Embarkation Day 11/14/2025

 

The buffet breakfast at the hotel included a donut and a sponge-looking item.  Not sure what it was made out of, but the taste wasn't as good as the looks. 

Daytime view from our balcony.

The reception area and some of the dining areas were outside. 

Interesting, submerged lounge chairs that my sister tried out.  They were a little too submerged for her. 

Other end of pool and rooms.  All rooms overlook the pool. 

On the way to Benoa Cruise Port, we passed this statue in Satria Gatotkaca Park.  It is of the warrior Gatot Kaca, a powerful figure from the Mahabharata epic, known for his immense strength and ability to fly. The statue, created by Balinese artist I Wayan Winten, was inaugurated on October 30, 1993.  It is located near the airport and has become a symbol of protection and security for tourists arriving in Bali.  

Bali-Mandara toll road.  What a novel idea.. anyone going on a cruise must use the toll road. That's one way to make money. 

I can see why it is a tollway as it is constructed out over the water. 

We entered the Toll Road where it meets land on the left side of this photo then took a left to follow it to the NE before taking a right to the port.  The square piece of land is Benoa (Ben-oh-ah) Port.  It is a built on reclaimed land. 

Three towering statues were built as icons of Benoa Port as it was being developed into the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub. This 75 ft tall statue is the Be Barong (Barong Fish).  There are three statues at the port that were designed by the same artist that did the statue in one of the previous photos.

The statue is in the middle of a roundabout. 

We arrived at the cruise terminal about 10 minutes too early, so we were led to seats.  Once they started registering people, we were in the first seats for the second round.  Once we got to the registration table, we were asked for things we didn't readily have available and some things they had requested we have ready, they didn't ask for at all.  Anyway, we had to walk a bit down the dock to reach the ship. 

Our cabin wasn't ready (we didn't expect it to be), so we headed up to the World Cafe for lunch.  After lunch, I took some photos of the port area. 

The Face Chess Statue, with four faces pointing to the four cardinal corners of the Loka Pala Chess Square, said Kastawan, signifies that humans are faced with a right-left or straight choice towards the true goal of life.  The Face Chess Statue is 85 foot tall, including its foundation and placemats. 

We got into our room around 2 pm.  As is the routine, a Viking Daily had been left for us.  

More photo of the port area from our 3rd deck cabin. 

The Benoa Passenger Ship Terminal.  People are still arriving.  We were meeting friends, and they still hadn't arrived. 

The reception canopy where Viking usually has water, and a hand sanitizer station at the bottom of the steps.

Interesting tops on the light poles.

Also in the room was this announcement about our passports.  We had had to surrender them to the ship personnel when we boarded.  Our paper Incoming Passenger Cards were crumbled by the end of the cruise as I had carried it with me into every port.