Cruise Holiday: Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas - Dress codes/ Cheat Codes

I read like a lawyer.

So when Royal Caribbean sent us our cruise documents and information, I studied the information. And this page drew some questions:

Nothing strikes you?

See the last bullet just before the table on "Cruise Length" and "Formal Wear".

Cruise Holiday: Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas - Cruising with Cheapskates.

We went on a cruise recently.

Twenty-three of us.

This was our extended family holiday for the first time in 18 years.

The last time we went on a family vacation was to Sydney in 2000.

At that time, there was only one child (my nephew and godson) in the next generation that had been born. In total, including my nephew, there were 10 of us. My father was still alive then.

This time, there were 13 in the next generation ranging from 4 years of age, to almost 19. And my father had passed on about 10 years ago.

Japan Detailed Itinerary - Sendai and Hokkaido

[Note:  This was from 2017.]

3 Nov (Fri)

Arrive Narita Friday Morning. Took a train first to Tokyo, then change to local train to Ueno, then took the Shinkansen to Sendai. There was a queue at Narita to exchange our Rail Pass voucher for our Rail Pass.

We had planned to maybe get lunch and spend some time in Ueno, but it was crowded, we were tired, and after the long queue, we just wanted to get on our way.

Return to Abashiri, Hokkaido (plans)

My wife and I miss Abashiri.

It was one of the first towns we stayed in Hokkaido when we returned in 2012.

We loved Abashiri because it was not what you expect of Japan. It was a small quiet town. In 2012, we went to Asahikawa after Abashiri and rented a car there. The young woman staffing the car rental agency could speak quite good English and asked us where we had been. I said Abashiri, and she said her grandmother lives there. And commented that it was "dead" or "quiet" or "not a happening place". Or maybe she said that she used to live there and couldn't wait to leave that place.

Well, she's young. She will come to appreciate quiet one day.

We wanted to retire there. We could learn to love it there, we thought (without letting the realistic worry about speaking the language intrude upon our fantasy).

Well, let us have our fantasy.

And if we can't go back and retire there, we can at least return for another visit.

Putrajaya Sept 2018 - A limited visit and review.

My wife had a conference in Putrajaya (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) recently, and would have been gone for a few days.

When she had a similar conference last year (in another city), I took on the task of single parenting my daughter (two and a half years old) for a few days.

She was fine the morning my wife left.

She was fine that evening.

But when it was dark and she was supposed to go to bed, she started to tear, and said that she missed her mommy and finally sobbed herself to sleep.

I got my wife to video call us while she was there, so my daughter could see her. And it was clear she really liked being able to see and talk to mommy.

I got my wife to send video messages via WhatsApp and that was precious to my daughter.

But bed time was still sad times. And lonely times. And times she missed her mommy acutely.

Tips for visiting Singapore

This is a good video tip.

I can find no issues in terms of accuracy or bias.

One of the better videos, I believe.

AAA Granary Accommodations & Tasmazia

We stayed 2 nights in the studio apartment of AAA Granary Accommodations called "The Loft".

Wished I had booked for more nights!

I picked AAA Granary for its proximity to Tasmazia. 

The Loft is a one-room studio with gas fireplace, one king bed, one single and one sofa bed.

The proprietor had turned on the fireplace BEFORE we arrived and selected the "turbo" option so that we would walk into a warm room when we arrived.

So nice and thoughtful of her!

Once in a Lifetime Experiences: Penguins of Phillip Island

We booked a tour with Wildlife Adventures, which start the day picking us up from our hotel at about 9.30. This is followed by a 90 minute drive South, towards Phillip Island.

Before that, we stopped just after 11.00 am for lunch, at Maru Koala Sanctuary.

Maru Koala Sanctuary has Kangaroo feeding (which I have already done at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary), and two albino kangaroos, which are quite rare.

But of course, Koalas are their main attraction.

We were lucky to catch the Koala at their most active. According to their handler, Koalas move only about 15 minutes a day. And sleeps up to 20 hours.

And are not the very brightest of creatures.

Because of their exclusive diet of Eucalyptus leaves.

So we were VERY lucky that while we were there, one Koala moved from one bunch of leaves to another.

And then she was done moving for the day (according to the handler).

After about 2 hours there, we headed to Phillip Island and the Penguin parade.

