Suva, Fiji

We had a very relaxing day at Suva. But then Fiji is just about a second home vying with Australia but then Oz is too big to be really like home. The ships tours were the same old, same old, so we wandered out hoping there would be a boat trip to an island but no. We ended up renting a car, a nice little Toyota Yaris, and tootled south to a resort called Uprising down Pacific Harbour way. We had done a tour down here last time to a posh resort which was all very nice but the beach didn’t look very inviting and those that went this time thought the resort was looking very tired. But then that’s a bit like Fiji. Even the buildings in progress look old. I thought, though, that Suva looked better, much tidier and even has a new mall. We just had to go left and keep on the main road til we reached Uprising – only 18 ks or miles away according to the port lecturer. After quite a while we checked the map. You know, if all else fails!! It was actually 51 ks each way!! Hoppy was all prepared for a swim with shoes, towel and snorkel BUT no swimsuit so we had to go to the shopping centre at Pacific Harbour and buy one. I was there in the mid-seventies when things were only just being planned so it was good to see a nice mall, lily ponds, back-packers, a cultural and craft centre and restaurants. Quite nice really. He got a very locally made pair of shorts for $25. nicely patterned with red and white flowers on a black background – perfect. We made our way back to Uprising and were made welcome. There were quite a few there from the ship. We could have pulled off the road near a beach access but things were probably more secure at a resort. Anyway then we would have to find somewhere for lunch. The resort was very nice – not too up-market. It had self-contained burees facing the beach and off shore islands, a nice restaurant and several bars with the usual water sports and tour area and craft table manned by a local. What to buy. Hop got the usual swords with names carved in and a mask. Hard to know what to get but we like to contribute something to the local economies and that’s all there was. Certainly it was a place you would go to if you were ever in the vicinity again – very friendly and relaxing. Next mission - the beach for a swim. It wasn’t that inviting but we were determined to have our last swim of the holiday. The water was warm but the breeze caused an unpleasant chop so that was short lived so on to the pool which was nice although no warmer than the sea but obviously warm enough ‘cause I went in! Next – lunch – I had a tasty coconut bowl of kokoda (you know – fresh fish marinated in coconut milk with a little onion, capsicum and lemon) and cassava chips. Hoppy had beer battered fish with potato chips – perfect. All so fresh and tasty. A beer each topped off the meal. Fabulous. Then it was “Bula vinaka” and back to the car. It was an interesting drive and the car makes the road seem so much better than a bus. We searched out the mall in Suva to get some tobacco for Hoppy’s brother in law but after parking and going up and down a few floors we were told it was a smoke free zone which mean no tobacco was sold either. Because we hadn’t made a purchase we had to pay for parking but that wasn’t much. Hey more into the local economy. Of course we had to refill the car so how to find a petrol station. Well, just keep driving. Easy to find your way back then. And it worked. Petrol is about the same price as home. Now to find our way back to the port. No problem to the Hopster of course. All was well and we were back aboard with half an hour to spare.

So off to NZ. Two days at sea and we’ll be in Auckland. Things are getting scarily close to finishing. At the moment we are about 100 miles off NZ being the nearest land. The sea was unbelievable glassy this morning but there’s been a steady lurch. What can we complain about? We just hope the good seas stay with us across the Tasman. It’s definitely colder at 15C and the sea at 17C, not that that matters at all to us. We have a bag packed to take off tomorrow and leave at Rodney’s – yeah that will make life easier.  Bye for now. Love from us. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

Pango Pango

So American Samoa, vital to the Americans as the only American territory in the South Pacific. The locals are American Nationals but being self-governing they cannot vote in the US elections. They have huge ties to the others islands of course, being mostly related. We’ve been to Western Samoa, now calling itself “Samoa”, although we only visited the islands of Upolu and Savaii. Pango Pango is on the island of Tutuila, its large harbour being the result of the collapse of an ancient volcano. The interior is very rugged with an extremely narrow coastal flat, the coast a continuum of fjord-like bays. With the high mountains rain falls frequently – 200 inches annually. In fact they call the mountain “rainmaker”. The vegetation is very lush with huge vines adding to the density of trees and undergrowth. From the Princess info sheet on the area I quote – “Tutuila’s hospital, the Lyndon B Johnson Tropical Medical Centre, occupies a glorious site in Fagaalu overlooking Pango Pango harbour.” Yes we spent the day there. No glorious views, no views at all.

