Marina - Valparaiso-Papeete, Dec 28-Jan 15, 2014 - Trip Review and Pictorial

[Floridiana]

That sounds like great fun!

[computerworks]

ummm... this may take a little longer than expected. :o

 

I am having so much fun going thru the thousands of pictures and reliving this trip...

 

No fear... I will get thru it. ;)

 

Working on the next three sea days on the way to Easter Island.

[computerworks]

Day 4, Sea Day - New Year's Day

 

We now begin the long sail to Hanga Roa... It makes you realize just how isolated Easter Island really is.

 

 

 

Another nice day ahead

 

[computerworks]

We slept in after the great party and were delighted to see that it would be a special Brunch day...

 

 

 

 

[computerworks]

 

 

Hoo boy... Jamon!

 

 

These young ladies played for us during brunch...

 

[computerworks]

Afterwards... we took it easy on this sea day and just wandered the ship and relaxed...

 

The Concierge Lounge always was a treat for snacks and Internet

 

 

A time for checking the mail...

 

 

The Marina is such a beautiful ship... never at a loss for picture taking.

 

 

[computerworks]

Tonight is Dinner in the Grand Dining Room. The choices every time we dined there were great... never disappointed.

 

 

 

[computerworks]

 



 

 

 

 

 

And...turndown after a very easy day at sea.

 

Oh my! .. a comment card?? ...so soon! :p

 

[computerworks]

Day 6, Sea Day

 

Another nice day! .. we are sure winning at weather.

 

 

Game Time on the Pool Deck this morning.

 

 

 

[computerworks]

Lunch at Waves Grill today

 

 

 

...and a milkshake, of course.

 

 

A Wine Tasting this afternoon... A little formal wine class and a tasting session today...

 

 

[computerworks]

Tonight - Dinner at Toscana. We love the ambiance of this restaurant... and the staff is always fun and a treat to be served by them.

 

The entrees are OK... but some could stand a bit of tweaking... actually the menu needs a refresh. But the food is always good...and we gladly eat there.

 

 

 

I don't care what anyone else says... I love the Olive Oil cart. I get several tastes each time. :o

 

[computerworks]

Angela is hopelessly smitten and has a crush on the Italian Pastry chef... <sigh>

 

 

 

 

[computerworks]

Time for a nice walk after dinner. It is late, but still very light out. We must be at the boundary of a time zone.

 

 

 

Putting the pool to sleep... 9:30 - and still light out. Things get pretty quiet on deck at dusk and after.

 

 

 

 

Finally, up to Horizons for a night cap.

 

Edited July 6, 2015 by computerworks

[Floridiana]

It's so much fun to follow you and Angela! I want some of those bright blue Marzipan figures! :)

[computerworks]

Day 7 - Sea Day

 

Another Sea day... and another nice day. Almost there to Easter Island...

 

 

 

This morning... a Cooking Demo with our Head Chef, in the Theater.

Trust me... these are must-see events.

 

 

 

[computerworks]

As our last sea day before port, we again relaxed and had a low impact day.

 

Took a peek into the Artist's Loft... apparently not student's work there today.

 

 

...and a Surf and Turf Lunch at Waves Grill.

 

[computerworks]

Pleasantly surprised to find an International informal Wine Tasting, just outside of La Reserve. hmmm... we could get used to these daily wine tastings.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

[computerworks]

This was just outside La Reserve. We are looking forward to our dinner there, later in the cruise.

 

 

 

 

Some game time.

 

We must be getting pretty twitchy at sea, if we resort to a board game...

 

...but it was fun.

 

 

Night time on deck... early night, tomorrow we arrive at Hanga Roa.

 

 

..more to come tomorrow.

[Floridiana]

Great!

[Queen of DaNile]

Really enjoying this Ron. Brings back great memories- we did this trip in reverse. Loved the Chef's demonstrations on all those sea days. Looking forward to your pictures of Rapa Nui.

[roothy123]

Wow! Thank you for all the wonderful pictures and narration. It give me a great idea of what to expect, although we are not on a holiday sailing, so won't get a New Year's Day party. I recognized a few staff members, including Nolan Dean. I think I read that he was promoted to a cruise director since we sailed with him not that long ago.

 

Our favorite place on the ship appears to be yours - out back on the Terrace. We especially love dinners there.

 

Thanks for reliving your cruise with us!

[ORV]

Wow! Thank you for all the wonderful pictures and narration. It give me a great idea of what to expect, although we are not on a holiday sailing, so won't get a New Year's Day party. I recognized a few staff members, including Nolan Dean. I think I read that he was promoted to a cruise director since we sailed with him not that long ago.

 

Our favorite place on the ship appears to be yours - out back on the Terrace. We especially love dinners there.

 

Thanks for reliving your cruise with us!

 

He was a Cruise Director in 2012, so it must have been before that.

 

Edit, I went back through all the pictures and couldn't find him anywhere. Your eyes must be better than mine.

 

Ron, was the wine tasting by invitation or for fee, or was it for everyone?

Edited July 6, 2015 by ORV

[computerworks]

Ron, was the wine tasting by invitation or for fee, or was is for everyone?

 

The tastings were promoted onboard for all... and both had a nominal fee.

[computerworks]

Day 8, 01/04/14 - Easter Island

 

Easter Island...Finally... Land ho!

 

 

 

And it look like it is going to be another nice day

 

 

We had breakast in the cabin as we waited for the approach

 

Once we were anchored ...we checked that we were ready to tender

 

 

 

In case you wonder why we tender... quite a rocky shoreline.

 

[computerworks]

We booked a private, 2 day tour and it was the best thing we could have ever done here. Our guide was a native, with his family going back several centuries. He was a friend almost immediately... giving us a colorful history at every point of interest.

 

The plan was to OD on moai the first day, learning about the early civilizations... then more current history and sightseeing the second. We had planned an aggressive day and loved every minute.

 

 

First stop was the area closest to the port.