Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

50 minutes ago, voljeep said:

so the UK'ers will be cruising without a vaccine ? hmmm ... good for them, I guess

 

what could possibly go wrong ?

 

Not possible, I’m afraid. Our Foreign Office has advised that nobody should go on a cruise, and unfortunately, a vaccine is no good unless there is a large take up. I can’t see cruising resuming from the UK for some time. 

[ellie1145]

47 minutes ago, rmf11699 said:

My apologies Ellie, Covid talk shouldn't be in this thread. Tons of other threads for people to vent their frustrations and opinions on that topic.

 

Don’t apologies, it’s very frustrating and sometimes it just washes over us all. 

 

So I’d better get on with today’s adventure to take your mind off that awful pandemic we are in the midst of. 😉

[ellie1145]

An international survey In 2006 found that the citizens of the nation of Vanuatu were the healthiest, happiest and most content on earth.

 

Perhaps, today, we will find out why....

 

 The ship docks and we look out over our balcony and see the market place below, which we have to walk through to meet Tony at the start of our tour. There are groups of locals performing a welcoming dance and we can hear music. It’s good to be back on this beautiful and very friendly island.

 

 

 

 

These island warriors greet us with a traditional dance, in traditional dress. 

Some of the lady stall holders dance and sing for us, what a welcome! 

 

 

We dash to the buffet and grab a quick breakfast before waiting for some of the group by the gangway.

 

These photos were taken from the buffet through the glass, and so there is a fair bit of reflection, and blue colouration I’m afraid, but we didn’t have time to go outside as we were on a tight schedule.

 

 

 

 

We are given a special welcome!

 

 

All goes well until we reach the meeting place with a little posse, and I look for Tony. He isn’t there, but there are two other gentleman waiting with the rest of the party. They ask me to speak to Tony on the phone who explains that he is not able to drive us today but that these two guys would be driving instead.

 

I have to admit my heart stops! All I can think of is that I have let all these people down, but after a brief discussion with the guys, I manage to confirm the itinerary with them, and we walk over to the two buses.

 

I have to say that everyone is absolutely wonderful, and take this blip in very good heart.

 

 

 

[tutuwahineLV]

1 hour ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Well done, everyone, just question 2 to go.

 

There are 100 venomous snakes in Australia.

 

The cornea has no blood supply - it gets it’s oxygen directly through the air, and is the fastest healing tissue in the human body. Apparently, most corneal abrasions will heal within. 24-36 hours. 

 

The dot on an ‘i’ is called a tittle.

 

Just question number 4 to go - here’s a clue, the person is not real, and appears in a very popular series set in the prehistoric age........

Pebbels Flintstone

[ellie1145]

15 minutes ago, tutuwahineLV said:

Pebbels Flintstone

 

Absolutely correct! She married Bam Bam.

 

Well done!

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

Our Welcoming Party 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ladies welcome us, too, in their colourful dresses.

 

 

Edited July 19, 2020 by ellie1145

[Digistorm]

Ellie,

Thank you for all the time and effort you are spending to take us on this wonderful journey. Your writing style makes this the best thread I have ever followed. Singapore has now been added to my bucket list.

[ellie1145]

Well done all you trivia buffs! 

 

All the winners will be receiving their super powered, mini collapsible, Vortex vacuum cleaner, (small enough to fit in your handbag or your pocket, which is winging its way to you via Amazon (the river, of course!). 

[ellie1145]

50 minutes ago, Digistorm said:

Ellie,

Thank you for all the time and effort you are spending to take us on this wonderful journey. Your writing style makes this the best thread I have ever followed. Singapore has now been added to my bucket list.

 

Thank you so much, Digistorm. That is most kind of you. I’ve enjoyed writing it, and it’s been fantastic to have such a response from so many people.

 

I really love how people are actually ‘on’ the cruise with us.

 

Lots more to come!

 

( I had a bit of an issue with posting photos today so that delayed our Vanuatu adventure, luckily my son was able to sort it out for me)

 

[ellie1145]

The Market

 

Hope you enjoy these photos of the market.

