and it's a special SHOUT! out to lisa and randall - not shot out!
I am going to finally post my photos for you to view....I have videos as well for you to see, but i don't think you can post them on the kodak website.....if you can, please let me know.
I realise i need more photos of the ship and my fellow passengers so..... tommorrow - A TOUR of the ship including my fellow passengers! (if anyone knows how i can upload quick time videos, please let me know as i have couple of those as well of people welll.....you have to see!)
the website i have used is kodak and the address is:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=7re1mg33.2lfiujv7&x=0&y=8291kl
I hope you enjoy them....i titled the photos in order to help me remember where i was and who is in the photo. hopefully it will clue you in as well!
if it's not user friendly, please let me know and i will try to find an easier website (and if you have any to suggest - please let me know!).
hope these help illustrate what i have been trying to write....
lots of love always......
sxxxx
Monday, 30 April 2007
Pago Pago
Pago Pago – American Samoa
Sunday is a quiet day in Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) and the sun is bright and sunny. The temp and humidity keep rising….today it’s 29 with 82% humidity.
We didn’t have a tour so we wandered ourselves down to the point and hopefully got some lovely photos. The landscape is very green and lush with mountains rising straight from the port. Much greener than Fiji I thought and also less developed. The Samoans are very welcoming and wear a single beautiful hibiscus flower behind their ear - something so simple and beautifully decorative. One doesn’t really need so much sparkle, and shiny, shiny - just one fresh flower can show an understated elegance. It just doesn’t work in the city though, does it? On an island, it looks so attractive.
We heard a church service that was blaring down the road as we were walking to the point. It was rocking with electric guitars and loud singing – but when we arrived at the larger church in town, it was much more sedate. Samoans converted to Christianity and there are churches and crosses you can see all over the harbour.
I saw some payphones and people were on them so I decided to stop and try to phone roby to day hello Since it Pago Pago is on American Samoa, I thought my US calling card would work inexpensively, but that was not the case nor did I get through. However, I met an Afghani man and his wife who are on the cruise as they were calling their children in the US at the phones (he has lived in the US for 30 years and fought the Soviets – he proudly told me that). However, a young Samoan boy walked up to use the phone as well and the ‘men’ struck up a conversation with me as the third party. When the Samoan understood what the Afghani told him about fighting the Soviets he asked if they fought with guns and the Afghani replied yes. The Samoan said they did not use guns, but fought with their hands in times of conflict. After the Afghani had left, the young man asked me how much it cost to come on the ship (as you could see it towering over us at the call boxes) and I said I didn’t know as I didn’t pay – I came with my father. He said everyone thought that the people on the ship were very rich so how much did a ticket cost. I told him I wasn’t rich, but there may be people there are (and I have heard of people spending thousands just in the ship’s shops for jewellery and paintings – see photos for art for auction on the ship).
Whereas Fiji looked to be taken over by Indian traders, the Chinese are here. They had their shops open and were doing a roaring trade – plus there were lots of Chinese imported items for sale. From what I have read, the big export here is tuna fish – canned for the US market. But I couldn’t see any of that on the shelves in the shops – (I am sure you are relieved as that could have well been your gift!)
Clocks go ahead again tonight – going to be on the same time as Honolulu now so that will be go to not have to change our clocks again for another week and a half.
Since it’s a port day – the ship is relatively quiet. There was an inspection of the ship by the US coast guard today so all the staff were very busy in the am and then after 12 – they all ran out on port to go exploring.
I hope some of you aren’t upset by my comments of my fellow passengers as I have received a couple of comments about what I have written. I didn’t mean to offend, but I must say I am not alone in my observations. Last night, some of my dining companions also made similar comments and they belong to the age bracket on which I commented. So it’s not just a viewpoint of a 30something, but it appears to be a common perspective no matter what your age.
No place to eat in Pago Pago so we had to go back on board and have lunch. I must say it ALWAYS seems like we are getting ready for another meal. There is no relief. I have sat out a couple of meals, but my father loves to eat and doesn’t miss a meal so I don’t want him to have to eat by himself. And this trip is to spend time together.
Not much to do tomorrow as we have yet another day at sea. Probably more walking around the deck – maybe I’ll try to fight my way on one of the machines in the gym. It’s a mad house up there! But will always find time to relax in the spa…
Only three weeks more! I can’t believe that I’ve been gone for two and half weeks. The time really has slowed down here. It does seem like I have been on the ship for a while now and wish there was a bit more variety – I think I am getting to the point I was hoping to reach – a relaxed boredom!
special shot out to lisa and randall! you guys rock! running a half marathon! that is tremendous! well done to you both! and under two hours! you guys looked so CLEAN afer your run! like you had just gotten out of the bath! woooo hooooo! xxxxxxx
Sunday is a quiet day in Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) and the sun is bright and sunny. The temp and humidity keep rising….today it’s 29 with 82% humidity.
We didn’t have a tour so we wandered ourselves down to the point and hopefully got some lovely photos. The landscape is very green and lush with mountains rising straight from the port. Much greener than Fiji I thought and also less developed. The Samoans are very welcoming and wear a single beautiful hibiscus flower behind their ear - something so simple and beautifully decorative. One doesn’t really need so much sparkle, and shiny, shiny - just one fresh flower can show an understated elegance. It just doesn’t work in the city though, does it? On an island, it looks so attractive.
We heard a church service that was blaring down the road as we were walking to the point. It was rocking with electric guitars and loud singing – but when we arrived at the larger church in town, it was much more sedate. Samoans converted to Christianity and there are churches and crosses you can see all over the harbour.
