Continuing our cruising experiences....World Cruise, Asia, Mediterranean, Baltics', South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Australia and New Zealand
Day 93 Sail away Papeete
DP left Papeete around 6pm, just as the heat of the day dissipated and daylight faded. A group of us set up and partied on the back of deck eleven as the ship sailed away from Papeete. There were a group of Kiwis who shared the balmy night with us as the island faded from view. Afterwards the same group shared a casual dinner, using the table and chairs from outside the closed sundae servery.
Day 93 Papeete, Tahiti
Black sand beaches, waterfalls, tropical rain forests, history with the Mutiny on the Bounty, Black Pearls….
We decided to join a Princess Tour this morning for a 3 hour tour of parts of the island. Unfortunately Paul and I were messed about by the organisers and missed the first section of the tour. We had arranged to meet up with another couple and share the tour with them by making sure we were on the same bus as them. We were all allocated No. 4 bus and walked off the ship together to join the bus. When we got on the bus we found there were only enough seats for our friends and not us. Our allocated seat had been taken up by another couple who missed their No 1 Bus which had not waited for them. Where were we to sit? Were we to go on the tour? Why didn't No. 1 bus wait for ALL its passengers? The extra couple who were supposed to be on the first bus had a mobility problem which caused them to use another exit off the ship and their delay. The Princesses Tour organiser had let the No.1 bus leave without all its passengers. So what did that mean to us who were without a seat?
We were quickly hustled into a van which proceeded to race to catch up with the first bus! I sat with my back to the driver while Paul sat facing the front. By the time we sped around the 3rd or 4th round about it worked out to be the wrong position for me, I was about to be van sick. Fortunately the driver managed to stop in time for me to get out and prevent an unfortunate event! The trip then continued with me sitting in the front, alongside the driver. We finally arrived at Point Venus and located the No. 1 bus and the tour guide. Not happy Jan. Of course the passengers on No. 1 bus already had their guide through this area, with explanations of the light house, a memorial to Captain Cook and an account of the breadfruit memorial which were all located here at this stop. Well, we were given 10 minutes to walk around by ourselves before joining the passengers already seated on the bus. Not happy Jan. I found out later there were quite a few significant sites in that area which we had missed. When we got on board the bus, there were only single seats left as couples had decided to spread out to the luxury of a double seat. We missed not having the friendship of our friends who were on the other bus and I am sure everyone on No. 1 bus thought we were the ones who were late and had to be transported to join the bus. Not happy Jan. Poor Paul tried to placate me which eventually worked…eventually. Well what does that say about Princess Tours? If you have mobility problems, they won't wait for you, and if you don't, you are still messed around. Oh, by the way, no apologies from them.
We had three other stops on the rest of the tour. Arahoho Blowhole (fizzer), a walk through a tropical rainforest to Faarumai Waterfalls (I must have calmed down by then as the walk to the attraction was what it was all about, stunning) and our last stop took in the panoramic views of the coastline. We arrived back to the ship to see one of Greenpeace's 'Rainbow' ships docked nearby. A question arose, 'a Rainbow Ship in French waters'? It just goes to show how time changes everything.
Day 91 Equator, Pacific Ocean
Last night we crossed the Equator and we are now in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time since leaving Darwin over 83 days ago. To celebrate this momentous occasion the ship held a ceremony on the pool deck. King Neptune and his wife Queen Double D invited the ship's passengers to attend the equatorial trails. A lot of fun and laughter had by all and sundry. Unfortunately it turned out to be a windy day, which caused the King and Queen's long flowing locks to obscure their vision, which made it hard to read the charges and sentencing of those passengers brought to trial. Garry and Joanne were suitably sloshed with chocolate sauce, porridge and other sloppy food when they volunteered.
We wondered up to the Horizons Court after the ceremony to have the German Style lunch provided.
Day 87 Honolulu, USA
Our day began with breakfast on our balcony whilst we sailed past the southern reaches of Oahu. We watched as we slip passed Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach on our path to Honolulu Harbour.
We both had one of the best days in Honolulu yesterday. I went shopping and Paul enjoyed that fact I had gone shopping. Why you ask?
As we had visited Hawaii two years ago, we decided this would be the first and last opportunity to just do as we wished without having to take in the unique appeals of this port. Paul and I hit the shops first thing in the morning then after a yummy lunch at Bubba Gump's, I continued to look around the shops while Paul sat back at a Mai Tai Bar to imbibe the local thirst-quenchers. I checked out the local department stores; Maceys, Sears and Nordstrom. And between each store I would return to join Paul and his current table companions for a Mai Tai or Pina cola.
It is very common to meet up with our ship board friends when we are ashore. Most people, passengers and crew, who aren't on a tour, will fan out from the ship to go to the closest/convenient shopping centres, stores, pubs, or restaurants. While we were in Hawaii, we caught the free shuttle bus to Wal-Mart, then walked across the road to Ross Dress for Less before heading to the Aloha Moana Shopping Centre. In each area we would see and speak with many people from the ship. Paul enjoyed his visit to the Mai Tai Bar, not only were the drinks made with a bigger than usual measure, the waitresses worn plunging necklines and short hemlines! He never sat alone for long; several fellow passengers came along at different times and joined him at the table. Believe it or not, I managed to return to the ship with little shopping!
