Bobamala

World Cruise

February 6, 2024February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

The Island Princess

As many of you know, Robin and I have been sailing together for over 30 years including 25 years of owning sailboats. We are back on the water again, but in a bit of a larger craft. After 17 days at sea and over 6,000 nautical miles from the start of our voyage indulging in total relaxation and pampering by the accommodating crew, I finally have the time for an introduction and update of the 2024 Island Princess World Cruise which we booked in 2022. We hope you will enjoy this trip as much as we hope to.

Why a World Cruise? Well, we were drawn by the itinerary, a “voyage of a lifetime”, which for us included 22 countries, 44 destinations and 51 sea days for a total of 97 days. Some will carry on for another 14 days to transit the Panama Canal, but since we have transited the Canal on the Coral Princess, a sister ship, in 2017, we elected to embark in Los Angeles on January 18^th and return to Fort Lauderdale in late April.

2024 WORLD CRUISE CHART

As a premonition, the cruise itinerary experienced a few changes early on, such as the inclusion of the port of Suva Fiji instead of Pago Pago, American Samoa. Of special note, was the early decision to forego the visit to Nazareth due to safety concerns.

Preparation for a 14-week cruise is somewhat complex and included arranging for home watch, vacation override for all medications, computer backups and transfers, luggage forwarding service, planning excursions, strategic packing, as well as transfers to and from the ship. In addition to the Premier Home Watch Service, my cousin Vito will be house sitting. He’s an angry man and although he has a concealed carry permit, insists on wearing his Glock 19 around the house in the Streamlight TLR Holster we got him for Christmas.

Just after dawn, our flight departed from Tampa to LAX. A bit early for me, but fortunately it was uneventful. We made it somewhat easier by shipping some luggage ahead of time for delivery directly to our stateroom. After arrival at LAX with luggage in tow, we spent the night in San Pedro near the Harbor to allow for a trouble-free embarkation. The morning presented with a chilly 59º, but the transfer to the nearby Port in Long Beach was seamless.

The Island Princess appeared majestic at the Port dock in Long Beach as we checked in at 10:30 with a very quick and efficient process using our “Medallion”.

A Princess Medallion is a quarter-sized wearable device that allows touch free boarding, room access, locating your travel mates and having everything you need delivered anywhere. No ID cards or receipts to sign. . . an incredible convenience!

You can wear it on the lanyard included, a necklace or bracelet, but I found mounting it to an iwatch strap the best option for me.

After a brief respite in the Elite Lounge, we boarded using the enclosed gangway to the ship, which was to be our home for the next 97 days. Robin and I travelled on this same ship, along with family for a partial canal transit in 2019.

The Island Princess has a traditional feel, but the recently updated carpeting and upholstery give it an elegant atmosphere. The Central Piazza is not overwhelming, but rather welcoming, and hosts many of the ships activities.

The Island Princess is one of the two Coral-Class ships; it was launched 2003 and refurbished 2017. It is a relatively small ship of 93,000 tons, 982 feet and 106 beam to allow travel through the 110-foot wide Panama Canal. It’s a tight fit with only 2 feet to spare on either side, as you can imagine, touch up paint is often needed at the next port.

The ship accommodates 2,200 passengers and 900 Crew and although we had 1,975 aboard, the ship never felt crowded, unless we were in a tender port, which was rare.

Our stateroom was a midship mini-suite of 305 Sq feet and included a separate sitting area with a full sofa, two TVs with a variety of channels, movies and enrichment lectures, as well as, a comfortable balcony.

In the past, we have found this to be a comfortable cabin, well laid out, and with our organizational skills, enough room for a 3 month trip. We had storage cubes and hanging shoe racks sent ahead to allow for organized clothing stowage. This was the best set up we have found yet for dressing in a confined space.

After lunch in the dining room, we set about unpacking and organizing the stateroom for our voyage. We finished just before sail-away and made our way to one of the lounges for cocktails before dinner in the Reserve Section of the main dining room.

Sail away from the World Cruise Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro at 5:45 pm.

After dinner and a show we indulged in a nightcap at the Wheelhouse bar and then retired to the sumptuous, premium linens of our comfy king- size bed. We slept like babies while on our way to the Hawaiian Islands in a moderate sea.

And so, for another 5 days at sea we enjoyed the amenities of the ship. There were numerous activities, enrichment lectures, opportunities for exercise, music, gaming and, of course, eating.

The offerings were pleasing to the eye and palate and were meticulously presented by the pleasant and attentive restaurant managers and waitstaff. The Common areas including the restrooms were kept impeccably clean and our cabin steward Adie, attended to our every need.

Of course, a good deal of time doing research for both option trading and this missive, which I hope you find of interest. In addition, we had this incredible view for days on end.

Our first destination was Hawaii, about 2,600 miles from the U.S. mainland in the Northern Pacific Ocean. It is the only U.S. state outside of North America and the only one in the tropics. Hawaii, consists of 137 volcanic islands but only eight main ones, the most familiar being Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, which is often called the “Big Island”, to avoid confusion with the state .

Settled by Polynesians sometime between 1000 and 1200 CE, Hawaii had independent Chiefdoms. Hawaii became a unified, internationally recognized kingdom in 1810, until American and European business men overthrew the monarchy in 1893 which led to its annexation by the US in 1898. Hawaii is the most recent state to join the Union in 1959. Its economy has tourism and military defense as the two largest sectors. Honolulu, Hawaii hosts the United States Pacific Fleet the world’s largest naval command.

Hawaii’s relative isolation results in one of the highest costs of living in the U.S. However, Hawaii is the third-wealthiest state, and residents have the longest life expectancy of any U.S. state, at 80.7 years

Honolulu, the capital and most populous city of the state of Hawaii is situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oahu, and is the westernmost and southernmost major U.S. city. The city is characterized by a mix of various Asian, Western and Pacific cultures, reflected in its diverse demography, cuisine, and traditions.

Honolulu’s favorable tropical climate, rich natural scenery, and extensive beaches make it a popular global destination for tourists. With over 2.7 million visitors as of 2019, Honolulu is the seventh-most visited city in the United States after New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

We arrived at the Downtown Port of Honolulu, home to almost half a million people. Honolulu is Hawaii’s state capital and the only major city. It offers a wealth of historic, cultural and scenic attractions. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are two of the city’s enduring symbols. Pearl Harbor, site of the USS Arizona Memorial, is a reminder of the tragic events of December 7, 1941 which led America into World War II.

At 7am we gathered at Wheelhouse bar, then to the Pier and boarded a comfortable motor coach for a 4 hour Scenic Drive of the Pali Coast. This was a visually captivating half-day guided tour of Oahu to some of the island’s most famous areas.

Our Tour guide and driver Kimoke’o was informative and entertaining using visuals and music as part of his tour.

We traveled through the heart of the resort district at Waikiki Beach with stunning views of Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, a protected marine preserve and then to Waimanalo Beach featuring a pristine shoreline that slopes gently into the ocean.

We then travelled a narrow road to the Pali Lookout with awe-inspiring vistas of the island where King Kamehameha I forced thousands of his opponents to jump to their deaths.

