2018 Papaku Birthday Cruise – Canada
Thursday 19
July 2018
I awoke at 2.45 am to get ready to be picked up for the
airport by my friend Steve. The check in process went very efficiently and by
4.30 I was in the Qantas Club having a light brekkie.
The 5.30 am flight to Brisbane got away on time and 2 and a
half hours later I had transferred to the international terminal for check in
for the flight to LA. I had a leisurely snack in the Qantas Business Lounge before
boarding the Jumbo for the 12 and a half hour flight. I had my favourite Exit
row seat and a spare seat beside me so had room to spread out. The Hostie
recognised me and got me a pair of Business Class earphones which are much more
comfortable than the economy ones.
I got in a few hours sleep as well as watching a few movies
I hadn’t seen before so all in all it was a comfortable flight. After going
through the re checking the luggage I made my way to board the same aircraft
for the flight to New York. I slept most of the time on this flight, so it
seemed to go very quickly.
The change over in NY took a fair time in security as I had
to check in for a American Airlines flight to Boston. I took advantage of the 4
hour stopover by having a shower, shave and snack in the Admirals Club. It was
great to feel human again.
I had a bonus on the flight as they had upgraded me to
Business Class for the short flight to Boston.
I got a Taxi to the hotel as I didn’t want to wait for the
shuttle bus. The driver from Ceylon ripped me off with the fare by about ten
bucks. I arrived at the Hilton Double Tree hotel Just on mid night so it was 36
hours in real time since I left home all on the 19 July.
Friday 20 July 2018
I had a beaut night’s sleep and made it down for a late
brekkie. The weather was post card perfect, so I took advantage of the hotels
shuttle and rode on it for a few hours. A very cheap way of having a look
around as I sat upfront with the driver.
I had a nap in the afternoon and then had dinner and a quiet
night.
Saturday 21 2018
After brekkie I got ready to catch the 11 am shuttle to the
port to board the ship. My express status got me through check in very swiftly
and I was on the Veendam by 11.30.
At the Mariner’s welcome back onboard drinks I met up with
my friend John Chalkley and was welcomed back by Frank the Hotel Director and many of the officers and crew.
I spent some time unpacking before catching up with manyof the bar staff.
After dinner I caught up with Ricky the barman at the
Seaview Bar and John for a few night caps before calling it a night.
Sunday 22 July 2018
What a horrible rainy cold and windy day as we arrived at
Bar Harbor and as it is a shuttle transfer port I decided to stay on the ship
and went back to bed.
I had Pizza lunch at the Seaview Bar and as it was a bit too
cold for me there I went to the Lido bar for some shelter from the wind, it was
there I caught up with my good friend Raymond the Asst Bar Manager. My friend
Roi is the barman of the Lido Bar.
After a nanna nap I went to the Ocean Bar for Happy Hour. It
was Galah Night so I got a bit dressed up and had a predinner drink at the Lido
bar. I now have my own Papaku Table beside the rail in the upstairs dining
room.
I joined John for a night cap at Ricky’s bar. OMG it was so
cold and we sat at the bar with towels wrapped around us to stay warm.
Monday 23 July 2018
Another rainy foggy day as we arrived at Halifax, Nova
Scotia so I decided to have another rest day onboard. I have been to these
ports before so on the return trip if the weather is better I will go ashore
then.
The Nationality breakdown for this cruise is made up of 1416
passengers from a total of 28 nations. The maim nations are:-
Yanks 1094
Canadians 108
Aussies 45
Mexicans 44
Poms 28
The other nations were mainly
totals of single digits.
The Mariner status of passengers
is as follows:-
Presidents Club
3
5 Star 6
4 Star 21
3 Star 58
2 Star 95
1 Star 505
First Timers 712
After brekkie I went back to bed fir a few hours.
I got some lunch in
the Lido and went back to bed for a nap before Happy Hour. It was funny as the
only other 2 at the bar were Aussies (Greg and Sue). The first night Happy Hour
the bar was crowded.
