22 August
Pago Pago which is pronounced Pango Pango. Cloudy with some showers Temp 27c
This is our third visit to this small island so we had not booked a tour. Instead after a late breakfast we met Coral and we all went for a walk ashore. The ship was docked almost in the Main Street. After we had walked a short way Coral decided to return to the ship as her back was aching.
I should mention that all of us also had our sleep broken by a call on the ship's PA at 2am calling the special response team to go to some area on the ship where smoke had been smelt. Then shortly after the Captain spoke to say a smoke detector had triggered and he was waiting for a report from the response team and he would keep us informed. About 15 minutes later he came back to tell us that no fire had been found so the response team have been stood down. I actually wonder why we needed to be so informed about just one detector going off until the problem was confirmed and why do they have to call for the response team via the cabin PA when it seems every crew member has pager. Just another thing to take care of when I redesign the ship.
To continue, Betty & I continued our walk through a market selling mainly fruit and veg where there was a group playing some great music. I would have bought their CD if they had one. Further on down the street was a MacDonalds store with a McCafe so we had coffee there. Inevitably with so many clothing shops around we were going to find something that Betty liked. However it was actually me who encouraged her to buy a skirt and top which looks very nice. Around the wharf area stalls had been set up selling mainly clothes and jewellery, I left Betty looking here and went back to the ship just in time to miss a sharp shower.
Entertainment tonight was by one of our favourites Roland Storm who some of you will remember from Six O'Clock Rock and Bandstand. He certainly is no spring chicken but he still puts on a great show. Now that we are on our way to New Zealand we have the usual rough sea although so far it's not that bad.
I think I will make this my last report because we now have 6 sea days with just a break for Auckland in the middle and they will be pretty repetitive. For those of you who have followed us all the way round thanks for watching. Next year we will be touring Oz in our new baby.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
21st August
21st August
Sea Day Sunny Temp 27c Smooth Sea
Betty actually got to Tai Chi this morning at 8.15am I stayed in the cabin and read the Herald Sun. After breakfast Idid my laps of deck 7. Not much in the Patter to interest us today, I did consider going to se what John & Kim were teaching for Rock n Roll but decided that I would be better served by reading my book. Betty went with Bev & Ian to see the movie " Life is Beautiful" they decided to sit at the back in case they did not like it and could leave easily. It was a foreign film with sub titles so they left early. Today there was an Art Auction and they tell me the Wheelhouse Bar was packed. Perhaps the free champagne was the attraction.
Tonight we had a choice to go to the Vista Lounge and see Glynn Nicholas a comedian or go to the Princess Theatre and see Bob Howe again for his repeat show. The other alternative was to watch a movie " Fever Pitch" on the cabin TV. Betty decided on the later, Coral and I went to the Princess and his show was a repeat word for word but the music was still good. Clocks go back another hour tonight as we approach Pago Pago.
Sea Day Sunny Temp 27c Smooth Sea
Betty actually got to Tai Chi this morning at 8.15am I stayed in the cabin and read the Herald Sun. After breakfast Idid my laps of deck 7. Not much in the Patter to interest us today, I did consider going to se what John & Kim were teaching for Rock n Roll but decided that I would be better served by reading my book. Betty went with Bev & Ian to see the movie " Life is Beautiful" they decided to sit at the back in case they did not like it and could leave easily. It was a foreign film with sub titles so they left early. Today there was an Art Auction and they tell me the Wheelhouse Bar was packed. Perhaps the free champagne was the attraction.
Tonight we had a choice to go to the Vista Lounge and see Glynn Nicholas a comedian or go to the Princess Theatre and see Bob Howe again for his repeat show. The other alternative was to watch a movie " Fever Pitch" on the cabin TV. Betty decided on the later, Coral and I went to the Princess and his show was a repeat word for word but the music was still good. Clocks go back another hour tonight as we approach Pago Pago.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
20th August
20th August
Not much doing for us today. I did go to a lecture by Evon entitled "Why did Japan go to war with the USA" In case you don't know according to Evon it was because the US supplied oil and other supplies to them and these had been cut off as sanctions because of Japan's invasions of other countries. They knew that the USA was building up their navy and they thought that if they had any chance of beating them they had better destroy their navy a lot of which was in Pearl Harbour. In the afternoon Betty went with Bev & Ian to see the movie As Good As It Gets. I have 2 books & the Herald Sun on the go so I was happy to stay in the cabin and read. In the theatre tonight was Instrumentalist Bob Howe with the Orchestra. He played the guitar and harmonic with music from lots of eras. He was excellent.