On the way back to the ship we learned more about Israel Kamakawiwo’ole or “IZ”and his legacy on the island. IZ is a larger than life musician and singer who is celebrated as the voice of Hawaii:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

With the spirit of IZ we made back to the comfort of the ship for Lunch followed by, cocktails, dinner and the Explorer’s Lounge for a bit of music trivia. We departed the dock at 10:30 pm and made our way through the night traveling southeast to the island of Hawaii.

On Day 8, we welcomed the Big Island of Hawaii. Twice as large as the other major Hawaiian Islands combined, Hawaii’s terrain ranges from tropical beaches to the alpine crags and basalt heights of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The Kona Coast is a land of infinite variety, ranging from pristine beaches to rolling uplands that are home to coffee plantations, macadamia groves and the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the United States. To the southeast lies Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. At over 10,000 feet above sea level, Mauna Kea is the highest point in the Pacific Basin.

We dropped anchor at Kona at about 8:00 am. The anchorage was rolly, so tenders were lively and disembarking process was slower than usual.

We didn’t board tender until 11:30 am the walked through town to Kona Coffee Café in the Kona Inn Shopping village.

We got a great Kona Cappuccino, but passed on the “Donkey Balls” and watched fellow cruisers amble around in perfect weather.

Enjoying our brief visit, we returned to our new adopted home on Dophin Deck.

After leaving Kona we enjoyed 7 more sea days and travel 2740 nautical miles or 3,150 statute miles until we reached the next port of Suva, Fiji. Traveling at about 17 knots, we had mostly beautiful sunny days with a calm to moderate sea with gentle rolling waves and no white caps. It is heaven!

Wish us fair winds and following seas,

Captain Bobby Di

Capetown to Rio de Janeiro

February 24, 2023February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

Regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, lush parks and international shopping. It’s famous for its towering mountains, magnificent beaches, award winning wineries and impressive sea life including Great White Sharks, Whales, Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins.

We arrived in Capetown a week early to enjoy the city, do some touring and enjoy a pre-cruise Safari trip arranged by Regent Cruise lines as part of their Capetown to Rio South Atlantic Cruise. The 14 day “Sands to Sea to Samba” cruise would have to wait, as we’ve got lots of plans before embarkation.

The Delta flights from Tampa To Atlanta on to Capetown went without a hitch. Although the 14.5 hour flight from Atlanta was totally full, we managed to eat, watch a movie and with the help of pharmaceutical wonders, get 8 hours of sleep. At arrival in Capetown, we were greeted by a driver who managed the traffic well to arrive at our hotel on the waterfront.

At the suggestion of our agent Donna McPhail of Adler Travel, we spent a few days at the Table Bay Hotel at the Victora and Albert waterfront in Cape Town. This iconic Hotel offering the ultimate in 5-star luxury accommodation is perfectly positioned, within close proximity of top tourist attractions, luxury international shopping and convenient access to the Waterfront and the bustling harbor.

After a quiet dinner at the hotel and a pleasant evening we woke to a sumptuous breakfast in the formal dining room with the live melody of classical piano. . .It’s good to be the King.

Table Mountain is synonymous with Cape Town and is one of the most iconic mountains on earth. Our guide Nabeel, a saavy local gentlemen, arrived early for our half-day tour and we made our way to the base of Table Mountain for entry to the cable car.

The crowd was huge. After waiting for ten minutes in the heat, Nabeel used his many contacts to negotiate the crowd of thousands to procure us a fast-pass entry avoiding the 1.5 hours wait. Slowly rotating cable cars with their 360º views carried us to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city of 5 million and a busy harbor. It’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World so we took our time exploring the many trails atop the mountain taking in the glorious views.

From Table Mountain we descended to the City and the Bo-Kaap neighborhood. The area was populated by slaves known as Cape Malays, and were brought from Malaysia, Indonesia and the rest of Africa to work in the Cape. Many of the families in the Bo-Kaap have been living there for generations and is a significant part of the cultural heritage.

To this day, the houses are a mix of Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture, in distinctive multi-coloured rows on steeply cobbled roads. While on lease, all the houses had to be white, when this rule was eventually lifted, the slaves were allowed to buy the properties, all the houses were painted bright colors by their owners as an expression of their freedom.

After a short tour of the picturesque Company’s Garden in Cape Town, home to several museums and galleries of historical and cultural importance, we retreated to the Hotel pool and the comfort of a chaise lounge and a Maragrita.

After another magnificent breakfast at the Hotel, spoiled by attentive, courteous service, we prepared for another half-day tour with Nabeel, along the dramatic scenery of the South Peninsula.

The trip from Cape Town to Cape Point is considered one of the best drives in the World. We took the 85-mile circular route, sticking to the incredibly scenic, coastal roads. Along the way, we drove through the spectacular coastal villages of Llandudno, Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive, Noordhoek, Scarborough, each one a gem, before you reach Cape Point.

Of special note is Hout Bay, once a small fishing village, now a coastal suburb of Cape Town and home to people from all walks of life. The streets are alive with locals and tourists who flock to a host of curio shops, restaurants, snack bars and a beach is popular with hikers and windsurfers. This charming inlet sits in the shadow of the impressive 1,000 foot high Sentinel Mountain Peak standing watch over the bay. Rumors have it that Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and Donald Trump were once interested in buying this mountain peak.

On Arrival at Cape Point, the southernmost point of Table Mountain National Park, we boarded the Funicular. A funicular is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. . . who knew?

I know THIS. . . we don’t need them in South Florida.

As you may know, a cape is a high point of land that narrowly extends into a body of water. Cape Point, just east of the Cape of Good Hope, juts into the Atlantic Ocean.

A common misconception is that the Cape Point is the southern tip of Africa. In fact, the southernmost point of Africa is Cape Agulhas about 90 miles to the east-southeast. Cape Agulhas also defines the official geographic divide between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. . . yet another factoid to wow your friends at the next cocktail party . . . you’re welcome!

The waters around the Cape of Good Hope are known for being rough. Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Diaz sailed down along the west coast of the African continent and reached the southern tip of the continent. He named it the Cape of Good Hope as it gave the hope of discovering a sea route to the East.

On the return to Cape Town, we visited Boulders Beach to visit the penguins. Again, Nabeel worked his magic and negotiated the crowds through a little know trail along the beach. The African penguin also known as Cape penguin or South African penguin, is a species confined to southern African waters. The species has distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask.

This penguin feeds primarily on fish and squid. The African penguin is a charismatic species and is popular with tourists. Other names of the species include black-footed penguin and jackass penguin, due to their loud, donkey-like noise.

After our return to the Hotel, we enjoyed High Tea in the Lounge and prepared for our relocation to the close-by Westin Hotel the next day, where we would join our travel Group for the 3-day Sanbona Safari Trip. After an evening at the Westin Convention Center and yet another eye- appealing breakfast, we met our 12 Fellow Sanbona travelers the next morning in the lobby, who would in just a few day’s time, become known as “The Dirty Dozen”.

