We are home now and I am already looking for the next thing to do. Our trip was wonderful. I learned to dance the real hula, make Hawaiian jewelry, meet new people, connect with old friends from previous cruises and best of all, saw my family in person. There is nothing like hugging and kissing your daughter and sister. It's the best.
I loved the sea days but had no real time to relax. I thought I would read but there was no time for that either. I loved revisiting Hawaii and found new things to love about it. The highlight for me was the trip to Mt. Kiluea. There is nothing like that jittery feeling of standing atop an active volcano or wandering through a lava tube.
I was awed by the sheer power of the sea. Being in a fairly large ship in 20 foot seas and 80 mile per hour winds made me appreciate the life of a sailor plus a bit of trepidation. I must admit that when my water glass went flying across the room I got a little apprehensive, not to mention fearful when I saw the waves coming too close to my deck 8 cabin! Mother nature is a powerful girl and I am just a little fish in her sea.
Hoping to be on the waters again soon, bye from sunny Florida.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Last Day
Today is the last day of our marathon cruise. We leave the ship early tomorrow morning for the overnight in Seattle and then home. It was a gorgeous day here in Victoria, B.C. It is lovely here and the people are so nice. We walked for miles in the mild temperature and bright sunshine. We saw the government buildings and the stately old Empress Hotel. They are celebrating the Highland Games and there were men in kilts playing bagpipes all over the city (photos to follow). Of course, we followed them...right into beautiful pub.
We had a really good time on this ship. The crew is wonderful and we really felt like it was our home. Everyone knosws us by name and we were treated with the utmost respect at all times.
We had a really good time on this ship. The crew is wonderful and we really felt like it was our home. Everyone knosws us by name and we were treated with the utmost respect at all times.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Astoria
The town was originally discovered by Lewis and Clark and developed by John Jacob Astor, hence the name Astoria. The population is ten thousand and it sits directly on the banks of the Columbia River. The main industries are fishing, canning, logging and tourism. It is very small and very quaint. Everyone is very nice. There is a Coast Guard base here. I thought we might need them the other night but we made it.
They say it rains a lot here but today is beautiful with bright sunshine. We will walk the river walk for about a mile to return to the ship. I need the exercise. One more chocolate croissant and I might explode. There is a cute little outdoor market right at the pier which requires my presence..
They say it rains a lot here but today is beautiful with bright sunshine. We will walk the river walk for about a mile to return to the ship. I need the exercise. One more chocolate croissant and I might explode. There is a cute little outdoor market right at the pier which requires my presence..
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Tempest
Last night in the middle of dinner the captain and his entourage came over to our table to personally ask us how things were going so far. Needless to say, we were surprised, We assured him that all was well and that we were having a great time.
Later in the evening we noticed that the wid was picing up and the seas were increasing in size. No problem, or so we thought. By about eleven we were in the middle of a raging tempest whichhas not let up well into this afternoon. I got no sleep last night due to howling winds, strange noises and creeks and things banging throughout the entire ship. They closed all the outside decks for safety. The early morning winds were clocked at 85 mph and the seas at 20 ft. I almost rolled out of bed several times and my water glass went flying across the cabin and spilled all over the floor. Barf bags are strategically placed all over the ship. As of now, about three in the afternoon, it is still blowing and howling outside and the spray has soaked our veranda which is on the eighth floor. There is no let up in sight and I am trusting that this old girl will make it to Astoria, Oregon. Some of the cre is seasick. A lot of the passengers are too. I am sleep deprived. However, all shipbord activities appear to be proceeding as usual. I might want to re-think my ideas about a transpacific crossing unless it is in a Los Angeles class submarine.
As of 10:30 this evening things have calmed down but we are still rocking and rolling. Things are operating normally throughout the ship and maybe I can get some sleep. We dock in Astoria at about eight in the morning. It is supposed to be very small and quaint.
