John and Diane's Amazing Round the World Aventure

[localady]

John and Diane-

Rest assured that while you bask in Paradise we here in California are enjoying a cold rainy miserable week!:rolleyes:

Enjoy all that sunshine and the beaches!:D :D

Continued safe sails!

[Johnny B]

January 23

 

If you think Tahiti’s wonderful, just wait until your get to Moorea. Even though we’ve been here before, we’d forgotten just how wonderful it is. We sailed at about 6:00 this morning and anchored in Cook’s Bay, Moorea about 7:30 (not exactly a long distance – I’m sure Johnny Weismuller could have swum it.) Anyway, we just took our time and got on the tender about 10:00. After feeling like we were swimming upstream against all the people wanting to sell us something, take us on a tour, rent us a Moped, or take us on a taxi drive for only $35.00, we finally got to the corner, went into the little market, and found out that the nearest hotel was about two kilometers away. That sounded good to us, so we began “The Long March.” It turned out to be more like two miles, but the end result was the Intercontinental Hotel, which didn’t throw us out on our way to the beach.

 

What a place! It’s situated inside a coral reef and it’s absolutely beautiful. There were little thatched roofs over every two lounge chairs, but my favorites were the curved pieces of plastic, molded to the body, which could be dragged into the water for lounging while the 88 degree water splashed to keep one’s body cool. What indulgence! At least this time I was smart enough to keep putting the sunscreen on, so while my dermatologist better not be reading this, I became tan instead of red.

 

The Intercontinental also has a dolphin training facility, so we walked down to see that.

As we walked across the bridge, two classes of fourth or fifth graders from a nearby school were arriving for a field trip. Boy, that would have beaten our fifth grade field trip to the city library! One of the trainers was demonstrating for the kids, so we got to see the whole show. The dolphin sang, splashed the kids, floated on its back so that the trainer could rub its belly, and then shot like a rocket across the pool, under water, and jumped completely out of the water. We’ve seen it before, but never in such beautiful surroundings. The kids were really excited. There were several other dolphins, some swimming with paying guests, and we just hoped that after their “work day” was over that they would be put in a pool together, since they’re such social animals.

 

After lunch at the hotel (with baguette and pomme frites, just like Paris) we began “the long march” back to the ship. This time I think the two miles had increased to four, and the only thing that saved us was the tradewinds blowing the sweat off and the plethora of flowers along the road. Then it was back to the ship and directly into the freshwater pool to wash off the salt. The wonderful thing about sitting on the ship is being able to see the island’s profile, It’s lush green and rugged, with peaks sticking up like broken teeth. Many people think it’s the most beautiful island they’ve ever seen, but tomorrow’s Bora Bora, so Moorea will have a run for its money.

[Aussie Gal]

John and Diane,

 

Am loving your travelogue. We were in Tahiti in June last year and we too spent a wonderful day in Moorea, though at the Sheraton Hotel. You are going to love Bora Bora, it is our favourite island, we also spent a glorious day there at the Sofitel.

 

We have been to Tahiti before so that is why we elected to spend our time there at the beach instead of sightseeing.

 

Jennie

[Johnny B]

January 24,2008

 

Have you ever wanted to kill your husband? Well today was the day. We lowered anchor in the almost painfully beautiful harbor of Bora Bora, an island surrounded by motus (small islands) which keep the water calm, shallow, and incredibly beautiful. Our table friends, whose advice had been right on target for the entire two and a half weeks, had told us that the Sofitel Hotel on the other side of the island allowed non-residents to use their facilities, so I was looking forward to a wonderful day like yesterday: clear water, lounges, maybe even those cute little plastic lounges that could be pushed into the water, and then a delightful (but terribly overpriced) lunch at the hotel’s restaurant.