We boarded a comfortable 15 passenger van that would ferry the group of 12 to the Little Karoo. We meandered through the Cape Mountain Ranges, the awe-inspiring Cogman’s Kloop and numerous vineyards before we arrived at the Main Gate at Sanbona.

**Sanbona. . . Untamed, Untouched, Unforgettable**

There, we would transfer to a Sanbona 12 passenger van on a solid dirt road that led us through the arid countryside for an hour, while viewing Cape Zebas, Cape Buffalo and various antelopes. We were met at the Lodge by the staff and offfered a cooling welcome drink to ward off the 90 degree heat.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is the closest true wildlife experience you can find near Cape Town, a short 3.5 hour drive away, offering an exclusive and unique malaria-free safari. Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned nature reserves of rich protected ecosystems stretching across 58,000 hectares or 224 square miles about the size of the entire city of Chicago, but even with its dangerous animals, considerably safer.

We were fortunate to stay in the opulent and romantic Dwyka Tented Lodge, embraced by a striking rock formation and set in the horseshoe bend of a dry Karoo ravine. The spacious lounge and dining areas have modern interiors, wooden decks and make the most of the setting. The accommodation was luxurious and private. Each of the nine luxury tents has an en-suite bathroom and a private deck with a heated plunge pool which added to the adventure.

Interactive nature drives last up to 3 hours and take place in the tranquil moods of sunrise and sunset. Our first game drive was at 4:30 pm, only two hours after we arrived.

We traversed the wild landscape and Cape fold mountains with Josh, a naturalist and qualified ranger from South Africa, in an open Land Cruiser. During the drive, either in the early morning or at sunset, numerous species of plants, animals, big game and birds can be seen.

On our very first Game drive, we spotted rhinos, elephants, giraffes and antelopes.

White Rhino
African Elephant
Giraffe
Gemsbock

After a few hours of bone-rattling travel along and over dry river beds and slopes tracking and photographing wildlife, it was time for a Sundowner. Josh stopped by a quiet pond and offered our favorite cocktails and hor d’oeuvres.

In contrast, the morning drives came a bit early at 5:30 am. It was considerably cooler at 60º and cloudy, as a front was moving in. Each day brought forth more surprises and more animals in their native habitat, but it kept getting cooler . . . by the 3rd day and 4^th game drive, Robin and I were draped in blankets

As you may know, the term “Big Five” originally referred to the difficulty in hunting the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. These five large African mammal species were known to be dangerous and it was considered a feat by trophy hunters to bring them home. I wasn’t able or willing to bring home any trophies but, I was able to get a few photos.

White Lions

The white lion is a rare color mutation of the Southern African lion. White lions are thought to have been indigenous to this region of South Africa for centuries, although the earliest recorded sighting in this region was in 1938. There are now only 13 left in the wild. We marveled the close encounters with these beautiful blue-eyed animals. We saw two, they are a brother and sister pair and have not had success in breeding. . . maybe they should relocate them to West Virginia.

Leopards

Leopards are actually the smallest of the cats, but they are stronger and bulkier than the cheetah. While we did not see leopards, we know that cheetahs are taller and more slender in comparison. A cheetah is built for speed and is the fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph.

However, cheetahs are racing toward extinction, with only around 7,000 of these elegant cats remaining on earth. They’ve disappeared from approximately 90% of their natural homes across Africa, with Southern Africa now being their only fortress. Sanbona embraced the challenge to conserve cheetahs and provide them with sanctuary space. They made conservation history once again with cheetahs now residing in Little Karoo . . . we spotted four cubs.

White Rhinos

White rhinos are the second-largest land mammal and their name comes from the Afrikaans, a West Germanic language. In Afrikaans the word “weit” means wide and refers to the animal’s mouth. Also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros, it has a face only a mother could love. Their horns are valuable and used in traditional Chinese medicine or as a symbol of wealth.

White rhinos have complex social structures. Groups of sometimes 14 rhinos may form, notably females with calves. Adult males defend territories of roughly one square mile, which they mark with vigorously scraped dung piles.

Elephants

The African bush elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal, with bulls reaching a shoulder height of up to 13 feet and a body mass of up to 14,000 pounds. They are distributed across 37 African countries and inhabit forests, grasslands and woodlands, wetlands and agricultural land. It is a social mammal, travelling in herds composed of cows and their offspring. Adult bulls usually live alone or in small bachelor groups. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, creepers, herbs, leaves, and bark. Females are pregnant for 22 months, the longest gestation period of any mammal.

We were lucky enough to encounter a large herd these behemoths; they approached closely, but we never felt threatened. They are one of the most fascinating animals to see while on an African safari. Watching a single bull or a herd with calves can keep you interested all day, as you observe their intelligent, sociable, and communicative behavior. You can revel in the beauty and unparalleled experience of witnessing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

Cape Buffalo

The Cape Buffalo is the largest sub-Saharan African bovine, found in Southern and East Africa. The adult African buffalo’s horns have fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield across the top of the head referred to as a “boss”. It is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent, and according to some estimates it gores, tramples, and kills over 200 people every year. Its unpredictable temperament may have been part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been domesticated but is a sought-after trophy in hunting.

Not one of the Big Five, but a joy to watch, the graceful giraffe is the tallest living terrestrial animal and the largest hoofed herbivore on Earth. The giraffe’s chief distinguishing characteristics are its extremely long neck and legs, its horn-like ossicones, and its spotted coat patterns. Female ossicones are smaller and have a small tuft of fur on top, while male ossicones are bald on the top. Their food source is leaves, fruits, and flowers of woody plants, primarily acacia species, which they browse at heights most other herbivores cannot reach.

During the game drives, what was most impressive was the variety of the animals that could be spotted and how the animals interacted in the wild. We spotted a cheetah slinking around waiting to pounce on a herd of springbok antelopes or here, you can see seven Giraffes keeping their wary eyes on the cheetah in the foreground.

Of special note is the Gemsbok or South African oryx. It is a large antelope native to the extremely dry, arid regions of Southern Africa. Even though they possess spectacular horns that average almost 3 feet, Gemsbok are herbivores. These are mainly desert-dwelling antelopes and they do not depend on drinking water to supply their physiological needs.

Obviously, we were all overjoyed to witness the Big Five in the wild in such a short time, a real testament to the great work that they are doing at Sanbona. Since 2002, the transformation of the lands has included the slow process of recreating an ecosystem as close as possible to the way it’s thought to have been 300 years ago, giving visitors a vision of the Klein Karoo that its early inhabitants would recognize.

Robin and I treasured our unforgettable stay at Sanbona including the drives, the gracious hosts and rangers, the pleasant meals and the camaraderie of our new found friends. It is a trip we hope that all of you will consider in the future, but after our last morning game drive, it was time for breakfast and to pack once again and board the van for the ride to the Sanbona main gate. Here, we transferred to the comfortable van back to Cape Town along a route with incredible mountain scenery.

Du Toitskloof range near Paarl, South Africa.

