SAS Hong Kong to Bangkok

From Hong Kong we slowly sailed for six days back through the South China Sea to Bangkok--our port of disembarking.

The day before we arrived in Hong Kong I gave two final exams to my A day classes. 

My political geography students spread out in the comfy lounge chairs of the Lido Terrace to take the exam.

After Hong Kong I got to work giving my last exam to my B day class Introduction to Geography. That exam was during some of the roughest waters of the voyage. Several students had to take the exam the next day when their stomachs were less queasy. Luckily, I never suffered from sea sickness. 

I then set to grading exams, final papers and projects. On occasion through the voyage I would splurge and buy a Dr. Pepper from the bar in the library or the pool deck bar--the Chappy bar for faculty did not carry DP so there my drink of choice was usually just water or a ginger ale. FYI, the German bottled DP provided at the first of the voyage was not quite right. Later when our supply was replenished with DP from Texas I was happy.

South China Sea. 

The MV World Odyssey is a German Cruise ship first commissioned to be used for the German Love Boat show. It came online with Semester at Sea after my first voyage in 2015 which was a the last voyage of the MV explorer. This hip was much more ornate and over the top in decor. 

The Chappy bar which was a quiet place during the day for faculty to work in and then a bar by night. I mainly worked in my cabin. I did enjoy a couple of fun trivia nights and other random gatherings in the bar. 

My cabin, 7016 is the first cabin door (past the opened hallway door) on the right. 

 

The seventh deck terrace right outside the entrance to my hall. 

Looking down to the fifth deck main reception area and administrative hub.

Lido Terrace where I held my A day political geography class at 11:00.

Art in the Lido Restaurant on the ninth deck

Adlon Room where I held my Geography of Hazards class. 

The ceiling of the Anderson Union--I held my intro to geography course in one on the four corners of this large gathering space. 

I met my next door neighbor Magaly when I happened to sit next to her at our orientation meeting in Bremerhaven. Brad and Lou, a gay couple, were the other immediate neighbors of Magaly. We all bonded one evening as we were stationed at our cabin doors to pass out Halloween candy and treats to the ship kids. During the final days of the voyage Magaly christened our forward, starboard hallway of deck seven as the Pink District (in honor of her three gay neighbors). She then held informal gatherings in her cabin where friends would come with all their left-over treats and drinks (not all wine brought on board in ports had been consumed) for an hour of socializing. 

The second Pink District gathering was held just prior to the grand Alumni Ball--when everyone got dressed in their finery. 

At the alumni ball when the crew brought in the fare with great fanfare. For some reason everyone started waving white napkins. It was a fun night followed by dancing on the top deck. All grades had to be turned in before the ball, so students and faculty were in a partying mood. This day was my final day with academic duties which is the bookend of a wonderful career.

My tablemates for the evening--faculty, staff, spouses and Lifelong Learners (non-student adults who sail and sit in on classes). Susan in the silver dress up front was my polka partner later in the evening. 

My India travel mates. Keith and Ann (left) were also great travel partners in Macau. He taught business classes and his wife Ann worked in faculty support. 

Two of my students.

Kelly (center) the academic dean and her sister Kim.

Damon, Lou, Brad and Chad. Four gay guys who are wearing the suits (Damon and me) and coasts (Brad and Lou) they all had made in the same shop in Saigon.

Sun setting from the aft deck.

My Lisbon travel buddies: Heather (from England) the tourism professor and Maria (from Sapin) the Spanish professor. Heather and I were regular 7:00 am walkers around the ninth deck.

Our registrar's husband and son were regular bird and fish watchers and photographers,

Getting close to Thailand

Where the muddy water of the Chao Praya River meets the Gulf of Thailand.

Last morning at sail. 

Docked for the last time.

Last breakfast in the Berlin Restaurant prior to disembarkation.

Waiting to disembark (Photo by Heather Gibson)

Checked in to an airport hotel then went into the city for lunch and exploring. 

 

Green papaya salad for dinner--always a favorite.

Bangkok sunrise enroute to the airport.

Many voyagers remained in Thailand and other destinations in SE Asia for a few days or weeks, but I chose to head straight home. There were aebelskivers to fix and eat Christmas morning with my kids and there was my granddaughter (born just a few days before I departed) to hold and cuddle.

I love to travel and I love to come home.