Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Copyright © May Georgina DeLory 

The Holland America Line voyage on the ms Volendam with Captain Peter Bos at the helm would take us — my adult daughter and me, to the other side of the world, land of Maori culture and legend, rugged sea coast and lush vineyards that stretched against a backdrop landscape of eye-blindingly blue sea and, most importantly, to friendly locals. At the end of it all we would see the famed Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, a city voted for the second year in a row the world’s best city to live in.  

You Yangs Afternoon Tea Safari/Melbourne, Australia

We would fly Qantas Airline from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand to join the ship in harbour. The Volendam would circumnavigate the North and South Islands of New Zealand to ports of call with exciting names such as Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch and Dunedin. We would cruise Fiordland National Park — part of the Te Wahipounamu (native Maori name)World Heritage Area — to see immense valleys sculpted by glaciers during multiple ice ages, get close to waterfalls, and cruise into one of the park’s longest Fjords, Milford Sound, and also visit Dusky Sound. 

Two days at sea and we’d reach Tasmania, a south-eastern state of Australia. But first we would cross Bass Strait overnight to reach in the wee hours of the morning Australia, the world’s smallest continent in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. First stop would be Melbourne. The next day we’d sail to Sydney, Australia before flying home. 

On the Qantas flight to Auckland, we settled in for the eleven hour flight with complementary wine from some of Australia’s best known vineyards: Yering Station; Adelaide Hills and St. Hallett. If it hadn’t been for the fine wines, top flight service and excellent dinner served by Qantas, the long flight would have been an ordeal. My daughter chose Moroccan-styled roast chicken. I chose seared tuna with lime and pepper sauce.  While my daughter slept,  I watched half of the epic film “Australia” starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Kidman was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Australian parents; and Jackman was born in Sydney, Australia. I had not seen the film and found the Qantas screen too small to capture the full scope of the film. I hoped the Volendam would show Australia in its Wajang Theatre so I could really appreciate the film on the wide screen. I wasn’t disappointed and watched it twice, once with my daughter. 

Photo credit wikimedia

We arrived to Auckland around 6 a.m. After we passed through Auckland airport customs we took a bus to port where the ship was in harbour. Once through port customs we went aboard the Volendam. It all went rather smoothly. Champagne greeted us in our cabin. A large picture window covered the room in natural light. It was fun to watch the action on the pier through our window as people began to arrive to the ship. But this wasn’t the time to take in the true beauty of the ship–effectively our home for the next two weeks. The Renaissance-era themed ship with fountains imported from Italy, valuable works of marine art and elaborate fresh floral arrangements throughout the spacious common rooms would have to wait.   

The Volendam wouldn’t leave Auckland with her 1,351 guests until midnight. We made our way to the very top deck and enjoyed lunch in the Lido restaurant with views overlooking the city of Auckland and the harbour. Afterwards, we decided to take a look at the city. Once off the ship we took the harbour seabus (five minutes by ferry) to Devonport — a small town with heritage charm and signs of Maori settlement that date to the mid 1300s. Massive trees with thick trunk and roots spreading out from the base line many Devonport streets.  The Common name is Moreton Bay Fig, an evergreen banyan tree of the Moraceae family that can grow to a height of 200 feet (60m).  Some of the most inspiring examples are to be found in Devonport. 

We poked our heads into cafes, book stores, restaurants and gift shops. The area is well known for excellent pleasure sailing. After we took pictures of clusters of sailboats with colourful sails and then nipped down to the beach we headed back to the ferry for the mainland. 

Talk to the animals at You Yangs Regional Park, Melbourne, Australia

We enjoyed dinner most evenings in the elegant Rotterdam dining room, taking Chef Rudi Sodamin’s recommendations. Sashimi of salmon with wasabi mayonnaise as an appetizer sound good? A Merlot, Veramonte Reserve wine from Chile was served and did not disappoint. The Rotterdam dining room faced the ocean and offered a sweeping staircase which led from the upper floor dining level to the main floor. We enjoyed Trinity Hill Sauvignon Blanc from the famous Hawke’s Bay area of New Zealand the first evening. Some evenings we dined in the intimate setting of the Pinnacle Grill where fine wines from around the world were served. Pinot Gris from the Whitehaven vineyards in the Marlborough area was a feast in itself. Seafood and fine cuts of beef are a Pinnacle Grill speciality. The exquisite cuts of beef are displayed as sample on a silver trolley that a waiter brings to your attention before you select your meal. Porthole magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Bill Panoff, says the Pinnacle Grill offers an “unmatched anywhere on the seven seas sophisticated dining experience.”  The Pinnacle Grill’s walls are covered in fine works of art, oils, pen and ink drawings, and Japanese prints. We admired the artwork displayed throughout the ship of world renowned marine artist, Captain Stephen J. Card. We took a self-guided audio art tour of the Volendam’s public rooms that is very much like touring a fine art museum. 

Japanese Female Figures. Oil by W. van Scheijndle, 1999

We would be at sea for the next two days. We’d eventually circle White Island, the site of an active marine volcano. Spencer Brown, Travel Guide, offered expert commentary over the outdoor loudspeaker as the ship silently turned this way and then that way for an up close and personal vantage point of the vapour-spewing volcano. Private tours are available to actually land at the base of the volcano. 

