Bad luck on the ship or a lot of people are old. Anyways, another gentleman died two days ago. Wow, two passed away in less than 2 weeks. Not good.
Our head Matri’de in the dining room is a friendly fellow called Leo, approached us and said you both must be the youngest world cruisers. We said we didn’t know. He likes to joke so we are talking and he said would you like to see my valet parking. We said sure, and followed him through the dining room doors to around the corner and he points it out. It is full of walkers and wheel chairs and canes. The diners who use them, park them there before they go to their tables. We laughed and laughed. It’s not funny for the average age on board of passengers must be around 75 yrs of age. There is one lady who Mary Anne met who is 97 years old and shuffles her feet but is strong and walks ok and is on the world cruise. She has lost all of her children and husband and only has one grandchild left. Sad.
This morning, the ship was moving very very slowly through a very narrow passage way inorder to enter the coral atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. The land mass surrounding this atoll is only 15 sq. miles and the lagoon it surrounds is the second largest in the world. Our ship entered this very narrow passage and we are now sitting in this beautiful lagoon. We left the ship by tender and came to a village with colorful houses, no windows, dogs and roosters and hens with chicks running around. Came upon some kids playing in a yard and took a photo of one naked playing with a ball. The shops are so tiny and most of the locals get by with motor scooters or bikes. We walked over to the tiny pass we entered and watched around 4 dolphins playing and jumping in the air in front of us. The water is crystal clear with tiny colorful fish swimming around our feet. The water is so warm and the sand very fine. Thatched houses are found along the beaches where Doug and I walked, with junk everywhere and people enjoying life doing nothing. Stereos blaring French songs from some homes, kids in the yards playing and chubby Polynesian ladies watching us stroll by. We walked around for one and a half hours along some quiet roads, girls with babies in strollers going by, nobody cares. Palm trees and lush vegetation everywhere. It is very hot and humid today. Temperature is in the upper 80’s and most of us coming back to the ship have perspiration soaked clothes. Should be the same temperature tomorrow. We had some air conditioning problems on the port side where our stateroom is so yesterday was a bit hot for a couple of hours until it was fixed.
Tonight is a full night with mass, dinner, and two shows to go to. Our cruise director is performing as a ventriloquist and so is Shirley, the harp virtuoso from Brazil that Doug and I met; and a world renowned pianist is also playing. Then an Acappella Quartet is also performing.
Doug is sitting out on the balcony, in the lounge chair, reading his book and looking out at the huts on stilts on the lagoon( A fancy hotel). I, in turn am going to read my diet book for Doug and I both weighed ourselves this morning at the Fitness Centre and we each gained 5 lbs. Wow. I am depressed and Doug laughs and says enjoy the cruise. Fine for him to say. Oh well such is life.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands
Yesterday was a full day of lectures including how to improve your memory which we went to and the theatre was full. Some good points. I needed the pointers for I already lost my keys on the first day. Had to put my alarm on in the afternoon so I could take a nap and not miss some of my classes. We even fitted in afternoon tea up in the Palm Court with all these desserts and goodies. We are dutifully getting up at 7 am to walk out on the promenade deck to wear off our calories. Had to laugh because Sue, at our table form Newport Beach, was moaning and groaning for she weighed herself and gained 7 lbs in 7 days onboard. So we were all laughing and wondering if we should go to the fitness centre and weigh ourselves too. Maybe not. Better not to know. At 7am there are many people out and about walking. I donned at weighted vest that the fitness director fitted me with. I am carrying 4 extra pounds in the vest and will later on add more weights. Hope it is all worth it.
Today, we landed at Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia or the Marquesas Islands where Survivor was filmed in 2000. At 8:15 am this morning, it was already 86 F so by noon it was very very humid and hot hot. While we were walking around the deck, the ship was maneuvering itself in the bay. The small port of Taiohae has only 2,000 inhabitants and is the main village of the island. We walked to a local museum and up the hill to a four star hotel overlooking the quiet bay. We tried talking to some school children in the school grounds but they speak French and so communication was nil. There are roosters crowing, horses neighing, tied up, and many gardens with wonderful fragrant flowers. There are also huge carvings that look similar to some on Easter Island. We walked over to the Catholic church was open and cool with all these wood cravings. It was open and airy. There were two schools, a bank, a store, one or two restaurants etc and a market place where all the locals were trying to sell us hand made jewelery, shells found in the ocean, and carvings. It was so so hot walking around. The locals had a complementary shuttle bus to take us to the museum which was very nice. A very quiet sleep village with dogs running around and children in the school grounds laughing and playing games. Good place to mellow. Came back to the ship and loved the air conditioning and now on the balcony which is facing the bay and the village and enjoying the view. On the sea tomorrow and on our way to Rangiroa. Have to be nice to Doug, set the alarm incorrectly and it rang at 3 am and we both thought we had to be up and at it to go walking. Looked at the clock and found the error. Doug was NOT a happy camper. I better not make that mistake again. Of course I fell back to sleep but Doug didn’t. Had a good laugh this morning.
