Dawn princess August 2010

Thought I had better finish this blog properly......After spending our last night on the Dawn we woke to see we were already in the Harbour in Auckland. The day looked grim. It was good to see land and 'home' after 19 nights but we still were not ready to leave our floating home. We easily could do a longer cruise....one day.!! As it is each cruise we do is longer than the previous. But we have work to consider and 3-4 weeks is as long as we can leave the business at this stage. We ventured down to the Florentine restaurant for formal breakfast....why had we not done this before??? Wonderful breaky and seated with strangers. A great way to meet more people. (Just realised why we hadnt done this before, breaky is on between 7-9 only, and we are late risers,!) Departure was quick and a little sad. Especially presenting my cruise card into the id machine for the last time. Even as we waited for Sue and Brian on the other side we saw people leaving that I had never seen on the entire cruise!!! Where were they hiding? Obviously not in the bars and pool areas that we frequented!! We hailed a taxi which took us directly to the airport and after a coffee we boarded our plane for Napier. Arriving in Napier we could see the flooding in the paddocks. Holy! It was lush and green and very wet. Bridie was there to meet us and whisked us on the road to Waipukurau, 50 mins away. We basically threw our bags in the door and headed into work. Mainly as it was the 31st of the month and there was heaps to do......Now 2 weeks after our cruise it feels like it was weeks ago. We have wonderful memories and have met some special people. We would never do a leg of a world cruise again...it felt like we were the intruders....the staff were very ho hum....entertainment was disappointing. We are going to Surfers paradise in 2 weeks and will catch up with June and Brian. They have already indicated that we should book another cruise! together!!! Yay! Cant wait!!!

Bloody Hell!!! The seas are rough!!

We are a rocking here in the South Pacific....5 m swells. Strong winds and a southerly. Can cope with the back and forth motion but when it coincides with a side to side it sucks1!! Actually we are finding it quite exciting . Slept through it last night and today we have been up as high as we can get and we still get wet by the sea spray!! The ship creaks and groans and walking on the ship is a real challenge. Capt Toddy reckons another couple of hours and we be through it! Poor Sue is suffering from seasickness but we are both fine. Well last night we had our last formal and it was nice to have all our dinner mates there for Vaughans birthday. We arrrived at the table to find a card and bottle of wine from June and Brian, thanx guys!!! There were at least 8 birthdays in the dining room last night but when it was Vaughans turn to be serenaded we were the loudest......his birthday cake and card from the Capt were very nice. After dinner we headed to the casino. There was a roulette competition, $10 to have a go qualify for the final. All the serious casino goers were there. They were even writing down the numbers thrown and were working out the odds etc. Vaughan gets on the table, never played before and he was top qualifier!!! So he had the first choice of where to sit for the final and what colour chips he wanted. Plus all finalists received a Players tshirt and cap. The final was tense and Pricey came out on top winning $250...Vaughan was 2nd!!! So it was a good night for the birthday boy. After a hot choc we came home (to our cabin) to find it decorated with balloons. The weather obviously churned up over night. Today was our horse race, we arrived at the theatre to find they had blocked off and area for us owners,jockeys and horse!! Champers and all! We had to line up with our decorated horse and tell the crowd all about our horses and jockeys heritage. 'Koz" didnt come first but we got a bag of goodies for the best dressed!! Great fun...then Bingo and no we didnt win the jackpot so have left money for June and Brian to play for us. Fingers crossed. Have just finished packing our bags as they have to be out the door tonight after dinner. All the kiwis departing tomorrow (over 300) were interviewed by customs yesterday so should be a quick exit tomorrow at 8.30. We have pre dinner drinks with our tablemates tonight in the Wheelhouse bar and then to dinner with June and Brian joining us at our table for our final Princess meal. As I have typed this the sea has calmed right down. One more sleep to go.......

Vaughans Birthday!!