 Hop had to report to the medical centre at 8 am and from there we were eventually transferred to the hospital with four crew members and three other passengers and wives. Princess got the name right, but it was on the narrow coastal belt with no hint of a view. However it was large and we got what we needed. Hoppy had to have a scan to check whether or not he did indeed have any kidney stones as the ship’s Doctor had diagnosed, although the pain intensity and the limited location didn’t entirely support the diagnosis. However all bases were covered.  He’d already spent three hours missing the day before while he was given a drip, medications and more pills as I feverishly searched the ship for him. So here we were at the emergency centre and it’s no different from home in that you can write off the day. It was concrete floored, with wooden benches, painted pale green and yellow and constantly full. We registered, followed a large slow walking soul 100 metres to pay our $30. and took the receipt back to the original area to hand it in and sit and wait some more. Eventually we were called by the nurse for a preliminary check of BP, temp and reasons for being there, then back to the waiting room. Eventually Doctor Annie called us. She checked everything out again and sent us off for a scan. Another ponderous walk to the pay office - $100, then down the hallway to wait. Not quite that easily of course as one has to be very observant to find the correct place to go! Hoppy was taken away and reappeared 20 minutes later. The doctor had an emergency to deal with so could not read the scan for a while. SO back to the original waiting room. Back to Dr Annie and reasonably good news. Everything seems OK although there were some cysts present which they attributed to the fact Hop has one large kidney. No sign of kidney stones. Not my understanding of the situation so some emergency follow up when we get home. The results will be interesting to compare to previous info. A visit back to the pay office for a copy one of the receipts, a call to our driver, a further wait and we’re back at the ship for lunch. There’s six hours of the visit to Pango Pango ungainfully disposed of. However we did get to spend a little money at the stalls set up by the ship. No chance of our intended warm leisurely swim. Hoppy still had a lure plastered to his arm so that made the possibility even more remote. He still has a little back pain so will be watching things closely. We fared better than the other couple who had been told to pack their bags as the ship’s doctor didn’t want him on board any more. He had a large gall stone and was on his way back to Adelaide. Not a happy man not to mention his wife who was stressed out of her mind. A cheap place for medical care. $100 for a CT scan. A crew member had to have a tooth pulled and it cost only $12. Good excuse for a holiday.

Hey but we’ve been to Pango Pango. Lovely people and very polite, mostly very large, i.e. everyone we saw with the exception of Dr. Annie, but apparently quite neglected by their parent country. The people are not rich and the buildings mostly seem neglected. There was one that was spectacular and recent.  Of course there was a major tsunami just a few years ago. Off now to Suva. We lose a Sunday on the way. My dilemma is what to do with the pills in my pill box for Sunday!!!!!

Nawiliwili (pronounced Navilivili - The "w" in the middle of a word is "v") The Island of Kauai

And so much for the lesson.

The island of Kauai is the oldest in the Hawaiian chain, which is actually traveling north at the rate of 3 inches a year. New islands, currently still submerged, are forming to the south of the group. Unfortunately we went north from Hilo. If we had gone south we could have seen lava from one of the active volcanos spilling into the sea making great clouds of steam. We are fortunate. We saw it last time we were cruising these waters in 2008. How lucky are we?                                                     Here at last was another snorkel tour for the Hopster. We had forty minutes on a bus before arriving at the embarkation site. There we were told what was happening and had to sign the usual waiver forms. All 26 climbed aboard our 28 foot Zodiac which was licensed for 42. The places immediately in the shade under a small canopy were soon taken but where we sat I thought wouldn’t be too bad. As we went out, of course, the dynamics/sun changed and we ended up quite sheltered – yeah! We weren’t allowed to move once we were under way but there’s always some, especially since the number of US citz. has increased.  Our guides did not mince their words!! The 15 mile long Na Pali coast of Kauai is the side of a massive volcano which ends abruptly at the sea and is only accessible by sea or air. There are helicopter flights over what they call the Grand Canyon of Hawaii but we did that also last time. The cliffs have been eroded by the wind and sea but are still unbelievably high. Even from 100 metres out people on the beach are the size of ants in comparison. There used to be beautiful waterfalls too but now only a few smaller ones remain. The others were redirected to water the sugar fields to the landward side of the canyons. Sugar is no longer grown here but the cost is too inhibitive to direct them back to the cliffs. The locals aren’t too worried as the falls brought contaminants with them. Now the reef is cleaner although the flora and fish would have had to change back to more salty water instead of brackish one would think. They are very tough on pollution and litter too. Nothing goes overboard, except your lunch if you can’t eat it all, to feed the fish. We went through a huge school of flying fish and found several large pods of spinner dolphin, three with pups. It’s the first time I have seen the work of the Cookie Cutter Shark. They’re quite small, maybe 50 cm. long with a disproportionately sized jaw. They attach themselves to the sides of the dolphins who then spin to get rid of them. In so doing they detach the shark which has meantime sunk its teeth, which are just like and the same size as a cookie cutter, into its side and the “cookie” comes out of the dolphin. Ouch!!!!!!!! We saw a few green turtles. They reckon numbers have increased since the hunting ban and will soon be back on the menu. I hope not. We thumped and bumped our way to the top of the coast with occasional stops for stories, histories and legends, then back again. Two hours to the cliff proper, one hour seeing the sites and an hour back to the snorkel site. The coral was scarce to non-existent; the fish maybe up to 50cm and very friendly; the water beautifully warm. Forty minutes swimming then out for lunch, followed by the bouncing trip back to the harbour with two young men jumping with the waves in the front of the boat, and thinking they were well worth admiring. They would have been except for that particular trait. Back to the bus and back to the ship.

