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! 

A new day - a new sea - a new life

Well I love my Michael bouble songs. And today is a new day for me! Tim on the other hand had too much fun (2:15am) for me! 

It's Sunday 3rd January 2016 and I've had a great idea about doing something new each day. Today after breakfast (granola French toast and a small crossont) I attended the art class again and have been amazed at how relaxing water painting can be. We looked at pigmentation and used water brushes to make a sea horse!

I then attended the shore excursion presentation on Fiji and Vila that proved to be informative yet unfortunately unnecessary due to cyclone Ula traveling in an easterly direction. This meant that after lunch (a windjammer buffet where I had a yummy chicken giros) our captain however had to make a difficult decision and seek a protective alternative port to dock in. We were informed that the ports of Lautoka and Suva we're going to be replaced with tender boats to champagne bay. Even though we'll miss the cultural haven that we are led to believe Lautoka is we can now enjoy a new tropical port that I was planning to include on a future cruise! Win win - and I'm sure given more time the regrowth of the past cyclone will enhance future trips. I did learn that Lautoka was predominantly an old sugar town and is now heavily influenced by India. We will miss Tivua Island and our guided snorkeling tour but can do so much more when we go back. In actual fact a week here on the future would ensure we see the orchid gardens, sabeto the Fijian village, the sabeto mountains and even know that we can taste kava, kakoda ceviche and the oily milky Fijian curry another time. 

I did get to play with Jamberry nails. Our room attendant, Ana, has been a cabin hostess for 17 years. She commented on my nails and I was able to do her nails in her break. I felt honored to help another lady feel loved and beautiful. I even found her looking at the catalogue later in the day. 

Spent a great afternoon by the pool and overcame my fear of the crashing waves in the pool - it has been a bit rocky due to the cyclone. 

Then off to dinner (prawns for entree and chicken for main - Tim had cheese sticks and lamb).  Tonight we were both tired - early night and a welcome sleep! 

Noumea - a touch of France in the South Pacific

Today we awoke to land and it was great to know we were in New Caledonia, home to the second largest coral reef. After my lecture on all things dangerous today was the day - snorkeling was to be tried. After our buffet breakfast we were ready to organize towels and day bags to explore Anse Vats Beach and Baie de Citrones. To our surprise we docked at container bay and took a shuttle to the cruise terminal where we were able to easily organize tickets to Duck Island. 

Once tickets were purchased the queueing began and I'm sure OHS would not have liked the situation we found ourselves in when waiting for the sea ferry today! But we smiled and enjoyed the scenery, blue skies and sandy beaches while waiting again. 

This is s picture of us finally leaving for Duck Island - no safety checks or life boat instructions. But very pristine indeed. Once we arrived we were surprised to see so many different types of fish in the reef just swimming along side us. There were colourful coral trout, parrot fish, clown fish and so many other different species all in one place. 

We had lunch near the water and enjoyed a huge feed of muscles with fresh breads. Something so huge and yummy that we were blown away!

Returning to the boat in time for our spectacular departure meant we could watch the sunset from our room.  Amazing day filled with amazing underwater experiences. 

Dinner at Romeo and Juliette's for a prawn cocktail and followed up with a delightful  lamb and beef tagliatelle that turned out to be an awesome choice great dinner guests Included an 88 year old couple and 23 year olds (Cassandra and Terry) from crambourne lots to chat about. Not to mention another new couple to the left! Great to feel that humanity is psi tube warm and caring.

Watched the musicians on show )fabulous entertainment) and then made our way to the Viking Crown Lounge on deck 11 to meet up with the fabulously entertaining Scottish and English group we've been adopted by. 

A midnight finish for me means later for Tim! Loving the bed towel art! Thanks Ana!

We are sailing...

Day three at sea and we are still sailing. It has been pretty rough but I seem to be managing quite fine! Slept like a baby being rocked gently by the ocean. With the weather being so tropical dressing is easy - skirts and tops! 

Breakfast is always interesting as you are placed an tables with other passengers. Today was a quite table and quite an empty restaurant. Either many are suffering from alcohol exposure or sea sickness, or possibly a combination of both. Eggs Benedict was my flavor of choice today. Cooked beautifully. 

Then I decided to join the art class with watercolorist Karen Cooke. I leant how to use negative space to draw daisies which was a bit of fun. This also gave us some space which was good. 

The shopping on board is a big part of the day but glad to say my will power is still strong on this front. So avoiding the centrum shops I decided to attend a lecture on dangerous marine creatures of Australia and the South Pacific led by a secondary QLD teacher named Lauren Coleman. Not sure this was a wise decision as I left feeling more traumatized about this. But learnt a lot about how to manage encounters with sting rays, Sharks, cone shells, stone rush and blue tinged octopus. Just stay away and don't touch anything. Now I plan to observe from a distance but feel super scared about snorkeling tomorrow. 

Group lunch at Romeo and Julie's was a yummy salad made on the spot, fish wraps and cherry crepes. I could get to like this. Convinced I'm developing s love for food and wine I headed to the walking track and did 5 laps. Must try to do this each day!

Then it was time for the solarium pool! Time to wear my new sea folly bathers and read, swim, sun and repeat. This was perfect and a must do again on the next sailing day I have. Tim found some grinds at the bar while Kerry Greenwood and I reacquainted ourselves with Corinne in her book!

So dinner was again a wonderful three course meal with a view to die for. I started with the Scollop soup, tempura prawns and seafood followed by a bananna creme brûlée- more walking required. 

This evening we were adopted by Tim's new friends who turn out to be Englishman who are very funny, and enjoyed the show "Boys in the Band" who I thought were fabulous - a take off of back street boys, the jersey boys who did covers from the Beatles, Jackson 5 and the bee gees. This was backed up with the comedy show - a late night adults only session with Mike Bennet. It was very good and touched on coping with depression too. A touching story embedded with hilarity and fun. 

An awesome day! Love sailing!

My NYE - I own the rights

Well I've had my first night at sea and can say that I've survived the swells that the Pacific Ocean brings with it. The NYE day 2 at sea started with a bang...breakfast in the Romeo and Juliet dining room where we enjoyed breakfast as a group. One lady was not well and we were able to advise her to take the free sea sickness tablets so I hope that helped her. Breakfast for me was not a classic big breaky like someone had but rather the fast fresh bacon and scrambled eggs which I forgot was still a huge breakfast!

Today has been quite windy with a SSW 23m/hr gusts closing the pool and deck 10 for part of the day. We enjoyed the shopping and took part in the winter wonderland sales in the centrum where we finally bought lanyards for our sea passes! Something we swore we would not do. 

During the shopping talk we learnt all snout duty free shopping and had the chance to see an amazing color changing stone called zaltanite. The ring on display was only $28,000.

After all that the dinning room was closed  so we went up to the buffet. Lunch  consisted of a selection of Asian dishes and noodles for me. After lunch we tried to get to know the ship a bit better and found ourselves exploring the top decks where the view was amazing. 

New Year's Eve Tge NYE night was spent on sea with a fantastic special menu where I enjoyed lobster and Tim had steak. Then we went to the evening entertainment called "Invitation to Dance " starring the dancers who were fabulous. Even met a lovely couple also traveling (Kelly and Steve) who helped us see the night through!

Proud to say we did make it to midnight and we enjoyed champagne all evening long.