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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Feb 10, 2015 08:00 PM Sunny day at sea
It is time for the evaluation of my first sailing during this voyage. I think I was lucky regarding the weather (tropical islands look very sad if the sun is not shining). But it was very hot and humid seaso. I got a lot of extra sunburn even without laying on the sand. I am coming back to Australia with a new experiences. It was easy with my knowledge to find that ship. The next one - sailing from Tahiti is not defined yet, because you cannot do it from the distance - you have to be there - in Papeete... Keep your fingers crossed!
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Feb 09, 2015 08:00 PM Sailing back to Sydney
Today we have a day at sea. It is a time to make laundry and to rest after all those busy days ashore. They delivered special "tip envelopes". This is normal. Stewards and waiters on the ship receive poor salaries. But if the guests are satisfied they are giving them tips in the envelopes at the end of the cruise. But Royal Carribean company invented now double tipping: they charge you "prepaid gratuities" when you buy the cruise (in theory it should go to your steward and waiter, but who knows?) and then again they want you to put the money to the envelopes. I think it is not a fair play, shame on you Royal Caribbean! I try to find the best solution for me - the budget traveller :) Most of the workers are from the third world countries - low wages are still attractive for them. I like most the Philippinos for their smiles. But on this ship I found also little and charming Chineese attendent from Guilin. Of course I have been to Guilin so I impressed her with my knowledge. Li Xiao Yao prepares tasty green salads... Look at our picture - this was gala formal evening todayso I am dressed up.... :)
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Feb 08, 2015 08:00 PM The most beautiful island on this cruise...
Isle of Pines belongs to New Caledonia... It is famous for its white beaches and tall araucaria trees. I have been on this island some15 years ago, but this was rainy day and I did not see much wondering around with umbrella. Today we were lucky to have sunny weather. Mount N'ga - the highest mountain on the island (262 m above sea level) was visible even from the ship. I said to myself: -There must be nice view from the top, so this is my main target for today!
When I disembarked from the second tender the group of local Kunia tribe was dancing and singing at the jetty. 5 or 6 minibuses were offering the tour of the island for 25 $ pp. I started walk heading to the north. At Kuberka I turned to the path, entering dense forest with waterholes. After some 20 minutes I found myself on the open slope. The stoney path became steep. It is worth to wear good hiking shoes (due to the lack of info I had a sandals). First great view was from the little pass on the ridge. After an hour of hiking I reached the cross at the top of the mountain. There is great panoramic view of the southern and western part of the island! Definitely worth the effort and sweat... Back down I was walking to the ruins of the prison (Ile des Pins was a penal colony till 1911 - it reminds me similar institution I saw in French Guyana)!
Communards cemetary, Vao, St Maurice and finally - Baie St Joseph with traditional pirogues... After 3 pm friendly Kunia - Paul gave me the lift back to the jetty in Kuto Bay.
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Feb 07, 2015 08:00 PM Island of Mystery
Mystery Island is flat and very small. During the WW2 Americans built here grassy airstrip. The only solid building on the island is small house with the funny sign "Mystery Island Airport". Everybody is taking a picture in front of that house. In some 45 minutes you can take a walk around the island. White beaches are narrow but great and the turquoise waters around has a beauty of the best postcards. Normally nobody lives here. But when the cruise ship is arriving local people from the next, big island Anatom are coming with their handworks, lovely children and fruits. They have glass bottom boat to see the underwater life (20 $ for45 minutes) and snorkeling stuff for rent.
They said that canibalism was practiced here and that is the reason to install under the palms the big pot, to invite tourists to get into and to take the funny pictures (5 $ each). But Mystery is a lovely spot - when the sun is shining like today.
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Feb 06, 2015 08:00 PM The island of Holy Ghost - Espiritu Santo...
I am in Luganville - the capital of the Santo island - the biggest of the 83 islands of the insular Republic of Vanuatu. It is tiny place. People from the ship go snorkeling here on the WW2 wrecks but for me it is more important to see the local people in their habitat. So as the only passe ger I took the long walk to the cultural village. Exiting the port just turn right on the asphalt road and after 1,5 km there will be a fork - take left, gravel arm climbing up. It took me 1 hour in the high humidity and heat to get there but it is worth - taxi driver ask for 15 $! You pay 10 $ entry.