I had a pre-dinner drink at the Lido Bar with Roi. After
dinner I decided I would have an early night and was in bed by 9.30 pm.
Tuesday 24 July 2018
After brekkie I got organised to go out with my barman
friend Roi to explore Sydney, Nova Scotia.
The weather was perfect with the
temp in the mid 20 C’s.
We took a taxi from the ship to The Old Triangle a Irish pub where we had a Guinness and some fish and chips for lunch. It was a very enjoyable meal and the serving was so big, well that is for me.
We then after lunch went for a walk around the town and made our way down to The Governors a Celtic Pub with live music provided by 2 old guys with a fiddle and a keyboard. This was a toe tapping experience and a great way to spend the afternoon. They also had their own craft beers. We Joined John and Amy at this pub.
The music ended just after 3pm so we headed back to the
Veendam and made it back just in time for Happy Hour.
Wednesday 25 July 2018 (The Papaku Birthday)
As I left to go up for brekkie I was met by my room
attendants who sang happy birthday to me. After brekkie I met up with John and
Amy as they were taking me in a van for a tour of Prince Edward Island and
Charlottetown.
After our tour we were dropped off at the Old Dublin Pub for a beaut lunch of Oysters, Mussels and Calamari with a glass of wine. This was a great old Irish pub with heaps of character.
We then had a leisurely walk through the streets of Charlottetown back to the ship. After a quick drink in the Lido with barman Ricky I adjourned to my cabin for a nap to make I was in top form for the evening.
I met up with John and Amy at the Lido Bar before going to
the Canaletto for dinner. WOW what a meal and great celebrations,and I was
presented with a fantastic birthday cake. The officers and staff gathered
around to sing Happy Birthday first in English and then in Indonesian.
At this point I would like to thank all concerned who made
this another great birthday also to my friends for the emails and the FB
greetings. Your kindness and greetings were greatly appreciated.
Thursday 26 July 2018
The one and only sea day on this 7 day leg of the cruise.
I only had a light brekkie today as I had the Mariner’s
reception and Lunch. It was a great time as Frank the Hotel Director called me
up to have a photo with himself and the Captain he mentioned to the folk that
when I am on a HAL ship it is also known as the Papakudam.
We were escorted into the dining room and I sat with Amy and
John so we had a fun time.
After dinner I had a nanna nap before going to Happy Hour
where I met up with Greg and Sue (the Aussie regulars) they are always beaut
company.
Tonight I was invited to John’s Presidents Club inauguration function and
then to dinner with Frank the HD in the Pinnacle Grill. It was a fantastic night
and they did John proud.
I called it a night about 11.30
pm.
Friday 27 July 2018
We arrived at the wharf at Quebec City at 8 am whilst I was
having brekkie. I had arranged to go out with John and Amy, with John as the
tour guide as over the past few months he has been a regular visitor.
We got a taxi from the wharf up to the landmark hotel
Chateau Frontenac on the top of the hill. We took in the views and then wound
our way part way down the hill to the Louis XIV Place to a Pizza outdoor place
and had lunch with a glass of wine and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Then I was a short walk back to the ship where after all
this exercise I had a well-earned nana nap and then was 30 minutes late for
Happy Hour to meet up with Greg and Sue.
My favourite Wiener Schnitzel was on the menu tonight in the
dining room. After dinner I caught up with Roi and then joined up with John and
Amy with Rickie in the Seaview Bar but couldn’t stay too long as the smoke of
the cigar smokers drove me crazy.
I called it a night about 10.30 pm as
tomorrow I have to pack and move cabins for the rest of the cruise.
Saturday 28 July 2018
We arrived Montreal early at 7 am and for all but 70 of us
passengers it was the end of their cruise. I had an early brekkie as I had to
change cabins and I wanted to get that out of the way as soon as possible.
