Monthly Archives: February 2014

Day 49-51 Yap, Micronesia

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Another Formal night, this one with a Medieval theme.  There is a guest speaker on board who is giving a history of the US space program – very interesting!  Had to miss the Speed WIne Tasting today – another 3 days to go! I started going to the fitness center for an hour and decreased the daily walk to 2 miles per day. Got to make sure I don’t put on any extra weight!             …

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Days 45 – 48 Papua New Guinea

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On the first sea day, I got myself checked out at Infirmary. I either have a some slight infection or have a “stone”. I will be on antibiotics for a few days to determine if I need to get an ultrasound in Manila. I will update the situation when I know something. Meanwhile, no Sip and Savor or Speed Wine Tasting. We arrived in Alotua, Papua New Guinea on February 19th. I asked  for my passport to get it stamped. …

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Days 42-44–Great Barrier Reef and Cairns, Australia

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Had an interesting day- met Terry French from Evansville, IN. He happens to be the Celebrity Chef on board. Met him at breakfast as we were trying to get coffee. He said he grew up in Evansville and I said I grew up in Boonville.  We talked about the area for a while. He said he had not been back there for many years. Later I ran into him at the Crow’s Nest along with his friend Rocky. Well, wouldn’t …

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Days 40-41 Brisbane, Australia

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On our sea day, we had another Speed Wine Tasting with a Valentine theme. A good time was had by all! Took a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, We arrived inland to Brisbane after a 50 mile river cruise from the ocean. This time we were tided up to the pier with the debarkation point just 100 feet from my stateroom. I caught the 9 AM shuttle to downtown Brisbane and tried to follow the list of places to …

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Days 38-39 Sydney Australia

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Up early today to take part in the sail-in.  This would have been fantastic if it were not overcast. I was hoping for a sunrise as we passed under the Harbor Bridge, but no such luck!  I did get some nice pictures of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge as we passed underneath.  We arrived in Sidney at the White Bay Cruise Terminal in Darling Harbor. It is about 30-45 minutes by car from Circular Quay area of …

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Day 35 – Iles de Pins, New Caledonia

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  Got the earliest tender to the island.  I got crowned with a head wreath when I arrived at the Kuto landing on Iles de Pins at 8:15 AM.  There was nothing set up by the vendors. I decided to walk to the village of Vao about 6 km. away.  It was a nice leisurely walk to what I thought was the village of Vao. At a sign for the village I found  a closed Post Office.  A few hundred …

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Days 33-34 Noumea, New Caledonia

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Disembarked the ship about 10:15 AM. Had my picture taken with the members of the local tribal dance group. Then with my friends Tom and Toni got on  a downtown tour bus. We toured past the Coconut Tree Square, which is more of a park than square, drove to a place called Fol Lookout Point, next to an old theater that has been abandoned, for a view of the city center, the nickel plant and even a view of the …

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Day 30 -32 Fiji

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The highlights of the sailing days between American Samoa and Fiji were a 5 Km walk for the fight against cancer and another Speed wine tasting. Upon arriving getting off the ship in Lautoka, Fiji, I took the shuttle into downtown. The bus let us off at a place called Jake’s – the local souvenir shop. I tried to get a map of the area and son found out that there were none available because there were 3 cruise ships …

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Days 27- 29 Sailing and Pago Pago, American Samoa

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Two days of sailing and we finally arrived in American Samoa – Pago Pago. We docked in Pago Pago Harbor which is about 5 miles from the airport and visitors center. Upon exiting the ship we had to walk through a market to get out of the port area. I decided to get to an ATM machine for some American cash and purchase and mail more postcards. The US post office was opened till noon this Saturday just for our …

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Days 22 – 26 On to French Polynesia

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Onward toward the French Polynesian Islands. – First stop Papeete, Tahiti –a part of French Polynesia and the Society Islands. We were able to dock directly at the pier in Papeete. Walked over to the tourist information, picked up a map which included a walking tour of the town. I also looked for an ATM to get some of the local currency the Pacific French Franc. The map was typical for the local area – the streets are on the …

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