Time for shopping!! We caught the bus to Wal-Mart!!!! It was 3.pm. Last bus at 4 pm. Hop found some thumb sticks; I found some tops for $5. And some for $3 but they’re a bit big unfortunately. Ahhhh bliss. We just missed the 3.30 bus but were ready for  4pm.

Now 5 sea days to Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) American Samoa.

Honolulu

Honolulu – shopping – what a disaster. The bank account was the winner on the day. We didn’t get out ‘til 11.45 with Hoppy not really 100% yet. Some passengers had been out early and were dragging huge new suitcases behind them to cope with the 104 days of travel and just a little shopping. My solution is to drop a case full at Rodney’s in Auckland and bring back the empty case. I’d rather take our wooden clogs through NZ customs than Oz. There were shuttle busses to everywhere. In my impatience to fulfil the day’s mission we grabbed the first one – Maui Divers. It did go to Ali Moana but only after a 30 minute “tour” of Maui Divers pearl and designer jewellery shop. The shopping centre was a disaster. Just too big these days. Typically the big stores covered all floors and were quite expensive. I searched for a nice negligee set but wouldn’t spend $150. on a compromise. It was a bit different last time I went in 1996! We then set out for Wal-Mart the wonderful . We got lost and after an almost complete circle, despite asking people about five times, arrived at the building. We went up some stairs to find that only card holders were allowed here. It was a bulk grocery shop for locals. Wal-Mart was down the stairs we had just staggered up! No signage! Well I bought 4 eyeliners for $10 and Hop got some more medicine!!  Now to find a shuttle back to the boat under Ali Moana. Twice we were asked for directions – silly people. We were eventually led to the shuttle stop by one of the rowdy younger passengers and made it back. Lunch was next on the menu. By now I had the shakes from lack of food. Into our swimming gear and off to target another goal for the day – a swim at Waikiki. Out to the shuttle stop. Ah, Hilo Hattie’s shuttle would do. Only had to go through the shop and then on to Waikiki. Where was the woman we told “we will be back later”? Oh, having a smoke and telling her boss no-one was there. Eventually 12 hopeful passengers turned up all given the traditional shell lei and waiting in excited anticipation. “Yes there’s one coming. We’re just trying to decide which bus is the closest.” An hour later six of us grabbed a cab to Waikiki, and 10 waiting had handed back their lies. Two were left for the bus. Finally, Waikiki Beach and a swim. It was very nice and I felt my frustrations melt away. We watched the sun set and took some photos trying to avoid a moon belly standing in everyone’s view, But then when can you get the sun and the moon in one shot? I had worn my swimming shoes and Hoppy valiantly offered me his dry shoes to wear. Good to get on a bus and go…but no go! We were actually looking for a pub for a beer but Hop was distracted by trying to find some sunnies to fit over his regular glasses. This was a mission unaccomplished at Ali Moana. He found two pairs that would do. He had lost his original pair which survived for 15 years or so!! Trolley busses galore, yeah. Not so yeah. It wasn’t until the fourth trolley that the driver kindly explained we had to walk a block to get the bus we wanted. Off we trudged, my feet objecting to the unsupported walking. It was only 7 o’clock, all aboard was at 9.30. We stood and waited. An American couple who now hailed from Melbourne came along to wait for their bus to Whole Earth. They were organic vegetarian greenies I’d say. I apparently inspired her to guess my occupation was in administration.  Hop confirmed the vibes by agreeing I had administered (to) five children. We sat by a homeless crippled man who didn’t seem to mind me moving his banana along the seat. When he staggered up to relieve himself in a major way by a rubbish bin, we moved back to the side of the street. By 8 o’clock we hailed a taxi to make sure we wouldn’t have to fly to Nawiliwili. We caught the end of a cultural show by a Hula School with the dancers between the ages of 6 and 16. Not the usual grass skirts and coconut bras which one at our table would have preferred, but little girls in dresses far too voluminous and struggling to keep their leis in place but quite the heart-melters.  Yeah Honolulu! Of course just opposite the ship was Rosses – an outlet mall, it had all one could desire!!        Gosh – the sea here is 5,635 METRES deep!!!! We are corkscrewing our way across the blue, blue Pacific with a swell on our stern port, cloudy sky, 30C and 20knots of breeze.  Off now to sleep on a lounger (in the shade).