The ship is truly an engineering wonder. When in open sea, the top cruising speed is 18 knots. Environmental Officer Dolf Kramer, born and raised in the Netherlands, answered questions about how the ship preserves the environment. Long gone are the days when anything went overboard. Hotel Manager at sea, Robert Versteeg from Bithoven, Holland, and Cruise Director Rebecca, are just two of the “go-to” people on the Volendam if anything isn’t to your liking. 

Ryndam outbound New York 1953 Oil by Captain Card, Bermuda, 1993

Over the course of our cruise, my daughter and I could be found involved in any number of exciting activities: the state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center, sanctioned by Food & Wine magazine, where we learned the fine elements of creating an exotic martini, the history of coffee, or how to make Pannatone Tiramisu — a holiday tradition desert in Italy. There’s even a kid’s cookery program. We took part in many daily programs.There’s something magical about sailing the high seas and being able to just take in a feature film, live stage show, casino gaming, and lectures, including culinary live demonstrations, swimming or late night dining at will. 

Travel Guide Spencer Brown gave a talk on the First Peoples of New Zealand followed by a live didgeridoo performance. We caught nightly live Broadway-style shows in the two-story Frans Hals Lounge. The Volendam Singers and Dancers packed the house each performance.  One evening I took in the Crow’s Nest disco to see if I could still shake a leg. I danced with a very handsome man for hours. 

The gym and Greenhouse Spa offered ocean views and the best spot on the ship for total pampering of the soul. Another of the cruise highlights was the Indonesian Afternoon Tea ceremony each afternoon with Indonesian sweets and organic teas and coffees from the world’s finest plantations. Keeping in touch with the world and friends was a snap in the Explorations Internet Café and is where the iPod self-guided complementary art tour is arranged. Again, this large public area faces the ocean and is outfitted with computers, gourmet coffee cafe, books, magazines and many tables; it’s ideal for meeting up with friends. So there is always an exciting choice to make for leisure activity during days at sea. 

Tauranga, NZ.

Tauranga. Bay of Plenty is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand

Our first port of call was Tauranga, New Zealand, a land settled and still revered by the Maori native people. We took a shuttle bus into town. The weather was unbelievably enjoyable, bright and sunny without a beating-down-on-your-head sort of feel. We bought cotton shirts from one of the many shops and ate local oysters at a fresh seafood shack by the water where a seafood festival is held in November. 

Tauranga, NZ. Fresh Fish Shop Harbourside

The oysters were big and plump and tasted of sweet milk. I’ve never tasted anything like it. The area is known for kiwi farms. We wanted to taste kiwi wine but couldn’t find it. We hiked the rest of the afternoon, unexpectedly finding ourselves on the other side of a small mountain and at the ocean amongst surfers. I found myself suddenly kicking up my heels at the edge of the surf while my daughter snapped photo after photo. Back on the Volendam, we enjoyed snapper, lamb shank, garlic potatoes, more than one dessert, and a 2008 Reisling from New Zealand.  A fitting ending to a lovely day in February. 

Still cruising the South and North Islands of New Zealand, we stopped at the port of Napier, a community founded in 1856 by Sir Charles Napier, a British official in India. A lively musical band and antique automobiles greeted us at port. Cher took a stroll along a black sand beach in the morning while I myself toured some of the top vineyards of Hawke’s Bay: Mission Estate; Brookfield’s Vineyards; and Church Road Winery. The vineyards are so lovely an entire week in the area wouldn’t be too much. At Church Road Winery, founded in 1897, I ventured deep inside the original concrete wine vats that now offer an intriguing wine museum. Brookfields Vineyards conduct an excellent wine tasting.  A bottle of wine was given away for the correct answer to a question on wine. I didn’t win. Mission Estate Winery, founded in 1851, is a vast estate ideal for weddings, fine dining and wine tastings with a landscape that undulates in green waves all about. Mission hosts an annual concert on its generous grounds. February 13, 2010 celebrates The Legends of Motown with The Four Tops; The Temptations; Mary Wilson of the Supremes and Martha & The Vandellas and many top names from Australia. 

The city of Wellington with its pretty harbour and picturesque architecture saw my daughter and me on the Kelburn Cable Car in the centre of the city travelling up a steep hill to the Botanic Garden with Carter Observatory. As soon as we got off the cable car we headed straight for the sign that said “cafe”. The cappuccino was delicious. Afterwards, we walked downhill among fragrant gardens. The Lady Norwood Rose Garden was spectacular. If you walk all the way to ground level, you don’t come out beside the cable car entrance, so be careful. Best to take a different route and walk back uphill. Take the cable car back down the hill to the entrance. You are in the downtown area with elegant department stores with all the best gourmet food products and fashion. 

There are countless shore excursions from which to choose, including one to where the film “Lord of the Rings” was filmed. The Holland America Line shore offerings are so vast we had a difficult time choosing before the cruise.  Once on the ship there is the opportunity to change your mind and sign up for another shore excursion; but you take the chance of the spots already being taken. 

