Come sail with me on a virtual cruise to Hawaii on Ruby Princess

[Westaussie]

Wishing your husband well and that he gets good results.  Lovely to be reading about your adventures again.  Vera

[trbarton]

On 11/7/2020 at 5:46 AM, ellie1145 said:

 

Hi Tom. I am very impressed that you were a professional photographer. What a wonderful career to have, and one which will have brought so much pleasure to so many people. 

 

I wish that I was better at photography. I really enjoy it, even in my very amateur way. Photographs are so essential for charting our history, and it is sad that now we so often leave them on computers or SDHC cards, or on the ‘cloud’ and nobody gets to see them. But on the other hand, it has opened up photography to the masses, so that has to be good. I for one love to see professional photos, and have seen many memorable examples during my lifetime.  

 

I recently treated myself to an I-phone 11 pro-max, as I was too impatient to wait for the iphone 12. I think your photo of the flowers is stunning. What clarity. It is hard to believe that in such a short time phone cameras have developed to be able to produce such amazing resolutions. I just hope that my new phone performs well. It should certainly be better than my old iPhone 6S. 

 

I hope you will forgive my amateur photos. If I was younger I would love to take courses to improve my technique, but point and shoot is probably the best I can hope for. 😉

Your photos are perfect. You have captured a great story. Some people have said that I take too many photos but they bring back memories of what I did even if it was just for one day. I admit I need to make folders so it’s easy to find photos. I’m still amazed at the resolution of photos with my IPhone compared to my Professional Nikon with lenses which involves more work since I have to download the photos first vs my IPhone where I can send them immediately. I have 11x14 mounted photos that I have exhibited & am embarrassed to say that they were taken with a phone. I have seen a review where someone took photos with there IPnone & then the same image with the Nikon Camera & most of the IPhone photos were better & even the photographer was surprised. 
 

So many nice people on CC to meet & not enough time. 
 

Keep up your good work. 
 

Tom😀

Edited January 21, 2021 by trbarton

[ellie1145]

On 1/20/2021 at 10:58 PM, Westaussie said:

Wishing your husband well and that he gets good results.  Lovely to be reading about your adventures again.  Vera

 

Thank you, Westaussie.

 

He seems to have turned a corner at last and is much more chirpy! Thank goodness! 😉

 

Hopefully I will now have more time to get on with our adventure. Apologies for the slowness recently.

[ellie1145]

On 1/21/2021 at 12:41 AM, trbarton said:

Your photos are perfect. You have captured a great story. Some people have said that I take too many photos but they bring back memories of what I did even if it was just for one day. I admit I need to make folders so it’s easy to find photos. I’m still amazed at the resolution of photos with my IPhone compared to my Professional Nikon with lenses which involves more work since I have to download the photos first vs my IPhone where I can send them immediately. I have 11x14 mounted photos that I have exhibited & am embarrassed to say that they were taken with a phone. I have seen a review where someone took photos with there IPnone & then the same image with the Nikon Camera & most of the IPhone photos were better & even the photographer was surprised. 
 

So many nice people on CC to meet & not enough time. 
 

Keep up your good work. 
 

Tom😀

 

Thank you so much Tom, for your very kind words. I am very honoured.

 

When you get to my age taking photos is the only way to remember what I did. In fact, I think one of those mats that Royal Caribbean have in their lifts would be very useful - the ones which tell you which day it is - as since lockdown I find it even harder to remember what day it is! 🤣  Mind you, I’d need someone to change them over at midnight each night.......

 

I, too, am astonished at the quality of photos these amazing iPhones can produce. Like you, I compare those taken on a ‘proper’ camera with those on my phone and sometimes the camera is found wanting. The beauty of it is, of course, the speed and the ease with which you can take a fairly decent photo. I can’t wait to use my new phone when/if we ever get back to cruising. 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Well, I’m back again, after a little hiatus.

 

DH seems to be making good progress now which is a huge relief. 

 

Things still look pretty bad here - and there are still some who say it’s all a scam! What planet are they on? These people really should be taken onto an ITU ward to see for themselves how these poor people are suffering and dying, and maybe a trip to an over-full mortuary would be useful. 

