Monday, July 25, 2016

Voyager of the Seas Day 5

5th day - 14 May 2016

Time for some Sunrise.

Woke up at 6.15am (SG time) in an attempt to watch the sun rise. This is one of those precious things you can do on a cruise as there is nothing blocking the sun from your view. Our room was facing the correct direction, and we can watch the sun from our balcony. By the time we woke up though, "the dawn is breaking, a light shining through". It was quite bright already then. I was playing spotify while we were relaxing at the balcony, and "Collide" just happened to be the first song to play. I was introduced to this song years ago by my bf, nothing special then, but now it becomes another memory for both of us <3.


Waiting for the sun to slowly rise up is a test of our patience haha. We went up to deck 12 for a better view (we did not even wash up LOL). Quite a number of people were already upstairs doing the same as us. Some sitting around and some taking photos, not a romantic ambience anymore. We went back to sleep after that.




I woke up at 8.30am and decided to leave my bf in the room. I left him a message on a serviette saying that I will be at the gym. And then I quietly sneaked out :P. Ran at the tracks for about 10 rounds and it was already quite hot at 9am. Worked out in the gym for awhile and my bf finally came to find me! We had breakfast at Windjammer and I tried this nice masala tea which tasted like Teh Alia. Credits to my bf for taking the drink for me because even though I saw it, I never wanted to try it. Love love. 



 

There were some watch sales at deck 5 today starting from $19.90. We did not buy anything from any sale on board. When we went back to our room, we saw Babban. And actually every time he sees us, he would let us know he has not made our room yet and will come back soon. Thumbs up for his wonderful service. The day before, we saw Babban and my dear was so engrossed with the conversation that he walked past our room. Babban immediately pointed out that he has walked past our room, so you see, he clearly remembers our room number!

We went for FlowRider later on. There is one at wavehouse Sentosa but both of us never tried it before. Now we get to try it for freeee! Our time slot was for the boogie flowrider (lying down on stomach and kneeling) and not the standing one. I realised I did not capture any photos, only have a video of each of us at our first attempt. Before you start queuing, make sure you go to the counter and get the blue wrist tag (and sign the waiver if you have not). They separated the flowrider into two so there were two queues. I went first while my bf took a video of me and I did the same for him. Subsquently, we both queued together and wrapped his phone in the towel and placed it aside when it was his turn. I would then finish my turn and go back to take the belongings. I did not manage to knee on the board even once! My bf did. The wave is strong and the impact is hard when I hit the wall the first time Woah. Once you lose the balance, you fly with the wave and hit the sides. The key is the make sure the board faces straight at all times before you attempt to knee on the surfing board. As the queue was getting shorter, we tried a few more times (total 4 times).


We joined in the poolside lunch of pork ribs, roasted chicken and coleslaw. We only knew about it after walking past. We were hungry after so much effort with the flowrider. It was so hot while queuing for the food. At the same time, the bellyflop competition was going on. A few contestants from various countries with big bellies were to jump into the pool and plop on their bellies. The largest splash as voted by the audiences (by showing a number with their hands to indicate the rank of the splash) will win the title. The title was won by an Indian man and everybody cheered. Our view were blocked because we were just sitting down and enjoying our food. The ribs and chicken tasted really good by the poolside especially!



We went back to bathe and prepare for our ice skating show, Ice Odyssey. There was a scheduled time on the 2nd day for us to collect our tickets and choose the time slot we wanted. There was a second line of people with no tickets waiting for a chance to go in if there are any empty seats. This is a must watch show, remember to collect your tickets! The show has different parts and themes performed by different skaters and they were all so amazing! They even invited one audience as their queen for one of the sections.

But before that, we went for lunch/snack at Windjammer after 3pm. By then one part of the restaurant was already closed to prepare for dinner time, and it was quite empty. There is really a limited variety of food at that time. Look at my bowl of dessert. Then there is this service crew who went around distibuting ice cream and singing "yummy yummy ice cream, yummy yummy 冰淇淋“. Wahah see his big bowl of chocolate ice cream.










After the show, we went to deck 12 for selfies! I had to tie up my hair because it is always so windy at the sea! Most of the selfies are quite unglam due to the messy hair and squinny eyes as a result of the strong wind and bright sun. Selfie at High Notes as well while waiting for dinner to start.