In Picton, originally called Waitohia, at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, we were presented with a tiny nosegay of fragrant Old-fashioned roses when we got off the ship. The still floating hull of what is believed to be the ninth oldest ship in the world is that of the East Indian Edwin Fox. See it near the museum and the ferry wharf. We enjoyed a private lunch of unbelievably declicious-tasting locally caught river salmon at Barewood Garden after touring Yealands Estate winery. The Yealands estate is located 25 kilometres south of Blenheim, in the Awatere Valley and is the single largest vineyard in the country under private ownership. Peter Yealands is a local fellow who looks very much like a charming character straight out of a period swashbuckling Hollywood film, gray beard and hair in somewhat need of a trim; but highly knowledgeable when it comes to wine and the environment. Yealands Estate is currently undertaking Carbon Neutral certification and keeps to a minimum the use of chemicals. Green technology allows for the savings of energy. Peter gave us a tour of the vineyard which overlooks Clifford Bay…so lovely a place this is I found myself longing to live here forever. The development of wetland areas on the vineyard has resulted in the regeneration of native flora and fauna. Here you’ll find a home to species such as the Black Swan, the rare Teal duck, White Herron, and the endangered “Muritai” tree. 

Avon River Punt, Christchurch, NZ

In Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, we visited ChristChurch Cathedral in Cathedral Square where the annual Festival of Flowers (19 Feb. – 14 March 2010) decorates part of the church. In the city centre, we noticed many young people arm in arm, strolling, many couples pushing strollers. The city is a throwback to colonial New Zealand.  With many shops and restaurants, it was easy to sample foods of the world. We decided on sushi in Cathedral Square. Later we drank McDonald’s coffee, finally making our way along the Avon River. We couldn’t get the hang of how to order a cup of coffee just the way we like it back home; although, specialty coffees it seemed were made pretty much the same way around the world. We couldn’t rent an antique punt because we only had credit cards. We stopped by an outdoor antique market and then walked to the must-see nearby botanic gardens on Rolleston Avenue.  The gardens are huge with many buildings. Difficulty walking? There is a trolley tour. The botanic gardens and river should not be missed and are about a twenty minute walk from where the ship’s shuttle let us off in town. Just minutes from Cathedral Square you can swim at the Centennial Leisure Centre. On our walk back to catch the ship’s shuttle bus we watched the open tram rattle by and wished we’d first taken this for a firsthand view of the city. Nonetheless, Christchurch is ideal for walking as major cultural attractions are within one square kilometre of the city centre. 

In Dunedin we took the heart-stopping Taieri Gorge Railway over the southern hemisphere’s largest wrought iron structure to travel through tunnels and high up into the alpine hills. At one of the train stops I bought Strathdale organic clover honey and New Zealand Paua Shell jewellery used traditionally by the Maori and wished now that I’d bought more of both. This is absolutely an opportunity to purchase unique items at far lower prices than in most shops. And the journey is a lot of fun. We really enjoyed the lunch and wine that were included with the purchase of the ticket price. 

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

 

New Zealand’s daylight is of an extraordinary and luminous quality which made the cruise into Fiordland National Park all the more spectacular. The park is New Zealand’s largest national park at 3,000,000 acres with immense valleys sculpted by glaciers during multiple ice ages. Novelist Rudyard Kipling considered the Fiords the Eighth Wonder of the World. 

In Tasmania, the 26th largest island in the world with a population of 500,000 mostly around Hobart and more than a third of the state World Heritage national park and forest reserve, we along with other Volendam passengers met Mayor Alvwyn Boyd and his wife Gwenda at Burnie pier. Lovely pewter “Burnie” pins were handed out. We took the free shuttle bus into town and walked along the short beach front before searching out a health food store to buy tee tree oil at The Soapbox on Mount Street. We learned that the highly praised local Angus beef is exported to a Japanese market. 

We returned to the ship for a light lunch and then our shore excursion took us by bus to Gunns Plains Cave, about an hour’s drive from Burnie in Leven Canyon. We drove past lush vegetation where huge ferns seemed out of a prehistoric era gone berserk. Named after famed botanist and Tasmania explorer Ronald Campbell Gunn, the Cave opened in 1909. The air is fresh even though the walkways are a touch damp. The limestone cave opening leads to a steep flight of 54 cement steps. The largest “ribbon” stalactite in the world is found here as well as stalagmites and flowstone suspended from the vaulted ceiling. When the lights were turned out momentarily, glow worms dotted the black space far above our heads like so many stars in the night sky. 

Volendam Greenhouse Spa/Ocean View

 

The Volendam’s Greenhouse Spa and Salon continued to beckon with ocean views, terrace, steam rooms, hot tub, exercise facility and best of all heated ceramic lounge beds. If you’ve a tight knot in the neck or stiff joints, this is the place to just relax and watch the ocean pass you by in all its blue splendour. The ms Volendam has two pools on the Lido deck — one salt water (excellent for preserving and increasing the quality of skin) and open to the elements, and one beneath a covered dome revealing natural light. One day while my daughter enjoyed a spa treatment I stretched out like a lazy cat over the smooth wood trim surrounding the outside pool. Blue skies above, warm breezes and best of all, due to a sudden high wind, the gentle rocking of the ship lulled me to near sleep. Other times from various decks I watched the Shy Albatross with a wingspan of over two metres gliding above the southern oceans following the Volendam.  