Not much doing for us today. I did go to a lecture by Evon entitled "Why did Japan go to war with the USA" In case you don't know according to Evon it was because the US supplied oil and other supplies to them and these had been cut off as sanctions because of Japan's invasions of other countries. They knew that the USA was building up their navy and they thought that if they had any chance of beating them they had better destroy their navy a lot of which was in Pearl Harbour. In the afternoon Betty went with Bev & Ian to see the movie As Good As It Gets. I have 2 books & the Herald Sun on the go so I was happy to stay in the cabin and read. In the theatre tonight was Instrumentalist Bob Howe with the Orchestra. He played the guitar and harmonic with music from lots of eras. He was excellent.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
19th August
19th August
Moorea Sunny Temp 27c
I am not sure where we went last night but with only 10 nautical miles to go between Papeete and Moorea we should have been there early but when we woke at 6am we still had not arrived. Our tour was due to leave at 8.15am but due to one of the Tender Boats not working we were 1 hour late. Our tour included a drive around the Island, a visit to a Pineapple juice factory and a show at the Tiki Village. The buses being used are normally used to transport school children and as such did not have PA systems. Our guide had a portable system which was next to useless even after yours truly tried to improve it. The visit to the Juice Factory was a very rushed affair, we had no tour and only one tasting when there should have been a few. This factory makes not only normal juice but they also make various alcoholic drinks from the juice. The one we tried was very nice and most of us bought some to drink at our Happy Hour which we are having in our cabin next Saturday. Next we visited a pearl shop which was not mentioned on the tour and wasted 30 minutes of our time which meant we did not stop at many photo opportunities because we would have been late for the Tiki Village show. We past other buses who had stopped and guess what we had to wait for them at the Village. At the Village there was an area set up with tiered seating facing the sea. When the performance started it was hard to see them because they appeared to have black faces etc due to your eyes adjusting for so much light behind them. If by now you are thinking that we did not enjoy this tour you are right. Betty and I think it is the worst tour we have been on. Ian actually missed it because he has got the dreaded bad throat and did not want to be coughing over everyone. Bev came and sat with Coral. Coral thought that the Village Show was so good that she left partway through and walked down to the beach and had a paddle. Betty says that is what she should have done. Don't get me wrong the scenery on the Island is glorious we just choose the wrong way to see it.The only one who really enjoyed it was Kenny who made some new friends and those of you that go on Facebook will see the photo of him with them. Sorry I can not work out how to put photos on this blog since my Laptop broke down.
After dinner we went to the Vista Lounge to see Sarah Jones a Ventriloquist from Australia she was very good and funny.
Moorea Sunny Temp 27c
I am not sure where we went last night but with only 10 nautical miles to go between Papeete and Moorea we should have been there early but when we woke at 6am we still had not arrived. Our tour was due to leave at 8.15am but due to one of the Tender Boats not working we were 1 hour late. Our tour included a drive around the Island, a visit to a Pineapple juice factory and a show at the Tiki Village. The buses being used are normally used to transport school children and as such did not have PA systems. Our guide had a portable system which was next to useless even after yours truly tried to improve it. The visit to the Juice Factory was a very rushed affair, we had no tour and only one tasting when there should have been a few. This factory makes not only normal juice but they also make various alcoholic drinks from the juice. The one we tried was very nice and most of us bought some to drink at our Happy Hour which we are having in our cabin next Saturday. Next we visited a pearl shop which was not mentioned on the tour and wasted 30 minutes of our time which meant we did not stop at many photo opportunities because we would have been late for the Tiki Village show. We past other buses who had stopped and guess what we had to wait for them at the Village. At the Village there was an area set up with tiered seating facing the sea. When the performance started it was hard to see them because they appeared to have black faces etc due to your eyes adjusting for so much light behind them. If by now you are thinking that we did not enjoy this tour you are right. Betty and I think it is the worst tour we have been on. Ian actually missed it because he has got the dreaded bad throat and did not want to be coughing over everyone. Bev came and sat with Coral. Coral thought that the Village Show was so good that she left partway through and walked down to the beach and had a paddle. Betty says that is what she should have done. Don't get me wrong the scenery on the Island is glorious we just choose the wrong way to see it.The only one who really enjoyed it was Kenny who made some new friends and those of you that go on Facebook will see the photo of him with them. Sorry I can not work out how to put photos on this blog since my Laptop broke down.
