Next stop is Papeete on the Island of Tahiti part of the French Polynesia Islands. I have been here before so I didn’t take a tour and just walked around after taking care of the computer work. This is where I was finally able to download the photos so I could post.

I went upstairs in the Market and this view gives you an idea of how large the market is. The Tahitians are interesting in that they set a price and there is no negotiating, no sales, and prices which are at least double what anything is worth. Yet, even though it didn’t appear many sales were negotiated they don’t lower their prices.

Pat and I had a Bier at a little sidewalk café close to the ship. On the way back we saw these colorful locals making leis and these musicians were great. The visuals here are wonderful and I like this view from the ship.

It just happens to be Australia Day which is a little like our Independence Day so the few Aussies on board held their own little celebration and Joan, Barbie and I were invited to attend. This very large lady is Rhonda who is quite notorious for her shenanigans. Last year she is the one who was involved in the mock wedding in which Casey was the groom. The rumor is that Casey will join the ship in Dubai.

I must say Happy Birthday to my brother, Rick, for January 28 and Happy Birthday to my twins, Rachael and Robin, for January 29. Can’t wait to have a shopping spree and happy hour.

Our last formal was the mutiny on the bounty formal which was a pirate theme. Correct me if I’m wrong but the Bounty had nothing to do with pirates. There was the mutiny and eventually Christian and his followers (together with their Polynesian wives) had to flee to Pitcairn Island after Captain Bligh and the authorities were going to prosecute them for their mutiny. Even though historically it wasn’t correct we had a good time anyway.

In addition to the festivities of the evening we celebrated Maryanne’s birthday . The man next to her is Bill.

Cruise Specialists threw their first party and it was held up in the Crow’s Nest. It was great to see so many previous cruisers and all the new ones. This couple is Lorry and Sue the table mates I first had problems remembering their names. Then I liked this photo of Pat and myself.

Our Captain Olaf did everything he could to get the able bodied people to Easter Island. I don’t know how many Captains would have gone to the lengths to anchor and send out tenders that this Captain did. First we could not anchor at the city because of swells. He then brought the ship around to a calmer side of the island and this beach is where the tenders landed. Before they could land they had to send a floating dock and two tenders. All these were tethered together to form a platform for landing. The tenders would draw up to the anchored tenders, then the people would go from tender to tender to tender to the floating dock to reach the beach.

The beach is where I spent most of my time when I was here before. I, of course, did not have this view of the beach. Because of not wanting to hire a car to go around the island I chose just to view the island from the ship this time around.

Our next stop is Pitcairn Island. This Captain did the same as Captain McNaught. The long boat was waiting for us to arrive. About 50 of the 58 residents came on board and set up their tables to sell their wares. Don, I tried my best to find your friend but I forgot her name and had no luck finding her. I did get you some honey and will get you some Hobart honey as well. You can then compare the two. While the residents were on board we circled the island a couple of times.

We have had one of the Mystery Dinners and again it was a lot of fun. Ellen Wolfe was her Ladyship, Sue Anderson was Princess Pocahontas and Joan Jones was the wealthy widow of Casey Jones. Jeff (our Techspert) played Thomas P. Tomaine this year but he wasn’t the killer. The killer was business manager Emily Ann “Em” Bezell. Everyone remained in character again (as much as you can with all the laughter) so we had a lot of fun.

This is the entryway to the Dining room all decorated for the Casino Night formal. It was a fun time but other than keeping a few people in stitches describing my cabin neighbor it was uneventful.

Now, as to my cabin neighbor. I am not too sure what he/she/it is doing. If he is in transition he must be at a half stage. The reason I say this is that he dresses like a woman from the waist up and like a man from the waist down. He wears necklaces and earrings and a blouse but men’s socks, shoes and shorts. If he is just a cross dresser you would think he would go all out by wearing a wig and all women’s clothing. I am going to surreptitiously take his/her/it photo sometime in the future so you can help me decide.

I had typed this a couple of days ago but I have to add this bit of news. My cabin neighbor came out of his cabin and would you believe he had on a blouse like one that I own. His is baby blue and mine is beige. I even know the brand name. Elementz and I bought mine at Macys. I guess we both shop there. However, he certainly would not be shopping in the petite section.

