Epilogue

We returned to Victoria via San Francisco last night at 10PM and got to bed around 2AM. There were tears all around when we were greeted by Sabrina at the Airport and we loaded our suitcases into her EL and headed home. We talked for some time before she went to bed around 1230 and then Peggy and I sifted through the accumulated mail/bills for a while.

We left Victoria October 7th and flew 6500 miles to Melbourne, 400 miles to Hobart, 1000 miles to Sydney before cruising over 10000 miles back to LA.

We have some wonderful memories (and over 1000 photos) and we met some wonderful folks along the way with whom we will gladly keep in touch. For us, meeting new friends is the essence of our travel lust which has taken us to some amazing places over the years.

The good news is, this isn't the end, but only the beginning of the next chapter of the Losie's travelogue starting with England and the Baltics in June, 2010.

Stay tuned!

LA and the final leg of our journey

After 4 days at sea from Lahaina, we were (all) glad to see land and disembark.

The closer we got to land, the more crotchety people on board the ship seemed to become, especially in trivia where Richard, the Cruise director and Melissa, one of his assistants were berated and abused for answers some players didn't like. One chap even brought his almanac with him to challenge some of the answers! All this over a crummy Princess luggage tag!

Peggy and I entered a cruise long 'digital' scavenger hunt, taking photos listed on a game sheet we were given earlier. We tied for first in a short field of two teams. The other team, a group of 6 ladies did a much more creative effort but we were each given a bottle of bubbly and some other Princess shwag.

We saw two production numbers, one of which was new and very well done, and some other entertainment; a harmonica player from Montreal and a ventriloquist. The production troupe all were leaving the ship after 7 months on board as are some of the Cruise staff. RIchard is off for 12 days, then goes to the Sapphire bound for Hawaii. Others are leaving the ship for some much needed rest.

We were called to disembark at 845AM to marshall in the Princess theatre but we didn't disembark until nearly 11 when security/customs were able to clear us. We caught a coach transfer from the Port in San Pedro to LAX and then a courtesy shuttle to the hotel. San Pedro is a HUGE container port and makes the one near Tsawassen look pretty tiny!

It is remarkable to me how 2600 souls converge on Sydney from all points of the world and then, after spending 30 days together head off in all directions again. We met some great folks on this trip and enjoyed sharing meals with Babs and Dave (lunch) and then Harriet and Dan (drinks and dinner) on our last day at sea and I know we will keep in touch going forward.

We look forward to having dinner with John and Carole Base, old cruise friends from our Transatlantic and Panama voyages tonight.

Honolulu, Lahaina and heading for LA

We arrived in Honolulu and enjoyed a champagne breakfast courtesy of Cruiseship Center in Sidney. The planned balcony sitting was moved indoors, as Princess decided to have a crew pressure wash balconies and glass panels AND the refueling barge rumbled directly below us.

We had a full day in Honolulu, but we didn't clear US customs until around 10AM. The cost of US security must be off the dial and none of these costs increase (actually they DECREASE) productivity or improve the US bottom line. Many folks on board the ship express concerns over meals about the state of the US economy and Obama's Health initiative. We tend to steer around real prickly discussions, but it is hard to do.

We caught a 'free' shuttle to Ala Moana Shopping center via Maui Divers Jewelry factory (shuttle sponsor) and a 45 minute 'tour' of the facility. After a further 30 minute wait, the shuttle deposited us at the Mall for some power shopping for friends and family. We shared a cab back to te ship with an Irish couple and had lunch on board before venturing out again. The ship's entertainment crew have a cruise long digital scavenger hunt so we collected our last photos on land in preparation for the big 'reveal' before we hit LA. We took the city bus down to Waikiki beach to get a picture of us dancing on the beach ( one of the hunt items) only to meet up with the Irish couple again! They took the shot and we parted company, again. We then walked down to the Royal Hawaiian for their signature Mai Tai, some poo-poo (nibblies) and watched the sunset over Waikiki. What a great way to end the day!
We took a cab back to the ship and caught a folkloric Hula troupe performing in the theater. The girls ranged from 5 to around 14 and all boasted A or A/B averages in school, according to the troupe leader. It was a great performance leaving us all with the true Aloha spirit!

Yesterday, we anchored off Lahaina and tendered ashore. Brian was again under the weather with a cold/cough so after a few hours, we returned to the ship for a rest. The captain had already cut short our shore time as a weather system was moving in and he wanted an extra couple of hours to make up time en-route to LA. Again, US security at the dock checking passengers before boarding the tenders resulted in our planned departure delayed one hour.

Today was cruise director Richard Joseph's 50th birthday, so when he hosted trivia we gave him a rousing version of Happy Birthday a couple of cards, and some gag gifts. HE seemed truly touched and grateful for the recognition.

We are now at sea for four days heading to LA. It has been a remarkable trip with many 'AHA' moments which I have attempted to chronicle here. Not sure if we would do another 30 Days anytime soon, but find this type of vacation suits our wants pretty well.

