The journey continues, you could say. We have now reached the third part of my travel report about my MS Europa 2 cruise in Asia. Part 1 can be read here. And Part 2 is here. But now let’s get on with the text, after all, we should finally get around to the frog’s legs, shouldn’t we?
Big Bang in the Early Hours of the Day
One of the most practical effects of a cruise is that you move from place to place without noticing much. The act of travelling is not just looking out of a plane window and hoping to arrive at some point. On board a ship, you travel more or less along the way. You hardly open your eyes in the morning and you’re already somewhere else. Without the hassle of packing your suitcase. That morning, I heard that we were no longer on the high seas much sooner than I saw it. We had arrived at the port of Coron. And there, out of sheer joy at the return of the MS Europa 2, a marching band had actually gathered on the quay.
“We’re glad you’re back, Mamsir,” our guide tells me a little later during our shore leave to Coron. He leads us past anchovies spread out to dry in the air. Some cats eye the supposedly easy prey, but don’t dare steal the tempting delicacies. “Tourism is a very important source of income,” says the young man. The MS Europa 2 is back for the first time since the pandemic broke out. Generally, only a few ships, the smaller ones, can call at the small port. We feel welcome.
Landing in Coron
I would love to buy something while we are wandering through the small market. Simply to support the local people directly. However, I don’t have any local cash. And I’m sure General Manager David Wilms wouldn’t be very happy if I suddenly came on board with a pig’s head. Because they are hawked here, as are fruits and other foodstuffs. The market is small, but Coron, part of the Palawan Islands, is home to just 2,500 people.
Besides a very pretty lagoon, there is also the possibility to visit the Maquinit Hot Springs. We are taken by bus directly to the entrance. On the way there, our guide provides us with interesting information about the area. For example, we learn that the spring is one of the few hot saltwater springs in the world. They are quite proud of that, “Mamsir”. I don’t dare to judge whether he addresses us like that for the sake of simplicity or whether gender-appropriate language has become more common in the Philippines than in Europe. Either way, it is likeable.
Visiting the Maquinit Hot Springs
Arriving at the source, we are amazed. We had expected something pristine in the middle of the jungle. In fact, we are standing in front of two brick basins that look like swimming pools. Our guide provides us with drinks and warnings. At first we don’t believe him that the water is really “very hot”. After all, there are already several visitors in the pools. But as soon as I put a toe in the hot water, I am convinced. Yes, the water is very warm.
I therefore refrain from taking a bath. My colleague Antje and my colleague Cla are brave. They go into the water, which is up to 40 °C warm. This happens rather slowly and bit by bit. It takes time for the body to get used to the warmth. If you rush into it, the blood vessels dilate very quickly – and you faint. That’s why you don’t swim, but rather drift. The picture looks a bit like an oversized human soup. Would I recommend going ashore to the Maquinit Hot Springs? Personally, I don’t find 40 °C water at 40 °C outside temperature very pleasant.
Back on Bord
Those returning from shore leave are greeted with a glass of Bubbles and cool towels. Most of the time, David Wilms is also ready to say “Hello!” in person. He knows many of the guests by name. Another detail that gives a feeling of being “at home by the sea”. Because we set off for Saigon a little later, we now have one and a half days at sea ahead of us. What do you do during this time? You never get bored during an MS Europa 2 cruise. For example, there is the pool deck. Here you lie in the sun, eat waffles and cool off.
Or you can go to the spa. There you can choose from a variety of treatments. Tip from experience: Don’t take any scrubs – or best of all, don’t have any treatment at all – if you have sunburn. It’s like cuddling with sandpaper. Of course, you can also stop by the boutique. Or enjoy the view, read and drink coffee at the Belvedere. It’s also worth stopping by the gallery. It may be small, but it’s filled with great, changing works. Another tip: a cooking class in the onboard cooking studio.
Fast, furious Saigon
We arrive in Saigon in the evening. Already on the bus, our guide explains to us that outside the city and outside official occasions, no one chooses the actually more up-to-date “Ho Chi Minh City”. On the way into the city, we get information about the history of the country – but I find it hard to concentrate. Because outside, people are roaring past us on Vespas at incredible speed and in large numbers. The traffic is chaos. “You don’t need a driving licence for Vespas,” the guide explains. His name is actually different, but he calls himself “Giulio”. Because it’s easier.
I’m already getting a bit of a tummy ache – without even knowing about the upcoming frog legs. Because what I do know is that our programme includes a tour with “Vespa Adventures”. We are unloaded at the meeting point and are allowed to choose a driver and Vespa. I head for the oldest man in the group. Because he has probably survived this madness the longest. Off we go – at a speed that feels terrific. I have to admit: I love it! Because speed – that’s not exactly an attribute you would ascribe to an MS Europa 2 cruise. I missed it.
Streetfoodtour with Frogs
The Vespa tour takes us to a total of four stops. At the first one we have the appetiser: Beer and a view. The next stop brings summer rolls and a kind of “salad”. For this, you wrap different leaves in a larger leaf, add some peanut sauce and a few rice noodles and egg dish – and the salad à la Vietnamese is ready. I’m curious what my readers will say when I confidently serve this to them next time.
In addition, we stop at a street restaurant where, besides vegetarian fried noodles, we also have the frog’s legs. And where Antje-Katrin finally holds the grilled frog legs under my nose. Admittedly, it was a very, very small piece that I ate. And there’s not a lot of bacon on a frog. But I tried it. That’s what travelling is all about, isn’t it? Trying new things. For those who don’t want to do that – at least from a culinary point of view – there is a big buffet in the lobby when we return on board. Including schnitzel, sausages and bread. Just to be on the safe side. An MS Europa 2 cruise has something for everyone.
More about the Cruise:
– Part 1 of the Report
– Part 2 of the Report