Heelo from Hilo

We had a nice relaxing day here in Hilo. Just what the doctor ordered. Hoppy’s a bit better although seems to be on and off with a temp. He’s been on Prednisone, antibiotics and the nebuliser three times a day so something’s gotta give. The Candy Doc seems satisfied and he doesn’t have to go back unless things go downhill again. Bad news for Hop.  Once again the warmongers and glorylovers are at it. Leaves me cold. I turned off the lecture about Hawai’i for the constant references to battlements, monuments, plaques, and now there are planes roaring constantly overhead to spoil the tranquillity of the harbour and the island atmosphere. When will they get over it? Our bus was quite small and the 18 aboard left 6 more seats so we spread ourselves. The driver/tour guide was from the States but lived on Oahu 10 years before buying a 5 acre block on Hilo for $500 to set up a lime orchard 25 years ago. That didn’t work so well because the sulphur from a recent volcanic vent sends up sulphur fumes which burn the buds off the trees – so he’s tour guide. Anyway keeps him out of his wife’s employ. She has too many jobs for him. He’s got the Hawaiian spirit easily enough. Where he lived you can still buy acreages  for $10000. - $60000. Anyway he was informative and occasionally amusing. I was initially concerned it would be too vigorous for the Hop but in usual US fashion they warned unnecessarily. We set off and first went to the Big Candy where they make shortbreads dipped in chocolate and macadamia dipped in choc and all kinds of other variations on those two themes. This is all done by ladies standing at their stations working by hand. We had a sample of kona coffee – very nice and easy to drink sans sugar and milk – and two tiny pieces of chocolate and plain shortbread. It was just after breakfast so we didn’t need anything more but want!!! Next off to the Botanic Gardens. It was very lush and tropical as you can imagine, with waterfalls , orchids, gingers, heliotropes, bromeliads, palms and even some poor macaw’s kept in cage too small to our thinking but nonetheless very beautiful and amusing. The path went right to the sea’s edge but I shortened it to take in the waterfall and leave time for the steep walk back up to the road. We sat and revelled in the cool breeze and discovered a lily pond we hadn’t noticed on the way down. We were early for our lunch time so tootled around the waterfront taking in various sights including the tsunami zone where the original town and villages stood in 1946. Our lunch was very nice – roasted beef; earth oven cooked pork - well-cooked and smokey; delicious chicken; fish; all kinds of salads and a nice salsa of mangoes and melon; lovely ripe papaya and pineapple – even my mouth’s watering. The dessert wasn’t up to much but who needed it! We were then off to the volcanic fields. Volcanoes here are active and constant – changing the landscape and devouring buildings and roads regularly. This island alone has five in various stages of activity. We saw the Jagger Volcanic Museum, calderas, craters, steam vents, lava lakes, lava tubes and walked on a lava field. Briefly at each thankfully as we have been well schooled in these things through lectures and slides etc. Next was a macadamia nut farm where we should have seen the factory in operation beside a more mechanised chocolate production line – both of which weren’t operating at that particular moment.  We didn’t actually see the trees close up either but apparently there about 250.000 of them!! We bought some nuts to scoff on board and devoured a double cone vanilla macadamia and coconut ice-cream and back again to home (the ship). I had forgotten my photo ID so was briefly questioned twice by security but allowed on board. The cost of looking like a terrorist!! One of our fellow bussees from Chch. looks remarkably like William – have the evidence. I have met you in twenty years Wil. You’re a very nice man. We took in the 7 pm show followed by dinner with only three of our other dinees. Hop wanted to watch the late movie but I thought he was pushing his luck – and I was tired – poor me. Off to an early-ish night. There was some obscure movie on in our room but Hoppy was snoring two minutes into it so it was lights out!              Goodbye and God bless. XXXXXXXXXXXX                                     