Heading for Honolulu

Both of us have weathered the worst of 'Willie's' virus from Apia and are now only dealing with a raspy cough (as are 30-40% of all passengers on the Ship). WE continue to be middle of the pack in trivia and I enjoy the lectures that John Maxtone-Graham presents, and I know several of you that would enjoy him as well so try 'googling' his name.

We Ricky Nelson's sons perform a tribute to their deceased dad the other night which played to two packed houses and standing ovations resulting in an 'encore' matinee today. Last night we saw Cinematastic, a Princess cast production which we had seen before. I guess they are amortizing the costs of the costumes/productions over more cruises to cut operating costs. Tonight is Liar's club, which is always good for laughs and expanding vocabularies (rememberiing Woopknacker is an irritable irascible cranky individual from cruises past).

Yesterday, we crossed the equator at 2:45PM local time although the cruise staff held the King Neptune ceremony at 11:15AM to initiate two lower officers by dousing them in spaghetti, spinach and chocolate syrup and tossing them in the Neptunes reef pool. We avoided the throngs that turned out for this 'event' which ended with the pool being drained and washed down. Not sure this was a great way to celebrate the event, but apparently a naval tradition of sorts. We did get a certificate validating our crossing though.

Today is a slow 'at sea' day so Peggy is getting a pedicure. We have met and made friends with a number of folks on this trip and will continue to correspond afterwards. We are having a group dinner with three other couples the sea day after we leave Hawaii and have had several invites to visit their locales (be careful what you wish for).

Looking forward to a couple of days on land, as seas are tossing us around a bit right now. We attended the Captain's cocktail party last night and re-connected with Captain Edward Perrin and reminisced about our previous cruise with him on the transATlantic cruise. It remains his most difficult crossing and most memorable storm as a master, so that says something about the 120 Knot winds and 50 foot seas we encountered.

On the mend and heading for the Equator

Peggy is responding well to the medication she got from the Ship's medical center. Her chest infection and sore throat have abated and she is now down to a hacking cough and sniffly nose, but a MARKED improvement over two nights ago.Tonight is formal night, but we have opted to take it easy and do the buffet in Horizons instead. Tonight, Ricky Nelson's sons perform a couple shows highlighting his greatest hits so we will take it in.

We had a quiet day at sea today. Of note, we won at Trivia this afternoon, thanks to the other teammates, Dorothy, Tom and Dave with a score of 17 out of 20, our best thus far.This afternoon, we booked a South American cruise for March 2011 from Valparaiso, Chile, to San Francisco over 16 days. Princess offers a 50% off discount to Platinum cardholders, so the fare is $1650 each or around $100 per day! We already had a deposit on file, so it didn't cost us anything and we will track the Princess 'sales' as they come up, but I doubt even the wholesalers (Vacations to go or RCI) will be able to match these rates.

Tomorrow around 11AM we cross the equator. Tradition says that Neptune arises from the sea to toss crew members and some passengers into the pool as a rite of passage. Hoping Friday the 13th doesn't prove too unlucky!

The English-speaking seafaring tradition maintains that all sailors who cross the equator during a nautical voyage must undergo rites of passage and elaborate rituals initiating them into The Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep. Those who have never "crossed the line" are derisively referred to as "pollywogs" or simply "slimy wogs". Upon entering the domain of His Royal Majesty, Neptunus Rex, all wogs are subject to various initiation rituals performed by those members of the crew who have made the journey before. Upon completion of the initiation ceremony, the wogs are then known as "trusty Shellbacks". If the crossing of the equator is done at the 180th meridian, the title of "Golden Shellback" is conferred, recognizing the simultaneous entry into the realm of the Golden Dragon. If the crossing occurs at the Greenwich or Prime Meridian, the sailor is considered to be an "Emerald Shellback".[1]

Weather right now is warm (80F) and drizzly with a sea temperature of 85F. Not getting much use out of the balcony, but this should change as we approach Honolulu in three days.

French Polynesia and on to Bora Bora

We tendered in to Moorea one of the islands in French Polynesia after having our passports turned over to the French Authorities (?) to be returned once we left the area. Moorea is a small island (51 sQUARE MILES) in the shape of a green butterfly occupied by some 15000 inhabitants. The main crop now is Pineapple, but over 1000 people commute 30 minutes to Papeete for work aboard one of three catamarans that service the island.

Captain Bligh

We took a ships tour of the island with Albert of Alberts tour bus service. Albert's sons now own the business, but pressed the 71 year old namesake into service due to the high demand. I suspect they don't let Albert out much, as whatever is on his mind comes out his mouth. He looks like Robin Williams and speaks his mind like Archie Bunker. He has a wife sinec 1961 and two other 'wifes' that have produced 12 children and assorted grandkids and great grandkids. HE bought two of the women taxis so they could earn their keep!