 

But no, of course that would not do. After a short perambulation around Viatape, where the ship’s tender docked, we talked about what to do. I, of course, being the sensible one, wanted to go to the Sofitel, with thoughts of lovely turquoise water, padded lounges and a lovely restaurant overlooking the lagoon. John, however, had decided that it would be great fun to go to the public beach at Matira, and, as a Libra, I decided to go along. After paying $5.00 each to get to the beach, we found a large, covered platform, dirty sand, and some beautiful water that, after walking for ten minutes, was still only waist deep. Being the good sport that I am, I immediately said, “Why in the world did we come here?” When John volunteered to walk to the Sofitel, I immediately reverted to my best martyr tone and replied, “Noooo, this is just fine.” And so the morning went. There were no lounges, let alone padded ones, and every place that looked enticing was marked, “Private Beach.” I did mention just once that perhaps the Sofitel was the place to go, but John said that he had heard some people out in the water saying that every hotel on Bora Bora was charging $65.00 for lunch and the privilege of using the beach. When I commented that our friends had said that wasn’t so, he told me that these people obviously knew what they were talking about.

 

At 12:00 I couldn’t stand it any more, so I decided it was time for lunch at a cute little beach-front diner. We shared a tuna sandwich on a baguette, and I never knew that anyone could get that much mayonnaise to combine with tuna. Afterwards, we took the $5.00 trolley back to Vaitape, where, coincidentally, we ran into our friends. When John asked them where they had gone, they told us about the (free) wonders of the Sofitel, concluding with, “And there was almost no one there.” The look on my face could have frozen the Tahitian beer John had for lunch.

 

And that ended our excursion to Bora Bora. It really is a beautiful island, and when we stayed at the Club Med four years ago and bicycled around the island we loved it, but, as you may have noticed, this wasn’t my favorite beach day. After returning to the ship, the day was party rescued by watching a Colin Firth movie, and my mood improved. John was now off the hook.

 

We sailed away early, since it seemed that everyone had returned from the island. The view leaving was spectacular, with lush green mountains in the background. As we sailed between the buoys out the opening in the reef, many of us noticed a surfer who was conquering a wave coming into an almost flat motu. As applause and cheers broke out on deck, he waved at us and then, almost immediately, fell into the water. What a day!

[Aussie Gal]

Diane,

 

 

 

Here is a photo of the beautiful beach at the Sofitel Hotel where we spent a wonderful day in June. We also had a delicious lunch sitting outside on their verandah overlooking the lagoon.

 

Jennie

 

[/img]

[josephone]

Hi

 

That has to be the most controlled description of an interesting beach day that I have seen. Most imnportant you didn't get sick from bad mayonaise. I believe that would have finished the discussion of who was in charge of beaches!!!

 

 

I just came from an all day meeting and you absolutely gave me the very best minutes of the day. I have a mirror in front of the computer and I look silly with this smile on my face.

 

Keep the wonderful stories coming.

 

Josephone

[Johnny B]

January 25

 

There really is nothing like a day at sea. On shore days, we either walk down the gangway or take a tender into a port, and then run around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to see as much as possible. Even if we’ve already been there, we feel obligated to get off the ship and look around some more. After 8 wonderful days at sea, we’ve put in 3 port days, and the last two days have been blissfully indolent – especially after last night’s formal night and our travel agent’s first cocktail party, with everyone dressed to the nines (whatever that means) and trying to down as much alcohol as possible in a limited amount of time. The waiters were almost jogging from table to bar to table to keep people’s drinks fresh.

 

However, on sea days, it’s just absolute heaven. We can sleep as long as we like (even until 8:00 one morning), get to the gym and hope it won’t be too crowded, and then sit on the Lido with our breakfast with no worry about missing a tender boat or a tour. After a shower, the only decision to make is where we’re going to be lazy lie-abouts today: will it be our balcony, the Sea View Pool, going to a lecture about the next port, or sitting in the Explorations Lounge sipping a café mocha from the coffee bar (and trying NOT to go back for a fourth cookie), or just sitting in the Crow’s Nest, watching the world go by.

