#mar2018

Busy Morning

Luggage packed, breakfast eaten, things checked, and my family left home to Don Mueang Airport. This trip, me and my brother were the only ones going, our parents are just sending us off. We arrived at the airport around 9:30 then the busy part began.

While other airlines have check-in staff to help the passengers, Air Asia uses self-check in machine. Honestly, I hate it. It takes much longer time and steps than staff and unnecessary errors happen from time to time.

(Too many people and it’s slower than it should have been)

(My brother’s pass. It looks like most boring ticket type I’ve ever seen)

Having printed the boarding pass and checked-in the bags, we went towards the gate. This is an airport so of course, there was some security check. I actually felt sleepy and bored during those times. Airport has much more steps and boring things to go through than train stations.

Before going through the passenger checks, we waved to our parents as they wished us safe travel and fun trip. Thanks, mom and dad ^o^

While waiting for our flight, we walked around somewhat and went past some windows with clear view of the gates. One of it has our gate too but our plane hasn’t come yet. The pass told us to go to gate 36, which is the one in the picture without a plane.

(They’ve got planes, but what about me???)

During the flight (includes take on/off), it was quite rough and bumpy. I never expected a plane to be shaky in clear weather. I started to miss trains now. Shaky on ground is acceptable, but shaky  midair is another story!

(The plane, in which I never liked)

Upon arriving at Phuket, we waited for our bags at baggage claim. It took very long time (no less than 10 minutes! How come?) for the conveyor belt to start moving and more time until bags are actually transferred to the passengers.

(The long wait)

After getting our bags, we quickly leave the airport and got ourselves a taxi ride. We needed to get the… well, not even a port, it’s a beach. We didn’t have any time to tour around Phuket province at all. It was sad, but maybe next time (that means more entries from me lol).

(Some landscape seen through the ride in the taxi)

Smooth Tender

And so we’ve arrived! Pa Tong Beach, a local Phuket beach… yeah. You heard that right. No deepwater ports here. There are some small floating piers extending into the sea and there are some local boats. These boats are tenders, motorboats that ferry passenger between land/pier to a larger ship.

Me and my brother was glad the pier have roofs. We didn’t have to endure the heat for long, so we took a little sightseeing on the pier itself. The water was quite clear, and the lighting was excellent for pictures. We took some pictures of the water and surrounding areas before getting to the tender queue. The staff on the pier are Star Cruises staffs. They speak English and help passengers while waiting for the tender, as well as checking ticket.

(The pier, with the tender coming. You can also see cruise ship far away)

(Nice sea!)

After few minutes of waiting, the tender has arrived. Tourists from the tender left and the staff allowed us onto the tender. We’re extremely grateful that the tender is air-conditioned! It was cool inside and great for waiting, even if it’s a little bit rocking. Good thing I don’t get seasick this time.

(Air conditioner is one of the invention I’d thank for the most)

We waited calmly as passengers began to fill up the tender. Some Chinese, south Asians, westerners, and some Thais. When the tender have no seats left, the staff signaled departure and the tender moved.

Quite some time was taken for the tender to reach the ship. It was considerably far, but the size of the ship made it look not so far away. The sea was calm and gentle, low wind and waves. It resulted in smooth tender ride, which caused no discomfort.

(It’s getting closer…. The cruise ship Superstar Libra!)

The small ship near horizon looked bigger.. And bigger, and bigger until I’m up close that I couldn’t see all of it at once. The excitement in me felt as if it was going to burst out. As the tender stopped, I hurriedly get into queue to get onto the ship.

(Excited… EXCITED!!)

I’ve never been to luxurious facilities before, even for hotels and resorts. I have barely touched the luxurious parts so it can’t really be counted. This is my first time being in something that has luxury written all over it. I couldn’t describe how excited I felt!

The staff prepared the gangway entrance and the people to be let onto the ship in queue. Each person will be checked and given access card once they reach the entrance counter. Me and my brother receives one card each. The cards are used for every single facility on the ship. Cash is not required on the ship at all, except for money exchange and before disembarking.

