This morning we arrived in Phu My, Vietnam. This is the port for Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City), however since I have visited Saigon before I decided to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. The bus ride to the tunnels took us through Saigon, so the trip was over 3 hours each way. Once we…
Author: Aaron Boltman
Vietnam
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 9 [Sea Day – Day 6 of cruise]
Today was the second sea day of the cruise. I rested in the morning and woke up in time for lunch. The menu in the main dining room wasn’t too appealing, so I got some pizza and made myself a tuna salad sandwich in the buffet. I was lazy most of the day. I went…
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 8 [Sihanoukville, Cambodia – Day 5 of cruise]
This morning I arrived in Cambodia for the first time. The ship arrived on time, around 9:00 AM. I got the first shuttle bus to the port gate. We were instantly mobbed by locals with taxis looking for passengers. I quickly found my tour guide and was told there were 4 more passengers on my…
Cambodia
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 7 [Bangkok, Thailand – Day 4 of cruise]
Another early morning. The meeting time for my tour was 7:00 AM. The tour left quickly and the bus was on the way to Bangkok at 7:20 AM. I met a couple who also planned to go to the Grand Palace. I got some cash from the ATM and we attempted to get a cab…
Thailand
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 6 [Pattaya, Thailand – Day 3 of cruise]
This morning I set up my GoPro camera an hour before our estimated arrival to take a timelapse video. I had breakfast at O’Sheehans again to avoid the crowd at the buffet. I let the timelapse record until we docked, nearly 45 minutes late due to port traffic. My meeting time was at 8:45am, but…
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 5 [Sea Day – Day 2 of cruise]
Today was the first of 3 sea days. Unfortunately I had to wake up early. The Platinum latitudes ‘behind the scenes’ tour meeting time was at 8:50 am. The tour was very good. We started in the laundry, then visited the dressing rooms and finally one of the main dining room galleys. I was still…
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 4 [Singapore – Day 1 of cruise]
Gardens by the Bay and first day aboard the NCL Jade
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 3 [Tokyo to Singapore]
The start of a very long day. The final leg of my flight is on JAL, which means I am not able to be upgraded, so I’m flying economy. At least I have an aisle seat and a good neck pillow. They have us a pastry after taking off. I ate it later and it…
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 2 [… to Tokyo]
Today I continued on my flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo. I was able to get about 5 hours of sleep and watch 2 movies. I spent about 9 hours in the lounge. I explored a bit in the airport and made plans for my shore excursions for the cruise. My flight to Singapore boards…
2020 Singapore to Hong Kong Cruise – Day 1 [Houston to Tokyo]
Today will be a short day. My first flight departs at 0615 for Los Angeles [LAX] where I will board a flight to Japan that departs at 1030. I won’t get off that plane until after 3pm tomorrow, but it’s only about 10 hours from LAX to HND [Tokyo]. I left the house at around…
Checked in for the flight… Most of them anyways
This morning I was pleasantly surprised to receive an upgrade to business class on my flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo before checking in for the flight. Iwasn’t surprised about the upgrade – yesterday they had seven available seats in business class on the flight, just surprised it cleared before checking in. I have the…
First trip of 2020 – 12 day cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong
The ship sails in 5 days. My flight leaves in two. I only booked the cruise on New Year’s Eve. From the NCL app: I’m taking advantage of my status on American Airlines and hope to get upgraded most of the way there and back. I’ve been confirmed in business class on the return from…
Universal Orlando Resort
Houston to NY…
The annual Festive season trip is under way. I was lucky enough to get round trip flights to Ithaca, NY for 29,500 miles yesterday, otherwise you’d be reading about a very long drive instead of the flights on United. I left the house at 4:50 AM. I parked at Parking Spot 2 at 5:42 AM…
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Hawai’i Day 11 – Departure from Honolulu
This morning I slept in a little, then did some laundry since the room had a washer and dryer. After I put the clothes in the dryer I walked to the beach. I picked up a snack at Subway before heading back to the hotel to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine because I…
Hawai’i Day 10 – Cruise disembarkation [Honolulu]
Today was a sad day as I said goodbye to my new friend the Pride of America. Unlike other ships this is likely the last time I will be on it. After a causal breakfast (and a lot of packing) I took an Uber to the hotel. I booked an ocean view balcony room at…



