 

Today much of the country has been covered in snow. Nothing like our fellow cruisers in Canada and North America, of course, but enough to cause chaos and the temporary halting of the vaccination programme in some areas. We have just had rain but 30 miles up country my daughter has had a lot of snow (well, a lot for us! 😉🤣

 

So let’s get on with our tour of the Mighty Mo. 

 

Are you with me? 

[CruzinNoony]

Yes, for sure, I am with you!  I'm so happy to hear you say that your hubby is making good progress and is hopefully on his way to be fully recovered.  Such a worry.  Stay healthy and safe!

[ellie1145]

20 minutes ago, CruzinNoony said:

Yes, for sure, I am with you!  I'm so happy to hear you say that your hubby is making good progress and is hopefully on his way to be fully recovered.  Such a worry.  Stay healthy and safe!

 

Lovely to see you CruzinNoony! So glad you waited around! 

 

You, too, keep safe and healthy! 👍

[ringers0815]

Still with you. We had a snow storm a week or so ago and got 25 cm in one day. After a green Christmas I must say it was nice to get some snow. Re covid, we have been in a lockdown for the last few weeks and numbers are going down so that is good. Vaccination is proceeding but very slow. 

[cr8tiv1]

Good to hear that your husband has turned the corner and "we" will be cruising again to Hawaii.  Looking forward to your photos and posts.  Thank you for taking the time to divert our attention to something we all enjoy.

 

[ellie1145]

Unconditional Surrender....

 

As we approach the gangway we see before us a life-size bronze sculpture depicting a very famous kiss. When the Japanese surrendered in World War 11, there was spontaneous celebration all over the world, nowhere more so than in Times Square, where a photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt, captured a sailor kissing a young nurse on VJ Day. This photo went on to become an iconic image, and one of the most famous photos ever taken. It featured on the front of Times Magazine.

 

 

This 6ft tall piece, called ‘Unconditional Surrender,’ was created by the son of the founder of Johnson and Johnson, the artist Seward Johnson.

 

Indeed, the arrival of this sculpture in front of the USS Missouri, in 2012, prompted a competition which invited couples to re-enact this famous kiss. The prize for the winning photo was a trip to Hawaiia two night stay at a Waikiki resort and spa.

 

However, this sculpture is not without its critics, and it has been the subject of much discussion. The lady concerned, a Holocaust survivor called Greta Simmer Friedman, was interviewed in 2012, and she tells a very different story from its supposed depiction of joy.

 

This embrace was not that of a couple who have been reunited after a long separation caused by the war. Sadly, Greta did not know the sailor, who was  somewhat drunk, and who grabbed her and forcibly kissed her. In many respects it was actually an assault on a defenceless woman, and these days would not be something to be romanticised.

 

But I guess it is of its time, and perhaps it illustrates how two eras collide. Acceptable at the time but questionable now.

 

Anyway, we must each make up our own minds.

Edited January 24, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

22 minutes ago, ringers0815 said:

Still with you. We had a snow storm a week or so ago and got 25 cm in one day. After a green Christmas I must say it was nice to get some snow. Re covid, we have been in a lockdown for the last few weeks and numbers are going down so that is good. Vaccination is proceeding but very slow. 

 

So pleased you have a been patiently waiting!

 

Good heavens, 25cm! We only need 2 cms for the whole country to fall apart! 🤣

 

So glad to hear that numbers are going down, and that the vaccinations are proceeding, albeit slowly. 

 

Take care and keep safe. 

[ellie1145]

15 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Good to hear that your husband has turned the corner and "we" will be cruising again to Hawaii.  Looking forward to your photos and posts.  Thank you for taking the time to divert our attention to something we all enjoy.

 

 

Thank you, cr8tiv1.

 

Glad to have you back. Sorry it’s taken so long! 

 

But hopefully I will be able to whisk you off into this past adventure this week, and give you something other than Covid to think of.

 

How are things with you? We watch CNN all the time, and California seems to be going through a very difficult time.

 

Keep safe and well. 

[ellie1145]

We take our first steps onto the huge decks of the Mighty Mo, and stand as a group to wait for our guide. I have to admit to feeling goosebumps down my spine as we stand there, on the ship where the Japanese surrender took place.

 

She soon arrives, a young slip of a girl in uniform, who gathers us around her and takes us off to the bow of the ship, where we can see the awesome guns. She proves to be a simply amazing guide, and is so animated and knowledgeable that we feel grateful to have met her.

