Back To Reality

*Sigh*

Well our cruise came to an end when we sailed into Singapore on Friday afternoon. We were already a little depressed (we always feel slightly depressed at the end of holidays. But then again doesn't everybody?) but to further highlight the mood we came back to a bleak skies and heavy rain. The roads on our way home was flooded and there was poor visibility.

It was a depressing home coming after an incredible holiday with constant good weather. There were a few incidents of rain but we simply sailed right through it. It was quite cool to see the patch of rain in the distance.

I think I can safely say that this cruise is by far our best one. But it wasn't without some mistakes. One of which was going off to Koh Samui.

After uploading the last entry we decided at the last minute to go out to Koh Samui afterall. It was about 3.45pm when we boarded the boat and took a 45min ride from the SuperStar Virgo towards Koh Samui. We were quite surprised, well actually more like shocked, when we arrived on the island. It was nothing like what we expected. There was no white sandy beaches, quite resorts or clear waters. Instead there was traffic, both motor and human, buildings, a concrete pier and not so inviting waters.

We found after walking about for a while that we were at the island's 'town centre'. There were a few commercial buildings, a stretch of street hawkers selling mainly food, restaurants, and quite a fair bit of traffic. After being in relative quiet, order and cool climate on board for the past 6 days, we did not welcome the heat, dust and noise all that much.

Not giving up on searching for the beach we decided to trek back to where we landed and ask the cruise staff. (We made the stupid mistake of just walking off towards town without asking directions.) By the time we walked back, found out that the beaches we seek are on the other side of the island and boarded one of the transports chartered by Star Cruises, we have already wasted 20min.

The journey to the beach resort took a whopping 1hr and 15 min! And along the way I was rather unceremonious hit by a chilling surprise, literally. We were not informed that it was the Songkran Festival (Thai water festival) and I got sprayed with a water hose from behind by a man on the roadside when we went past in our transport. We didn't realize that it was the water festival until I got sprayed again, this time by a couple of Caucasians with water guns. Although it was part of the festival and I was not suppose to be angry, I can't help but be slightly cheesed off for being caught unawares and unprepared. The hubby escaped being wet since most of the water got blocked by me. My first taste of Songkran, and I wasn't thrilled.

Anyway, we managed to arrive at the resort without further incidences but what a disappointment, again. The beach, thought quieter then the streets, wasn't white and it was lined with people (mainly tourists). We took a walk up and down the stretch for about 30min and decided to head back. It was such a non event. And on the way back we witnessed more water splashing, although thankfully this time the targets were our other companions on the transport. So after another bone rattling 1hr and 15min later we arrived back at the pier, eager to get back onboard the ship. But there was another 45min of boat ride to get through before we get back. All in all this entire excursion took close to 5 hours, with most of it spent traveling from one place to another. It would have been a total waste of time and effort if not for the view we caught of the ship as we were heading back.

Well at least our last full day onboard was a good one. We enjoyed a great view and workout at the gym in the morning, spent a leisurely afternoon lounging around, had a wonderful dinner (it was also the only time we got dressed up on the entire cruise) at the Italian restaurant, and ended the night with drinks and good music at the bar.

I will try to get some pics of the trip uploaded soon. Meanwhile it is back to reality.

Dining Choices Onboard

I was thinking for a while after posting up the previous post about working out at the gym, and I realized how ironic this post would seem to that one since I am going to talk about all the food that is available. =)

To me, one of the many attractions to the SuperStar Virgo (apart from those I have already mentioned), is the variety of eating outlets. There aren't too many to choose from and there aren't too little such that you get bored. Also the menu changes everyday. Here's a list of all the eating outlets and watering holes onboard:

All meals at these restaurants are inclusive in the cruise fare:
- Bella Vista (Western & Chinese: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Pavilion (Chinese: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Mediterranean Buffet (Continental Buffet: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner & Supper)

These are alternative restaurants that at not included in the fare:
- The Samurai (Japanese)
- The Taj (Indian)
- Noble House (Chinese)
- Palazzo (Italian Fusion: our personal favourite)
- Blue Lagoon (Asian: open 24hours)
- The Taverna (International Snacks: they serve an incredible Steamboat BBQ buffet from time to time)
- Cafe Gelato (Ice Cream Palour)

All beverages are chargeable onboard, and these are the bars:
- The Bellini (Champagne Bar: nice lounge music at nights)
- The Galaxy of the Stars (Not sure how to describe it: there is a dance floor and a band plays there at nights. More for older folks who do ballroom type dance.)
- The Taverna (Open Deck Cafe & Bar: great for cold beer during the day)
- Celebrity Disco
- Out Of Africa (Karaoke bar)

As you can see there are quite a few choices.

