The night before Okinawa, we got a note that said we would have to go through this thermal scanning before we went into Japan. So we had to wait until about 1o clock in the afternoon before going ashore. After getting through the process, we went to Okinawa. We ended up just walking down the main street, but it was a lot of fun. I saw a Starbucks, but decided not to get one. I got some chicken nuggets at McDonalds, and my grandparents got gin (the trend continues). After getting back to the ship, we got to sit back and relax the rest of the day.
Oh, and I have some statistics to share:
Number of people from San Francisco we have met: 5
and...
Number of times my grandpa has called me Hillary: 77470295838373 and counting.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Keelung, Taiwan (Saturday April 24)
Keeling isn't a very "exciting" place, and my grandparents and I just walked around. We got some wine (I sense a trend) and then took some pictures. A young couple then walked up and asked us if we were from the ship. He was an Aussie, and she was from Taipei. They were nice, and we talked for a while.
After that we went back onto the ship, and then we were on our way to Okinawa.
Oh, and I got some M&Ms with our money. Yum.
After that we went back onto the ship, and then we were on our way to Okinawa.
Oh, and I got some M&Ms with our money. Yum.
Hong Kong Day 2 (Thursday April 22)
Today was day number 2 in Hong Kong. My grandparents and I ended up just walking around a fancy shopping mall. It poured rain for about half an hour while we were inside. Everything was really expensive, so we just looked. We met a really nice guy at the alchohol counter, and he spoke excellent English.
After that, we took a boat back out to the ship, and relaxed for the rest of the day. Not very exciting, I know.
After that, we took a boat back out to the ship, and relaxed for the rest of the day. Not very exciting, I know.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Hong Kong Day 1 (Wednesday, April 21)
So, today we were in Hong Kong.
After we got there, we walked down the street to the Star Ferry. It was kinda cool, and a token to ride it only cost 28 cents US or something like that. We took a taxi to the tram to Victoria Peak, then took the tram up. After going up about 2408847 escalators then discovering you needed a special ticket to get to the top, we tried to find our way outside. I got some chicken tenders at a Burger King there (lol) then we found a door outside. Amazingly, considering how hot it was before, it was windy, cold, and extremely foggy. But it was also beautiful. I have some pics. On our way to get in like to the tram, we met a 20-30 year old man from Canada who was living in Paris for his work. And he was CUTE. I swore that I wouldn't wash my hand after shaking his. So then, we took a taxi to the wrong Star Ferry port, managed to get lost, then found our way back to the shuttle for the cruise. After that, I was tired, so I just watched movies in my room for a couple hours, then went to dinner (I ordered a piece of beef, and was given a cow!) then crashed in bed.
Today is another day in Hong Kong. Let's see how it goes!
After we got there, we walked down the street to the Star Ferry. It was kinda cool, and a token to ride it only cost 28 cents US or something like that. We took a taxi to the tram to Victoria Peak, then took the tram up. After going up about 2408847 escalators then discovering you needed a special ticket to get to the top, we tried to find our way outside. I got some chicken tenders at a Burger King there (lol) then we found a door outside. Amazingly, considering how hot it was before, it was windy, cold, and extremely foggy. But it was also beautiful. I have some pics. On our way to get in like to the tram, we met a 20-30 year old man from Canada who was living in Paris for his work. And he was CUTE. I swore that I wouldn't wash my hand after shaking his. So then, we took a taxi to the wrong Star Ferry port, managed to get lost, then found our way back to the shuttle for the cruise. After that, I was tired, so I just watched movies in my room for a couple hours, then went to dinner (I ordered a piece of beef, and was given a cow!) then crashed in bed.
Today is another day in Hong Kong. Let's see how it goes!
Nha Tang, Vietnam (Monday, April 19)
Ugh I keep forgetting to update this blog!
