And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the fifth of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the fifth essay reads as follows:  "Singapore was our second stop after Bangkok on our Southeast Asia cruise, and the differences between Singapore and Bangkok are enough to overwhelm you — especially when one city directly follows the other.  Neither place, I suppose, offers the visitor a completely fair and balanced look at what comprises a Southeast Asian city, and yet, here they stand in very sharp contrast to each other."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last two paragraphs of the essay

There are numerous other contrasts such as the existence of sidewalk vendors in Bangkok and none in Singapore, the “smart casual” dress of the people we observed in Singapore and the dress of those in Bangkok which far better represented a cross-section of the whole Thai population, and even the language — those in Singapore spoke fluent English and those in Bangkok spoke little (some very broken) English.  There were even great differences in modes of transportation as noted previously.

Just from these examples alone, you can see that the differences between Singapore and Bangkok are enough to overwhelm you.  Remember, however, that our two experiences were different in the amount of time we spent in both places and with that, our limited ability to make a thorough investigation.  Just the same, it was an enjoyable and thoroughly interesting juxtaposition.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the fourth of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first two paragraphs of the fourth essay read as follows:  "At the end of essay one on Bangkok, my wife and I were touring “high-end” stores so our tuk-tuk driver could get 'gas coupons.'  When our tuk-tuk tour ended, we gave our driver 60 bahts rather than the 40 negotiated at the beginning of our trip.  Still, at 60 bahts for over 1 1/2-hours of travel, the cost in U.S. dollars was less than $2.00 (about $1.86 to be exact).

"Back at the Grand Palace (once the official home for the Kings of Siam), which was our original destination when we left the Four Season’s Hotel in the morning, our intent was to see the Emerald Buddha located within the Palace walls.  I’m not quite sure why our focus was on seeing a wide variety of Buddhas; however, that was what was happening."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

Despite not getting out of the city, however, we noticed the contrast between the traditional and the modern.  For us, one of the best symbols of this contrast was seeing one of the women sidewalk vendors toting her wares in bamboo woven baskets, attached to a bamboo pole, carried over her shoulders, then selling her wares on the sidewalk beneath a large, modern, skyscraper.  Where else in the world but Bangkok?

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the third of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the third essay reads as follows:  "It was dark when we landed at the airport, and we could see little (or nothing) during the shuttle ride from the airport to our hotel just outside the main areas of most interest (e.g., the Old City, China Town, and sights along the Chao Phraya River).  After a 21-hour, 36-minute (total) series of flights (3 different aircraft) — 3 legs (Detroit-Chicago, Chicago-Tokyo, and Tokyo-Bangkok) — we were dead tired and ready to check in to our Princess-cruise arranged, Four Seasons’ Hotel, which we did around 2:00 a.m.  We slept in until 9:30 a.m. the following day."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

This essay will be continued in a second essay on Bangkok — which was not planned when the original essay was written.  Looking back on our entire Southeast Asia trip, both my wife and I agreed that Bangkok was our favorite city of the nine we visited.  Perhaps, this is the influence of first impressions; however, it could have been our freedom (and time) to explore the city on our own, the experiences we had there, the friendly and helpful people we met, or, as I most suspect, it could have been the exciting, interesting, and obvious contrasts this big city offered.

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the second of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise (March, 2010).  The first paragraph of the second essay reads as follows:  "Just for the fun of it, I pulled out a 20 Chinese Yuen at a cash register in a local store, and because I had just returned home from China, I told the cashier where I got the money, and she said, 'You know, I’ve never had any desire to leave this country.'  I responded saying, 'It is a positive experience, and it makes you proud to be an American.'"

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

My list could go on to mention 5,000-year-old traditions and beliefs, population density, societies that depend on class consciousness, or the garishness of religious symbols, but I want to add a final note.  We enjoy traveling widely, and our trip to Southeast Asia was no exception.  Just because I observed differences between cultures, does not mean I disliked anything I observed.  It comes back to the old cliche: “Nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.”  “While no nation is greater than another,” one writer on the Internet said when I Googled, “Proud to be an American,” “and no nationality is superior to another, I am happy to be among those who call the United States their home.” .My conclusion is simple: “It sure makes you proud to be an American.”

And Then Some News

And Then Some News

Thursday's Essay Preview

This is the first of 17 essays that cover our Southeast Asia cruise during March, 2010 - our tenth cruise.  The first paragraph of the first essay reads as follows: "There is a certain safety and security that can be appreciated when you are protected and followed pre-travel (and during your travels) by a well-known cruise-industry line.  For example, when my wife and I traveled to the Great Rivers of Europe via Grand Circle, a representative met us at each of the airports: the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Amsterdam, and Vienna, our final destination.  Nothing was left to chance, and there was someone at all points to shepherd us to the places we needed to go—even when a plane was missed in Amsterdam because of a prolonged security investigation of our carry-on baggage."

Thursday's Essay Excerpt - from the last paragraph of the essay

This essay was not intended to scare-off would-be world travelers; however, once aware of the kinds of things that require early thinking and preparation, the entire process becomes easier, more efficient, and less stressful.  Although it is comfortable being protected by a cruise company, a cruise company cannot nor will not remind you of all the activities and processes necessary prior to traveling.  As I said, the more you travel, the easier it becomes to remember everything.  One key for us is simply starting the process early.  For example, we began setting things out a month or more before traveling, and we were fully packed (except for small last-minute items) a full five days before leaving home.  It was Henry Ford who said, “Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.”

And Then Some News