January 19, 2018 Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

Today we finally landed at Taiohae, Nuku Hiva , after 8 days at sea. Now mind you the sea days went fast for us as we were just too busy. But it was fun to see land again. This is a very small island, and we tender in. Well we almost didn’t, not because of the weather, but because off the tenders, had a problem. We went upstairs to the pool on the Lido deck to get tender tickets, and there was a line all the way around the pool. So much for being early, and we got our tickets, blue 8. We figured that might make the second tender. Ok so we sit down to wait, they call the first tender, through 4, so we will be next, well we were, but that was 2 half hours later. Seems two tenders had mechanical problems, and they had to be fixed. 

It was a beautiful day, 75 degrees and mostly sunny and there was a breeze, thank God as the sun was very intense, so it felt like about 95!  This was why we wanted to go over earlier. So much for plans. At our sail-in they opened the bow, and served juice, coffee, and Polynesian rolls/ Panama rolls! I don’t care what they call them there good. So we went to deck three, and made our way there to get them, mind you we were there at 6:45 am, those of you that know me, know I don’t do early mornings, but I’m learning too! 

This area is not normally open. 

 
We arrived to druming, and pipeing-in from the natives, so cool!

So now we were off for a walk, hot, dry, muggy, we headed to see the church. Then we headed back, ed claimed almost up to the church, but the first big hill to get there whipped me out. It was noon and the intensity of the sun was getting to me.  So we headed back the mile to the gift and restaurant area, to get a coke. 

  

Ed standing in the shade on the way back with the Amsterdam in the back. And  I bought a pretty lai for my head, to wear tomorrow night to Polynesian night Dinner. 

  

 

Making head lai.                       The people are very good carvers. 

So now it was time to head backstory the ship and a late lunch, and a cool drink so we did just that. 

January 17,2018 7th sea day

Good morning, it is a bright and sunny day here, 77 * and 7:39 in the morning. We are now on Anchorage time as we gained another hour last night. These 25 hour days are starting to be enjoyable.  And it appears we will gain another hour tonight. 

What’s happening around the ship? Yesterday we crossed the equator on Monday for the first time, we will do that 4 more times. So they had a ceremony for all the kids that are getting off in Sydney, we missed seeing it, but if you go to the captins blog,,, captinjonathan.com   he posted lots of pictures. He is up late. LOL

We have been asked for pictures of the cabin so I will try to do that now. 

Looking from the balcony 

Lookin the other way

Our desk area, and Aka Cindy’s make-up area, and a pice of the balcony, it’s pretty big but hard to photograph. 

January 16, 2018 6th sea day

Good morning, I just returned from my watercolor class, and decided, I better try to catch up a bit, or it will never happen. As I said before there is sooooo much to do it is hard to find time to do it all. Even with gaining time. We are now on California time. We gained another hour last night, so this is another 25 hour day. So I decided I better put it to good use and catch you up on what’s happening on the ship. 

We had our second Galla/Formal night last night. It was the black and silver ball, and it was very nice. The dinning room was decorated spectacularly. Every one revived a mask, the chairs were all covered in eaither black or white coverslips.  And the menu was special too. We once again had a ships officer sit at the empty place we have at the table, and that proved to be very informative. She is the HR officer, and is from Blackpool, UK. And our table mate Kathie had been there! She was really surprised that some knew where it was, let alone been there!  So it mad for lively conversation. So we got to the ball a bit late, but that was okay, we weren’t going to stay long anyway. 

When we returned we had another pillow gift. A game called Grandventure, it’s a takeoff on monopoly, only it has our map and the ports we are stopping at! Really cool, amazes me that they were able to make a game for us all, that is so specialized. 

So as I said, I have finished my first ever watercolor painting, and I have a photo of it below. 

Tucan

Ed is still doing tie-chee every day, and it really makes him feel good, so I think he will keep it up. Now we will have to find out if they have a Wee program he can use when we get home. 

I will try to publish this and see what luck we have.