Plans for Cabo San Lucas

Tomorrow morning we anchor in Cabo San Lucas and I thought I'd start the day with some snorkeling.... Here are my plans:

Chileno Bay Sail & Snorkel

DURATION: Approximately 3 1/2 hours
Board the Tropicat, a 65-foot catamaran equipped with waterslide, restrooms and all Coast Guard-approved safety equipment. Sail to Chileno Bay, cruising by Cabo's famed Lover's Beach, past the Sea Lion Colony, the arch, and the towering rock formations of Land's End. Snorkel among the tropical fish in the azure waters of the Sea of Cortés in a bay featuring a large reef which is home to parrotfish, angelfish, moorish idols, manta rays, and many more. Adventurous types can swim to the beach and for first-timers, snorkel lessons are available on request. Each guest will be outfitted with snorkel gear and a mandatory flotation vest. On the return voyage, an assortment of finger foods and open-bar drinks will be served. Relax as the sails are hoisted and enjoy the beauty of Los Cabos!

Day 66 At Sea

Today was a pretty good start for the Panama Canal cruise. The weather was nice and sunny, a little cool but warm enough. I haven’t got a feel for the new crowd yet. There are still a pretty large number of people with a very large number of life experiences. There is also a pretty good cross section of people who may be a bit more active. It’s still too early to tell. I didn’t go to dinner last night so I don’t know who I’m sitting with yet. I took a look at the menu and decided that it wasn’t worth staying up late for on a night where we lost an hour. Dinner now starts at 8:30 pm….about a half hour later. I’m not real thrilled with that… I get up pretty early, Oh Well!

I noticed a comment from my friend “Whitey” about my use of the phrase "Hopefully all the disagreeable types will have left….". I tried to put it nicely rather than “Pain in the ---“. These are the people who would get on tour buses first thing and pull all the reserved for handicap signs off the seats and make themselves comfortable (they were not handicapped, at least physically). When the handicapped people would get on the bus they wouldn’t budge and send them handicap people to the back of the bus, struggling all the way. I would like to say that this disgusting practice was limited but alas it was not. These people are making there own Karma…. There we also the people who complained incessantly about anything and everything all day every day….. Unbelievable! There were the “special” people who felt they deserved to go to the front no matter how long the line. Finally, there were the people who felt in some way that they were the “guest police” who were required to chastise or make rude comments to other guests. Now don’t get me wrong, this was not the case for the majority of guests onboard. Most of the people were very nice and I enjoyed meeting many great people. As for the crew, they were tremendous (except for the shore excursion team who were the least knowledgeable and helpful people I have encountered working on a ship). Did I mention they could be a bit rude and get quite short with guests? As I said I met many wonderful people on the Asia voyage. Of note were a group of twelve ladies from New York traveling together who were just a joy to spend time with. I had a great time with Ron & Glenda from Texas who I plan on seeing again in 2009. I enjoyed bantering with Dianne from Canada, Eh. The people at my table in the dining room were a very diverse group and a lot of fun. There were many more who I enjoyed spending time with so don’t feel slighted if I failed to mention you….. All in all it was pretty good.

Day 65 San Diego California, USA

Today was an end to a magnificent Asia Voyage and the beginning of a Panama Canal Cruise. I got off the ship early about 0900, went through US Customs and headed for UPS. I got rid of a bunch of stuff I won’t need going forward including my souvenirs from my Asian Voyage. I then had a wonderful visit with a very dear friend, Alaine. We have been friends for just over 30 years. We went for lunch in Little Italy and had a great lunch. We walked around town a bit and ultimately went to Balboa Park…. Nice. It was such a treat to see a really special friend in the middle of my Mega Voyage….

Coming to the end of a great voyage....

The Asia, Australia & Polynesia Voyage has come to a close and I am still dazzled by some of the sights… I met some really special people along the way which adds a great deal to the over all experience. I still can’t get over the beauty of Japan with its stunning temples and magnificent gardens. I could snorkel the Great Barrier Reef forever and not get tired of it. The visit to the Great Wall of China and Terra Cotta Warriors fulfilled dreams of a lifetime. The vibrant nature of Hong Kong and the beauty of Bali will always be amazing to me. I can never get enough of Australia and the many islands throughout Polynesia. The voyage certainly fulfilled my expectations and I look forward to venturing forth again next year when the ms Amsterdam once again sails on an Asian adventure....

Day 64 At Sea

Our last day at sea turned out OK…. The temperature outside was only 58 degrees but warm enough to sit in the sun all day. I really, really enjoyed it! After spending the bulk of the last two days working on photos I needed a day of sun and relaxation. I plan on getting off the ship fairly early, before my friend Alaine shows up to go to the post office. I plan on getting rid of some stuff and send it to my friend Mike who is pulling my mail for me while I’m gone. I don’t really want to accumulate or hold on to stuff I don’t need for the seven months. It will probably be expensive but…. price of doing business. Tomorrow we arrive at 0700 and depart with a new group of folks headed on a 17 day Panama Canal Voyage. There are about 36 people from the Asia, Australia & Polynesia Explorer Voyage staying on for at least one more. Hopefully all the disagreeable types will have left….

Day 63 At Sea Thanksgiving Day

Today was pretty slow. The weather continues to be crappy. Is the sail from Hawaii to San Diego always crappy this time of year? I worked most of the day on my photos and am fairly pleased. I pretty much have the photos done for a 2 volume set of photo books for this Asia, Australia and Polynesia Voyage. I hope it turns out at least as good as my books for the World Voyage 2007. Its time to get my Tux out and get dressed for Thanksgiving dinner. I hope all your Thanksgiving holidays turned out great....

