Thursday, September 30, 2010

Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Daily hint: Buy proper deck shoes. We have seen people falling on deck due to improper footwear. Crocks are OUT! Deck shoes like Sperry or Rockport are the best. They are a worthwhile investment to consider. They are made for ship decks that are covered in water.

Today we had a wonderful 5 hour tour of Kaui that included Po'ipu Beach; the Spouting Horn; and, the Waimea Canyon (aka the Grand Canyon of the Pacific). What a grand and full day in the sun and the heat. Last night as we berthed our sister ship the Rotterdam embarked for San Diego.

Tonight on our return to the ship, Holland-America hosted a reception and host bar to recompense for the alteration of course due to the medical emergency that resulted in our not stopping at Maui. We had a fabulous time. TTYL.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Nawiliwili Tonight and tomorrow

Had a lazy day on the lanai enjoying the sun and warmth. Roak went to the onboard sale and replaced his $10 watch that he had purchased two years ago in Montreal. He splurged this time and bought 2 $10 watches. Hey they work! (If you too want a $10 watch be sure to buy the ones that say that there is no nickel content).

We did a one mile circuit on the Promenade deck and spent the day getting ready for our landing at Kaui tomorrow. Didn't do any “high” teas or cooking classes today. Just relaxed, read and proceeded with our projects. Mine is coming along better and Roak's “thimble hat” may soon turn into a sombrero.

We dined at a table for two last night. It was a “formal dress “ evening. The Captain's table was right next to us so we saw he and his guests dine. We learned that on this ship, dining with the Captain is by lot and not be pre-selection. Guests from all room classes and even first time mariner guests may be selected to dine with the Captain. How democratic. Roak wants to eat at the Captain's table, I think. This “open seating” dining is great. You get to meet a wonderful and differing array of people and you can choose to dine with people again if you wish. We have had an offer from a nice group of people to dine with them but I think we prefer to leave our options open. We met an interesting couple from the NWT. He was an elected official there for a number of years and may know our family from Squamish. We'll be checking that out when we get home. Well dear hearts, that's all for now. TTYL.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

BOO HOO MAUI!

Daily Log

NO Lahaina Maui and scrap the sugar cane train. Due to the medical emergency *earlier in the trip that necessitated a 700 mile deviation of our ship's course, the stop at Lahaina cannot be accommodated and has been cancelled.

The cooking class yesterday was: oven roasted halibut with greek olive and caper sauce. Delicious. Another “must do” after we get home.

Met some new friends at Happy Hour. Met a great new set of dinner partners and had a delicious dinner, last night. Tonight is our second formal night. We enjoy those.

Have rented a movie for today “Finding Nemo” which Roak has never seen.

Get to Kaui in two days. Our first stop and probably followed by a laundry day. TTYL.

*the gentelman fractured two cervical vertebrae when he fell while taking a shower during a gale. He cracked his head on the sink or toilet. Xrays sent to Houston Medical Centre that said that he had to be removed from the ship and not just stablilized and transported to Hawaii. Good Call on the part of the Captain Peter Visser.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Day 6 at Sea

Over the past few days we have attended lectures on volcanos, whales, and the birds of Hawaii. The shows in the evening have been great. We have open seating at dinner so we have met a wonderful array of dining partners. We have attended cooking lectures from the exclusive dining room_the Pinnacle. Bringing home recipe on lamb chop with easy to make apple chutney. My knitting project is abit of a bust so far and Roak's crotchet project has turned into a “thimble hat”.

Tomorrow land – yeah! Lahaina Maui. Hope to ride on the sugar cane train. Stay tuned!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Days 4 & 5

Medical emergency yesterday.  We had to zigzag back towards Astoria Oregon in order to facilitate the helicopter removal of a gravely ill passenger.
5 hours later we were back on course.

Today, did exercise in the gym.  Earlier found out that we need to detoxify our livers so we have had champagne cocktails daily. 

Warm weather. Rain stopped.  Seas calm. 

Friday, September 24, 2010

Friday Day 3

Left Seattle yesterday under grey skies and some rain.  During the night, rain stopped but seas welled up.  Rough seas all night.  Now today, Friday, the seas are calming and the skies are lightening up.

Some of this art onboard.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

day2

We visited the Spa while in port at Seattle.  Yikes!  This afternoon we are having our "fat" tested.  Talk ta ya later! 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Day one and we are on our way!

Well we took our limo (Canada Line) to the terminal-picture attached and then were met at the terminal by a dear friend. 

We went to the show tonight and tomorrow we are in Seattle for the day.  We plan to stay onboard and get more acclimitized. 

It doesn't seem that I can load pictures from the ship.  So we may just have to settle for narrative (boo hoo). 

I'll keep trying.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

MS Volendam

Well we are into the final countdown and the butterflies have now set in.
 
For additional information about the ship, visit this site:
http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/Volendam 

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Psychopsis papilio










We took this orchid for a floral display at an orchid sale and someone touched the upper sepals and they immediately drooped.  One shouldn't touch orchid blossoms!!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010