Today, we landed at Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia or the Marquesas Islands where Survivor was filmed in 2000. At 8:15 am this morning, it was already 86 F so by noon it was very very humid and hot hot. While we were walking around the deck, the ship was maneuvering itself in the bay. The small port of Taiohae has only 2,000 inhabitants and is the main village of the island. We walked to a local museum and up the hill to a four star hotel overlooking the quiet bay. We tried talking to some school children in the school grounds but they speak French and so communication was nil. There are roosters crowing, horses neighing, tied up, and many gardens with wonderful fragrant flowers. There are also huge carvings that look similar to some on Easter Island. We walked over to the Catholic church was open and cool with all these wood cravings. It was open and airy. There were two schools, a bank, a store, one or two restaurants etc and a market place where all the locals were trying to sell us hand made jewelery, shells found in the ocean, and carvings. It was so so hot walking around. The locals had a complementary shuttle bus to take us to the museum which was very nice. A very quiet sleep village with dogs running around and children in the school grounds laughing and playing games. Good place to mellow. Came back to the ship and loved the air conditioning and now on the balcony which is facing the bay and the village and enjoying the view. On the sea tomorrow and on our way to Rangiroa. Have to be nice to Doug, set the alarm incorrectly and it rang at 3 am and we both thought we had to be up and at it to go walking. Looked at the clock and found the error. Doug was NOT a happy camper. I better not make that mistake again. Of course I fell back to sleep but Doug didn’t. Had a good laugh this morning.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
At sea - January 27, 2009
We are at sea cruising for 5 days straight right now till we get to Marquesas Islands. Life on board for those days is very busy. There are many many classes and lectures to choose from all day long. We have a choice of bridge, computer, pilates, Tai Chi, water aerobics, dance, golf, yoga, and arts and crafts courses every day. There are also lectures throughout the day from inspirational (Mikki Williams) to special interest (Nigel West lecture on Espionage in the Pacific – from World War !! to present day) to George McGovern on world poverty. The lecturers are flown in and out and stay for a couple of days to give their talks. They are very enjoyable and worth going to.. We also have the latest movies shown in the movie theatre twice a day. There is tv to watch in the room with current news from Fox News World and movie channels. The library is very good with current magazines and books. We get The Canadian News and the USA Times and the New York Times condensed news at our door everyday so we are current with the news and sports scores. It is great to get all three newsletters everyday.
We have different themed buffets during these days. Several days ago we had a Mexican themed buffet with all the waiters dressed in Mexican hats and clothes.
Today we are crossing the equator and it is a ritual onboard to celebrate the crossing. Shellbacks (those who have crossed the equator before) are asked to come to the celebration and King Neptune initiates “Pollywogs” (those who it is the first time crossing the equator). Doug and I are “Shellbacks and thank God don’t have to kiss the frozen fish etc. They make you do silly things. It is fun to watch but embarrassing to be a part of. Should be fun. I will take some photos. After the celebration, we are having an American themed Buffet with grits, hotdogs, cob salads, apple pies,corn on the cob,Texas style chili, Southern sea food, Cajun food like Jumbo Shrimp, and Southern fried chicken.
Tonight, we and two other couples from Edmonton, are going to the Japanese Sushi Bar and Restaurant for some Japanese food. We are looking forward to this as it is a change from the dining room. The Italian Restaurant on board is excellent too.
At yesterdays, dinner, we asked the computer couple at our table if they could tell us any stories of what has happened on board. This couple almost live on the ship giving many different computer classes to guests. They related the following story. One gentleman brought his wife and mistress onboard and set up the mistress on a stateroom one floor below he and his wife’s room. The two women never met and he was discrete. One day the gentleman was visiting the mistress in her room and died in her bed. She phoned the front desk to help her out of the situation. They got the gentleman out of her room, dressed him up in his tuxedo, placed him on the promenade deck in a chair, and then waited for someone to find him and call for help. The wife never found out about the mistress to this day and the front desk helped make the situation not embarrassing for the mistress. They related many other stories of what goes on but that is a good one.