 

Los Angeles

So Los Angeles – a conglomeration of a city really. Eighty by forty(?) miles and hard to get at but….We took a trip to Long Beach which bussed us there and picked us up later that day. There are a few free busses operating around the area and we made use of those to see the Queen Mary and the submarine beside it (from the bus) and all the other sights (from the bus). We didn’t want to get off but sussed the place out and decided not to go back to anywhere. Back to where we started we took another free bus to WALMART!!!! What mind boggling prices. So many things at such low prices I suffered from overload and only bought three tops. Well in total three tops, a bottle of cough med for Hop, some lozenges, a large bottle of ginger ale, a bag of peppermints, all for the huge sum of $26.!! You can get a consultation at the Walmart Pharmacy but all they could do was tell us what not to get because of his other medications so I spent half an hour reading bottles. Seemed the one we settled on was OK but by now he had full blown bronchitis and needed a small fortune spent on ship medications and treatments – all in hand now thank God. I had a lovely chicken salad at a pseudo Indian restaurant. Hop didn’t fare so well but mine was delish. Quite a change from the usual when Hoppy manages to choose the yummier meals. Still he wasn’t himself. Actually was off his food so you’ll realise just how sick he’s been. We got back to the pickup point and had a wander around a very busy waterfront area. There was a Jazz festival on with long queues, as at the Aquarium. It’s school holidays here for over two months so kids in all directions. Saw some beautiful black people and families. All so well groomed and looking gorgeous. They’re very statuesque and if you like full figured women…..Could go back to Long Beach. I really didn’t want to go.

The ship had berthed in San Pedro and there seemed plenty there to occupy us but not to worry. Beside the ship was an old warship – the Iowa. The Port lecturer had called it “beautiful” but beautiful it was not. Apart from being a war ship it was fairly patchy looking but those that went aboard enjoyed it. We’ve been to LA,  San Fran and San Diego and the harbour tours in each went past multiple warships, all the US pride and joy – can’t see it myself. Egypt a current example of the US world police policy. The US citizens I’ve talked to hate the government’s attitude and the fact that so much of their taxes are spent on such conflicts, especially given that their health care is apparently appalling, unless you’re very wealthy of course.  It seems they move in, loose young lives, millions of dollars, then pull out leaving a shambles behind. Sad. The original thought of having a swim was not an option. It wasn’t that warm although the afternoon warmed to about 23C. There was also a glass bottomed boat and other water things at San Pedro but…….. Another time.

If I sounded less than enthusiastic at the beginning I was. Eventually I apologised to the Hopster. He was actually very sick that day. Hoppy’s currently having his second session for the day on the nebuliser. He’s much improved. When he’s finished each time, I have the opportunity to whack him severely on the back – under doctor’s orders of course!!

Well Hilo, Hawai’i tomorrow. We have a full day tour booked. We’ve been there before and not quite up to the more energetic options, a bus trip, lovely gardens and a macadamia nut farm with lunch included is the choice. Apparently my kind of shopping is better here than in Honolulu but we may run out of time. I’ve sorted out a bag of redundant clothes to give away in Fiji – what did I pack!! I’ll be well practised for San Diego in October Lynda.

Well ciao for now my lovelies. Take care and God bless.

