The Timely Traveler Cruising Across Asia on the Royal Caribbean International The cruise line…Royal Caribbean Somehow, it all came off well…with passengers enlightened and International…calls its 21 ships the pleased by close-up looks at parts of the world the usual ships’ ‘friendliest on the seas’. From our 12 traveler doesn’t see. days aboard the ‘Rhapsody of the Hanoi is 3 hours from the Gulf of Tonkin (now there’s a blast from Seas’ in Asia with 2400 other the past). ‘Rhapsody’ anchored 45 minutes from shore in the midst of passengers in January, we’d agree! the beauty of Ha Long Bay…a UNESCO World Heritage site.A In our 20-plus years of cruising, this breathtaking sight…surrounded by thousands of isles…islands and was one of the most genuinely mountains of limestone…rising precipitously out of the sea. The pleasant, agreeable and helpful staffs Vietnamese claim the Bay as the 8th Wonder of the World. and crews we’ve encountered. I have a hunch it was due to some ‘trickle down’ from the Captain. His 2 daily ship-wide announcements were about the usual business one gets from these routine moments. But his were unusually jovial…streams of consciousness delivered off the cuff. And he’d always close with ‘God Bless…bye-bye!’. Maybe it’s a happy Captain that leads to a happy crew.

Hanoi's Brand New Intercontinental Hotel on West Lake

As you drive through the country…there are no vestiges of the War left but for the ‘Patriot’ cemeteries…where the Vietnamese buried their war dead. Although long, the ride into Hanoi was never boring. The city itself is beautiful…well-worth seeing. Excellent hotels…great food and some shopping. The beautiful new Intercontinental Hotel is on stilts in West Lake…the lake Senator John McCain parachuted into after he was shot down. Hanoi still shows the impact of its Communist rule. It is in much Rhapsody of the Seas Sets Sail! better condition…physically and economically than when I was there last in 1987. But for its potential it is still in the doldrums of a system that What wasn’t as stellar was the food served in both the dining room doesn’t work for people nor development. True…today in Hanoi and buffet. It left a bit to be desired. people ride motorbikes. In ’87 it was nothing but bicycles. But in But, on the other hand, this is not upper-end cruising. The Saigon many more folks drive cars. Continued on page 31 ‘Rhapsody’s’ price-points are very affordable…and the value most attractive. We paid $1700 each for a standard oceanview cabin (with as much stash space as I’ve ever seen). The ship is 11 years old…one Repositioning Deals With the change of seasons comes the times of year year out of refurbishment and lookin’ good in every respect! In when the cruise lines need to reposition…shift ships from one DESTINATION to another…offering seekers some great values. The prices are always attractive because many excellent condition…no rough edges anywhere. cruisers don’t like long hunks of time at sea. For you frisky seniors there’s a 3 story rock-climbing wall. But if you like sailing…this is for you…5-6 days at a time crossing the Atlantic or the Pacific. Of course, the companies always add on some tempting ports at one end of the cruise…or the other. The theater is a beautiful space…the casino very large…lots of Giselle’s Travel is pitching a couple of interesting prospects. And one of them is on NCL’s shops…a 4 story atrium with 2 outer elevators…and 2 good-sized pools. brand new ‘Norwegian Gem’…just launched last year. With it’s 12 restaurants and so-called ‘freestyle cruising’…you can eat when and where you want…wear what you want…and for- We chose ‘Rhapsody’ for the unusual itinerary…as well as the price. get having to follow the usual ship schedules. The ship departs Barcelona Nov 16th and This was the ship’s second trip to some very different docks in NEW YORK Nov 29th…including 5 ports in Italy, France and Spain enroute. Lower destinations…not your ordinary cruising route. It departed Hong fares are available until Mar 31. Inside cabins start at $569…oceanviews from $959…and with a balcony $1349. Kong for 4 cities in Vietnam (Hanoi…Hue…Nha Trang and Saigon) Another offering is a little less at-sea-intense. It’s 16 nights LA to Miami…Oct 17th to Nov 2. then Bangkok…Sihanoukville (and/or Phnom Penh) in The ship is Royal Caribbean’s ‘Monarch of the Seas’…with 6 dining options from an Asian- …and finally Singapore. fusion restaurant to a make-your-own pizzeria. And best of all…you make that fascinating float thru the Panama Canal. It was a big bite for any cruise line to chew on. Few ports in which There are 9 sea days but they are nicely broken-up with stops in Mexico…Guatemala… the ship could actually dock…thus a lot of tender service. And distant Costa Rica…Panama and Columbia. Interior cabins start at $950…oceanview staterooms are destinations…many 2 or 3 hours away with bus and touring services $1290. and the superior oceanviews are $1390. The group department at Giselle’s Travel (916) being provided in 2 Third World countries…Vietnam and Cambodia. 922-5500 awaits you…if interested. ––SA