I saw some payphones and people were on them so I decided to stop and try to phone roby to day hello Since it Pago Pago is on American Samoa, I thought my US calling card would work inexpensively, but that was not the case nor did I get through. However, I met an Afghani man and his wife who are on the cruise as they were calling their children in the US at the phones (he has lived in the US for 30 years and fought the Soviets – he proudly told me that). However, a young Samoan boy walked up to use the phone as well and the ‘men’ struck up a conversation with me as the third party. When the Samoan understood what the Afghani told him about fighting the Soviets he asked if they fought with guns and the Afghani replied yes. The Samoan said they did not use guns, but fought with their hands in times of conflict. After the Afghani had left, the young man asked me how much it cost to come on the ship (as you could see it towering over us at the call boxes) and I said I didn’t know as I didn’t pay – I came with my father. He said everyone thought that the people on the ship were very rich so how much did a ticket cost. I told him I wasn’t rich, but there may be people there are (and I have heard of people spending thousands just in the ship’s shops for jewellery and paintings – see photos for art for auction on the ship).
Whereas Fiji looked to be taken over by Indian traders, the Chinese are here. They had their shops open and were doing a roaring trade – plus there were lots of Chinese imported items for sale. From what I have read, the big export here is tuna fish – canned for the US market. But I couldn’t see any of that on the shelves in the shops – (I am sure you are relieved as that could have well been your gift!)
Clocks go ahead again tonight – going to be on the same time as Honolulu now so that will be go to not have to change our clocks again for another week and a half.
Since it’s a port day – the ship is relatively quiet. There was an inspection of the ship by the US coast guard today so all the staff were very busy in the am and then after 12 – they all ran out on port to go exploring.
I hope some of you aren’t upset by my comments of my fellow passengers as I have received a couple of comments about what I have written. I didn’t mean to offend, but I must say I am not alone in my observations. Last night, some of my dining companions also made similar comments and they belong to the age bracket on which I commented. So it’s not just a viewpoint of a 30something, but it appears to be a common perspective no matter what your age.
No place to eat in Pago Pago so we had to go back on board and have lunch. I must say it ALWAYS seems like we are getting ready for another meal. There is no relief. I have sat out a couple of meals, but my father loves to eat and doesn’t miss a meal so I don’t want him to have to eat by himself. And this trip is to spend time together.
Not much to do tomorrow as we have yet another day at sea. Probably more walking around the deck – maybe I’ll try to fight my way on one of the machines in the gym. It’s a mad house up there! But will always find time to relax in the spa…
Only three weeks more! I can’t believe that I’ve been gone for two and half weeks. The time really has slowed down here. It does seem like I have been on the ship for a while now and wish there was a bit more variety – I think I am getting to the point I was hoping to reach – a relaxed boredom!
special shot out to lisa and randall! you guys rock! running a half marathon! that is tremendous! well done to you both! and under two hours! you guys looked so CLEAN afer your run! like you had just gotten out of the bath! woooo hooooo! xxxxxxx
Saturday, 28 April 2007
Groundhog Day
Saturday again!
We’ve crossed the international date line so it’s Saturday again! According to the schedule of the trip I printed off, I thought we were going to be in Pago Pago today, but it’s another day at sea and we get there tomorrow. So another lazy day….
Off to see the movie ‘Babel’ in the am and probably a quiet evening….to rest up for another adventure in Pago Pago tomorrow – although since it will be Sunday, not sure many things will be open – but who knows – if I had 2,500 shoppers arriving in town for the day, I might consider opening for the day….
We’ve crossed the international date line so it’s Saturday again! According to the schedule of the trip I printed off, I thought we were going to be in Pago Pago today, but it’s another day at sea and we get there tomorrow. So another lazy day….
Off to see the movie ‘Babel’ in the am and probably a quiet evening….to rest up for another adventure in Pago Pago tomorrow – although since it will be Sunday, not sure many things will be open – but who knows – if I had 2,500 shoppers arriving in town for the day, I might consider opening for the day….
Sea and Suva
Another day at sea –
Sleeping and playing games by the pool. I actually got a little sun on my face and neck and my neck is red so it looks very funny against the white of my chest – red rooster neck!
That really was the extent of my day…and watching people dance in their sun chairs to YMCA – I took a video of it and hope I can post it some day….as I am sure everyone wants to see that!
PORT – Suva, Fiji
It doesn’t look like the tropical paradise I was expecting, as it was grey, foggy and overcast with rain! Kind of like London but warmer with a lot of humidity! It’s 25 today and 95% humidity….bad hair day all round!
It looks like it will clear up here in the next 30mins and off we go. No tour today, so we are going to wander the port and market – taking in the sights and sounds of Suva. Plus it’s always nice to get back on land and not be trapped with 2,500 passengers!
Later…..
Day in Suva was non-stop. It is a commercial heaving port capital city. Saturday was market day and I don’t think I have ever seen a larger fruit and veg market ever. It was massive and loads of different fruits, veg and shellfish for sale.
We spent some time wandering the crafts market looking at the local crafts of woodwork, tapa and shell jewellery. Dad purchased a few things but I haven’t found the right bits yet. We wandered down the main road until the end where the ‘president’ lives. I am sure most heard about the coup in the last couple of month. I can’t remember when it happened exactly, but it was a bloodless one and everyone doesn’t appear bothered. In fact, the Fijians are some of the most welcoming and warm people to meet – especially considering they still ate their enemy 150 years ago. I kept picking up these unusual bits of woodworking in the crafts market and wondered what they were. I later found out in the museum that they were forks to eat human flesh. They are most unusual, yet very pretty at the same time.
The museum was housed in the botanical garden. The botanical garden wasn’t as spectacular as Christchurch’s in NZ, but interesting nonetheless. Huge old vine-like trees and spider-like orchids. We have reached the South Pacific in all its humid glory as well – and still in the rainy season as so much of the gardens was flooded.