Later in the evening we noticed that the wid was picing up and the seas were increasing in size. No problem, or so we thought. By about eleven we were in the middle of a raging tempest whichhas not let up well into this afternoon. I got no sleep last night due to howling winds, strange noises and creeks and things banging throughout the entire ship. They closed all the outside decks for safety. The early morning winds were clocked at 85 mph and the seas at 20 ft. I almost rolled out of bed several times and my water glass went flying across the cabin and spilled all over the floor. Barf bags are strategically placed all over the ship. As of now, about three in the afternoon, it is still blowing and howling outside and the spray has soaked our veranda which is on the eighth floor. There is no let up in sight and I am trusting that this old girl will make it to Astoria, Oregon. Some of the cre is seasick. A lot of the passengers are too. I am sleep deprived. However, all shipbord activities appear to be proceeding as usual. I might want to re-think my ideas about a transpacific crossing unless it is in a Los Angeles class submarine.
As of 10:30 this evening things have calmed down but we are still rocking and rolling. Things are operating normally throughout the ship and maybe I can get some sleep. We dock in Astoria at about eight in the morning. It is supposed to be very small and quaint.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
SAN fRANCISCO DAY TWO
Girls shopping day today. We went Union Square and shopped till we dropped. I almost fell asleep writing this sentence. I was so happy to spend time with daughter, sister and cousin. I will be quite sad for the rest of the day. There is nothing like a big, close family. It was great catching up on all the family gossip.
San Francisco is just abou the same it has always been. A few more panhandlers (one actually had a pan), a few more reconstruction sites, a few more expensive restaurants and coffee places, a few more oddballs wandering around and the most glorious place to see on a bright, sunny day.
We are just waiting for the ship to pull out at five pm and slide under the GGB (the local fond term for the Golden Gate Bridge). If the fog doesn't envelope it we shall try for a good photo opportunity.
Jerry is still obssessing over the hugely expensive meal we had last night. The restaurant is owned by a famous local chef and the food was delicious so who cares? You only live once and you earned it.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO
SPENT THE DAY SIGHTSEEING WITH THE FAMILY. IT WAS SO WONDERFUL BEING ABLE TO HUG AND KISS THEM. WE WERE ALL OVER THE
CITY ENDING THE DAY WITH AN ASIAN FUSION YUMMY DINNER. TOMORROW IT'S SAUSALITO. THE WEATHER IS GORGEOUS WITH A
BRIGHT SUN AFTER THE MORNING FOG BURNS OFF AND MILD TEMPERATURES. STILL IT'S A BIT COOL FOR US WARM WEATHER FREAKS
SO I BOUGHT TWO JACKETS.
I AM STILL ABOUT EVEN IN THE SHIP'S CASINO. MAYBE I CAN DO BETTER ON THE WAY TO VANCOUVER.
WILL TRY TO GET SOME PHOTOS ON. WE WENT TO THE JAPANESE GARDENS IN GOLDEN GATE PARK AND THE SCENERY IS GORGEOUS.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Approaching San Francisco
Century approaching San Francisco
We have been on this ship for so long that we are on a first name basis with all the officers. I expect them to put me to work any minute. It's fun. The cre is very visible and friendly. We are like one big happy family.
Today there were parties and things to do all day since we were at sea. This evening we had dinner with two officers. Great food and great wine.
Tomorrow we go under the Golden Gate Bridge at 6:45 am. I don't think I will be up to see that. We plan to dock at Pier 35 at about 8 am. I am lookng forward to spending two wonderful days with family.
We have been on this ship for so long that we are on a first name basis with all the officers. I expect them to put me to work any minute. It's fun. The cre is very visible and friendly. We are like one big happy family.
Today there were parties and things to do all day since we were at sea. This evening we had dinner with two officers. Great food and great wine.
Tomorrow we go under the Golden Gate Bridge at 6:45 am. I don't think I will be up to see that. We plan to dock at Pier 35 at about 8 am. I am lookng forward to spending two wonderful days with family.
