Learning through Travel: Geography, Currency, Language & Religion, #MyVikingStory

Grand Palace Bangkok

Thai, Thailand, Bangkok, Jakarta and Bali; all these names conjure up to me a delicious spicy peanut sauce of Thai cuisine and lush white sandy beaches.

Bangkok is one of the most southern cities in Thailand and is the fourth capitol of this country. Their language is Thai but many know Indonesian. It is where the Siamese cat has been famous to represent. They primarily practice Buddhism, over 90%, but also recognize the other less popular religions of Hinduism, Muslim and Christianity. Their primary currency is baht and the exchange rate is 1 dollar: 30 Baht.

Grand Palace Bangkok

Reclining Buddha, Bangkok

Monitor lizard Bangkok, Chao Phraya river

Lunch on then Chao Phraya river

Bang-Pa In Palace Ayutthaya

Wat Maha That, Ayutthaya. Thailands second capitol

Bang-Pa In Palace Ayutthaya

Wat Maha That, Ayutthaya

Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are part of Malaysia, they speak Malay but my experience has been that they also speak Indonesian. Many of the natives are multi lingual and fluent enough with English. The country is approximately 60% Muslim and a smaller percentage of Buddhism and Christianity. Kuala Lumpur uses the ringgit I didn’t have any experience directly with their currency. The current exchange is 1dollar: 4 Ringgit. Singapore has a very strong currency, 1US dollar: 1.35$ Singapore dollar. It’s a beautiful island, very bourgeois, Probably because chewing gum is illegal here! We all know what that does to a sidewalk and driveway etc.Their economy is booming, building major infrastructure. They hail as the busiest trans-container shipping port in the world, which is necessary because Singapore has no natural resources other than showing off their beauty through tourism. Shipping is an integral part of Singapore due to it geolocation between the Indian and the Pacific oceans, its a major port and stop over for many ships. Singapore has a considerable refining industry, so it brings unfinished goods in and refines them and ships them out. If you want a coastal view it may only be good the day you buy it because Singapore is forever building its coast with sand and with massive skyscrapers like the Sands Marina hotel. Interesting however how they built this massive hub in part below sea level, areas of the city have a history of severe flooding. Nothing depicts this more than this image of the port and the seawall between the Ocean and the Singapore river. At any given moment there is anywhere between 800-1000 ships waiting at the mouth of its port. The shipping and transporting of all these goods reminds me where all of our American jobs have gone, overseas.

Gulf of Thailand

Viking Orion Atrium Bangkok to Bali journey

Viking Orion Planetarium

Port Klang, to Kuala Lumpur

Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur Viking Orion

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur 42 floor view

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Confluence of Klang and Gomback Rivers, Kuala Lumpur. Mist effects to keep the mosquitos and bugs away.

Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

Chinatown, Temple, Kuala Lumpur

Our trip was marked by an equator crossing ceremony for all the “pollywogs” on board the Viking Orion.

Crossing the equator Certificate

Pollywog ceremony crossing the equator

Jakarta, Indonesia

Rainbow City Semarang, Indonesia

Semarang, Java, Indonesia

Semarang, Java, Indonesia, Chinese candles

Friendly native Semarang people asked me for a group photo. I was excited to oblige

Catholic Church, Semarang, Java, Indonesia

Surabaya welcoming dancers, beautiful

Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Mayor residence Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Snacks Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Mayor residence Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Dental office across from Mayor residence Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Mayor residence Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Local Surabaya women selling goods

Surabaya, Java, Port and naval ships

Surabaya, Java, Indonesia Port

Straits of Mallaca approaching Bali

Surabaya, Java, Indonesia tugboats accompany the Viking Orion out of port

Pamelo fruit display for lunch

Rabida fruit display for lunch

Papaya, lime for lunch
Jakarta, Semarang and Surabaya are found on the island of Java, a separate island with in Indonesia. Although very much a Third World country; the people we met were expressive and friendly, there wasn’t one that I saw in public that didn’t have a cellphone. It’s quant bright colors and architechrture depict a strong Dutch influence from years past, at present it’s predominantly Muslim with Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity in smaller numbers. Jakarta port is outside of the main city, on our travels on the Orion many nautical miles before entering the port, empty bottles, cups, bags and cardboard boxes floated by our ship in the Java Sea and this was a constant reminder of why there is so much more in the world that needs to be done to fix pollution problems. 1 US dollar:13,900 rupiah. A pair of cotton elephant pants are anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 Rupiah, roughly US$10, with most non commercial vendors the price is negotiable.

Viking Orion

Crab salad Chef's Table Viking Orion

Nordic bathing steam room to snow room & ice plunge

Singapore river, Singapore

Docking Viking Orion Port of Singapore

Singapore river, Singapore

Panoramic Singapore

Marina Sands Hotel Lobby, Singapore

Marina Sands Hotel Rooftop, Singapore

1000 year old olive trees. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Photoelectric trees, Gardens by the Bay. Singapore

Qiji lunch

China town, Singapore

Viking Orion sunset by the infiniti pool

Vioking Orion Pool and atrium

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Bank Museum lobby. Jakarta, Java, Indonesia. School girls stop me for selfies

Jakarta, Java, Indonesia

Shadow puppets origin. Jakarta, Java,Indonesia

Viking Orion Model

Jakarta

Jakarta, Java, Indonesia

Viking Orion entertainers

Bali. A gem within the South Pacific was our final destination. It’s 90%Hindu with Muslim, Christianity and Buddhism. Bali’s primary currency is the rupiah. “No building in this city is over taller than a coconut tree” about three stories. Beautiful temples all over spot the tight two lane roads with two very special places of worship in particular, positioned by the sea and a lake atop of a small mountain. My experience with Snakeskin fruit and Durian fruit, which I have never seen. Fortunately our hotel was on the beach within a large multi-hotel complex including a mall, restaurants and a hospital. All this within 20 minutes of the airport. Unfortunately the Business Class and First Class lounge in Bali airport was not well ventilated, very hot and a bit small to accommodate passengers.