BAKO NATIONAL PARK, SARAWAK MALAYSIA OCT 16, 2012

BAKO NATIONAL PARK, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA OCT 16, 2012

After a late night of fun, singing and dancing last night we were a little slower getting moving this morning - but we left the Kuching dock before 6am this morning and headed over to Bako National Park arriving around 730am to drop the anchor.  By then we'd already had our caffe latte and were enjoying breakfast on the back deck at 730.

BAKO National Park is the smallest, and oldest, national park in Sarawak established in 1957 and covering an area of nearly 11 sq miles.  It sits at the tip of the Muara Tebas Peninsula at the mouth of the Bako and Kuching Rivers.  The sandstone cliffs have been carved and eroded over the years forming spectacular shapes and very steep cliffs along the coastlines.

Today was a day of enjoying the park, checking out the various islands and coastlines, and hiking on shore to enjoy discovering the pitcher plants - carnivorous plants with prey trapping mechanism (like a deep bowl with water that traps flies and ants, drowns them in the water, then they decompose and the plant feeds from them).  We boarded on the zodiacs at 9am for the first excursion of the day.  The water was quite bumpy so great care was taken with each guest as we stepped off the ORION II onto the zodiacs to ensure that we were safely onboard with no accidents.  Next to the marina at the back of the ORION where we board the zodiacs, there is a board with small tags for each passenger in every cabin number, as you go down to the marina you must have on your small life jacket before you can board the zodiac, and you have to turn your number from blue (meaning onboard) to white (meaning off ship).

There was a very 5 feet low tide this morning, so we landed on the beach on Pulau Lakei, which was a mud flat due to the low tide.  There were a couple of macaque monkeys flying through the very old and large palm trees but they didn't hang around very long.  We all wiped the sand and pebbles off our feet, then headed out with Alex our expedition guide to hike the island - first up 120 wooden steps in decent (but not perfect) shape to the top of the island where there is a nice trail marked by concrete steps made to look like slices of a tree.  Since it rains a lot in this part of the world (Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo) the steps would come in very useful on those wet and muddy days.  The earth here is mostly very sandy so no nutrition for most plants but the bamboo and palms are very lush, tall and dense here.

We spent about 2 hours walking, learning about, and looking at, the pitcher plants - some fabulous examples - we enjoyed two view points looking out over the ocean to the other islands in the area - and loved the breeze coming in to cool us down a little - everyone of us was running with sweat and soaked through to the skin!  In addition as Terry and I sat on a rock for a photo the rocks were so sharp they tore a large "L" shaped tear in my nylon shorts!  (I did do a repair on the ship when we returned to our stateroom and it lasted me through the cruise and will probably last me for several more years!!)  It was still a really enjoyable hike and when we made it back to the beach about 1045am there was the ORION II umbrella set up with iced champagne or mimosas, served in crystal glasses and tiny ham and cheese croissants for those who felt like  a snack - what a nice touch!  We sat on the rocks (I took the chance I wouldn't get another tear!) and sipped on the champagne watching the water lap on the beach and three local fishermen in a small rowboat with lots of nets fish along the edge of the beach.

We headed back to the ORION II enjoying the cool breezes coming off the water as the tide started to come in.  Then it was time to wash our wet clothes and change into dry clothes (dry for only about 5 minutes) after a refreshing shower before heading up for lunch al fresco on the back deck.  Lunch included scallops, shrimp and calamari (loved it all, so fresh) followed by unbelievably tasty lemon grass gelato and pecan pie still warm from the oven! 

After lunch there were three options offered for hiking and viewing the wild life.  We had signed up the night before for the 2pm Telok Pandan Kecil Trail 2 hour hike starting with a very steep ascent (read 90 degrees vertical) and ending at the Park Headquarters.  Others had opted for the 1pm departure for the 3 hour 4.5km Telok Tajor hike.  Getting on to the zodiacs was a little trickier - the water was quite bumpy with good swells so the zodiacs were moving up and down at the marina deck.  The Expedition staff teach you well and take great care of you, they take your backpacks from you and then you have two men handing you from the Marina deck onto the rubber zodiac and you must use the firemen grip  - you hold their two arms and they hold yours - it works well and you are seated immediately and no one lets go until you are sitting safely.

