Hope

As I write I find myself waiting and thinking about life and how fragile it is. Reading Chris Furlong's blog has helped me focus on life in a more positive way. 

http://365.christopherfurlong.com/day-189-successful-habits-you-need-to-know/

Firstly, he speaks of self validation. "Finding validation from within means that you are freeing yourself to trust in your life’s purpose, when no one else does." And this I can say I have done as I wait. I trust in the people around me to help and not hinder. Sweet words are like honey to the heart! Despite difficult circumstances of the day I have faith in those around me. If nothing else today has been a wake up call - do what you love. Life is too short! 

The second is body empowerment. Truth in this is that our bodies are amazing. Filled with veins, arteries, nerves, muscles, tendons and bones. What a complex piece of work we are. How awesome are our doctors, nurses, surgeons and microsurgeons and anesthesists. We must look after our bodies. Physically, emotionally, feed our brain and nourish our soul. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit! I'm out to do more in this area. 

Chris talks about how "Anything can change instantly" and today it did - 7/7/16 is a date I will not forget. Living in the moment means we are all there - all present and all caring, listening and kind. I'm left thinking I will only do what I am passionate about. Challenge in its self! Are you doing what you love?

Today time management and organization didn't matter. It's life that matters. Another day will see me get some of my jobs done. Another week I can organise my office. Today I am fully present supporting someone through a very tough day. Day 1 of a long series of challenges. But I'm faithfully fully believing for a miracle. Pray for one too!

Today I choose to LIVE LIFE!

Today I found Tanya Aliza's blog and watched some periscopes. She spoke about deciding your fate - your success is what you are in control of. She has inspired me to think about how I can make it happen and get resourceful and get things done. Today I have been learning to be in control of my calendar, my life and ME! I also like Chris Furlong's blog, instagram and motivational writings. When I read this quote I simply know there is nothing left to take away so now I need to get to wrok on me and my life!

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Did you make a schedule for July? Or does your schedule get dictated to you? I need make a personal schedule and be disciplined to stick to this schedule more than anything while on LSL! no one reads this so this is my way of becoming accountable as I have yet to achieve my goals while away from work!

I've made a list - now to act on it each day!

While I have loads of time I need to make sure I find 30min minimum a day and stay accountable (need you to help me on that) and put in the effort! Writing begins today! Ready, set, GO!

Decide you are successful - I believe in ME!
M

Day 10 - At sea

Morning! Getting ready this morning I was wondering how the water was processed! How do they calculate how much water is needed for 2500 people showering and cleaning teeth? How big are the water tanks? How do they get it right? So after some discussion I learnt that they have a desalination plant on board. I'd love to see how it works! 

After a huge restaurant breakfast (pastry, eggs Benedict, salmon bagel and a jam bagel) I know I will never eat this much again in my life. We're starting a health plan after this cruise is finished! As bouyant as I was feeling nothing prepared me for the next few hours of our day - a zultanite silent auction. More about that when you see me!

Super day catching up with the Vila tour guests where we happened to meet up with Ty, Deb, Mel, Elianna and Elicia who would you believe are traveling with Tom and his wife Jan who used to live at Karma seas where mum and John are now! Small world!

Enjoyable time playing mini golf with kids and watching them try rock climbing. Followed this by a few hours in the pool with them - good to give Mel a break from the girls too! Late lunch with them all on the windjammer restaurant where I displayed self control and had Mexican wraps!

We enjoyed a formal might - thanks Dad and patsy for my pink kooki dress - loved it! Wonderful night in the Romeo and Juliet dinning room and enjoyed great company with professor rusteym, Helen, Taylor and Ashley. So are you wondering what I ate? Entree consisted of mushrooms for Tim, pate for me! And wait then we enjoyed lobster together! Now just when you think I couldn't eat more, you guessed it - I ate the bomb Alaska - great night!

Enjoyed the "Rock On" dance party with the Scottish group of travelers so we had a fun time trying to understand one another! A great social cruise and sad there is only one more day at sea!

Today we are in Vila, Vanuatu

This morning we enjoyed breakfast on the balcony where we enjoyed watching the ship dock about 5km southwest of the town centre. We prepared ourself for a huge day of touring unaware that this was going to be as awesome as it was to be. We took sunscreen, snorkels, towels and water but next trip we're getting human chamious' as we learnt how awesome they were today!

Wow is all I can say! We got off the ship quite early ready to meet Mel Issa who I had only met virtually through Facebook. This has the makings of a disaster but we were prepared to cop that on the chin. Nothing prepared us for the meet and greet we were faced with on the docks as we exited the gates and entered the markets! This was where I thought I was to meet Mel and her two girls - after walking the entire length of the markets I had convinced myself that we were not going to be able to find her. Then after walking back through the markets again we were surprised to find Mel! What a relief as I was not keen on having to negotiate a tour on our own! The day could not have been better! Firstly we met our van driver, Sam, who arranged for an air conditioned vehicle to drive us around the Efate island. This was one of 83 idyllic islands of the Vanuatu archipelago. We had Australian dollars and Vatu currency so were feeling very fiscal when we converted $200AU across to VUV! Sam took us to a village firstly - an authentic Melanesian village where one of the elders explained his heritage to us. There were four families and the respect for "family" was so important in their culture. We had to follow a track in the beautiful jungle and were surprised several times by the native villagers in costume sporting spears and shouting at us! We made our way through a gnarly banyan tree to a fire walking demonstration. Just amazing to learn about local remedies derived from native herbs, roots and leaves. We were shown how to catch fish, make twine and use spider webs too. 