Under the shadow of a huge government building was a large field with a stand for fans. Cricket, football and rugby matches all taking place at the same time. We watched a while with the locals while the players were getting exceedingly muddy. All their whites were becoming brown with each play. We also passed the Fiji Bowling Club and there on a bright green field were about twelve men playing boles. All dressed in white with caps on. They looked Indian while the other field had mostly Fijian players.
Fiji’s population is half Indian which I was most surprised about and didn’t expect. Most of the traders in the local shops were Indians and curries were offered in every street corner. The city centre is pretty crazy, especially on Saturday as every inch was taken up with shoppers or people working in the shops. It was more crowded than Oxford Street on a Saturday, but it didn’t have the same feel. Everyone was just going about his or her business and with the warmth of the weather, somehow it just felt easier. There were loads of large stereos blaring out of the shops and on the streets advertising the radio station and a band playing in an open stage by the canal with a ferris wheel – walking in Suva on a Saturday definitely invades every sense!
Everyone says ‘Bula’ to you – meaning ’hello’ – from the policeman to the kids watching the games to the shop keepers and port authorities – with a gentleness in their spirit, a smile and warmth in their expression.
There wasn’t enough time to get out in the countryside – maybe next time. We were tired after our day out in Suva and returned to the ship once our Fijian dollars had run out!
It was a lovely way to start our trip touring the islands and I would definitely like to return to see the countryside and see how they live outside the city (the city was more modern than I expected it to be with internet cafes and very sophisticated coffee/pastry shops in the main shopping area in town). It was the first city I have been to in a very long time that didn’t have shops I have seen elsewhere – like the body shop, starbucks, French connection, etc. That to me was a relief….
Sleeping and playing games by the pool. I actually got a little sun on my face and neck and my neck is red so it looks very funny against the white of my chest – red rooster neck!
That really was the extent of my day…and watching people dance in their sun chairs to YMCA – I took a video of it and hope I can post it some day….as I am sure everyone wants to see that!
PORT – Suva, Fiji
It doesn’t look like the tropical paradise I was expecting, as it was grey, foggy and overcast with rain! Kind of like London but warmer with a lot of humidity! It’s 25 today and 95% humidity….bad hair day all round!
It looks like it will clear up here in the next 30mins and off we go. No tour today, so we are going to wander the port and market – taking in the sights and sounds of Suva. Plus it’s always nice to get back on land and not be trapped with 2,500 passengers!
Later…..
Day in Suva was non-stop. It is a commercial heaving port capital city. Saturday was market day and I don’t think I have ever seen a larger fruit and veg market ever. It was massive and loads of different fruits, veg and shellfish for sale.
We spent some time wandering the crafts market looking at the local crafts of woodwork, tapa and shell jewellery. Dad purchased a few things but I haven’t found the right bits yet. We wandered down the main road until the end where the ‘president’ lives. I am sure most heard about the coup in the last couple of month. I can’t remember when it happened exactly, but it was a bloodless one and everyone doesn’t appear bothered. In fact, the Fijians are some of the most welcoming and warm people to meet – especially considering they still ate their enemy 150 years ago. I kept picking up these unusual bits of woodworking in the crafts market and wondered what they were. I later found out in the museum that they were forks to eat human flesh. They are most unusual, yet very pretty at the same time.
The museum was housed in the botanical garden. The botanical garden wasn’t as spectacular as Christchurch’s in NZ, but interesting nonetheless. Huge old vine-like trees and spider-like orchids. We have reached the South Pacific in all its humid glory as well – and still in the rainy season as so much of the gardens was flooded.
Under the shadow of a huge government building was a large field with a stand for fans. Cricket, football and rugby matches all taking place at the same time. We watched a while with the locals while the players were getting exceedingly muddy. All their whites were becoming brown with each play. We also passed the Fiji Bowling Club and there on a bright green field were about twelve men playing boles. All dressed in white with caps on. They looked Indian while the other field had mostly Fijian players.
Fiji’s population is half Indian which I was most surprised about and didn’t expect. Most of the traders in the local shops were Indians and curries were offered in every street corner. The city centre is pretty crazy, especially on Saturday as every inch was taken up with shoppers or people working in the shops. It was more crowded than Oxford Street on a Saturday, but it didn’t have the same feel. Everyone was just going about his or her business and with the warmth of the weather, somehow it just felt easier. There were loads of large stereos blaring out of the shops and on the streets advertising the radio station and a band playing in an open stage by the canal with a ferris wheel – walking in Suva on a Saturday definitely invades every sense!
Everyone says ‘Bula’ to you – meaning ’hello’ – from the policeman to the kids watching the games to the shop keepers and port authorities – with a gentleness in their spirit, a smile and warmth in their expression.
There wasn’t enough time to get out in the countryside – maybe next time. We were tired after our day out in Suva and returned to the ship once our Fijian dollars had run out!
It was a lovely way to start our trip touring the islands and I would definitely like to return to see the countryside and see how they live outside the city (the city was more modern than I expected it to be with internet cafes and very sophisticated coffee/pastry shops in the main shopping area in town). It was the first city I have been to in a very long time that didn’t have shops I have seen elsewhere – like the body shop, starbucks, French connection, etc. That to me was a relief….
