Guam - Santiago Sep. 8 - Oct. 17. Missives from The Andesite Line on Pursuit

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, johng75370 said:

Sounds like @highplanesdrifters is planning a wine run to the Carrefour there (and hopefully the ship's F&B manager)!  The Carrefour also has some local items as gifts for a good price.  

 

 

Not sure if we're going to have time to pop over there.😒

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, johng75370 said:

Sounds like @highplanesdrifters is planning a wine run to the Carrefour there (and hopefully the ship's F&B manager)!  The Carrefour also has some local items as gifts for a good price.  

 

Not sure we're going to have time to get there.😟

 

And doesn't sound like the Sommiler is going .😬

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, FlaviaOfTheMonth said:

What do all these expedition people do besides drive the Zodiacs?

 

Expedition staff are a combination of naturalists and experts in various fields like whales, seabirds, penguins, geology, marine life, local cultures, etc.  Staff are available on various parts of the ship during the day for chats and wildlife watching.   They give numerous lectures throughout the voyage. On sea days there are usually three.   I've attached a few pics of the Herald.  Check out the right hand column for examples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

The colorful market in Papeete. Flowers, fish, fruit, fabric, and the tourist swag of your dreams.

 

 

 

 

 

I bought all of these and I'm starting a Tiki army.

 

 

 

 

Colonial times.

 

Look what just pulled in.  The Aranui 5. A fascinating combo of cargo and cruise ship.  C'mon @Fletcher book a trip on it, we need a report. Take one for the team.

 

 

 

 

[Fletcher]

@highplanesdrifters thanks for thinking of me.  Rest assured, barely a day passes when I don't think about doing just that.  I'm  also hugely impressed with some of Hapag-Lloyd's South Pacific itineraries.  I do hanker for one last hurrah down there.  It's the best place in the world.

[highplanesdrifters]

2 hours ago, Fletcher said:

@highplanesdrifters thanks for thinking of me.  Rest assured, barely a day passes when I don't think about doing just that.  I'm  also hugely impressed with some of Hapag-Lloyd's South Pacific itineraries.  I do hanker for one last hurrah down there.  It's the best place in the world.

 

I hope you've got more than ONE last hurrah down here! I agree, it is pretty perfect in these waters.  Aranui 5 looks likes she's had a new paint job since the last time I saw her.  Maybe they fluffed up the inside too.

 

Hapag-Lloyd, hmmmm, never thought of them for the South Pacific. Must check it out.  Met some really fun Germans a few trips ago.  The said they didn't like Hapag because there were too many Germans. 😅

[BioInfoLib]

On 9/26/2024 at 11:17 PM, highplanesdrifters said:

We are on our fourth glorious sea day.  They are filled with coffee, reading, eating, swimming, eating, lecture, napping, swimming, napping at lecture (in room), reading, drinking, hot tub, eating, and drinking. Often in that order. Lather rinse repeat. Sorry, I've gotten to lazy to produce food porn.

 

We have had days of sun, rain, sun with rain, sky so blue you think it might crack, big white billowy clouds, dark scary clouds, all within your field of vision.

 

Tomorrow brings us to two days in Papeete. One day will be spent cleaning the hull, probably because no one at the mother ship thought to make an appointment in Ushuia.

Change equals opportunity.   Hopefully something good will come our way.  Because, on a positive note we are getting a new Captian and EL. Yipeeeeeee!

 

There are only 60ish people staying on for the next leg, 120 leaving.  Word is we will only have 155 for next leg.  A veritable ghost town.

 

Sea days glorious sea days.

 

 

A fun Expedition team this leg. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thime for the 5 o'clock drinking

 🤣

 

 

 

Looks like there were a number of holdovers from our cruise. Really loved Isaac, Rorie, Wolfgang, and Joe.

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, BioInfoLib said:

Looks like there were a number of holdovers from our cruise. Really loved Isaac, Rorie, Wolfgang, and Joe.

 

Ditto! 

Wolfgang left us in Papeete. Sorry to see him go.  Isaac is a ball of infectious happiness with a big brain.  Rorie rocks.  Joe is at the top of my list, always - who comes to a sail away with binoculars?😅

 

The entire team has been awesome.   Very genuine. 

