Pacific ocean

Friday 30^th of March 2012

This is the 6^th day of a 9 day voyage from Polynesia to Peru and you may think it would be a bit boring but it certainly is not. The Pacific is such a vast Ocean and did you know that the whole land mass of the Earth could be fitted into it? During this part of the voyage we have seen no other shipping except for a yacht, and little wild life except for a few dolphins and some flying fish. Someone said that they saw very briefly a whale and even the Captain reported that even on the radar there had been nothing else in sight. Looking out to sea it is just magnificent, even though there is nothing to see except sea to the horizon and the blue skies that meet it.

Nevertheless it is a very busy ship with many activities and classes. We have had some excellent lectures on a wide variety of subjects by some lecturers demonstrating an expertise that is quite remarkable. Lectures on ornithology, flight, rocket science, space exploration, satellites and travel history among many more. There are classes in art and craft, dancing, singing and if it’s too much like hard work one can just chill out in one of the comfortable lounges. Food is excellent and sleeping at night is no problem (for me anyway).

We have made many new friends and a lot of the joy of this cruise is the social interaction. As in all communities there are some people one avoids and who are a little lacking in politeness and manners but they are few and far between.

I am still enjoying the Black Watch Orchestra and have made friends with Joey the trombonist. For those interested the drummer is probably one of the best ever! We have just come out of the Theatre show which today was given by the Black Watch Company and the music was from the 60’s and 70’s. An excellent show!

If you promise not to laugh I will tell you that I have joined the Ukulele  class! Yes that’s right and it is proving to be very challenging. Trombone is much easier!!!!

We are looking forward to some days in Peru and will blog from there.

Fd

pictures from Nuku Hiva

we are at sea for 9 days and will publish an interim log tonight

Nuku Hiva

Friday 23^rd of March

When you think it can’t get any better, when you think you have seen it before that’s when it happens and you realise that the element of surprise hits you right in the eye. These Polynesians Islands are so beautiful and we have seen Bora Bora and Tahiti and now Nuku Hiva!

This Island is more than beautiful and if Bora Bora and Tahiti can be outshone this island certainly does. The comment I heard over and over again when we were enjoying last evening’s sail away in the balmy air and blissful evening was “this is paradise”.

Nuku Hiva is and Island in the Marquese Archepeligo and is a French colony. 2,500 inhabitants and an \island of extremely beautiful scenery covered with forests mountains and many shade of green. The blue sea laps the bay where children are playing on the beach. The sun shines down in the heat  to which we have tried to be accustomed, but again it is humidly very very hot.

We were tendered ashore and “Black Watch” was anchored in the bay. I cannot sescribe adequately the beauty of this place, you will have to come here yourselves to see it.

We did not have an organised tour, but wandered ourselves along the sea front stopping at a café for refreshment and talking to the locals who again were so friendly.

There is a cathedral on this Island which is dramatically beautiful. Dramatic because it is located in the natural beauty of the Island. There is an outdoor church and an indoor church. This is a building which naturally assumes a presence of God and is so conducive to worship.

The wood carvings one could look at and study for long periods of time not just because of their content but because of the craft work and sheer artistry that is so evident. The lectern itself is carved out of one piec of wood and measures around 4 to 5 feet tall with a diameter of around 3 feet. Apparently so we were told that when there is a service the whole outdoor is filled with worshippers and instrumentalists enjoying the service in happiness and harmony.

When I returned to the ship, Suuske went out again and discovered a churchyard where she enjoyed a pastime of looking at the dates on the tombstones and wondering who the people were and how they lived. A pastime inherited somewhat from her father who used to enjoy this as well.

Incidentally, in all of the Polynesian Islands it is a tradition that if too many boys are born into a family then one is chosen to be brought up as a girl. This is ti insure that there are enough people in a family to do the traditional home chores usually done by women. In this modern age it still takes place but the boy has to agree and volunteer to be the “girl”. When we were back on ship Suuske said that she thought that the “girl” who served us in the café could have been one of these “boys”. I cannot say truthfully that I particularly noticed but “she” was about 25 years old, nicely featured with a nice face not particular masculine and no sign of facial hair She had a well-defined but small bust line and a thickset waist. Because her legs were covered with a calf length skirt it was not possible to say about leg shape. As I say I did not at the time think about it and it only came to my mind because of what Suuske had said. It is certain that women are more aware of these things and are more likely to take notice of something like this. I put it to your judgement!!

What a wonderful time we all had in this magnificently beautiful place.