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia with a population around 3.5 million and the capital of Victoria. About 150 languages are spoken. Lively shops and restaurants line the harbour where the Volendam docked. Friends we made on the Volendam  raved about the afternoon spent at Number 8 restaurant and wine bar in the Crown Hotel on the waterfront.  Three course meals as well as oysters and Mumm Cordon RougeNV Brut  Champagne are available at Number 8.  Gordon Ramsay is opening maze and maze Grill in March 2010 at the Crown Melbourne Metropol’s third tower, his first dining establishments in Australia. 

At Melbourne we took a morning shore excursion into the country to see wildlife — Kangaroos, Koalas and the protected Black-tailed Wallaby. In the afternoon on our way back from a tour of downtown Melbourne on foot and on historic rattling trolley ($3.70 each for 2-hours) we sat on a bench at the harbour and simply gazed out to sea and understood perfectly the many accounts of how friendly the people in this area are. 

We’d heard about the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb — one of the world’s preeminent engineering marvels — over 1500 metres of steel; but we didn’t have the four hours’ suggested to complete the climb. You can do this climb by day or by night. We can only imagine what the sensation would feel like to be atop Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Blue Mountains in the distance with the city at our feet. 

Sydney, Australia

 

The Sydney Opera House was all and more that photographs suggested. Sydney’s 4.2 million population is said to be the most densely populated in the world; but it’s hard to believe; the city appeared spacious and languid. There are chic terrace restaurants at the Opera House. We had signed up for a bus tour of Sydney and now found ourselves staring at the Opera House from a multitude of vantage points, some very close and some from a distance. Soon we were at the crest of a hill that overlooked Sydney’s harbourfront. We all eagerly climbed out of the air-conditioned bus and stepped out into perfectly warm temperatures, the bright sun high above our heads. This half-day bus tour offered a taste of a beautiful city at the end of a memorable cruise; but a taste that tantalized. 

www.hollandamerica.com   Call your Travel Professional, or call us at 1-866-920-2332
Call Center hours are from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Pacific Time. 

www.qantas.com.au 

http://www.wingswildlife.com.au/ 

http://bit.ly/8ujeCj  You Yangs Regional Park, Australia 

www.goway.com 

www.downunder-travel.com 

www.theoutbackcafe.com 

http://bit.ly/6AdnZT  Barewood B&B Marlborough, NZ 

http://www.missionestate.co.nz/ February 13, 2010 celebrates The Legends of Motown with The Four Tops; The Temptations; Mary Wilson of the Supremes and Martha & The Vandellas and many top names from Australia. Concert info: www.missionconcert.co.nz 

• Have you dreamed of becoming a famous film director? This could be your Big Break! Beginning December 9, 2009 until contest closing January 15, 2010 you can enter Your Big Break New Zealand. www.your-big-break.com 

• Contest to win Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince on Blu-Ray Disc. http://bit.ly/5gZef8 

• Contest to discover the French way of life in France. http://bit.ly/6yJ04u 

A story of love, wine and angels...the Vintner's luck, a Niki Caro film

 

A country so fascinating that a feature film, Vintner’s Luck, about wine premeired at The Toronto International Film Festival in September 2009.  www.waitakibrands.co.nz 

Culinary tours to Tasmania, Sydney & Melbourne in Australia by authors and guides that are specialists in gastronomy. www.tourdeforks.com  1-888-345-3005 Taste of Cape Town culinary tour, September 23 to october 2, 2010.  Taste of Provence, France, September 25 – October 3, 2010 with Kathryn Morton & Debra Fioritto winners of the 2006 Culinary Trust’s Julia Child Endowment Fund Scholarship. Taste of Normandy/Brittany, May 29 – June 5, 2010. Taste of Hot Pot in Sicily, Italy, May 20 – 30, 2010 with Michele Scicolone author of Entertaining with the Sopranos. Taste of Puglia, Italy, May 7 – 14, 2010. Vineyards & 1000-year-old olive groves. Tour Baroque cities. Begin your stay at the 5-star Villa San Martino. Taste of Emilia-Romagna, October 23 – 28, 2010. Insider’s wine & food experience of Italy. 

Photo credits by May Georgina DeLory; Holland America Line; original maritime art by Captain Stephen J. Card. Bermuda; Japanese Female Figures in oil on panel by Willem van Scheijndle, The Netherlands, 1999. 

  

Roatan opened its new Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Honduras. The 20-acre, $62 million complex features two cruise berths that can welcome up to 8,000 passengers per day. Two hundred calls per year are expected at the facility, including stops by Carnival, Costa, Holland America, Princess, and Seabourn. The center offers two bars, a restaurant, several shops, and a new chair lift to take passengers to a private island for beach activities.