Thursday, 26 April 2007
two sea days before fiji
did absolutely nothing on the first sea day from auckland. stayed in bed until 8am (which is a real feat when sharing a room with my father!) . i think i have him sleeping in until 6am which is unheard of!
skipped breakfast - as leslie said - you don't have to eat EVERY meal! and when to the morning stretch class. they only have yoga every 3rd day and it's been mostly held on port days. only been able to manage one class. but it was packed.
one thing i have really noticed is the lack of courtesy on this ship - the other passengers will mow you down for a better place in the queue and will cut you off without a second thought. these OAPs will then look at you like "what are you going to say about it, huh" as i say, no please - go right ahead. with 2,500 passengers it can be pretty brutal out there to get a sweet or ask a question of the staff.
and everyone knows more than everyone else. it's like a competition or who has been where on what cruise and who has done what where - and who knows more about what is happening in the ports or on the ship or IN THE WORLD! everyone has to tell you how it is and what an expert they are on a city or place and how many times they have been there so they should know.
i've heard of someone not getting off the ship in auckland because he was there in 1974 and he's been there - no need to see anything. must not have changed much, huh?
have met some nice people - a lot Canadians and a woman from RSA who nows lives in Canada. The wine tour had a lot of social people in the group (of course!) so that was fun and lively.
will have to post photos of people in our dining group so you can see who i dine with every evening! one of the gentlemen is a real live EXTRA in movies and TV shows in Las vegas. he was in oceans 11 and in the show las vegas. he even got his car a part in a movie....you gotta be there....another grows roses and was a choral teacher in a high school in iowa. another couple retired to FL from CT, the extra and his wife retired to las vegas and the last couple are from northern ireland originally and have lived in toronto for over 30 years now.
looks like i will do nothing again today. maybe sleep again....although the sea has been V. calm,, i do think i wake up a lot through the night due to the ship's movements. it is very quiet out there and i am grateful since i don't think i could handle much turbulance.
skipped breakfast - as leslie said - you don't have to eat EVERY meal! and when to the morning stretch class. they only have yoga every 3rd day and it's been mostly held on port days. only been able to manage one class. but it was packed.
one thing i have really noticed is the lack of courtesy on this ship - the other passengers will mow you down for a better place in the queue and will cut you off without a second thought. these OAPs will then look at you like "what are you going to say about it, huh" as i say, no please - go right ahead. with 2,500 passengers it can be pretty brutal out there to get a sweet or ask a question of the staff.
and everyone knows more than everyone else. it's like a competition or who has been where on what cruise and who has done what where - and who knows more about what is happening in the ports or on the ship or IN THE WORLD! everyone has to tell you how it is and what an expert they are on a city or place and how many times they have been there so they should know.
i've heard of someone not getting off the ship in auckland because he was there in 1974 and he's been there - no need to see anything. must not have changed much, huh?
have met some nice people - a lot Canadians and a woman from RSA who nows lives in Canada. The wine tour had a lot of social people in the group (of course!) so that was fun and lively.
will have to post photos of people in our dining group so you can see who i dine with every evening! one of the gentlemen is a real live EXTRA in movies and TV shows in Las vegas. he was in oceans 11 and in the show las vegas. he even got his car a part in a movie....you gotta be there....another grows roses and was a choral teacher in a high school in iowa. another couple retired to FL from CT, the extra and his wife retired to las vegas and the last couple are from northern ireland originally and have lived in toronto for over 30 years now.
looks like i will do nothing again today. maybe sleep again....although the sea has been V. calm,, i do think i wake up a lot through the night due to the ship's movements. it is very quiet out there and i am grateful since i don't think i could handle much turbulance.
Auckland and wine country
Day at sea –
Did absolutely nothing! Truly……wandered around the ship and took in a treatment at the spa – body scrub with back, neck and foot massage. Then had to get dressed for dinner….really taxing day.
But I do get up relatively early since dad gets up – so I still feel a bit tired. With two days at sea coming up, I think I’ll be able to catch up on rest.
Last day in NZ
Docked in Auckland today – ANZAC day today so there will be parades with their rememberance today. We are off on a full day on the Matakana Wine Trail. There are about 80 of the ‘cruisers’ on this tour and it’s a lovely day to go out into the countryside. Plus we haven’t seen any of the countryside from land as we have spent our days wandering the cities. So won’t get a chance to experience Auckland this time – but surely going try some the wines of the region!
Matakana is one hour north of Auckland so it’s pretty easy access. First stop is Ascension vineyard and café. It’s actually pretty busy since it’s a national holiday and all cafes add an extra 15% onto the bill since it is a holiday. Supposedly it helps to pay for the wages for the day since employees get time and half – or at least that was what we were told.
It was a very informal wine tasting and no tour given of the facilities which I was surprised about. Just getting everyone into a large room and we tasted four wines and the port. Nothing particularly special really - a pinot gris, a chardonnay, rose and a cab merlot mix. The port was the most interesting and we’ve purchased a little bottle to partake during this ‘epic voyage’.
The landscape was beautiful around the countryside. Very green and lush.
Then off to a ceramic shop which sold beautiful pieces, but so heavy that I couldn’t purchase anything. One plate must have weighed seven pounds – easily. But the designs were beautiful. The shop was call Duncan & James. The website is:
Then on to an old fashioned museum with very old kauri trees outside. The oldest one was 800 years old and it was majestic and very impressive. There was another one that was 600 years old, but when compared next to the other one, it looked so young in comparison. It was wonderful to touch something that has been alive for so long and very humbling.
Then on to the next vineyard – Ransom Wines. The setting was more beautiful than the last vineyard and they served local cheeses with the wines. We tried five wines – another pinot gris, chardonnay, rose, claret and cab mix – and the cheeses were lovely with the wines. A very good cheddar….yum! the display of the cheeses was on a board created from the oak barrels – very elegant. Yet another thing that would have been great, but not practical in terms of weight and space.