Every formal day, the world cruisers are invited to the Palm Court on the top level for cocktails and drinks and music so the world cruisers can mix. We enjoy the cocktails for we find a place and eat all these different appetizers and watch the couples dance in their ball gowns. There were two couples who have been on the ship for more than 100 cruises. Both couples were Japanese and practically live on board.
The dancers and singers onboard who entertain us with Broadway shows etc, like Mamma Mia etc, have very elaborate costumes and provide us with excellent shows. These are as good as something you would see in the Jubilee. Two of the dancers are from Calgary. We love going to their shows. There is one tonight before the other main show in the Galaxy Lounge. There are also trios and bands all over the ship to dance to. Some of the single ladies dance all night with the 8 Dance hosts who are provided by the ship to dance with all the single ladies for the entire cruise. These dance hosts have to be excellent dancers and very polite and accommodating but are not allowed to have any romantic liaisons with the single ladies. Other ladies will get jealous.
Mary Anne and Harry are on the Trivial teams that answer trivial questions and accumulate points throughout the cruise. Mike and Judy (computer people) said there are serious people on these teams with many arguments. Very serious players including the bridge people. Funny isn’t it that they take it so seriously.
Doug is coming back from his Golf course and we have to get a seat to watch the Equator Crossing Ceremony in the sun and heat. Did I mention it is hot hot and humid. Yes I did. Are you envious?
We have different themed buffets during these days. Several days ago we had a Mexican themed buffet with all the waiters dressed in Mexican hats and clothes.
Today we are crossing the equator and it is a ritual onboard to celebrate the crossing. Shellbacks (those who have crossed the equator before) are asked to come to the celebration and King Neptune initiates “Pollywogs” (those who it is the first time crossing the equator). Doug and I are “Shellbacks and thank God don’t have to kiss the frozen fish etc. They make you do silly things. It is fun to watch but embarrassing to be a part of. Should be fun. I will take some photos. After the celebration, we are having an American themed Buffet with grits, hotdogs, cob salads, apple pies,corn on the cob,Texas style chili, Southern sea food, Cajun food like Jumbo Shrimp, and Southern fried chicken.
Tonight, we and two other couples from Edmonton, are going to the Japanese Sushi Bar and Restaurant for some Japanese food. We are looking forward to this as it is a change from the dining room. The Italian Restaurant on board is excellent too.
At yesterdays, dinner, we asked the computer couple at our table if they could tell us any stories of what has happened on board. This couple almost live on the ship giving many different computer classes to guests. They related the following story. One gentleman brought his wife and mistress onboard and set up the mistress on a stateroom one floor below he and his wife’s room. The two women never met and he was discrete. One day the gentleman was visiting the mistress in her room and died in her bed. She phoned the front desk to help her out of the situation. They got the gentleman out of her room, dressed him up in his tuxedo, placed him on the promenade deck in a chair, and then waited for someone to find him and call for help. The wife never found out about the mistress to this day and the front desk helped make the situation not embarrassing for the mistress. They related many other stories of what goes on but that is a good one.
Every formal day, the world cruisers are invited to the Palm Court on the top level for cocktails and drinks and music so the world cruisers can mix. We enjoy the cocktails for we find a place and eat all these different appetizers and watch the couples dance in their ball gowns. There were two couples who have been on the ship for more than 100 cruises. Both couples were Japanese and practically live on board.
The dancers and singers onboard who entertain us with Broadway shows etc, like Mamma Mia etc, have very elaborate costumes and provide us with excellent shows. These are as good as something you would see in the Jubilee. Two of the dancers are from Calgary. We love going to their shows. There is one tonight before the other main show in the Galaxy Lounge. There are also trios and bands all over the ship to dance to. Some of the single ladies dance all night with the 8 Dance hosts who are provided by the ship to dance with all the single ladies for the entire cruise. These dance hosts have to be excellent dancers and very polite and accommodating but are not allowed to have any romantic liaisons with the single ladies. Other ladies will get jealous.
Mary Anne and Harry are on the Trivial teams that answer trivial questions and accumulate points throughout the cruise. Mike and Judy (computer people) said there are serious people on these teams with many arguments. Very serious players including the bridge people. Funny isn’t it that they take it so seriously.
Doug is coming back from his Golf course and we have to get a seat to watch the Equator Crossing Ceremony in the sun and heat. Did I mention it is hot hot and humid. Yes I did. Are you envious?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
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