The skyline of this
beautiful city was very impressive in the early morning sun light. I went into
the terminal to use the very efficient free wifi to get my newsletter update
away and do some banking. I was back onboard by 11.30 am. I have been to Montreal before and was not
impressed by the rude arrogant French speaking locals, so I was not keen to
experience this rudeness again.
For the 70 of us staying on we were invited to an Indonesian
lunch in the Pinnacle Grill and may I say what an excellent meal that was. Then
it was up to the Crows nest for the welcome back on-board cocktails for the
senior Mariners.
Well after all this excitement I adjourned to my cabin for a
3-hour nanna nap.
I had dinner with John and after a quick night cap I was off
to bed for an early night.
Sunday 29 July 2018
Today we returned to Quebec City for the day. After brekkie I
went over to the terminal to use the internet and do some banking and check
emails etc. I was the only one in this large internet room so I had fast speeds
and got through my tasks very quickly.
At 11.45 I met up with Roi and Rickey and headed off to a
Japanese restaurant for lunch. We took a taxi from the terminal for the 15-minute
drive through this beautiful and friendly city.
The folks of this French speaking city are the complete opposite to
their neighbours in Montreal.
Boy oh boy did we have a most enjoyable meal and the squid and Prawn tempera were to die for, just yummy.
Some of the crew had to go strait back to start work after lunch. Roi and I took a leisurely walk back to the terminal in the warm sunshine (24 C) taking in the sights and experiencing this beautiful city and its people relaxing on a Sunday.
We called into Café de Monde the restaurant overlooking the dock and the Veendam to have coffee and blueberry cheesecake.
Back on the ship I just had time for a short nanna nap before Happy Hour. The OB was full of this new crowd. It was a little on the cool side in the OB so after Happy Hour I headed up to have a pre-dinner drink and warm up with Roi at the Lido Bar.
John and I went to the Pinnacle Grill for dinner which was excellent, and I enjoyed a Steak Tartar.
After dinner it was off to the
Seaview for a night Cap but it was a bit too cold and the smell of the smokers
drove us to the Lido bar to warm up and enjoy the clean air.
Monday 30 July 2018
I slept in and made it up to Brekkie at 8.30 am as today is the only sea day of
this 7 day segment of the cruise.
I got hold of the stats of the nationalities and Mariner
status so here they are: -
Passengers
are from 29 nations and the main nations are.
Yanks 1000
Canadians 176
Aussies 75
Poms 25
Mexico 24
The
Mariner Status
Presidents
Club 2
5
Star 14
4
Star 31
There
are 623 First time
cruises
Today we had the Mariners reception and the Lunch so more
photos with the Captain and the Hotel Director. I sat with John and we were
very well looked after by the wait staff.
I then had a long nanna nap and missed Happy Hour so went up and visited Roi at the Lido where I held court with a Pom couple and a family from Texas.
I then had a long nanna nap and missed Happy Hour so went up and visited Roi at the Lido where I held court with a Pom couple and a family from Texas.
I joined John for dinner and had a night cap at the sea view
bar and OMG it was cold out there so Ricky got me a towel to wear as a shawl. I
called it a night about 10.30 pm.
Tuesday 31 July 2018
We were late arriving at Charlottetown because the ship had
to slow down to 10 knots because of the large number of whales in the area.
Prince Edward Island turned on a perfect sunny day for this week’s visit.
John and I took Ricky and Roi to the Old Dublin Pub for a
fantastic lunch of fresh oysters, squid, mussels washed down with some pints of
Guinness while we toe tapped to the Irish music.
We had a great time and after a few hours the boys had to get back to work and John and I had a leisurely walk back to the ship via the waterfront.
We had a great time and after a few hours the boys had to get back to work and John and I had a leisurely walk back to the ship via the waterfront.
Back on the ship I had a short nanna nap before going up to
the Crows Nest where the serious folk were playing trivia. Thank goodness I didn’t play as I would have
only got about 3 answers right.
We had dinner in the Pinnacle Grill which was an excellent
and leisurely meal. After dinner we were off to the Seaview Bar for a nightcap
and I called it a night about 10.30 pm.
