Thur 11 Oct
I awoke as we were entering the beautiful tropical port of
Pago Pago American Samoa. I later found out the Pilot slept in and didn’t come
out to bring the ship in so the ‘Old Man’ (the ships Captain) slowly drove the
ship in to the port himself. Congrats Capt, well done.
It was a big deal as it was the first time in many years
since the Ms Volendam had visited Pago Pago, so we got a big reception.
After brekkie the gang set off to find the internet as our
first priority. We walked about a mile in the humid heat so it was a relief to
get under shelter and get on the net. I was able to get a few emails out, but
the service was too slow to post photos on to the blog. Hopefully I will be
able to get up to date in Fiji over the weekend.
We then caught a local bus and got a ride so we didn't have
to walk in the hot sun. The friendly locals were getting on and off along the
way. The open bus with wooden seats and no windows with its music booming was
an unforgettable experience. When the driver told us he had come to the end of
his run, we asked if he could take us further and look at other areas and
villages on the island. He agreed and only wanted $5 each from us.
What a bargain!!! We were in this old bomb
bus for over an hour having our own magic tour.
What fantastic scenery we saw.
We went back to the ship for lunch and drop off our gear
before returning to the town to have a local beer in the pub.
We did some last
minute shopping at the markets set up on the wharf for our visit.
We had to do the 4 pm happy hour in the Ocean Bar as the
Crows Nest was having maintenance done. The Crows Nest was back to normal for
the 7 pm Happy Hour.
After all the walking and the excitement of the day I called
it an early night and went to bed about 10pm just after dinner.
Fri 12 Oct… Cancelled today, because we crossed the
International Date Line.
Sat 13 Oct
I went up about 6.30 to have a green tea before Tai Chi than
I met up with the gang for brekkie. It was another sea day so it was very
relaxing. I caught up with Peder and had a few laughs in his office.
I only had a small lunch as I didn't want to spoil my dinner
in the Pinnacle Grill in the evening. We did Happy hour in the Ocean Bar for a
change as we were meeting up at the Crows nest with Peder to go to dinner.
Dinner at the Pinnacle Grill was excellent and a most
enjoyable meal. We had heaps of laughs and Peder was good company. Wayne Denis
and I went to dinner and the Kiwis and Colleen went to the dinning room. When
we came out of the Pinnacle Grill we had our photos taken with one of the
Drifters as he was walking by after his group had done the show.
We met up with the others at the Sports Bar for a after
dinner drink with Peder. The Casino Manager joined us and presented me with
their new Polo shirt and a cap.
Wayne and I went on to have a night cap at the Crows Nest to
finish off a fantastic night. This type of service never happened on the last
cruise on the Voyager of the Seas. Have I mentioned it is great to be back home
on a Holland America ship.
Sun 14 Oct
It dawned another clear tropical day for our arrival in Suva
Fiji. After the late night last night I was a bit slow in getting going. I met
up with the gang for brekkie and we made our plans for the day.
We met up at 9.30 am on the wharf to catch the shuttle bus to
the shopping centre. As it was a Sunday most businesses and even the markets
were closed however some of the larger shops did open up for the ship.
We spent
a couple of hours looking around and buying a few souvenirs then returned to
the ship for lunch.
I had a beaut 2 hour nanna nap before going up to the Crows
Nest for Happy Hour.
Dinner was the
usual fun and laughter but tonight we only had one night cap at Bob’s bar and I
was back in the cabin by 10.30 pm. I would have been back earlier but we rang
into Peder who wanted to tell stories and relive last night.
Mon 15 Oct
I awoke early at 6.15 am feeling fit and very well. As it was
another sea day I went up and did my 2 miles around the deck before my cuppa
green tea. After the green tea it was off to Tai Chi which was held up in the
Crows Nest because it was too hot out in the sun on the Lido deck.
At 8.30 am I joined the gang for brekkie on the Lido and we
had the surprise pleasure of Wayne joining us as he woke up early. I went down
to shower before catching up with Peder for our morning chat.
I met up with Denis and we called in to Mr Casino to try our
luck. I think I well and truly paid for my new t-shirt and cap I was given a
few days ago in about half an hour. I then went with Denis to visit Karina in
the ocean bar and had a couple of Bloody Marys.