Then back to the ship. We made reservations at one of the two speciality restaurants on board that you have to pay extra for….we went to the Italian one which wasn’t bad. I couldn’t eat all the food – especially after the rich day of wine tasting. But it was good to not have to be ‘on’ for our usual table of nine people. We have a nice group of diners at our table but 28 days of eating together….sometimes a break is needed.
Did absolutely nothing! Truly……wandered around the ship and took in a treatment at the spa – body scrub with back, neck and foot massage. Then had to get dressed for dinner….really taxing day.
But I do get up relatively early since dad gets up – so I still feel a bit tired. With two days at sea coming up, I think I’ll be able to catch up on rest.
Last day in NZ
Docked in Auckland today – ANZAC day today so there will be parades with their rememberance today. We are off on a full day on the Matakana Wine Trail. There are about 80 of the ‘cruisers’ on this tour and it’s a lovely day to go out into the countryside. Plus we haven’t seen any of the countryside from land as we have spent our days wandering the cities. So won’t get a chance to experience Auckland this time – but surely going try some the wines of the region!
Matakana is one hour north of Auckland so it’s pretty easy access. First stop is Ascension vineyard and café. It’s actually pretty busy since it’s a national holiday and all cafes add an extra 15% onto the bill since it is a holiday. Supposedly it helps to pay for the wages for the day since employees get time and half – or at least that was what we were told.
It was a very informal wine tasting and no tour given of the facilities which I was surprised about. Just getting everyone into a large room and we tasted four wines and the port. Nothing particularly special really - a pinot gris, a chardonnay, rose and a cab merlot mix. The port was the most interesting and we’ve purchased a little bottle to partake during this ‘epic voyage’.
The landscape was beautiful around the countryside. Very green and lush.
Then off to a ceramic shop which sold beautiful pieces, but so heavy that I couldn’t purchase anything. One plate must have weighed seven pounds – easily. But the designs were beautiful. The shop was call Duncan & James. The website is:
Then on to an old fashioned museum with very old kauri trees outside. The oldest one was 800 years old and it was majestic and very impressive. There was another one that was 600 years old, but when compared next to the other one, it looked so young in comparison. It was wonderful to touch something that has been alive for so long and very humbling.
Then on to the next vineyard – Ransom Wines. The setting was more beautiful than the last vineyard and they served local cheeses with the wines. We tried five wines – another pinot gris, chardonnay, rose, claret and cab mix – and the cheeses were lovely with the wines. A very good cheddar….yum! the display of the cheeses was on a board created from the oak barrels – very elegant. Yet another thing that would have been great, but not practical in terms of weight and space.
Then back to the ship. We made reservations at one of the two speciality restaurants on board that you have to pay extra for….we went to the Italian one which wasn’t bad. I couldn’t eat all the food – especially after the rich day of wine tasting. But it was good to not have to be ‘on’ for our usual table of nine people. We have a nice group of diners at our table but 28 days of eating together….sometimes a break is needed.
Monday, 23 April 2007
I CANNOT POST IMAGES!!!!
this is driving me crazy! i have tried jpeg, bitmap, and tiff! none work. the images are 1.3mb in size.
if anyone has any idea what is going wrong here - PLEASE let me know. my blog is nothing without visuals....it's just boring!
HELP!!!!!
if anyone has any idea what is going wrong here - PLEASE let me know. my blog is nothing without visuals....it's just boring!
HELP!!!!!
Wellington
Day out in wellington!
Another day in NZ and as we head north it becomes warmer and brighter each day! Finally see the sun and at moments feel a little heat. We are taking a city cruise on a bus and the cable car up the mountain to ‘take in all the sights’ the city has to offer.
Went around all the island and saw the views from al various angles. There are some amazing properties built up on the hills with the only access is by personal cable cars. They have a garage for their cars on the road, then have a separate access next to it to board their personal car to ride up the hill to their cliff top home! Talk about privacy! Living all the way in NZ on a hilltop with no access except by cable car!
Went into town and road the cable car up the hill to the botanic gardens and over to ‘Lady Norwood’s Rose Garden’ – and although it isn’t the season for roses down here, there were some beautiful ones in bloom. And the begonias were amazing too!
Then on to the pub (of course!) by the harbour in order to keep our spirits and weight up! It was situated right beside the Te Papa museum which was a huge new building with all kinds of interactive exhibits on display for kids and adults. Saw many of the native animals (casts or stuffed) and read about the changes NZ has experienced with introducing plants and wildlife to the land. Many of the native species have become extinct and there was a place where probably one hundred animals, plants and flowers were listed in memorium. There was also a place to be in a house and experience the earthquake that shook a little town further north in the 1930’s (I think). Having never been in an earthquake, it was fun to experience since I knew it wasn’t real. As one woman said after the quake – the people who experienced it for real surely weren’t laughing and smiling like we were.
Had to do some final shopping as it’s a national holiday Wednesday in NZ – ANZAC day – their remembrance day, so many things might not be open – but we are off to the wineries so we probably won’t get much shopping done anyway! Purchased a few things, but not much really. I know I am spoilt for choice in London with shopping and going to Wellington just isn’t the same. Hopefully the islands in the pacfic will be good for unusal shopping.
Made it back to dinner in the evening. Everyone seemed to have missed me the evening before – we do have a funny group and have jolly conversations. There is one Northern Ireland couple who have lived in Toronto for the last 30+ years and the rest are from the US. There are a lot of people from Australia, Canada and the UK on board, but mainly Americans. I think they said there are 44 nationalities represented out of the 2,500 passengers.
I am not the youngest on board as I have seen a young family with three young kids (about 4 – 10 in age). I thought they must be home schooled in order to make this trip. Although I haven’t seen them today. Some people have gotten off along the way so maybe they are only doing NZ and then getting off to return home. I’ll have to keep my eye out for them!