The ride was about 1 1/2 miles to the small beach that we disembarked at for our walk.  The waves were rolling in and we were all reminded again with the instructions on how to disembark - facing backwards to the beach and forwards to the sea to be aware of what was happening as we got out.  The zodiac before ours (with Sue, Audrey, Brenda and MaryLou aboard) had a large wave come in and over the engine at the back so lots of water in the zodiac.  Anyone with sense (doesn't include all!) takes their cameras in their packs wrapped in plastic ziplock bags or a proper dry bag.  We learned later that evening that Michelle (who did the long hike) was on the beach when the zodiac that Suz and Pete came in on - as their Captain turned the zodiac around for landing a huge wave came in, caught the zodiac on the side and the Expedition guys on the shore yelled "it's going over!" but it didn't although everyone got completely soaked!  Thank goodness for ziplock bags!

On the beach we could see the ladder up the side of the rock cliff starting about 6 feet up from the water.  Damon (our Expedition leader) says "the first part is getting up that cliff to the top entirely unassisted, if you can't make that then the guys are waiting in the water just off the beach with the zodiacs to take you back to the ORION".  Everyone made it up and this was the start of a great afternoon hike.  At the top of the ladder we then climbed up along rocks, tree roots, and some wooden steps and after about 20 minutes came out at the most gorgeous outlook over the bay and surrounding islands - glorious!  Lots of photos of all the beautiful sandstone cliffs, and sandstone stacks where the ocean's waves have worn away and left beautiful shapes. The cliff top itself looked like a huge mass of brain coral covered in small indentations - Mother Nature is amazing!

By now we were all soaked from inside out with good old fashioned sweat it was so humid!  We continued with Damon explaining what we were seeing and how so many varieties of pine trees were very early found over this part of the world, and some in New Zealand.  Lots of pitcher plants including a new type that looked like pretty green and red teacups sitting on the ground.  At one point as we climbed gently up the trail it was completely covered in tree roots criss crossing the ground.  The soil is so nutrient deficient here that the roots stay on the surface - Damon said that should there be a lightening strike, then several trees would be felled at once as the lightening electricity flowed through several trees via the roots at the same time.  It was a great afternoon with most of the hike being across the top of the plateau along a sandy path lined with carnivorous pitcher plants, and intersecting at one point with the trail which the other group had taken.

The route down to sea level and the Park Headquarters was a little trickier since it was covered in tree roots and lots of deep steps down, it even started to rain on us - how cool is that, being in the rain forest while it rains!  The very bottom of the trail is all decking across the sea waters of the mangroves - hundreds of yards of wooden decking.  We did run into a few folks walking in the opposite direction to us, but only 7 folks.  This park is on the mainland at the end of the peninsula, so access can be by road even though we came in by zodiac from the water. It was now late in the afternoon and a great time to reach the Park Headquarters since there are many nocturnal animals that start coming out to forage and feed at this time of the day. 

We saw macaque monkeys, silver feather monkeys, proboscis monkeys, bearded pigs and two - count it - TWO green vipers curled up on a tree branch.  You can tell how well they are camouflaged in the trees when it sometimes took 10 minutes before someone could see the snakes even though they were just above their head!  The sky was getting very dark and out on the horizon there was definitely a rain storm!  We climbed aboard the zodiac and prepared for the bumpy 2.5 mile ride back to the ORION II where Captan Vincent was waiting for us to assist his staff as necessary.  Getting back on board was tricky as the zodiac and Orion went up and down at different levels at different times.  As usual Tracy (Hotel Manager aboard ORION II) was waiting to check us back onto the ship on the in/out board and hoseus down to wash the mud and sand and pebbles off our feet and shoes with the hose.

Entering the ORION was cold as the air conditioning hit us - but oh that shower felt soooo good!  After putting on dry clean clothes for dinner we all shared a drink in the Club Lounge and shared the stories of the day - everyone still pumped from their experiences. Dinner was an Asian buffet which was scheduled for al fresco on deck 5 on the outdoor cafe - but unfortunately the venue was changed to inside in The Restaurant on deck 2 due to the threatening rain.  It was an awesome buffet - the tiger prawns and chicken satay being my two favorites!  But the raspberry sorbet afterwards was spectacular.  Terry said the wasabi with the sushi really cleaned out his nostrils!  Terry, Linda and Carrie sampled the fine cheeses and port to finish off the evening - what a wonderful day!

I think we were all in bed and asleep within 45 minutes after dinner!  The next two days are "at sea" and I think we are all looking forward to a little down time, dry clothes, and the amazing lectures that we can enjoy on board given by the Expedition leaders.  This cruise is amazing - we love everything about the staff, the ship, the excursions and the food!

