Day 41 - At sea
February 20 - Up early this morning at 8:30. I was sitting by the pool by 9. Two of my dinner companions were surprised to see me out and about so early!
High today was about 90F/32C. It was hot by the Lido Pool but I spent about an hour in the pool. I swam 60 lengths (which is about 15 in my local pool). About noon I had a burger and onion rings from the Lido Grill. It was then back to my stateroom to work on my blog (the internet service was down for maintenance after the show last night).
Cunard was running a 20 items for $40 laundry special. I didn't have but a few things that really needed washing but enough to give it a try. It will save me one half-day devoted to the laundrette.
After Needlework/Knitting group, I decided on an ice cream instead of afternoon tea.
Formal night tonight and I have an in invitation to the Captain's cocktail party beforehand. Our dinner table is having a wine tasting party at 7 pm. I did not take my wine tonight (not good form to shake the Captain's hand while holding on to a carrier bag filled with wine that was not purchased on board 😏).
The Captain's party was a typical cocktail party. I was getting ready to leave when I met up with two of my Cruise Critic friends. Talked with them and some of the officers. I never did see the Captain - the line to shake his hand was half the length of the ship and I already had a picture with the previous Captain.
We had Lobster Thermidor for dinner. I tried it since it has been some time since I last had lobster. In this case absence did not make the heart grow fonder - I still don't really care for lobster.
Early night tonight because we meet for our Tonga tour at 8:15 in the morning.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Day 40 - Pago Pago
Tuesday, February 18
Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) is the major port for American Samoa located on the island of Tutuila, one of the seven islands that make up this American territory. It is a very hilly island and there are only about 55,000 total people in American Samoa. We are here in the rainy season and one of the ladies I spoke with said yesterday had been very rainy and windy.
About 6:30 I woke up to islands floating by so I put my robe on and went out on my balcony. It was hot and humid but everything was very lush and green with homes perched on the sides of the hills. I watched the docking and then I went back to bed for another two hours (I had trouble falling asleep last night even though I could hardly keep my eyes open at dinner - I think I need to go back to my daily naps).
Got ready for the day (lightweight clothes and my seagrass hat) and started out walking. We were told that the town (Fagatogo) was 1.5 km away (that is less than a mile) so I thought I would try it. It did not seem that long because there was so much to look at. I found a nice little coffee bar that had cold sodas for $1 and air conditioning. They also had wi-fi for $10 an hour but I had not brought any devices with me. It was nice to just sit and cool down. After I finished my Coke I walked around some more. The really happening place was the Western Union office. I don't know if people were doing more sending or receiving money but the place was packed with locals.
Right off the ship were stalls with local items for sale. I bought my customary magnets and a pretty shawl in bright shades of blue and green as well as a blue muumuu. Came back to the ship for lunch.
There was a quick rainstorm this afternoon and afterwards it cooled down but the humidity was still high.
Put on my new muumuu and went to the sail-away party which was cut short when another rainstorm came in.
Three of us from our dinner table went to see the show (Hotel Royale). It has been on before but it includes some good songs so I did not mind going again.
Smooth sailing until next time!
Tuesday, February 18
Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango) is the major port for American Samoa located on the island of Tutuila, one of the seven islands that make up this American territory. It is a very hilly island and there are only about 55,000 total people in American Samoa. We are here in the rainy season and one of the ladies I spoke with said yesterday had been very rainy and windy.
About 6:30 I woke up to islands floating by so I put my robe on and went out on my balcony. It was hot and humid but everything was very lush and green with homes perched on the sides of the hills. I watched the docking and then I went back to bed for another two hours (I had trouble falling asleep last night even though I could hardly keep my eyes open at dinner - I think I need to go back to my daily naps).
Got ready for the day (lightweight clothes and my seagrass hat) and started out walking. We were told that the town (Fagatogo) was 1.5 km away (that is less than a mile) so I thought I would try it. It did not seem that long because there was so much to look at. I found a nice little coffee bar that had cold sodas for $1 and air conditioning. They also had wi-fi for $10 an hour but I had not brought any devices with me. It was nice to just sit and cool down. After I finished my Coke I walked around some more. The really happening place was the Western Union office. I don't know if people were doing more sending or receiving money but the place was packed with locals.
Right off the ship were stalls with local items for sale. I bought my customary magnets and a pretty shawl in bright shades of blue and green as well as a blue muumuu. Came back to the ship for lunch.
There was a quick rainstorm this afternoon and afterwards it cooled down but the humidity was still high.
