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***Live from the Pacific Princess***

T&J

By T&J,
in Princess Cruises

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JotWorld

JotWorld

Posted
Posted
:)

 

Zillions of them. Makes for a better economy. :) This particular area seems to get more "snow bunnies" from Montreal than from Toronto, Vancouver, etc.

 

Arlene

 

and we loved them all:) , except for the traffic & the long waits at the better Restaurants:( Bill

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mississauga

mississauga

Posted
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Mississauga ...I have only been to Oahu and noticed you were on a NCL cruise in Sept. that went to the Hawaiian islands . Any "must see or dos" ? We are going to Honolulu , Kauai , Hilo , Kona and Maui , If any of the regulars can answer please feel free . Less than 2 weeks to go for our 15 night cruise on the Island Princess . :D

 

Envy, the September cruise was only a 3 nighter from Vancouver to LA but I have taken the Hawaiian cruise....back in 2001.

In Honolulu, must go to Polynesian Cultural Center ( might have changed name by now...we actually went in 1976 there). I have heard good reviews about it lately also. Since you have been to Oahu, you might have been also. On our cruise, the stopover in Maui was overnight so we rented a car for the 1st day. We had pre-booked but at the port, there are direct lines to car rentals and they will bring a car right to the port for you. Hilo Hattie will send shuttles to every port on any of the islands to bring to you to their stores and of course, that brings you to the shopping area not just their store. In Kauai ( I think it was), the beach is right beside Hilo Hattie. Wal-mart gets in on the act ( free shuttle) on some of the islands too. We never book anything with the cruiselines....usually go off on our own or get drivers waiting at the ports to take us around. You will love each and everyone of the islands. I love Hawaii! Enjoy your cruise!

 

wrong thread????...you need "live from the Crown"??

 

Chrysalis, Envy is so right! I am always lurking on Tony's postings....they are so interesting and informative.

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mississauga

mississauga

Posted
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Not that this is a "must see/do," but FYI, there will be a free shuttle bus at each port from Walmart, KMart and Hilo Hattie. If you need to pick up soda, snacks, etc., a good way to get there. It also takes you out of the area and into where the locals shop. The Maui shuttle from Hilo Hattie stops right in downtown Lahaina.

 

Arlene

 

 

Arlene, You beat me to it. I didn't think that this thread would be so busy with Tony away so haven't been checking it as frequently.

 

Hey........have I got a house for you! ;) And, there's a whole lot more to do here than in Aruba.

 

Envy and Arlene, Aruba is too windy for me. I vote for Florida but agree with Envy, only the winter months. I love where we are for the summer.

 

 

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mississauga

mississauga

Posted
Posted
so while T is away I thought I would sneak a queston in . It's ok he won't mind really .

 

He told us to keep this thread alive while he was gone so we are just doing what he asked us to do. Otherwise, by the time he gets back, this thread will be on page 3 or so.

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ladysail2

ladysail2

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I am sure T is going to have a great time on the safari . Not sure it is on my " list of to do things " . I will have to hear what he has to say about it before I decide .

 

Today is our Thanksgiving . I know I have a lot to be thankful for most importantly my families health .

 

We are having the traditional dinner which includes turkey with stuffing and homemade cranberry sauce . We are also having some lamb chops for those who don't like turkey . Sorry Arlene . All kinds of veggies ....sweet potatoes , corn , peas , mashed potatoes , gravy and a salad . Lots of rolls with honey butter and wine . By this time everybody is stuffed like the turkey but everybody still has room for dessert . Freshly baked apple pie with vanilla bean ice cream , pumpkin pie with whipped cream and a fruit platter with chocolate sauce for those who are watching their waist . lol at the latter . Finally a few espressos and liquers and then we are all ready to lie down on the couch , unzip our pants and crash . See T is not the only one who can make us hungry . Plenty of room if anyone wants to join us .

 

Envy...I'll be passing through Toronto tomorrow morning about 10am...can I drop in and get some leftovers please......:D....sounds like a terrific meal....and I love turkey, so the 'baa-a-a-a' can go to someone else.....:p

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ladysail2

ladysail2

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Did you know that the Polynesian Cultural Centre is owned and run by Mormons?? Knocked my socks off when researching the Centre for a friend. A friend of mine did go there..Dec 2004...and absolutely loved it.

In Kauai...we did the Movie Tour....a company took us around to all the movie sites..including where Elvis made his Blue Hawaii movie. It was a great tour...had a monitor set up in the mini-bus showing the movie and landscape...then we'd look out the window (and get out of the bus) and see the sight for ourselves.

Honolulu...did the Big Circle Island Tour....Dole Factory, North Shore, lots of other places....

Hilo...did the Volcano National Park..a fantastic tour...very hands on, very informative.

Kona...we did something, but I forget..but the Wal-Mart shuttle was sitting there, so we hopped aboard and went to Wal-Mart...love the W-M bags that say Hawaii on them...keeps me warm in these cold Canadian winters. Also bought some Kona coffee....the absolute best! There are some nice little stores by the dock.

Maui....did the Iwo Valley tour and the Tropical Plantation...both lovely.

These were all private tours..and all were very good. Enjoy the Islands on the Island....was on her from LA to Vancouver via Alaska this past May....nice ship. Saw juvenile orcas playing (in the ocean) while sitting outside the Wheelhouse Bar....wonderful place to sit and enjoy your book and latte!!