Contact us today to begin planning your next cruise vacation!

Now here’s a spot in the middle of nowhere. You might not call it the end of the earth, but it sure looks like it. It’s Grand Turk an island owned by Britain, that’s desolate and downright depressing.

Traveling here on the Oosterdam has been a pleasure, and the island, while downtrodden and bleak, does have it’s photo ops. Take this pair of girls for example. The mother wasn’t phased at all when I asked to take their picture. The little one seemed a bit put off, but the big one was more than pleasant.

Now what would you do if you were an island girl no more than 5 years old if a guy with shoulder-length frizzy hair asked to take your picture with a white rectangular thingy-magiggy that looks as if it came from a spaceship?

The answer is you’d look like the little girl in this picture–freaked out!

Holland America Line announced plans for its Grand Voyages in 2011. The “Amsterdam” will operate a 110-day world cruise departing in January 2011, as well as a 70-day “Grand Asia & Australia Voyage” that fall. Meanwhile, the “Prinsendam” will operate a 66-day “Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage” starting in January, followed by a 62-day “Grand Africa & Mediterranean Voyage.” These cruises may be booked separately or together.

Contact Celebrations International Travel to start planning your cruise of a lifetime today!

Pengen sharing aja buat temen-temen seperjuangan baik crew Holland America Line maupun Crew lainnya barangkali ada yang belum tahu atau lupa lagi cara bikin SKCK ( Surat Keterangan Catatan Kepolisian ) dan ini salah satu syarat untuk membuat S.I.D (Seafarers Identity Document)

Ok…jika ingin membuat SKCK baru, untuk bikin SKCK di POLRES, syaratnya adalah:

Pengalaman saya kemarin : Sebelum ke Polres saya disuruh bikin dulu SKCK di Polsek dulu terus di lanjutkan ke Polres ( tidak di pungut biaya)

1. Surat keterangan pengantar dari  RT disyahkan ketua RW dan Lurah serta Camat setempat.

2. Satu lembar fotokopi KTP dan Kartu Keluarga atau identitas lain bagi yg belum memenuhi syarat pembuatan KTP.

3. Pengambilan sidik jari (Bagian identifikasi) ==> disini adalah bagian yg menurutku paling menarik, karena disodorkan kertas yg harus diisi dg berbagai pertanyaan ttg ciri fisik anda. (sinyalement)

4. Pas foto warna tampak muka dan kedua telinga ukuran 4×6 dan 3×4 (cuma jumlahnya lupa, yaa bawa persediaan yg banyak aja deh, biar aman ga bolak balik)

Jika ingin memperpanjang SKCK yg anda miliki, syarat yg harus dipenuhi adalah:

1. Surat keterangan pengantar dari  RT disyahkan ketua RW dan Lurah serta Camat setempat.

2. SKCK yg lama (asli)

3. Satu lembar fotokopi KTP dan Kartu Keluarga.

4. Pas foto warna tampak muka dan kedua telinga ukuran 4×6 = 4 lembar.

Penting :Kalau SKCK nya udah jadi bawa ke SBI dan siapkan Uang Rp. 350.000 + 15.000 untuk di foto di Dephub untuk buat S.I.D  nanti dijadwalkan oleh SBI untuk datang ke Dephub, Ini juga saya dapat info dari Bu Evi dan Bu Christine  yang cantiek waktu ngobrol di kantin hee..hee

Hal ini kutulis di blog juga sebagai arsipku sendiri, barangkali kedepannya aku lupa syarat membuat SKCK yg baru ataupun syarat memperpanjangnya. Membuatnya SKCK ini kalau beruntung bisa 1 hari jadi ato 1 hari jadi untuk memperpanjang, tapi klo lagi rame atau penerimaan CPNS ya bisa seminggu untuk bikinnya doang, makanya yang di luar kota cepetan bikin biar ga di denda..lumayan lo denda $25.000 gile banget coy kalo macul berapa taun ya hahhaa

oke brooo..semoga manfaat ya..untuk info lebih lanjut silahkan tanya ke staf  SBI..

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]]> http://ehkangagus.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/the-steps-of-housekeeping-tests/ Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:45:22 +0000 Kang Agus http://ehkangagus.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/the-steps-of-housekeeping-tests/

The steps of Housekeeping tests:

First Test, Interview:
Experience in Job/Trainning. Ex: when, where, how long, and daily activities.
Knowledge about Housekeeping. Ex: What is it?; The job and responsibility; Things and amenities in the room and bathroom; Types of Chemical and kind of machine in the laundry.
Motivation.
Telling about a picture that is given by.
If you’re passed the first test, then you will go to the next one.

Second Test:
Test of Speaking English (TOSE) Test. Tell about yourself, your study, your family, your activity. What is the most important in your life? You’ll be given a picture of a worker shows his activity in a day including the time, then explain it with your own words.

Professional Skill Test. Room and Bathroom equipments and amenities, Equipments that support housekeeping department, Kinds of floor: Hard surface (tile, marble, wood, vinyl, stone etc.); Soft surface (carpet), The different between Suite and Standard Room (Price, Facilities, and Services), Kind of Star in Hotel, etc.

