Email from the Ship: What an incredible day we had on Wed 3-10-04. Now I have another favorite island Santo, Vavuatu- used to be called New Hebrides. Luganville is the name of the town where the ship docked.
We arrived here Wed @ 6:30 am and the capt. and purser arranged a tour for us to see the island.We left at 10am with Sandy our guide and he showed us all around the island. The road is not paved and is very very bumpy but it was nice to not be in a city. The island has lush green vegetation, trees, beautiful beaches, and many coconut palm plantations with lots of healthy looking cows roaming among the trees. This island exports a lot of beef to Japan. Sandy shared a lot with us about his island. We went to the local market where fruits and vegetables and kava root were all laid out in piles on the ground.We stopped by a copra drying oven and saw how the copra(meat of the coconut) was being dried.The ovens where they keep a fire going with wood and coconut husks and on top of the ovens they place the copra.We ate some of the copra and if you like coconut it was quite tasty.There is like a shed built around the top of the ovens with doors at either end, where they put in and take out the copra. When it is dried they put it in burlap bags to bring to the wharf where they dump the bags in big containers in storage sheds until the ships come to load it. We loaded 1200 tons here in Santo and will load another 800 tons in Noro, Solomon Is.
We then went to a beautiful secluded beach where Helen and I went swimming and then we ate our lunch. Sandy brought some avocados from his trees and they were delicious.
We passed by many villages and schools and all the people were very friendly. We went up some of the mountains where I didn't see a road but Sandy seemed to know how to get places to show us beautiful views of the island. We are leaving Santo now @ 3pm 3-11-04 on our way to Noro, Solomon Is.. No one from this ship has ever been there so it will be a new experience for all of us. We will be there in 2 and 1/2 days.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Monday, March 8, 2004
March 8th 2004:
Email from the Ship:I just discovered that we are one day ahead of the US and 6 or 7 hours behind Fl.I'm writing this on Sun 3-7-04. Last nite-our Sat 3-6-04 we had another barbque on deck' Florence decided to be activity director and with much urging she got most of us out of our chairs and on to the dance floor. Dancing is the same everywhere, its just that I need to get better at it' It was a perfect nite for a party on the deck. The sunset was beautiful and it was full moon.Everybody had a good time even though we couldn't speak each other's language.
3-8-04 - We arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia early this morning. The pilot came on board at 4:30 am while we were still a ways out from the harbor. The island is protected by 1000 miles of corak reef so it takes a lot of skill to get a big cargo ship into the dock. So far this has been the most beautiful entrance into a harbor and I'm glad I got up at 4 am to see everything.
I love this island.It has tropical lagoons, powdery white beaches lined with coconut palms, mountains and it is a beautiful tropical island.
Today we traveled by local bus around part of the island and had lunch at a lovely restaurant by the beach. We had a fun day but I wish we had more time here. We are leaving tonight for Vanuata.
3-8-04 - We arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia early this morning. The pilot came on board at 4:30 am while we were still a ways out from the harbor. The island is protected by 1000 miles of corak reef so it takes a lot of skill to get a big cargo ship into the dock. So far this has been the most beautiful entrance into a harbor and I'm glad I got up at 4 am to see everything.
I love this island.It has tropical lagoons, powdery white beaches lined with coconut palms, mountains and it is a beautiful tropical island.
Today we traveled by local bus around part of the island and had lunch at a lovely restaurant by the beach. We had a fun day but I wish we had more time here. We are leaving tonight for Vanuata.
Thursday, March 4, 2004
March 4th 2004:
Email from the Ship: It is 3 pm on 3-4-04 and we are still in Auckland.A little behind schedule.We had a ship inspection by the New Zealand port authority which turned up some hings that need to be corrected in order to pass inspection.So after several delays , we will be sailing this eve at 6 pm 3-4-04 for noumea, New Caledonia.
We kept going to shore for short periods as they kept changing departure time.This morning we went to the seamans club(they have these in many of the ports for the sailors to relax). We had a delightful visit with the chaplain and the lady that runs the place. They gave us coffee and we spent over an hour chatting with them.