When we boarded the van we were informed that due to high winds, the Harbourmaster did not allow the Regent Cruise Ship to dock, so we would be transferred back to the Westin Hotel to spend another night. We were accommodated with room assignments and luggage handling swiftly and it wasn’t long before we we relaxing with a cocktail in the lobby bar with our Sanbona Safari mates.

Regent lays claim to be the most inclusive experience among the major luxury cruise lines. Of course, such pampering doesn’t come cheap but, everything is included: flights, shore excursions, beverages and onboard gratuities, so there are no unexpected hidden extras that give you agita at the end of the trip. Regent covered our transport to and from Sanbona, our pre and post Sanbona stays at the Westin and all meals. In addition, we were compensated for the cruising day that we missed due to the high winds at the Cape Town Harbour.

We were informed the next day that the ship was ready for boarding at 9:30 am, so we made our way to the waiting motor coaches accompanied by the ever-present luggage. I was looking forward to unpacking for the LAST time for the next two weeks.

We boarded the ship with no difficulties and it was quite a contrast to the last ship we were on with over 6,000 passengers! The interior design of the Seven Seas Voyager was both tasteful and subdued. The service is extremely polite and friendly, but not obtrusive. They offer a delightful ship with exquisite service, generous staterooms with abundant amenities, a variety of dining options, and superior lecture and enrichment programs.

Everyone stays in a suite on these ships, and most cabins have balconies, walk-in closets, large bathrooms, and even bathtubs. As the price goes up, the space and amenities grow even more.

With the ship’s small passenger numbers and spacious public areas, we never felt crowded. We never had to stand in line or wait for a coffee or adult beverage. Though high fares mean passengers must be well-heeled to sail on Voyager, we found most of our cruise-mates to be down-to-earth and friendly — not those who flaunt their wealth. Most notably, conversation revealed that these folks have visited every corner of the planet.

The captain was concerned with lingering 35 to 40 knot winds and did not leave the Cape Town dock until 3 am. Finally at sea with winds moderating to 16 knots and 3 to 6 foot seas, we were in heaven. After a wonderful day at sea starting with breakfast served in our room, a bit of exercise, casual lunch, organizing photos, cocktail reception and a fabulous dinner, we took in our first sunset. And so our schedule continued similarly, experiencing all the ship had to offer: dining, entertainment, enrichment lectures, camaraderie and a few shore excursions along the way.

The ship will only have two stops before we dock at Rio de Janerio. The first was Walvis Bay, a port town with a large bay and sand dunes that is an important centre of tourism in Namibia. Attractions include the artificial Bird Island, centre of a guano collection industry, the Dune 7 sand dune, the salt works, the abundant birdlife, and a museum.

We chose an excursion using a closed, 7 passenger off-road Vehicle to view the treasures of the Namib desert. It was a chilly 65 degrees at the start, but would warm up to 75 with the sun. Armand, our driver originally from South Africa and now Namibia, would narrate as we travelled over the dirt roads to the impressive sand dunes , the moon landscape, unusual flora, and then on to enjoy lunch at the Namib Park oasis.

We returned to the ship via the town of Swakopmund, a beach resort with a population of 45,000 and an example of German colonial architecture. It was founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa. From what we saw, we don’t think we’ll be booking an AirB&B.

We would enjoy another two sea days before we reached our next port, St Helena. Sea days are marvelous for whatever strikes your fancy: the spa, exercise, reading, lectures, games, lounging, a myriad of other activities or nothing. . . your choice.

Saint Helena is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote volcanic tropical island 1,210 miles west of the coast of south-western Africa, and 2,500 miles east of Rio de Janeiro in South America. It is 1668 miles south of the equator. St Helena has a very mild, oceanic climate. Average temperatures in summer range from lows of 59F to highs of 70F; though at times can reach 93F in the capital, Jamestown. St Helena has only three cruise ships visit per year, as a matter of fact, our ship, The Seven Seas Voyager, make headlines in the local paper!

Saint Helena measures about 10 by 5 mi and has a population of about 4,500 mainly descended from Europeans. It was named after Helena, mother of Constantine I. It is one of the most remote islands in the world and was uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese enroute to the Indian subcontinent in 1502. St Helena is the United Kingdom’s second-oldest overseas territory after Bermuda. For about four centuries the island was an important stopover for ships from Europe to Asia and back while sailing around the African continent until the opening of the Suez canal in 1869 .

About twice of Bermuda, it is a subtropical paradise where the mountainous terrain and micro-climates create an astounding diversity of landscapes all within a few minutes drive.

St. Helena is famous as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte’s second exile and death, as commemorated by a now-empty tomb. We visited Longwood House, is a 16 room mansion which was the final residence of Napoleon during his 5 year exile on the island. He was quite proud of the gardens he designed there.

The steep 3/4 mile trek to Napolean’s tomb was well worth the effort. Beautiful and serene with towering trees providing shelter for a chorus of singing birds. Truly magical . . . apparently too restful for the Emperor, they exhumed his body and returned it to France in 1840.

For my diving buddies . . . clear, warm waters, wrecks and fascinating marine life make St Helena Island an exciting scuba diving destination. Dive site habitats all teem with marine life and the wrecks dotted around the coast are popular. Sea temperatures vary from 66 to 75°F and visibility can range from 16 to 130 feet with peak visibility being from December to May. Dives vary between 40 and 130 feet and oﬀer a range of diving opportunities, including Whale Sharks that visit in February and March. Should have brought my gear! Actually, we did spot a lone Whale Shark just North of Jamestown from the steep road way on our way back to the tender and the Ship.

With another 6 days at sea before we disembark in Rio, Regent is already making plans for us to ease our transition back to terrestrial life. It is comforting to know that we’re being looked after by a cruising nanny. Until then, there’s lots to do and our first order of business was an “Air Drop Lunch” in the Main Dining Room with the Sanbona “Dirty Dozen”. We air-dropped photos and videos, traded stories and made plans for future travel.

Sanbona Safari Travel Mates

**View from our Balcony for 6 days, lights chop, warm and wonderful**

We sailed a total distance of 4095 nautical miles (4712 statue miles) before we reached Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . Known simply as Rio, with 7 million people it is the second most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Rio is Brazil’s primary tourist attraction and resort. It receives the most visitors per year of any city in South America with 2.82 million international tourists a year. Rio has a tropical savanna climate it has hot, humid summers, and warm, sunny winters.

Rio is known for its natural settings, carnival, samba, bossa nova, and resort beaches such as Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. In addition to the beaches, some of the most famous landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. I have included a photo hacked from a Chinese balloon . . . before it was shot down.

**Christ the Redeemer overlooking the City and its renowned beaches**

We toured Rio via motor coach on excellent, yet crowded roads and although the city had interesting churches and buildings, it was loaded with grafitti, not unlike other crowded cities. We then queued up with the throngs of toursists for the train ride to top of Cordova mountain for the 20 minute ride to the area below the base of the Redeemer statue. To avoid more crowds, we walked up another 80 feet using several flights of stairs vs elevator and escalator… well, that cancelled my need for a gym session!