MARLIN Test (95 questions). Listening (most about sounds differ, ex: here and hire), Tenses, Differ in speaking word, ex: chance, cloud, cup, class, etc.

MARLIN test merupakan test sejenis TOEFL.

p.s.:
- Kunci untuk lolos test di sini adalah kemampuan anda dalam berbahasa Inggris, baik Grammar maupun Conversation, jadi kalo emang benar-benar niat tuk daftar, mending bahasa Inggris nya dibagusin dulu, biar gak sia-sia waktu dipanggil tuk ikut tes. Kan banyak tuh tempat kursus yang bagus2, cari aja program yang intensif, ok.

- Sekedar informasi, kalo posisi anda dah jadi Dining Room Steward atau Steward Cabin, pendapatan anda sebulan bisa lebih dari US $ 2.000,-. Tapi ini sesuai kok dengan kerjaan anda nanti di kapal, karena kerja di kapal lebih berat daripada kerja di darat.

- Untuk clerk and Room Service Attendant, materi tesnya hampir sama, cuma beda di Professional Skill Test nya aja, sama skor MARLIN tes.

- Untuk GPA Housekeeping, skor minimal untuk MARLIN tes adalah 65, Untuk Room Service Attendant dan Clerk minimal 75.

Disini para pelaut berintegrasi untuk membangun masa depan bersama, mendiskusikan apa saja demi masa depan yang lebih baik. Bung Boyke Budiman menulis:

“MILIS DARI PELAUT UNTUK PELAUT DAN MEREKA YANG INGIN TAHU BANYAK MENGENAI KEPELAUTAN”.

Mari dimanfaatkan fasilitas ini, kita tapak masa depan pelaut selangkah demi selangkah berbuat bersama, berdiskusibersama, berjuang bersama, mengambil keputusan bersama. Dengan bersama banyak yang dapat diperbuat, dengan bersama seolah tidak ada yang tidak bisa, jikalau saja mau bersepakat dan mau berjuang bersama sampai tercapai perbaikan berkelanjutan. Perbaikan yang tiada henti dunia pelaut Indonesia, sehingga dapat menempatkan pelaut Indonesia sejajar dengan pelaut mancanegara dalam menyonsong globalisasi yang tidak terbendung saat ini.

Ingat dalam berkompetisi didunia yang mengglobal ini, betul berjuang free fight, siapa yang unggullah yang dapat menembus tembok batas keberhasilan. Dengan bersama, berbagi informasi bersama, saling mendukung untuk kemajuan, saling tolong menolong dalam menciptakan langkah mantap menuju perubahan tak henti dalam perbaikan citra, matra dan harkat pelaut Indonesia, kami pasti bisa, saya pasti bisa, kita pasti bisa. Ayunkanlah langkah kebersamaan disini, niscaya tercapai jua nan dicita bersama.

Hidup pelaut Indonesia, kita pasti dapat mengadakan perubahan, asal masing-masing kita mau berubah, demi masa depan pelaut Indonesia. Kita buat hari ini lebih baik dari hari kemarin, kita perjuangkan hari esok lebih baik dari hari ini. Continousely improvement.

Jayalah pelaut Indonesia bersama.

Pesan dari GPI.

Sumber Bakat Insani (SBI) representing the highest rated premium cruise line in the world – Holland America Line (HAL) is seeking innovative and self-motivated English Teachers for its training facility located in Cikarang. Aspects of the jobs include but are not limited to: teaching English conversation skills, pre-selection testing and preparing Indonesian for cruise positions onboard.

English Teachers

Requirements:

• Preferred age: 21 – 40
• Graduate from IKIP/Tourism/English
• Literature/EFL/ESL field or other
• Teaching certification preferred
• Teaching and work experience preferred
• Experience in Hotel or F&B industry preferred
• Familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, MS Power Point

Send CV, recent photo and cover letter in English to:

Ms. Nieuw Jakarta / Attn: Mr. Nichols
Jl. Gema Lapik, RT018/006
Pasir Konci, Lemah Abang, Cikarang 17550
Email: nnichols@sbimanning.co.id

Note; Silahkan ambil kesempatan ini menurut saya sebagai siswa angkatan HK 20 alumni Ms.Nieuw Jakarta ini bagus banget baik salary maupun cara mendidik siswanya. Fasilitas cabin dan uniform makan terjamin lho.. disamping itu bagi teacher yang terpilih dikasih jatah untuk  keliling dunia gratis ya tentunya dengan kapal Holland America Line wah keren banget. Kesempatan tidak datang dua kali..

]]> http://atlastravelweb.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/nieuw-amsterdam-pictures/ Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:15:23 +0000 AtlasSue http://atlastravelweb.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/nieuw-amsterdam-pictures/

Delivering in 2010, the 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam will be built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard and its interior design and art collection will reflect the glamour and history of New York City, formerly called Nieuw Amsterdam. Nieuw Amsterdam, joins the recently launched Eurodam to further define and expand the Holland America Line premium brand with new concepts such as the innovative pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. Other additions are an Explorer’s Lounge Bar, a premium wine-tasting lounge, an elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge, and a new photographic and imaging center.