Anyways, we got into Nha Trang at about.. noonish? We had to take a boat (they call them "tenders") to get there. After that, we took a shuttle to get to the city. After being attacked by the street vendors, and trying (and failing) to find a supermarket, we decideded to head back to the ship. We really didn't have a good experience in Vietnam.
Oh, and the day before, my grandparents and I (With the help of a man we met named Bob) won trivia. I got a hat. YAY!
After that, we had an uneventful day at sea before Hong Kong.
Anyways, we got into Nha Trang at about.. noonish? We had to take a boat (they call them "tenders") to get there. After that, we took a shuttle to get to the city. After being attacked by the street vendors, and trying (and failing) to find a supermarket, we decideded to head back to the ship. We really didn't have a good experience in Vietnam.
Oh, and the day before, my grandparents and I (With the help of a man we met named Bob) won trivia. I got a hat. YAY!
After that, we had an uneventful day at sea before Hong Kong.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Phu My, Vietnam (Suday April 17)
We arrived in Vietnam at about 7:00 Sunday morning, and we got room service and ate on our balcony. After that, we all got ready, then went into Phu My.
How do I describe it? There were people selling things on the street, and some others that were shoving everything in your face and they wouldn't let up. We only spent about an hour there, and that was enough. All that was there was souvenirs that were worth about a penny. It wasn't very interesting.
After that, I relaxed back at the ship. I went to the theater on-board and saw the movie "Did you Hear about the Morgans?". It wasn't halarious, but it wasn't terrible.
Today we are going into Nha Trang, which is a beach town. Hopefully it's better then Phu My. More later. Wish me luck!
How do I describe it? There were people selling things on the street, and some others that were shoving everything in your face and they wouldn't let up. We only spent about an hour there, and that was enough. All that was there was souvenirs that were worth about a penny. It wasn't very interesting.
After that, I relaxed back at the ship. I went to the theater on-board and saw the movie "Did you Hear about the Morgans?". It wasn't halarious, but it wasn't terrible.
Today we are going into Nha Trang, which is a beach town. Hopefully it's better then Phu My. More later. Wish me luck!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Singapore (Friday April 16)
Sorry I'm a bit late in this post. It's been hard to get on the Internet lately.
So, my grandparents and I took a bus into Singapore. The first thing I noticed on the way in was that I saw a McDonalds and a Starbucks. After we got dropped off, I got a Starbucks. I have picture proof. So then my grandparents and I just walked around. The prices were super expensive, so I didn't get anything. In a supermarket, they had a lot of American brands. But they had some weird flavorss of Pringles, like Seaweed, Shrimp, and Crab. So then we went outside. I even saw a Dairy Queen/Orange Julius. And I saw two more Starbucks in a 2 block radius. After that, my grandparents and I went into Borders, and I didn't really find anything.
After that, my grandparents and I went back to the boat and relaxed. I have a lot of pictures from Singapore.
So, my grandparents and I took a bus into Singapore. The first thing I noticed on the way in was that I saw a McDonalds and a Starbucks. After we got dropped off, I got a Starbucks. I have picture proof. So then my grandparents and I just walked around. The prices were super expensive, so I didn't get anything. In a supermarket, they had a lot of American brands. But they had some weird flavorss of Pringles, like Seaweed, Shrimp, and Crab. So then we went outside. I even saw a Dairy Queen/Orange Julius. And I saw two more Starbucks in a 2 block radius. After that, my grandparents and I went into Borders, and I didn't really find anything.
After that, my grandparents and I went back to the boat and relaxed. I have a lot of pictures from Singapore.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
At Sea (Thursday April 15)
For some reason, I woke up at 7:00 this morning. I finished my book, then unpacked my luggage. After that, my grandparents were awake, so I went up to the buffet and got some fruit, then went to the internet cafe, then the library. After that, I went back to the stateroom, and my grandparents and I went to a "Special Breakfast" for people that were in a suite. I had Brioche French Toast that was amazing! After that, we set up my stateroom card with my credit card, and I got a soda pass.