Put on my new muumuu and went to the sail-away party which was cut short when another rainstorm came in.
Three of us from our dinner table went to see the show (Hotel Royale). It has been on before but it includes some good songs so I did not mind going again.
US Zip code 96799
Souvenir stalls
Houses on the mountainside
View of town from my balcony
There was a damaging tsunami due to an earthquake back in 2009
Wall art at the local museum
Some of the colorful buses of Pago Pago
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Day 39 - At Sea
February 17 - Awoke to beautiful sun streaming in (even though Laura Sunshine, the morning weather girl, said we would have a cloudy day with a chance of rain later) so I rolled over and slept for another half hour. Watched the morning show, got dressed, and headed for the Lido for a glass of pineapple juice.
Sitting in the Lido I was eavesdropping on the tables on either side of me. The gentleman on one side was saying he liked Holland America better for the entertainment. He also was complaining that your bar bill had a 15% service fee (tip) and a line for an extra gratuity. I think this is fairly common among the mainstream cruise lines but he is Australian where tipping is not done and the price on an item is the price you pay (taxes, etc. are already added in). Then he was complaining about having to wear a jacket to dinner (didn't he read the dress code before he booked?).
On the other side they were discussing the complimentary bar in Queen's Grill which (according to them) Princess Grill does not have. They then moved on to how much they enjoyed "Anytime Dining" on other ships which is not available in the MDR on Cunard (only in the Grills or Britannia Club). Finally, it was the old refrain of how standards are so different since Carnival Corporation bought Cunard and nothing is like the old QE2.
Had a small salad and then went to meet with the CC people that are going on a tour in Tonga together. We made plans on where and when to meet on Thursday. Then I tried an egg mayonnaise sandwich (egg salad). Unfortunately, the bread had sat out for some time and was dry. I ate the egg mixture and left the bread.
As predicted, the skies turned cloudy before 2 pm and there were a few showers. The humidity is terrible and few people were spending any time on the open decks (still too hot and humid to sit on the balcony).
Today there was a session of "Scrapbooking at Sea". It was a real waste of time. The Social Hostess brought along a few things that the bookstore had for sale. Four people showed up and of course, none of us had brought Scrapbooking supplies on board. Unless you are going on a Scrapbook Cruise, how many people do?
The Social Hostess and I were the first to arrive Needlework/Knitting group and we talked for a bit about it. It sounded like the suggestion had been made to have a Scrapbooking group (perhaps from passenger comment cards) but unless the cruise line provides some supplies and/or instruction (like on some RCI ships), I don't think it will ever become a workable idea.
Tea time after Needlework/Knitting group. I tried to make my own iced tea but it was not very good. Read my Bill Bryson book for some time then back to get ready for dinner.
I was ready early so I went to Cafe Carinthia and had a Singapore Sling. Pat came by and we sat and talked until dinner time. Another hot humid evening so my after dinner balcony time was cut short.
We set our clocks back another hour tonight.
February 17 - Awoke to beautiful sun streaming in (even though Laura Sunshine, the morning weather girl, said we would have a cloudy day with a chance of rain later) so I rolled over and slept for another half hour. Watched the morning show, got dressed, and headed for the Lido for a glass of pineapple juice.
Sitting in the Lido I was eavesdropping on the tables on either side of me. The gentleman on one side was saying he liked Holland America better for the entertainment. He also was complaining that your bar bill had a 15% service fee (tip) and a line for an extra gratuity. I think this is fairly common among the mainstream cruise lines but he is Australian where tipping is not done and the price on an item is the price you pay (taxes, etc. are already added in). Then he was complaining about having to wear a jacket to dinner (didn't he read the dress code before he booked?).
On the other side they were discussing the complimentary bar in Queen's Grill which (according to them) Princess Grill does not have. They then moved on to how much they enjoyed "Anytime Dining" on other ships which is not available in the MDR on Cunard (only in the Grills or Britannia Club). Finally, it was the old refrain of how standards are so different since Carnival Corporation bought Cunard and nothing is like the old QE2.
Had a small salad and then went to meet with the CC people that are going on a tour in Tonga together. We made plans on where and when to meet on Thursday. Then I tried an egg mayonnaise sandwich (egg salad). Unfortunately, the bread had sat out for some time and was dry. I ate the egg mixture and left the bread.
As predicted, the skies turned cloudy before 2 pm and there were a few showers. The humidity is terrible and few people were spending any time on the open decks (still too hot and humid to sit on the balcony).
