After departing Darwin, Australia, Volendam spent two days covering 700 miles before entering Indonesian waters. From there, the pace picked up quickly—a whirlwind stretch that included Komodo Island, Bali, Singapore, three ports in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and two in Taiwan. Let’s dive in-
With its rugged peaks and rolling terrain looking like green velvet, Komodo Island feels a bit like stepping into another era.
Situated between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa, it is often compared to “Jurassic Park,” and is home to the famous Komodo dragon. These giant lizards can grow to over ten feet in length.
Having already experienced walking among these free-roaming, dinosaur-like creatures on a previous visit, we opted for something different this time—a snorkeling excursion to nearby Pink Beach.
The beach lived up to its name, with soft, pink-tinged sand and clear waters revealing vibrant coral gardens below. Schools of tropical fish darted around us, including clownfish tucked safely within the swaying fingers of anemones.
We also spotted small yellow and purple-veined sea squirts anchored to the reef:
After our time in the water, we enjoyed a simple but delicious lunch prepared by the crew aboard our local-style junk boat. All in all, Komodo remains one of the more unique and memorable places we’ve ever visited.
Next, our two-day stay in Bali offered a perfect mix of relaxation and local flavor.
But rather than rushing around to see the sights, we checked into a small, family-run spa hotel known for its affordability and warm hospitality. https://www.febrishotelspabali.com/
Eight of us settled right in, enjoying massages, facials, and plenty of time by the pool. It was a welcome change of pace after our busy days of touring.
In the evening, we strolled along the boardwalk to a seaside restaurant, where dinner came with a side of traditional performances and fire dancers, all set against a beautiful sunset.
The best part? Our overnight stay, plus eight hours of spa treatments for two, came to just $160 USD—an incredible value and a highlight of our time in Bali.
Beautiful Singapore! We were thrilled to have another two-day visit to explore this vibrant, cosmopolitan city.
Getting around is effortless thanks to the state-of-the-art transportation system, making it easy to reach the city’s top sights, world-class museums, and diverse neighborhoods. The blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures are reflected everywhere—especially in the food scene.
We spent time along the waterfront at Clarke Quay, enjoyed the impressive Marina Bay Sands complex, and visited Gardens by the Bay, including the stunning Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, where even the cherry blossoms were in bloom.
In the evening, shipmate friends invited us up to their rented suite at Marina Bay Sands, where we watched the Garden Rhapsody Light Show from the 40th floor. The view over the illuminated Supertrees and Marina Bay was spectacular—and a perfect way to cap off our visit.
Vung Tau (Ho Chi Minh City Region), Vietnam
Vietnam, a country of 115 million people—and it feels like most of them are on motorbikes! Volendam docked at the Port of Phuoc An, the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, Phu My, and Vung Tau. Having visited the larger cities in 2024, we opted this time for the seaside resort town of Vung Tau.
Our local guide, Binh, shared that the town was once known as Cap St. Jacques during the French occupation and has long been a popular beach escape for residents of Saigon. As we drove into town, bougainvillea and frangipani lined the streets, adding bursts of color and a soft fragrance to the humid air. The town sits on a peninsula, surrounded by miles of sandy beaches.
Our first stop was the Whale Temple, home to the skeleton of an 18-meter whale. Revered as a protector of fishermen, the site serves both as a place of worship and a community gathering space.
We continued on to the Bach Dinh (White Villa), built in 1898 and once used by the French to confine Emperor Thanh Thai for his patriotic resistance. The grounds were especially beautiful, with tall teak trees providing shade, and flowering frangipani and bougainvillea in full bloom—some even displaying multiple colors on a single plant.
A local treat was stopping at Binh’s favorite café for traditional Vietnamese coffee—strong and rich, softened with sweetened condensed milk. Over coffee, he shared stories about his family, proudly noting that having two daughters makes him a lucky man. Because in Vietnam, he explained, it is the groom’s family who traditionally bears the cost of weddings—expenses that can quickly add up.
Re-energized, we continued on to scenic viewpoints overlooking the harbor, passed through colorful Boat Bay, and visited a hilltop pagoda featuring a 20-meter reclining Buddha.
Our final stop was the towering Christ the King Statue, which stands even taller than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer—at least if you don’t count the base.