Our departure for Tahiti had moved back 3 hours, allowing us the opportunity to return from our day out and freshen up before heading ashore to have dinner in Waikiki, this time with Brian and Ros and Roger and Merrilyn. We were fortunate to meet a shuttle bus driver who not only took us to the famous beach area but rang a beaut. sea front restaurant and booked us in for our meal, plus pick us up afterwards for our return to the ship. As we enjoyed eating our dinner in the balmy tropical night, we heard the sound of the sea lapping on the nearby shore. After dinner we strolled onto the flame lit beach to view the coastline fringed by high rise hotels and apartments.
Our balcony on the ship overlooked the floodlit Aloha Clock Tower so when we went to bed I could see this famous icon through our partly opened curtains.
Day 86 At sea, one day before Hawaii
Yesterday DP held a service to commemorate the Battle of Long Tan. Warren, our Cruise Director, researched the events of the Battle and gave a good speech detailing the Battle. A Vietnam Veteran said the Ode before the trumpeter from the ship's orchestra, sounded the revelry. We were shouted a drink at the bar by Warren which gave us the opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of other Vietnam Veterans. Well done Princess Cruises!
We watched the production show last night called 'Save the Last Dance' in the Princess Theatre. We saw the same show on a previous cruise but enjoyed this performance just as much as the last time. We have walked 6 laps around the promenade deck two days in a row; the mornings are pleasant with a slight breeze, small wavelets and the deck is protected from the sun. Most of the maintenance work on the tender boats had finished before LA so the deck has been cleared of obstacles. There are the usual crew members cleaning the gutters of dust which accumulate daily, or chipping away the rust and repainting the area they had just worked.
Day 86 at sea, the day before Honolulu.
ODE TO THE ROWING MACHINE
SO AFTER LEAVING DOVER IT BROKE
AND TO THE MANAGER WE SPOKE
DON'T WORRY HE SAID
WE'VE PARTS UP AHEAD
AND SOON YOU'LL BE BACK IN YOUR STROKE
ON THROUGH THE CANAL WE THEN WENT
THE MACHINE STILL IDLE AND BENT
IT'S OK THEY SAY
THERE'S PARTS IN L.A.
TO MANAGEMENT YOUR SPLEEN YOU CAN VENT
NOW IT'S ONTO THE LAST LEG WE GO
THE MACHINE'S STILL BROKEN, AND SO
WE SHOULD GO DOWN THE BACK
TAKE AN OAR FROM THE RACK
AND MAYBE THE DAWN PRINCESS WE'LL ROW!
By Terry.
Day 82 Los Angeles, USA
During the night the ship's clocks were set back another hour which made our 5.30 wakeup call less intrusive. US customs and immigration officers had set up in the Vista Lounge to process everyone on the ship. Fortunately for Paul and I, we were on a Princess Tour and the third group to be processed. The first group were scheduled to go through at 6.30am and 7.10am was our allotted time. By the time the queue had progressed from the outside foyer into the lounge, an hour had passed. We eventually saw the officials, had our passports stamped and were back in our cabin to collect our day pack, then proceeded to the Wheelhouse Lounge to wait for our bus allocation, then joined our tour group in the Princess Theatre before walking off the ship to meet our tour bus at 9.30am. Apparently, the later groups processed through the Customs and Immigration was asked to wait ¾ hour before lining up. Some passengers travelling ashore independently didn't get off the ship till 11am.
Our Princess Tour took us through the city to Olvera Street where we wandered down the market stalls. We then drove through Hollywood and Beverley Hills, travelling along Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip and Hollywood Blvd. to see the Mann's Chinese Theatre.
I think every tourist in Los Angeles saw the iconic movie theatre the same time as us! Talk about crowded. Our tour guide stopped us at the base of the famous stairway where Nominated Academy Award Artists climb on Oscar Nights, and gave us the points of interest for this Hollywood must-see. Paul called out to me to hurry up as this other group was heading off up the stairs. Huh. I then realised he had joined that group thinking it was ours, and had been annoyed with me for not moving off with 'his' group. *~&%`@#!&~?%#*!
I managed to get a couple of pavement star photos without someone's foot in it before heading off to our bus pickup area. We were all on time, waiting for the bus to collect us. 30 minutes after the due time, the bus arrived. Our tour guide then announced to a few nearby passengers, that she left her mobile (cell) phone on the bus when instead she needed it to ring the driver to let him know we were all there ready to collect. As if we have a spare 30 minutes to waste. Not happy, Jan. Grumble, Grumble.
Our last stop ended at the Farmers Market where we had an hour free time to look around, shop or luncheon. Not long enough, too long when a husband is with you. Guy Sebastian held a promotional appearance whilst we were there but unfortunately we missed his appearance. Joanne and Garry managed to see and hear him perform and got a few photos.
We drove back to the ship along the 6 lane freeway, under a sky of smog.
The ship sailed about an hour late due to 'paperwork'?? The sail away from Los Angeles in ideal weather conditions, found most passengers enjoying the entertainment provided or the impromptu deck parties on various decks. Paul and I ended up on deck eleven, aft, for the sail away. Later, back on our balcony, just before leaving for dinner, we saw a magnificent sunset over an almost mirror-like sea. As the sun set, its rays reflected on the water, creating an orange trail to our balcony.