Pictures to be posted tomorrow

Tahiti

Tuesday March 20^th 2012

When Captain Bligh tried to get to Tahiti by going around Cape Horn he made a big mistake! He could not do it and so had to travel all the way back and get to Tahiti the long way via Pacific. This meant that the Bread Fruit seeds he was commissioned to get and transport them to the Caribbean to feed the slaves were not in season. Consequently he and his crew had to stay in Tahiti for about 5 months during which time his crew made home in this beautiful Island and its beautiful women. So when it was time to sail and capt Bligh rationed the water so that he could water the seeds it’s no wonder that we get Mutiny on the Bounty! Yes it is a beautiful place and some of the women are beautiful and some have taken to eating a lot of breadfruit,  with the consequences in evidence, but they all wear flowers in their hair. I won’t be staging any mutiny!

This place is really something special. It is truly beautiful, golden beaches, high mountains and the whole Island is covered in so many shades of green. The climate is great too; hot but  breathable. There is also a rainy season which enables the vegetation and trees to be as green as they are. There are no wild animals and the only pest is the mosquito but this one is not malaria carrying. It is self-governing but France has still got a hand in its governance. The French influence is very evident and in some parts one could be driving in France.

We spent the morning exploring Papeete with its shops and markets, and in the afternoon we went on a tour for 4 hours exploring the “footsteps” of Gauguin. This was brilliant because not only did we see the Gauguin museum but it enabled us to see some of the stunning scenery of the Island and to understand much of the culture past and present of Tahiti. The guide we had was the best we have had on the whole cruise and she told us so much about the Island’s heritage, geo physical properties, culture, religions and much more. It was very enlightening.

Because it was a late sail away we were also able to be ashore in the evening in the warm air enjoying watching the local’s with their families playing and eating in the mobile restaurants that set up on the quayside every evening. We were also able to sit out on aft decks listening to Black Watch Orchestra playing before we set sail for Nuka Heva which will be our last South Sea island before a long voyage to Peru.

Fd

Bora Bora

Fd

Monday 20^th of March 2012

Bora Bora! Here we are in one of the most lovely of the South Pacific French Polynesian islands. No Harbour but we are anchored in a beautiful lovely lagoon and we have a tender to land.

Suuske this morning went on a trip which, ….wait for it …involved swimming with Sting Rays and feeding sharks. I didn’t go because I might have been fed to the sharks as well! She really did enjoy it and then went on to snorkel on a coral reef. One hears about the South Sea Islands and we see pictures of waving palms and super beaches with sunshine. Well it’s nothing like that; it’s better! The greenery is indescribable, the climate is so hot but enjoyable, the Pacific is blue blue blue and the hills and mountains spectacular and the people are really wonderful and friendly.  I can’t see us returning here so we feel so lucky to be able to see these Islands for real and not just on films and posters etc.

Tahiti is next stop tomorrow and we are looking forward to it with great anticipation. Gaughan, Captain Bligh, Charles Darwin are among those who have travelled before us to Tahiti. It should be memorable.

Fd

on the way to Bora Bora

Saturday 17^th of March and Saturday 17^th of March 2012

Well we are at sea in the Pacific Ocean and we have a couple more days before we get to Bora Bora. However, it may be good at this time to bring you up to date with what we do on sea days. Today today and yesterday yesterday was special! No! there is no double statement mistake here or in the title. Today for us was Saturday the 17^th of March and yesterday was also Saturday the 17^th of March. Two Saturdays for the price of one as it were! That’s because we have passed over the international dateline and whereas we were yesterday 12 hours in front of home, now we are 12 hours behind you!

The days at sea are still very full and interesting, the music is great and the lectures are also very good. In the past month we have had lectures on forensic science, travelling around the world as people 100’s of years did, weather forecasting, Nelson and Lord Cochraine, history of Philippines, and many many more.

The Black Watch orchestra is still absolutely brilliant and the other ensembles around the ship are equally good and entertaining.

The food is wonderful, the staff are just brilliant and friendly and altogether along with the various activities (Suuske has taken up “Line Dancing”) we are having a great time.

The action of the Pacific is very much different to other Oceans. The rolling seas are quite surprising and sometimes take one by surprise. We have had some rain on this leg of the voyage but mostly the sun shines and it is really hot.

We have few more Pacific Islands to visit before we get to Peru so you will hear from us in a few days from Bora Bora.

Fd

hair picture for anthony

Fiji

So! Here we are in Fiji! This is another wonderful place with beautiful scenery and lovely friendly people who are so interested and kind and ready to help and to talk.

