The free cruise wasn't offered to me but to my mother, and she really wanted to go. So, what does a good son do but go along? It was a cruise from Hong Kong, ending up in Singapore, and was a very interesting trip.

We began by flying from San Francisco to Hawaii, then on to Hong Kong. Even though that sounds like a direct route, it's really a longer way that flying North. By the time we got to Hong Kong, we were wiped out! 

We had a few days to spend in Hong Kong and enjoyed it very much, doing the touristy things like visiting Stanley Market and taking the hovercraft to Macau. We didn't stay at the Peninsula Hotel, but stopped by to see the luxury digs the rich folks enjoy. One of the hotel shops had some Cristofle silverware that was cheaper than it was in France, so I had to buy some! Of course, a tour of the jewelery shops and having a hand-tailored suit made is mandatory, too.

Then it was time to board the ship and head out. Our first destination was up the Pearl River to Red China! We were herded around on buses, seeing just what they wanted us to see, but it was easy to notice that the masses were living very meagerly. 

to be continued...