 

 

Puntarenas - Cost Rica

Costa Rica is a very poor country. Four and half million inhabitants, one million of whom are migrant workers.  If I remember correctly the ex-pat population is around 45.000.They blame the number of migrant workers number on the high literacy rate of 97% ( a double edged sword) which leads the locals to not want to take the more menial jobs therefore creating a labour shortage filled by their neighbouring country. They are very proud and work hard on their reputation as a green country with 30% of the land in National Parks. It is covered in rainforest and has a very high rainfall, and, great to know, twenty poisonous snakes. Some are very tiny and insignificant but some very brightly coloured – that’s more fair. There are lots of monkeys and sloths, and a myriad of colourful birds. Our tour took us up into the rain forest where we were lucky enough to be the first train off the cable up over the rainforest. Being the first we saw the best of what was offering. We saw a troop of monkeys, lots of golden orb spiders in their huge webs and a couple of toucans although they were not as vibrant as some you can see, and we did actually see at Iguassu when we were there. We had a nice and very healthy lunch with lots of tropical juices to try. We had a walk through a garden with interesting plants and saw lots of snakes – thankfully behind glass. It seems to contravene their conservationistic ideals but these snakes are kept to be used in the production of anti-venoms. We had a spendup in the souvenir shop where they had chocolate covered coffee beans and other yummies which we will enjoy at home reminiscing. Costa Rica is a huge coffee producer and we were educated in the best taste and best roast to buy according to our need of caffeine! I bought a t-shirt and Hoppy bought another couple. He didn’t need anymore ten t-shirts ago but……….. We then bussed to a river where we spotted 20 birds off the chart of the 40 possible sightings we may make in the area. We also saw lots of crocodiles. Their current dilemma is whether to cull the over population or maybe to allow some “farming” to capitalise on the trade for their skins. More purchases to be made on “stuff” after this river boat ride and another t-shirt added to Hop’s collection. I couldn’t resist a small vase with a sloth’s face peering at me off the side. When we got back to the ship we wandered down to the market. We donated money to a collector to support the rehabilitation of drug victims in the area – a major problem. Some teenage boys had made some very good sand sculptures – there went another few dollars, and there was a crippled beggar we couldn’t turn down. The cruise director described the place as Mumbai without the glitter. It is a very poor country but I think that was a bit harsh and not nearly so large or so crowded. The town was certainly very run down and our friends were put off going to the perfume shop recommended, by a warning about going alone into darker areas. We would have gone with them if we’d known but too late. We thought the tour was our best ever and we liked the place but you know us. A bit of dirt and poverty seem to endear places to us. The simpler the better. The people seemed happy and friendly.

Well it’s a beautiful day outside and so calm out here in the Pacific about 800 miles from the closest land, Hawai’i . Hoppy has bronchitis with lower pulmonary obstruction so we have just come back to our cabin for his second session on a nebuliser.{ (R25) Which he calls a blow job!!} Where has he been? He has to go back to the Doctor which he wants to do everyday whether he needs to or not. She a good looker. I guess I can’t deny him a little eye candy; heaven knows there’s not a lot amongst the passengers!! Our holiday is quickly coming to a close but we count the days out rather than days to go. Our glass is 5/6 full!!  Good luck with the show Lynda; you’re a star. Shame you can’t make Auckland but that’s OK we’ll be home for that cuppa before you know it.

Love to all of you. Thanks for reading my ravings, I hope you enjoy them. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Us and the Panama Canal

It’s the 8/8 today. It’s a bit cooler at 25C but the wind is making it seem a lot colder than that. The humidity is down to 70% so that’s a plus. Hoppy had a dreadful night with a cough despite the vicks and brandy. Hopefully he’s over the worst of it. He’s addicted to the lectures and is presently listening to one on Route 66. I haven’ enjoyed them that much. I’m even getting over the shows!! But it’s still nice to have the room cleaned and the food cooked. By the end of the cruise we’ll be “Elite” which means a free mini fridge of grog each sector and our laundry done for nix and 10% off in the boutiques – yeah – next time we cruise! Formal tonight. - bit of a fag but just means wearing a bit of bling really. If you don’t dine in the dining room it doesn’t mean anything but since we like to be waited on at night and enjoy our little group we usually eat there. The sea has been glassy to small. We’ve been so lucky. It’s easy to forget you’re on a ship apart from the occasional shudder. The evenings usually sport an electrical storm to add some interest. Sorry the last post was a bit screwball – couldn’t rearrange things and the more I tried the worse it got!!

I’m still loving my kindle, thanks Wil and Cherie. Have finished a few books and then didn’t enjoy some on there but found some good ones eventually – see I’m even getting fussy about the books. Lucky I loaded so many before we left.  I guess you’re home and back to school Cherie. Make sure your sister in law doesn’t wear herself out for me will you?