Another day in NZ and as we head north it becomes warmer and brighter each day! Finally see the sun and at moments feel a little heat. We are taking a city cruise on a bus and the cable car up the mountain to ‘take in all the sights’ the city has to offer.
Went around all the island and saw the views from al various angles. There are some amazing properties built up on the hills with the only access is by personal cable cars. They have a garage for their cars on the road, then have a separate access next to it to board their personal car to ride up the hill to their cliff top home! Talk about privacy! Living all the way in NZ on a hilltop with no access except by cable car!
Went into town and road the cable car up the hill to the botanic gardens and over to ‘Lady Norwood’s Rose Garden’ – and although it isn’t the season for roses down here, there were some beautiful ones in bloom. And the begonias were amazing too!
Then on to the pub (of course!) by the harbour in order to keep our spirits and weight up! It was situated right beside the Te Papa museum which was a huge new building with all kinds of interactive exhibits on display for kids and adults. Saw many of the native animals (casts or stuffed) and read about the changes NZ has experienced with introducing plants and wildlife to the land. Many of the native species have become extinct and there was a place where probably one hundred animals, plants and flowers were listed in memorium. There was also a place to be in a house and experience the earthquake that shook a little town further north in the 1930’s (I think). Having never been in an earthquake, it was fun to experience since I knew it wasn’t real. As one woman said after the quake – the people who experienced it for real surely weren’t laughing and smiling like we were.
Had to do some final shopping as it’s a national holiday Wednesday in NZ – ANZAC day – their remembrance day, so many things might not be open – but we are off to the wineries so we probably won’t get much shopping done anyway! Purchased a few things, but not much really. I know I am spoilt for choice in London with shopping and going to Wellington just isn’t the same. Hopefully the islands in the pacfic will be good for unusal shopping.
Made it back to dinner in the evening. Everyone seemed to have missed me the evening before – we do have a funny group and have jolly conversations. There is one Northern Ireland couple who have lived in Toronto for the last 30+ years and the rest are from the US. There are a lot of people from Australia, Canada and the UK on board, but mainly Americans. I think they said there are 44 nationalities represented out of the 2,500 passengers.
I am not the youngest on board as I have seen a young family with three young kids (about 4 – 10 in age). I thought they must be home schooled in order to make this trip. Although I haven’t seen them today. Some people have gotten off along the way so maybe they are only doing NZ and then getting off to return home. I’ll have to keep my eye out for them!
two days in port!
Day in port – Port Chalmers/Dunedin
First day at port – and took a wildlife cruise with dad. Saw the following: shags/cormorants, terns, gulls, black swans, the Australasian gannet, and ducks. What were most impressive were the northern royal albatross (wing span 3 metres) – saw two adults and half a dozen chicks plus feeding; new Zealand seals – about twenty including one large male and loads of pups and a solo tiny blue penguin, just floating along….
It was pretty cold and windy at sea, but seeing these creatures in the wild was just amazing.
After our cruise we went into Dunedin and wandered around. Not much to the town really and not interesting shopping. We went to the art gallery which was impressive for such a small town with loads of british painters represented – only four rooms which was great considering we didn’t have much time there.
Back at the dining room with our table of nine – dinning is getting harder and harder each day. Servings are massive and food plentiful everywhere. There is not enough time between feedings and I am going to have to opt out! Everyone at the table appeared to have a good day all doing various things at port. And then they rush off to the evenings show while my father and I sit and chat before heading to the room – pretty exhausted to have an early night.
Day in port – Lyttleton/Christchurch
Another day, another port. Went on another wildlife cruise and it was even colder today when going out to the pacific. Saw the usual oceanic birds but went out in search of the hector dolphins. Couldn’t find them until we were well out and then they came out to play! They are the smallest dolphins in the world measuring just over a metre and the babies are normally the size of a rugby ball. We first saw three females with three pups and then there were about 12 which stayed with our boat for about 20 mins. It was pretty amazing to see them off and about in the wild. There are only about 7,000 in the world so it was a lovely morning.
Off into town - Christchurch was lovely. We went to the arts centre with a market and food stalls. Very local feel about everything. The art centre is in and around the old building of the Canterbury University. All local artists and food from all over the world. Right across the street is the botantic gardens which were truly lovely. The autumn colors of the trees and some flowers (dahlias) in bloom – made the walk around the park special and the perfect backdrop for so many photos.
After boarding the ship – I was so chilled to the bone that I went directly to the sauna in order to warm up (tough life – I know). They have these wooden beds in the sauna that are covered in tiles which are heated in the centre – there are only five of them and are extremely popular after the wet sauna for relaxing and mainly sleeping. I don’t think anyone who reclines on them stays awake for long – I passed out pretty quickly until the announcement came on asking for a couple of passengers to check in to make sure we didn’t leave anyone behind!
Had to forego dinner tonight – just couldn’t face another couple of courses – my body needs a break! But my father, being the champ he is, went solo. He will not be beat!
First day at port – and took a wildlife cruise with dad. Saw the following: shags/cormorants, terns, gulls, black swans, the Australasian gannet, and ducks. What were most impressive were the northern royal albatross (wing span 3 metres) – saw two adults and half a dozen chicks plus feeding; new Zealand seals – about twenty including one large male and loads of pups and a solo tiny blue penguin, just floating along….
It was pretty cold and windy at sea, but seeing these creatures in the wild was just amazing.
After our cruise we went into Dunedin and wandered around. Not much to the town really and not interesting shopping. We went to the art gallery which was impressive for such a small town with loads of british painters represented – only four rooms which was great considering we didn’t have much time there.
