Singapore Airlines flies us safe and sound to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, formerly Saigon. In the bustling port, we board the luxury cruise ship Seabourn Encore. Our cabins are wonderfully spacious. They are like hotel suites, including walk-in closets. All cabins have a balcony and thus an ocean view. On the Pool Deck we go straight for champagne and caviar, just because we can. On board the Seabourn you can drink unlimited champagne and eat endless caviar, all inclusive. Other than that, we - photographer Esther and writer this week - have little else on our minds but to think about where to dine. The choice falls on the intimate sushi restaurant, which will remain our favorite all week. The atmosphere is cordial and informal, as is the rest of the ship, by the way. After dinner, there is a dance party going on on the Pool Deck with deejays. We, too, are in attendance. "Go as crazy as you want, you'll never see these people again anyway," the cruise director shouts enthusiastically. In the theater on board, Crazy Rich Asians is playing. This fascinating film is set in the heavenly circles of Singapore, the final destination of our cruise. When I finally return to my cabin, tired but satisfied, there are six pillows on the bed, from extra firm to ultra soft. I sink comfortably into them and feel like a princess on a pea.
The next day, the Seabourn is still docked in the port of Ho Chi Minh City. From my private balcony, I watch sand being transferred from a ship into trucks. Business as usual. With a population of 10 million, this is Vietnam's largest city, crossed by the Saigon River. Along one bank rises the business high rise and along the other bank traditional homes. Seabourn's shuttle service drops us off in the heart of the city at Union Square, right in front of the Hermès storefront. We are not far from the French colonial-style City Hall and a park with jasmine bushes and lotus flowers, where there is a statue of President Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969). Right after the Vietnam War, Saigon was named after this communist leader. Further on, we discover the luxurious Times Square mall with home furnishing stores by Fendi Casa, B&B Italia and Maxalto. The department store sits next to five-star hotel The Reverie. In the accompanying parking garage, which features hanging gardens, Rolls-Royces and VinFasts are gleaming. Back on board, the captain announces that we are setting sail. The mooring lines loosen and we sink down the Saigon River. "More caviar? More champagne?" sounds familiar. There is at least $50,000 worth of caviar on board and countless bottles of champagne.
The Seabourn Encore makes life easy for digital nomads, which we essentially are this week, thanks to its excellent Wi-Fi. Even during these sea days, the connection is good. A prime spot on board to work in peace, or lounge around, is The Retreat. This is a separate area on deck that requires a reservation. You sit there sheltered from sun and wind and have your own cabana with lounge beds at your disposal around a central whirlpool. The cabanas give us a beach house feel. Meanwhile, even here you are pampered with snacks and drinks of your choice. Out of about 600 guests on the Seabourn Encore, there are about 400 staff from as many as 60 different nationalities! This afternoon we speak with Scottish captain David. After three months on board, he has three months off each time. "That means six months of vacation a year and then home," he jokes. Among other things, he talks about how impressive it is to see whales, such as on the route to New Zealand. Unfortunately, he also sees climate change happening before his eyes. Carnival Cruises, which includes Seabourn, has environment and sustainability as a major focus, investing millions in cleaner engines and zero waste. And as this captain states, "Cargo ships are much more polluting, but you don't hear anyone about that."
We reach Port Klang, the port of Kuala Lumpur, where we stay docked for a night. Plenty of time to explore the Malaysian capital. We make our way to the Petronas Twin Towers and the park behind them, where a sculpture of a whale rises from the water. Toward sunset, we will have drinks at the Vertigo Bar. This rooftop bar, located in the Banyan Tree hotel, prominently overlooks the twin towers. At night, when the towers are illuminated, it is a magnificent sight. A day later, we join a land excursion - of course, you can also book tailor-made excursions with Seabourn - to Putrajaya, the official center of Malaysia. It's an artificial city à la Canberra in Australia, with five lakes. A boat ride takes us past the pink mosque. Back on the Seabourn, as we sail away, we choose a strategic spot on deck with a view. "You're not driving tonight!", laughs the waiter as he refills me with champagne. No question about it. We dine aboard at The Grill. The roast duck is fantastic and the California pinot noir superior. I also ask for the Mac & Cheese. It feels like swearing in church in this fancy restaurant, but it really is on the menu, which is American-style. It is the best Mac & Cheese I have ever tasted! The Grill is under the supervision of award-winning chef Thomas Keller.
Early in the morning we reach Singapore, where we disembark. The city was founded in 1819 by Sir Raffles and is situated on a diamond-shaped island. We take three days to explore Singapore, starting with the colorful houses of Katong. Peranakan is the term for this multicultural neighborhood with influences from China, Malaysia, India and Europe. We also visit China Town. A Buddha temple, Hindu temple and mosque are right next to each other. Beautiful here is the detailed street art. The movie Crazy Rich Asians teaches that Singapore is the only place in the world with top quality street food. So we taste Singapore's famous Chili Crab at the food stalls in Maxwell Hawker Centre. The story goes that a man asked his wife to make him something other than egg and tomato for a change... The rest is history. Singapore is primarily the city of futuristic skyscrapers and of the only floating Apple Store. Once a fishing village, it is now the Lion City. It was Dutchman Albert Winsemius who moved Singapore to become a successful business nation. He urged the country not to "cancel" its colonial past and turn its back on the West, but to be open for business. It brought prosperity and a focus on sustainability that amazes us. Even Changi Airport houses a surprise: a veritable butterfly garden!
Want to read the entire travel report with all the hot spots in Singapore? The summer edition is a fresh cocktail of entrepreneurship and sports. In this edition, some entrepreneurs from the Champions League of business pass the review. Among them are Freddy Heineken and hospitality tycoon Richard Caring, whose expanding empire has been called the "restaurant equivalent of LVMH. Business is top sport, but top sport is also business. Take Formula 1: the sport is increasingly developing into an octopus with arms that touch all aspects within our society. Jaap de Groot examined how millions are being turned into billions. Furthermore, interviews with gymnast Sanne Wevers, two-star chef Guido Braeken, hotelier Robert-Jan Woltering, designer Maarten Baas and Rico so, together with his Naomy. The "King of Kickboxing" is also emerging as an octopus (with very strong arms): as an entrepreneur, he is active in various industries. "When I look back later, I don't want to think 'if only I had this or that.' I just want to, boom, accelerate, do fun things, enjoy myself." Boom, the new MASTERS: enjoy!
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