Catalina
Yesterday was the last day of the first cruise and the first day of the second cruise. Two consecutive cruises are called Back to Backs or B2B in cruisers lingo. We are in that category. We changed cabins with a minimum of effort and went off the ship to sightsee once again and do a little local shopping in San Diego.
Today we spent the day at Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles. We have been there several times throughout the years we lived in California. Things haven't changed much. The Casino is still there. Now it is a movie theater. The ferrys still run back and forth all day. We call them the barf ferries because everyone always throws up on them. It is a rough twenty six miles to LA. There are no cars allowed on the island and the means of transport is the golf cart. Just like the Villages in Florida. People still come over for the weekends to party. Everything is still overpriced. Some things never change and Catalina is one of them.
Tonight we met some of the new officers who just signed on. Tomorrow there is another party with them. Tomorrow night we will be having dinner with the Chief Engineer at the Captains Table. I know the wine will be great and after a few glasses I will be speaking Greek.
Today we spent the day at Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles. We have been there several times throughout the years we lived in California. Things haven't changed much. The Casino is still there. Now it is a movie theater. The ferrys still run back and forth all day. We call them the barf ferries because everyone always throws up on them. It is a rough twenty six miles to LA. There are no cars allowed on the island and the means of transport is the golf cart. Just like the Villages in Florida. People still come over for the weekends to party. Everything is still overpriced. Some things never change and Catalina is one of them.
Tonight we met some of the new officers who just signed on. Tomorrow there is another party with them. Tomorrow night we will be having dinner with the Chief Engineer at the Captains Table. I know the wine will be great and after a few glasses I will be speaking Greek.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Century Part Two
Yesterday was the last day of the first cruise and the first day of the second cruise. Two consecutive cruises are called Back to Backs or B2B in cruisers lingo. We are in that category. We changed cabins with a minimum of effort and went off the ship to sightsee once again and do a little local shopping in San Diego.
Today we spent the day at Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles. We have been there several times throughout the years we lived in California. Things haven't changed much. The Casino is still there. Now it is a movie theater. The ferrys still run back and forth all day. We call them the barf ferries because everyone always throws up on them. It is a rough twenty six miles to LA. There are no cars allowed on the island and the means of transport is the golf cart. Just like the Villages in Florida. People still come over for the weekends to party. Everything is still overpriced. Some things never change and Catalina is one of them.
Tonight we met some of the new officers who just signed on. Tomorrow there is another party with them. Tomorrow night we will be having dinner with the Chief Engineer at the Captains Table. I know the wine will be great and after a few glasses I will be speaking Greek.
Today we spent the day at Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles. We have been there several times throughout the years we lived in California. Things haven't changed much. The Casino is still there. Now it is a movie theater. The ferrys still run back and forth all day. We call them the barf ferries because everyone always throws up on them. It is a rough twenty six miles to LA. There are no cars allowed on the island and the means of transport is the golf cart. Just like the Villages in Florida. People still come over for the weekends to party. Everything is still overpriced. Some things never change and Catalina is one of them.
Tonight we met some of the new officers who just signed on. Tomorrow there is another party with them. Tomorrow night we will be having dinner with the Chief Engineer at the Captains Table. I know the wine will be great and after a few glasses I will be speaking Greek.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Spectacle
Spectacle
Well
I have made a spectacle of myself once again. Tonght was the last
formal night and we got ourselves all dressed up. Actually, we
looked pretty good.
On
the way back from our delicious lobster dinner we had to walk through
the main lounge which was packed with people listening to the Hawiian
musicians playing their ukuleles and singing Hawiian songs. They
asked if anyone had taken the hula class and would dance on the
stage while they played. Of course I had to do it. It was just me
and the two guys. I remembered everything I learned in class and did
the whole dance and got a rousing round of applause. I can't believe
I did it. People were coming up to me afterward telling me they
didn't know anyone could shake so well. I am now a celebrity on
Celebrity! I am having so much fun. Tomorrow it's Mexico.