KUCHING, MALAYSIA - OCT 15, 2012

KUCHING & SEMENGGOH ORANGUTAN REHABILITATION CENTRE,

MALAYSIA - Monday OCT 15. 2012

Kuching means cats and cats are considered very lucky in Kuching with statues everywhere - one city centre statue marked by 4 cats - 1 facing each of North, South, East and West.  (Malay word for cat is kucing or kuching).  The entrance to the city marked by 1 huge cat statue with the words Salamat Datang - welcome to Kuching City above it.  Kuching is the capital and largest city in the East Malaysian State of Sarawak.  Sarawak used to be a part of the Sultanate of Brunei before it was ceded to British adventurer James Brooke, who ruled Sarawak as his personal kingdom (and his sons who became 2nd and 3rd Rajahs) until 1941 when the Japanese occupied Sarawak.

Up early I went on deck in the humid damp darkness around 4am and spent a couple of hours as we cruised into the dock at Kuching.  The Pilot boat was waiting and he boarded around 5am and was responsible for getting the ORION safely docked, which we were around 630am.  It was to be a full day and we enjoyed every moment.  After breakfast in The Restaurant we were all off the ship at 715am and were soon settled with lots of seats to spare on 3 large luxury tour buses.  ORION also ran a shuttle bus every half hour into the city from 9am until 5pm for anyone just wanting to tour independently within Kuching city.  Kuching is a mix of Christians (majority), Muslims and other religions and several nationalities including Malay, Chinese, and Indonesian.

Our first stop (and why we left so early) was the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre for Orangutans - about 45 minutes away.  The orangutans live in the forest here but the Park Rangers do put out fruits for them at feeding centres twice each day - the first feeding time being 9am and we wanted to be there for that.  When the fruits are plentiful in the forest (like December) the orangutans seldom appear for the feeding so we were keeping our fingers crossed.  It was a glorious early morning walk along the paved single lane driveway through the rain forest to the feeding platforms.  On arrival we were instructed what to do, and not do - be very quiet, no crying children, don't look at the orangutans in the eyes, stay away 7 metres at all times - and if an orangutan starts coming directly towards you back or run away!   

It was sunny and hot - the previous day it had rained all day which accounted for the 100% humidity level! The Expedition staff were telling us that in the last 12 times they have visited it has rained 10 times, so we were very lucky!  At 9am the fruit is put out onto the platform and the Park Ranger starts to call the orangutans - there are 25 living at this centre, which is its' maximum capacity.  For over half an hour we saw and heard nothing - then an occasional tree would bend in the forest and you could see an occasional flash of orange.  Eventually one orangutan appeared and hung down from the tree branches to pick up a coconut, crack it open and drink the juice.

Orangutans are very quiet and make no noises, much like the  gorillas we were so lucky to see earlier this year in Uganda.  He spent more time ignoring us and sitting with his back to us than he did facing us or looking at us (maybe over 100 folks behind a rope to signify our boundary).  Then we started to see more trees waving and bending a hundred feet or so back into the forest, and eventually another three orangutans started to close in - they are amazing the way they stretch from tree to tree - their arms and legs are very long - with arms twice as long as their legs - and at times they just hang there outstretched by all 4 limbs!  As soon as the first orangutan (male) heard the others arriving - he quickly reached down to the feeding platform and took all of the coconuts - holding on to them with his hands and feet - this obviously was his preferred fruit and he was not planning to share it with any others in his family.  The others came and ate a little, hung out and generally gave us some wonderful moments of pretty close viewing - it was very quiet and very enjoyable!  The humidity and temperature were really high and everyone of us pretty much looked like a limp wet rag by the time we started heading back to our buses shortly after 10am.

We were back at the ORION by 11am and had a couple of hours to get refreshed and eat lunch before our 2pm departure for the Kuching City Tour.  This was an easy sit back and watch and listen tour as the city highlights were pointed out, including the Astana Palace along the northern bank of the Sarawak river which is now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak, although it was originally built as the residence of James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak.  We were quite amazed at the highways and the structures - this is a prosperous looking city with good roads and highways, and everywhere is landscaped to perfection with all the beautiful tropical flowering shrubs and trees to be found in this climate.

We had a long stop at the Natural History Museum which is situated in beautiful gardens.  The exhibits included Long Houses complete with ancient skulls (remember the head hunters of Borneo, or the Wild Men of Borneo).  But lots of beautiful woven baskets and mats, beautiful beaded accessories, stuffed wild animals, even a skeleton from a baleen whale which had washed up on the shores in 1910.  This is apparently the best Natural History Museum in South East Asia.  We were back on the bus at 330 and then drove along the river - a beautiful walkway has been built all along the river and makes for a very nice walk.  