Wednesday 1 August 2018
Today we arrived in Sydney Nova Scotia and the weather was
perfect although it got a bit hot in the afternoon. I went over to the
Governors Pub to meet up with John and listen to the live Celtic music played
by a fiddle player and a guy on a guitar. Another toe taping experience and a
couple of Guinness made it a pleasant time.
After a couple of hours, I headed back to the terminal and
took advantage of the free internet to check emails and FB.
I had a light lunch of a hot dog before going down to have a
nap. The nap lasted over 3 h ours so I missed Happy Hour. Tonight, there was a
Cocktail party for the 70 of us back to back passengers.
I joined John for dinner and had a very scrumptious chicken
schnitzel. I had a night cap at the Seaview bar but as it was a bit cold out
there I adjourned to the Lido Bar before having an early night.
Thursday 2 August 2018
Halifax Nova Scotia was our port of call today and we
arrived there whilst I was having brekkie. After eating I went over to the
terminal to use the internet and get my travel update emailed and do some
banking. I was again very lucky as there were only a few crew using this free
service so I had fast and efficient WIFI.
I met up with Roi about 11.30 am to go off and have a look
around. We called into the Garrison Craft Brewery to try some beer. We then
went to the dockside markets to have a coffee before returning to the ship. The
day was cloudy and with light showers with the temp in the low 20’sC so I was a
bit rugged up.
It was beaut to have a nap before Happy Hour in a very
quiet Ocean Bar.
Tonight, John and I went to the Pinnacle Grill for dinner. I
had a night cap in the Lido Bar and called a night at 10.30 pm
Friday 3 August 2018
As we had to have a face to face with the American
Immigration and Customs officers before we could get off the ship to tender
into Bar Harbor (USA) so I had an early brekkie. It started off a bit of a
foggy yucky cool day, so I was of 2 minds even if I would get off the ship.
By late morning the skies had cleared up and the temp was in
mid-20’s C so I decided after lunch to take a tender ride over to the town. The
USCG inspection was still going on so there was no shore leave for the crew. It
was great to just go for the tender ride and have a look at the harbour from
the water.
On the dock there were heaps of folk lined up to get the
tender back to the ship so I stayed on the tender and came back to the ship. I
have been to Bar Harbor a few times before and wasn’t too concerned about
missing it this time.
Back on the ship I had a nap for a few hours before going to
the Lido Bar for a predinner drink. I had dinner alone in the dining room as
John was having a Curry in the Pinnacle Grill. As tonight was the last night of
this segment the parade of the kitchen staff and the chefs through the dining
room.
I called in to the Lido Bar for a night cap and then called
it an early night about 10.30ish pm.
Saturday 4 August 2018
Great activity this morning as it was our arrival in Boston
and the end of the cruise for most passengers so folk were all packed up and
getting their last brekkie before departing the ship. I had an early brekkie as
I was looking forward to going ashore as the day started off fine and sunny.
To comply with the American Immigration officials, I had to
leave the ship and go into the terminal as a In Transit pax so I took advantage
of the free internet. By now the heavens opened up and sent down a heavy
downpour and the temp dropped dramatically. I was able to get my update off and
check emails etc.
As usual the non-organised American Officials held up the
re-boarding until midday however I found out from some of the crew they were
re boarding at 11.15 am so I put on my Papaku name badge and came on with the
crew.
It was still raining heavily so going into town was now not
a priority, I had lunch in the Lido and then went up to the welcome back on
board drinks up in the Crows Nest. There were heaps more Mariners at this party
than at the other similar drinks for the previous other 2 segments.
John and I went to the sail away party at the Seaview Bar as
by now the rain had cleared up although the sun didn’t bother to make an
appearance.
We had a special order of Chicken schnitzel for dinner which
was most enjoyable and then had a night cap out at the Seaview bar.
I called it
a night about 10.30 pm.
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