Sam then drove us (driving is a sport and glad to say we survived several near misses) to a turtle sanctuary where we were treated to a surprise - garlic steak for lunch - while we waited for this to cook we fed the turtles. It was wonderful to understand how much damage the turtles went through after the Cyclones in March 2015. This sanctuary has two 150 year old turtles and when the next clutch of eggs hatch will be protected and as they grow are reintroduced to the natural habitat. Awesome day!

This was followed by an afternoon of snorkeling and swimming at the blue lagoon. It was so clear and cool and refreshing. We swam to the other side and back and did rope swings and just had fun! Sam took us to the shops where we realized just how cheap the duty free shopping was! Then had a refreshing drink with a couple we toured with, Mark and shareen, before making our way back to the markets and our ship via a water taxi. 

Ending a great day we had a beautiful dinner. Marz and Eric made our day with a group setting with Helen and professor Rostrun and carol and Jim from edinborough and Taylor and Ashley from cranbourne. Tim had seafood chowder and a rack of lamb. I enjoyed the prawn salad which I followed up with Gouza's that were divine - won't share how many I had - but I didn't share them with Tim!

Then it was off to the show where we watched Rock Rhapsody - the hits of Queen. It was quite good and I was having fun being entertained by this little girl in front of us. We heard songs such as we will rock you and Rick of ages but the best was bohemian rhapsody finale. 

Just when we should be going to bed we saw the acrobatic show in the centrum. The dancers and aerialists held a 20 minute show called "Seasons" where ropes and swings were used to emulate the seasons across the year. What a day!

Champagne Bay

Wow we woke to such a great view as we arrived into champagne bay, Vanuatu. The spectacular sunrise from our room was awe inspiring and I have to say was one of the reasons I woke so early!

Breakfast today was an omelet and salmon bagel and we thought we should eat up so we'd be ok off the boat! Well, after our tender boat ride to the island we were treated to huge markets with lobster, crabs and bugs. It looked phenomenal but smelt different and there were flies all over it - we selected fresh fruits and coconut instead - I'm sure you'd do the same. However, someone wanted a hot dog and I do hope it doesn't repeat on him. 

This place is divine such a serene and picturesque location that I found myself taking so many photos that I filled up my phone! We spent the day in and out of the water and took snorkeling gear with us. How pleased were we that we bought snorkeling gear! We saw many many different types of fish and coral in the reef areas just off shore. Amazing sights and were so blessed!

Upon our return by tender to the ship we had some pool side snacks and sat on our balcony enjoying the view. We watched the anchor being cranked up and were facibated at the weight of the anchor. Ok well Tim was!

Tonight was a tropical theme night. We dressed in pink with floral decorations I bought at the markets! We had a new table tonight and didn't stay for dessert as we were so tired from all the swimming and snorkeling. Tim ordered the prawn soup consume with pork medallions and I enjoyed a light Cesar salad followed by Asian duck. It was bed time for one exhausted boy!

So I decided to make my way to the Ansolutely Fab production - a tribute to British musicians such as Elton John, dusty Springfield, Robbie Williams, tom jones and Shirley bassey! I was very tired after that! Feeling very blessed - 8 days at sea with no dishes, no cooking decisions, no washing and or ironing! 3 days let!

Day 7 - at sea and loving it!

What a day we have had! Huge! It all started for me with a fabulous breakfast consisting of healthy fruit and a salmon bagel. I know that I should have been attending the vitality stretch and conditioning classes but the food has been phenomenal. 

Today I attended the water color class and I have to say that I'm enjoying it very much. After this we had a great day beside the solarium going in and out of the fresh ocean pool. It was tough but we even had to have our beef sliders and blue cheese salad beside the pool. Just a glorious day!

Finished off with a formal night where I enjoyed the prawns and a seafood main! Then it was off to see the comedian, Phil "trust me" Cass, who chopped a man's tie in half and had us in shock when he reattached it! Amazing! A late night but a lot of fun!

Day 6 on the tropical seas

Today, Monday 4th January saw is enjoy another sea day. With another time change our clocks were slightly out by an hour! Never mind as this led to another sleep in and a day of wifi so I could catch up on my Jamberry power lectures! Win win. 

After a late breakfast of fresh fruits and a individually made ham cheese and tomatoe omelet I made my way to the art class again. Today we made some beach landscapes. After this it was time to meet Tim up in the Viking crown deck where we booked our selves in for a special dinner at the Chops Grille - the place for steaks (more about that later), and then organised a mango mock tail for me and a boddingtons for the boy!

We enjoyed a casual lunch at the Brasserie 30 where I enjoyed seafood linguini and know I've put on weight this cruise but the good food is too hard to say no too. Today I didn't have dessert at lunch and felt good about that!

The afternoon was filled with wifi madness and my Jamberry lecture (week 4 of Power Jam) and we both enjoyed chilling on our balcony - all very relaxing really. 

Then it was time to go to dinner at the Chops Grill. It has a reputation for having the best steak on the high seas. It was a glorious night and were served by Pol who was so helpful! We watched the most glorious sunset and just loved every minute of it!

Tim and I shared carpaccio, bacon (like pork belly) and scollops for entrees. Then we both enjoyed tender steaks with sides  of garlic mash, pan fried mushrooms and creamed spinach - yummy! Then just when you can't possibly eat another thing out came out dessert!

You can tell by the messy table cloth that we had a great meal! What a night topped off with meeting Kelly and Steve serendipitously and the Swing City production starring the Royal Caribbean singers and dancers with the amazing 8 piece orchestra. 

Feeling relaxed!