Christ the Redeemer is the Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. Constructed between 1922 and 1931, the statue is 98 ft. high, excluding 26 ft. pedestal; the arms stretch 92 feet wide. Although constructed of reinforced concrete and soapstone, it was impressive, as are the surrounding views.

Daniel, our guide then directed us through the crowds for the return train, then on to the motor coach for a quick ride past the world famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon. We zoomed past about 2 miles of the wide but crowded beaches with bars, cafes, restaurant shacks and beach rentals. Nowhere did I see that girl from Ipanema that Sinatra and Antonio Jobim sing about.

Rio is also a main cultural hub in Brazil. Its architecture embraces churches and buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, blending with the world-renowned designs of the 20th century.

Rio de Janeiro is home to the largest Portuguese population outside of Lisbon in Portugal. After independence from Portugal in 1822, Rio became a destination for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Portugal, mainly in the early 20th century. There are significant disparities between the rich and the poor here, and different socioeconomic groups are largely segregated into different neighborhoods.

We returned to the ship for one last evening before departing. As usual, we enjoyed the company of our fellow travelers, a cocktail at the lounge and one final evening of dining before packing up once again. Although we were reluctant to leave, after our short time in Rio, I was looking forward to the 11. 5 hour plane trip back to Tampa.

Disembarkation at 5:15 am to catch the early flight went very smoothly, with Regent providing the motor coach transportation and luggage transfers. After an orderly boarding process, we took our comfortable seats with plenty of legroom and a special passenger across from us that never said a word.

Alaska

Alaska, The Great Land

September 11, 2022February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

The Native Aleuts named it Alyeska, the “Great Land”. There are a million and one reasons that Alaska has earned its “great” reputation. First, it’s home to Denali, North America’s tallest mountain that stands more than 20,000 feet above sea level. Amazingly, Alaska has more than 40% of the nation’s surface water resources including over 12,000 rivers, 3 million lakes greater than 5 acres and numerous creeks and ponds. It’s a place of epic drama, with soaring mountains, giant glaciers and dazzling wildlife.

*Denali, what we learned in school as Mt. McKinley*

The CruiseTour is an ideal way to explore Alaska’s most magnificent attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. You can only cruise to Alaska during the spring and summer months; the season starts in May and ends in September. Princess Cruises has perfected this experience to show you this destination in its greatest and purest form. For in-depth exploration of Alaska’s interior, we combined stays at Denali-area lodges with scenic and relaxing train travel. We then embarked on the Majestic Princess for a Cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage, a protected water route between the Gulf of Alaska and Puget Sound.

We combined a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, a scenic rail trip and multiple days on land in Princess owned lodges as our home away from home. Warm and welcoming, these lodges are custom built and strategically located near the top attractions of the 49th state, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere of each unique region and experience authentic Alaska excursions.

The Trip from Tampa to Anchorage via Seattle with Alaska Airlines was a total of 3,950 air miles and 9.5 hours of flight time. We expected better service with the upgraded fare, but you know me. . . I don’t complain. After a plane change in Seattle, a funky meal and one Xanax each, we arrived in Anchorage at 12:45 am. Because of the hour, we had to take a cab to the downtown Captain Cook Hotel. After a few hours of sleep and then breakfast at the hotel, we boarded a comfortable motorcoach at 9:30 am and travelled ENE on Route 1, then on Route 3 through Wasilla to the Princess Wilderness Lodge about 3 hours later.

Bordering the South side of Denali National Park, the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is just off of the Parks Highway, two hours south of the main entrance. From the moment you arrive at this Lodge in Denali State Park, you know you’re somewhere special.

Situated on 180 acres of land inside Denali State Park and bordered by the Chulitna River, the Lodge features dramatic vistas of Denali—North America’s highest peak. The dramatic peaks are on display from the Great Room and outdoor adventures are at your fingertips, from river rafting to flight-seeing over Denali and the Alaska Range.

*Deck Placard illustrating the Mountains of The Alaska Range in the distance.*

We enjoyed our time at the lodge along with the temperature of 55 degrees. We lucked out in that the clouds engulfing Denali cleared just enough to enable a view of the storied Peak 20,320 feet above sea level. That’s about 20,306 feet above what I’m used to!

*Telephoto view of the Majestic Peaks of Denali*

Obligatory photo with Denali in the background. . . they made me do it!

After enjoying the magical viewing on the deck and lounge, we embarked on a Byers Lake Walking Tour. We explored a portion of this 4.8-mile loop trail near Talkeetna for 2.5 hours with Mo, our guide.

Mo regaled us with the history of the area and had in-depth knowledge of the flora including many poisonous plants. This trail is considered a moderately challenging route with great lake views and historic cabin. It’s great for backpacking, camping, and hiking and we encountered only a few hikers on the tour.

After a comfortable night at the Lodge, we had luggage ready for pick up at 7 AM. We passed a few hours in the town of Talkeetna, A turn-of-the-20th-century gold-mining center, Talkeetna still has much of its early Alaska flavor with log cabins, and clapboard storefronts on the main street. We walked to the local coffee shop for special crêpe and coffee and then ambled to the convergence of the three rivers at the end of Main Street. We walked around the town, spoke with a few people and met the elected Mayor, who is a cat named “Denali”. Who knew?

We then took the shuttle back to Princess Wilderness Lodge. Enjoyed a coffee while we took in more mountain views and then boarded the motorcoach for our next Lodge destination.

The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, is the closest and most comfortable place to stay when visiting the park, just one mile from the park entrance. Its boundaries encompass an impressive six million acres — the size of the state of Massachusetts. We had already booked a Helicopter Tour to take in the sights and land on a glacier.

The Helicopter tour was thrilling. Robin and I were fortunate to have the front seats on the helicopter, the views were fabulous. We were outfitted with studded glacier over-boots in preparation for the glacier landing.

Hope, our pilot had the highest flight credentials, but she was only in her late 20s. During the 40 minute flight over wide valleys, wild rivers and craggy ranges, she pointed out wildlife and other features. We saw groups of Dall sheep and I even spotted my first Moose! He was standing knee deep in a pond, but from 150 feet overhead, looked like a toy.

We landed gingerly on the glacier, but quickly donned our ponchos as it was raining with a temp about 40 degrees and 20 knots of wind. Hope had me bend down to taste the clear and cold glacial water which tasted clean, but mineral laden. Great way to end the day and prepare for the mandated martini.

After the aforementioned martini and dinner at the Lodge, we succumbed to the required Covid test in preparation for boarding the ship in two days.

We woke to a cold and rainy day and headed out to Nature Tour at the Denali Primrose Ridge. We learned of the Parks History from our driver Mike, who has a Phd in History and teaches at the University. Denali Park National Park was founded by Charles Sheldon in 1917. He was a hunter and naturalist attracted to Denali specifically by Dall sheep. In the past, I had several friends who are rumored to possess a similar attraction.

After a visit to The History Center for and introductory movie and a discussion with a Park Ranger, we then trekked to a historic cabin for a discussion of what early visitor’s experiences were like in the park. Denali is a true wilderness, but now visitors mostly come to see wildlife and not kill it.