 

So off we set, with the two buses in tandem.

 

 

Our first stop is the fruit, vegetable and flower market a few minutes down the road.

 

We have 20 minutes or so here and we all pile out and explore the market.

 

It’s buzzing with life, and there are displays of fresh fruit and vegetables which have been brought to market by the locals.

 

The women sell their goods from behind tables, and many have young children who play on the floor whilst they serve.

 

These adorable children seem quite happy to roam about or just watch what is going on. No expensive toys for them! But they look so happy. 

 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

There is every possible fruit and vegetable.

 

Green peppers

Carrots

 

Fresh ginger

Cabbages

 

 

 

 

I hadn't realised that fruit and vegetables could be so interesting!

[ellie1145]

I see bags of dried bananas and papaya which we loved last time, but unfortunately we don't have any of the local currency and they won’t accept Australian dollars.

If you ever get to visit this market then make sure you take some local currency with you.

 

We wander around and I take lots of photos. There is so much to see, and the different kinds of produce are fascinating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

We peep out of the back door and see the sea.

 

 

At the front there are beautiful tropical flowers.

 

 

This is obviously a popular market with the locals. It's heaving.

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Right at the back of the market there is prepared food for sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

We all get back on the buses, and set off for our next stop, the Pepeyo Cultural Village. 

 

Now it really is very important, if you should ever visit here that you make sure you have your mosquito repellent, otherwise you may well end up being a tasty lunch for these nasty little critters! The area is heavily forested, and in the damp conditions, mozzies thrive, and if you are anything like me, they will find you too delicious to ignore!

 

I know that Gail is fully prepared for any eventuality!  🤣

[PurpleTraveller]

9 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Oh my goodness, how scary! Are they poisonous? 🙀

 

Oh Yes! The brown and tiger snakes are very poisonous and a bite can be fatal if you don't get medical treatment very quickly. Red-bellied black snakes are less poisonous and can make you very sick even with medical treatment. Needless to say on the rare occasion we see a snake we treat it with the utmost respect and keep as far away from it as possible! 

 

I must let you know how much I am enjoying your wonderful review. I love your style of writing, description of what you are seeing and doing and your great photos. I am supposed to be in France at the moment but had to cancel my trip (like everyone else this year 😢) but thanks to you I can imagine myself on the lovely Majestic Princess and enjoying beautiful locations in the sun. Thank you so much! 😊

 

[ellie1145]

10 minutes ago, PurpleTraveller said:

 

Oh Yes! The brown and tiger snakes are very poisonous and a bite can be fatal if you don't get medical treatment very quickly. Red-bellied black snakes are less poisonous and can make you very sick even with medical treatment. Needless to say on the rare occasion we see a snake we treat it with the utmost respect and keep as far away from it as possible! 

 

I must let you know how much I am enjoying your wonderful review. I love your style of writing, description of what you are seeing and doing and your great photos. I am supposed to be in France at the moment but had to cancel my trip (like everyone else this year 😢) but thanks to you I can imagine myself on the lovely Majestic Princess and enjoying beautiful locations in the sun. Thank you so much! 😊

 

 

I am full of admiration for you being able to cope with snakes. I am a real wimp I’m afraid. Sounds pretty scary. Are you in the countryside? Or do you find these sorts of snakes in the suburbs?

 

Thank you so much for your very kind words. I can imagine your disappointment at not being able to visit France. The world has gone completely mad. It’s a nightmare, but I’m glad you are able to leave all that behind and escape on the beautiful Majestic Princess with us all. 

 

We all need a break from the doom and gloom sometimes. 

[PurpleTraveller]

17 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

I am full of admiration for you being able to cope with snakes. I am a real wimp I’m afraid. Sounds pretty scary. Are you in the countryside? Or do you find these sorts of snakes in the suburbs?