The six of us went to the dinning room for a very enjoyable
lunch. I then had a short nanna nap before Happy Hour in the Crows Nest. The
bar and Crows Nest were a hive of activity as they were getting ready for the
Black and White Ball. It was entertaining just watching the guys putting up the
decorations.
The 6 of us went to the dining room for the formal dinner
and had the usual good time. After dinner we called in at the Ocean Bar for a
night cap. Some of the mob went up to the Crows Nest to check out the
Ball, but returned within 5 minutes because it was so crowded. I have been to
many of these balls over the years so I knew what it was like and didn't bother
checking it out.
I had an early night (well before 11 pm) as we visit Efate
Vanuatu tomorrow.
Tue 16 Oct
After the 6 of us met up for a leisurely brekkie we went out
and hired a mini bus to take us into town about 2 miles from the port.
Wayne
decided he would not join us so the five of us found a perfect little coffee
lounge with slow but free internet. I was able to catch up on my emails and do
my banking.
I got a pleasant surprise when a good friend from Brissie
saw I was on line and Skyped me from his new mobile phone. I quickly set up the head phones and mic and
we chatted for half an hour.
I then caught up with
Stuart, Lorraine, Denis and Colleen at the water front pub where we tried some
local brew. We were treated like VIPs by our new best friend barmaid Ruth with
her orchid flower in her fuzzy hair.
After a bit of shopping we hired another mini bus for the return trip to
the ship. The bloke who drove us back went out of his way to give us a bit of a
short tour and a beaut commentary.
Back on board we had a quick snack and then it was time for
Happy Hour. I called in to check up on Peder before going up for predinner
drinks. That bloke gave me heaps about my last blog email because I called the
Dining Room a ‘Dinning Room’; anyone would think he was a school mam.
We had the usual great dinner packed with laughs as Wayne
and I tried to introduce the others to fork corking we had learnt on the world
cruise.
I planned on only having one after dinner drink as I wanted
to have an early night and be in bed before 10 pm.
Well when I mentioned this to
Peder he was determined he would keep me up until after 11 pm and he succeeded
as I got to bed at 11.10 pm.
Wed 17 Oct
I awoke early and did a few laps of the deck then went up
for a cuppa and joined John and Louise as we sailed into Easo, Lifou, New
Caledonia. This was a tender port and the breeze was about 27 knots so we knew
it would be a bit choppy in the tender.
We waited until about 9.30 to go aboard
and the rush had quietened down a bit. The ride over was not too bad as the
waves were running behind us. I give full credit to the guys who drive the
tenders and the way they handle the vessels and the old farts that want to be
first off and start rushing to be first off while they are still trying to come
aside and stabilize the tender.
Anyhow it was good to get off and stretch the legs on dry
land and that is about all I can say as this French Island with its overpriced
tourist junk didn't do much to get the folks spending or wanting to stay very
long. Denis, Colleen and I were back on the tender within an hour. The Kiwis
(Stuart and Lorraine went for a bit of a walk to some of the nearby beaches.
Back on the Volendam we had a light lunch and then I retired
to bed for a 3 hour nanna nap. We
witnessed an excellent sail away at happy hour in the Crows Nest.
What post card perfect views we had during sail away from
the Crows Nest Happy Hour.
Dinner was a hoot with Rhoda our wine waitress bringing us a metre high display wine bottle for a joke. The rest of the meal was full of
laughter and as usual we were last to leave.
The staff seems to enjoy our company as much as we enjoy theirs. Not
every table group has the Maître Dee greet and escort them to a prime table every
night when they arrive at the dining room like we do.
We then went to Sir Bob’s Bar (Sports Bar) for a night cap
and then adjourned over to the Ocean Bar.
A huge mistake as the Kurrimine Kids Terry and Helen were
with 2 Adelaide ladies I call the ‘Crowies’ as well as Peder with the shop
Manager.
Peder shouted us a drink so my plan to be in bed by 11pm was washed
overboard. I have a feeling Peder is
enjoying the company and the relaxed but quick wit of the Aussies. I got to bed
just after midnight.