Yesterday was anoither lazy day at sea, brekky, togs, pool, lunch,bingo...etc. After Bingo they were selling off the racehorses for the Auckland Cup tomorrow. Our syndicate brought a horse and were supplied with stuff to decorate it and everywhere we go we have to take the horse. So our number 6 horse is renamed 'Koz'. Because we are 4 kiwis and 2 aussies and just because!!! My NZ flag has come in handy and we get cheers from the NZers onboard and you can just imagine what happens when the Aussies see it!!! We took Koz to the party on top deck last night. The 'Beatles' boarded in Pago Pago. We camped out with the horse and got the best seats in the house. Not that we needed them cos we were up dancing, it was a excellent night but again was short and sweet!!! It was a wonderful night under the stars and full moon. They are performing in the theatre again tonight. Yesterday Brian heard the annoucement that we had a whale on the port side. The rotten bugger kept it to himself and told us all about it later......thanks Pricey!!! Next time let us know huh!! The next annoucement we did hear.....weather deteriorating when we get closer to NZ....5-6 m swells/waves. 14 degrees in Auckland. Oh well! Back to reality. But we have 2 more nights left and its formal night tonight. Guess Vaughan will have to shout the wine for our dinner group tonight......Just been to Bingo and June won 35 bucks....jackpot now stands at 1900. We have decided to leave some money for June and Brian so we will still have a chance at the jackpot after we have left the ship. The temps have dropped and was 23 today but the sea is like a lake...the calm before the storm!!!!! Well Happy Birthday Vaughan!!! Big 54....Heres to many more birthdays onboard a cruise ship.

White caps at sea!!

After my last blog entry we put our togs on and onto the Riviera Deck. This is the busiest deck with the largest pools. The weather is so warm that we are swimming alot more and the deep pool is the coolest. It is 7ft 7in deep. Each day we get either a NZ or Oz newspaper delivered to our cabins. It is always good to catch up on some news from home, even if is just to see how bloody cold it is there. But yesterday we were reading our paper and on the front page was an item on Waipukurau!!! Ok, who was the stupid woman who attacked the patrol car with a damn rolling pin???? We know she lives in Porangahau road and that according to Denis Tatere she was forced to be restrained. OMG! How embarrassing...here we are telling everyone we live in paradise and this is on the front page!! And that was just after another damn aussie walked past and asked us if all us kiwis cabins are on the B deck......the Baaaaaa Baaaaa deck.!!!! Yesterday we arrived into our last port Pago Pago, American Samoa. We were berthed at a pier which makes it so much easier to come and go from. We had a tour booked for the morning for 3 hours. 23 to a bus, wooden seats, no windows. A novel way to see the sights. Pretty poor living here but as we drove past all the fales we could see they had all the mod cons including the big 50cm LCD tvs! The island has a bad pollution problem and is still recovering from the tsunami. With debri and even boats still to be seen up on land. We were met off the boat by the wonderful islanders performing for us, and the port was full of their market stalls selling all sorts. After the tour we wandered into Fagatogo. Couldn t find a loo so saw the golden arches from afar and headed there, good old Mackas!! I had read through Cruise critic about a bar around the bays, so we grabbed a taxi and he took us to Tisas Bare foot Bar in Alega Bay. We walked through greenery and found this bar was paradise!!! about 20 people from our ship had already discovered it. It was like a huge tree hut above the beach looking down into the coral. Just like a huge fish tank. Surrounded by palms, very authentic. Tisa was there as was her NZ partner, both fully tattooed as is the tradition on Samoa. We enjoyed a lunch served on a banana leaf of grilled chicken, salad, banana fries and papaya. Served with local beer. It was certainly a good find and would recommend to anyone coming to Samoa. We had arranged for the taxi to come back after 2 hours to take us back to our ship. After purchasing water and browsing through the markets we boarded the Dawn for our last 3 days. We all changed into our togs and hit the Riviera deck for the sailaway party. Dinner last night was Italian, so loved all the pasta. After dinner we went to the Island party out on the open deck in all our island gear. Was good music.....but these events are poorly attended. It is always the same that go, but we still have a great time. Because most of the passengers are old they cant be bothered. Very different to other cruises we have done, but guess thats the downfall of joining a world cruise!!! The Capt told us when we left Samoa that the weather could get rough!! Great!! But we slept like babies and today have woken to blue skies an warm temps. They are saying the seas are moderate.....hmm more like lumpy to me. Every now and then the ship shudders and bangs, just another whale we have hit!!!!! But it is not too bad, makes interesting swimming as the pools became tidal!!! The boat is humming with the news that the Beatles boarded yesterday!!! They are playing on the top deck tonight. So we are grabbing our possie early and will have dinner there as well. Apparently they were on a earlier leg of this cruise and were very popular. Standing room only whenever they performed. Trust those oldies will come out of hibernation!!! So we have only 3 days left and are feeling quite sad about that. Tonight our clocks go back for the final time, 1 hour and also 1 whole day. So its Friday today and will be Sunday tomorrow, Vaughan birthday!!!!

Our days are numbered!!!

