Day 3 Afternoon: After checking out we traveled by subway from Hong Kong under the water to Kowloon to get on the ship: Picture the four of us, 5 large suitcases and 6 small carry-ons /backpacks and a wheelchair, trying to move on and off escalators, up and down stairs, through malls down to subway. Shoving the huge suitcases through the ticket turn-styles on the way then hunting down the “handicapped” exit to leave, but jamming it as I tried to push Dad, the wheelchair and myself through but got stuck in between the two barricades as it thought I was trying to cheat them by trying to get two through for the price of one. After seeing us ask 4-5 different people “which exit from underground do we take to harbor?” a cute young asian girl about 12 overheard us , understanding our English, and said, “We are going that way, you can follow us.” We were so grateful as we followed her and her mother for many turns and blocks pulling all our bags behind us. This all took about 1 ½ hours. To take 2 taxis from our hotel was going to cost us 250 Hong Kong dollars,= $38. But to save money we took the subway, which cost us $2.40. All to save some money!
We were grateful to finally arrive at the harbor and see our ship. We checked in our bags and then on to the ship. (I had received call from Adam Barth that as we had booked as “Friends and Family” that they had overbooked the cruise and Holland America needed to have the 4 of us share a room, but that it would be a bigger room. And they were going to refund us 50 % of our price. Visions of the awful folding bed from Alaska tour came to mind, or worse yet, Bunk Beds. But because we were family and friends Adam pretty much said it was a done deal, unless some cancelled and didn’t make it to the cruise and we might get our rooms back.) Our rooms weren’t ready so we ate a quick lunch as we were still going to hit the History Museum with just 2 hours until we needed to be back on board.
They announced that our rooms were ready. We went up to the room number given us. It was the closest cabin to the middle elevator. Couldn’t be better location. Then Kris stuck in our key and opened the door. There we all just exclaimed great joy. Wow!!! There was this gorgeous “Deluxe Veranda Suite”, with wine gift from the captain. Large king bed, (pretty good) sofa bed, bar, dressing room, and a bathroom bigger than our kids bathroom at home, even including a tub with Jacuzzi jets. Then we look ocean side. A double door exit to our 8 foot by 20 foot veranda patio with two lounge chairs and table with 4 chairs for playing games. Now every few hours Dad just keeps saying “We are so lucky!” Thank you Adam Barth!
Things to remember in Hong Kong:
Kris: “The aerial tram over the mountain. It was like flying”
Dad: “Walking in to our cabin!”
Many men around the hotel were dressed in their business suits looking like they were going to church. But then when we took our walk to the other side of town we found that there were people just like us.
Ed: The cable train, a vennicular, (but the cable was under the train instead of over.)
After dropping our bags Dad didn’t want to leave the cabin, so he stayed behind to enjoy our new 2-week home.
Kriss Ed and I headed for the taxi and the museum. It had started to rain. Note to self: When the taxi driver needs to call in for translation of “Hong Kong Museum of History” then beware! After approximately 8 minute taxi drive, he dropped us of in the middle of the street pointing at the building. We walked down the block looking for the entrance, there was none. Then walked the next whole side of block long building, no entrance! We walked the 3rd block long side of building, no entrance! Found a small door and tried it, it was locked but a lady let us in. Then they sent us on elevator down and across to the front entrance. The Taxi driver must be new or was out to dump us.
We had 1 hour and 15 minutes to be back on board, and we had to spend our remaining 30 HKD as they wouldn’t be good in the rest of China. Ed needed a swimming suit.
We did a 45-minute speed walk through the museum. Sad as I’m sure we could have enjoyed 3 hours there. Made us hunger for more history to understand all that we are seeing and experiencing.
We came out of the museum with 20 minutes to spare. (The ship didn’t really leave til 6:00 but we were supposed to be on board at 4:00 for emergency ship drill of what lifeboat to get on.) But it was pouring rain, so after jogging down various streets in the pouring rain with no umbrellas trying to find a taxi, realizing that all were full because of the rain, we started to panic a bit. Then Ed started to watch for a taxi pulling over that he could grab as someone got out. He ran after one. As Kriss and I saw him catch one we then ran the 1/4 block to get in. Ed found a suit in about 10 minutes at the mall that was attached to the cruise harbor, and then we ran on board at just about 3 minutes after 4:00.
Then dinner and to our own private meeting with “meet the Captain." I forgot to mention that along with our Deluxe Suite we also have access just two doors down to our own private lounge that is just for the deluxe suites and penthouse guests. We have our own cruise concierrge (sp) and juice, herbal teas, ice water fountain, and appetizers there all day long.
SUNDAY CRUZZIN’
We were all looking forward to “a day of rest” when Kriss woke early to find our Sunday Schedule outside our door. We planned the day events that we each wanted to attend putting off the sports and crafts one. (Except the one putting shot “hole in one” contest for Ed. Don’t worry, think in was in keeping with the Sabbath as it was two balls with a putter down three stairs in the Atrium.
We had a quick breakfast then starting our sea day at interdenominational church. Then Dad and I went on “Behind the Kitchen Tour” where they cook all the food for 2000 guests and employees with just a staff of 67. Kriss went to hear about the Shanghai tours offered by Holland America, (even though we are planning on doing our own.) Then we also listened to a wonderful lecture ”Explorations: Great Cities of China: Shanghai, China’s Showpiece Capital of Commerce. preparing us for our next stop.
Dad, Kriss and Ed all sleep as I write this. Just received knock at the door and our room steward just delivered us 2 red rose corsages and 2 white rose boutineers for us to wear to “Formal Dinner” tonight. Oh the life of the rich and famous!
I’m to wake the other’s in 10 minutes for us to attend “Royal Dutch Tea”.
Well, it’s not Erik funny but it is a peek at our last 24 hours.
We miss you all and wish you could be here….but then we probably wouldn’t have all fit in this Deluxe Suit…...
Love,
Pam, Dad, Kriss and Ed
PS: Just found out that our great accommodations also allow me to email from our own suite as I sit here on my bed,(again thanks Johnny for sharing your laptop) instead of going to the public areas, as we are “so close to the top”.
Rachel: When you get home and as they come in could you forward to Adam!!!! We can't thank him enough, but I thought he might enjoy reading of our adventures.