Tour Cruise - Beijing China to Singapore - 2005

Our adventure began with an immersive land tour through China, starting in Beijing, where we stood in the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square and explored the majestic halls and courtyards of the Forbidden City. One of the most unforgettable highlights was walking along the Great Wall of China, a monumental feat of history and human achievement. From Beijing, we boarded the Diamond Princess cruise ship for a journey...

We began our journey in Beijing, setting out to see the legendary Great Wall of China. Our destination: the Badaling section, one of the most accessible and well-preserved stretches. It was late November, and the air was brisk—cold enough to see your breath, but clear and beautiful. At the entrance, local vendors sold cloves and stocking hats for just $1, a colorful and practical souvenir. Bundled up, we climbed...

We stepped into Tiananmen Square just as the morning haze began to lift. The space was enormous and austere, its cold stone underfoot echoing our steps. A handful of tourists milled about, their voices hushed, as if the square itself demanded reverence. The air was crisp, edged with the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor’s cart. Vendors approached quietly, offering Mao’s Little Red Book in...

We sailed aboard the Diamond Princess on a memorable cruise from China to Singapore. One of the most powerful stops on the journey was Nagasaki, Japan—a city steeped in history and resilience. After docking, we took public transportation to the Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. The experience was moving and somber, a deeply emotional reflection on the devastation of war and the enduring hope for peace...

During our cruise stop in Shanghai, the Diamond Princess sat anchored for a while, waiting on official port clearance. Once docked, we wasted no time making our way from the port into the heart of the city. We were given handy cards with the names of popular destinations printed in both English and Chinese—lifesavers when hailing taxis. It made navigating much easier in a city so vast and bustling. Our time was...

We first visited Hong Kong in 1987, staying in the heart of Kowloon. Back then, the city pulsed with energy—sidewalk vendors packed the streets, neon signs flickered above us, and the shopping was a wild adventure. The food was unforgettable, and we took the iconic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour for that postcard-perfect view from the bluff. One night, we dined at the legendary Jumbo Floating Seafood...

Our cruise ship docked in Nha Trang, and instead of joining the standard shore excursions, we found our own local driver to explore off the beaten path. We asked for a more authentic, non-tourist experience, and that’s exactly what we got. Our first stop took us into a rural area where we ventured out on foot across a long, narrow train bridge. Midway, a sudden downpour drenched us. We ducked under cover with four...

Our cruise ship docked quite a ways from Saigon, so we hired a local driver to take us into the city. The ride in was an adventure itself—traffic was absolute chaos. Lanes were merely suggestions on the multi-lane roads. We shared the street with pedestrians, bicycles, animal carts, motorbikes, cars, and trucks, all weaving in and out with a sort of chaotic harmony. Our destination was the legendary Rex Hotel...

Our stop in Kuantan came with an unexpected note from the ship’s captain—he announced over the PA that he wasn’t quite sure why we were stopping there. It was Friday in a predominantly Muslim country, and when we disembarked, the town felt quiet and shuttered. We wandered through the stillness of a mostly closed-up town, unsure of what the day would bring. But by afternoon, Kuantan began to wake up. A local...

After visiting the cold northern regions of China and exploring the historic sites around Beijing, we cruised south to Singapore, where we were immediately met with hot, humid air and a vibrant tropical energy. Singapore impressed us with its striking contrast of old and new. We wandered along Orchard Road, famous for its upscale shopping and dazzling Christmas decorations. We explored the lush Singapore Botanic...