We stopped off for 45 minutes to do some very fast shopping at a couple of the stores there - although Carrie, Linda, Terry and myself spent some time in the stores for the local population including fabric stores with hundreds of bolts of beautiful fabrics, spice stores, dried fish stores and even a store selling reading glasses for 8 ringit each (about 30 ringit = $1)- you can never have too many reading glasses so I bought 2 pairs!  This area is quite known for its' hand beaded accessories, so between us we also bought hand beaded necklaces and a hand beaded clutch.  We would have done a lot more damage had we had the time!

Back at the ORION by 5 it was another freshen up before leaving at 6pm in the buses for the 60 minute drive to the Sarawak Cultural Village for a theme party and dinner.  We were welcomed by singing and dancing Malayans, with everyone of us dressed in a sarong with traditional patterns and a woven palm headdress - then we followed the dancers down a long wooden walkway into the Long House - removing our shoes before we entered.  There were 8 round tables set up on the floor with cushions around each to sit on while we enjoyed the singing and dancing on the front stage.  The energy that the entertainers expended was full on pretty much from the time we arrived until we left a couple of hours later.  Dinner was excellent and served buffet style including items like baked sweet potato, chicken wings, ginger beef, vegetables, chicken parts, and all served with beer or wine by our own staff from the ORION.  It was a lot of fun, especially when the ORION passengers were invited on to the stage to dance with the performers.  I must say that Carrie, Suz and Pete can sure dance well!  They all won a little gift for their performance!

Soon it was time to find our shoes and head back to the bus - of course we were the last to leave and so were on the last bus and joined by the ORION staff.  The party continued, and led by Sue, we all sang from the time we left the Sarawak Cultural Centre until we reached the dock where the ORION as moored!  Captain Vincent was at the gangway waiting to welcome us all aboard with a big smile!

The party continued in the cafe where Michael met us with a tray full of Brandy Alexander martinis to welcome us back on board - delicious!  They had also set up a wonderful Sweet Sensation, Dessert Temptations table!  Amazing desserts produced by the 10 kitchen staff and Chef Frederic.  This was followed by a rock 'n roll evening with Glenn (a French Canadian) on the piano - he can sure move, and he can really play and keep the party going!

We did eventually roll into bed, very tired but immensely satisfied after another day of new experiences in Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia and another day of the ORION staff showing us just how well they could look after us!  Every day they give us more surprises and unexpected touches which makes every day a delight, and the next day so exciting to look forward to.

I will comment that 2 days later during the recap slideshow, that the Expedition Staff do such a great job of, there were photos from the optional afternoon excursion to the Sarawak Cultural Village - showing the various Longhouses from the different tribes, the  beaded hand made items in progress (up to 3 months to make a fancy beaded collar), blow pipe demonstrations with participation, and the beautiful grounds - I think that had a more comprehensive outline or slide show been given for this afternoon excursion we would have signed up for it.  It was at additional cost but since we were going in the evening we elected to take the city tour and evening dinner show instead but on reflection would have taken both the afternoon and evening excursions to the Sarawak Cultural Village.

PULAU SETAIH, INDONESIA OCT 14, 2012

VILLAGE OF TANJUNG KUMBIK, INDONESIA

 PULAU SETAIH, INDONESIA - SUNDAY  OCT 14, 2012

MORNING COFFEE IN THE LOUNGE

After waking early, we were in the lounge drinking fabulous lattes and coffee by 7am - the latte is awesome, frothy creamy and not bitter at all.  They serve continental breakfast here from 7-730am each day, and then full breakfast up on deck from 730 - 9:00am.  They also have headline news printed from the USA and Australian newspapers to stay abreast of the news should you wish to.

We are now in RIAU Islands Province (about 3,200 islands), Indonesia consisting of the Riau Archipelago, Tudjuh Archipelago, and the Lingga Islands with the capital Tanjung Pinang located at the bottom of Bintan Island.  This is located between mainland Malaysia and Borneo.  The official language of the RIAU islands is Riau and is considered the birthplace of the modern Malay language and Riau is in the heat of what is often called the Malay World which stretches from Eastern Sumatra to Borneo.

TANJUNG KUMBIK

ON OUR WAY TO THE VILLAGE

This morning is for a very special visit to the village of TANJUNG KUMBIK, Indonesia.  On board the ship we have a 9 year old boy from this village with a huge growth on his face obscuring his vision and stretching from his eye down to his nose and across his whole cheek.  On one of the visits the Orion Staff (namely Mick Fogg who has worked with ORION since 2006) found out that there were no medical skills in Tanjung Kumbik to help diagnose and treat this little boy, so Mick ultimately arranged with a foundation to pay for the boy to be taken to Singapore and treated there.  The Chief of the Village and his wife along with the little boy's family have been in Singapore and are now returning home on the ORION II.  He still has the growth but my understanding is further testing or analyses are required before they can actually treat and/or remove the growth.  So even though ORION visits this village, this visit is special as the little boy and his mother, and the Chief and family return to Tanjung Kumbik.  

