Legend of the Seas Cruising 101- What I Learned From My First Cruise Day 3: Elephant Safari

After another  leisurely breakfast at Windjammer, we explored the ship. There were a lot of interesting sculptures and paintings around the ship. We chilled at the Solarium because we did not like to soak in too much sun. The sea was calm, its deep blue hues quite relaxing.

Taking in the sun and sea in airconditioned comfort

Day 3: Shore Excursion to Phuket

After lunch at Romeo and Juliet, we went to Patong Beach. Since the bay was not big enough for a cruise ship, we transferred to what they call tender boats. No, they were not soft.  Couldn’t resist the corny aside. These double decker boats took us to the beach.  The sand was off white, the shoreline dotted with beach chairs and umbrellas. 

Patong Beach in Phuket: Very close to Leo Di Caprio's Beach?

I saw a couple of beach-side massage tents, and food carts from where whiffs of roasting meat wafted. 

That's me with the shoulder tattoo (in my dreams)

Its pretty impressive how the place had been rebuilt after the Tsunami  of a few years ago.

Great to know there's a Tsunami Evacuation Route

 The highlight of the excursion was the visit to Island Safari for an elephant ride, something we had not been able to do during our previous trips to Bangkok.  It was an interesting experience, the site being in a jungle-like setting.

At Islands Safari

What was it like to be a golden girl riding on an elephant for the first time? Well for starters, it was good that I brought my hat and fan because it was hot that afternoon. This, coming from someone who lives in sun-scorched Manila. I had to hold on tight to the railing of the elephant seat because the ride was quite bumpy. Other than that, it was kind of fun. I collect elephants, and it was nice to finally experience riding on one. We were at the tail end of the “safari”, so we could see the others in front of us, and it gave me a kind of a nice feeling, seeing all those pachyderms ambling down the path. Whenever I travel, I buy an elephant figurine. But for this trip, my souvenir is our picture and the experience of the ride itself. I think it’s even better that the Thai elephants I have at home from previous trips. 

We took pictures of our co-travelers during the ride

Of course, I am so grateful that my daughter was with me, and she volunteered to hold the umbrella for the two of us. However, she said that she was never going on another elephant ride again because she pitied the elephants. We were told to step on the head of the elephant the moment we mounted what looked to us like a baby elephant. We were supposed to use the elephant head as a footstool during the ride that wended through a rough path lined with trees and shrubberies! Instead, we tried our best to keep our feet on the air during the ride. Quite tiring, but at least it was a good isometric workout.

A small temple in the Chalong Complex

Next, we visited  the Chalong Temple, the largest and most sacred temple in Phuket. We also went to the Cashew factory. The Nori flavored cashew was very tasty. My daughter liked the wasabi flavored variant.  The ribbon of well maintained roads around Phuket impressed me a lot. I know I should be more patriotic, but I could not help but feel sorry for the miserable roads in Metro Manila. To think that Manila is our country’s capital, while Phuket is merely a province of Thailand.

At the Cashew Factory

My daughter and I had looked forward to the Ballroom Dancing Show on Day 3 which we considered to be the show of shows.  She is an avid viewer of Dancing with the stars, and I, for one go ballroom dancing with friends occasionally. That was why we hurried back to the ship after the Phuket excursion, instead of staying behind to shop. Can you believe, two women passing up the bargain delights of Thailand? We had a quick dinner then went back to our cabin to freshen up and rest. We set the alarm to 15 minutes before showtime so we can leave early and get good seats.  Imagine our surprise when, on our way to the Theater, we met people leaving! Had the schedule been changed? Would there be a second show? Alas, No, and No. We missed the show of shows because we used my daughter’s Iphone as an alarm clock., and while in Thailand, it automatically shifted to Thai time, which was one hour behind Singapore time which was the one used in the ship.  Better luck next time. Sadly, Learning No. 11 is check your watches and alarm clocks. Beware of time differences.