Well on to the Panama Canal. After all the wonderful things we’ve seen it’s so easy to take things for granted but with the history and facts of this great engineering feat we really are privileged to have transitted such a massive construction. I had set the phone to wake us at 4.50 am and we were up and out in no time flat. We were waiting in line and it was still quite dark. Didn’t have long to wait and we were all on the forward vantage points watching. It reminded me of a doomsday ship!! We were the first through the three Gatun locks which lifted us a total of 26 metres.  There are two sets of locks side by side. There isn’t much room on either side – we had 52 inches to spare I believe. Huge engines called mules give and take on ropes on either side to keep us centred. Not much room to spare lengthwise either; it was surprisingly snug and strange to be surrounded by concrete on all sides. The lock gates serve as roads and walkways for the brief time they are closed. I went to our cabin and outside the window was a concrete wall. Some of the ships are too heavily laden to go through so they are relieved of some of their containers which go by train to the other side to be reloaded. Cost us just over US$352000. to go through. The lowest recorded charge was .39c for a guy who swam through!!  The three locks take you into a huge manmade lake. The myriad of tiny islands in the lake were once mountain tops and are still full of creatures like sloths, monkeys, snakes. The vegetation is dense rain forest. Two more sets of locks take you across to the Pacific Ocean. There are also some magnificent bridges. The view of Panama City is a constant at the end of the transition. It’s a huge and modern looking city but didn’t inspire me to revisit as much as the Caribbean islands and Costa Rica. The canal is being expanded to take bigger ships in a new set of canals with better gates on the locks etc. The refilling and emptying of the locks is by gravity and via huge culverts which allow the water to come up under the ship. This only takes eight minutes – fascinating.

Curacao

Okay so I’m now three “places of interest behind” It’s all very well for you but we’re on holiday you know. It’s really busy!! And I’m soooo slack – ok – I am.                                                                        Curacao – pronounced; cure a sow, I’ve often wondered and always said it wrong. Yes, its cure a sow – with oinkment I think, hahahaha. It’s getting to me, this cruising, don’t have to think so don’t, then can’t even think. I think they put something in the water – I know they take everything out of it! Or maybe it’s in the air con.                                                                                                             31^st July was one of our dining buddy’s eightieth birthday so we celebrated with party hats and speeches. Bob Trustme Hadlow (former accountant and constant stock watcher) was the MC. Hoppy Bookfiddler Hopkins was treasurer so balanced the books with a 15cent surplus which he presented to Margaret Mainstay Hadlow as a bonus; I devised and performed a poem, my middle name “Wildchild”!! Am I so transparent? Pat Chief Purser Roe – being the celebrant’s wife, had ordered a lovely cake for Gordon Rooster (ex-chook farmer among much else) Roe; Alison Where’s Peter Everett recited a naughty Pam Ayres poem - no prizes for guessing her husband’s name apart from the preceeding Professor;  toast giver was Frances Fingers Feneck – a bit of a gambler,  and his wife – part of the Executive Committee -  Jan Fashion Flaunter. Yes we had fun – poor old Gordon was quite homesick for his family on the night, apart from having the latest fad throat infection.                 
 At Curacao we took another snorkelling trip – this time on a chubby motorboat called Miss Ann – and went to dive on a sunken tug, well as usual, I enjoyed a twenty minute flounder. We had to travel through a lot of the island to get there and through a posh suburb to Spanish Waters. Lovely homes going to the water’s edge with jettys and flash boats  – reminded me of Gulf Harbour. There was a massive ferry tied up at the wharf waiting for an investment  partner. They don’t have a ferry service at the mo. to Venezuela although it’s only 17 miles away. They don’t get tropical storms here - they just get a little more wind and rain than usual if there’ s one in the area. Hoppy snorkelled for 1 ½ hours – thought I might be a widow but there he was. A group had moved way around the bay with one of the locals. The coral was ok – a few different ones but not much colour. Plenty of fish – quite big – esp. round the tug. After everyone was on board we had the usual rum punch – this one definitely had more punch than the last! (I mean more rum). We also had a kind of turnover thing with beef or cheese in it and deep fried. Was horrible really. One of the women in the crew has been here for 40 years. Used to holiday here from Nederlands and decided she didn’t want to go home anymore so here she lives and not a bad spot either.                                                                                    
The town was like a painting. All pastel colours and what they call “gingerbread fascias”. A short stroll took you to town via a pontoon bridge which swung open to let any vessels through. Really quaint. I’ve finally realised what is called “good shopping” is all $1000 plus jewellery. Not my style at all. We like the markets and cheap T-shirts. At the far end of town a river going into the sea also comes into a mall and hotel area. We saw a lovely big iguana on the wall here. That’s more our cup of tea. Another fascinating place and very relaxed and friendly. A few more negro looking people here. We had a chat with one guy playing a drum. He taught little kids. Had no idea where NZ was until I described it as near Antarctica!! Hop posed with him for a photo op. rattling his maracas – couldn’t quite get the beat but we didn’t photograph the music! Then it was back on board after the stroll along the promenade and off to the Panama Canal after another sea day.                               We’re both in good health except for the results of that fried bread turnover thing I had half of. Hoppy’s now more trim after exceeding my weight by 4 kgs. He loses weight so easily. He’s even buying smaller t-shirt sizes. I must admit the ones we bought in New York need to shrink!!!