We went for the Steamboat BBQ buffet at the Taverna on Monday evening and it was Goooood! The prawns were big and fresh, the beef was tender and well seasoned, there was also lamb, turkey breast and chicken fillets. Variety of food wise it doesn't sound very impressive, but we only whacked the prawns and beef so it worked fine for us. Overall the quality of the food is not bad. The mango cream sago and fruit dessert was very good also. Unfortunately we were already so full we could only take one bowl each. I remember on our last cruise, I managed 2 bowls.

Yesterday for dinner we went to the Bella Vista for western. I ordered my first ever vegetarian main course. It was mushroom, carrots and cashew nut turnovers. Not bad actually. Aiyah, the whole meal was good. =)

Today there is going to be a poolside BBQ buffet again. It will be our 2nd one on this cruise, the first being on last Saturday. Looking forward to it.

Tomorrow is the Gala Dinner night and we managed to make a reservation at the Palazzo and away from the rest of the crowd. We missed dining there the last time because we were too late in making our reservations. But this time we knew better and made our reservations on Monday.

So as you can see, there is quite a lot of eating on a cruise.

Cruise-cersising

We were docked the whole of yesterday at Laem Cha Bang Port, about 2-2.5 hours outside of Bangkok. The ship was so quiet and empty that t felt as if about 90% of the passengers went ashore. The gym was empty, the pool was empty, during lunch the buffet line at the Mediterranean was only opened on one side and all the other major restaurants were closed. It was really cool.

And because there wasn't any one else at the gym, I managed to do my first real workout by myself without having to worry about being watched or bothered. Got a good run on the treadmill, did several good reps on the machines and free weights for my arms, shoulders and legs. And because I had such a good session yesterday morning, I went back to the gym with the hubby this morning for another great run.

Another reason why it was so enjoyable at the gym here is the view. The incredible view of the endless sea that stretches to the horizon as the ship cruises along. We got that view the whole of Monday and this morning, yesterday was a different but no less interesting view of the port.

The weather was incredible and since there was not a single person using the pool in the afternoon I managed to put in quite a number of laps without interruptions. Following that I also went for a step aerobics class and got another really good workout.

Both the hubby and I are having such a great time training at the gym we are rather worried about what will happen when we get back to our usual life and routine of work. *Sigh*

Oh well we are definitely enjoying every minute of it while we are onboard. That's why we didn't bother to go on shore yesterday or today (we are currently anchored about 45min by boat off Koh Samui). We rather spend the time relaxing and enjoying the leisurely pace on the ship.

Cruising

We are now well on our way into the 2nd leg of our cruise holiday. We were back in Singapore for a 5-hour stop over earlier and now we are once again out at sea, heading towards Bangkok. It was great to stay onboard while watching the other passengers disembark. Perhaps it was because for them the holiday has ended but ours continues.

It has been really good so far. Totally relaxing and stress free. For example, while I am posting up this entry, the hubby is having a body message at the spa. =)

I simply love the fact that everything is all contained within easy walking distance. Our cabin is nicely located in mid ship and on Deck 10. So that means it is about equal distance from the cabin to most parts of the ship. To get to the pool it's just 2 decks up. To get to most of the restaurants it's 3 or 4 decks down. No fuss, no dust, no sweat, no rush. Perfect for a chill out holiday.

As the terminals onboard do not allow uploading of files, I will only be able to add some photos of the trip when we return back to Singapore on Friday.

Ok, now it is time for a nice dinner at the Pavilion and then a night movie at the Picture House. (By the way dining at the Pavilion is quite cool. You don't need to wonder what to choose from the menu. Food is served to you about 2 minutes after you are seated at your table. Truly no fuss and I love it!)

Will see if I can update again during the rest of the trip. (I'm being charged S$0.33 per minute for usage.)

All Aboard

Yippee!!

In about an hour we will be on board SuperStar Virgo for an 8 day cruise!

Just thought to put in a quick note. =)