Today there was a session of "Scrapbooking at Sea". It was a real waste of time. The Social Hostess brought along a few things that the bookstore had for sale. Four people showed up and of course, none of us had brought Scrapbooking supplies on board. Unless you are going on a Scrapbook Cruise, how many people do?
The Social Hostess and I were the first to arrive Needlework/Knitting group and we talked for a bit about it. It sounded like the suggestion had been made to have a Scrapbooking group (perhaps from passenger comment cards) but unless the cruise line provides some supplies and/or instruction (like on some RCI ships), I don't think it will ever become a workable idea.
Tea time after Needlework/Knitting group. I tried to make my own iced tea but it was not very good. Read my Bill Bryson book for some time then back to get ready for dinner.
I was ready early so I went to Cafe Carinthia and had a Singapore Sling. Pat came by and we sat and talked until dinner time. Another hot humid evening so my after dinner balcony time was cut short.
We set our clocks back another hour tonight.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Days 37 and 38 - At sea
Saturday, February 15
Today I was able to carry out my plan for yesterday. I awoke at 9:40 and was sitting by the pool by 10:20. It was really windy but hot (about 84F/29C). I swam for awhile and then had a cheeseburger and fries from the Lido grill. Two hours in the sun is still about my limit so at 12:30 I came back and sat on my balcony (out of the sun) for about 30 minutes while Shirley (my stewardess) finished cleaning my room.
There is a port presentation a few days before arrive at each port. Besides telling about the shore excursions Cunard offers, Gavin (the port presenter) tells some of the customs, history, money, location of important places, etc. Watched the presentation for Tonga before getting ready for Needlework/Knitting group. There were very few present today probably because the theatre was showing The Butler. I wanted to see the movie but have a hard time sitting in a dark theatre when it is so beautiful outside.
My "something different" for tonight was lamb curry. I was expecting it to be spicy like the chicken curry but it was not. I actually liked the lamb. After dinner I planned to go to the show but we finished early so I stopped in the casino. I won $1.52. The show tonight was a magician. I left after about 30 minutes. Sitting on the balcony watching the moon and stars was much more interesting.
I received a special invitation to a jewelry auction by the same company that did the auction the other day. A chance to own "certified pieces owned by ... Elvis Presley" among other things. One invitation I will not accept!
Tonight around midnight we will cross the Equator (the water will go down the drain counter-clockwise) and it will officially be summer.
Sunday, February 16
Another beautiful morning and I was sitting by the pool by 10. There was far less wind today. I swam in the pool twice and sat out until 12:30. Once again sat on the balcony while Shirley worked on my stateroom. Changed clothes and then to the Lido for a quick lunch before the big Equator ceremony.
Not sure about the origins, but cruise ships at least put on a "Crossing the Line" ceremony. Those who have never crossed the Equator are called "polliwogs" and are judged by King Neptune. They are always found guilty of the charges brought against them and then punished be having to kiss a fish and get slimed by all kinds of colorful gunk. Afterwards they are thrown in the pool (which has to be drained and cleaned afterwards). It was fun to watch and the captain as well as a select few passengers (I heard too many signed up and they had to draw for who actually went through the ceremony) and all the polliwog crew were "punished" and then became shellbacks. Standing in the sun, however, burned my cheeks and nose and I am piling on the aloe lotion.
It was time for Needlework/Knitting group after the ceremony. Only seven present today. After a quick stop for more aloe I decided to sit in the Commodore Club which has the most beautiful views, especially in the late afternoon. Splurged on a Pepsi. The free lemonade in the Lido is good but I am feeling a bit overdosed on it. I am considering getting the soft drink package for the Sydney to Tokyo segment. It is one of the shortest segments and I can decide if the variety is worth the cost or go back to the lemonade.
Some of my Cruise Critic friends came by and we talked for awhile. One of my dinner companions came over and said our wine tasting party date was changed to today so I had to excuse myself to get ready (another formal night). Six of us got together and tasted two different wines. It was then time for dinner and again we had a lot of laughs. No show for me tonight although I did stop to watch the Neptune's Ball. It was actually to hot to sit out on my balcony at 11 pm!
Saturday, February 15
Today I was able to carry out my plan for yesterday. I awoke at 9:40 and was sitting by the pool by 10:20. It was really windy but hot (about 84F/29C). I swam for awhile and then had a cheeseburger and fries from the Lido grill. Two hours in the sun is still about my limit so at 12:30 I came back and sat on my balcony (out of the sun) for about 30 minutes while Shirley (my stewardess) finished cleaning my room.