It is lovely place - they dance for you without any routine, they make a water music, they will show thow to make the fire... Lovely families with the funny kids... This is the highlite of Luganville! In the "city" there is not much to photoghaph, but the tourist office offers free wifi - that's why I am able to send you this message. Tomorrow uninhabited Mystery Island!
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Feb 05, 2015 08:00 PM Champagne Bay... champagne in the evening!
In the early morning we found ouself in the picturesque bay of the Santo island (Vanuatu). Tenders took us to the pristine beach. It is in the middle of nowhere - no jetty of settlement here but locals built along the beach a row of stalls where, if the ship is here for one day you cam
n buy local fruits, artifacts, painted clothes.
Poople of Santo are a little shy, but if you try to talk with them - they are happy to answer your questions, explain their behaviors and... offer you to have the picture with theis sea turtle or gree lizard for just 2 dollars! Pickups and little taxis are waiting to take you for 10 $ pp to the view point on the cliff and blue lagoon (entry extra 7 $) I found my wY walking to the view point it is like 1 h each way - take exit road and go left, left, left to the asphalt road. Left again climbing the asphalt. The view is from the top of the road - look back...
I was sweaty and tired due to the humidity and heat when I returned. But what a place! Champagne Bay.
In the evening captain invited me and other frequent travellers for a glass of champagne (in fact I had four :) and the music... So I had champagne in the idillic Champagne Bay. Thank you captain!
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Feb 04, 2015 08:00 PM Port Vila - Vanuatu
I have been here long time ago arriving by air, but the image of the bay from the sea is quite different. Dock is located some 2 kms out of the town - at the entrance to the picturesque bay. A long row of the stalls offering handicrafts will wait for you just beside the port gate. Painted clothes, shells, carved wood. But I like most these people in the stalls, and I am happy that they want to be pictured. At the gate you will also find a long row of taxis and minibuses: for the ride to the town they charge 5 $ per porson. I decided to walk despite heat and high humidity. On the upper level of the city there is Vanuatu partiament worth a picture. Museum is opposite side of the street. Central Vanuatu is just one long street, housing all offices and shops. They pay 106 vatu for 1 USD, but I do not change any money expecting that I will spend nothing. Sorry, no internet in the public library, but you will find wifi in the cafes - just buy a bottle of water :) Tomorrow we sail to the remote Santo Island, expecting to anchor in Champagne Bay. I am soure there will be no internet, but maybe there will be champagne! :)
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Feb 03, 2015 08:00 PM Hitchhiking to We, but Mu is too far...
In the morning I saw for the first time beautiful green coast of Lifou - the biggest of four Loyalty Islands. No pier here so they took us ashore by tenders /little motorboats/ and we landed just in the middle of the paradise, white beach. Hibiscus flowers and flamboyants around. Palms and araucaria trees - what a landscape...
Locals are selling crafts in the little tatched hut. Some of them offer é-hours minibus tour of the islqnd for 30 USD - not for me. With the map in my hand I started to walk to the nearest village. Conical tatched houses and the new ones are sperad in the lovely gardens. Pepole are nice... It is very calm. I was hiking to the distant cliff and later to the main village called We. More to the south there is another village Mu, but to far to hike there - I must be back on the ship on 5 pm. But what a lovely place - Lifou
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Feb 02, 2015 08:00 PM Noumea, New Caledonia
After two days at sea our ship reached Noumea - the capital of New Caledonia. They call it "Paris of the Pacific". For me it is a chance to see again its elegant boulevards fringed by palms and native people - Kanaks strolling the streets. It is very hot and humid here. I try to find best photo-spots to bring you new pictures. It is wort to know that on the main square - Place Cocotiers they offer free wifi connection. So I can send you this message... Everything goes well... Tomorrow we will be on the much smaller and more remote island unknown to me - Lifou
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Jan 30, 2015 08:00 PM Bondi Beach and jump on the ship...
Blue sky and lovely sun in Sydney, but not as hot as in Sri Lanka. In the morning we had enough time to take a little hike around famous Bondi Beach. Then I will embark the ship headind to the islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Inrernet on board is extremely expensive, so dear friends do not panic if there will be no messages from me during next coming days. The Pacific is calling! Ahoy!
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