Back at the dining room with our table of nine – dinning is getting harder and harder each day. Servings are massive and food plentiful everywhere. There is not enough time between feedings and I am going to have to opt out! Everyone at the table appeared to have a good day all doing various things at port. And then they rush off to the evenings show while my father and I sit and chat before heading to the room – pretty exhausted to have an early night.
Day in port – Lyttleton/Christchurch
Another day, another port. Went on another wildlife cruise and it was even colder today when going out to the pacific. Saw the usual oceanic birds but went out in search of the hector dolphins. Couldn’t find them until we were well out and then they came out to play! They are the smallest dolphins in the world measuring just over a metre and the babies are normally the size of a rugby ball. We first saw three females with three pups and then there were about 12 which stayed with our boat for about 20 mins. It was pretty amazing to see them off and about in the wild. There are only about 7,000 in the world so it was a lovely morning.
Off into town - Christchurch was lovely. We went to the arts centre with a market and food stalls. Very local feel about everything. The art centre is in and around the old building of the Canterbury University. All local artists and food from all over the world. Right across the street is the botantic gardens which were truly lovely. The autumn colors of the trees and some flowers (dahlias) in bloom – made the walk around the park special and the perfect backdrop for so many photos.
After boarding the ship – I was so chilled to the bone that I went directly to the sauna in order to warm up (tough life – I know). They have these wooden beds in the sauna that are covered in tiles which are heated in the centre – there are only five of them and are extremely popular after the wet sauna for relaxing and mainly sleeping. I don’t think anyone who reclines on them stays awake for long – I passed out pretty quickly until the announcement came on asking for a couple of passengers to check in to make sure we didn’t leave anyone behind!
Had to forego dinner tonight – just couldn’t face another couple of courses – my body needs a break! But my father, being the champ he is, went solo. He will not be beat!
Friday, 20 April 2007
friday, 20 april
still can't upload images for some crazy reason! my life is so boring unless it's illustrated! hopefully i can get some uploaded soon! (amity if you see this - help!)
went to the fiordland national park in new zealand today - weather perfect (V. cold!) for most the day - bright and sunny for the morning part - and grey and raining (typical!) for the rest of the day! gorgeous landscape but not many sightings of wildlife. one seal and many birds.
cruising is a very hygenic environment! you have to have your hands glossed with anti-bacterial dry wash before entering an eating station! staff clean their hands with it all the time. it's very strange as you feel that you can't sneeze without infecting someone - and considering the average age on this cruise is at least 60/65 - you could be a mass murder!
most of the people i have met are real cruisers - they go on at least one cruise a year. this is a cult and i am afriad that we will all become members with age. it is a good way to travel, but v, strange. the crew is from all over the world and yet some i have spoken with aren't v. happy with their jobs. long hours, small cabins and i'm not sure about the pay - but it does seem a bit 'disney world' with them having to be cheery each morning saying ' good morning ma'am' and i'm not used to that. you have to go through that four or five times to just get juice in the am and i'm not kidding.
we had a 'formal night' last night and got all dressed up. my father looked v. hansom and my hair was a wreck! sea air for you! some of the 'get-ups' were AMAZINGLY revealing for 50-70 year olds. and then there was the woman i spotted in my M&S dress - yes - we own the same dress! thank GOD i didn't wear it on the same night! it would have been too embarrassing! but as my father said, no one would have recognised it as the same dress as she was wearing it as a long dress and mine is MUCH shorter (and a couple of sizes smaller!)
i know i sound very bitchy, and i don't mean too! but it is a different world and yet strangely the same.
tomorrow our first port - port chalmers and the town of dunedin in new zealand. leslie - you will be proud that i found out there is a pub where gwyneth paltrow and chris martin hung out - so i wil drag my father to make a stop to the 'STAR PUB'. only the best for us in the big city of dunedin! we have a wildlife cruise in the am and left to wander on our own in the pm.
maybe by tomorrow i can post some images and stop boring you with my commentary!
love to you all!
sx
went to the fiordland national park in new zealand today - weather perfect (V. cold!) for most the day - bright and sunny for the morning part - and grey and raining (typical!) for the rest of the day! gorgeous landscape but not many sightings of wildlife. one seal and many birds.
cruising is a very hygenic environment! you have to have your hands glossed with anti-bacterial dry wash before entering an eating station! staff clean their hands with it all the time. it's very strange as you feel that you can't sneeze without infecting someone - and considering the average age on this cruise is at least 60/65 - you could be a mass murder!
most of the people i have met are real cruisers - they go on at least one cruise a year. this is a cult and i am afriad that we will all become members with age. it is a good way to travel, but v, strange. the crew is from all over the world and yet some i have spoken with aren't v. happy with their jobs. long hours, small cabins and i'm not sure about the pay - but it does seem a bit 'disney world' with them having to be cheery each morning saying ' good morning ma'am' and i'm not used to that. you have to go through that four or five times to just get juice in the am and i'm not kidding.
we had a 'formal night' last night and got all dressed up. my father looked v. hansom and my hair was a wreck! sea air for you! some of the 'get-ups' were AMAZINGLY revealing for 50-70 year olds. and then there was the woman i spotted in my M&S dress - yes - we own the same dress! thank GOD i didn't wear it on the same night! it would have been too embarrassing! but as my father said, no one would have recognised it as the same dress as she was wearing it as a long dress and mine is MUCH shorter (and a couple of sizes smaller!)
i know i sound very bitchy, and i don't mean too! but it is a different world and yet strangely the same.
tomorrow our first port - port chalmers and the town of dunedin in new zealand. leslie - you will be proud that i found out there is a pub where gwyneth paltrow and chris martin hung out - so i wil drag my father to make a stop to the 'STAR PUB'. only the best for us in the big city of dunedin! we have a wildlife cruise in the am and left to wander on our own in the pm.
maybe by tomorrow i can post some images and stop boring you with my commentary!
love to you all!
sx
Thursday, 19 April 2007
can't up load photos!
so that will have to follow! too fustrated now to try to get it organised! photos are the best part (right?) and i will have to get that part organised or this is a boring blog - no?
check in later as i will hopefully get it sorted - fingers crossed!
sx
check in later as i will hopefully get it sorted - fingers crossed!
sx
one week gone!
what happened to the first week? here i am on the cruise and sydney seems a memory away (only two days ago!) so how to catch you up?