[highplanesdrifters]

Aranui .5

 

I hear the included wines are all first growth. 

 

Edited September 29 by highplanesdrifters

[BasandSyb]

Have been enjoying your comments HPD. We were looking at a last minute deal on Guam to Papeete, but decided to leave it to next year - sadly no Guam in that itinerary. Interesting to hear how the passenger numbers have resulted.

Your comments have been balanced, but unfortunately hit some of the same notes as our two expedition cruises this year one of which was a hybrid, but thankfully no changed itinerary. Poor wine selection and lack of certain expedition organisation elements which was frustrating. However, there is no doubting the enthusiasm of the team and lovely to see Marcel on board. He used to tie my scarf in knots every evening! 

Looking forward to hearing of your next ports. Shame about Henderson Is.

[BioInfoLib]

5 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

Ditto! 

Wolfgang left us in Papeete. Sorry to see him go.  Isaac is a ball of infectious happiness with a big brain.  Rorie rocks.  Joe is at the top of my list, always - who comes to a sail away with binoculars?😅

 

The entire team has been awesome.   Very genuine. 

Can you say hi to Rorie, Isaac and Molly (Collonade) from Mike and Michele? Thanks so much if you get the chance! Such a great group - Molly was teaching my husband Swahili!

[shark b8]

Hey highplanesdrifter!   Thanks so much for the entertaining blog-diary.  I am embarrassed to confess that between cruises I tend to shirk my CC-reading duties, but this time I caught with your stuff on our 11-hour flight LAX-LHR.  Great fun reading your stuff and that of SLSD and galeforce9 and oh-my-God-who-am-I-leaving-out?  It’s really edifying and valuable to read the realtime adventures of other Seabourners, so thanks to all who celebrate.

 

Anyway Captain Sharkbait and the First Mate just boarded the Encore two hours ago, so it’s gonna be dueling-blogposts for a bit!

[highplanesdrifters]

4 hours ago, BasandSyb said:

Have been enjoying your comments HPD. We were looking at a last minute deal on Guam to Papeete, but decided to leave it to next year - sadly no Guam in that itinerary. Interesting to hear how the passenger numbers have resulted.

Your comments have been balanced, but unfortunately hit some of the same notes as our two expedition cruises this year one of which was a hybrid, but thankfully no changed itinerary. Poor wine selection and lack of certain expedition organisation elements which was frustrating. However, there is no doubting the enthusiasm of the team and lovely to see Marcel on board. He used to tie my scarf in knots every evening! 

Looking forward to hearing of your next ports. Shame about Henderson Is.

 

Thanks @BasandSyb.  I hadn't though of Marcel using his skill sets in that way.  Brilliant!

 

In spite of the ongoing expedition port issues we are still having a "Maaaavlous"  time. ( said in the Billy Crystal voice🤣)  

[highplanesdrifters]

8 minutes ago, BioInfoLib said:

Can you say hi to Rorie, Isaac and Molly (Collonade) from Mike and Michele? Thanks so much if you get the chance! Such a great group - Molly was teaching my husband Swahili!

 

No worries, will give them a shout out!  Language classes, nice!

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, shark b8 said:

Hey highplanesdrifter!   Thanks so much for the entertaining blog-diary.  I am embarrassed to confess that between cruises I tend to shirk my CC-reading duties, but this time I caught with your stuff on our 11-hour flight LAX-LHR.  Great fun reading your stuff and that of SLSD and galeforce9 and oh-my-God-who-am-I-leaving-out?  It’s really edifying and valuable to read the realtime adventures of other Seabourners, so thanks to all who celebrate.

 

Anyway Captain Sharkbait and the First Mate just boarded the Encore two hours ago, so it’s gonna be dueling-blogposts for a bit!

 

@shark b8 Welcome aboard matey.  Can't wait to read the hijinks you get up to.  I assume you're in the Med.  From our experience last year they no longer put you in jail for accidentally knocking over ancient statues.  You just have to pay a fine and cover damages.

 

I too appreciate all the live posters and those who join in the conversation.  Cheers fellow sailors, both on land and sea.

