THE HOLIDAY THAT WASN’T, PART X
9 MAY, 09.00 HOURS
Before sunset yesterday crew members climbed out onto the bowsprit in a traditional clipper farewell as the tenders took us out around the ship for photo opportunities of the four-master ship under full sail. Nimble-footed guests were allowed to climb out onto the netting – more photos! The last climbs up the mast to the crow’s nest took place; last names and addresses exchanged and of course the last (several) farewell drinks. By now we were on familiar terms with many of the 160 passengers and the talent quest/concert, with serious input from the crew, took place in the Tropical Bar to much hilarity and good cheer (and more farewell drinks). We, however did not make it late night, as suitcases had to be packed and outside cabin doors by around 3 am. Since we didn’t have much luggage this was not an onerous task. Still there are all the bits and pieces one acquires during the week, not to mention the complete set of on-board, daily newsletters, which I treasure.
Saturday: last day. Breakfast over, it was time to pay bar bills and then collect passports from the purser. Nothing left to do other than collect up last minute belongings and wait to disembark the ship… once again a bittersweet moment. On shore, I stand and look up at the Star Clipper which has been our comfortable ‘home’ for the past week. Then it is time to pass through customs and take a taxi to our hotel in Singapore, the Pan Pacific where we will stay a night before flying out to Sydney on Sunday night.
Singapore’s tropical heat is rather too much for me so as soon as we have booked into our room at hotel I waste no time in heading for the pool. Later in the afternoon we will head out to explore, especially the street markets.
9 MAY, 2019 (THURSDAY). Another last day. After vacating our hotel rooms (an easy task: by myself, hand luggage only) we crammed bags into the storage room and set out in our trusty pink bus for the large major site on our itinerary: Osaka Castle, a huge star shaped fort, next to one of Osaka’s many waterways and set in (the usual) beautifully tended gardens. There was a paying guided tour but so many people queued up I couldn’t find the energy to participate. In truth, I was more interested in walking around the fortress, to admire its extraordinary stone walls, and the views over the river.
We were then taken to the street-stall area for shopping and more food tasting. I wasn’t really interested in the shopping (had almost used up my supply of Yen) and only bought a pair of socks with toes. Lunch in a teppanyaki bar was an interesting experience. I toasted the end of a successful holiday with two glasses of expensive Australian champagne, to go with the oysters in my lunch. Out in the street and strolling towards the designated pick-up spot for our bus, I could not resist a last helping of yakitori, cooked in front of me, piping hot and delicious. All too soon we were back on the bus and in the impersonal world of the airport terminal. A few hours wait and I was on the plane to Sydney, to arrive early the following morning.