First I want to acknowledge that Don’s brother has died. Don had advised us earlier of his problems and though his suffering is no more, the passing of anyone is sad. Very sorry for your loss Don. Also, Don I am happy for you and very pleased you booked the 2012 WC. I think you will find CSI group to be terrific people, not only the staff but the people who are their customers.

We had such a good time in Lima. Barbie, Joan and the two Aussies did a walkabout and took in the Indian Market and had a great time at a little restaurant where we had a cervesa. The waitress also brought a free pisco sour so the Aussies could try one. They loved the taste. Therefore, they kept tasting the next day at the Marriott hotel while they were utilizing their free internet connection. Barbie kept up but I headed back to the ship for a little nap.

The nora virus is on board but it seems to be stopped and fortunately I was not one of its victims. I do have a cough and the usual crud which I believe is mostly due to air conditioning. I have never seen the red alert cautions before this threat. They even sterilize the pencil we use for Trivia. Salt and pepper shakers disappeared and all menus in the bars are missing.

Jennie is correct and my table mates are Lorry and Sue. Jennie, are you reading Bill and Maryanne’s blog?

It has just been impossible to post photos from Lima to Tahiti. So, these photos do belong to the Jan 12 post. I am in Papeete where I hope to get all my ramblings on line. This is the first of several.

We have arrived in Manta, Equator and I have been invited to do a bit of a walkabout with two of my table mates, Wayne and Pat. They are two Aussies who will be leaving the ship when we get to Sidney. I am just sitting in my cabin waiting for our appointed time for meeting so I thought I would type a little for my post.

First I must clean up after myself. I have made a giant faux pas. Eva did not die. I know you are all saying Geez Judi how could you make such a terrible mistake? And, by the way I have been told I was not the only one jumping to this same conclusion. After all at our ages we don’t think in terms of separation by choice.

Here is how it went down. I saw Frank and said hello and inquired after Eva. He said “Eva is no longer with us.” I then said “I am so sorry.” I then saw Ellen later and again expressed my sorrow at Eva not being able to make the cruise. Ellen said something like “I know it is so sad.” Last night at our dinner table there was a general discussion of people who weren’t on for whatever reason. I put in my two cents in about John and Eva dying before the cruise started. Ellen looked at me perplexed and said she didn’t die she just decided she didn’t want to go on the cruise because she met another man. So Eva’s death was greatly exaggerated.

My table is really fun. Ellen, our leader, Joan and Barbie, my friends, Bill and Maryanne, who are going all the way to San Diego, and another lovely couple who I haven’t quite connected with their names. It just takes time to remember everyone’s names. Then there are Wayne and Pat the two Ausies. I enjoy trading barbs with both of them. Pat is from Cairnes and you do not pronounce it the way it is spelled. He informed me that it was pronounced Cannes. Wayne is from Melbourne.

This girl is named Vanessa and she one of the wait staff in the Ocean Bar. I believe this is one of their native dress. My friends, Marcie and Shirley, all dressed up for the Black and Silver ball and this black and silver theme was at the entrance of the dining hall. The ice sculpture doesn’t show well but it is a peacock. We had a great time. The officers were out and asking all the ladies to dance. I even won a bottle of champagne

This ironclad ship was in port at Manta and we were all very curious why it was there. There were quite a few soldiers with long guns and we were told the ship was on a humanitarian mission but they couldn’t tell us what that mission was or they would have to kill us if they did. If anyone can google this situation and find out what this ship was doing in Manta let me know.

I cannot post the photos at this time because of problems with the system so I will go ahead and post this and then post the photos later.

We went through the Panama Canal yesterday. I have never seen the canal so muddy but at least it was cloudy and cool. That didn’t help the humidity as it dripped from the air. I did receive a Certificate of Panama Canal Transit suitable for framing. These two photos show the clouds and the mud. Lots of new construction in the canal. They are building additional locks.

The cabin animals arrive from time to time. I am currently looking at a lobster but I have had a butterfly, a manta and a peacock. My cabin is on the Port side and I believe it will be quieter. The ship seems to pull into ports so that Starboard is next to the dock. This means all the morning activity (AND NOISE) is concentrated Starboard. I will miss being able to look out and see what is happening without leaving my cabin.

Patti be sure to post on the CC boards so we know what you are doing on your WC. I checked to see if we were in any ports at the same time and alas no.

