Straits Of Malaca

Greetings from the Straits of Malaca. It’s located between Indonesia on the right and the left side of the Malaysian peninsula on the left…fitting place to be spending Halloween as there appear to be many Pirate boats close at hand…! It’s weird for us to be out at sea actually able to visualize boats from our massive vessel. Most often, there is nothing for as far as the eye can sea. On days when we catch a glimpse of life in a flying fish or a bird -- or if we’re really lucky a whale, the children crowd around the big picture windows of their dining room school, excited to see signs of life. The Straits of Malaca are known for lots of boat traffic – some thought to be pirate boats. Supposedly tonight the Captain runs the boat at over 25 knots speed through the straits and they have an armory of staff manning the water hoses on the 7th deck to “shoot” at any suspicious looking vessels. Out our window right now, I see large tankers interspersed with very small primitive fishing vessels – pretty amazing! Tomorrow we will awake in Singapore! We’ll spend about 36 hours there. I’m on call so hopefully I won’t spend the entire time dealing with patients. I’m told in the morning I have to take several patients to the local hospital for an evaluation. If nothing else, it will be interesting.
We are told that Singapore is extremely strict in their laws. They even have a law that prohibits gum chewing! A few entrepreneurial students have rented out a night club for Halloween night. A rumor went around the ship that “no bars are open on Sunday nights in Singapore, so we’ll just rent out our own!” It’s called the Butter Factory – sounds like trouble with a capital “T” – must be the mom in me talking! The Semester at Sea administration has tried at length to avert this plan given the stringent laws in Singapore – thus far I don’t think their plan has been averted! Here’s hoping I don’t spend Halloween night caring for hordes of intoxicated students!
Speaking of Halloween, the shipboard community has been amazing in coming together to recreate a Halloween aboard the ship… There is a haunted house in the Academic Dean’s cabin to get things started. Then, about 50 students, lifelong learners, faculty/staff will be among the trick or treating route…! Finally, the kids will have a Halloween party with cake, treats, scary games, etc. on the 7th deck – should be a Halloween to remember! The girls are going to be belly dancers complete with Henna tattoed hands, bindis, lots of Indian bracelets… Dec is going to be a punk rock ballerina! Stay tuned for pictures…
Happy Halloween to you and yours!
Love, Traci
Sorry this didn’t get posted by its original date…the internet was HORRIBLY slow before we arrived in Singapore!
Today we went to the famous Singapore Zoo. Both John and I agreed it was one of the most beautiful zoos we've ever been to with animals living in as natural an environment as possible within the confines of a zoo. Yesterday was a trying, exhausting day for me as I spent most of the 24 hour day in the ER of a local hospital. They were both part of our Lifelong Learners program which is mostly comprised of older, retired individuals. Unfortunately one of the patients will not continue to sail with us due to his condition. It was his tenth voyage - quite remarkable at 81! The care they received was excellent.
Now it's off to Vietnam and more adventures...stay tuned!
Love, Traci