Then we wandered the streets of Auckland. It is quite a large city. We also took a free bus ride around the city to the university.When we got back to the ship at lunch they said we were not sailing until 6 pm.
It is the beginning of fall here. I went ashore this morning without a jacket and it ended up being a little chilly. As we get closer to Noumea it will be a lot warmer, probably hot.Then it will stay hot as we visit the south pacific islands. I'm looking forward to the islands.
We kept going to shore for short periods as they kept changing departure time.This morning we went to the seamans club(they have these in many of the ports for the sailors to relax). We had a delightful visit with the chaplain and the lady that runs the place. They gave us coffee and we spent over an hour chatting with them.
Then we wandered the streets of Auckland. It is quite a large city. We also took a free bus ride around the city to the university.When we got back to the ship at lunch they said we were not sailing until 6 pm.
It is the beginning of fall here. I went ashore this morning without a jacket and it ended up being a little chilly. As we get closer to Noumea it will be a lot warmer, probably hot.Then it will stay hot as we visit the south pacific islands. I'm looking forward to the islands.
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
March 2nd 2004:
Email from the Ship: We arrived in Auckland @ 1 am 3-2-04 and I was sound asleep when it all happened. I decided not to get up since I would be spending the day sightseeing in Auckland.
It was kinda sad saying goodbye to Ron and Daphne. After they left, Florence and I walked from the ship to downtown. Then I decided to take the 10 minute ferry ride to Devonport, an historical seaside suburb of Auckland. It is an interesting place to walk with all it's history, shops, art galleries and cafes. I started walking, a lot of it uphill and after quite awhile I was exhausted so I sat on a bench in a bus stop. When the bus came by I asked the driver if she was going to the ferry terminal.She was so nice. She said on the way back I will but you can get in and ride around the island with me. I was the only one om the bus and it was a delightful ride.
When I got back to Auckland I had to find the Freyburg wharf because our ship was moving from the wharf we docked at to unload the coconut oil to the wharf they unload the containers. When I finally founf Freyburg wharf the customs people at rhe gate said the shipwould not be moving for another 4 or 5 hours. So I walked back to the ferrt building and got a cab to take me back where the ship was docked. What a releif to see my home again. These docks are a bit complicated. So much activity, it gives you a feeling that you are out of place and some one is going to tell you that you don't belong there. However everyone is exceptionally helpful and pleasant in Auckland
It was kinda sad saying goodbye to Ron and Daphne. After they left, Florence and I walked from the ship to downtown. Then I decided to take the 10 minute ferry ride to Devonport, an historical seaside suburb of Auckland. It is an interesting place to walk with all it's history, shops, art galleries and cafes. I started walking, a lot of it uphill and after quite awhile I was exhausted so I sat on a bench in a bus stop. When the bus came by I asked the driver if she was going to the ferry terminal.She was so nice. She said on the way back I will but you can get in and ride around the island with me. I was the only one om the bus and it was a delightful ride.
When I got back to Auckland I had to find the Freyburg wharf because our ship was moving from the wharf we docked at to unload the coconut oil to the wharf they unload the containers. When I finally founf Freyburg wharf the customs people at rhe gate said the shipwould not be moving for another 4 or 5 hours. So I walked back to the ferrt building and got a cab to take me back where the ship was docked. What a releif to see my home again. These docks are a bit complicated. So much activity, it gives you a feeling that you are out of place and some one is going to tell you that you don't belong there. However everyone is exceptionally helpful and pleasant in Auckland
Friday, February 27, 2004
February 27th 2004:
Email from the Ship: Wow! What an afternoon! By times we got huge waves- the bow of the ship plunged way down and one time I thought it wasn't going to come back up- but it did. We had to stay in our cabins for a little while for safety reasons. Most of our drawers and cabinets have outside hooks on them for rough weather. One of my drawers did not have a hook and when I came back to my cabin the drawer and all it's contente was scattered all over the floor.