 

BTW, Duel over.  You win hands down.

[shark b8]

1 hour ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

@shark b8 Duel over.  You win hands down.

 

Not a chance. 

[shark b8]

<<. From our experience last year they no longer put you in jail for accidentally knocking over ancient statues.>>

 

NOW you tell me?  Dammit.  Now what am I gonna do for fun.  Grrr.

[shark b8]

Ok, we’re sailing out of Athens (Piraeus) and heading east toward Cyprus.  A sea day tomorrrow, which will provide ample time for me to stop hogging hpd’s turf and get started on a thread of my own.  Sailing!   Woohooo!

[Covepointcruiser]

Highplanesdrifter are you still upset about the extra time in Papeete?   Your photos are gorgeous and did you bring any flowers back to the ship?   This would have been a great port for a “shopping with the chef” excursion.    Did you look at what “tours by locals” were offering.    We were there three days before boarding and did not get to do all we wanted to do.   You will still miss Stanley Island but an added day in Papeete is great.

[highplanesdrifters]

Papeete, day 2.

 

In spite of my previous grumbles 2 days in Papeete worked out just fine. Not Henderson island and they seemed to finish the hull cleaning on day one. But C'mon,  slap yourself if you're grumpy waking up to this.

 

 

Jackpot!  Apparently no one wanted to spring  $140 for the Catamaran and snorkel tour.  We were only 7 on a boat that takes 28.  The free busses were busy.  Sail was great. Snorkeling....well... a bit windy with strong currents.  Me still very happy.

 

 

The front nets for lounging.  And lounging we did.

 

Juan from expedition team keeping an eye on us in swift water. What a great guy. He taught us how to somersault in and out of the net like an Olympic gymnast.  Fearing broken bones, ridicule and perhaps crashing through the net, I did not try it. 

 

Snorkeling, a few things to see. Even though conditions were not the best, I did venture into the Coral and saw all the usual wonderful suspects.  Especially enjoyed watching a pair of Moorish Idols. Perhaps I ventured a bit too far.  A boat was sent to fetch me....oooops.  Best of the mediocre snorkel photos.

 

 

Mother nature dished up a perfect sail away. I'd easily pay to have this one repeated.

 

  Tug boat envy. 

 

Let's get this party started.

 

 

Thanks Papeete. 

 

 

Mo'orea

The picture above and this one were taken at the same time.  Ahhhh, where to look.

 

 

Back to Papeete. 

 

Back to Mo'orea

 

 

IMHO, the only way to eat Caviar. Bread and butter. OK, potato chips will do in a pinch.

 

 

We should probably think about dinner.😅  Oh what the heck one more....operations don't start till one.  Just can't leave the show.

 

Slow Internet, will try and post videos later.

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, shark b8 said:

Ok, we’re sailing out of Athens (Piraeus) and heading east toward Cyprus.  A sea day tomorrrow, which will provide ample time for me to stop hogging hpd’s turf and get started on a thread of my own.  Sailing!   Woohooo!

 

Don't go...love the banter.  If you knock over any statues, just yell. I'll help with the fines.  As long as there are pics. 😅

[shark b8]

all utterly brilliant.  utterly brilliant.  🤙

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, Covepointcruiser said:

Highplanesdrifter are you still upset about the extra time in Papeete?   Your photos are gorgeous and did you bring any flowers back to the ship?   This would have been a great port for a “shopping with the chef” excursion.    Did you look at what “tours by locals” were offering.    We were there three days before boarding and did not get to do all we wanted to do.   You will still miss Stanley Island but an added day in Papeete is great.

 

I think we crossed in cyber space, had a great time.  When we're you here?

 

We've been here numerous times, mostly on our way to outter atolls, perhaps that's why were were less enthused. I am kicking myself, didn't think to check for snorkeling with whales until it was too late. Some went and scored with baby humpbacks. Sweet. 

 

I love Tours by Locals.  Used them in Lautoka, and many other places.

 

Big YES to the flowers.   

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Passed by a surf spot on the way to snorkel. Cool.

 

 

 

[Covepointcruiser]

Gorgeous Flowers.