We travelled up tp Mt. Belvedere for some scenic views of the island and its bays, Opunohu and Cook's bay ( where Captain Cook first anchored to explore the island. The road around the island is about 60 KM and dotted with churches of various denomination at every turn ( much to Alberts disdain).



All household facilities, electricity and phone, are provided by buried services so there are no power poles on the island (unlike Papeete). Electricity is expensive, as it is diesel generated, and sold by a private power company to the islanders.

Albert took us to William's Pearl store (William is his son and part owner of the tour company) to peruse their black pearl selection. It is difficult to discern between a $10 pearl and a $1000 pear, so we opted for the cheaper variety at te market in the marina where the tenders docked. We also got a chance to test out our French language, as that is the predominant language spoken, as well as Polynesian even though the region is at odds with France over underpayment of monies due from Frances nuclear testing in the area years ago on Mururoa (sp).



We left Moorea for a short sail to Papeete, arriving at 8PM that night. As Platinum cardholders, we can go to the Skywalkers bar for hors d'oervues and an inexpensive drink of the day each night from 5 - 7PM, which we have been taking good advantage of. It is also a good way to share a table and meet new folks.



The next morning, we ventured ashore for a tour of Papeete and the region. Mutiny on the Bounty was written here by James Norman Hall, and his home is now a museum to the trilogy of books and the three movies spawned by the book. We also visited Point Venus, the site that the Bounty first arrived at and where the mutiny allegedly was hatched. Our tour guide, Mike was an ex-pat American who fashioned himself as a budding comedian and he kept us entertained as we visited many natural 'wonders' of the tropical island; a blow-hole in the volcanic lava shoreline and a waterfall in the tropical rainforest.

After returning to the ship for lunch we ventured into town to a local market where Peggy bought a clutch of Gardenias for $5 which now perfume our cabin, and some more Black pearls at a local shop. Papeete residents show their disdain for the French by primarily speaking halting english or the local dialect.



Unfortuntately, 'Willie's Virus' from Apia has taken hold and, after a sleepless night of coughing and Peggy's sore throat worsening, we visited the Medical center to find she has a low temperature and a chest infection. The $60 visit was worthwhile and she also got an array of medications, including some antibiotics, to combat the virus.



We waived off our tour of Bora Bora this morning with a doctor's note, so we will get a full refund. Today will be a slow day, although I might go ashore later to at least set foot on this beautiful island. It is unlikely we will come this way again.



NANA means good bye in Tahiti

Western Samoa and American Samoa

At breakfast, we met up with Babs and Dave from Chula Vista, California and agreed to meet on the pier and share a taxi to see Apia. We negotiated with "Willy" to take us on a 4 hour tour for $80 US and set off. We were surprised to find NO sign of the damage from the Tsumami in September as it was confined to another area of the island. Willy has a wife and 4 kids who live on Savaii, an adjacent Samoan Island and he commutes every two weeks to work in Apia. WE visited 'Vailima' the estate of Robert Lewis Stevenson, who lived his last 5 years on the island. The home is now a museum of him and his work and is on beautifully maintained grounds.
WEstern Samoa recently (two weeks ago) converted from driving on the Right hand side of the road to the LEFT Side, with predictable challenges along teh way. The main impetus was the availability of Right hand drive vehicles from New Zealand.

Samoans have a strong sense of family or aiga. Each village elects a chief (matai) and the villagers all cooperate in the welfare and well being of their inhabitants. As family members pass on, they are buried in plots on the family land. The recent Tsunami deaths necessitated mass burials which ran contrary to the local culture. Each Village has its own church ( or two) and the Christian faith prevails as a mainstay of their lifestyles.

We travelled for 1 hour to 'Aggie Grey's' a beautiful beach resort where I sampled some locally brewed "Vailima' beer. We walked around the grounds, and then Willie returned us to Apia via the site of the South Pacific games, held in 2006.

Willie was battling a bad cold all day and hacking and coughing incessantly. We all had just gotten over colds and were not looking forward to bringing his strain back onto the ship.

An overnight cruise took us to Pago Pago ( pronounced Pongo Pongo) in American Samoa. The harbor is beautiful with steep walls and a deep, protected bay. It was created when a volcanic cone collapsed on one side and sea water flooded in. We had no plans for tours, so we disembarked and walked the main street for about a mile into 'town' in search of post cards. Unfortunately, many of the buildings had been damaged by the tsunami and the businesses were closed, for the most part. Two large (650KW) generator enclosures from FEMA were humming away in a fenced enclosure, presumably powering the town and the buildings that remained open. The end of the bay bore the brunt of the waves, but we did see boats thrown up on the adjacent shoreline.

Frankly, we should have paid the $20US for a 3 hour island tour, as what we did see was pretty mundane. The weather was hot (30C) and very humid, so we retreated back to the ship to cool off.
Today is a sea day, as is tomorrow, before we reach Moorea. We enjoyed the lecturer John Maxtone Graham as he shifted from talks on liners and cruise ships to one on the various Princes' of Wales.