There are, of course, dozens of activities listed in the daily program, and sometimes we actually read all the way through them, which is enough to exhaust anyone. There’s everything from Tai Chi to bridge with Bill and Joan (our table mates), Texas Hold ‘Em in the Casino, to watercolor class, to Mah Jongg, to Friends of Bill and Dorothy to Martini Madness in the Sports Bar – and on, and on, and on. It’s enough to exhaust us just reading the program!

 

As for us, we do a lot of lying about in the sun and reading – not necessarily at the same time. There’s also time in the afternoon for some world quality napping, since our schedule on the ship is so different from that at home. At home, we’re usually asleep by 9:30 (on a late night) and up between 5:00 and 6:00 to run or work out. Here, we don’t even go to dinner until almost 8:30, and we’ve never left the dining room before 10:00. Of course, then there are lots of other things to do after dinner – a show in the Queen’s Lounge, dancing in one of three or four lounges, just sitting around and talking with new friends, or even going to a late movie. Bedtime hasn’t been before 11:00 the entire cruise, and usually closer to 12:00 – so a nap is just the thing. And, speaking of naps, I think now is just the time, so I’ll stretch out and dream about Samoa – tomorrow.

[localady]

Johnny B-

Have a wonderful time in Samoa tomorrow!! Look forward to hearing all about it.:D

Continued Safe Seas and Sunny Skies !!

P.S. Enjoy the sunshine, we have a weekend of torrential rains here at home in California!:rolleyes:

[ldog]

I heartily agree with you about the joys of napping on sea days. what a life!

[Nursekaye]

Diane and John,

 

I traveled to Alaska last July on the Amsterdam and that was my first cruise, I am so enjoying hearing about that beautiful ship and living this adventure thru you two. Someone had asked you about Angel - she was working in the piano bar during my cruise. She went home to the Phillipines in Sept and I, too, was wondering if she came back to the ship. There was also a very talented young man, Jason, that made napkin flowers for the ladies. I was wondering if you might have seen him, too.

 

I am so glad you take your time so that all of us can live this adventure. By the way, yesterday it was 15 degrees BELOW zero in Northern Illinois!!!!! Would much rather be where you are!!!!!!!!

 

Thank you.

[Paul123]

Diane and John,

 

I traveled to Alaska last July on the Amsterdam and that was my first cruise, I am so enjoying hearing about that beautiful ship and living this adventure thru you two. Someone had asked you about Angel - she was working in the piano bar during my cruise. She went home to the Philippines in Sept and I, too, was wondering if she came back to the ship. There was also a very talented young man, Jason, that made napkin flowers for the ladies. I was wondering if you might have seen him, too.

 

I am so glad you take your time so that all of us can live this adventure. By the way, yesterday it was 15 degrees BELOW zero in Northern Illinois!!!!! Would much rather be where you are!!!!!!!!

 

Thank you.

 

 

I hear that little Angel is on board the Amsterdam as she was for last years Grand World Cruise and also an excellent barman called Ronaldo, also from the Philippines. Great couple of workers; in fact they ran the Sports/Casino Bar between them last year.

[Johnny B]

January 26, 2008

 

Rain, rain go away! I know it’s raining at home in California, but it’s NOT supposed to be raining here in the South Pacific. Of course it IS the rainy season, but I’m still somewhat annoyed that Apia, Samoa had absolute sheets of rain falling intermittently all day. The ship is nice enough to provide umbrellas in all the staterooms, but when the rain is falling diagonally or even horizontally, an umbrella isn’t much use (except to keep one’s hair dry). But, as we are fools for new places, we set out bravely, armed with umbrella (me) and funny-looking rain hat (John).

 

Samoa is really a wonderful place. Parts of it are probably like they were when Robert Louis Stevenson set food on the beach in the 1890’s, but other parts have been taken over by modern life. Most of the men, even the young ones, still wear lava-lavas, those wonderful, colorful, skirt-like pieces of fabric that make the non-Polynesian wonder the same thing as we do when looking at men in kilts. The people are incredibly friendly, smiling even at the dumb tourists who don’t know what to do about animals in the streets.