Day 62 At Sea

Today was mostly overcast and windy, very little sun….. I spent most of the day working on my books until…. The sun came out… I popped up to the upper deck and relaxed in the sun for a couple of hours and then back to the books. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and our last formal night. To all my friends and family out there, have a great Thanksgiving. Giving thanks that I’m not there is cool too…. Whatever you do, have a great day.

Day 61 At Sea

Today was a pretty nice day... great sun, nice breeze. It was pretty uneventful. People are starting to think about going home (not me). I wouldn't be looking forward to packing at this point. Tonight we are supposed to have a Mariners farewell cocktail party. I'm not sure whether or not I am going. We gave back another hour last night... Alaska time, only one hour behind the west coast.... three more days at sea. An old friend of mine that I haven't see in a long time, Alaine, will be meeting me in San Diego. That will be nice. Alaine and I have been friends for about 30 years...

Day 60 Honolulu Hawaii

I had a wonderful time today winging it all the way. I started out just waliking about for a little sightseeing and a few photos. I walked off the ship which was docked downtown right next to the historic Aloha Tower. I then walked to Iolani Palace and the statue of Kamehameha I. After strolling around a bit more I hooked a taxi to the International Market Place looking for some good bargains in Tank Tops….. then off to the beach. I entered Waikiki at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel beach entrance and walked all the way down to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. I settled in on the Ft DeRussy beach, the finest on Waikiki. It brought back many old memories of when my family moved to Hawaii in the late 50s and we spent our first nights at Ft. DeRussy…. The good old days… back when Waikiki was not built up like it is today and there were no high rises. It was a great time to be a kid living in Hawaii, a true paradise. After working on some nice bronzing I strolled through the shops at the Hilton Hawaiian Villages before heading back to downtown. Once I got back to the downtown area and the Aloha Tower I did some more shopping (I have to quit buying Tommy Bahama shirts). Then it was back to the ship, poolside to finish a great day. To finish off the day we had a troupe of young singers and Hawaiian Hula dancers come on the ship out by the pool and put on a fabulous show. Great Day!!!!

Day 59 Kona Hawaii

Today was pretty interesting…. First of all, I wasn’t real excited about taking my tour. You know….. the slowness of the crowd and all that. Secondly we had to go through U.S. immigration which can be a pain and finally we had to tender in to shore which is always a pain. As you can imagine I had my expectations set pretty darn low. Surprise, surprise…. Today turned out pretty darn good. I really enjoyed my tour of Volcanoes National Park and even the scenery along our three hour journey to get there. The Kona coast is pretty interesting. I would like to go back and explore it more on my own terms from Hilo which is much closer…. Great day today! Tomorrow will be pretty laid back. I’ll be in Honolulu and don’t plan on being too creative. Beach time will be in order….

Plans for Kona, Hawaii

Here are my plans for tomorrow:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Duration
Approximately 8 - 8 1/4 hours
Description
Drive along the scenic southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. You'll travel through the lush tropical forest to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 4,300 feet above sea level. Here you will view Kilauea Volcano--home of Pele, the legendary Goddess of Fire. You will stop at the Kilauea Visitors Center, ride along the spectacular 11-mile Crater Rim Drive and visit the Thurston Lava Tube. Here you will view two kinds of lava, the smooth pahoehoe and jagged a'a, sulphur banks and bleak desert areas. Learn of the Big Island's formation at the Jaggar Museum. A hearty buffet lunch will await you at the Volcano House, which overlooks Halemaumau Crater.

Day 58 At Sea

Today was another picture perfect day! Tomorrow we arrive off the coast of Kona Hawaii, the big island. We will be at anchorage and also will have to do U.S. immigration.... not a fun time. It will be my first visit to Kona so I look forward to it...

Day 57 At Sea

The morning was a bit slow with passing showers. This gave me a chance to work on my books for a while. Around noon the sun popped out and so did I.... in a flash. It tirned out to be a pretty nice day. Tonight we have the "Pink Panther Ball", I guess that calls for the hot pink bowtie.... Tomorrow, another relaxing day at sea as we head for Kona Hawaii.

Day 56 At Sea

Today was a real sizzler…. Maybe that is because we sailed in the vicinity of the Equator all day. We crossed the Equator at 1345 (according to my GPS). The ship’s crew conducted the King Neptune ceremony at 1400 hours and sacrificed some of the crew to appease King Neptune… very messy affair. Another certificate in the cabin tonight…. Great day!!!!!

Day 55 At Sea

Today was a very relaxing day with perfect sunny weather…. the photo speaks a 1000 words. I also was busy looking to the future….. I booked the Grand Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific cruise on the Amsterdam leaving Seattle 26 Sept 2009 for 67 days. It returns to L.A. on 2 December. I’m not totally thrilled with it since I wanted to book L.A. roundtrip but could only do it if I booked a guarantee and not get an assigned cabin (I don’t do that). Not happy at all about this. I may decide in the end not to take it for that reason….It does seem silly that I would even consider joining the ship 4 days earlier in Seattle when that is not what I wanted. Who knows? It was a nice day at sea anyway….

Day 54 Apia, Samoa

I had a tremendous day today. At the last minute I decided that I couldn’t handle a ship’s tour today so I gave my ticket to someone else. I negotiated a deal for a private tour with a taxi driver and set out to explore Samoa. I saw one of the most beautiful islands I have seen. It is so lush with vegetation and so many flowers…. Magnificent. I also saw nice shoreline and beaches including Saleafage Beach where my tour was going. Some of the most dramatic scenery were the three waterfalls I went to Falefa falls, Sopoaga falls and the grand daddy of them all Papapapaitai falls (close to 100 meters…). If you want beauty, Samoa is the place.