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cactusrose

cactusrose

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Tony. . . I can't wait to hear about your Safari. I'm really curious to know where your overnight accommodations are/were.

 

Envy. . . . sounds like you might be a wonderful cook. Cooking is my form of relaxation. Love to be in the kitchen. Probably the only person you will hear on board saying they miss cooking:D

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arlenemilt

arlenemilt

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Envy. . . . sounds like you might be a wonderful cook. Cooking is my form of relaxation. Love to be in the kitchen. Probably the only person you will hear on board saying they miss cooking:D

 

It also seems as if she's feeding an army today. Cooking has never held any interest for me; eating holds too much interest. :) I've classified COOK as a 4 letter word; same as SNOW; not something I handle very well.

Arlene

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envy4u

envy4u

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Tony. . . I can't wait to hear about your Safari. I'm really curious to know where your overnight accommodations are/were.

 

Envy. . . . sounds like you might be a wonderful cook. Cooking is my form of relaxation. Love to be in the kitchen. Probably the only person you will hear on board saying they miss cooking:D

 

I am a good cook if I do say so myself but I hate the clean up part .

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envy4u

envy4u

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Envy...I'll be passing through Toronto tomorrow morning about 10am...can I drop in and get some leftovers please......:D....sounds like a terrific meal....and I love turkey, so the 'baa-a-a-a' can go to someone else.....:p

 

Doggie bags already handed out . Can't have leftovers in the house because I will just eat them all . Since I have to get into a bathing suit in less 2 weeks nothing could be left behind . :D

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envy4u

envy4u

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It also seems as if she's feeding an army today. Cooking has never held any interest for me; eating holds too much interest. :) I've classified COOK as a 4 letter word; same as SNOW; not something I handle very well.

 

Arlene

 

Only do these kinds of meals for the holidays otherwise my middle name is " reservation " . ;)

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T&J

T&J

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Good Morning from very early 5:30am start at Phinda...Sorry but was too bushed last night to post everything that took place so here goes;

 

We transfered from the ship to our bus we are only 33 people on this Overnight Safari to Phinda National Park Reserve. The bus ride took approx. 2:30 minutes drive with one restroom stop.

 

Once we arrived at the Camps Main Gates, we had to transfer to our Range Rovers that can seat 9 very comfortably but we only had 7 in ours and most others had 6. You either stay at Mountain or Forest Lodges and we were assigned Forest. The only difference is either your at the top of the Mountain or at the base, but the accomodations are the same.

 

That transfer took approx. 40 minutes travelling with our Ranger Tulani who is excellent! The weather started going crap at that time during the transfer and it started raining a little and then stopped by the time we arrived at the Lodge.

 

Once at the Lodge we all signed in and then were escorted to our Suites and Suites they are. They are approx. 750 sqft with seperate bath, glass shower, double vanity sinks overhead ceiling fan and huge living room/bedroom with beautifully appointent furniture.....like the Four Seasons meets Safari in the "Bush"". Complimentary and fully stocked mini-bar at all times.

 

The Facilities has a nice infinity pool with loungers, georgeous bar and sinning room that overlooks the game reserve, internet of course and a gift shop which I will buy some things before leaving today.

 

Once settled in we had a nice light lunch with open bar with some great South African Chardonnay's which I tried en mass....I am surprised remembering all of this as we drank continuously yesterday.

 

Lunch was al fresco with a bice warm chicken and mescalun salad salad, pumpkin soup and lima beans, arugula and marinated vegetables and warm rolls and chocolate ice cream or lychee sorbet and coffee. The coffee here is tio die for!

 

We then went on our first gaming run along with our Ranger and an extra spotter that sits up front on top of the grill of the SUV.

 

We saw it all yesterday from 3:30pm until 7:00pm when we came back to the Lodge. Nyala, Impala, Black Rhinos, White Rhinos, a pride of lions and lioness (7 in total) at a watering hole waiting to hunt just before sunset, Elephants (a mother and calf), Waterbuffalo, Wilderbeast, Giraffes and a white baby giraffe, and a night owl and scorpion on the way back that evening.

 

Once we arrived at a mutual meeting point, two parties congragated together from Forest Lodge in the middle of the wild and we had cocktails at sunset with wines, spirits, beef jerky, dried mangos and nuts ...it was just amazing!

 

Dinner last night was fantastic....a puree of fresh tomato soup and then I had the curried Lamb and couscouss, apple cake and coffee and plenty of South African Chardonnay was flowing at the tables last night.

 

All the staff came around after dinner and began to sing in Swahili (Zulu tribal music) for well over a half hour. There voices were so clear and crisp, no microphones were needed.

 

Went to bed at 10:30pm last night and woke up at 5:00am and now meeting my party at 6:00am for our morning gaming run until 8:30am whereby we return back to the lodge to have a full breakfast.

 

By far, this experience at this point is well worth the money that Princess does charge for this overnight. If you can't afford the cost of between $5000.00-$7000.00 for a 5 star 6 day safari, this one is well worth it as a good full sampler and then some!

 

More to follow later this morning after breakfast and our morning gaming run from Phinda National Park Reserve.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

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cactusrose

cactusrose

Posted
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Wow! I got chills just reading about this fantastic excursion. Sounds like you are having the best time. An experience not to be missed. I looked up the lodges on the Internet and they look awesome. Just one question. . .what is a "sinning room":D . Oh never mind, I'll figure it out and what ever it is, it sounds like fun.;)

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