Right now, it is noon on the high seas. At 1:30, I am going to go to one of the FOUR swimming pools to play water volleyball. Tonight is a formal dinner night on the cruise, so I get to dress up.
Tomorrow, we are going to be in Singapore. I will post about it later!
Right now, it is noon on the high seas. At 1:30, I am going to go to one of the FOUR swimming pools to play water volleyball. Tonight is a formal dinner night on the cruise, so I get to dress up.
Tomorrow, we are going to be in Singapore. I will post about it later!
Bangkok (Wednesday April 14)
We got settled in our hotel room at about 2:30, and I promptly fell asleep. Amazingly, I didn't sleep forever. I got maybe 5 hours of sleep. At about 8 AM, we went to get breakfast. The food they had was amazing. My grandma and I got pictures. Our hotel was directly on the river. After that, we waited around 'till 11 and we went on a bus to get to Laem Chabang, where we would board the cruise. After a tiring 2 hour drive with no air conditioning (and Thailand is EXTREMELEY HUMID), we got there.
We had a confusing check in, but we finally got on the ship.
Two Fridays ago, we got upgraded to a full suite on the ship. It was much larger then the mini-suite. I'm going to post something about the amenities provided later.
So, we got somewhat settled. After that, my grandma and I went down to the library (of course), and I did the paperback book exchange and got a book I have been wanting to read (yay!). We checked out the teen club, and amazingly, there are 5 other teens onboard, but only one other registered last time I saw.
We had a tasty dinner after that. I had beef medallions (Yum!). After that, I set my grandma up on the internet and went to bed. I was exausted.
Thursday is next!)
We had a confusing check in, but we finally got on the ship.
Two Fridays ago, we got upgraded to a full suite on the ship. It was much larger then the mini-suite. I'm going to post something about the amenities provided later.
So, we got somewhat settled. After that, my grandma and I went down to the library (of course), and I did the paperback book exchange and got a book I have been wanting to read (yay!). We checked out the teen club, and amazingly, there are 5 other teens onboard, but only one other registered last time I saw.
We had a tasty dinner after that. I had beef medallions (Yum!). After that, I set my grandma up on the internet and went to bed. I was exausted.
Thursday is next!)
The LONG airplane ride.
WOW. I have a lot of ground to cover. Let's start with the flight.
After relaxing in the San Francisco airport, my grandparents and I got on our plane. There was a screen in front of each seat, so everyone had their own system. After taking off, I immediately looked through the movies. There were some pretty new movies like Avatar. The second I saw that they had "The Lovely Bones", I started watching. I read the book, and loved it. I watched about 30 minutes of it. The movie didn't move along at all. I was bored out of my mind. So I stopped watching it. I can't remember exact order, but these are the movies I watched:
1. The Invention of Lying (I watched all. I don't think the movie itself was as funny as different signs like- "Pepsi- When they don't have Coke")
2. Couple's Retreat (Eh. Pretty good movie. Not great.)
3. Avatar (I've never seen it, but I didn't watch all of it. I will probably watch it more thuroughly when I get home.)
4. The Notebook (My favorite movie that I watched. By the end, I was crying of course.)
I listened to quite a bit music as well, especially when I was reading.
The food was okay, but the service on Cathay Airlines was terrible. I only got out of my seat once in the 14 hour flight, so I was quite sore by the time we got to Hong Kong.
Once we got to the HK International Airport, we had a bit of time before we had to get on our flight to Bangkok. I laughed when I saw that in a store there, a bag of M and M's cost 11.50 Hong Kong dollars.
I slept through the 2 and a half hour flight to Bangkok. Once we got there, we met with the tour guide. In the airport, there was a man who had passed out. There were people trying to do CPR, but the next day we heard that he had passed away.
Bangkok is coming in the next post!