There is a port presentation a few days before arrive at each port. Besides telling about the shore excursions Cunard offers, Gavin (the port presenter) tells some of the customs, history, money, location of important places, etc. Watched the presentation for Tonga before getting ready for Needlework/Knitting group. There were very few present today probably because the theatre was showing The Butler. I wanted to see the movie but have a hard time sitting in a dark theatre when it is so beautiful outside.
My "something different" for tonight was lamb curry. I was expecting it to be spicy like the chicken curry but it was not. I actually liked the lamb. After dinner I planned to go to the show but we finished early so I stopped in the casino. I won $1.52. The show tonight was a magician. I left after about 30 minutes. Sitting on the balcony watching the moon and stars was much more interesting.
I received a special invitation to a jewelry auction by the same company that did the auction the other day. A chance to own "certified pieces owned by ... Elvis Presley" among other things. One invitation I will not accept!
Tonight around midnight we will cross the Equator (the water will go down the drain counter-clockwise) and it will officially be summer.
Sunday, February 16
Another beautiful morning and I was sitting by the pool by 10. There was far less wind today. I swam in the pool twice and sat out until 12:30. Once again sat on the balcony while Shirley worked on my stateroom. Changed clothes and then to the Lido for a quick lunch before the big Equator ceremony.
Not sure about the origins, but cruise ships at least put on a "Crossing the Line" ceremony. Those who have never crossed the Equator are called "polliwogs" and are judged by King Neptune. They are always found guilty of the charges brought against them and then punished be having to kiss a fish and get slimed by all kinds of colorful gunk. Afterwards they are thrown in the pool (which has to be drained and cleaned afterwards). It was fun to watch and the captain as well as a select few passengers (I heard too many signed up and they had to draw for who actually went through the ceremony) and all the polliwog crew were "punished" and then became shellbacks. Standing in the sun, however, burned my cheeks and nose and I am piling on the aloe lotion.
It was time for Needlework/Knitting group after the ceremony. Only seven present today. After a quick stop for more aloe I decided to sit in the Commodore Club which has the most beautiful views, especially in the late afternoon. Splurged on a Pepsi. The free lemonade in the Lido is good but I am feeling a bit overdosed on it. I am considering getting the soft drink package for the Sydney to Tokyo segment. It is one of the shortest segments and I can decide if the variety is worth the cost or go back to the lemonade.
Some of my Cruise Critic friends came by and we talked for awhile. One of my dinner companions came over and said our wine tasting party date was changed to today so I had to excuse myself to get ready (another formal night). Six of us got together and tasted two different wines. It was then time for dinner and again we had a lot of laughs. No show for me tonight although I did stop to watch the Neptune's Ball. It was actually to hot to sit out on my balcony at 11 pm!
King Neptune and his "lovely" Queen
Captain Clark before being dunked
Captain Clark after being dunked
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Days 35 and 36 - at sea
Thursday, February 13
We are back to a number of sea days (5 until Pago Pago). I took advantage of this and slept late. Awoke at 10 and poked my head out on the balcony and it was too hot and humid to sit out (sorry those of you in the snow and ice). Since I was getting to the point of needing to do a load of clothes, I picked up a couple of things and decided to check the laundrette situation. A washer had just finished and the woman was taking her things out, so I threw my things in and went back to get the rest. When the load finished there was an empty dryer (close to a miracle in laundrette terms!) so in went my load. I did not stay in the room because there were already three people in there (which is about two and a half more than comfortably fit😱). My clothes were mostly dry in 50 minutes so I hung those in the shower and went to lunch.
At lunch they had the cupcake buffet. It is beautifully displayed and looks delicious. In fact, the cake part is very dry and not tasty. (I could make better cupcakes and for those who know me I am a rotten cook!) This is the second time they have had the buffet and I have tried a different flavor each time and one was as bad as the other.
I had not been able to get on Cruise Critic in days so I used 30 minutes reading some new threads. Then it was time for the Needlework/Knitting group. At three I had to turn in my passport. I am not sure why we turned them in after 35 days (rather than at the beginning) unless it was because the non-Americans had to have their passports with them in the five US ports). A number of people were complaining about turning them in but I have read many cruise lines do collect them.
Had my first scone in over a week for afternoon tea then sat out on my balcony for awhile. After another great dinner I decided to sit on the balcony rather than go to a show or watch the dancing. It is just about a full moon and the sky was very pretty. There was a ring around the moon, almost like a rainbow - something I have never seen before. My picture does not really capture it very well. OK science people, what caused this?
