Blogs from Pacific, Oceans and Seas - page 20

Geo: 25.483, -140.625 Today we slept in until after 8 (by we, I mean me, Nikki was up just after 7). Nikki and I went to the Cruise Director's Morning presentation in the Promenade Lounge where Christiaan presented the daily activities as well as interviewed the Professor who is presenting the Hawaii History Classes during the Cruise. Afterwards, we went to the store to pick up our pins then went back to the room, Nikki got ready and I headed up to Deck 10 to read for a while until I had to get ready for brunch. We met Regan at Palo for Brunch. We had a great meal and left stuffed. Kelsie was out with her friends so we started some laundry and then Regan and I headed up to the pool area because the ... read more

Geo: 32.6209, -132.627 OH MAN! Was the ship rocking during the night. At one point, the closet doors slammed open the light inside came on, then the doors slammed back closed and then back open again. The rocking continued throughout most of the day and we understand that it will be like this all the way across the ocean because there is nothing to stop the waves. We woke up around 630 and went out on deck. It was grey and cold. Crazy Ric only brought shorts and short sleeve shirts and no jacket. May be interesting…. Around 8:00 we called the girls to wake them up. Their room doesn't have a clock so they asked us to wake them for breakfast. Breakfast was in Parrot Cay. Nikki wasn’t feeling well from the motion of the ... read more

Hi everyone, well what a night, we rode thru a storm with Gale force winds and large waves shaking us all around. We have just come back on board after going into Burnie, I was hoping to get a sim card (Vodafone) but they not have access or a shop here so it will have to wait until tomorrow in Melbourne and with it being Easter Sunday I am not sure what is open will have to wait and see. Last night again Maureen and I went to the theatre for the show, it was 50's and 60's music and the show was called "Unforgetable" it was beautiful. They do an amazing job all the artists. We have been nearly every night to one. After that we went to the Finals of the competition in the ... read more

Hi everyone, we arrived into Dunedin at Port Chambers this morning it was overcast and gloomy, since catching the shuttle into the Library the sun has come out and it is beautiful. Yesterday was spent walking around Akaroa, couldnt find Vici's brother David but well worth making the effort. Posted off birthday presents to Michaela & McKenzie. Today we will do a 1/2 day tour and then head back to the boat, the depart we get to see the amazing Albatross nests and birds, perched high in the hills. Ask Bill he can tell you why, where etc. Computer telling me going to cut me off. We are all having a fantastic trip on the Volendam and recommend this form of holiday to everyone. Love from Gail & the Gang... read more

After 3 months on Palmyra Atoll, it was time to pass the island and the work to another crew. Its been an amazing experience to live on an idylic tropical isle with only 4 other people, at least for a while. Undeveloped and now protected, Palmyra is an example of what nature can do after man has done his worst. Nearly leveled, contaminated and almost treeless during WW2, the Atoll is now covered in thick lush jungle, and many thousands of coconut palms. Birds nest by the thousands and marine life is in recovery. Still, if you look around, the war relics are ever present, jutting from the lagoon or embedded in the jungle, covered with vines. Its a reminder of a violent past history, and what could happen again if we are not carefull. Palmyra ... read more