 

 

We head towards the bow and turn to look at the huge guns facing us. We stand and listen as she tells us more about them. In those days they must have been a fearsome sight.

 

 

 

One can imagine the power of these weapons, and the flurry of activity which would have taken place when combat stations were called. Thankfully, being in a war situation is something that we have never experienced at first hand, but we recognise the bravery of the young lads who would have operated these guns, whilst under attack. The  fear must have been palpable, but despite that they still did their duty. It’s a sobering thought. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We lean over the side and see the empty cases.

 

Edited January 24, 2021 by ellie1145

[USCcruisecrazy]

On 11/20/2020 at 4:54 PM, ellie1145 said:

Tonight is Formal Night, and of course there is the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Party and the Champagne Waterfall at 7.00 - 7.45 pm.

 

As usual there is plenty of live music around the ship so I won’t bore you with a blow by blow account of each session. One of our favourite musical interludes is in Crooners, from 9.00 pm ‘till late, but it is usually crowded - something we didn’t find on Majestic Princess, and we can’t always find a seat, which is a shame.

 

I will try to give you an idea of what activities there are and I will add photos of the ship on the way.

 

Here are some pictures of Crooners, which is located on Deck 7 midships, overlooking the Piazza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Crooner's.  We ususally do the late seating for dinner so hit Crooner's for a martini beforehand.  We really disliked the Sky not having a Crooners on board.

[ellie1145]

18 hours ago, USCcruisecrazy said:

Love Crooner's.  We ususally do the late seating for dinner so hit Crooner's for a martini beforehand.  We really disliked the Sky not having a Crooners on board.

 

Yes, we love Crooners, too,  and enjoyed our musical evenings in Crooners onboard Majestic Princess, particularly the fact that we could actually get a seat. However, it was not the most apt location as it was a rat run from the Theatre. 

 

On Ruby that was often impossible. It’s such a popular venue it could do with being a little bigger. Does Sky not have a Crooners at all? 

[ellie1145]

Unconditional Surrender - of the Empire of Japan

 

 

Having examined the powerful guns, our guide leads us to the starboard side of the ship, and we walk towards the area where the Japanese surrender took place on September 2nd, 1945. This is an emotional moment for us, and especially my DH. We climb up some steps and arrive on the deck where this momentous event took place.

 

 

On this day, my F-I-L had recently been released from prisoner of war camp, having taken part in the construction of the infamous Burma railway. Thousands of men perished, and those who were left were sick and malnourished. Many were skeletally thin, and suffering from beri beri, dysentery, malaria, and the biggest killer, cholera. Not only that, but the brutal climate, which often left them washed out of their camps during the monsoons, made life even harder.

 

They had suffered beatings, deliberate starvation and summary punishments of the most brutal forms from their Korean and Japanese guards.

 

 

Indeed my F-I-L was in the grip of a serious bout of the cerebral form of malaria, the most dangerous form, having survived numerous bouts of the disease in the jungle. His survival was entirely due to the medical treatment provided by the USA. He had to be nursed back to some sort of health, before he could consider being transported home.

 

The news of the Japanese surrender must have seemed almost a dream, and one they never thought they’d live to see. They had had indicators that something was happening when their captors walked out of the camps leaving them alone to fend for themselves.

 

About 30,000 men died, more than seven times the death rate of those prisoners captured by the Germans, and a rate of 20%. As well as this, thousands of civilian labour, Tamils, Thais and Malays, also perished.

 

He could have had no idea of the preparations that were taking place onboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

 

The Japanese Instrument of Surrender was the written agreement which marked the end of the Second World War, and formalised the Japanese surrender.

 

Representatives from across the world signed this historic document - from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the USSR, China, Canada and France, the Netherlands, and of course the Empire of Japan.

 

Even preparing this document was difficult as they needed to find parchment, and this was scarce. They eventually discovered rare parchment in the basement of a monastery.

 

We gather round our young guide who describes the scene in wonderful detail. She is animated and never misses a word. We stand in silence as she regales us with details about the surrender.

 

 

A replica of the brass plaque.

[USCcruisecrazy]

45 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Yes, we love Crooners, too,  and enjoyed our musical evenings in Crooners onboard Majestic Princess, particularly the fact that we could actually get a seat. However, it was not the most apt location as it was a rat run from the Theatre. 