Hilo Part 2
Hilo,
Part Two
After
visiting Volcano National Park we stopped at an orchid farm and the
Mauna
Loa
macademia nut farm where we stuffed ourselves with all flsvors of
macademia nuts and of course, macademia nut ice cream. Our guide
finished the tour with a stop at a local farmers market where we
tasted new fruis such as
white
pineapple and apple-bananas. Yummy! We didn't even mind the rain.
Hilo is also the quiet part of the big island, giving it the feeling
of old Hawaii.
Dancing with the stripes
Dancing
With the Stripes
Last
night we went to the specialty restaurant to celebrate two
anniversaries, ours and our friends. There were six of us and we
had a very special meal with very special wines and a plethora of
decadent desserts. We were all nauseous at the end of the meal
because everything was so rich. It's noon right now and I haven't
eaten a thing yet.
After
dinner I decided to once again make a complete fool of myself and
entered a dancing contest with one of the officers as my partner.n
How do I get myself into these predicaments? We did six different
dances in front of the whole ship. I must be truly insane! But it
was fun and I got a tee shirt, luggage tag and a pen for my efforts.
Hardly worth the embarrassment.
Tonight
is the last formal night and I hope I can fit into my dress. Then we
have to change cabins for the trip from San Diego to Vancouver. It's
been great so far. We met some really nice people, renewed
friendships with others that we met on former cruises, and so far
have had great service from the crew. I just wish I had more time to
rest. We dash from one activity to another. I will need a vacation
after this cruise is over.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Mid Pacific
In the Middle of the Pacific
Still overcast and cool. Seas are pretty calm. Today was our last hula lesson. We are all so said. I hope I remember how to do it because it is reaaly fun and very relaxing.
We just cme from the Gala Brunch and I am ready to use a barf bag. There was so much food there I could hardly look at it. Ugh! I am over buffets. We are going to the specialty restaurant with two other couples tonight and the mere thought of it is making me ill.
Later this evening I will try to sign up to Dancing with the Stripes activity where you are paired up to dance with an officer who doesn't know a thing about dancing. Should be hilarious whether or not I get picked.
Time to rest.
Still overcast and cool. Seas are pretty calm. Today was our last hula lesson. We are all so said. I hope I remember how to do it because it is reaaly fun and very relaxing.
We just cme from the Gala Brunch and I am ready to use a barf bag. There was so much food there I could hardly look at it. Ugh! I am over buffets. We are going to the specialty restaurant with two other couples tonight and the mere thought of it is making me ill.
Later this evening I will try to sign up to Dancing with the Stripes activity where you are paired up to dance with an officer who doesn't know a thing about dancing. Should be hilarious whether or not I get picked.
Time to rest.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Leaving the islands
Leaving Hawaii
Last night was formal night and we all cleaned up very nicely. We are so elegant. The food was delicious, the show was wonderful and we went to a 70's party late at night. Most of the passengers were asleep for hours so only the younger people (in their 60's and 70's) were up late enough to attend this party. The band played 70's music and we danced while trying to remain upright because the ship was rockin' and rollin'.
Our cabin neighbors are Russian and they are loud and obnoxious. We had to talk to the people at guest relations to tell them to lower their television which was blasting loud before 7 am. Last night at 1:30 am our smoke alarm went off and we had to call someone to shut it off without creating a mass panic on the ship. So this morning when the Russians' television started blasting I was ready to kill someone. We called guest relations again and that worked. If they do it tomorrow they will be found floating in the Pacific if the sharks don't get them first. Thank goodness for my hula class which calms me down and makes me feel wonderful. The last class is tomorrow and I will be so very sad. I love the hula and now understand the culture behind it, thanks to our wonderful hula and Hawiian crafts teacher, June. I can now make Hawiian jewelry and dance the hula and actually know what I am doing. So much fun! I think I could take a cruise around the world and not be bored for one moment.