The entrance counter is located on Deck 1 gangway exit. From there, staircase and elevators are available to get to higher decks. The ship is divided into three main areas, fore, midship, and aft. Fore is front side of the ship, midship is the middle, and aft is behind midship. The gangway we came in was midship one, and so was the elevators. We entered the elevator and headed to Deck 4 to place our bags in our cabin so we can move onto exploring.

Exploring Ship

“Hello Superstar Libra! We’ve arrived! You’re such a pretty lady with good shape outside and nice interiors!” was what I would say if ship girls were real haha. When the elevator doors opened, the Crystal Court was in front of us. It seemed to be a luxurious bar or restaurant. There was a piano in middle, and tables around. The roof is open up until Deck 5, probably to make that deck also able to hear music from here. Reception counter is also here, just a bit away from the piano.

(Maybe once in my life I’d have chance to get party in place like this…)

To the left of the reception, there’s an opening that leads to passenger cabins. My cabin is also on this side. On the other hand, the right side of the reception counter has no cabins, and instead, has some shops.

Me and my brother went into our room to place our bags and was amazed by the quality of the room, despite its small size! The room was not that wide. There was two beds and they’re rather narrow, but long enough to fit a person. It can also transform into a sofa! But that aside, the room has closets, drawers, mirror, desk, a TV, and one bathroom with adjustable water temperature.

(Window Cabin, pretty good already! Deluxe suites would be paradise!)

After taking some rest from the tiring travel in the morning, we left our cabins and looked at the deck plans. We then went straight up to Deck 9 (Pool Deck) to explore the pools and the top of the ship.

The Pool Deck is awesome! There’s total of four pools. One deep pool (2.2 meters), one shallow pool (1 meter), and two jacuzzi pools. Pool Deck also have tables, buffet restaurant, musical band, and beverages bar. When time is right, there will be both wind, food, music, and pool! It will definitely be a great atmosphere to relax and chill.

There’s an area higher than Pool Deck, which also act as roof for the tables and buffet area. It is Deck 10, the Sun Deck. This particular deck has chairs, the types that you can lie on. It’s a great area to sunbathe… but I don’t do that anyways haha. The sun is always too much for me.

Here’s some pictures of the Pool Deck and Sun Deck

(Rectangular pool, but there’s nothing bad about it!)

(Passenger ship loves cool funnels and logos)

(You can sit inside for air-con, but outside isn’t that hot actually)

Evening Departure

After we finished exploring the upper areas of the ship and look at the afternoon view, we went back down inside. Some rest were taken, and then it was time for…. Dinner!

Three of the restaurants were included in our ticket. The three were Mariner’s Buffet, Four Seasons, and Ocean Palace. Each one has individual menu that changes each meal on daily basis. On the day I went on board, Four Seasons was serving Italian food. The selection was fine, but then I wasn’t familiar with any of the food.

(What are all these food names?)

I ordered Milanese Minestrone Soup and Chicken Pamigrino. According to the description provided, these are the only thing I might like the taste. I made the right decision! The food I ordered was really really tasty and there’s quite a lot of them. Oh there was also appetizer (salad meh), and dessert (coffee flavor tiramisu ugh :( ) but those weren’t in my focus at all and I barely touched them. The amount of food was enough to make me and my brother felt so heavy and kept us full for whole night!

We then took a little stroll on Pool Deck and Sun Deck after sunset. The view there was great! Phuket is shimmering with lights and on Superstar Libra herself has bright, yet comfortable lights. The wind wasn’t so strong and the heat from sunlight had vanished. It was much more relaxing.

(One of the prettiest view in this trip. And my personal favorite photo too!)

We rested for a while, then decided we should go for swimming. Doing so at night on Pool Deck would be a great feeling. By time we finished and reached the pool, the ship left Phuket. The wind started to blow through the two uppermost decks, but that wasn’t a problem until we got wet. But otherwise, nothing is troublesome about it!

My brother also suggested using jacuzzi pools after swimming. He said it is a great relief from exercise (swimming) and it’s like a massage in itself. I agreed to his invitation and followed him. The jacuzzi pools were heated and the water was much warmer than swimming pools. Our first reaction was.. Being startled at the difference in temperature lol. But after we adjusted, it was just like my brother said. I didn’t regret doing this at all.