Here’s Robin braving the nasty conditions (anything below 75 and cloudy)

You will remember that the US purchased AK from Russia in 1867 for 7 Million dollars, a deal know as Seward’s Folly. When gold was found in 1898, the rapid influx of people and discovery of more natural resources has contributed much to America’s prosperity. William Seward, Lincoln’s Secretary of State, made a great deal, but didn’t profit nearly as well as today’s government oligarchs. Think Paulie Pelosi.

To me, there is simply no better way to experience so much of Alaska’s vast beauty than to see it by rail. The Wilderness rail service transported us in a luxury Glass-domed rail cars on a legendary route straight from the Princess Lodges in Denali to the Cruise ship embarkation in Whittier. The trip is designed to showcase every breathtaking mile of forested landscape, flowering meadows and glacial lakes. The rail guides deliver insightful narration about this historic route’s long history and the natural wonders just outside the window .

Spacious Vista Dome Rail Car with seat and table service

We Traveled by rail about 300 miles of the total of 500 miles of track on the Alaska Railroad. The trip was smooth and comfortable and the 9.5 hours was much more pleasant than the air travel we endured a few days ago. We did opt for the dining car below for a beautiful lunch as we watched the mountains and wild rivers go by.

While nearing our destination of Whittier, where we will embark on the Cruise ship, a Princess Representative accomplished all of the necessary check-in procedures right at our seat, including the Princess Medallion, passport, vaccine card and Covid test result.

We then travelled through two tunnels below the mountains. At the end of the second one, we reached the Majestic Princess in Whittier which is located approximately 70 miles southeast of Anchorage, and was an active U.S. Army port until 1960. Today, it houses most of Whittier’s residents (approximately 290). Unlike Anchorage’s Cook Inlet which is choked by ice 5 months out of the year, Whittier is a year round ice-free port.

*Majestic Princess docked in Whittier for Embarkation*

This was a Princess MedallionClass cruise which features next-level technology and allowed us to enjoy reliable Wi-Fi and touchless experiences. This starts with Medallion wearable, a quarter-sized device that never needs to be turned on or off. Your stateroom door unlocks as you approach, your food and drinks find you, and friends and family can easily locate you. It made check-in a breeze and we chose exactly when and where we ate. We never worried about misplacing our cruise card and we were able to order a margarita, martini or latte by the pool chaise lounge, library or wherever we were. We experienced this on other cruises and it makes the cruising experience delightful.

The 1083 foot, 3,560 passenger Majestic Princess has a fun, relaxed vibe, was built in 2017 and is wonderfully maintained. Due to the lingering effects of Covid there were only about 2,000 passengers aboard which enhanced the experience. The staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and pleasure.

*Elegant Central Piazza with a three deck Atrium*

All cabins have a supremely comfortable Princess Luxury Bed, dreamy pillows, soft sheets and block-out curtains, which virtually guarantee a good night’s sleep. We chose a mini-suite along with Club Class dining, where you can dine on your own schedule and enjoy expedited seating with no wait. Table for 6? . . . for us, that would be a NO Thank you!

After unpacking and feeling overjoyed at not to have to deal with a suitcase for a week, we celebrated in the Lounge with a cocktail and set sail just after Dinner. It felt great to be transiting on the water again. We will take the protected Inside Passage, all the way to Vancouver and make several stops along the way. We enjoyed flat seas for the entire passage of 1550 nautical miles (1783 statute miles).

Hubbard Glacier

Located in south-central Alaska, north of Yakutat, with its origins in Yukon Territory, Canada, Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. We arrived at Yakutat Bay in mid-afternoon and marveled at the Scenic Cruising with expert commentary by Naturalist Mark Harris.

While many other glaciers around the world are retreating, Hubbard Glacier continues to thicken and grow making it one of the best glaciers to see in Alaska. Hubbard calves nearly every day, making for dramatic views as ice crashes into the Bay.

Intense viewing of the Mendenhall Glacier

A spectacular day was followed by a “formal” evening in our usual spot in the Dining Room where we enjoyed attentive, personal service and great selections from a special menu. Adrian and Christian were true professionals.

Glacier Bay

The following day, after a wonderful dinner and engaging ship entertainment, we attended a Glacier Bay Ranger Presentation where we learned of the massive tidewater glaciers of Glacier Bay National Park while we sailed through the fjords of the Inside Passage.

The 3.3 million acre Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO-listed treasure was astounding. We saw several tidewater glaciers tower hundreds of feet over the waterline and watch for “calving”. The native Tlingit call the sound “white thunder” when chunks of ice tear from a tidewater glacier and crash into the waters below. We were able to witness the amazing sight and sounds of this incredible phenomenon.

The magnificent Margerie Glacier is sure to impress with its dramatic blue spires. Beyond the ice, we saw towering snow-capped mountains, deep fjords and freshwater streams.

Icy Point Straight

Several landslides in June have closed the cruise ship dock in Skagway for the rest of the summer so Icy Point Straight was chose as an alternative a few weeks ago. We ended up booking an excursion with a private company for a Whale Adventure.

To get to Icy strait Whale Adventures we took a Green Transporter or gondola to the Adventure Hub boarded the excursion boat. Fortunately, it was only half-full and with only 25 passengers we got to view all of the action in comfort.

Humpback Whales are huge baleen whales that do most of their feeding in Alaska or Antartica. The females are typically over 45 feet long and weigh 35 tons. They travel great distances every year and have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet. Some populations swim 5,000 miles from tropical breeding grounds to colder, more productive feeding grounds.

*Humpback Flukes are a unique identifier to a specific whale*

Humpback whales are migratory and only eat during half of the year. During the feeding season, humpback whales actively feed for up to twenty-two hours a day. We saw groups of 15 or so whales engaging in a cooperative feeding method called “bubble-netting” where they corral their prey fish into a net of bubbles and then swim upwards to feed. It was an incredible cooperative effort!

Group of 40 foot Humpbacks feeding by Bubble-netting

In addition to the humpback whales, we saw several orcas, eagles, otters and plenty of sea lions.

Seal’s Buoy

Juneau

Juneau Alaska stands on one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. After a relaxing breakfast, we had an 8:45 am meetup with the Princess Excursion Trolley to the Tongass Natural Forest and a trip to Mendenhall Glacier.

Tongass National Forest encompassing nearly 17 million acres of beautiful terrain is the nation’s largest national forest and covers most of Southeast Alaska. It surrounds the Inside Passage and offers unique chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of “wild” Alaska.

We visited the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and along the 2 mile Nugget Falls Trail, we enjoyed views of this thirteen-mile-long river of ice and Nugget falls.

The Trolley dropped us off in downtown Juneau, we then took the Goldbelt Tram to the top of the ridge about 1800 feet high and spent some time on the observation deck.

At the summit we watched a Tlingit film to learn of the local culture. The Tlingit maintained a complex hunter-gatherer culture based management of fisheries. Tlingit means “people of the tides”. . . no wonder, tides in Alaska can range up to 40 feet.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan is dubbed the “Rain Capital of Alaska,” and the forecast can be chilly and wet, but we were pleasantly surprised to encounter relatively warm weather at 65 degrees and more sun than we’ve seen since we left Sarasota. Ketchikan is one of the rainiest cities in America and receives about 150 inches of rain a year, 260% more rain than the national average.