Last night was formal night and we all cleaned up very nicely. We are so elegant. The food was delicious, the show was wonderful and we went to a 70's party late at night. Most of the passengers were asleep for hours so only the younger people (in their 60's and 70's) were up late enough to attend this party. The band played 70's music and we danced while trying to remain upright because the ship was rockin' and rollin'.
Our cabin neighbors are Russian and they are loud and obnoxious. We had to talk to the people at guest relations to tell them to lower their television which was blasting loud before 7 am. Last night at 1:30 am our smoke alarm went off and we had to call someone to shut it off without creating a mass panic on the ship. So this morning when the Russians' television started blasting I was ready to kill someone. We called guest relations again and that worked. If they do it tomorrow they will be found floating in the Pacific if the sharks don't get them first. Thank goodness for my hula class which calms me down and makes me feel wonderful. The last class is tomorrow and I will be so very sad. I love the hula and now understand the culture behind it, thanks to our wonderful hula and Hawiian crafts teacher, June. I can now make Hawiian jewelry and dance the hula and actually know what I am doing. So much fun! I think I could take a cruise around the world and not be bored for one moment.
HILO part two
Hilo, Part Two
After visiting Volcano National Park we stopped at an orchid farm and the Mauna
Loa macademia nut farm where we stuffed ourselves with all flsvors of macademia nuts and of course, macademia nut ice cream. Our guide finished the tour with a stop at a local farmers market where we tasted new fruis such as
white pineapple and apple-bananas. Yummy! We didn't even mind the rain. Hilo is also the quiet part of the big island, giving it the feeling of old Hawaii.
After visiting Volcano National Park we stopped at an orchid farm and the Mauna
Loa macademia nut farm where we stuffed ourselves with all flsvors of macademia nuts and of course, macademia nut ice cream. Our guide finished the tour with a stop at a local farmers market where we tasted new fruis such as
white pineapple and apple-bananas. Yummy! We didn't even mind the rain. Hilo is also the quiet part of the big island, giving it the feeling of old Hawaii.
Hilo, Big Island
Hilo and Volcano National Park
Big Island of Hawaii
The captain did a sail-by of Kiluea at night and we saw faint lava flows sliding down the mountain. We docked early in Hilo, on the opposite side of the island from Kona. Kona is the dry side of the Big Island and Hilo is the wet side and it is lush, green and lovely. It is the location of the active volcanoes as well.
We met our private tour guide who we were with for the entire day. It rained all day but that did not stop us. We went up into the clouds to see Kiluea, a volcano which is extremely active these days. The central crater spews smoke and ash. All over the mountain side vents spew smoke and gasses. You can walk on cooled lava. We went througha cooled lava tube. Fascinating. We also went through a rain forest We saw Rainbow Falls, A beautiful waterfall. We watch five seismographs showing all activity on the volcano in real time. The needles moved constantly, showing constant volcanic activit righ beneath us. The guide told us that ifwe hear rumbling we should follow him and run like hell!
Big Island of Hawaii
The captain did a sail-by of Kiluea at night and we saw faint lava flows sliding down the mountain. We docked early in Hilo, on the opposite side of the island from Kona. Kona is the dry side of the Big Island and Hilo is the wet side and it is lush, green and lovely. It is the location of the active volcanoes as well.
We met our private tour guide who we were with for the entire day. It rained all day but that did not stop us. We went up into the clouds to see Kiluea, a volcano which is extremely active these days. The central crater spews smoke and ash. All over the mountain side vents spew smoke and gasses. You can walk on cooled lava. We went througha cooled lava tube. Fascinating. We also went through a rain forest We saw Rainbow Falls, A beautiful waterfall. We watch five seismographs showing all activity on the volcano in real time. The needles moved constantly, showing constant volcanic activit righ beneath us. The guide told us that ifwe hear rumbling we should follow him and run like hell!
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