This is the vehicle we were driven in for the tour.
Before dinner we attended a cocktail reception at Captain Birger J. Vorland's Quarters with several of our fellow guests. Several officers and other key staff were also on-hand. We always look forward to these receptions as it is a great opportunity to meet new guests and those that we already know and also a nice opportunity to speak with the officers and key staff and to also hear from the Captain.
Following this reception we went to dinner with a darling couple Sal and Linda at the Prego Italian Specialty Restaurant. We first met Sal and Linda on the 2012 World Cruise and we were all on board for the 2013 World Cruise and this was the first time the four of us dined together.
They returned to the ship in Ho Chi Minh city following a few days at Angkor Wat so it was fun to hear about their land trip as well as to converse about other items and to share the dining experience with them.
As usual, our waiter for the evening was Costa who always takes such wonderful care of us.
We each had salads to begin the meal and the two of us had the additional entree which was a black cod and it was delicious.
We had such a terrific conversation that we were there for two and one half hours. The only down-side is that we missed the second event of the day performed at the Crystal Plaza which was called Under the Spotlight which was a performance featuring Jonathan who has been dazzling us with his singing abilities who was joined by Kandice who actually is the Pilates Instructor, but whom has an amazing background in entertainment and they were joined by the Sextet Band. We were told that the turnout was even greater than the turnout for the Mardi Gras mid-day mixer that we attended earlier in the day. We heard that it was a fun event.
We slept very well as we sailed to our next port in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Keith was up first and did a nice workout in the Fitness Center before he stopped by the Lido Cafe for coffee. He chatted with all of the Lido Deck Stewards and two members of the night crew as they busily did their jobs.
Rather than walking outside, we had an early breakfast as Keith went on a tour and Anne Marie stayed on the ship. Anne Marie walked while Keith was on the excursion.
Keith participated in a volunteer excursion which we both did in 2012 that involved visiting an orphanage. This is part of a comprehensive program known as "You care. We car." On most voyages Crystal offers one of these excursions and there is no cost for it and provides the opportunity for guests who wish to participate to do some type of volunteer work. Anne Marie didn't participate since given the medication she is on it is recommended that she not be in close contact with so many children.
We were transferred from the pier to the Orphanage of Sihanoukville Province which is a long standing facility that shelters children in need of a home. It was formed in 1992 and had the support of the Cambodian Government. The drive took about 10 to 15 minutes each way.
We had a local tour guide whose English was relatively good. He was the same tour guide as we had two years ago. The children and the school administrator and others at the school didn't speak much English but we were able to communicate with them with the help of the tour guide. The children did say a couple of words in English.
While we couldn't understand each other we brought smiles to the children's faces as they did to our faces. It was nice to see some of our fellow passengers play with them as Keith did.
There were 28 people on the tour. The Knitting Instructor escorted the tour and there were two Ambassador (Dance) Hosts one of which was the escort two years ago along with some other people from enrichment including Joe and Maria Kita (Yoga and Memoir Writing). Keith sat with John Mentis (Pianist) on the bus both ways and on port days John takes video that is used to make the World Cruise Video and also is used in other videos for Crystal Cruises.
The reality is that education at this facility is quite limited as it is in the country but the children seemed very happy and looked healthy. Keith recognized some of the children from two years ago. Those that are part of the orphanage must remain there until they are around 18 years old. They cannot be adopted.
While Keith was on the tour, Anne Marie stayed on the ship so she did her walk after Keith left for the tour. She walked outside for one hour and then she read and wrote and spoke with some fellow guests and also with members of the crew.
Keith saw many improvements from last year.
On the left is the gentlemen who was our tour guide two years ago and on the right is the director of the orphanage. She was not there two years ago.
As we walked from the street on the entranceway of the orphanage there were children lined up on both sides to welcome us.
We saw children in a couple of the class rooms.
There was a music room.
Some of the girls were embroidering blankets.
We toured around the facility and then the students entertained us. We will post photos from the entertainment tomorrow.
Anne Marie had lunch at the Lido Cafe and Keith had lunch when he got back to the ship.
We enjoyed the ship the rest of the day.
This evening we dine at the Crystal Dining Room.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…...
"The children from around the world make each day brighter for each of us." - Keith & Anne Marie
Keith & Anne Marie
Keith, I was wondering if the children were placed there by parents who cannot take care of them or are they children who have lost their parents? Did they give a reason as to why the children cannot be adopted and must stay until they are adults?
ReplyDeleteCaroline