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

[lincslady]

OH dear, looks more like the North Sea.  Here's hoping for an improvement soon.

[highplanesdrifters]

Another day of mandatory briefings for kayak and sub. A few good lectures,  two naps.....no rest for the wicked. 

 

Packed day tomorrow.  Snorkel, submarine, snorkel.  There is also a little hike for those interested. Weather looks like it just might cooperate. 

 

Chuuk aka Truk lagoon.

 

Quiet early dinner.

Lovie gave 2 thumbs up to the scallops. 

 

Chicken was simple and OK.

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Chuuk aka Truk lagoon.

 

We left the high pressure system and bad weather in our wake. Whew.  Activity this morning was a quick snorkel over a Japanese Zero Airplane. Not the best visibility due to yesterday's storms.  Still amazing to see it and the Coral that now covers much of the plane.

 

 

Snorkeling was meh.

 

 

Not sure who they are worried about. 😄

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

And now for the main feature.....

 

Sub dive on the WWII wreck, The San Francisco Maru. Called the "million dollar ship" because of the high value of military cargo.  Sunk during Operation Hailstone.

 

Our sub awaits.

 

 

An easy transfer from the zodiac.  Climb down the ladder and contort yourself into your seat using a crab shimmie.

 

Each side has 3 seats with the pilot in the middle.  It's a tight fit, better like your neighbor. 😃

 

The pilot.

 

 

 

Look....it's the wreck!

 

 

You are given booties to wear so shoes don't scratch the windows.  They request you wear black so no freaky color reflections show up in photos.

 

 

 

The pilot swings the seats toward the window and decent begins.  BTW, it's hot. Not quite sauna hot, but close.  

 

Ready...set...let's go down...

Weeeeeeeee!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

We avid snorkels, but don't dive.  Quite a treat to experience all this. Videos to com

 

 

 

 

A tank!

 

 

l

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

 

 

[lincslady]

Thank you for giving those of us who are never likely to experience this (most of us!) an idea of what it is like.

[highplanesdrifters]

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Upload issues

Edited September 11 by highplanesdrifters

[highplanesdrifters]

14 hours ago, lincslady said:

Thank you for giving those of us who are never likely to experience this (most of us!) an idea of what it is like.

 

Glad you can join us virtually.   I just hope that glass of wine isn't virtual .😃

[highplanesdrifters]

Service has been excellent across the ship.

Guest services, housekeeping, dining,  etc.

 

I haven't found an Included wine that is drinkable.  All grocery store plonk. We have been enjoying pre dinner martinis so perhaps that's not a bad thing to go without.

With 37 days to go, the situation does need to be rectified.  Will hunt down the sommiler. We usually spring for some wine on the included list. But not everyday.

 

We had our first meal miss last night at Collinade Earth and Ocean night.  Usually a favorite.  Rather surprised.

 

 

We ordered the Camembert as an appetizer.  While tasty, it was more like cheese soup.😀

 

 

The pasta was supposed to have chorizo. I'd call them sawdust balls.

 

 

My companions said the steak was LARGE, and just as tough.  They barely touched it.

 

[kej1]

Your photos and videos from the sub excursion are great!  So glad you were able to do the sub in Chukk! We really enjoyed that experience too.   

Your comments about the Earth and Ocean experience on Pursuit was similar to ours as well.  We love Earth and Ocean on the ocean ships but for some reason the execution didn’t seem as good on the Pursuit although we kept trying it.   ( and we didn’t starve!).  

 

 

[SLSD]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Service has been excellent across the ship.

Guest services, housekeeping, dining,  etc.

 

I haven't found an Included wine that is drinkable.  All grocery store plonk. We have been enjoying pre dinner martinis so perhaps that's not a bad thing to go without.

With 37 days to go, the situation does need to be rectified.  Will hunt down the sommiler. We usually spring for some wine on the included list. But not everyday.

 

We had our first meal miss last night at Collinade Earth and Ocean night.  Usually a favorite.  Rather surprised.

 

 

We ordered the Camembert as an appetizer.  While tasty, it was more like cheese soup.😀

 

 

The pasta was supposed to have chorizo. I'd call them sawdust balls.

 

 

My companions said the steak was LARGE, and just as tough.  They barely touched it.

 

That is a shame as our steaks at Earth and Ocean in July/August on Sojourn were really good.  