Dinner at Sapphire Dining Room today also included many selfies. Once again, 我们二人世界。 As it was already halfway through the trip, we grab the opportunity to have a photo with Parwez (left) and Rudi before they get busy again. Cream of asparaus is so so only. We would prefer the calamari to be more deep fried too. I had this Australian Trevaly which I realised is a type of white fish, and it is super tender and moist. I love it so much, best fish dish on board. My bf ate the pork tenderloin which is nicely cooked and flavoured, but the pork taste is really strong. We found the taste is strong in all pork dishes on board. As what the Chinese would say, 兴味很重。








We tried the creme brule today as it has been on the menu since day 2. It's so sweet, too sweet, especially the icing on top. My favourite is the baklava. Crispy crust wrapping the nuts, with a drizzle of sweet syrup and vanilla ice cream. I don't have much recollection of the chocolate celebration. Today, we had tea. I think they started asking us whether we wanted tea from day 3. Day 2 was formal night and everybody was too busy. The first time I asked for peppermint tea, the second time, I asked for that too. Subsequently, Rudi remembers my preference and just double confirms I still want the same for the rest of the nights!




We went back to the room and caught about 45 minutes of Baymax before our 9pm show! Okay it's Big Hero 6, but I have been calling it Baymax all the time. We came back to download and watch it. Baymax is so adorable and the storyplot is awesome. I wished I had watched the whole show before I visited Disneyland in HK.

At La Scala today, we watched Flight Risk. It is a professional juggling performance featuring both husband and wife. They were so entertaining and have so much 默契. Love this cute couple. And the next day, we were on the same tender towards Vietnam's shore.

Today, we had some immigration form to fill up and the instructions were shown on Tv. We were quite confused what exactly is a tender and whether or not these tickets will actually run out. Still undecided on whether to go down to Vietnam the next day. Plus my dear is suffering from severe sun burn due to the long time under the sun queuing for flow rider. Lucky me, I was in long sleeve.

"I try to picture me without you but I can't"

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Voyager of the Seas Day 4

4th day - 13 May 2016

Today is the day we tried the ala carte breakfast at Sapphire Dining Room, also known as, the main dining room. As there is a timing for the breakfast there, usually too early, we do not get to eat there often in the morning. We were guided to a different table as we do not have follow the usual table number like during dinner. It is a large table and a few Australians joined us after. Before our cruise, I saw blogs writing on how we would get to meet new people on board. How true that is. Although I'm not much of a talker, my bf was conversing away with the retired cruiser sitting beside him. 



Similar to dinner, we were provided with a menu with multiple options of a wholesome breakfast. I went with the chef's recommendation inclusive of a crabcake, poached egg, french beans, grilled tomato and rosti. I chose this dish because of the crabcake but it turned out to be too salty. On the other hand, the rosti is delectable and crispy on the surface. Poached eggs always seems to lack the original taste of the eggs and rely on the sauce instead, hence I prefer the sunny side up. Personally, I prefer having breakfast at Windjammer or in a buffet style so it is just the both of us enjoying our company :).

 
 
 
  
After a heavy breakfast, we went to play two games of Sorry at the library again! Waiting for our food to digest before we head for some sports activities. I have not really exercised since on board other than climbing the stairs and wading in the pool. I was all ready for a run on the sea but the sun was too hot ;/. We went to the gym instead. It is called the Voyager Fitness Center and it opens from 6am to 10pm every day.




Not bad leh, this fitness center is like those bigger gyms with another big area for personal stretches and exercises. On The Legend of the Seas, the gym is only less than half the size with limited equipments. So, when I saw the gym here, I was quite excited and impressed. Be sure to bring your sports shoes, socks and sports attire when you cruise! I'm sure you want to burn some calories so you can eat more. In fact, my plan was to exercise as much as I can so that I can eat as much as I can :D. I weighed myself in the gym that day and it was all still good hehe.

 


Rock climbing wall opens at 2pm that day and we started queuing when they allowed us up. We had to sign a waiver using their tablet such that for any injuries or accidents, RC would not be responsible. You just have to do it once, and it will apply for the Flowrider and Ice Skating as well. By right, our seapass card should have been punched a hole to identify that we have signed the waiver but somehow the crew only punched the card when we went for ice skating. Gears, helmet and climbing shoes were put on. We need to have our own socks for this too!