Our two days In Hobart

Finding a bakery in Hobart is difficult. Initially.

Then we found one just around the corner from our Hotel! (Daci Daci Bakers)

For dinner, we found fish and chips at the pier. One was called Fish Frenzy. Dunno if it is the "best fish and chips" but it was pretty good!

The first night at our hotel in Hobart, the fire alarm went off after 10 pm. It was interesting to see our "Singaporean response" - we looked at each other.

Melbourne next

We were in Melbourne for 3 nights recently after over a week in Tasmania.

And we wished we had more time in Melbourne!

There is a lot to see in Melbourne, and we should see it all.

Our three nights were too short a time. We barely explored QV market - maybe 30% of it, if at all.

We didn't go for Puffing Billy.

We should aim for when Thomas is back. That would excite my daughter.

We didn't go to the zoo - either Melbourne Zoo or the Weeribee open range zoo.

And we only spent about half a day in Chadstone Shopping Centre. Or "Chaddy" to the locals. We need more time there!

The Penguins Parade of Phillip Island (Melbourne)

The Penguins of Phillip Island, Melbourne is well known.

And also Puffing Billy, the heritage steam engine train.

So when I heard of the offer from iVenture Card, and since I was going to be in Melbourne for 3 nights, I thought it was a good deal.

Especially since I checked their brochure and found that they had Puffing Billy, the Werribee Open Range Zoo, and a Werribee Park shuttle from Melbourne to Werribee (this counts as one attraction!).

There was an option for a 3 Attraction card, so that seemed perfect.

So I bought the card/pass online.

Visiting Singapore?

As a Singaporean, I don't do travel tips for visiting Singapore.

But I watch videos of tips on travelling to Singapore. To see what misinformation is being shared.

And I nod at certain points. Or I laugh at some ridiculous misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Singapore's quirks or idiosyncracies.

Or get furious at some misinformation or outright lies (most likely just uninformed. They are not lies if the person really believes it) in the video.

So here are a collection of videos with tips for visiting or travelling to Singapore that I found quite informative (and mostly if not completely true). If there are any misinformation, I think they are quite minor and should not present any real problems.

Things you need to know before you go to Singapore. Singapore weather: Hot, humid, and rainy! Singapore Language: English (or Singlish!) Singapore Money: It's the Singapore Dollar -- bring cash! Singapore Laws: Don't chew gum! Singapore Food: Eat at the Hawker Centres. Singapore Public Transportation: Take the Singapore MRT, it's clean, fast and cheap! 

Our next adventure - Houseboat?

After my camper van adventure in 2014, I decided that the next adventure would be on water - house boating.

I checked out house boating in Australia, New Zealand, and even Canada. Canada because when we were travelling in Canada in late 2012, we passed by Shuswap, British Columbia, which claims to be "the house boating capital".



And I have a few options.

The simplest option was just to travel with the wife and kid. Three of us on a cosy little houseboat for 4 to 6.

Another option was to bring my in-laws and maybe my mom. This would mean a slightly larger houseboat, and likely would be more expensive. And I would have to bear the travel costs for some or all of them.

And recently, I had another idea. More on that later.

But it's 2018 and I haven't gone house boating yet.

Tasmania Plans April 2018

We wanna take Z caravanning. Or Campervanning

The Wife says we should get a cabin and not "rough it" with a powered site or less. So I checked.

There are more than 50 caravan parks around the state, some with private ensuite facilities for caravan-motorhome travellers. Others include comfortable, cabin-style accommodation for those looking for an economical 'night away' from the confines of your vehicle.
Campsites can be found in most parks and reserves, providing a true wilderness experience on or off the beaten track.

Preliminary Plans

Visit Tasmania in Autumn - April

Temperature is from just below 10 to above 15. So should be comfortable or at least tolerable.

Fall colours in the Cradle Mountains should be gorgeous.

There are no direct flights to Hobart from SG. Most have a stopover - either Melbourne or Sydney. So why not spend a few days in Sydney? Or Melbourne?

So fly to Sydney/Melbourne. Stay for a night or two, then fly to Hobart.

Melbourne has the Skybus airport shuttle.

Rent a campervan for 1 week to 9 days then fly back to Melbourne, stay a night or two, then fly back to SG.

Then in Jan 2018, Emirates had a sale! How fortunate!