Da Nang, Vietnam
In Da Nang, we opted for a more hands-on way to experience the city—riding in a modern-day rickshaw, known as a pedi-cab. It was equal parts fun and exhilarating. Sitting just inches above the street, we had a front-row seat to the organized chaos of traffic—the sounds, the smells, and a few close calls along the way. Definitely one way to feel immersed in the city!
We also visited the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which houses an impressive collection of sandstone carvings from ancient Cham civilization sites. The detail and craftsmanship were remarkable.
After viewing the ancient craftsmanship in the Cham Museum, we visited a nearby marble factory where ornate sculptures were being carved. Apparently, still using the same techniques as hundreds of years ago.
The marble is harvested from just a few miles down the road. Some sculptures were quite unique!
We drove out to the beach famously dubbed China Beach, known from television and film. Wide, sandy, and stretching for miles, it’s easy to see why it became so well known.
As the shoreline curved around, we neared the 67-meter-high Lady Buddha perched on the hill overlooking the harbor, surrounded by gorgeous bonsai gardens.
Our visit to the city of Da Nang was extra special, as it landed on the 51st anniversary of the end of the war!
While Volendam pushes away from her pier, we watched the anchovy boats using their nets to scoop up their catch.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
At daybreak, Volendam slowly navigated a maze of limestone karsts for nearly two hours en route to Ha Long Bay in the South China Sea. A heavy haze hung in the air, giving the towering rock formations an almost ghostly appearance. Anchored ships appeared and disappeared in the mist, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
Once docked, we boarded a traditional Vietnamese junk boat and headed back through the labyrinth of rocky formations for another hour before reaching the caves.
More than 700 steps guided us up and through vast Sung Sot cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites, opening to sweeping views over the bay.
We also paddled a two-person kayak into a quiet lagoon, where monkeys along the shoreline entertained visitors with their playful antics.
Back aboard the junk boat, we relaxed while the crew prepared a fresh and satisfying lunch—prawns, chicken, calamari, fish, cabbage, rice, ramen, followed by coffee and fruit.
Our time in Ha Long Bay was brief, but it left us wishing we had longer to explore this remarkable place.
Hong Kong
Our two days in Hong Kong allowed us to soak in the frenetic pace and dense humanity of this cosmopolitan city. With more skyscrapers than any other city—over 675—it’s also one of the most densely populated places in the world.
We managed to hit many of the highlights: riding the tram up to Victoria Peak for sweeping views, taking a spin on the world’s longest outdoor escalator system, visiting a local temple, strolling through the lively Temple Street markets, and walking along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Of course, no visit would be complete without dim sum—and we happily obliged.
The food scene is very colorful, aromatic and sometimes unidentifiable!
That evening, we boarded the junk-style boat Aqua Luna for a front-row seat to the Symphony of Lights, a coordinated music and light show involving more than 40 buildings along the harbor. It was quite a spectacle!
Taiwan
From Hong Kong, we continued eastward to beautiful Taiwan, our first visit to this fascinating island country. About the size of Maryland, but with nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, it offers a striking mix of landscapes and cultures.
Our stops included Kaohsiung in the south and Keelung in the north. Both cities revealed a dynamic blend of old and new. Some of the most unique buildings included Kaohsiung’s new Cruise Terminal (below, top) and Pier 2 Art Center (lower left).
From ancient temples (above) set against modern skylines, traditional tea houses alongside gleaming shopping malls, and foods from Michelin-starred restaurants to gritty night markets filled with noodle and seafood stalls.
What stood out most, however, was the warmth of the Taiwanese people. Time and again, we were met with kindness and generosity. While purchasing a kilo of red chili peppers for our beloved crew, a fellow shopper assisted with translations. Another couple went out of their way to walk us to their favorite restaurant. And when a sudden downpour sent us ducking into a café without local currency, a young man insisted on treating us to coffee and tea. We offered U.S. dollars in return, but he wouldn’t accept.
When he learned we were visiting by cruise ship, he shared that he had served in the Taiwan navy—compulsory for one year for all young men. We chatted for a few minutes before he returned to his girlfriend, leaving us with a simple but lasting impression. These are the moments that stay with you—the small, unexpected connections that make travel so rewarding.
Looking back on this whirlwind through Asia—from Komodo Island and Bali, to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Taiwan—it’s hard to pick a favorite. Each destination brought its own sights, flavors, and experiences, but it was the everyday moments and unexpected kindnesses that will stay with us the longest.
And now on to Japan….stay tuned!
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