 

On Ruby that was often impossible. It’s such a popular venue it could do with being a little bigger. Does Sky not have a Crooners at all? 

No Crooners at all on Sky.  It was disappointing.  They had a Jazz Bar right next to the Casino, but it was pretty loud music and not quite as "Comfy" a feeling as Crooners.  Nothing like listening to a great piano player at Crooners while sipping a cocktail and reminiscing about the day!!

[ellie1145]

           Today the guns are silent.

           A great tragedy has ended.

           A great victory has been won. 

               General Douglas MacArthur.

 

 

 

Our guide gathers us around her and begins her story. Below is a video of her talking, but it is rather difficult to hear because of wind noise and people talking, so I have transcribed it for you:-

 

“Now everybody who witnessed the signing of these documents that morning felt relief that the war was finally over. You have to remember that this was 1945. There was no internet and there were no cell phones.

 

So thousands more around the world were awaiting the news that the war that had devastated their lives, and taken so many of their loved ones, was finally over.

 

Cuddling around their radios and turning up the volume dials they would have heard the voice of General Douglas MacArthur, and these are the words that would have washed over them this morning.”

 

These are the words of General Douglas MacArthur on that momentous occasion:

 

‘Today the guns are silent.

A great tragedy has ended.

A great victory has been won.

The skies no longer rain with death - the seas bear only commerce - men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight.

 

The entire world lies quietly at peace.

The holy mission has been completed.

And in reporting this to you, the people, I speak for thousands of silent lips, forever stilled among the jungles and the beaches and in the deep waters of the Pacific which marked the way.

 

We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph, and from both we have learned there can be no turning back. We must go forward to preserve in peace what we won in war.’

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

The signing of the surrender of the Japanese Empire

 

 

The ceremony lasted just 23 minutes, and as broadcast to the world. First to sign the document was the Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu ‘By Command and on behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government.’ He was followed by the Chief of the Army General Staff. Nine other Japanese representatives were present, including Generals, Colonels,  Rear Admirals and a Navy Captain.

 

 

We are directed to a large photograph on the wall, showing all those who were there. The Japanese in either military uniform, or looking faintly uncomfortable in top hat and tails as if preparing for a wedding, not their surrender.

 

 

 

It was General Douglas MacArthur, the Commander in the Southwest Pacific, and Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers who accepted the surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers, and who signed this historic document at 9.08 am.

 

 

This was followed by representatives on behalf of each of the Allied Powers, including Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz for the USA, and Admiral Bruce Fraser for the United Kingdom.

 

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by ellie1145

[AF-1]

Ellie1145;   the above thread is great.  Thanks for sharing.  In 1951  General MacArthur told the President Truman he wanted to take troops into Korea and wipe North Korea off the map.  The President denied his request.  He then fired MacArthur and the rest is history.

Edited January 26, 2021 by AF-1

[ellie1145]

4 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Ellie1145;   the above thread is great.  Thanks for sharing

 

Thank you so much AF-1. I appreciate your words. I hope to do justice to this event. I know it means a lot to many Americans, too. 

Edited January 26, 2021 by ellie1145

[AF-1]

1 minute ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Thank you so much AF-1. I appreciate your words. I hope to do justice to this event. I know it means a lot to many Americans, too. 

I added to my story in the above thread

[ellie1145]

 

The Allied copy was presented in leather and gold lining with the seals of the countries printed on the front, whilst the Japanese copy was bound in rough canvas with no seals.

 

Although these are only copies, seeing them in front of us is an amazing experience. I don’t think that we ever thought we would be standing here on this hallowed ground. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before we leave this spot, DH takes the opportunity to speak quietly to our guide and to thank her for bringing this event to life for us, and to tell her why we are so grateful to be here to see for ourselves where the surrender took place. She seems quite visibly moved. 

Edited January 26, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

17 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Ellie1145;   the above thread is great.  Thanks for sharing.  In 1951  General MacArthur told the President Truman he wanted to take troops into Korea and wipe North Korea off the map.  The President denied his request.  He then fired MacArthur and the rest is history.

 

Wow, that is certainly food for thought, AF-1. We are now feeling the effects of that. Thank you for sharing. 

[ceilie1]

Ellie so glad to have you back and that your husband is doing so much better.

You have given us a little ray sun on some very gloomy days. 

Thank you.