Friday, February 14
Valentine's Day and it should be a profitable one for Cunard. The morning started with an auction of 150 pieces of fine jewelry (some valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range). There are flowers, a special champagne tea, boxes in the theatre for tonight's performance, couples massages, perfume, handbags, etc, etc, etc. on offer.
My plan for the day was to spend a few hours at the pool and then have lunch from the Lido grill. The weather had other plans - it is cloudy, hot, and humid with only an occasional glimpse of the sun. My plan was quickly revised and I spent an hour on the balcony watching the waves and one, lone bird skimming over the sea and then lunging for a fish.
Decided that today would be my first time having lunch in the main dining room. I have eaten the three breakfasts I have consumed (remember I am not a breakfast person) and all my lunches in the Lido. I enjoy choosing what I eat (more likely to try something unknown) as well as having time when I don't have to converse if I don't want to but I needed to give the MDR a chance (some of my friends never have lunch anywhere else). I asked for a table by myself which was not a problem since I arrived about ten minutes after it opened. I ordered the shrimp salad and roast chicken. The shrimp salad was very good but the chicken was on the dry side (first time I have had that happen on board). For dessert I had sticky toffee pudding which was really good. All in all, the meal took about an hour. It wasn't a bad experience yet it didn't make me want to eat there more often. Maybe if I went with a group I would like it better.
Went to the Needlework/Knitting group and we talked about the jewelry auction this morning. Not surprisingly, many pieces did not sell. I then lost the $9 I won last time in the penny slots. Then I went to the Lido to work on my knitting some and on this blog. Then Pat came along and we caught up on what we had (or hadn't) been doing in the last few days.
I was in the lift with two of the kids' club staff. They said there are fourteen children on this segment of the voyage.
Tonight was a Formal night and the Valentine's Ball. After dinner I went to "Name That Tune" - only knew nine of the fifteen love songs.
Smooth sailing until next time!
Thursday, February 13
We are back to a number of sea days (5 until Pago Pago). I took advantage of this and slept late. Awoke at 10 and poked my head out on the balcony and it was too hot and humid to sit out (sorry those of you in the snow and ice). Since I was getting to the point of needing to do a load of clothes, I picked up a couple of things and decided to check the laundrette situation. A washer had just finished and the woman was taking her things out, so I threw my things in and went back to get the rest. When the load finished there was an empty dryer (close to a miracle in laundrette terms!) so in went my load. I did not stay in the room because there were already three people in there (which is about two and a half more than comfortably fit😱). My clothes were mostly dry in 50 minutes so I hung those in the shower and went to lunch.
At lunch they had the cupcake buffet. It is beautifully displayed and looks delicious. In fact, the cake part is very dry and not tasty. (I could make better cupcakes and for those who know me I am a rotten cook!) This is the second time they have had the buffet and I have tried a different flavor each time and one was as bad as the other.
I had not been able to get on Cruise Critic in days so I used 30 minutes reading some new threads. Then it was time for the Needlework/Knitting group. At three I had to turn in my passport. I am not sure why we turned them in after 35 days (rather than at the beginning) unless it was because the non-Americans had to have their passports with them in the five US ports). A number of people were complaining about turning them in but I have read many cruise lines do collect them.
Had my first scone in over a week for afternoon tea then sat out on my balcony for awhile. After another great dinner I decided to sit on the balcony rather than go to a show or watch the dancing. It is just about a full moon and the sky was very pretty. There was a ring around the moon, almost like a rainbow - something I have never seen before. My picture does not really capture it very well. OK science people, what caused this?
Friday, February 14
Valentine's Day and it should be a profitable one for Cunard. The morning started with an auction of 150 pieces of fine jewelry (some valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range). There are flowers, a special champagne tea, boxes in the theatre for tonight's performance, couples massages, perfume, handbags, etc, etc, etc. on offer.
My plan for the day was to spend a few hours at the pool and then have lunch from the Lido grill. The weather had other plans - it is cloudy, hot, and humid with only an occasional glimpse of the sun. My plan was quickly revised and I spent an hour on the balcony watching the waves and one, lone bird skimming over the sea and then lunging for a fish.