After dinner we went to the Vista Lounge to see Sarah Jones a Ventriloquist from Australia she was very good and funny.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
18th August
18th August
Papeete Sunny Temp 26c
About 7.30am we arrived at Papeete where we are docked beside 2 beautiful yachts and within walking distance to the town. Part of the Windward Islands, Tahiti makes up more than one-quarter of the total surface of French Polynesia and two-thirds of the population. Papeete is a busy bustling town. There is a centrally locate 2 story market, the lower floor is full of fruit and veg, the upper floor has lots of clothing and jewellery stalls. It also has a cafe where I was able to get fast WiFi to update our Facebook apps. I have never seen so many shops selling pearls as there is here and you guessed it both Coral & Betty bought some. They of course sell the Black Tahitian Pearls. I think everyone is glad to be here because it is the first opportunity to go ashore since we left Lima. It feels quite warm.
We heard that just outside the port gates they set up food stalls and that some are cooking crepes. We decided to go to the Horizon Court for a light meal and then to go ashore to have a crepe. We met Bev & Ian in the Horizons and came with us ashore. It was a lovely balmy night and we don't sail until 4am as it is only 10 nautical miles to Moorea. We found the area where the food stalls were. It was an open piece of land and a number of vans are there with tables and chairs set up around each one. We found one that sold crepes and ordered and paid. It was obvious that they were not very well organised but we sat and waited. After a short while down came the rain which had everyone crowding under the little shelter there was around the vans. It did not last long, after we dried off the seats and table we sat down again to wait all the while keeping an eye on the queue at the van where we had ordered. After what seemed like a long time Ian & I went up to the the van to enquire about our order and were assured that it was coming. Not to confident because of the apparent lack of organisation we stood and waited. I'm happy to say that we did get our order and the crepes were delicious, every one said they were worth the wait. There was a Folkloric Show in the Princess Theatre tonight but as we went ashore we missed it.
Papeete Sunny Temp 26c
About 7.30am we arrived at Papeete where we are docked beside 2 beautiful yachts and within walking distance to the town. Part of the Windward Islands, Tahiti makes up more than one-quarter of the total surface of French Polynesia and two-thirds of the population. Papeete is a busy bustling town. There is a centrally locate 2 story market, the lower floor is full of fruit and veg, the upper floor has lots of clothing and jewellery stalls. It also has a cafe where I was able to get fast WiFi to update our Facebook apps. I have never seen so many shops selling pearls as there is here and you guessed it both Coral & Betty bought some. They of course sell the Black Tahitian Pearls. I think everyone is glad to be here because it is the first opportunity to go ashore since we left Lima. It feels quite warm.
We heard that just outside the port gates they set up food stalls and that some are cooking crepes. We decided to go to the Horizon Court for a light meal and then to go ashore to have a crepe. We met Bev & Ian in the Horizons and came with us ashore. It was a lovely balmy night and we don't sail until 4am as it is only 10 nautical miles to Moorea. We found the area where the food stalls were. It was an open piece of land and a number of vans are there with tables and chairs set up around each one. We found one that sold crepes and ordered and paid. It was obvious that they were not very well organised but we sat and waited. After a short while down came the rain which had everyone crowding under the little shelter there was around the vans. It did not last long, after we dried off the seats and table we sat down again to wait all the while keeping an eye on the queue at the van where we had ordered. After what seemed like a long time Ian & I went up to the the van to enquire about our order and were assured that it was coming. Not to confident because of the apparent lack of organisation we stood and waited. I'm happy to say that we did get our order and the crepes were delicious, every one said they were worth the wait. There was a Folkloric Show in the Princess Theatre tonight but as we went ashore we missed it.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
17th August
17th August
Sea Day Sunny some cloud. Temp 25c smooth sea
Betty was going to go to Tai Chi this morning until she read the Princess Patter and found out that the time had changed to 7.30am. I suspect that this was because the Church Service this morning was at 9am in the same venue. We did go to church and the preacher went longer than normal and we had to rush to the other end of the ship to catch the port talk on Pago Pago. It had started but we managed to get seats down at the front. As usual after the talk we went to deck 5 for coffee. Today the buffet was Italian "Osteria" The movie this afternoon was "Captain Phillips" which is about the hijacking of a ship, not quite the film you want to see while on a ship but we are out of the pirate area now. This afternoon we both went for a walk round deck 7. At lunch we saw Bev & Ian you said they were going for a Pizza tonight so we decided to join them. All 8 of us went so it would have been a quiet time for Arty our dinner waiter. We tend to be one for all and all for one which is great. Only Howard went to a show tonight because he did not see the Motown show last night, he went to the Captain Circle party instead. The rest of us did not want to go to Maggie's last show because none of us liked her first show. We listened to the music in the Atrium by the Tritones Duo until they finished when it was time for the second seating dinner. Then Betty watched a movie on our cabin TV entitled Just Go With It she tells me it's a chick flick so I read the Herald Sun instead. Tomorrow we should be able to go on land at last in Papeete.