After relaxing in the San Francisco airport, my grandparents and I got on our plane. There was a screen in front of each seat, so everyone had their own system. After taking off, I immediately looked through the movies. There were some pretty new movies like Avatar. The second I saw that they had "The Lovely Bones", I started watching. I read the book, and loved it. I watched about 30 minutes of it. The movie didn't move along at all. I was bored out of my mind. So I stopped watching it. I can't remember exact order, but these are the movies I watched:
1. The Invention of Lying (I watched all. I don't think the movie itself was as funny as different signs like- "Pepsi- When they don't have Coke")
2. Couple's Retreat (Eh. Pretty good movie. Not great.)
3. Avatar (I've never seen it, but I didn't watch all of it. I will probably watch it more thuroughly when I get home.)
4. The Notebook (My favorite movie that I watched. By the end, I was crying of course.)
I listened to quite a bit music as well, especially when I was reading.
The food was okay, but the service on Cathay Airlines was terrible. I only got out of my seat once in the 14 hour flight, so I was quite sore by the time we got to Hong Kong.
Once we got to the HK International Airport, we had a bit of time before we had to get on our flight to Bangkok. I laughed when I saw that in a store there, a bag of M and M's cost 11.50 Hong Kong dollars.
I slept through the 2 and a half hour flight to Bangkok. Once we got there, we met with the tour guide. In the airport, there was a man who had passed out. There were people trying to do CPR, but the next day we heard that he had passed away.
Bangkok is coming in the next post!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Itinerary
In case anyone was wondering, this is the itenerary for my cruise:
Day Location Arrival Departure
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Laem Chabang (bangkok), Thailand -- 05:00 PM
Thursday, April 15, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, April 16, 2010 Singapore 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Saturday, April 17, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, April 18, 2010 Ho Chi Minh City (phu My), Vie 07:00 AM 05:30 PM
Monday, April 19, 2010 Nha Trang, Vietnam 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Hong Kong, China 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Thursday, April 22, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, April 23, 2010 Keelung, Taiwan 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
Saturday, April 24, 2010 Okinawa, Japan 12:00 PM 07:00 PM
Sunday, April 25, 2010 At Sea -- --
Monday, April 26, 2010 Shanghai, China 07:00 AM 06:00 PM
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Nagasaki, Japan 07:00 AM 04:00 PM
Thursday, April 29, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, April 30, 2010 Beijing (xingang), China 07:30 AM 07:00 PM
Saturday, May 1, 2010 Dalian, China 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Sunday, May 2, 2010 Qingdao, China 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Monday, May 3, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Pusan, South Korea 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 At Sea -- --
Thursday, May 6, 2010 Vladivostok, Russia 05:30 AM 07:00 PM
Friday, May 7, 2010 At Sea -- --
Saturday, May 8, 2010 Sapporo (muroran/hokkaido), Ja 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Sunday, May 9, 2010 At Sea -- --
Monday, May 10, 2010 Cross International Dateline Cross Int''l Dateline 12:00 PM 01:00 PM
Monday, May 10, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 At Sea -- --
Thursday, May 13, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, May 14, 2010 At Sea -- --
Saturday, May 15, 2010 Anchorage (whittier), Alaska 07:00 AM
Hope you like it!