[lincslady]

Could the difference be related to it being in the Colonnade rather than at a Patio Grill?

[highplanesdrifters]

Talked to Alex at Collonade about last nights meal.  Sounds more like a supply chain issue..... ingredients as opposed to execution.   I almost hated to bring it up, he felt so bad.  We can't return the bad steaks and sawdust meatballs to Guam.  🤣  We'll see if it's a trend.  Missing a few meals wouldn't hurt!

[highplanesdrifters]

Oroluk lagoon snorkel

 

A beautiful day with good visibility. Not the most exciting wall snorkel. A few colorful coral bits, couple of small Sharks, and some saw a turtle.   The area is so remote not much diversity. Things occasionally got crowded, grumble grumble.  I wish they would give a briefing on snorkel etiquette.   

Still, always nice to be bobbing along in the warm waters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PrincessTraveller]

Thanks for all the fab reports and gorgeous pics!  

 

Shame to hear about the underwhelming Earth & Ocean concept in the Colonnade.  I had the camembert at Patio E&O on Sojourn last November.  It was perfect and scrumptious, albeit HUGE ... could have fed all four at our table!  Looks like someone forgot to remove yours from the oven but chose to serve regardless. Sad.

 

Try again; hopefully it will be how it was meant to be.  I'll be ordering on our Feb 2025 cruise too.

 

Have a great time!

[highplanesdrifters]

54 minutes ago, PrincessTraveller said:

Thanks for all the fab reports and gorgeous pics!  

 

Shame to hear about the underwhelming Earth & Ocean concept in the Colonnade.  I had the camembert at Patio E&O on Sojourn last November.  It was perfect and scrumptious, albeit HUGE ... could have fed all four at our table!  Looks like someone forgot to remove yours from the oven but chose to serve regardless. Sad.

 

Try again; hopefully it will be how it was meant to be.  I'll be ordering on our Feb 2025 cruise too.

 

Have a great time!

 

Thanks for the kind words and joining the fun.

 

I think the miss was a one off. E&O has rarely failed us.  We just considered the Camembert fondue, and it was devoured by our group of 5. 🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

Collinade redemption - Thai night

 

But first a little cocktail Caviar party.

 

 

 

Some tunes and cocktail station. Something fruity and something minty.

 

I'm going simple and classic.

 

 

Pretty tasty Thai for cruise ship

 

Grapefruit shrimp salad, solid 9.

 

 

Green chicken curry, 8.

 

 

Regular Pad Thai, missed the mark.  Not pictured was a special order Pad Thai that stole the show with a 10.

 

 

Up next a jungle hike to the Archeology Site of Nan Madol on the mysterious island of Pohnpei.....stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 12 by highplanesdrifters

[markandjie]

Thought you might enjoy this read regarding a new DNA study on Easter Islands residents, the rapanui: 

 

https://www.science.org/content/article/famed-polynesian-island-did-not-succumb-ecological-suicide-new-evidence-reveals

[highplanesdrifters]

On 9/12/2024 at 7:09 PM, markandjie said:

Thought you might enjoy this read regarding a new DNA study on Easter Islands residents, the rapanui: 

 

https://www.science.org/content/article/famed-polynesian-island-did-not-succumb-ecological-suicide-new-evidence-reveals

 

Thanks much! Did a quick skim before dinner last night.  I now have more questions than answers!  Two sea days, perfect for going down this interesting rabbit hole.  One of the lecturing expedition members likes to be called "rapa".  Hmmmm.  Let's see what he has to say about this.😉

[highplanesdrifters]

Phonpei, Federated State of Micronesia

Excursion to UNESCO site

Nan Madol,  the Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia.

 

First let's talk about Phonpei.

The most populated with 37,000 of the 100,000 FSM inhabitants. The most strategic and important island in FSM and part of the Caroline Islands.  One of the wettest places on earth with 300 inches of rain a year.

 

The Harbour was chock full of large Asian fishing boats.  I counted 15.  The locals are not happy, but the government collects large fees.

 

 

Police boats. I bet I know who paid for those.

 

Container ships.

 

 

Not sure what this one does, but hear their included wines are better.🤣

 

An Ace Hardware with Fresh Produce. What's not to love!

 

 

Bad Pic of the VERY large American Consulate.

 

Even an apartment building.   Not sure if this is luxury or slum. Balconies and AC....might kean toward luxury.

