Month: March 2016

Waitangi (Bay of Islands), New Zealand 2/1/2016

On the way to Waitangi, we were unable to stop at Rarotanga due to sea conditions that prevented us from tendering ashore. The ship was taking people ashore when a rogue wave washed boat 9 onto the reef. It took over three harrowing hours to get all passengers safely to shore.

On January 27, 2016 – January 29, 2016, we crossed the imaginary line on the Earth that separates two consecutive calendar days – The Internatioal Date Line. We arrived in Waitangi on February 1st, having traveled 2230 nautical miles from Cook’s Bay. Onboard, we were treated to a performance of Maori tribal dance and music

Waitangi is the home of the indigenous Maori tribe who have lived there for over 800 years. In 1840 the Maori chiefs signed over sovereignty of their lands to Britain. This has been a contentious issue ever since.

Tides run 20 feet here. We visited two islands and saw a strong British influence in the architecture.

Cooks Bay, Moorea 1/24/2016

Moorea was the most beautiful of the Polynesian Islands we visited. The souls of all the Polyneasian’s who migrated to Hawaii and New Zealand and various islands all return here to be with their ancestors. We hired a private jeep and travelled through pinapple fields, subtropical forests, and ancient sacred sights on our way to Belvedere lookout point. Here we overlooked deep valleys, sacred mountains, Cooks Bay, Opunohu Bay and Papetoal, a fishing village. Michael saw the stilted bungalow where he stayed in 2001 on a previous visit.

 

Sailing towards Nuku Hiva

Tuesday, January 12th we set sail towards Nuku Hiva in the French Polynesian Islands. We covered the distance of 3846 nautical miles, with an average speed of 18 knots, in eight days. The weather was a moderate breeze, 84°F, clear skies and calm seas.

Every sea day, we teach bridge lessons from 9:00 – 11:00 in the morning; Gail teaches beginning bridge, using Audrey Grant’s Better Bridge Books, and Michael teaches intermediate/advance lessons. Bridge games are held in the afternoon between 1:30 – 4:00 in the deck five dining room since we have too many bridge players to fit in the ship’s Hudson Bridge Room. We have two sections; an open event with 12-13 tables and a limited game (non-life masters) with 6-7 tables. We were quite pleased that some absolute beginners began playing in the limited game and had fun. The bridge players are diverse; we have a 96 year old silver life master, Annette, several each of gold, silver, bronze and life masters. A few pairs play ACOL but most play Standard American.

The abundant fresh-cut flowers on display are masterfully arranged by Florists Eddy and Callista.

Panama Canal Transit

The first time I went through the Canal was aboard Cloud 9. This time was much easier but quite enjoyable. Built in 1914, this interoceanic waterway uses a system of locks with two lanes that operates as water elevators and raises the ships 26 meters from sea level to the level of Gatun Lake. After crossing through the Continental Divide, it lowers the ships to sea level on the other side of the Isthmus. Large ships are guided through the locks by using electric cars called “Mules”.

Construction for the expansion of the Canal is evident everywhere and is slated for completion this year. The new Panama Canal locks will be 427 meters long and 55 meters wide, the size of four football fields. After reaching ocean level on the pacific side we sailed under the Bridge of the Americas and anchored in the bay near Fuerte Amador (Panama City)

 

Sail Away

We borded the MS Amsterdam the afternoon of January 5th and settled into our home for the next four months – a large stateroom with an ocean view. The Captain hosted a Bon Voyage Sailaway Fest to celebrate the beginning of the 2016 Grand World Voyage. The party included complimentary drinks, gourmet snacks and live music. The Lido Deck, where the swimming pool is located, was festooned with decorative flags.

Thus began three days of teaching duplicate bridge and directing games. The lessons include one hour of beginning bridge and one hour of intermediate to advanced bridge. There are 40-45 participants for the lectures and 15 tables of bridge each day. Quite a challange to setup and play 7-8 rounds in two hours time.

Panama City (Fuerte Amador)

We shared a taxi with another cruise couple. Our combined goals included sight seeing, and buying a Panama hat, Cuban cigars and colorful belts. Our Taxi driver, Antonio, explained that Panama City consists of two parts: Panama Viejo (Old Panama), founded in 1519, and one of the most important trade routes in the Americas; and modern day Panama City with its displays of architectural styles which reflect the cultural diversity of the country. He also mentioned that Panama Architecture serves as a repository for off-shore money because Panama has favorable banking laws.

Old Town was resplendent with historic buildings and elaborate churches. Statues honoring Simon Bolivar (the rooster) were omnipresent. We saw the square where the Spanish surrendered, the building where Noriega was captured by American troops, and a church with a gold-leafed alter and a pirate laden history.

We toured the modern city seeing the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Theater. Finally we walked along La Bovedas – the sea wall of the Spanish Fort on the point of the peninsula which housed infamous dungeons, currently art galleries restaurants and artisan stalls.

Its was very hot and humid and after five hours of touring we gladly returned to the ship sporting new Panama hats.