TRADITIONAL FISHING BOAT

We were all  ready for the village visit and climbed aboard the zodiacs by 9am for the short ride to Tanjung Kumbik.  The village is 99% Muslim, and the ladies were waiting to sing and welcome us onto the pier as we arrived - all 83 passengers, the Expedition team and a few other staff members.  This is not a sophisticated village, but a fishing village with wooden walkways to each house joined by a concrete driveway down the middle - this central driveway, or road,  is used by several men of the village who drive up and down many times a day on their motorbikes!  First we had a short time to walk up and down, being greeted by everyone with big smiles and a few words of English - everyone happy to let us take their photos and proudly showing off their new babies and young children for photos.  It was sunny and hot, and as every other day, all of our clothes were soaked within minutes but we were so enjoying the village and its' people.

WELCOME TO TANJUNG KUMBIK

After everyone was off the zodiacs and had walked around a little, we were all called back to the village centre where we were treated to a cultural welcome including several dances by the children and directed by their art director, a vivacious young man who has taken to heart his responsibility for keeping the culture of the Sarawak Malaysians alive and in the heart of this village and specifically its' children.  As guests we were all seated on plastic chairs in a 3 sided square - but this event is for everyone and so all the parents were there to watch their children, all the non dancing children  were there to see their mates, and the returning little boy was there and meeting and greeting his friends.

TRADITIONAL DANCING

The boys and girls danced to several songs played over a loud speaker - all of their movements very precise, smooth, gentle and rhythmic.  The young couple at the front presented betel nut and ? leaves to a couple of the guests, accepted graciously but as Mick said, you don't have to chew the betel nuts but you must accept the gift.  Then it was inviting the guests to dance with the children - all very nicely done, no fun taking at anyone's expense.  Carrie did a grand job reflecting the movements of the little boy who asked her to dance, but Brenda had the most difficult job when the cultural director asked her to dance - he was really into the dancing and his chance to show his stuff - he was jumping around with arms and legs in every direction - Brenda made us proud dancing along!

We then had a short time to wander along, talk to the locals and the head back to our zodiacs.  Most of the village waved us away and I will never forget the little boy, maybe 12 years old, sitting on top of the roof at the dock blowing me kisses as I waved Goodbye to him - what a wonderful experience we participated in today, AND STILL MORE TO COME!

GIRLS FROM TANJUNG KUMBIK VILLAGE

Back at the Orion we quickly changed into our swimming gear, picked up our snorkel gear and were at the marina at the at the back of the Orion ready for the first zodiac to the beach.  The Orion staff were already there and had set u p for an amazing BBQ.  It was half of our group that set off on the first zodiac singing a rousing chorus of Oh Canada (the zodiac captain circled us back to the ship until we finished singing - then we headed over to the beach where we were given instructions about the reef, current and snorkelling - and where we had to come back to shore to avoid being sweat around the end of the island.  Then we did our wet landing (feet and legs into the water) and on to the beach where Paul was waiting with a tray full of margaritas.

We had a wonderful afternoon on the beach - the snorkelling was fabulous - a reef drop off just a short distance from the beach, so lots of healthy brightly coloured hard and soft corals and quite a few fish, although being reasonably close to the island with the fishing village on it not far away, I'm sure they might fish lots around here!  The current made for really easy snorkelling - just hang out and watch the incredible underwater world float by!  After two drift snorkels along the reef we swam back to the beach and headed off for the BBQ lunch further down the beach.  The ORION II staff had done an amazing job of setting up the BBQ - everything you could imagine, fish, shell fish, prawns, hamburgers, chicken, ribs and a variety of salads, buns and fixings.  Somehow nothing ever tastes better than sitting on the beach with your toes wiggling in the sand and enjoying lunch while you can smell the BBQ still roasting the meat!  And of course we enjoyed cold white wine to wash it down!

SUZ & PETE PLAYING BALL WITH THE KIDS

The villagers from Tanjung Kumbik (where we visited this morning) were treated to a short tour of ORION II while we were at the beach, then they came over and the kids all enjoyed ice cream at the BBQ.  There were several villagers joined us on the beach, and Suz and Pete even enjoyed a game of basketball (with no basket) on the beach with the kids.  Mind you - every kid wanted to throw the ball to Suz or Pete - so they were pretty tired when the game came to a close!  My energetic task after the snorkel and BBQ was laying face down on the sand under the palm trees and enjoying a massage from Diane, the Orion Spa Therapist who set up on the beach!