Day Location Arrival Departure
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Laem Chabang (bangkok), Thailand -- 05:00 PM
Thursday, April 15, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, April 16, 2010 Singapore 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Saturday, April 17, 2010 At Sea -- --
Sunday, April 18, 2010 Ho Chi Minh City (phu My), Vie 07:00 AM 05:30 PM
Monday, April 19, 2010 Nha Trang, Vietnam 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Hong Kong, China 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Thursday, April 22, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, April 23, 2010 Keelung, Taiwan 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
Saturday, April 24, 2010 Okinawa, Japan 12:00 PM 07:00 PM
Sunday, April 25, 2010 At Sea -- --
Monday, April 26, 2010 Shanghai, China 07:00 AM 06:00 PM
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Nagasaki, Japan 07:00 AM 04:00 PM
Thursday, April 29, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, April 30, 2010 Beijing (xingang), China 07:30 AM 07:00 PM
Saturday, May 1, 2010 Dalian, China 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Sunday, May 2, 2010 Qingdao, China 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
Monday, May 3, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Pusan, South Korea 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 At Sea -- --
Thursday, May 6, 2010 Vladivostok, Russia 05:30 AM 07:00 PM
Friday, May 7, 2010 At Sea -- --
Saturday, May 8, 2010 Sapporo (muroran/hokkaido), Ja 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
Sunday, May 9, 2010 At Sea -- --
Monday, May 10, 2010 Cross International Dateline Cross Int''l Dateline 12:00 PM 01:00 PM
Monday, May 10, 2010 At Sea -- --
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 At Sea -- --
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 At Sea -- --
Thursday, May 13, 2010 At Sea -- --
Friday, May 14, 2010 At Sea -- --
Saturday, May 15, 2010 Anchorage (whittier), Alaska 07:00 AM
Hope you like it!
16 hours, 960 minutes. However you look at it, it's coming up fast.
I'm officially packed up, but this trip still feels like I'm dreaming, and tomorrow, I will wake up and go to school like a normal day. But I won't.
So, here is the second part of my story:
So I started at Lincoln, and I was the only one there that knew about the trip. My parents weren't sure when they were going to tell the school. So I slowly told different friends at different times. But two weeks ago Monday, my mom went in to school and told Mr. Payne about my trip. Suprisingly, he was really cool about it. So that Thursday during 6th period, I got a note to show my teachers about the trip. I got assignments from all of my teachers, and I have some stuff packed for my classes.
So that's my big story. Yay!
So, here is the second part of my story:
So I started at Lincoln, and I was the only one there that knew about the trip. My parents weren't sure when they were going to tell the school. So I slowly told different friends at different times. But two weeks ago Monday, my mom went in to school and told Mr. Payne about my trip. Suprisingly, he was really cool about it. So that Thursday during 6th period, I got a note to show my teachers about the trip. I got assignments from all of my teachers, and I have some stuff packed for my classes.
So that's my big story. Yay!
25 Hours and Counting
This trip snuck up on me! It seems like just yesterday my grandparents were telling us about the trip. Now, it's so close! I keep making "lasts" for me. Like how tonight is my last night in my bed for 5 weeks. Like how tomorrow morning is my last shower here for 5 weeks. And a whole lot of other stuff. I shouldn't, beacause it makes me sad, but my mind doesn't stop thinking of these things.
For the people who I haven't explained it to:
I first heard about this trip when my grandparents told my family that they were going on a 35 day cruise. Of course, I was immidiately jealous. This all happened before I even knew that I got into Lincoln. I made a joke along the lines of "Can you get a suitcase big enough to fit me?" my grandpa replied that he would look, and then my WONDERFUL MOTHER spoke up. "If you can get her a ticket, she could go." That sentence put me in a state of shock. Seriously? So after calling Princess Cruise Line, my grandparents got me a ticket. Then I started at Lincoln, and my parents decided to wait a little while before telling them....
The sencond installment is coming in my next post.
For the people who I haven't explained it to:
I first heard about this trip when my grandparents told my family that they were going on a 35 day cruise. Of course, I was immidiately jealous. This all happened before I even knew that I got into Lincoln. I made a joke along the lines of "Can you get a suitcase big enough to fit me?" my grandpa replied that he would look, and then my WONDERFUL MOTHER spoke up. "If you can get her a ticket, she could go." That sentence put me in a state of shock. Seriously? So after calling Princess Cruise Line, my grandparents got me a ticket. Then I started at Lincoln, and my parents decided to wait a little while before telling them....
The sencond installment is coming in my next post.
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