Day one - arrived on sydney and walked oxford street and went to paddington market. v. exhausted by the end of the day - so early night....
day two - decided a trip to the blue mountains would be good - didn't have to make decisions about where to go and what to see in sydney. just had to catch and bus and be driven! and it was such a great day! met lovely people and saw beautiful landscape - and pet a koala, joey and wallaby - plus so much more! life is V. good!
day three - botantical gardens and seeing the bats! it was so wonderful - you have to be there to understand how perfect and magical it was. seeing the opera house, mca, the rocks, etc. and wandering until my calves were sore and literally ached in the night! wow!
day four - meeting karon's marvelous friend nell - V. lovely and had a great time meeting her! then rushing to stand in a queue to board the ship - and it is HUGE! 2,500 people + 1,800 staff! got too much sun waiting so bright red! met up with dad in the cabin around 3:30 - went ashore for a last pint before the 'epic voyage' (as the captain has now called it) for 29 days!
day five - already have eaten too much! always planning the next meal and there is so much to eat! meeting people on board and my age group is in the minority for this long a cruise! most people have cruised NUMEROUS times so i think i am in the minority for having a 'blue card' - it's kind of like AMEX where you have blue, silver, gold, platinum and black depending on your status as a princess cruiser! of course my father is platinum so i get to reap the benefits of 'an oldie' but have the wide eyed wonder of a novice! went to the morning quiz and although we didn't win, we didn't do badly. then went to the spa and passed out on the heated beds - V. busy morning. of course, more eating....and then the day is gone! have to sit with the same people in the evening as we are assigned a table (40) and all seem jolly enough - some more than others....all yanks but one man from northern ireland. we only have to spend two hours a day together so it isn't bad....felt a bit seasick - don't know when i will gain my sea legs!
day six - diet and yoga - thank god! my body felt about sixty years old since i still wake at 2am - plus have lost two hours in the last two days (one hour each night). can't seem to get a handle on the time changes! i think there will be five more - at least that's what someone said today! tomorrow finally reach new zealand - although not getting off the ship - only a tour by boat of the national parkland - fiordland. looks amazing in the photos i have seen! will post my own tomorrow! another early day as we each there about 7am. went to the art auction today - OH....MY....GOD....that's all i can say....but they are selling....the STUFF.....whatever you want to call it! have forgone the last two nights of 'shows'. don't know about the quality of evening shows yet - but people keep talking about it - maybe because there's nothing else to do - who knows....but i opted to finally get on the computer and write this blog....so let's hope at least one of you reads it!
i'll post the photos of what i have done so far!
Day one - arrived on sydney and walked oxford street and went to paddington market. v. exhausted by the end of the day - so early night....
day two - decided a trip to the blue mountains would be good - didn't have to make decisions about where to go and what to see in sydney. just had to catch and bus and be driven! and it was such a great day! met lovely people and saw beautiful landscape - and pet a koala, joey and wallaby - plus so much more! life is V. good!
day three - botantical gardens and seeing the bats! it was so wonderful - you have to be there to understand how perfect and magical it was. seeing the opera house, mca, the rocks, etc. and wandering until my calves were sore and literally ached in the night! wow!
day four - meeting karon's marvelous friend nell - V. lovely and had a great time meeting her! then rushing to stand in a queue to board the ship - and it is HUGE! 2,500 people + 1,800 staff! got too much sun waiting so bright red! met up with dad in the cabin around 3:30 - went ashore for a last pint before the 'epic voyage' (as the captain has now called it) for 29 days!
day five - already have eaten too much! always planning the next meal and there is so much to eat! meeting people on board and my age group is in the minority for this long a cruise! most people have cruised NUMEROUS times so i think i am in the minority for having a 'blue card' - it's kind of like AMEX where you have blue, silver, gold, platinum and black depending on your status as a princess cruiser! of course my father is platinum so i get to reap the benefits of 'an oldie' but have the wide eyed wonder of a novice! went to the morning quiz and although we didn't win, we didn't do badly. then went to the spa and passed out on the heated beds - V. busy morning. of course, more eating....and then the day is gone! have to sit with the same people in the evening as we are assigned a table (40) and all seem jolly enough - some more than others....all yanks but one man from northern ireland. we only have to spend two hours a day together so it isn't bad....felt a bit seasick - don't know when i will gain my sea legs!
day six - diet and yoga - thank god! my body felt about sixty years old since i still wake at 2am - plus have lost two hours in the last two days (one hour each night). can't seem to get a handle on the time changes! i think there will be five more - at least that's what someone said today! tomorrow finally reach new zealand - although not getting off the ship - only a tour by boat of the national parkland - fiordland. looks amazing in the photos i have seen! will post my own tomorrow! another early day as we each there about 7am. went to the art auction today - OH....MY....GOD....that's all i can say....but they are selling....the STUFF.....whatever you want to call it! have forgone the last two nights of 'shows'. don't know about the quality of evening shows yet - but people keep talking about it - maybe because there's nothing else to do - who knows....but i opted to finally get on the computer and write this blog....so let's hope at least one of you reads it!
i'll post the photos of what i have done so far!
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