exist anymore either. At least not in the size or at the price we are willing to pay. We did find a nice wooden shadow puppet and a couple of other gift items, so the trip was worthwhile.

By the time we reached the street again, it was starting to rain. Just a bit at first, so we kept walking down bustling Nathan Road, sort of toward the port. When we got to a street to head back, it began to pour, so we ducked into the shopping arcade below the Hyatt Regency, along with everyone else on the street. When the rain let up briefly, we started walking again down the now neon-lit street.

It began to rain in torrents, so we found a mall that covered the entire block in front of where we are headed and went through there. That took us back to one of the many entrances to Harbour City, which eventually connects to the Ocean Terminal. If you are getting the impression that this is just one giant interconnected mall, you are correct.

Once back inside, it is just a matter of negotiating the maze of shops back to the ship. Of course, we had to stop in the Lalique store. We had been told there aren’t bargains to be found here, but that was quite the contrary to what we found here. We purchased one item that was marked down from HK$2400 to HK$600 (HK$1 = US$7.75). That’s too good a deal to pass up! To get anything Lalique for less than $100 is unheard of.

They had the ice skating sculpture we already have so we asked the price. The marked price was what we paid for ours, but she quickly took off 10% saying that’s the regular discount. When we expressed an interest in buying something, she dropped the prices 15% because, “the manager is off today.” OK, whatever, it’s still an incredible price. We ended up with four items for the cost of just one’s marked price. Of course, the credit card didn’t work. GRRRRR. This is the one directly connected to our brokerage account with plenty of cash to cover this purchase and then some and then some more. It’s also the one we called before leaving to tell them not to block it for “security reasons.” We also gave them a list of what countries we would be visiting so there would be no misunderstanding. What did they do? Do we have to tell you?

Anyway, the saleswoman said it would take an hour for their bank to contact our bank in the U.S. to work it out. Rather than do that, we went back to the ship (literally outside the door) and brought back an American Express card that worked with no problem. She said, “You’ll probably want to cancel that card when you get home, yes?” No kidding.

As we were returning to the ship via an outside walkway, we ran into Renato dispatching a tour in the rain. A harbor cruise, no less. He shrugged and said, “Well, what can I do?” We told him we would contact our travel agent and demand a refund for the entire cruise because it rained today, which he found amusing. Here are a few more photos without the fog: Ferry Terminal, Skyline.

Back on board we found our afternoon snack waiting in the room. Just in time, too! We debated about whether we are too disgusting to go to dinner as we are and ultimately decided we needed to clean up first. So, we didn’t leave the room again until 8:00pm.

Tonight’s dress code is Casual. Just as Dave was about to open the door, he heard a keycard in the door. Of course, the door is locked, so it didn’t work, but we knew it would be Susanna checking to see if she could get in and turn down the beds. That’s exactly what was going on except she had made Ural try it and she ran when we opened the door.

Ural came in and changed our perfectly good plate of fruit. They don’t just replace pieces of fruit, they bring an entirely new arrangement. The one we had had just arrived yesterday. Oh well. Ural carried on about how wonderful it was to serve us and that he will email us from the Turkish army training. He’ll be getting out of that the day after we return home. It’s a mandatory thing for all Turkish men to be trained. If they pay something like $5000, they only have to go for 28 days, otherwise it is 6 months or something like that.

Appetizers
Seafood Cocktail with Dill Lemon Sauce
Ragout of Mushrooms, Chicken, and Asparagus in Puff Pastry Bouchons
Cilantro-Flavored Artichoke Terrine with Marinated Quail Eggs
Selected Fruit Marinated in Campari with Papaya and Grapes

From the Soup Kettle
Cream of Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Peppers
Veal Consommé with Herb Biscuit
Chilled Green Gazpacho

Salads
Mesclun of Lettuce with Gorgonzola Croutons and Walnut Vinaigrette
Heart of Boston Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomatoes, and Golden Fried Mushrooms

Main Fares
Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Stuffed Leg of Lamb
Pan Fried Fresh Mahi-Mahi Fillet
Chinese Sweet and Sour Prawns
Grilled Black Angus Filet Steak

Dessert
Chocolate Mocha Mousse Cake with Raspberry Sauce
Rhubarb Strawberry Streusel Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream
Marinated Strawberries with Vanilla Ice Cream
Sugar-Free Hazelnut Cream Cake
Sugar-Free Boiled Bananas with Diet Ice Cream
Homemade Cookies
Assortment of Fruit in Season
Freshly Frozen Non-Fat New York Cheesecake Yogurt

Food review: The soup was good, but needed salt. The pasta was very good, but has been better in the past. The Chinese dish was excellent. The strawberries were a welcome change from the constant barrage of fancy desserts. This was just strawberries mixed with sugar and served with vanilla ice cream. Just like you’d do at home.

Augusto was extremely upset because it appeared the several of Jerry’s guests hadn’t tipped him at all. We suggested that maybe one couple had charged it to their account at the last minute, so he went off to check. They had, but only half the suggested amount. With the carrying on they did, you’d think Jerry was the best thing that ever happened to them and yet they screwed him. The other three people apparently didn’t tip, although Augusto thinks maybe when they switched tables early on that it didn’t switch in the accounting. Jerry was quite hurt and upset, although it was Augusto who discussed this with us, not Jerry.

Ger had fun today out walking around on his own. He took the ferry across and checked out Hong Kong Island. He expects to go back and finish it tomorrow. He also asked if he could come up and take pictures of our penthouse so he will have a photo log of the entire ship. Of course, we said that’s fine anytime.

Tonight’s entertainment is dancing to the Big Band Sounds of the Galaxy Orchestra. They expect most guests will either be packing to disembark tomorrow or out on the town. Since it is pouring rain the latter seems a bit unlikely, but you never know. The Dining Room was only about half full and most of the guests were there only because they are disembarking tomorrow and wanted to give out tips and/or say their goodbyes to their waiter.

We went out to try to make phone calls, but our AT&T code was wrong. As we were going back to the ship, we ran into Augusto and he gave us a telephone card we could use. Unfortunately, by the time we got back into the terminal, the crew had lined up at every available telephone within the vicinity. Nice try. We can’t call during the day now because of the time difference, so email will have to suffice.

Three cards were received from Bill’s parents today, so it proves once again that sending mail to the ship does work. As before, all of them had been opened for inspection and sealed with tape. No Anthrax will make it through to Crystal’s guests!

We have learned that 300 guests are disembarking here and that about the same amount of new arrivals will board. So, the total guest count will remain a little over 600.

It continued to rain steadily all night, although the fog lifted a bit. The skyline is even more beautiful at night because many of the buildings have elaborate lighting effects. One particularly stunning one has strips of lights that gradually change colors from bottom to top. We’re talking a fifty story plus building here, so that’s sure a complicated effect to achieve.

Our Internet connection on board isn’t working tonight, so we can’t upload or send emails. Ural had told us earlier than none of their pagers are working either.

Grand Pacific III -- March 17 - March 23

Sunday, March 17 – Cruising the South China Sea

Monday, March 18 – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Arrive 9 AM

Tuesday, March 19 – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Wednesday, March 20 – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Depart 5 AM

Thursday, March 21 – Cruising the South China Sea

Friday, March 22 – Ha Long Bay (Hon Gai), Vietnam – 6 AM-10 PM

Saturday, March 23 – Cruising the Gulf of Tonkin

Sunday, March 24 – Hong Kong, China – Arrive 8 AM