Another perfect day in the South Pacific...Have sighted the odd ship in the distance. Capt Todd said we are doing 21.2 knots and in water 4000 ft deep. The seas are calm and weather is in high 20s and very balmy but pleasant. Night before last we didnt make it to a show but instead the Priceys , us and June and Brian stayed up on the Riviera deck as they had a Pink Party on... we didnt have pink on but we were drinking pink stuff!!! Music was great and we shared the deck with even more people we had just met!! Yesterday we had a late breaky then went to a Cruise critic meeting.....was great listening to the other seasoned travellers and hearing their stories. Then Vaughan and I ventured up to our Sanctuary....just bliss!!! Think we both nodded off in the luxurious lounges. Had endless cold drinks and the odd misting from the staff. Every now and then we would just sit in the plunge pool to cool off. Had lunch delivered, yummy chicken caeser wraps, french fries and aoili!! Bingo was back on at 3.30 so dragged ourselves away to the Vista lounge. Vaughan bought a dobba for Brian and he was presented with it by the staff in charge. So every ganme they checked with Brian to see how his dobba was performing. Third game and Brian actually struck bingo, he was so excited as was the whole room. Today we have Bingo up on the top deck....jackpot stands at $1600!!! After bingo yesterday we stayed on and our Anzac team had a go at Trivia...we again didnt do very well but it was entertaining. We are in it for fun but the rest of the room is so serious...we caught one guy using his bloody laptop to google....what a dick!!! So we let him know that we had seen him!!! Had drinks on the main deck before dinner....firstly going up to the buffet and getting our nibbles of cheeses, salami, ham crackers and grapes. We had our third formal night last night so spruced ourselves up. There was a cocktail party on again and the longest cruiser on the ship was presented with champers, 835 days she has done!!! Dinner was awesome and we again enjoyed the company of our dinner companions. After dinner we went to comedian show. We had actually seen this guy on our very first cruise on the Pacific Star. He was very funny. Then it was hot choc and bed. We are now sleeping with the door closed as its warmer outside. So are using the air conditioning. Our cabins are very comfortable and we are sleeping well. Our cabin is on the 9th floor which is quite central to the rest of the ship. This ship has 15 floors, well actually 14 cos there isnt a 13th floor!!! Vaughan has gone to listen to a lecture this morning and I am sitting on our balcony. We are continually meeting new people and have now worked out there are two types of cruisers...those that cruise and love to cruise and those that cruise and love to whinge!!! So we distance ourselves from the negative ones!!! We have purchased a future cruise deposit which entitles us to free onboard credit when we do decide what our next cruise will be.....we arrived home last night to find amongst the chocolates they leave on our beds was a list of all the upcoming cruises!!! Hmmmm!!! Which one will we do next????

Tahiti.......

After 5 days at sea it was exciting to see land and thought for sure we would have sea legs but no we were as steady as on land. After an early breaky, we were summons into our groups for the tours. Ours was one of the first off the ship and into the back of our 4wd vehicle. Bench seats seating 6. As we walked down the pier we looked up and waved to Sue and Brian who were on their balcony. The tour took us to one end of the Island and through a valley of potholes, hills, greenery and hydro stations. They think their waterfalls are wonderful but they havent seen Ours in NZ. Honestly.....we have better ones just in the Manawatu Gorge. But we had a wonderful guide, a very nice young french tahitian!!!! He kept us laughing and was very informative. We had the company of a couple from Auckland and 3 Aussies. After being dropped back at the ship which looked massive parked up right at the base of Papeete, we went back onboard and had lunch and changed out of our togs. There was a market and few shops open so went for a walk. Was bloody hot, We stopped for a cold drink and ice cream but that ended up costing us over $10 NZ. They had warned us that Tahiti was expensive. The town was in a relaxed Sunday mode with families and tourists biking and walking. We went back to our ship and ended up in the spa for a couple of hours and found Sue and Brian so had a catch up and few drinks. We couldnt be bothered going to formal dinner so just went to the buffet. BBQ lamb chops, mashed spuds, gravy and veges. Was yummy. Last night was the earliest we have been in bed since we boarded this ship. 10.30!! The ship actually left Tahiti at 4 this morning and arrived at Moorea at 8am. Just around the corner!!! Vaughan and I werent thrilled with Tahiti and felt it was run down, dirty and not as exciting place as were led to believe. Had another Alpha alert last night....they are falling like flies!!!! Today we woke to find we were berthed in the most beautiful bay I have ever seen. OMG!!!! this island is awesome....We had booked a day at the beach, lined up to leave the ship at 9am. We were tendered into a small pier and onto a catamaran. It took half and hour to weave through the coral to get to Motu Islet. We passed million dollar plus resorts, the ones with the bures out in the ocean. Arriving at our beach we walked off onto pristine sand and an area set aside just for our group. We had taken our beach shoes (thank god) cos the coral was everywhere. We just walked into the water and were immediately surrounded by the most georgous fish. Then we all got to meet the sting rays!! And the sharks!!!. I was very brave and allowed a ray to come up to me while I stroked its back. Wow! That was a highlight of this trip. Hopefully I can down load that photo!! We just sat in the water and enjoyed the sights. We were given a bbq lunch and beer and drinks. We walked down to the next beach and found Brian and June. So had catch up with them. Brian was bathing his very sunburn legs which are healing fast. We were brought back by catamaran and while waiting for our tender ship to the big ship we browsed through all the local markets. I brought a couple of cheap pieces. Back onto our Dawn Princess and we collapsed into the spa at the back of the boat. We left this beautiful island at about 5pm, drinking cocktails and watching Moorea disappear in the sunset. Just awesome. So now we are back at sea for a couple of days before Pago Pago. The time has flown. We love the sea days and feel we could easily cope with a longer cruise. Bingo is only on on sea days so that will be back on tomorrow. Brian (from Oz) loves to play. But he gets annoyed with people winning and not him. He blames the fact that he doesnt have a dobba( a felt pen)to mark his bingo cards. So we all thought we might get the lady that runs it to present him with his very own tomorrow....he will be so embarrassed!!! Pricey has had 2 good wins at bingo....but we have had no more since the first one on day one. Well its time for a few drinks before dinner (loving my Zibbibo)and thought we might go to a show tonight as a new one is on. But we I will also check out the shops on the way and see what is on special tonight!!!!!!