 

Thank you so much for your very kind words. I can imagine your disappointment at not being able to visit France. The world has gone completely mad. It’s a nightmare, but I’m glad you are able to leave all that behind and escape on the beautiful Majestic Princess with us all. 

 

We all need a break from the doom and gloom sometimes. 

 

My country place is 320 acres of countryside about 40km north of Bathurst, so there is a lot of wildlife such as kangaroos, echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles, wombats, possums, foxes, an occasional koala, goannas and snakes. We just enjoy the good (and non deadly) wildlife and stay away from the snakes!

 

There are snakes in the suburbs where there is bushland and national parks but they are rarely seen. I have only ever seen three snakes (in 28 years) near my Sydney house on the north shore where we have a national park at the end of our road. I am now living in Bathurst in town and so far haven't seen a snake and hopefully never do! 

 

Your wonderful review is definitely a break from the doom and gloom! 😊

 

Edited July 19, 2020 by PurpleTraveller

[PurpleTraveller]

2 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Well done all you trivia buffs! 

 

All the winners will be receiving their super powered, mini collapsible, Vortex vacuum cleaner, (small enough to fit in your handbag or your pocket, which is winging its way to you via Amazon (the river, of course!). 

 

Oooh!!! I am so excited to be receiving this exceptional prize! I can't wait to use it! 😀

[ellie1145]

9 hours ago, PurpleTraveller said:

 

My country place is 320 acres of countryside about 40km north of Bathurst, so there is a lot of wildlife such as kangaroos, echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles, wombats, possums, foxes, an occasional koala, goannas and snakes. We just enjoy the good (and non deadly) wildlife and stay away from the snakes!

 

There are snakes in the suburbs where there is bushland and national parks but they are rarely seen. I have only ever seen three snakes (in 28 years) near my Sydney house on the north shore where we have a national park at the end of our road. I am now living in Bathurst in town and so far haven't seen a snake and hopefully never do! 

 

Your wonderful review is definitely a break from the doom and gloom! 😊

 

 

It’s fascinating to hear about your life in Australia. We loved the animals at Featherdale. I can’t imagine seeing them in their own habitat, how awesome. 

 

I hope you remain snake free wherever you are. 

 

Glad you are finding my review an escape from all the despondency and pessimism. It’s good to be able to leave the reality of life today behind and focus on something enjoyable.

 

 

[ellie1145]

9 hours ago, PurpleTraveller said:

 

Oooh!!! I am so excited to be receiving this exceptional prize! I can't wait to use it! 😀

 

Purple Traveller, you will wonder how you have ever managed without it! 😉 Dude, looks like a lady....

[ellie1145]

Good morning, Good evening, G'day  to all you lovely Cruising Adventurers all over the world!

 

Isn't it incredible to think that we are linked across vast oceans and time zones to share this adventure?

 

Hope you enjoy the rest of today. 

 

Now off we go to Pepeyo.

[Roger88]

9 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

It’s fascinating to hear about your life in Australia. We loved the animals at Featherdale. I can’t imagine seeing them in their own habitat, how awesome. 

 

I hope you remain snake free wherever you are. 

 

Glad you are finding my review an escape from all the despondency and pessimism. It’s good to be able to leave the reality of life today behind and focus on something enjoyable.

 

 

Australia is one of those places that I want to visit at least once in my life time and not just to visit but to cross it from shore to shore. Its an amazing country with an amazing nature, history and native people who bear secrets of this land and more. Also it used to be one of those most safe places in the world along with New Zealand for a very long time. 

[ellie1145]

Pepeyo Cultural Village

 

Back on the coach we make our way to the Pepeyo Cultural Village, leaving the town behind and driving through the green and verdant countryside.

 

We pass the Parliament building, with its statue of a Vanuatu family outside. This impressive building was constructed using Chinese aid, and is another example of the widening influence of China, throughout the Pacific.

 

The Vanuatan parliamentary system is based on our own British Westminster system, although there is a President, who is a figurehead, and only has the power to veto if it is contrary to the Constitution.