The ship will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Explorations Cafe — a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line; and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft.

In addition the ship will feature the family-style Canaletto’s Italian restaurant. Nieuw Amsterdam will feature 11 guest decks and staterooms will spotlight all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities. Also featured are innovative spa staterooms with additional spa amenities. The first Nieuw Amsterdam was launched in 1906 and used both a full set of sails and steam engines. She was 17,149 tons and carried 2,886 passengers, 2,200 of them in third class. She sailed in regular service through World War I and then through to 1932. The famed Nieuw Amsterdam II joined the fleet in 1938 as the company’s flagship. The silhouette of this ship can still be seen today behind Henry Hudson’s Half Moon in the company’s logo. At 36,287 tons, “the Darling of the Dutch,” as she was known, was decorated in great style and was launched by Her Majesty Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands. Nieuw Amsterdam II served proudly in World War II completing 44 war time voyages carrying nearly 400,000 passengers (mostly troops). Following the war, she was rebuilt and, as the queen of Holland America Line’s “spotless fleet,” hosted countless well-known figures among her guests, including Katherine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Spencer Tracey and Albert Schweitzer. Nieuw Amsterdam III was launched in 1983 as one of the most elegant ships of her time. At 33,900 tons, Nieuw Amsterdam III sailed in Alaska in the summers and in the Caribbean in the winters. With innovative design and guest offerings, Nieuw Amsterdam IV will continue the proud tradition of her name and continue to evolve of Holland America Line’s sophisticated mid-sized ships.

Click here for cabin photo.

Barang kali temen-temen yang belum mengetahui apa aja yang ada didalam kapal pesiar itu serta fasilitas dan ceritanya, artikel ini aku buat permintaan salah satu sahabat blogerku  dia pingin tahu tentang kapal pesiar.Oke my friend may I  give you a quick tour of the features in cruise ship..MS.Osterdam,,,, Cerita sedikit pengalaman MS. Oosterdam itu nama kapal pesiar yang aku pernah bekerja disana ya terhibur juga kalau waktunya off dan ada waktu suka going ashore ya sedikit refreshing   jalan-jalan di America dan  Eropa lumayan gak usah bayar soalnya sudah ada shuttle bus gratis untuk crew dan kalau shopingpun untuk crew suka ada diskon he he ya lumayan lah daripada manyun di cabin… maaf bukan akushow up atau tapi ini aku berikan sedikit inspirasi barangkali ada temen-temen yang mau bekerja di kapal pesiar dan hoby jalan-jalan ke luar negeri atau pingin tahu negera orang atau obyek wisata terkenal di dunia,  ya lebih baik cari kerja di cruise ship aja terserah mu dikapal mana? kapal HALL atau kapal putih seperti Royal carribean, Carnival, Costa dan banyak lagi tergantung keinginan..tapi disini aku mu nerangin sedikit fasilitas dan apa aja yang ada didalam perahu besar itu yaitu Ms.Oosterdam Holland America Line. Kalau anda tertarik kerja di luar negeri apply aja dari sekarang tapi ingat ya harus ke agency yang resmi.

Ms. Oosterdam
Ship’s Registry:  The Netherlands
Passenger capacity:  1,916
Crew members:  817
Gross Tonnage:  82,305 grt.
Length:  936 feet
Beam:  105.8 feet
Maximum speed:  24 knots
Dedicated:  July 2003, by HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands

Bisa kebayangkan kapal segede dan seberat gitu tidak tenggelam di laut aku juga bingung kok bisa ya! tapi  kalau jarum jahit kita lempar ke laut bisa tenggelam hehe ah pusing mikiran gituan biarin capten aja yang berpikir dan para oficer dan engenering yang tahu dan mengeoprasiinya. Jangan kwatir untuk temen-temen yang berminat kerja disana fasilitas untuk crew full of service pokoknya, Makan kita disediakan menu pagi,siang,sore,malam buah2an,dessert silahkan sekenyangnya, sarana ibadah berbagai agama disediakan, crew shoping dengan diskon 10%, yang suka basket,futsal,tenis meja,PS,Billiar,Crew party lengkap dech gak akan terasa cape asal kita menyukai kerja di negeri orang yang jauh dari keluarga, kalaupun kita home sick tinggal telepon aja keluaraga atau pacarmu beli phone card aja $ 10 untuk 1jaman ke telepon rumah kalau ke hp 30 menitan atau yang suka Facebook-an atu mau posting article ada fasilitas internet crew  internet cardnya $20 untuk 3 jam muahal banget tapi kalau lagi dock atau port mendingan warnet di luar/darat  aja 1 jam $2 lumayan hemat untuk nabung ya jangan boros tapi yang masih single puasin aja beli oleh2 atau elecrtronic lumayan murah2.,,mmh jadi ngiler kan pingin cepet kerja disana ya udah sekarang siapin aja apply-nya jangan salah agen di articel judulnya trik dan tip bekerja di kapal pesiar ada alamat lengkapnya, disini aku gak bermaksud untuk ikut ke kapal ini terserah cari aja yang cocok ya, tapi menurutku di kapal ini orang indonesia di prioritaskan baik itu puasa ramadhan, idul-adha, hari kemerdekaan, pokoknya betah aja menurut aku sih,  oh ya bagi temen – temen yang mau apply bagian admin juga ada bagian clerk tapi mesti ada pengalaman dulu, sekarang lagi bagus nih ada recruitmen untuk wanita untuk jadi waitress atau dibPinnacle Grill lagian  yang gajinya mmm gede coy..nah sekarang kita jalan-jalan di dalam kapal dulu disini suka dukannya pernah nyasar terus saking gedenya ini kapal kadang kalau inget suka senyum sendiri dan pertama suka sea sick alias mabuk laut..yang suka mabuk laut tapi lama2 juga gak kok..biasa aja kaya di darat aja..