Aah! This is the life!!!

On our 5th sea day today and loving this lifestyle. We are useually the last to breaky...in fact this morning we were so late we missed out on the toast!!! Have been shopping this morning...Vaughan birthday on the 29th and have no idea what to get him. Maybe his very own hula skirt,haha!! We are changing some money this morning so as we have some francs for Tahiti tomorrow. We have been warned that everything will be expensive but we gotta have a beer or two while there. we have a tour booked so will have an early start. We are 4wd driving to waterfalls etc. The last 2 days have been really lazy. We had an annoucement over the loud speaker, alpha 1, alpha 1, alpha 1 in the Horizon buffet. Another one carked it. Then yesterday an oldie fainted in the lifts!! Brian from Runaway Bay has bad sunburn so is visiting the Medical centre daily....he reckons its the busiest place on the ship. I am over my cold and feeling good again. But there are alot of people with coughs etc. We have had windy,sunny and warm days. So we are found on the decks, sleeping, swimming and ordering drinks. Catching up with others we have met. MOst days we dont even go to the buffet but just have wraps, pies, burgers etc with fries.The ship has been coasting along at 17.5 knots. In depth of 3500 feet. The sights on the decks are mind boggling!!! What is it with these old men and their speedos!! Honestly!!! Think the aussies call them budgie smugglers!! Speaking of aussies......go the all blacks..... heard the news on tv this morning. Musta been a great game. Way to go Izzy!!! I see the Aussies have a hung government....that should make interesting conversation at dinner tonight!!! NIght before last we all went to formal dinner as Howard and Sherry the LA people on our table had their wedding anniversary that night. Howard showed our boys how its done, flowers, champers, our very own antipasto followed by Italian pasta then our mains. They are great people and we are enjoying their company also the other couple, Alan and Liz from Sydney. Alan reminds us of John Armstrong, really genuine, witty and a great sense of humour. LIz and Sherry are actually old nursing buddies from way back. After dinner there was a pyjama party at the nightclub but we decided our pjs werent up to scratch so went to a show that night, a one woman entertainer which was great. Every night before we go to bed we all head upstairs to the buffet and have cake and hot choc!!!! Which reminds me, Vaughan is accusing me of shrinking his shirts......ummm Vaughan you are the only one not doing any exercise!!! Sue and Brian do the laps round the ship and me Im at the gym every mornig, so hopefully we wont do too much damage to the old body. But Vaughan does his stretches whilst in bed watching the movies!!!! We have Brian and June from oz playing bingo with us every day and he loves it.....when we go over in Sept he reckons he will find a bingo hall somewhere so we can all play!!! Last night we went to the Phil Collins concert on the big screen. Lovely to relax with a drink and sit in the balmy weather, then after dinner it was a 60s night at the nightclub. The oldies on the ship dont frequent the nightclub so all the staff in there love to see us all walk
through the door. We are now sailing in the southern hemisphere after crossing the equator yesterday. Our cruise is already past halfway....time is flying. We actually lose the day of the 28th completely!! But will be back in our time soon. We have a busy next couple of days at Tahiti and Moorea.......Blake thought you might be in need of some more cash!!!!! Have a look behind the plate on the wall above the phone!!! Enjoy!!!