Friday March 15: PORT 5: KOMODO, INDONESIA
This is a very small island which around 2000 inhabitants. It is known for its dragons. One reaches the port by tender. We had not read the small print and did not know that one could not get off the ship unless a tour was booked either with Oceania or privately.
There is also a beach where one can go snorkeling. The reader might expect me to say “at age almost 80, my snorkeling days are over”, but if truth be told, they never began. The best I can say about my swimming ability is that I am “water safe”.
In any event, we made the decision to stay on the ship as, I would estimate, half the passengers did. However, late the previous evening BGM (and I) were asked to join a private tour. BGM elected to go. I elected to stay on the ship. One might argue that I did so because the chef had promised to make me ribs for lunch. My “story” and I am sticking to it, is that my favorite lunch instead of seeing dragons and going to the beach to watch others snorkel, “may” have been a contributing factor.
Anyway, BGM went and had a great time. She was able to get snorkeling equipment that fit her and she was very pleased with how she did. QUERY: IS THERE A SENIOR OLYMPICS? If so, the next thing to expect is that BGM will go into training.
HOT TIPS: IF WANT TO GET OFF THE SHIP FOR ANY REASON, ONE NEEDS TO BOOK A TOUR. SECOND, BOOK THE TOUR PRIVATELY AND NOT THROUGH OCEANIA. IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS EXPENSIVE, AND ALMOST ANY PRIVATE TOUR WILL BE BETTER.
For BGM, all she did for the rest of the day is exercise. I went to hear the piano player with Paul and Pat Farren, and, then, had dinner with them in The Terrace.
Tomorrow, we dock in Bali overnight and we will be staying off the ship with our friends, Don and Patty Smith whom we met on a prior cruise, live in Perth, Australia, but have a home in Bali.
Tomorrow we also lose the head concierge Kristina whom we will miss as she is so highly competent and helped us a great deal when we needed help with various things. This around the world cruise is the best trip Oceania has to offer, and we are told that they staffed it with their very best people. Not all take the entire six month cruise, and some leave and come back. Both the General Manager Damien, with whom I often coffee in the morning, and Robert, head of food and beverage, will be leaving the ship for vacation but returning before the cruise is over. Unfortunately, Roberto will not be on the ship for the segment all our children and grandchildren will be joining us, but Damien will be so I am confident, everything will be fine.
BGM”s experience in this port is A and, based upon the principle “happy Wife, happy life” I also give it the same grade. (the ribs were really good)
Marcella Oscar, Photographer (Unsplash)