Tuesday Dec 18 - Phuket
We landed dockside in Phuket on a warm (31C) and mostly sunny day. We opted for a taxi to one of the tourist beaches (Kata) where we walked around had a drink then headed back to the ship for a late lunch and siesta afternoon. I was quite under the weather with a sore throat and had not slept the night before. We finished off the day with a sail-away drink at the Sky Bar, then attended a cocktail party being hosted by one of the 50-odd Aussies on board who was celebrating his birthday. We had an early dinner with an Americian couple (Wayne and Lyn) from Austin.
Wednesday Dec 19 - Langkawi
I got up in time for an early risers quick brekkie at 7am before our 8:30am tour. We took an "adventure" tour - a boat trip to the bat caves then down the river towards the open sea to see kites and eagles (being fed) then out to the ocean so we could take photos of the "iconic" sign for the Kilim Geoforest Park.
We returned to the boat in time for lunch then we took the shuttle to the acquarium (which we did not visit) located on a nice beach with some lower end hotels. Back to the boat for a sail-away party at the Sky Bar followed by dinner at R2.
Thursday Dec 20 - Penang
We landed at 8am had brekkie then walked into the city in hot and steamy conditions. we walking around the old town for several hours and were very impressed by this herital listing area. Back at the boat we had a late lunch and a lazy afternoon. We had a nice dinner at R2 skipping formal night in the main dining room - lobster tails for the mains.
Friday Dec 21 - Belawan
Indonesia - our one and only stop at the port of Belawan / city of Medan. We had pre-booked and pre-paid for a very long (12+ hour) tour to the organutang rehabilitation center. What a trip - many hours sitting in traffic before reaching the park, followed by a very early and very mediorce lunch then a hike up 450 steps in hot and steamy conditions - finally, our just reward - a mother and juvenile organutang. Fortunaltey we able to leave a bit early and got back to the boat by 7pm in time for a shower before dinner - anogther tour was not so lucky - they only got back at 9pm just as the dining room was closing. There were a number of issues with this port and tour and without asking or even lodging a complaint we received a 50% discount.
Saturday Dec 22 - at sea
A day of R&R for many after the Belawan disaster - Dieter missing brekkie and our final bridge lesson due to his sore throat. We did make it to the finals of trivial pursuit to no avail - our team came third. After lunch we lazed about, packing etc. We hit the sack after dinner and after putting our suitcases outside our room in anticipation of departure the following morning in Singapoare.