Email from the Ship: It has been raining for many days now so we are ready for some more of that beautiful weather again. We are in Kimbe PNG arrived here Sat noon 3-20-04 and we expected to load copra and leave by 6 pm Sat nite. Well, that didn't happen because of the rain. It is now Sun aft. and we are waiting for the rain to stop long enough to get the copra loaded. As I said before, sometimes if we are in a port where there is a lot to do and see, we are happy to be delayed by the rain. Here in Kimbe there is not much to do.
This morning Sun,, I decided to take a walk to town between showers. It was very muddy everywhere. There were lots of people walking and everyone was smiling and saying good morning. They were very friendly and it was a good feeling.I was not only wet from the rain but also from the heat and humidity so it felt good to take a shower when I got back to the ship. We are a little tired of the rain so we read, play scrabble and read and play scrabble some more.When it is possible it is fun to watch the loading. It's 9 pm now Sun eve and they have been loading for several hours so it looks like we will be leaving in the morning 3-22 and sail to Madang- another PNG stop.
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Friday, March 19, 2004
March 19th 2004:
Email from the Ship: We left Noro at 5 pm on 3-16-04 and arrived in Rabaul, PNG at 7:30 am 3-17-04. Rabaul, the once beautiful city nestled in Simpson harbor with a backdrop of beautiful volcanic mountains was destroyed in 1994 when the volcano Tuvuvur erupted. All the roads, airport, restuarants and buildings were buried under the volcanic ash.The earthquake that followed crumbled the buildings.They have been attempting to restore the city with help from the government but even after 9 years much of it looks desolate, However when we were taken to the top of themountain to the station where volcanologist have equipment to monitor the status of the volcanos, the view of the harbor and what was left of the town was absolutely wonderful. Tuvuvur is still smoking and although the day was cloudy I attempted to take pictures to send to my website. We had lunch in the hotel restuarant that was dug out of the rubble and restored.It was good chinese food.
We sailed for Bialia Png at 5 pm 3-18-04 and arrived at 7am 3-19-04. It has pouring down rain. The dock is very small and it is built a long ways from shore with a oneway path or road to get to it. Because of the rain and the difficulty getting on and off the ship, we decided to stay on board today. There is very little to see on shore.
We are loading coconut oil through big hoses so the loading can go on even though it is raining.They will be done loading at 6pm but we won't sail until tomorrow morning. The passage into the dock is too difficult to do at night. We head for Kimbe which is a short sail from here. Both Bialia and Kimbe are on New Britain island which is a part of PNG
We sailed for Bialia Png at 5 pm 3-18-04 and arrived at 7am 3-19-04. It has pouring down rain. The dock is very small and it is built a long ways from shore with a oneway path or road to get to it. Because of the rain and the difficulty getting on and off the ship, we decided to stay on board today. There is very little to see on shore.
We are loading coconut oil through big hoses so the loading can go on even though it is raining.They will be done loading at 6pm but we won't sail until tomorrow morning. The passage into the dock is too difficult to do at night. We head for Kimbe which is a short sail from here. Both Bialia and Kimbe are on New Britain island which is a part of PNG
Sunday, March 14, 2004
March 14th 2004:
Email from the Ship: We arrived in Noro, in Solomon Is. Sun Morn 3-14-04 at 7 am. The dock is about half the size of the ship so it was interesting to watch how they docked. They had to make sure that the storage holds where they put the copra are next to the dock. That means our gangway to get on and off the ship could not be lowered to the land.
The capt. called a neighboring island resort to come and pick us up for the day.They lowered the gangway on the starboard side down to the water and the boat and the boat that came for us came up to the gangway. It was a bit of a challenge getting from the gangway into the floating boat but we all managed to do it with the help of the crew. Then we took a half hour ride sitting in the bottom of the boat which wasn't all that comfortable but the ride was was so beautiful the discomfort didn't matter. We went by many islands and most of them are surrounded by coral reefs, lagoons beaches and have small villages of people living in "leaf huts" along the coast.Most of the interior of the island are toorugged and mountainous to support many people. Leaf huts have bamboo frames and roofs thatched with sago palms.There are 992 islands that make up the Solomons.Most villagers are self sufficient with their gardens and fish. The resort we went to are not like the resorts in Fl. It had 5 leaf huts and a large building with open sides and a thatched roof. It was a bar and the social dining area. We spent the day swimming with the sharks-yes the sharks swam up to the beach. They were small and we were assured they would not bite us.They feed them and treat them like pets. Maybe we should learn how to treat sharks from these people.
The owner of the resort came to the island in the peace corps and has been here 25 years. His wife Lisa is a native of the islands. She made lunch of fish and chips for us. The chips were thin sliced potatoes deep fried and tasted like potato chips. very delicious. They told us that business has not been good for the last 5 years because of all the unrest among the islands. Tourists have not been coming as much.
It is now Mon 3-15-04 and we are having rain showers. When it rains all loading ceases and they close the holds where they put the copra. So we will probably not be sailing tonight as planned. When we are in a port with lots of interesting things to do we love when it rains because it gives us more time to see things. But there isn't much to see here.
The capt. called a neighboring island resort to come and pick us up for the day.They lowered the gangway on the starboard side down to the water and the boat and the boat that came for us came up to the gangway. It was a bit of a challenge getting from the gangway into the floating boat but we all managed to do it with the help of the crew. Then we took a half hour ride sitting in the bottom of the boat which wasn't all that comfortable but the ride was was so beautiful the discomfort didn't matter. We went by many islands and most of them are surrounded by coral reefs, lagoons beaches and have small villages of people living in "leaf huts" along the coast.Most of the interior of the island are toorugged and mountainous to support many people. Leaf huts have bamboo frames and roofs thatched with sago palms.There are 992 islands that make up the Solomons.Most villagers are self sufficient with their gardens and fish. The resort we went to are not like the resorts in Fl. It had 5 leaf huts and a large building with open sides and a thatched roof. It was a bar and the social dining area. We spent the day swimming with the sharks-yes the sharks swam up to the beach. They were small and we were assured they would not bite us.They feed them and treat them like pets. Maybe we should learn how to treat sharks from these people.
The owner of the resort came to the island in the peace corps and has been here 25 years. His wife Lisa is a native of the islands. She made lunch of fish and chips for us. The chips were thin sliced potatoes deep fried and tasted like potato chips. very delicious. They told us that business has not been good for the last 5 years because of all the unrest among the islands. Tourists have not been coming as much.
It is now Mon 3-15-04 and we are having rain showers. When it rains all loading ceases and they close the holds where they put the copra. So we will probably not be sailing tonight as planned. When we are in a port with lots of interesting things to do we love when it rains because it gives us more time to see things. But there isn't much to see here.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
March 11th 2004:
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.
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.
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)