COCKTAILS ON THE BEACH

OUR VERY OWN DESERTED ISLAND

All too soon we were getting back on to the zodiacs to head back to the ORION II.  We soon weighed anchor and set off as the sun was starting to set - we were al waving farewell to the lovely Indonesians from the village.  Then it was time to wash off the sand and sunscreen,, freshen up and enjoy another fabulous meal prepared by our chef ? from France!  Life can be so tough!

TROPICAL PARADISE

SUCH FRIENDLY LOCALS

TRADITIONAL INDONESIAN BOY

....... AND INDONESIAN GIRL

EVERY HOUSE BUILT ON POSTS IN THE WATER

MATCHING HOUSE AND BOAT

WHITE WINE ANYONE?

MASSAGE ON THE BEACH

NEW COCONUTS SPROUTING

ALL ABOARD ON THE ORION II

FISHING BOATS

BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRLS FROM THE VILLAGE

BBQ LUNCH ON THE BEACH

PULAU LINTANG, INDONESIA OCT 12-13, 2012

PULAU LINTANG, Anambas Archipelago

ORION II SINGAPORE TO SOUTH CHINA SEA

ORION EXPEDITION CRUISES   - The Path Less Travelled

FRIDAY Oct 12 - Sat Oct 13, 2012  Embarking in SINGAPORE

WHO OWNS ALL THIS LUGGAGE?

So our shuttle arrived just 10 minutes late at 2:40pm (just after we started to worry and had the Concierge make a phone call to Limousine Cabs to ensure they were on their way!)  All the luggage was  piled into the new and clean 19 passenger bus - enough luggage that we had just 13 seats left to sit on!  First stop was the Cruise Ship Terminal - a fancy building that was looking pretty deserted!  No-one around so Terry and the driver took a quick walk inside and determined that we should be at the Singapore Cruise Centre next to the Harbourfront Centre Building.

Another 15 minutes and we arrived at the correct building and were delighted to see folks around wearing ORION tshirts - always a good sign that you are at the correct location!  We soon unloaded the bags and suitcases and they were taken away by the porters, and after a couple of escalators, moving sidewalks, and long hallways we were welcomed onto the ORION II.  It was sitting in the harbour next to a massive Star cruise ships and it looked tiny!

CHEERS TO A SUCCESSFUL CRUISE

We were soon onboard, although we did have to wait for awhile to checkin - we were kept waiting in the main reception area and checked in one cabin at a time.  So we missed the champagne and appetizers being served in the lounge, and just managed to throw our bags into the cabin, start (but not finish) unpacking - then head into the lounge to section A, B, C or D with our life jackets ready for the emergency drill. It tool quite a long time but was well done and comprehensive - we even had to walk out on to the deck afterwards in crocodile formation (1 hand on the shoulder of the person in front) towards the life boat that we would be getting on to should there be a real emergency while on board the ORION II.

LIFEBOAT DRILL & SNORKEL GEAR

After the drill the ORION II was ready to leave Singapore so we headed upstairs to the 6th deck at the front of the ship (this small deck also has a jacuzzi on it which is kept as  cool water when in tropical climes) and toasted each other while watching the hundreds of freighters in the Singapore Harbour as we departed and watched the lights on the shore of the country of Singapore, which is also an island, pass by.  We said Goodbye to Singapore with a glass of champagne in our hands and were soon meeting and greeting other passengers on the ship, we et several repeat clients - for some this was their 8th cruise on ORION.

OUR CABIN #345

Dinner was downstairs on the 2nd deck in the Restaurant (very aptly named) - you are seated as you arrive at the next table or at a table of the size you would like if you have arranged to have dinner with other folks.  This can be a nice way to meet and learn about the other passengers on the cruise - the largest table seating 6 passengers.   The dining room staff are all from the Philippines with big smiles and a great sense of serving you well and keeping everyone happy.  Teddy and Eric were two of our servers and looked after us very well. Terry and I purchased a wine package of wine - 5 bottles for $150 AU from a wine list given to us.

The food was excellent, we were very impressed.  Each night they serve a gusto menu with 5 courses and small portions so that you can fully enjoy each each course.  In addition they also have other options for those preferring a more standard fare of fish and meat with side dishes.  The evening just flew by and  with dinner not starting until 7:30pm by the time we finished dinner we headed for our cabin and very comfortable beds!  We were soon sleeping like babies and the gentle rocking motion gave us a very good night's sleep!  A wonderful start to our first cruise onboard ORION II.

