Tropical Storm

Sunday, Feb 1st When we arrived at the Cook Islands the currents and winds were too strong to tender. In addition, we were headed directly into the heart of a tropical storm with 50 - 70 mph winds and 12 ft swells, so the Captain made the decision to leave immediately, bypass Nuku Alofa and head straight for Tonga. We arrived last night to an orchestra, a beautiful suset and some local dancers. Everything is closed today because they strictly enforce Sunday being a day of rest, but tomorrow, we have an excursion and will then be back on track for the normal cruise schedule. We crossed the International Date Line Thursday night, so Friday did not exist.

Bora Bora

Finally! The weather cooperated and I got my first two dives in at Bora Bora. The waters were the crystal clear turquoise blue that you see in the brochures. The first dive site we had three large manta rays swim all around us. The fish and coral were stunning at both sites. The experience was all I dreamed it would be and more. Following the dives, I explored town and used up my French Polynesian currency. For my Keno friends, I will be bringing home some beautiful black pearls from this island. Tomorrow is a sea day then we hope to have calm enough waters to tender at Raratonga, Cook Island on Wednesday. The pics: The tall man was my dive partner. He is a fascinating man from Holland that has done dives all over the world. The younger man was my dive instructor “Fred”. The dancers were part of the Polynesian team on the ship that preformed as we sailed away from Bora Bora.

Papeete, Tahiti

January 25 & 26 The weather had been perfect until we reached Tahiti where it rained for two days. Each day, I waited, hoping the sky would clear, and each day I got the bad news by early afternoon that my dives were cancelled. Visibility was low and the currents strong. We didn’t arrive until noon on Saturday and the town closes for the weekend by 1pm. Saturday night I did explore the food trucks and I got up at 5 am on Sunday to sightsee at the market place. Everything is very expensive on this island, so I returned to the ship and enjoyed a day of card games with friends. Tomorrow I have more dives scheduled in Bora Bora, but the weather forecast still calls for more rain. My fingers are crossed.

Nuku Hiva

January, 22, 2015 We saw land for the first time in eight days. I had arranged with some of the other divers on the ship to dive with the pigmy whales that live around this island but as we were waiting with tender tickets in hand they announced that no one was to enter the water for any reason. There were lots of aggressive sharks and there had been several attacks. Once again, my plans to dive had been squashed. I took my equipment back to the cabin; grabbed Gary and we went to explore the town of Taiohae. It turned out to be a wonderful day. This is the island where Survivor Marquesas was filmed. They only have Internet because of the show. It is a very simple small town. We saw most of the sites and ended up at a quaint Inn with a small museum, a boutique and an open-air restaurant where we enjoyed the local beer, the breeze and an amazing view of the volcanic cove that the town is built around. Another interesting fact is that the same artist who created sculptures on Easter Island did many of the sculptures. After catching up on some emails, we walked the black sand beach back to the ship and enjoyed another evening of gourmet food, friends and delightful entertainment. Tomorrow is another sea day on our way to Papeete, Tahiti.

Eight Days at Sea

After being off the grid and without Internet for several days while crossing the Pacific, we are now less than a day away from land again. Life on sea days includes, gourmet meals, exercise classes, ukulele lessons, relaxing at the pool, card games with friends, dancing before and after dinner followed by amazing evenings of entertainment. Best of all, we get an extra hour of sleep almost every night as we travel west through time zones. The weather has been absolutely perfect! Sunny days and calm waters. It would be difficult to dream up a life any better than this.

Manta Ecuador

We arrived early this morning to the “Tuna” Capital of the world. Not far from Montecristi, a colonial town that is known for being the birthplace of Panama hats certainly the item to purchase. Because we have been here before and have both contracted the virus spreading through the ship we kept our visit short, caught up on some emails and went back to the ship to rest. The next eight days are sea days, the perfect opportunity to rest and get healthy before exploring the South Pacific.

Yesterday we spent from 6 am till 5 pm transiting through the Panama Canal. It was a fascinating process that afforded us the opportunity to see the new larger canal to be completed in 2016 and see how the existing canal is much the same as it was 100 years ago. The average cost per ship to transit is $149,000.00 but likely paid closer to $200,000 because of our size and the fact that we went through during the daylight hours. Today we crossed the equator and are headed to Ecuador. We have ben enjoying wonderful entertainment including Bobbi Wilson, the son of the late Jackie Wilson.

January 10, 2015 The San Blas Islands were such a contract to Columbia. It was like taking a step back in time. The Kuna Indians still live in dirt floor huts. It is only recently that traces of technology can be seen. (solar panels & satellite dishes). The women wear mola’s incorporated into their blouses. For my Red Hat friends, they also are known for wearing red headdresses. A picture can speak a thousand words, so I am just going to let the pictures speak for what we experienced.

After three days at sea we arrived in Santa Marta, Columbia. Not far from Cartagena, it was established in 1525, is the oldest surviving city in Columbia and the second oldest in all of South America. We explored on our own visiting the beach, Santa Marta Cathedral, shopping district and the Gold Museum. The temperature was to reach 91 degrees today so ventured back to the ship early. Tomorrow we visit the San Blas Islands.

The first two days of the cruise have been wonderful! Monday

was a nonstop supply of complimentary champagne all afternoon and into the night when we sailed away from Ft. Lauderdale to a massive party 9 pm - midnight. We have been quite impressed with Holland America. To my Red Hat friends, they even have six very hunky dance hosts at our beckon call to dance with any time there is music. Every lady was given a rose at dinner last night and we were welcomed with more gifts this morning. There are only 900 guests and 700 staff so it is a very intimate environment and we are well cared for. We are developing our “Sea Day” routine as we sail south to Columbia. Tomorrow is another Sea Day and the first Formal night.

Day one did not go as planned. The flight was delayed. I did make it to Ft. Lauderdale and the dive shop in time to find out that the sea was too rough and the dive was cancelled. This just means that all four dives will now be in interanational waters. The dive shop staff was completely jealous that I will be diving in Tahaiti and Bora Bora, so I can't complain too much. Tomorrow we board the ms Amsterdam and begin to learn how Holland America compares to the other cruise lines we have traveled on. Will keep you posted.