We walked into town and booked a 2 hour trolley tour on our own. Describing itself as the “Salmon Capital of the World”, we stopped by a nearby creek and saw Salmon swimming upstream along a ladder, but not before we rode past Dolly’s House of ill repute. We then meandered on the rustic road to a waterfall by the side of the road.

We attempted to view bears in a stream feeding. . . no luck, but we did see several Eagles showing off their aerial skills over the water.

Back on the ship, we enjoyed lunch and then Robin visited to the spa for a mani and a massage, while I relaxed in the cafe for some serious people watching and Alaska research.

SEA DAY

Seas days are great. . . time to relax and enjoy the amenities of the ship.

The day started out foggy and 55 , then partly sunny on our way to Vancouver. After a late wakeup and coffee we had a leisurely lunch at Club Class. We avoid any buffet if possible, the food looks great, but I skeev it. We then enjoyed lounging peacefully at a private cabana in The Hollywood Conservatory, an enclosed quiet retreat 150 feet above the water. After dinner, we retreated to the room to finish packing and have bags ready to go by 9 pm.

Vancouver

Vancouver Port is the largest in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. To enter the harbour we had to clear the Lion’s Gate bridge which has clearance height of only 200 feet. The Majestic princess is a bit higher and we had to pass below the bridge at low tide, 3 am.

We disembarked after breakfast at 9:15am in what can only be described as efficient, cordial and timely. We found our bags with no problem and within minutes we were checked into the Fairmont Hotel by 9:45! Easiest ever.

*Fairmont Hotel, timeless elegance since 1939*

Vancouver is Canada’s third-largest city, a cosmopolitan place with a European feel and a personality all its own. It’s also the city where Robin and I were engaged in 1991, so it has special meaning for us. It’s a community with a rich ethnic mix – including the second-largest Chinatown in North America – and stunningly beautiful parks.

We took a stroll to Gastown, as we did 32 years ago, and noticed some things have changed. It is a mix of hip restaurants and trendy boutiques and tattoo parlors and poverty.

We thoroughly enjoyed lunch at the Local Public eatery in the heart of Gastown and marvelled at the number of attractive ladies with total arm and/or leg ink, not to mention the facial jewelry. Our waitress had so much facial jewelry she looked like a wind chime with legs!

We enjoyed much that the city has to offer, including Stanley Park. This magnificent green oasis in the midst of the urban landscape of Vancouver was only a 30 minute walk from our hotel. We admired the unique architectural features of the buildings and the prolific gardens along the way.

The 1,000 acre Stanley Park features natural West Coast rainforest, scenic views of water, mountains, and majestic trees along the Seawall.

A trip to Stanley Park wouldn’t be complete with out a trip to the magnificent Aquarium. The Beluga Whales and Orcas are no longer in residence, but it’s absolutely worth a visit.

After a light dinner and packing for the last time, we turned in early to prepare for the 3:30am wakeup. Rang for the bellhop at 4:30; airport by 5:00am; porter then took bags to the gate, then to US customs, conveniently located here in Canada; through global entry security, then used the US global entry kiosk and off to the agent to present receipts, passport & boarding pass. Now, on the US terminal. The entire process was completed in 30 minutes. Whew! We were at the gate at 5:30am for the 7:30 am flight. Looks like we allowed enough time. . .

We hope you enjoyed your time with us and look forward to having you join us for another adventure.

Blue Danube River Cruise

The Blue Danube

April 27, 2022February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

The Danube River, over 1,700 miles long, is the second longest river in Europe, after the Volga in Russia. It flows through much of Central and Southeastern Europe from the Black Forest in Germany into the Black Sea.

The Danube was once a long-standing frontier of the Roman Empire and today is the river running through the largest number of countries in the world (10; the Nile is second with 9). The largest cities on the river are Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade and Bratislava, all of which are the capitals of their respective countries.

Along the “river of kings” you find medieval castles and Gothic cathedrals, charming riverside villages, the Imperial treasures of the Habsburgs, lush Wachau valley vineyards and the music of Mozart and other masters.

From Prague to Budapest, castles of all descriptions have watched over the landscape from their royal perches for centuries. This 12-day journey featured a 7-night Danube cruise, a private dinner in Lobkowicz Palace, a stroll in Medieval Regensburg, Baroque Salzburg and charming Bratislava. We visited historic Cathedrals in many cities and atop Budapest’s Castle Hill. We also visited the very room were Mozart was born and explored Vienna’s opulent Schönbrunn Palace. Of special note, we celebrated our 30th wedding Anniversary with an exclusive evening of Imperial entertainment the Palais Pallavicini, a private palace in Vienna. It was definitely a cruise to remember.

Getting there was a story in itself. Traveling through the Covid era, as you know, has presented challenges. We were actually in Indonesia in the early days of Covid in March of 2020. At that time, there were no vaccine or mask requirements, although we wore masks and disinfected surfaces like obsessive, compulsive scullery maids. Since then, I have been on dive trips to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Belize and Costa Rica. In addition, Robin and I enjoyed a fantastic cruise on one of Princess’ newest ships which accepted only one half of the usual passenger list, due to Covid. I have posted these on social media, but have not posted on Bobamala.com since 2019. Welcome Back!

Preparation for this trip required that you be fully Vaxed and Boosted and show a negative PCR Covid test 72 hrs prior to arrival in the Czech Republic. Just last week, masks were required on all flights and airports. After all of these precautions, including masking at the hotels, on the ship and coaches and even on the streets in Germany and Austria, Covid testing prior to our return home to the US rendered some amazing results. I’ll detail the findings later.

We chose Tauck Tours for the Danube Trip as they are top-rated for this itinerary. Their representative met us at the Prague airport in Czechia and whisked us to the Prague Marriott Hotel in the heart of the city near Old town Square. We were traveling with our neighbors and friends Tony and Annie, who were also enticed by the itinerary. Now settled into our rooms, we relaxed a bit and then walked a few blocks along the cobblestone streets for dinner at the Cafe Imperial, which has been the most famous and most popular “Grand Cafe House” and restaurant in Prague for the past 100 years. It was once frequented by the writer Franz Kafka, composer Leos Janacek and many other eminent guests.

Original Art Noveau ceramic wall tiling and mosaic ceiling from 1914 were breathtaking and crowned by large street windows. The service was professional and attentive even when Robin asked for her aperitif, “Pussy Food” . . . a unique combination of orange juice, lime juice and pomegranate syrup. It was presented in a cocktail glass, so it’s not what you might think!

The Cafe Imperial menu boasts traditional Czech cuisine with a modern twist, complemented by international items. Signature dishes such as Braised Veal Cheeks, Braised Shank of Lamb or Imperial Cake will make you return for more.

We began the River Cruise early this evening with a Tauck Exclusive – a royal welcoming reception, tour and dinner at 16th-century Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle. We were immersed in an evening of classical cultural treasures – music and art played an important role in the aristocratic world of the Lobkowicz family.