SATURDAY Oct 13, 2012 South China Sea to PULAU LINTANG, Anambas Archipelago North East of Singapore

How exciting - our first morning on the ORION II - such calm waters last night so a solid sleep for about 5 hours, waking before 4am and still very dark outside.  So I continued reading my WHITETHORN book by Bryce Courtenay (A Novel of Africa) which saw me reading it all through Kenya in September, and I'm still not finished, but such a good story and so many facts, which of course I find fascinating, set mainly in South Africa starting in World War II and continuing with some Kenya and Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe history thrown in as well.

OUR FIRST ZODIAC RIDE & WET LANDING

By 6am we were dressed and up into the lounge on deck 4 where coffee and continental breakfast are served from 7am, then the main breakfast starts at 7:30.  The latte I had was awesome and that's it for my coffee of the day!  A quick walk around the deck confirmed what we were told last night - the air conditioned ship means that your camera will steam up when you first go outside into the humidity - so give it a little while to defog!  The South China Sea was like glass - you could see the fish swimming along with their dorsal fins skimming through the surface.  There were all sorts of small islands, several layers deep at different heights, not far away - a few of the thousands of islands in Indonesia.

OUR DESERTED BEACH

All of the group of 13 emerged one by one, and each had a good sleep with I think everyone in bed before 10pm last night.   Carrie and Linda laughed heartily as they told of the balloons and huge Anniversary Congratulations in their cabin 339 last night when they went to bed - it was meant for Clark (who at the last minute was unable to come) and Linda's wedding anniversary, but some confusion meant it had been Congratulations to Carrie and Linda!! In two single beds!  Breakfast was served outdoors in the Outdoor Cafe under blue canvas umbrellas and pagodas on the aft of deck 5 - lovely fresh fruit, cereals, eggs to order, cooked hot items, salmon, pastries, croissants - all tasting wonderful as we gazed out across the calm seas sitting with Suz and Pete Laurie.

By 8:30am we were dropping anchor and the crew was getting ready to head out in a zodiac scout boat to assess local conditions and check out the landing for our snorkelling and beach trip today on the small island of Pulau Lintang .  At 9am with excitement running high we picked up our zodiac life vest (much smaller and easier to  wear than the emergency life jacket which is good for 6 days floating in the ocean)  and headed into the Lounge for the Zodiac Briefing - this is truly an Expedition ship and cruise with shore excursions being "wet landings" and instructions required, and given, as to what this means.

DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS?

The briefing was informative and fun - the Aussies on the Expedition crew led by Max McGuire, have a great sense of humour - and then we were all issued excellent quality snorkels, masks and fins (not flippers as Max said) ready for our snorkelling. Wearing our lightweight safety vests (issued specifically for the trips on the Zodiacs) we were soon loaded into the Zodiac (5 passengers sitting each side on the rubber air chambers) and we were off to the beach - which was in a protected bay and just beautiful with amazing rock cliff formations on the side.  The water was calm even though all of the islands on the other side of the bay were in the mist and haze and looked quite dark.

Carrie was the first into the water and said she felt like she was on the cover of a travel magazine it was so beautiful.  The staff had already unloaded towels and water and we were soon snorkelling.  The reef was very healthy with beautiful corals (hard and soft) and lots of fish - parrot fish, clown fish in anemones, damsel, butterfly, Queen angel - it was truly beautiful snorkelling.  Best of all there was essentially no current so we could all hang about with faces downward enjoying everything we saw with no fear of drifting off to places unknown!  (ORION does offer high visibility yellow jackets for anyone who feels more comfortable wearing one). 

SINGAPORE TO BALI   - VIA BORNEO

Carrie was back at the beach before us and was met by a waiter who walked into the water bringing her a margarita in a martini glass!  By the time we exited many folks had already returned to the ORION and it was just starting to rain a little - but we enjoyed our margarita and amazing guacamole and tortilla chips on the beach!  Then it was back to the ORION for lunch which was served in The Restaurant down on the 2nd floor - a change of plans since it was meant to be on the back deck but Clinton the Maitre'D was concerned that the rain might reach the ship - it never did!  It was a buffet with all sorts of Indonesian dishes but I had a green salad with a wonderful mix of fresh greens and cheese and crackers (followed by tiny servings of bread and butter pudding, blueberry torte and chocolate ice cream!).