There was a police “band” playing music as we arrived. They were creating a really good sound with music I had never heard before but realised when we were in town that the style was indigenous and seemed to be playing in all the shops and malls.

Suuske was brave today when we both had a haircut. Not so bad for me, but Suuske was more than scared that another hairdresser was about to cut and style her hair. She need not have worried it looks great.

This morning we spent in Suva town looking and shopping and this afternoon we had a taxi ride out and about in the countryside. We even found the Salvation Army! It’s the same here as everywhere, same activities and services and a hostel for the homeless.

Fiji is a very religious place and there are many denominations of Christian Churches, mainly Methodist and Catholic. We did see a Sikh Gurdwara.

Again it is so very hot and humid, it is a wonder that people can live in such heat all of the time.

Fiji is a great place and it has been well worth the visit if only to experience the beautiful scenery and the lovely people.

Fd

Numea

Sunday 11^th of March

Our first visit to the Polynesian Islands is to Numea in New Caledonia. This is a small “cigar” shaped island, very beautiful, very French and very hot; 38 degrees but feeling much hotter. It began as a French penal colony and most of the old buildings wer built by the convicts. As we began to tie up in the Quai we were welcomed by singers and dancers in costume; a very nice welcome ,which seems to be the norm in these parts for welcoming cruise liners.

Our tour today was on one of those road trains that you see in places where tourists go but it was a splendid tour. The people here are so friendly and because it was Sunday they were out in family groups enjoying the time together. This Island is really very beautiful with many types of plants and trees. Beautiful greenery, mountains and surrounded by deep blue sea. The Pacific is an Ocean so different to others and it is so large that the mass of all the land on the earth would fit into it. We look forward so much to seeing and experiencing more of these Polynesian Islands including Fiji and Tahiti, but next is Port Vila Vanuatu.

Fd 

Port Vila

Tuesday 13^th of March 2012

Today we are in Port Vila Vantuanu which is the capital of this small nation. The influences are French and British, but whereas our last port of call was still part of France, Vantanu is independent. Consequently it would appear that there is less order and the infrastructure  in need of attention. Vantanu is made up of 53 different small Islands with a 150 dialects and three main languages. Port Vila is the biggest and is very pretty with jungle type forests and plants.

We went today to a cultural village deep into the jungle and welcomed there by people in costume brandishing Spears and Bows and Arrows.

This was a great visit and we watched and learned how the indigenous people cooked, caught food and used the natural environment to develop medicines and used materials to build huts in which to live. They also gave us some interesting music and dance demonstrations. There are no dangerous or poisonous creatures here so we were quite safe in the jungle!

It is so hot here and with a high humidity it is a difficult climate to get used to and in which to live and work. We continue to see some wonderful and different places and consider more and more how lucky we are to be able to do this voyage.

Fd

Photo's sydney

Sydney day 2

Wednesday 7^th of March

It is difficult to believe that we wake up today and see once again the skyline of Sydney! We have so much more to see and we know we will not see it all on this visit.

Today we took one of the harbour ferries over to Manley. It is a lovely old type seaside place and I am told that the locals here prefer the surfing and beach to Bondai. There is an air of permanence to the place which looking at the photographs of it in yesteryear that you see in various places, has not changed very much at all apart from the main street becoming pedestrianized. This would be a nice place to spend a holiday.

Queen Mary 2 is harboured here too! What a magnificent looking ship; makes our look very small but we love “Black Watch” for its homeliness and friendly personaliy.

Tonight was the absolute fitting climax to the dream of being here; we went to the Opera! A stunning and magnificent performance of Turandot. I have never ever heard such powerful but beautiful singing from an opera chorus and the leads were just brilliant. The costumes’ were also something to see and wonder at their magnificence. Where we sat we could see also into the orchestra pit; a limited view but the playing was magnificent. Full sound and the artistes on stage were able to do their part having this wonderfully sounding orchestra beneath them but being able to act and sing without fear of being overwhelmed. What a building too. This international icon of opera has acoustics that are perfect.

There is a downside to this building and that is that it is not very disability friendly. It wasn’t built as such and the efforts to improve it have not been that successful. Only 2 places available for comfort access in the whole auditorium and they try to squeeze in two wheelchairs in each place.

A wonderful night and not spoiled any by the weather that broke into torrential rain which meant we had a half hours walk home to “Black Watch” in this downpour which soaked us to the skin and beyond. When we got home board it was a nice shower change of clothes and up to supper club for some food and drink.