 

 

More examples of housing.

 

 

I'd like to see the Air BNB ad for thus one. Open and airy jungle gem.

 

So much going on for such a small population. 🤔

[highplanesdrifters]

On to the main feature.

 

Grab a glass of wine or cocktail and join us on this amazing fantastic excursion.  It's going to take awhile to process all that we have seen and experienced. 

 

Nan Madol a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Nan Madol is a series of more than 100 islets off the south-east coast of Pohnpei that were constructed with walls of basalt and coral boulders. These islets harbour the remains of stone palaces, temples, tombs and residential domains built between 1200 and 1500 CE. These ruins represent the ceremonial centre of the Saudeleur dynasty, a vibrant period in Pacific Island culture. The huge scale of the edifices, their technical sophistication and the concentration of megalithic structures bear testimony to complex social and religious practices of the island societies of the period. The site was also inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to threats, notably the siltation of waterways that is contributing to the unchecked growth of mangroves and undermining existing edifices.

 

We were warned that this was a difficult and challenging excursion.  It did not disappoint. An hour fifteen drive over bumpy roads with possibly no AC.   Ramshackle bridges, slippery chunky coral and rock paths, and Slogs through tidal waters. Sign me up!

 

Blue flag is Pursuit

Green- harbor

Red - Nan Madol

 

 

Close up of Nan Madol

 

 

This sign prepares you.

 

 

Ummmm, what did we get ourselves into?😅

 

 

Welcome committee. 

 

 

Transport there was a convoy of busses,  tour vans and mini vans with a Police Escort. One transport was a party bus with velvet ceilings and chandelier. Why a police escort....who knows?

 

 

Better be watching our step. In more ways than one.😁

 

 

First stop the Chief burial ground. Look at the size of those stone pieces!  There has been very little research done. It is believed the stone came from the other side of the island.  No idea how they got them here or how it was built.

 

 

There was nothing stable about this bridge. The logs rocked and rolled. An obstacle course balance excursion.

 

 

Lovie fell through the loose slats on this bridge and got a mile of road rash. Staff did a miracle job of extraction and off we went.

 

 

 

The paths were chunky rocks and coral. Slippery leaves were a nice touch.

 

 

At least there wasn't far to fall on this bridge. The railings had rotted and came off in your hands.

 

 

You're now wondering - what were they thinking?   So were we!

In Seabourns defense they warned us aggressively and repeatedly. 

 

 

Twenty five minutes in, are we getting close?  Mangroves are close to the ocean, right?

 

 

First sight!

 

 

But wait...river to cross. 

 

 

Basalt columns to climb.  We were lucky, the tide was out. Only just to thighs.

 

 

We climbed around the main site.  It was a slippery challenge. 

 

 

High steps, yikes.

 

 

 

 

After some exploring we were told the storm was almost here.  Back across the river.

 

The wonderful Joe Cochran at the ready to catch us.  He also did the bridge extraction.

 

 

A few minutes of reflection at this amazing place.

 

 

 

The police even escorted us to the main site.  🤔

 

 

And now it's raining, really raining.

 

 

Remember those slippery rocks...guess what...even more slippery.  At this point we heard a loud CRASH BOOM.  Our guide said what's that?  Um....bombs?  Turns out a tree feel.  It hit a guest, word was she's OK. Hope that is still the case.

 

 

A slick leg eating bridge awaits!  Wish you were here yet?

 

 

Muddy paths...what fun!

 

 

And whose graves are these? Previous Seabourn guests?

 

 

The path takes you through private property.  They charge $3 pp to cross. Seabourn sprung for it. 

 

Avant garde coffee table.

 

 

Sad day when the chickens under the roof are smarter than you.

 

 

Outdoor shower..Didn't need it because we just had one.

 

 

Flip flop graveyard.

 

 

The good news is we have an hour plus drive back while we are soaking wet.

 

Pursuit never looked so good.  Hot shower, cheeseburger, nap, then dove into this -

 

 

Lovie went  to medical upon return and got a nice note.

 

 

[johng75370]

Speaking for others on Team Lovie, hoping for a quick return to onboard life!

[lincslady]

Thank you for doing all that for the rest of us.  That is a humdinger of a report.  Do hope all is well with Lovie, and no nasty bugs picked up.  I wonder if Seabourn has done that expedition before, and if they will do it again.