 

One of our surprises (and treats) was watching the animals wander around downtown Apia. That there were dogs wasn’t at all surprising (except when our taxi driver told us that dogs wandering downtown were liable to be shot by the police). However, when the chickens and pigs were spotted, we knew we weren’t in San Luis Obispo any more. One of the funniest scenes was watching three shirtless teenage boys in lava-lavas surrounded by a group of dogs while one of the boys was carrying a pig. We have no idea if the pig was a pet or dinner, but he was being held as though he were someone’s baby. Later, on a walk to the beach, a much bigger pig came out an open gate from someone’s yard, and we found out that his name was Nina and that he was a pet, not dinner.

 

We walked until we arrived at the center of town, signaled by the appearance of the clock tower. Next to the tower is the town market, a big open affair where all sorts of things are for sale: incredibly unhealthy and delicious-looking fried food, carved wooden objects, yards and yards of incredibly beautiful fabric, and almost everything else imaginable. There were more locals there than tourists, always a good sign, and we just wandered until we’d seen everything.

 

As English teachers, our prime target was Vailima, the home that Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife Fanny built in the hills above Apia. The taxi dropped us off on the lawn in front of the house which was, by then, a mud pit. After getting across the rest of the lawn and onto the porch, we looked as if we had come for a bout of mud wrestling. We had to take our shoes off (everyone does), and we wandered through this wonderful residence and now museum, realizing how perfect it was for its environment. The rooms are large and airy, and the windows open to let in the breezes. Also, the house’s situation up the hill makes it cooler and breezier than anything in town. In each main room, a Samoan young person waited to tell us the use of the room and other interesting information about it. I thought the “smoking room” built by a consumptive writer was pretty darned ironic.

 

After our tour, it was time to meet our friend at Aggie Grey’s, an old hotel/restaurant/bar that was built by its namesake in the early 1900’s. It’s a wonderful place, and when we come back on our own, it’s the only place we’d consider staying.

 

Later, we walked the other direction from the ship and found some wonderful beaches with water the temperature of bathwater. They weren’t as pretty as those in French Polynesia, but they were warmer.

 

An hour and a half before sailing, a group of kids from age 5 to probably 19 or 20 came on board to put on a show of singing and dancing. We’ve seen these “cultural” shows before and usually leave early, but this one, with kids representing the Apia Protestant Church, was absolutely wonderful. They presented dancing from across the Pacific, and I’m sure those old missionaries wouldn’t have approved of some of them. The kids were really talented and enthusiastic, and their outfits were genuine, with not a bit of glitz attached. The boys were bare-chested and wore lava-lavas, and the girls wore floral tops and skirts actually made from local plants (and not from a Taiwanese factory). During the hour of the show, no one left, and some people actually peeked in and then crammed in to watch the rest.

 

At 6:00 promptly, the whistle blew and Apia, Samoa became part of our cruise’s history.

[Johnny B]

P. S. Yes, Angel is on this cruise. She's working in the Explorer's Lounge instead of the casino this time around. She is a lovely young lady.

[MissCheeVeeUs]

Thanks for taking me with you! I didn't know that I would be so tranported but with every post I find I just can't help but be carried along with you. Your writings are wonderful and I am now officially a RTW Adventure fan :D .

[Paul123]

P. S. Yes, Angel is on this cruise. She's working in the Explorer's Lounge instead of the casino this time around. She is a lovely young lady.

 

Thanks for the update on lovely Angel.

[Johnny B]

January 28

 

Last night was Saturday, January 26. Then this morning it was Monday, January 28.