We are headed for Manta, Equator and even though I have no tours I will be doing a walk about. I really like Equator and hope I can find some interesting Vegetable Ivory Pieces. I don’t need the Panama Hat as I have one with me which I bought last year. Last year I bought a silly pelican for Zion and a necklace and earrings. I gave the necklace to Rachael as it looked better on her than me.

I met Frank and Eva last year and tragically Eva died before she could make this world cruise. Frank is here and I am so happy he decided to go forward. Another quiet man, John, who I met on the Overland to the Li River, is also missing and Ellen indicated he too died before he could board. Both were very nice people and will be missed.

I met Kate in line last year before boarding but she was unable to come this year so she is following my adventures here on my blog. The first people Kate and I met after boarding were Frank and Eva and Bob and Bobbie. So Kate, I did let Frank, Bob and Bobbie know you sent them your best wishes.

We have only five hosts on board at this time. Bart and Tony were on last year and we have three new ones, Paul, James and Ruis. Bob, who was on last year, is suppose to meet us in Lima, Peru. He apparently lost his passport and could not board until it had been replaced. Can’t wait to find our how he lost his passport. A passport is not something you just set down and then walk off without it as you would say, a paperback novel.

So far I have received two bad champagnes and I did turn them in for some screw top Chardonnay bottled in 2010. Actually it is quite good considering everything I just said. One bottle was from HAL and the other from CSI. I have also received from CSI a fleece vest and a wonderful tote bag and then a dinner for two at the Pinnacle Restaurant for a date in the future. HAL provided us with another Journal and a leather holder for our cabin card key.

Captain Olaf hosted his welcome on board ball. I did wear the outfit that I had designated and calendared for this formal. Hank the hotel manager in charge of everything needed for the comfort of guests (food, drink, housekeeping etc) sat at our table. Yes the wine did flow.

We did dock in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica and I took this photo from the ship. Other than walking through their dockside market I chose not to take a tour. We were here last year and I went to downtown San Jose, visited a banana plantation and rode a jitney through the rain forest. There isn’t much more to do here.

Even though I have been to the Caribbean many times I had never been to the Cayman Islands. We did stop at the Grand Cayman Island but had to anchor at a spot other than George Town because of large swells. It is amazing how fast they were able to accommodate this change. We ended up with local tenders and shuttle buses that took us to the city center of George Town which was about three miles away.

The Grand Cayman Island reminded me a lot of Nassau but not as nice. I enjoyed my walk about town but I was back on the ship within an hour and a half. The beaches did look wonderful from afar and I can see the draw from that standpoint. If my daughter and grandson were with me we would have gone to the beach for the day.

I enjoy watching the local folks but this photo reminded me that the local folk are also watching the alien visitors.

Compared to last year the transition from the airport to the hotel was easy. The plane landed at 7:00 am and a HAL representative was at the carousel waiting for arriving passengers My faith in Floridians has been restored. Even though my name was not on the HAL representatives list she read my letters and with ease placed me on their charter bus. A very intelligent and nice lady unlike the last gal that hemmed and hawed and placed me on a public shuttle driven by a gal with an IQ of 75. I was very pleased and in my hotel room by 9:00 am. Showered and in bed for a nap by 10:00 am. The drug store run was uneventful.

It is just amazing how many repeat people and everywhere I looked I recognized people even though I didn’t know all the names. This was even before we boarded the ship. CSI had a party and dinner for us and it was wonderful to greet friends from last year.

We were taken to the ship by bus and that went smoothly. Our rooms were ready within a half hour of arrival and then I started the unpacking. Never again. I vow I will eliminate one suitcase or possibly two. I was so embarrassed asking for hangers every time I saw the Steward that I would cover my face.

I finally stopped unpacking and got ready for cocktails at the Ocean Bar. It was like old home week seeing everyone and a few new faces as well. My favorite bartenders and wait staff are not on but I am sure the new ones will be more than adequate.

Our leader Ellen had requested that my friend Joan and I be placed at her table so it will be great fun. The hotel manager that evening sent us wine. Maleek, one of the wait staff at our table last year spotted me and came over for a hug. He is such a sweetheart. Still learning names and faces of our new waiters.

I was just thinking to myself that this is one of the most boring posts I have ever written. That is because everything went smoothly and all is calm and wonderful. I have nothing to say that is exciting or controversial. Except I will have some interesting news about the hosts. You will just have to Wait. Grand Cayman Islands are out first port.