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35-day Asia Explorer and Transpacific Cruise HOP

April 14-May 18, 2011

Singapore to Vancouver, BC

With the following options:

18-day Asia Explorer

April 14-May 2, 2011

Singapore to Kobe, Japan

Or

17-day Transpacific Cruise

May 2 – May 18, 2011

Kobe, Japan, to Vancouver, BC

Hosts: Dave and Brenda Neil #26978

Do you want to see a great part of our world?  This is your chance.  Places we always dreamed about and thought we would never get the time or opportunity to see, well, here is your chance. Places like Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and many, many more. Escapees have set up a wonderful cruise HOP with Holland America, onboard ms Volendam that is sure to answer questions you have had about the Far East. You may even pick up some phrases in your travels to these exotic ports. This is your time; let’s go.

Itinerary

Singapore

If you do only one cultural thing during your time in Singapore, it should be a tour of the China Town Heritage Centre, where entire sets of bedrooms, kitchens, and street scenes from the late 19^th century and early 20^th century have been recreated.  It’s an authentic slice of Singapore’s history that’s back dropped by the skyscrapers of Singapore. 

Bangkok

Bangkok’s temples are a unique part of the capital’s heart and soul.  The architecture is awe-inspiring and the glittering decoration is like no other.  Imagine thousands of pieces of colored glass and pottery adorned with intricate structures gilded in brilliant gold – you’re indeed in a City of Angels.

The temples are not just a tourist attraction but play an important part in Buddhist traditions.  Monks live in the temple complexes, wake up around 4:00 a.m., attend to prayers and duties, and then collect food and necessities from people on the streets.  If you are up very early in Bangkok, you will see monks walking around, dressed in saffron-colored robes.  This daily alms ritual (called “tam boon“) takes place all over Thailand and is part of the Buddhist philosophy of giving and making merit to attain a better life beyond this one.

Nha Trang

Monkey Island is a must for those visiting Nha Trang.  Located one hour by road and boat, this island features many wild monkeys with which one can interact, in a forest, unsupervised.  Tourists feed the monkeys kernels of corn at close distances; they’ll even eat out of your hand.  They don’t bite unless you try to pick them up and cuddle them. 

Kobe

Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan’s ten largest cities.  It’s located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range.  Kobe is also considered one of Japan’s most attractive cities.

Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaii Earthquake, which killed over 5,000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings.  The city is completely rebuilt, and few signs of this disastrous event are left. 

While in Kobe, take the time to visit Sorakuen Garden, a landscaped garden in central Kobe; Kitano, the former residential area of foreign merchants; Arima Onsen, a hot-spring resort within the city limits; Earthquake Museum; and Mount Rokko, offering panoramic views of Kobe and Osaka.  

These are just a few details about some of the ports you’ll be visiting; just imagine what awaits you in the 15 ports you’ll be able to explore on this Asian cruise. 

Socials

1.    April 15 in the Hudson Room from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

2.    April 29 in the Crow’s Nest from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

3.    May 6 in the Hudson Room from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

4.    May 15 in the Hudson Room from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

You will also get a letter under your cabin door the first night of cruising with the social dates and times as well as location. 

Magnolia Lake RV Park

RV parking will be available at Magnolia Lake RV Park in Livingston, TX, for people flying out of Houston, TX.  Pricing will be $5.00 per day for dry-camp and $10.00 for full-hookup sites. Sites are available on a first-come first-served basis. If you’d like to stay in your RV for a few days before the cruise, parking is $15.00 per day, full-hookup sites.   No pets may be left in rigs. Make your reservations by calling Darryl Wheeler at Magnolia Lake RV Park at 936-365-4910 or 936-328-9786, or contact him at magnoliarvpark@eastex.net.

Pet Provisions:

The following businesses will kennel cats and/or dogs.  The Escapees RV Club does not in any way endorse or recommend these services.  We are just providing you with contact information. 

Livingston

Prices good until September 20, 2010

35-day Asia Explorer and Transpacific Cruise HOP

Payment

A deposit of $1,750.00 per person is due at time of reservation, with the final payment due January 14, 2011.  Reservations can be made by calling Dorothy Peterson of Peterson Travel Services at 800-737-6435, or by e-mail at Dorothy@petersoncruises.com.  Air prices are not included in the prices stated above. Air may also be reserved by calling Dorothy Peterson.

Prices good until August 2, 2010

18-day Asia Explorer Cruise HOP

Payment

A deposit of $850.00 per person is due at time of reservation, with the final payment due February 1, 2011.  Reservations can be made by calling Dorothy Peterson of Peterson Travel Services at 800-737-6435, or by e-mail at Dorothy@petersoncruises.com.  Air prices are not included in the prices stated above. Air may also be reserved by calling Dorothy Peterson.

Prices good until September 30, 2010

17-day Transpacific Cruise HOP

Payment

A deposit of $850.00 per person is due at time of reservation, with the final payment due February 1, 2011.  Reservations can be made by calling Dorothy Peterson of Peterson Travel Services at 800-737-6435, or by e-mail at Dorothy@petersoncruises.com.  Air prices are not included in the prices stated above. Air may also be reserved by calling Dorothy Peterson.

Short-term evacuation insurance is now available from SkyMed. For more information on this, you can call 337-263-3030 or e-mail Dick and Marilyn Rogers (SKP #61011) at rogers@skymed.com.