Aruba, Aruba

Couldn't get this on yesterday so trying again. Up at 5 am in line for Panama Canal! Yeah!!!!!!!!

Yes Aruba. Was to be Antigua until a day out of New York when Dory or Dorian – tropical storm – was fabricated or actual and we had our next port changed to Aruba. Our faithful watcher, Adrian, noticed that is was listed as our next port when we left New York. Can’t entirely trust them but as long as you know!! Some of the passengers are revolting – they revolt at any little thing!! Mind you no trouble in the lift since New York.  People want to get in before you’ve got out – der!! And get snaky when you don’t do it quickly enough. Calm down you yanks! And turn down the volume knob! A couple of the comedy shows have been lost on us audiences from down under. You think they would realise US is not the centre of the universe but………………(grumpy old bag – c’est moi) Apparently the crew were excited by Aruba. A better port for shopping etc. than Antigua but I still am disappointed when we miss or change a port. And the shopping – what a laugh – not my idea of shopping. Tons of jewellery shops, Louis Vuitton, and such names. How much do you need in the way of emeralds, diamonds, hundred dollar handbags and travel bags? Just a multiplied version of what’s on board. My idea of shopping is heaps of clothes  - nothing over $30 unless it’s exceptional and sized “H”.                                                                                                                                                        Oh it’s “Areeba, areeba” is it?                                                                                                                      Aruba – just like a mini Fiji to look at. White beaches, resorts, very tall palm trees. The island is very low lying and wind swept. One coast apparently has interesting rocky cliffs and blow holes but our tour didn’t take us out of the port except by boat. Today was snorkelling day and we just crossed the pier to a large catamaran. We sailed and motored down the coast to where a German boat  had been  scuttled during the war. It was driven towards shore, everyone ordered over board and then the captain opened all he could to sink it rather than have it captured by the Dutch. When the water rushed in onto the boilers there was an explosion which blew it in half but everybody escaped to be captured. After the war some went home, others stayed at Aruba and others again went back to Germany to return at a later time and settle. Nowadays the wreck of the Antilles is a diving site although Hoppy found the corals disappointing. I just had a swim – lovely and warm. It actually isn’t far off the shore and the bathers from the resorts in the area have easy access to the area so one wouldn’t expect great coral. The cat had an open bar but no alcohol is served ‘til after all diving is done and then it’s good ol’ rum punch. A pleasant half day. We actually sailed back to port. Fabulous place for you Liam. There were windsurfers everywhere and there’s always a steady breeze.             Or is it arriva, arriva. Seems associated with Mexico in my distant past, and cartoons?  Another case of cruise brain! We had a shower and lunch and still had a few hours to wander downtown and check out what we didn’t want to buy. Nice little picturesque place – 68 miles long x about 15 (?) and 160.000 people. We vanquished our thirst and had some fries at a wharf side bar called “the Paddock” painted of course white with black spots - Friesian cows, Dutch island. Sampled the local beer – balashi. It was so nice to be able to wander on and off the ship without any queues and dramas. Very leisurely. Nice friendly people too. Some of the locals have beautiful green eyes – so handsome with their dark skin, Maybe a little lighter than the Maoris. and quite fine features as well. Or is it the effect of the “other dimension” Help me Rodney.                                                                                                               I’m a bit behind so hope you got my message about going through the Panama Canal tomorrow. Your 3^rd Aug. You’re 17 hours ahead and it will be approx.. 5.30 – 6 am our time when we start. It takes 8 hours or so. It will be on www.pancanal.com I don’t know any more than that. We are making a poster this arvo. to put on our friends balcony (on port side – 5 balconies along from the pointy end)  where we’re having a champagne brekkie.