Thur 18 Oct 2012
It was a perfect morning to be arriving at Noumea, New Caledonia.
We met up and were having Brekkie as we approached the port. We met up at 9.30
at the gangway and set off to walk around the French city. After stopping at
many of the shops we made our way down to the Square where there was a local
market and cultural indigenous entertainment with native dancers. It was a
great show.
Later we found a beaut coffee shop and used their wifi so
all of us were able to catch up on emails and banking etc. I made a few Skype calls on my phone.
We made it back to the ship for a snack before my nanna nap.
The Crows Nest was packed for the sail away happy hour. Even the ‘iced water
brigade’ were up there pushing and shoving to get a good view. This would be
the last land we see until we arrived in Sydney on Sunday morning.
Dinner was the usual fun time with the crew enjoying our
company as much as we theirs. We had a beaut table and as usual we were the
last to leave the dining room. We met up with Peder and the Kurrimine Kids at
Sports bar for a drink before going to the Indonesian Crew show.
What a heap of laughs we had as the talented crew put on a fantastic
Indonesian show. They are so proud of their country and put their hearts and
souls into the performance. Denis and I were selected to go up on stage
and assist by playing some kind of bamboo rattle thing in 2 songs.
It was after midnight by the time I got to bed.
Fri 19 Oct
I slept in as it was a sea day and met up with the gang
about 8.30 for brekkie. The Indonesian waiters treated us like Royalty because
we went to and participated in their show last night.
We then had to line up to do the face to face meeting with the Aussie Customs
Officials so that took up a bit of time.
I then went to see Mr Casino to see if I could win back some
of my previous donations I had made previously, but no such luck.
We went to lunch in the dining room and even Wayne joined
us. Then it was off to have a Nanna nap, and guess what, I slept in and was
awoken by Denis phoning me from the Crows Nest at 4.15 advising me I was late.
I moved so fast to get dressed and get up to Happy Hour and ended up being 20
minutes late. Well didn't I cop a ragging from all the regulars?
As It was another formal night we went to the Canaletto for
dinner. Well what a hoot we had and the food was excellent.
Wayne provided the entertainment when he put the fairy floss on his head. The waiters
provided fantastic service and enjoyed our company.
There was a Dessert Extravaganza on the Lido deck after
dinner but we just took some photos and went down for a night cap before bed.
Sat 20 Oct
After brekkie it was down to the cabin to do my packing,
have I told you I hate packing. So once that was nearly finished I called up
Denis to come down to help me get rid of a few cans of Guinness I still had
left. Being the gentleman he is he helped me out before we all met up for
lunch.
I had the usual nanna nap and then up for Happy Hour with
everyone a bit sad as the cruise was nearly over.
We had a great last supper in
the dining room and the culinary staff put on a parade through the dining room.
We had a good night and a goodbye drink in the Ocean bar
before bed.
Sun 21 Oct
We were already in Sydney Harbour by the time I woke up at
6.10 am. I met up with the gang about 6.45 in the Lido for brekkie and then it
all goes into fast motion with crew and other passengers coming up to say G’bye.
Denis and Colleen had to be off by 7.45 to get their
transport Home. Wayne and I got off at 8.15 to get a cab to the airport. The
Kiwis Stuart and Lorraine got of later as they were staying in Sydney for a few
days before going back to Christchurch.
I had put back the sim card into my phone but it would not
work and at the airport I had to borrow Wayne’s phone to call John my brother
to have him pick me up after arrival in Cairns. I had to pay Mr Qantas $30
excess luggage. Wayne’s flight to
Melbourne left at 10 am and mine to Cairns at 10.30.
I arrived home about 1.30 pm and it was good to be back home
again after another great holiday time in Vancouver and on the Cruise.
Thur 25 Oct. 12
I have settled in and back into my routine of walking,
swimming etc. I had to get a new phone (Samsung Galaxy S 3) and I also got a
Galaxy Tab 2 to use on future cruises.
I’m looking forward to Saturday as the Volendam will be in
Cairns and I will have some of the crew over for an “Aussie Roo BBQ’. I hope to get some great photos.
