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Published: March 1st 2015
We published this blog originally on Feb 21, but for some reason it didn't make it through the satellite system. So, better late than never!
Silversea makes a stop in Semarang on the island of Java primarily so that guests can visit the ancient Buddhist temple of Borobudur. This well preserved holy place rivals Angkor Wat for historical significance and sheer amazement. We were fortunate to spend a full day at Borobudur several years ago thus we decided not to make the long trek to the center of Java. After almost two months on the road, it was time to take a break from touring and get caught up on correspondence, laundry and other routine tasks.
Since it was Valentine’s Day we decided to indulge ourselves with a reflexology foot treatment. We attended a pre-dinner Virtuoso event and were serenaded by the ship’s entertainment staff with romantic love songs. The butlers presented all the women with roses at dinner and placed red hearts on everyone’s cabin door. It is fun to get dressed up and go out for a fancy Valentines dinner on board.
Because of the tidal situation, our stops in Brunei and Kota Kinabalu were shortened
INDONESIAN BELLS
A unique musical instrumentquite a bit. Silversea had a world event in the Sultanate of Brunei. We were taken to the Royal Brunei Polo & Riding Club for a festive dinner and local entertainment. This club is reserved only for the Royal family and guests. It was quite an interesting dinner and due this being a Muslim country, it was an alcohol-free evening. We were served a variety of colorful fruit juices instead.
Brunei is a strict monarchy and has recently proclaimed Sharia Law. The city is dotted with mosques and the muezzin’s call to prayer is heard five times a day. We went by an amusement park and were told that it must close down during prayer time. Also this past Christmas season all shops were ordered to take down all holiday displays and Christmas trees. Similar restrictions have been announced for Chinese New Year celebrations, thus no fireworks shows or dragon parades this year in this conservative country.
Brunei and Malaysia and Indonesia all share the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu faces the South China Sea and is a major tourist destination and industrial center. Many of the tourists are from neighboring Muslim countries. It seems that there is
BUDDHA VALENTINE
Painting by a Balinese artist a more moderate form of Islam practiced in K.K. During our short five hour stay, we took the shuttle to town and wandered through the wet markets, the produce sheds and fishermen’s village. The majority of workers we saw are foreign laborers from the Philippines.
We had a Cruise Specialists Lunar New Year party. We made some Asian decorations and Bernadette, the arts and crafts instructor, gave us several cheery Chinese red garlands and wall hangings. The staff provided Asian appetizers and we all toasted "Gung Xi Fa Choi" to the Year of the Sheep. Since it's Chinese New Years, we are lucky to be cruising there. Our next stop is Hainan in the Peoples Republic of China.
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Jim & Diana
non-member comment
Sharia Brunei
Kevin, you look darling! Any reactions to impact of Sharia law in Brunei.? There is such a negative reaction when it comes up back here. Is there a benevolent Sharia? Back here it is viewed as oppressive. Jim