Inilah Hotel Diatas Laut

Deluxe Verandah Suite

Atrium

Cigar Room

Erasmus Library

Explorer’s Lounge

Fitness Center

Lido Pool

Neptune Lounge

Ocean Bar

Piano Bar

Pinnacle Grill

Vista Lounge

Foto : Sumber www.hollandamerica.com

Bagaimana tertarik kerja disana silahkan persiapkan diri anda dari sekarang buatlah pengalaman dan mencari dollar disana sebanyak-banyaknya, untuk masa depan anda kelak. Saya bukan agency kapal tersebut tapi salah satu crew hotel kapal pesiar yang ingin berbagi pengalaman dengan anda. Semoga jadi inspirasi untuk masa depan banyak orang yang sukses setelah bekerja disana. Welcome On Board  My Friend  See You In Holland America Line

Artikel Terkait :

Info Lowongan Kerja Di Kapal Holland America Line

]]> http://greenbuzz.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/cruise-lines-graded-on-environmental-impacts/ Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:00:37 +0000 greenbuzz http://greenbuzz.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/cruise-lines-graded-on-environmental-impacts/

Millions of Americans take cruise vacations every year. However, most don’t realize that cruising is more harmful to the environment and human health than many other forms of travel. With ships that can carry up to 7,000 passengers and crew, these floating cities pollute the air we breathe and the water we use and enjoy.

All cruise lines are not the same. You can choose a cruise line that is reducing its environmental and human health impacts. To help, Friends of the Earth has put together a Cruise Ship Report Card comparing 10 major cruise lines.

Visit Friends of the Earth to get the green scoop on the dirtiest cruise ships. Check it out BEFORE you book a cruise.

Here’s to cruising in green style!

~Green Buzz

Source: Friends of the Earth

• Towel Setup
• Bathrobes
• Handheld fans
• I-Pod with preloaded music selection
• Discount on selected spa services for days in port only
• 1 Evian Mister per cabana
• Chilled water bottles setup
• Chilled fruit skewers served at 10:00am
• Fruit Basket
• Small menu for lunch service: we will serve poolside favorites in the cabanas as requested from either the Lido and the pool grill during regular opening hours
• Ice-cream tray silver service at 02:00pm: tray with assortment of ice-cream and favorite condiments
• Frozen grapes, chocolate covered strawberries and a glass of house champagne at 03:00pm

To book you can go on Holland America’s website and book it under on board gifts, or call 800-541-1576.

Holland America’s Prinsendam (1988, 38,000gt, 793 pax) was scheduled to arrive in Greenwich on the 22^nd of August.  While in port, ships need to take on water.  However, because the Greenwich mooring is in the middle of the River Thames, water has to be delivered by barge. Unfortunately the port of London’s only water barge was out of action. So instead, the Prinsendam was an unexpected visitor to Tilbury’s cruise terminal, which has fresh water on tap.  Above is my image at Tilbury.

No jogging, but enjoying the Oslofjord (Norway) at 6am in the morning on the ms Rotterdam (Holland America Line). Dozens of passengers woke up early to enjoy this magnificent spectacle of nature.

Settle into your spacious stateroom and relax on your private verandah as the wonders of South America, Antarctica, Africa, India and the Pacific Rim come into view. Without a single international flight you can explore the world’s iconic cities and cultural capitals. 2009 and 2010 Grand World Voyage itineraries feature the very best the world has to offer. Explore the World.

Cruise-lines.nl toont informatie over dure cruise lines en MS Zuiderdam. Ik wil net als iedereenalleste weten komen over dure cruiselines. Waar vind ik een oost middellandse zeecruise? Wat is er op de MS Noorderdam allemaal te beleven? Op deze site vind je alle informatie! Ik heb er ook veel gevonden over Middenllandse zee cruisetochten en MS Eurodam. Dit categorie informatie kan iemand meestal vinden op de site van cruise lines.indien jij beslist om vaak met de cruiseschip op vakantie te gaan, of Als je al altijd op de cruiseschip op vakantie bent geweest, dat maakt allemaal niet uit. vaak is daar voor elk wel weer wat verschillends en interessants te lezen. Neem zeker een stap om te lezen wat cruise-lines aan te presenteren heeft. hier vind u ook de cruiseschip die jij zoekt!Cruise lines