Decided that today would be my first time having lunch in the main dining room. I have eaten the three breakfasts I have consumed (remember I am not a breakfast person) and all my lunches in the Lido. I enjoy choosing what I eat (more likely to try something unknown) as well as having time when I don't have to converse if I don't want to but I needed to give the MDR a chance (some of my friends never have lunch anywhere else). I asked for a table by myself which was not a problem since I arrived about ten minutes after it opened. I ordered the shrimp salad and roast chicken. The shrimp salad was very good but the chicken was on the dry side (first time I have had that happen on board). For dessert I had sticky toffee pudding which was really good. All in all, the meal took about an hour. It wasn't a bad experience yet it didn't make me want to eat there more often. Maybe if I went with a group I would like it better.
Went to the Needlework/Knitting group and we talked about the jewelry auction this morning. Not surprisingly, many pieces did not sell. I then lost the $9 I won last time in the penny slots. Then I went to the Lido to work on my knitting some and on this blog. Then Pat came along and we caught up on what we had (or hadn't) been doing in the last few days.
I was in the lift with two of the kids' club staff. They said there are fourteen children on this segment of the voyage.
Tonight was a Formal night and the Valentine's Ball. After dinner I went to "Name That Tune" - only knew nine of the fifteen love songs.
Smooth sailing until next time!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Day 34 - Lahaina
February 12
Lahaina is our first tender port (meaning we drop anchor and have to take small boats to land). On most cruise lines, people who book ship excursions or those high up in the line's loyalty program get the first tenders. We were in tender #7 and were ashore by 10:30.
There were three of us from CC that had signed up for the whale watching. We signed in at their shop and then had about a half hour to spare. I had seen "shaved ice" on TV and wanted to try it. I was expecting it to be pretty much the same as a snow cone but it was not. We first chose locally made ice cream, then the shaved ice was piled on and then you had a choice of three toppings (out of about 50). It was delicious.
When finished we worked our way down to the waterside to get on our boat. On the way we stopped to see the huge banyan tree (planted in 1873) and the old Court House (1895). The town was once a major port for the whaling industry.
Our trip started at 11:30. We were able to see dozens of whales. It seems that these humped-back whales are "snow birds" - they live most of the year in the waters off of the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Alaska but like to winter in the warm waters of Hawaii. It is also birthing and mating season. We saw one mother with her baby and saw a number of males vying for the attention of the female. I did not get any spectacular pictures but I will include a few of what I did get.
We wandered around town until about 3 pm and then queued up to get the tender back to the ship. I then headed to the Lido for a really late lunch and then for the sail-away party.
Our regular group at dinner had a great time catching up on what everyone has been doing. After two busy days I opted to return to my stateroom and work on my blog instead of going to the show.
The z-pack that I received from the doctor was really good. I have no head pain and the congestion is almost gone. Unfortunately, the cough will likely linger but at least I am feeling human again.
The tenders as viewed from my balcony
My shaved ice
Smooth sailing until next time!
February 12
Lahaina is our first tender port (meaning we drop anchor and have to take small boats to land). On most cruise lines, people who book ship excursions or those high up in the line's loyalty program get the first tenders. We were in tender #7 and were ashore by 10:30.
There were three of us from CC that had signed up for the whale watching. We signed in at their shop and then had about a half hour to spare. I had seen "shaved ice" on TV and wanted to try it. I was expecting it to be pretty much the same as a snow cone but it was not. We first chose locally made ice cream, then the shaved ice was piled on and then you had a choice of three toppings (out of about 50). It was delicious.
When finished we worked our way down to the waterside to get on our boat. On the way we stopped to see the huge banyan tree (planted in 1873) and the old Court House (1895). The town was once a major port for the whaling industry.
Our trip started at 11:30. We were able to see dozens of whales. It seems that these humped-back whales are "snow birds" - they live most of the year in the waters off of the Pacific Northwest, Canada and Alaska but like to winter in the warm waters of Hawaii. It is also birthing and mating season. We saw one mother with her baby and saw a number of males vying for the attention of the female. I did not get any spectacular pictures but I will include a few of what I did get.
We wandered around town until about 3 pm and then queued up to get the tender back to the ship. I then headed to the Lido for a really late lunch and then for the sail-away party.
Our regular group at dinner had a great time catching up on what everyone has been doing. After two busy days I opted to return to my stateroom and work on my blog instead of going to the show.
The z-pack that I received from the doctor was really good. I have no head pain and the congestion is almost gone. Unfortunately, the cough will likely linger but at least I am feeling human again.
The tenders as viewed from my balcony
My shaved ice
The old banyan tree
The boat on which we went whale watching
Whales
View of Maui from the boat
Dancing at the sail-away party
Smooth sailing until next time!
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