Tomorrow we set sail for the South Sea Island in the Pacific.

Sydney

Tuesday 6^th of March 2012

Just before dawn with a lovely warm breeze blowing, we were on the front deck viewing in the distance the lights of the City of Sydney. As the “Black Watch” followed slowly behind the pilot boat into the harbour it gradually began to get light and soon we were in view of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney opera House these two iconic symbols of Sydney so well known around the world. Yes! so here we are, front deck crowded with people, and cameras and video’s getting hot with use! There is probably no greater entrance into a harbour such as this save perhaps Hong Kong and Singapore and you know what? We have done all three! What a privilege and so exciting.

 

Our first day in Sydney and we were out early walking around the harbour to the Opera house where we booked tickets for “Turandot on Wednesday. There are tours from the ship to the Opera but we got tickets at just half the cost of those on the ship ! Well done Suuske. Then we went around to “The Rocks” and had some lunch following which we went into the City to enjoy the atmosphere which is so special in a place like this. There are so many differences to Cities at home and Sydney being no exception along with Hong Kong Singapore and even Mumbai. In Sydney it is noticeable that the girls are wearing summer dresses and no one apart from the odd street person was in any way scruffy. It is such a shame that we in the UK have let our towns and Cities become litter strewn and inhabitants having no pride in their environment or appearance. Even Mumbai in its main areas was cleaner than Birmingham!!!!

In the afternoon we went up into the Sydney Sky Tower. This is twice as high as the Bridge and at the top we had to put on special jump suits and be hooked on to a safety wire to go out on to the outside viewing platforms. This was not to be missed; the views are spectacular and looking down you could see the little ”ant” people scurrying around.

Back to the ship in the evening, Suuske being very tired after walking so far in one day. Another day tomorrow and going to the Opera is something to which we both look forward with anticipation and excitement.

Fd    

pictures to follow                                  

Brisbane

Sunday 4^th of March 2012

Well we got to Brisbane and we feel so pleased to be here! It’s warm and welcoming and so clean and tidy. A big city with many lovely suburbs, we found ourselves on a tour of the city which took us to the top of Mt Coot-tha. From here we could see the whole city before us over 360 degrees. Being Sunday there were many families out and about enjoying the day. We thought how nice it is to see a city cared for and used properly by its inhabitants. There is pride here that will make sure litter is alienated and any perpetrators given short shrift should they dare deign to drop their packets and gum and cans!!!

Our tour bus broke down today but “no worries” as they say here. The mechanic came out and fixed it.

I must make a comment about Suuske who is so active its being noticed by many on the ship. Perhaps it’s the case that “if it moves it must be Suuske”!

Great Barrier Reef

Friday 2^nd of March

Another good day in OZ and this time we took a boat out to the Barrier reef and saw some really nice sights. Suuske went snorkelling and we both had a trip on a glass bottom boat. We were able to see some exotic fish and beautiful corrals. A splendid barbeque on board too which was very enjoyable. It was a 2 hour trip on the boat from Black Watch to the reef and on the way back I am sorry to say that heavy eyes and humidity caused me to go to sleep; but I was not the only one!

One more tee shirt then to say “been there, done that”!

Fd

Cairns

Thursday 1^st of March 2011

So while you folk at home were enjoying your well-earned sleep, we were enjoying our first port of call in the tropical heat of Cairns in Australia. Yes! We are on the other side of the world!!

Today has been one of the greatest days of this cruise! We have been on a trip which included a fabulous ride on the Cairns Sky Train; the longest cable car in the world at over 7 kilometres and very very high. What makes it so special is that it travels over one of the biggest tropical rain forests there is.

The close heat was compensated by the views and the opportunity of seeing a rain forest at such close proximity. One is able to get off at a number of stations to walk through the forest and to experience the smells and sounds and sights that are so really unusual and special.

At the end of the cable car ride you get to Kuranda which is a village where ethnic shops and markets abound. Apparently it was founded when people we would know as “hippies” came here and settle making a living by creating and selling their crafts and paintings. A wonderful place in which to roam around and there are different “modern” places to visit like zoos and visitor centres. This has been a wonderful day and we left Cairns once again with a deck party with loads of drinks and ice creams etc. We both feel that today is one of the best we have ever experienced!! Cairns would be a great place in which to spend a long holiday.

As we sailed here yesterday we sailed through the Great Barrier Reef, passing Islands large and small and one where Captain James Cook landed on his first exploration of Australia. His ship was badly damaged by the Reef!

Fd