30 Senior Magazine March 2008 on the web: seniormagonline.com The Timely Traveler (continued from previous page)

Stan’s Travel Tips Driving into Saigon…it looks like the Santa business and development will come to the interesting destinations and travel tips and Ana Freeway going into Los North. Meantime the old men just look the other news you can use. Angeles…manufacturing and plants and way…as in the South…the tail wags the dog. Stan Atkinson spent 46 years as a TV business everywhere. The Southerners never I’ll scribble more next month about the news anchor, reporter and documentary bought into Communism…especially balance of what was a memorable journey. producer––most of it at KCRA and KOVR. He before…during and now after the War…and Meantime check out the rest of this annual covered much of the world’s troubles in 29 today that part of the country…although Travel issue for some good values… countries between the 60’s and 90’s. Some technically communist…is busting at the seams. tormented places more than once. His In Hanoi…as charming and old French as it assignments have ranged from looks…that’s not happening. It is the nation’s to El Salvador and Vietnam to lraq. He has Capitol, and as long as the old men remain in also enjoyed the benefits of safe and sane power it’ll never reach it’s potential. For them travel including 2 dozen cruises, often as a the system is convenient. It allows repression group host. Stan can be reached at: when needed. [email protected]. While we were there…some kid was caught selling the drug ‘ecstasy’ in a disco. ’s So…all disco’s were shut down. But behind the old men are younger Best Kept Secret bureaucrats who are better educated…more Its many fans would want me throttled for sophisticated and well-traveled. So doing this…but there is a real deal hotel- someday…in their day…more international wise in Hong Kong! It’s actually on the The West Lake tribute to Sen. McCain's capture. Kowloon side of the Harbor…in the most prime location possible…and it is…(drum roll)…the YMCA of Hong Kong!! So you say…I’m going on vacation…and you suggest I stay at the YMCA?? This is no ordinary ‘Y’…but a full-on 15 story…301 room…62 suites…hotel! ‘The Salisbury’…as it is called…has rates unbeatable (for decent accommodations) in Hong Kong. A standard room is $116 a night…a Harbor view room is $144! The rooms are not fancy…but clean…spacious and well-appointed. Consider that the ‘Y’s’ next door neighbor is ‘the grand old lady’…one of the world’s finest hotels…‘The Peninsula’. The average price for a room at ‘The Pen’…$611. The location is prime…right on the Harbor’s edge…one of this world’s most Traffic jam in downtown Hanoi breathtaking views…a 2 minute walk to the 24/7…most efficient transport system in the A Hotel Option Worth Investigating world…the Star Ferry. There’s a dining room and café and a wide In both Hong Kong and Singapore we All of this done in large…beautifully choice of banquet and meeting facilities. arrived at our hotels with standard room appointed Executive level lounges with a Also this is still a ‘Y’…so there’s every kind of reservations. When inquiring about better wide choice of newspaper and recreation you could ever want…from accommodations available we were magazines…WiFi hookups…and desktop swimming to rock climbing. pitched the ‘Executive level’ option. I computers available at no charge…or a very thought it was a ‘hustle’…but on closer Dollar…comfort minimal one. and convenience- examination…saw the benefits. At one hotel…a free shoe shine was The upgrades cost us $30 a day more in wise…the Salisbury offered daily and discounted dry cleaning. is a jewel in the Hong Kong…and an additional $20 daily in Best of all…we did this on arrival…there Singapore. For that we moved into larger midst of one of were vacancies available…so we got the the world’s most rooms…in one case a junior suite…both room upgrades at much less than if we’d with better views. expensive cities. booked them ahead of time online. In addition a full-on breakfast and heavy- Pass it on…but Give it a try next time. It sure worked for duty appetizers at dinner time were served … shhh…don’t say all buffet-style. Also in the deal…a few hours us…and saved some money (for other who told you! ––SA late in the day offering free cocktails et al. things to go out and spend it on!) ––SA YMCA of Hong Kong email: [email protected] March 2008 Senior Magazine 31 Last Looks from The Timely Traveler Photos from Asia taken by Stan Atkinson

If you like the sound of it…. Kong and Singapore…to the least advanced closeup the segments of it that are likely The Asia cruise I’m writing the column about in countries…Cambodia and Vietnam…and with to change the most over the next this issue and next…will be available only twice in Bangkok in between…this is the itinerary for you! decade…along with the powerhouse the near future. A slightly different version of the cruise leaves places…Singapore…Hong Kong and Beginning April 26th 2009…Royal Singapore Jan 31st 2009…Feb 14th and 28th. Shanghai which will have a lot to do with Caribbean’s ‘Legend of the Seas’ will take in the This one is 14 nights rather than 12 and includes the economic shape of the future… same ports we enjoyed so 2 months ago. Hong Kong and Shanghai. theirs and ours. More details can be found If you want to see this compelling part of Asia If Asia titillates your travel instincts…these online at at…www.royalcaribbean.com. from the most developed city-states…Hong itineraries are very compelling. You’ll see ––SA

Photos taken by Stan Atkinson, from the top moving clockwise: City views of Hong Kong and Singapore, and below the text, two views in Vietnam: a photograph of a busy Hanoi street, and a streetscape in Saigon.