We altered our course some in order to stay away from the worst of Hurricane Ivy. We sailed around the back of it. Our position today is S 33 W 178.We hope to be in Auckland by late tonight 3-1 or early tomorrow morn 3-2.
We altered our course some in order to stay away from the worst of Hurricane Ivy. We sailed around the back of it. Our position today is S 33 W 178.We hope to be in Auckland by late tonight 3-1 or early tomorrow morn 3-2.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
February 25th 2004:
Email from the Ship: For the past 2 days ( 24th and 25th) of sailing it has been raining and the ship has been rolling the most of anytime yet. These seasoned sailors here say it's still not really bad. It's enough for me when I step forward 1 step and automatically take 2 backwards and sideways and all the things in my cabin are moving around. Taking a shower is like dancing in a water puddle with water all over the BR floor. In spite of all this I'm managing quite well. Our position today 2=25 is 23 S 160 W. We will soon cross the international date line and if I understand correctly we will go from Thurs to Sat and skip Fri.
We are traveling a little slower 14.8 knots. This morning suddenly everything was quiet because the engine had stopped for a half hour but they got it going again. This ship is rather old and I think I told you they refer to it as a rust bucket. The captain says it might be good for another 5 years. I'm glad we have knowlegeable engineers on board. I haven't seen the engine room yet but it's on my to do list.Everyone says you only want to see it once as it is very dirty and very hot. I'll tell you about it when I see it.
We are traveling a little slower 14.8 knots. This morning suddenly everything was quiet because the engine had stopped for a half hour but they got it going again. This ship is rather old and I think I told you they refer to it as a rust bucket. The captain says it might be good for another 5 years. I'm glad we have knowlegeable engineers on board. I haven't seen the engine room yet but it's on my to do list.Everyone says you only want to see it once as it is very dirty and very hot. I'll tell you about it when I see it.
Monday, February 23, 2004
February 23rd 2004:
Email from the Ship: The weekend is over and all the workers are back on the dock with lots of activity going on. They are loading trucks, containers, boats, and coconut oil.
Yesterday was Sunday and with everything being so expensive here we decided to stay aboard ship and relax. They had a lifeboat drill for the crew which was very interesting to watch as they put the boat into the water and sailed it around in circles.. In about 10 days you will see the pictures on my website. I trust the mail will go out today.
Early this morning we all took a taxi to town( Mon.) The market has an authentic polynesian atmosphere. All the vivid colors and fragrances are combined as you walk through the flower market, pass the stands of fruit and vegetables, Tahitian vanilla and perfumes and the days catch of fish. There were also crafts and souvenirs. The Tahitian cultured black pearl is the most coveted souvenir. They are very expensive-several thousands of dollarAs I said everything is expensive--c d's are 40-50 dollars, lunch $20-30, banana splits $9. We were hot and tired when we got back to the ship.
The captain ays we are leaving at 6 pm tonight 2-23 for Auckland, N Z. I'll be glad to be back on the sea where it is so peaceful.
Yesterday was Sunday and with everything being so expensive here we decided to stay aboard ship and relax. They had a lifeboat drill for the crew which was very interesting to watch as they put the boat into the water and sailed it around in circles.. In about 10 days you will see the pictures on my website. I trust the mail will go out today.
Early this morning we all took a taxi to town( Mon.) The market has an authentic polynesian atmosphere. All the vivid colors and fragrances are combined as you walk through the flower market, pass the stands of fruit and vegetables, Tahitian vanilla and perfumes and the days catch of fish. There were also crafts and souvenirs. The Tahitian cultured black pearl is the most coveted souvenir. They are very expensive-several thousands of dollarAs I said everything is expensive--c d's are 40-50 dollars, lunch $20-30, banana splits $9. We were hot and tired when we got back to the ship.
The captain ays we are leaving at 6 pm tonight 2-23 for Auckland, N Z. I'll be glad to be back on the sea where it is so peaceful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)