NCL Cruise from Dubai UAE to Singapore
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Day 18 Colombo Sri Lanka Colombo City & Kelaniya Temple December 3, 2016
Today we set out to discover the charms of Colombo and its renowned attractions. We visit the magnificent Kelaniya Temple. We walked in the same religious center that Buddha was said to have visited, as we admired the Kelaniya Temple with its magnificent reclining Buddha and the exquisite artwork depicting the history of Sri Lanka.
On our tour today of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s largest and perhaps most influential city, we admired the iconic sites like the clock tower, bustling Pettah bazaar and the affluent residential district of Cinnamon Gardens. What impressed us was a bustling vibrant extraordinarily clean city. You can really see and understand the diversity of this great city. We passed the University of Colombo before stopping at Independence Square and then we continued on to the National Museum for a visit. Its collection of antiques and works of art expresses the islands’ culture. Hindu temples are beautiful with the painted statues representing the many Hindu deities. We visited one of Sri Lanka's lovely Hindu temples. Hinduism was introduced here during the reign of the Tamil kings in the second century BC.
We took an unscheduled detour and wanted to see the luxurious Kingsbury Hotel. While waiting for our transportation back to the ship; people started arriving for a wedding that evening at the hotel. The groom arrived first. The bride, absolutely beautiful, arrived with her mother and bridesmaids. We all wished the beautiful couple our best wishes. It was the perfect ending to a lovely day in Colombo.
►Sri Lanka Port Highlights ►Colombo ►National Museum of Natural History ►Kingsbury Hotel Wedding
►Sunrise at Port ►Kelaniya Temple ►Hindu Temple ►Columbo City ►Independence Memorial
Day 21 Phuket Thailand Phuket Highlights & Cultural Show December 6, 2016
Today’s goal was to enjoy an exciting and comprehensive taste of the rich and colorful culture of Phuket Thailand. We began with a scenic drive along Phuket's southern coast to Promthep Cape. We climbed the steps through the rocky hill and were rewarded with a stunning view of the half-moon bay of Nai Harn Beach and the scattered islands dotting the Andaman Sea. This is considered an excellent place to watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea. While most do come for the amazing photo opportunities at sunset one of the most unique feature of the cape is the Golden Jubilee Lighthouse. Although it was closed the lighthouse museum has many maritime artifacts. Located opposite the lighthouse is the elephant shrine. The shrine, is encircled with elephants of all shapes, sizes and materials.
Wat Chalong is the largest and most ornamented of Phuket's 29 Buddhist temples. Its history features a monk believed to have formidable healing powers. Thais from all over the country flock to Wat Chalong to pay homage to the monk and regain their physical and spiritual powers.Continue to the Phuket Thai Village located on an old tin mine site with a tranquil lakeside setting. During an elaborate performance, we were charmed by Thai Classical Dances, with performers dressed in opulent costumes and intricate head pieces made of sparkling gold and colored stones. The drumming of the thaporn or Thai drum, and the sweet melodies of the phee, a Thai flute, made it a very spiritual performance. Before heading back to the ship’s tenders we stopped at the Gem Gallery to see beautiful gems from Thailand. When a ship cannot dock at the port they use “tenders” to transport the passengers from the ship to the shore.
►Phuket Port Highlights ► Promthep Cape Elephant Memorial ►Gems Gallery Phuket
►Phuket ►Wat Chalong ►Phuket Beach and Sunset
►Jubilee Lighthouse Promthep Cape ►Thai Classical Dances ► Phuket Tendering
Day 17 December 2, 2016 Day to Relax at Sea
Day 19 - 20 Days to Relax at Sea December 4-5, 2016