38 Senior Magazine March 2008 on the web: seniormagonline.com Cover Story STAN ATKINSON

Story by Nan Mahon

rom the jungles of Vietnam to the he received the George F deserts of to the harbors of Washington Medal of Honor, and Hong Kong, Stan Atkinson has been has earned three Emmys for his almost everywhere of any interest. documentaries. Both as a reporter and anchorman for His first documentary, “The Village television news and as guest host for a that Refused to Die,” told the story cruise line, Atkinson can speak with of Father Nguyen Lac Hoa and his experience about the most exotic village of Binh Hung fighting the Viet places in the world. This month he Cong. The following award winning joins the staff of Senior Magazine to documentaries were filmed inside tell readers of high adventure and the Afghanistan and . best ways to find it for themselves. His adventurers as a newsman Atkinson retired from the began at Pasadena City College television spotlight in 1999 after 46 where studied journalism. Following years in the business. Thirty of those college, Atkinson served in the Army years were in Sacramento where he as an instructor, rising to the rank of worked for KCRA and KOVR. But sergeant. stepping from behind the news desk only gave him more time to travel and At the end of his time in the service, to serve the community as a he went to work for NBC and as a volunteer––on boards of non- young television reporter, covered the profits––helping them raise money trial of the notorious Manson family in and emceeing events. Los Angeles. “I feel strongly about paying back “It was an unforgettable, weird to the community,” Atkinson said. “It time,” he said. has been good to me.” When he got out of the army in Over his lifetime, Atkinson has 1954, Stan’s television career began raised some $7 million for the in Spokane, Washington. Over his community. His Stan Atkinson Golf career, he would circle all the hot Classic brought in $300,000 over a spots in the world, hopping from five year period for some half dozen one troubled region to another. He charities. Without his help, some of talked with Cubans following the the most notable projects may never revolution, faced the Soviets in have been built in the Sacramento Afghanistan, and met hostile area. He partnered with the guerrillas in Central America. With a Sacramento River Cats and East camera following him, Atkinson Sacramento Rotary to raise money to Stan Atkinson: The Timely Traveler brought the troubles of 25 countries build Rivercats’ Independence into the living rooms of America. Field. With the late B.T. Collins, a When Atkinson and his wife, former Special Forces Captain who lost an arm and leg in Vietnam, he Kristen began cruising as guest hosts in the 1980s, he gave talks about was a principal fundraiser to help built the California Vietnam his experiences and showed his documentaries to fellow travelers. Veterans Memorial on the State Capitol grounds. “We would take one or two cruises per year,” he said. “I would talk In 2001, after retirement, Atkinson chaired the multi-million dollar about world issues.” fund, Sisters of Mercy, supporting three dozen charitable projects. He sits on the boards of many such organizations and has been the Currently, Atkinson and his wife travel with the international recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Ford travel marketing organization, Virtuoso Travel Specialists, going Foundation Journalism Fellowship, and the Distinguished Service on extended journeys and hosting cocktail parties and days ashore. Medal from the National Front for the Liberation of . In 1999, Story Continued on Page 7

6 Senior Magazine March 2008 on the web: seniormagonline.com Cover Story: STAN ATKINSON

Story Continued from Page 6

From the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Stan with Vietnamese Students in Hanoi.

The couple has learned a lot about how to including Alaska and Canada. Even though The staff of Senior Magazine wants to travel and now they want to share that with he has circled the globe, Atkinson said he welcome Atkinson to our publication and Senior Magazine readers. has not seen enough of America, and learn all he can tell us and our readers about “We haven’t missed anything,” Atkinson he wants to tap into that. adventure. ” said of his travels. “There isn’t anyplace I “I will write about value, deals to be had, haven’t been so I have a lot of material.” and places to go,” he said. “All geared to He says that cruises are a wonderful people over age 50.” opportunity for seniors, but he plans to cover At age 75, Atkinson is anxious to take When You Need A Local Attorney… a great deal more in his column each month. on the new challenge of print journalism. Specializing in cases He will explore alternative travel, such as train “A life without learning something every involving or river boat trips across the United States, victims of day is not worth living,” he said. injury or disability.

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Reporting from the desk of Channel 3 with Margaret Pelley in 1984; Stan in 1980 with a Khmer Rouge Area Commander inside Cambodia; and cooling off inside communist-held Angola with Angolan Freedom Fighters email: [email protected] March 2008 Senior Magazine 7