At first, I went to the lady because she seems more approachable but then the wall is harder to advance up. The lady is very helpful and guided me on which steps to take. Apparently, you need to focus on leg strength to push you up rather than tiring your arms by pulling. Halfway through, I was stuck and had no more strength to conquer this wall. I have never once reached the top of a rock climbing wall :(. I gave the first wall a try and yes it is indeed easier. I went a little faster this time so that I can reach higher before my energy drains away. As this wall is made easier to conquer, going up faster is easier also because you don't have to plan your route so carefully. Until slightly above the first bell, I was stuck again. I tried using the concrete wall to bring me to another step but then my arms lost its strength and I let go before I know it. I let out a scream as I swung out when the belayer tightened the rope o.o. So sudden and quite scary to be swinging in mid air.

After our adventure with the rock wall, we went for lunch at Johnny Rockets. It opens at 2pm that day so we went to play some table tennis first. There is a one time charge of $5.90 to eat here and I think it is unlimited, like a buffet. There was a free milk shake for us as we paid for two person. It was a so called promotion but most people don't eat alone so at least will have two person right. I think if you like their milkshake and order more, they still gain from there haha. I have read reviews on Johnny Rockets' awesome burgers, fries and how the service staff will dance for the customers.

No there was no dance when we were there. Their fries were really normal and I prefer their onion rings. We both had Coke because we were quite deprived of softdrinks since we had no drink package. Something carbonated was perfect after the workout (minus the calories). However, the coke was quite diluted and does not provide any satisfaction. On the other hand, the milkshake is as good as the feedback I see online. We ordered smoke house and route 66 and both of us preferred route 66. The creamy texture makes the steak less dry and more tasty. But as my bf said "I have eaten better burgers though" :P. Their desserts did not appealed to me and I did not finish the apple pie. We paid with the seapass card but they actually charged us for the milkshake! Apparently, it was another girl who offered this free milkshake and the other staff did not know. So like I said, this is not really an ongoing known promotion o.o. They refunded the amount on the first receipt and charged the right amount the second time. While it was a good break from the eating the same kind of food on cruise, I do not think that their food is so fantastic.







The Ice Rink at Studio B deck 3 is opened today! As it did not open the first few days, we better grab the chance to go because who knows when it closes again. We went to sign up for a slot and was given a sticker to come back at a specific time. This helps to faciliate the number of people in the rink at one time. When it was our slot (5.20pm), we geared up in skating shoes and helmet. I remember bringing gloves but not sure if we wore it. Remember to bring your own socks here! The rink is quite small and some parts are uneven. I consider myself able to skate but there is still a high risk that I would fall. My bf is worse hehehe. I still remember that one time we went ice skating together and when I turned around, his butt was on the ground :P. No electronics inside the rink, hence no photos taken there. No lockers were provided so you have to carry light.





Dinner at Sapphire Dining Room, the everyday fine dining experience throughout the cruise. Okay, it might not be super fine dining but it is still awesome service and food. Today, it is only two of us at the big table. Romantic much. It was also tropical themed and the staff were all wearing their hawalian shirt uniform. We were not prepared for this and have no outfit to suit the occasion.




For appetizer, I had this yummy chilled tropical mango soup, which totally qualifies to be a dessert at the same time. I think the below is tomato based clam chowder but how could we not have ordered cream of potato 0.0? The main course today is a refreshing change from the standard western cuisines. Even though the pad thai did not taste like pad thai, it is still a nice chinese fried noodles. The chicken briyani is quite flavourful, but as Singaporeans, the lack of curry gravy is disappointing. How to eat the prata-looking- side without curry T.T. The white sauce beside is made with tiny assorted vegetables and taste like yoghurt.




For dessert, the rice pudding is so weird, or we are just not used to it. It is like glutinous creamy rice. The souffle is so sweet :D. I asked for the sherbet flavours today, hoping to have some citrus and sour ones. Rudy came back with coffee ice cream as a replacement for me as there were no sherbet on board anymore. He said he usually do that if something else is unavailable and this is really going the extra mile! I was very grateful and accepted my coffee ice cream even though I did not really have space for it because.... I ordered another tropical mango soup ;o.




They have a performance for us again. We love the song that was used and asked Parwez whether he knows the song title. Although he did not know the song, his immediate reply to us was that he will go get the song title for us ;>. We took down as Dancer Totoro or something and realised through youtube that it is Danza Kuduro instead. Oh ee yoyeeyoi Oh ee yoeeyoi.



Today, we came back to an elephant in the room! Wearing my spectables :D. We went out later to refill our water bottles at Cafe Promenade. It's like a nightly affair to have some snacks and refill our bottles before we go to bed. I had a craving for banana cake and the cheese cake is also so good!




Feeling tired after our workout, blessed to be beside you.