What the heck?! We’ve been getting all those lovely extra hours of sleep (which will continue throughout the cruise), but yesterday/today we paid the price: we crossed the International Date Line and lost a day. Where did it go? Heck if I know. All we know is that it’s now Monday and at home it’s Sunday. Church was even held on Saturday afternoon, since there was no Sunday to host it. Oh well, one of the mysteries of life. We’ve crossed the International Date Line before, on our way to Hong Kong, but then it didn’t seem so strange – or maybe it was just that we were so jetlagged we didn’t even care. (Yet another reason to cruise – no jet lag). But now we’re a day ahead of our friends and loved ones at home and it just feels darned weird.

 

I really, really like to cook (almost as much as I like to eat), and today was an opportunity to do both – and learn a lot at the same time (always a treat for a teacher). Susie (our tablemate) and I signed up for one of the hands-on cooking classes, this one on South Pacific seafood: macadamia nut roasted Mahi Mahi, Barramundi (like sole) with almond brown butter, and New Zealand mussels with saffron and creamy leaks. My, oh my, was it ever delicious! We met in the Wajang Theatre (Wajang means “theatre” in Indonesian – a little example from the Department of Redundancy Department) which has a Culinary Arts Center on the stage. Sean, the chef of the Pinnacles specialty restaurant was our teacher, and we spent almost two hours chopping, flouring, sautéing, stirring, and of course tasting as we prepared our three fish dishes.

 

The best part was when we were done, though. We gathered up our tasty completed dishes and walked them across the hallway to the Pinnacles, where we sat down around a long table set with fine linen, crystal and china, added a glass of really nice white wine and slices of baguette, and just made pigs of ourselves. It was wonderful! My favorite was the mussels (yes, Courtney – the mussels), because they were gently cooked in a wonderful sauce made with cream, leeks, and saffron – absolutely yum! I can hardly wait to thrill and amaze my friends at home with my newfound culinary skills.

 

I was supposed to meet John for lunch, but when I realized I wouldn’t be able to, I called and left a message for him, since he was at the “Digital Photography for Beginners” lecture, learning how to use our new camera. He showed up mid-meal, just in time for people to say, “I can’t possibly finish this – would you like some?” So he just sat right down and enjoyed the fruits of our labors and the rest of my wine. Lucky duck!

 

As Susie and I were munching and slurping, we looked at each other and said, “Wonder if there’s space in Wednesday’s French cuisine class?” Luckily for us, there was, and in two days we shall become experts at lobster bisque, escargot bourguignon, and the mysteries of crème brulee (get out that torch and get ready!).

 

The only problem with today is that I have no idea how I’m going to eat dinner. Maybe I’ll just have to skip directly to dessert. It’s a dirty job but . . . well, you know.

[wynkys]

Diane,

Once again a wonderful and descriptive report and I echo all the other comments about your willingness to share your adventure with us.

Continued smooth and enjoyable sailings to you and John and the others on board.

 

Wayne

[DeltaBC]

Don and I are enjoying your reports on sea life. The cooking class sounds wonderful. Thanks Iris

[Barocl]

We just booked a segment on the 2008 World Cruise from Istanbul to New York, so there are still cabins available. Take care.

[Johnny B]

January 29, 2008

 

Another day, another port – this time, The Kingdom of Tonga. It’s amazing how small a kingdom can be. Unfortunately for us, the King wasn’t at home today – he’s somewhere else, but the folks here are fixing up the palace, getting it ready for his inauguration in August. His father, the previous king, died two years ago, so I guess it takes quite a while to prepare for this sort of thing.