We were so disappointed, but hey, we were on vacation. So we tried to make the best out of it, and watched an aerial performance. Then, as usual, we went to the Solarium to vent our frustration on cheese pizza: hot off the oven, with gooey mozzarella.

Coming up: Day 4 Sailing in the open Seas

Gratitude: Thanksgiving

Recently, I attended a joint birthday party of two friends where the centerpiece was not ice cream or cake, but a Tambara. Now, a Tambara is not food, though to me it sounds like an exotic dish, like Tiropita, or Moussaka. But according to Ish, one of the celebrators, a Tambara is an indigenous altar, much like the mythical world tree that connects the three worlds: the upper world, middle world and lower world.

It was part of the gratitude ritual that the celebrators wanted to do so that they could give thanks for all the blessings they have received so far, and show openness for more gifts. Much like an extended version of the blowing of candles and making a wish that we usually do on birthdays.

The ritual took place in the garden where the bamboo Tambara stood, adorned with ilang-ilang, and draped with a  red cloth from the mountain province. At its foot sat a bulol woodcarving, itself festooned with flowers and flanked by baskets laden with rambutan, lanzones and bananas.

Under the orange rays of the setting sun, we gathered around the Tambara. Both celebrators, Ish and Rem, faced the Tambara, heads bowed in silent prayer, saying their thanks for blessings received and strength that helped them overcome challenges in the past. At the same time, they opened their hearts to what the future will bring. We formed an arc around them, holding lighted candles. Then one by one, we shared with the group our wishes for the two birthday boys. I don’t know about the others, but I felt like one of the good fairies in the Sleeping Beauty Fairytale. Afterwards, we went back in to the house and had cake, cupcakes, pasta, pastries, fruit  and the usual trimmings of a birthday party.

I think that this is a very nice way of celebrating one’s birthday, to really ritualize  gratitude for the gift of life and what it brings.

Today, Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving. We know that this is an even bigger Holiday for them than Christmas. I recall that when I was doing graduate studies in the US, my host family (a very young family- a doctor, his wife and and their toddler)  went out of their way to have Thanksgiving Dinner complete with Turkey for me. The wife's mother even flew in from New York to help. Thank you so much, dear Durnings. I can't find the picture of my first Thanksgiving Turkey, but it looked like this:

Photo from Greenaislegrocer

The Americans have hit on a very good idea of ritualizing gratitude. I am guessing that it is helping them get over the Financial Crisis of 2008 whose aftershocks are still being felt, as well as other catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina and Storm Sandy. Of course, gratitude alone will not solve everything, nor is it a substitute for hard work. But being grateful does put us in a better mood or frame of mind to do the needful.

Harvard Professor Shawn Achor said that being grateful helps people become happier. Martin Seligman, the Father of Positive Psychology shares this belief. And of course, my very own Mother subscribes to this. When I used to go to her with problems, she would tell me to count my blessings. It is not always easy to do so in the face of challenges, but I learned that making the effort is a good first step. In recent years, I had taken to writing a gratitude journal. Sometimes I skip when I am too busy, stressed or tired. But the journal does help. Even just looking at past entries makes me feel good.

We Filipinos have a lot to be thankful for this year. The country’s economic performance tops the list. The Philippines is now among the best performing emerging markets. Our Gross International Reserves are at an all time high, and so is our stock market. Interest on Government borrowings have been reduced, so this means our great- great grandchildren will not owe as much! Ha-ha. And remember, next year is an election year, and we have a chance to vote deserving candidates into office. Meaning those who will truly serve the country and not just appear to be doing so.

On a personal note, I am grateful for a loving family, a wonderful daughter, and new “glasses” with which to see the world and discover rainbows even after a storm. Sometimes, the glasses do become foggy, and I can’t always see the blessings as they come. But what can I say? Such is life, and as long as I keep on looking, I am sure the rainbows will turn up.

Just want to share  what I call the turkey's revenge from Norman Rockwell

From Saturday Evening Post by Norman Rockwell

How about you, what are you grateful for?

May we always see life’s rainbows.