Sea Day Sunny some cloud. Temp 25c smooth sea
Betty was going to go to Tai Chi this morning until she read the Princess Patter and found out that the time had changed to 7.30am. I suspect that this was because the Church Service this morning was at 9am in the same venue. We did go to church and the preacher went longer than normal and we had to rush to the other end of the ship to catch the port talk on Pago Pago. It had started but we managed to get seats down at the front. As usual after the talk we went to deck 5 for coffee. Today the buffet was Italian "Osteria" The movie this afternoon was "Captain Phillips" which is about the hijacking of a ship, not quite the film you want to see while on a ship but we are out of the pirate area now. This afternoon we both went for a walk round deck 7. At lunch we saw Bev & Ian you said they were going for a Pizza tonight so we decided to join them. All 8 of us went so it would have been a quiet time for Arty our dinner waiter. We tend to be one for all and all for one which is great. Only Howard went to a show tonight because he did not see the Motown show last night, he went to the Captain Circle party instead. The rest of us did not want to go to Maggie's last show because none of us liked her first show. We listened to the music in the Atrium by the Tritones Duo until they finished when it was time for the second seating dinner. Then Betty watched a movie on our cabin TV entitled Just Go With It she tells me it's a chick flick so I read the Herald Sun instead. Tomorrow we should be able to go on land at last in Papeete.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
16th August
16th August
Sea Day Sunny Temp 24c Smooth sea.
We woke this morning and it was still dark. That's because we keep putting the clocks back as we head west. At breakfast this morning we sat with another couple and after talking to them for awhile about retirement villages we found out that the gentleman is the brother of some one we know very well at Mulgrave Country Club. His name is Graham Pyle brother of John. They live in Sydney. The port talk this morning was on Moorea. Although we have been there before it was interesting to hear what she had to say. We have booked a tour there and we are still happy with that. An Indian Buffet was served in the Horizon Court for lunch but we just had soup and salad. It appears that each year on this ship they hold an Interdepartmental Tug 'O War Competition and today was the day. Each department puts up a team. The Casino team won, I think they had a few ring-ins from the Gym. The Captain & His Wife presented the trophy. At 4pm I went to another lecture by Geoff Gray entitled "The Middle East Conflict. Will There Ever Be Peace" I hope so but it is going to be a long time. At present it is a mess..
Tonight the singers and dancers put on another production show " Motown Gold"
I forgot to say that today the weather was great. We actually saw some sun and the ship has stopped moving around which made my walk around the deck quite pleasant.
Sea Day Sunny Temp 24c Smooth sea.
We woke this morning and it was still dark. That's because we keep putting the clocks back as we head west. At breakfast this morning we sat with another couple and after talking to them for awhile about retirement villages we found out that the gentleman is the brother of some one we know very well at Mulgrave Country Club. His name is Graham Pyle brother of John. They live in Sydney. The port talk this morning was on Moorea. Although we have been there before it was interesting to hear what she had to say. We have booked a tour there and we are still happy with that. An Indian Buffet was served in the Horizon Court for lunch but we just had soup and salad. It appears that each year on this ship they hold an Interdepartmental Tug 'O War Competition and today was the day. Each department puts up a team. The Casino team won, I think they had a few ring-ins from the Gym. The Captain & His Wife presented the trophy. At 4pm I went to another lecture by Geoff Gray entitled "The Middle East Conflict. Will There Ever Be Peace" I hope so but it is going to be a long time. At present it is a mess..
Tonight the singers and dancers put on another production show " Motown Gold"
I forgot to say that today the weather was great. We actually saw some sun and the ship has stopped moving around which made my walk around the deck quite pleasant.
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