 

Today was a really strange day. We were supposed to dock, but it was too rough, so we had to use tenders to get into port. That meant that it took much longer, since people who have purchased shore excursions get tendered in first. When we finally got into the port, we then had to take a shuttle into town – an adventurous beginning for an adventurous day. The six of us found a taxi-van and a driver named James and, after some negotiations, we were on our way to see the Palace (even though the king lives in a large ranch-style home on the other side of the island) and the royal tombs. On our drive out of town, we stopped to see huge fox-like bats (with wingspans up to 3 feet) hanging upside down in trees by the dozens, and then decided that we wanted to drive waaaay out of town to see the huge Ha’amonga Trilithon archway built in 1200 AD. It’s constructed from lintels, each of which weighs as much as 35 tons, with a gateway 16 feet high and 19 feet wide. It was a passageway to the Royal compound, and was built way before the wheel came to the island. It took about 30 minutes and none of us thought we’d survive. Apparently James had attended the “Bat Out of Hell Driving School.”

 

We finally got out there and took the requisite photos, along with all the folks who had paid $70 for the ship’s tour, before getting into the van for the ride back. Well, guess what? The van – she doesn’t work! James assured us that “It be no problem.” We felt great until he tried for the third time to start the van and – she still doesn’t work. All the tour buses except one had gone, and, as much as we liked James, we decided to bail! We quickly gave him the promised money and ran over to where Willy, the wonderful tour guide, had told us we could ride back into town with them. The folks on the bus were really wonderful; they said they understood the problem and were quite happy they could be of service. If they hadn’t taken us, it would have been a heck of a long walk back – and then a really nice flight to Auckland to meet the ship in two days.

 

We got back into town and Willy, bless his heart, told us that he’d show us “the best place in town to eat.” It was a little café that apparently has killer hamburgers, but it was hotter than . . . well, you know. Our friend Ellen wandered across the street to a second floor restaurant called “The Two Sisters,” where she assured us that the food was wonderful and the breeze was even better. The breeze was great and the food was OK, but $40.00 for “just OK” really is way too much. Anyway, we had a lovely hour and a half in the shade and the breeze, and when you don’t eat lunch until after 2:00, pretty much anything tastes good, even a club sandwich with a (partly) fried egg on the top layer. I don’t like eggs much anyway, and that just topped it off.

 

After buying and mailing a couple of postcards, we walked around the lovely, unspoiled little town of Nuku’ Alofa, looking at dogs and pigs wandering the streets. We then made our way back to the ship and the blissful spoiling of air conditioning. So, in total for the day, we had a broken-down taxi, were picked up by the last tour bus leaving a spot miles from nowhere, an incredibly hot walk through an unspoiled little capital city; all in all, just another day in Paradise!

[cruznon]

What a day you had!

I am enjoying your posts so much. Thank you for making this amazing adventure come to life for all of us!!

[Aussie Gal]

Hi John and Diane,

 

You are getting closer to our lovely country! I love reading your posts and well can appreciate your day in Tonga, as there is not a lot to see there.

 

Jennie

[candbgirl]

I love your writing. As an English minor I appreciate good writing and yours is so creative and informational. Thank you so much.:)

[70 +]

Hi John and Diane

 

I have been following your bog ever since you started it. I have found it to be the best and most entertaining discourse on cruise travel that I have ever read. I have had my wife -Marjorie- come to the computer several times to read an especially interesting day report. She enjoyed it so much that I started to copy all of your day reports into a document that I have been printing for easy reading by Marjorie. Even though I used a size 11 font and very small margins, the document is now 15 pages long. At this rate you will have a 50-page report by the end of the cruise. Keep up the good work.

 

We have taken only one world cruise (in 1996), but we are booked on the HAL 2009 World cruise. We are looking forward to that cruise very much as it has 39 ports of call of which 17 are new to us. We had said that we would never do second world cruise as we much prefer to take 50 to 60 day cruises. However, it has become very hard for us to find a cruise with many ports, which are new to us. Therefore, we were unable to turn down the 2009 world cruise. As you can probably tell from this post, I am not an English major. But I hope you will overlook the errors.

[sreed41]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful voyage with all of us. I doubt that I will ever experience such a voyage -- my DH breaks out in a cold sweat when I mention taking even a 15-20 day cruise. He loves to cruise but only in short segments. So, I'm cruising vicariously right now and enjoying it very much.