By 2pm we were back over to the beach on Lintang Island and it was a simply amazing afternoon.  The skies turned completely blue, it was a low tide, the water was like glass - absolutely picture perfect.  Only about half the number of folks came out who had been there in the morning so they missed an even better experience!  We went by zodiac from the beach out into the middle of the bay and slid into the water over the reef which was pristine and because of the low tide we were so close to all the healthy hard and soft corals, every colour you could think of: yellow, pink, green, blue, beige - amazing!  In addition there were so many fish. many of which we have not sen since we were avid scuba divers more than 10 years ago - again there was no current so we just hung out in our own personal aquarium.  Michelle popped her head at one point and said very little - her eyes as round as saucers "Unbelievable, I am so stoked!".  It truly was a wonderful hour and a half of looking into the world of fish and corals, watching the busy life underwater - even to a cleaning station with the tiny wrasse busy cleaning all over the parrot fish stopping by!  The wrasse even swim inside the gills of the much larger fish, cleaning the parasites - the wrasse get their nutrition and the larger fish stay healthy and happy. 

When we were ready, we had an easy swim back to the zodiac where a set of ladders is down into the water for easy access - unfortunately at this point Terry swam into a jelly fish and ended up with red welts all across his chest and arms - he said it felt like an electric shock zapped him!  Back at the beach he doused himself with cold water and even though the welts looked red, swollen and blistery - they didn't sting and within a few hours had completely disappeared. The clouds had all been burned off, the lighting was awesome and we spent a beautiful hour taking photos and just absorbing the beautiful location - there were less than 10 of us left to enjoy the beach on this uninhabited island. 

I was about to say pristine beach, but I can't say that since the garbage issue in Indonesia and all of Asia is only slowly being addressed.  Plastic is the problem that was created, and not resolved, in the 20th century.  Plastic floats around all the waters in the world and Asia is no different - so much of it washes up on the beaches and this island has its' fair share at one end of the island.  ORION is very conservation minded and they are always picking up bags of garbage wherever they go, but there is no recycling program in most of Asia and until that is addressed this garbage issue will not go away.  One thing ORION does is issue everyone a metal insulated drinking water bottle and very strongly encourages each passenger to use this for the cruise (there are large chilled water bottles all over the ship to refill your own bottle).

SAILAWAY FROM SINGAPORE

Even Max (the Expedition Leader) came into the water to cool off at the end of the afternoon - threw his walkie talkie back onto the beach and said I agree - this is too amazing for words - I have never seen such perfect conditions" and he agreed to mutiny with us, but of course, there were so many excellent reasons to head back to the ship, so we were all aboard on the last zodiac heading off the beach and back to the ORION II.  While on the beach we did have a fly over by a plane - looked like a military plane of some sort heading over to check out ORION II - it returned a few minutes later and then went on its' way.  There used to be huge amounts of piracy in the South China Seas, but that has dropped off a lot in the last few years with all the countries' navies working together.

Back on board the last zodiac was hoisted to the roof and before we had showered the ORION II had its' anchor up and we were on our way heading further North East for  our next stop - the RIAU archipelago in the province of Kepri, or Kepulauan, Indonesia located between mainland Malaysia and Borneo.   The official language is RIAU and the RIAU Islands are considered the birthplace of the modern Malay language, and is the official standard for Malay as agreed upon by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.  RIAU is in the heart of the Malay World which stretches from Eastern Sumatra to to Borneo.

CAPTAIN'S DINNER

Back on board we first had a wonderful slide show in the 3rd floor lounge recapping the days' events presented by the Expedition Staff - they work so hard every day these brawny Australians, and using computer technology to quickly put together an entertaining (such a dry sense of humour and so many laughs and chuckles by all of us) and informative slide show including many photos of the clients and what they did that day, along with useful information about where we had been and what we had seen.  Then they follow with a presentation about the next day's schedule and what we should expect to see and do, what we should take along with us, what we should be wearing, and whether the zodiac landings were expected to be dry or wet (feet and legs in the water off the zodiacs). 

BREAKFAST ON THE BACK DECK

It was the Captains' dinner and so at 645pm we were all invited into the Lounge for champagne (or wine) and a few appetizers.  Captain Vincent from Brittany France greeted us all (born in 1976) and we sat in a group at the back of the lounge and enjoyed catching up with each other for 45 minutes until we headed down to dinner in the Restaurant - a grand dinner , we all sat at 1 table (well 3 tables put together) and had a splendid meal.  Everyone was dressed in their finest, which is still quite casual on the ORION and enjoyed a lovely 5 course dinner.  Every night there is a 5 course dinner (small portions so that you can enjoy every course) or alternative selections (you can mix and match between the set and alternative should you wish).  This was the end of our first full day on the ORION II - we have already made some new friends, the crew and Expedition staff are familiar already on a first name basis and look after us like their own family - we are going to have an awesome cruise!

By the end of dinner most of us immediately went to bed and were asleep in minutes, although we did find out next morning that Carrie had persuaded a few to head to the lounge where they enjoyed Canadian Glenn (from Quebec) playing the piano - he is apparently very flexible and played a bit of everything and the girls danced the night away.