Update on the Trip Details

Back in April I gave the overview of the trip as it had been planned.

Now seems a good time to provide an update of the plan with more details.

The major change is that due to the activities of the Tamil Tigers we are no longer going to be visiting Sri Lanka. The fighting flared up in May and has continued right up to this month. There appears to be no sign of it coming to an end. Indeed the South African cricketers cancelled their tour due to the increased violence.

The cruise company notified us a month ago that the cruise would now not go to Sri Lanka, but would have an additional stop in India. This means we have a period of three days at sea, rather than the maximum two days in the original plan.

Thursday 31st August

4.30 Leave home for our journey to Heathrow traveling with JC Executive Cars

We've used Lounge Pass to access the Holideck Lounge for our wait.

11.05 a.m. BA139 from Heathrow leaving from Terminal 4 we then arrive at Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Terminal 2 (also known as Sahar Airport) (Mumbai) at 12.15 a.m. on the 1st September (local time = 7.45 p.m. on the 31st UK Time - An 8 hour 40 minute flight.)

We are then transferred to the Park Plaza Royal Palms Hotel for the night.

Friday 1st September

Morning around Bombay for sightseeing.

Afternoon embark on the Pacific Princess for departure at 6.00 p.m. (UK - 1.30 p.m.)

Saturday 2nd September

10.00 a.m. (UK - 5.30 a.m.) Arrive at Mormugao in the Indian state of Goa.

Day in Mormugao - we have booked ourselves on the Spice Plantation and Old Goa Tour

Depart 5.00 p.m. (UK - 12.30 p.m.)

Sunday 3rd September

7.00 a.m. (UK - 2.30 a.m.) Arrive at Mangalore in the Indian State of Karnataka.

Morning in Mangalore - Today we are going on the Mangalore City Tour

Depart 1.00 p.m. (8.30 a.m.)

Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th of September

Traveling south from Mangalore then around the southern tip of India and then across the Bay of Bengal to the Thai resort of Phuket

Thursday 7th of September

1.00 p.m. (UK - 7.00 a.m.) Arrive Phuket

Afternoon in Phuket in Thailand - Visit Khao Phra Taew National Park

Depart Phuket at 6.00 p.m. (UK - Midday)

Friday 8th September

8.00 a.m. (UK - 1.00 a.m.) Arrive Penang in Malaysia

Day in Penang - See the highlights of Penang by Trishaw

Depart Penang at 6.00 p.m. (UK - 11.00 a.m.)

Saturday 9th September

8.00 a.m. (UK 1.00 a.m.) Arrive Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia

Day in Kuala Lumpur - A heritage walking tour of Kuala Lumpur

Depart Kuala Lumpur at 6.00 p.m. (UK 11.00 a.m.)

Sunday 10th September

8.00 a.m. (UK 1.00 a.m.) Arrive in Singapore

Day in Singapore - Tour of Chinatown and visit to Raffles Hotel including a chance to try a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar where is was invented

Depart Singapore at 6.00 p.m. (UK 11.00 a.m.)

Monday 11th September

Travel across the Gulf of Thailand to Vietnam

Tuesday 12th September

7.00 a.m. (UK 1.00 a.m.) Arrive at Phu My the Port for Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Travel to Ho Chi Minh City for Day of Sightseeing in what was Saigon

The two hour drive from Phu My to Ho Chi Minh City follows the Saigon River
passing through a landscape of small villages, rice paddies, and oil and rubber
trees. Your drive through Ho Chi Minh City passes the Rex Hotel, Reunification
Hall, the Botanical and Zoological Gardens, Notre Dame Cathedral, the French
Colonial Post Office, and Ho Chi Minh Park. The drive to the Sea Goddess Temple
travels through Chinatown and the vast Binh Tay Market.

A visit to the National History Museum and the Sea Goddess Temple. Lunch is a buffet with Vietnamese and Western dishes being served in a hotel in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a drink along with views of the City Hall and central area of Ho Chi Minh City from the rooftop terrace of the historic Rex Hotel; the site of the U.S. military's weekly updates on progress in the war in Vietnam also known as the infamous "Friday Night Follies." Visit the Reunification Hall - The former Presidential Palace is now a museum and exhibition center.

We fly to Seim Reap in Cambodia for dinner and an overnight stay

Wednesday 13th September

Early Breakfast in Seim Reap before we travel to the world famous shrine of Angkor Wat

Temple Complex - The tour takes in what is known as the small circuit,
visiting a number of major and minor temples. These include the South Gate at
Angkor Thom, a self-contained, 10-square-mile city built by Jayavarman VII. At
the heart of Angkor Thom stands the Bayon temple with its 54 towers carved with
images of Avalokitesharva. You also see The Terrace of the Leper King, The
Terrace of the 12 Elephants, the Baphoun, and the Royal Palace.

We lunch in the Angkor Cafe Restaurant and return to Seim Reap for the evening and overnight.

Thursday 14th September

Leave Seim Reap to fly to the capital of Cambodia -Phnom Penh

A tour of Phnom Penh and lunch in a local restaurant

Drive from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville

Depart Sihanoukville at 5.00 p.m. (UK 12.00 Midday)

NB - The ship and the passengers who did not opt for this excursion will have traveled by sea to Sihanoukville while we had been traveling through Vietnam and Cambodia.

Friday 15th September

Travel up the Gulf of Thailand to Bangkok

Saturday 16th September

7.00 a.m. (UK 1.00 a.m.) Disembark at Bangkok in Thailand

Transfer to the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok for the remainder of our stay

Day in Bangkok

Sunday 17th September

Day in Bangkok

Monday 18th September

Day in Bangkok

Leave Shangri-La Hotel at 9.00 p.m. (UK 3.00 p.m.) for transfer to Bangkok International Airport

Again we used Lounge Pass to book the Louis' Tavern CIP Golden Lounge so we can wait for the plane in some comfort.

Tuesday 19th September

12.20 a.m. (UK 6.00 p.m.) BA10 Bangkok International Airport from Terminal 2 arriving at Heathrow - Terminal 4 at 6.25 a.m. (A 12 hour 25 minute flight).

Travel home from Heathrow with JC Executive Cars