Welcome Dinner at Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace

The following day, we started the exploration of Prague with a walking tour through Prague’s ethereal Old Town, including a visit to the city’s poignant Jewish sites in the historic Jewish Quarter. The Jewish community in Prague can trace its origins all the way back to the late 10th century, but to call its history tumultuous would be an understatement. Some 1,500 Jewish citizens of Prague were massacred in April of 1389 , in one of the most horrific examples of Bohemian anti-Semitism in Medieval times, but by the 18th century, the Czech capital was home to more Jews than anywhere else on the planet.

Now home to a poignant memorial to the lives lost during the Holocaust is the Pinkas Synagogue, the second-oldest in the city. All of the walls are taken up with names of 78,000 Holocaust victims, giving their names, date of birth and date of death or transportation to the concentration camps. The memorial is the longest epitaph in the world, but the total list of victims is much longer.

Names of Czech Jews that perished in Concentration Camps like Terezin, 30 miles north of Prague

Jewish Cemetery, resting place for over 100,000 souls

Our tour continued past the Old Town Square. The Astronomical Clock located in the Old Town Hall was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still in operation. The clock shows the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, Earth and Zodiac constellations. It also tells time, date and a little theater every hour for its viewers every hour on the hour.

In the afternoon, we visited the Castle district including the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle’s complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens; the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of St. Vitus which is the largest and the most important temple in Prague. Apart from religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place here. The cathedral is a place of burial of several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops.

We were free that evening to sample the culinary pleasures of Prague at Gambero Rosso a wonderful Italian restaurant a few blocks away from the hotel. We passed on the best schnitzels, goulashes, strudels, dumplings and chose pasta and pizza instead. Wonderful!!

Robin and I with Tony and Annie at Gombero Rosso

Regensburg

We departed Prague this morning and traveled to the quintessential Bavarian town of Regensburg, whose roots stretch back to Roman days. Here we explore this treasure-trove of history on foot enjoying the many shops and quaint narrow cobblestone streets.

Touring sure improved our appetites and since none of us speak German, our native Bavarian waitress patiently explained the menu by pointed to an item, then we all engaged in a game of charades. . . Lots of laughs and I ended up with a great local beer and Pork schnitzel. . . not what I though I ordered, but I’d do it again!

We departed Regensburg and continue on to Vilshofen, where we boarded our riverboat the MS Joy to launch our 7-night Danube cruise. At 443 feet with a shallow draft of 4 feet, she was built for river cruising. Most ships of this size carry 160 guests, but Tauck limits this to 130 for a more comfortable experience. For this trip, due to Covid and other factors, we had only 67 guests and 30 crew.

Upper Level Stateroom included a large bath and a walk-in closet

The Welcome Reception included cocktails and introduction of Captain and crew, which was followed by dinner in the spacious Dining Room. We then settled into our cabin as we embarked on our river journey. After a restful night, we admired the views from the windows of our cabin we glided along the mighty Danube . Our first port of call was Engelhartszell, a pretty town on the Danube in Upper Austria.

Engelhartszell

We visited a local private home built in 1598 and owned by the Klein family since 1743. We were greeted by the extremely engaging sisters who run the former stable and inn as a bed and breakfast. We enjoyed an informative tour and a history lesson, as well as, taste of local cake and liqueur.

We then joined a walking tour of town including 18th-century Engelhartszell Abbey. Engelszell Abbey church, built between 1754 and 1764, is an impressive church in the Rococo style, with a tower 76 meters high.

In 1925, Engelszell Abbey was occupied and re-founded as a Trappist monastery by refugee German monks. In 1939, the abbey was confiscated by the Gestapo and the community, numbering 73, evicted. Four monks were sent to Dachau Concentration Camp, while others were imprisoned elsewhere or drafted into the German Army. At the end of the war in 1945, only about a third of the previous community returned. At present, there is only one monk in residence.

After a tour of the Abbey, the gardens and an aquarium with species native to the Danube, we returned to the Ship for lunch and a leisurely meandering cruise as we sailed through the Danube Valley. An optional 26 mile Bike ride was offered this afternoon, but with 45 – 50 degree temperatures, I passed. Florida has spoiled me. If the temperature drops below 50, I don’t even go outside to get the paper!

We did attend a very special Chef’s signature dinner that evening after our arrival in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. We sampled the fantastic menu and enjoyed the special treatment.

Salzburg

The MS Joy stayed docked in Linz as we had a full-day excursions to Salzburg (Austria). A setting for The Sound of Music, Salzburg is enticing with its Baroque architecture, painted wrought-iron signage, ornate church towers, and grand palaces. The walking tour explored Old Town and Mirabell Gardens, we then had time on our own to have lunch and tour Mozart’s Birthplace.

As you know, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January, 1756 – December, 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical Period. Despite his short life of 35 years, his rapid pace of composition resulted in more than 800 works of virtually every genre of his time. Mozart is among the greatest composers in the history of Western music, with music admired for its “melodic beauty, its formal elegance and its richness of harmony and texture”.

We took some time to browse the museum then do some window shopping. Along the way we stopped to warm up with some cappuccino and a light lunch at an historic cafe.

Wachau Valley cruise to Dürnstein

We continued cruising through the Wachau Valley which is one of the spectacular winemaking regions of the world. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes. We docked in Dürnstein for a closer look at its 16th-century Baroque houses and 13th-century Romanesque church on a walking tour along cobblestone streets. We also saw the ruins of Kuenringerburg, a hilltop castle above the town where Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades.

Kuenringerburg Castle, where crusader Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned and held for ransom

Vienna

We arrived overnight in Vienna, Austria, and toured of the Hapsburgs’ Schönbrunn Palace, an architectural masterpiece and Austrian cultural treasure. It was the main summer residence of the Hapsburg rulers. The 1,441-room Rococo palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in the country. The history of the palace and its vast gardens spans over 300 years, reflecting the changing tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Hapsburg monarchs.

We then enjoyed a walking tour of medieval Vienna. Later, nothing compared to the royal treatment and pageantry we experienced at our private Imperial Evening in the Palais Pallavicini, an opulent, private Viennese palace that played a role in the 1940s film noir classic The Third Man. Welcome cocktails and dinner precede an unforgettable spectacle of beautiful ball gowns and a musical performance celebrating the legacy of Mozart. What an incredible way to celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary!

The Happy Couple Celebrating their 30th!

Vienna sightseeing & on to Slovakia

The next day we took the “Imperial City Walk” through one of the largest Palace complexes in the world. Originally a medieval fortified castle dating from the 13th century, The Imperial Palace was continually expanded by the each Hapsburg emperor. The sprawling, asymmetric complex which extends over 240,000 m² consists of 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms in which nearly 5,000 people still work and live today. Since 1279 the Hofburg area has been the documented seat of government.

You may recognize the Neue Burg balcony in the center of the photo, where in March of 1938 Adolph Hitler proclaimed to the crowd of over 200,000 cheering German Austrians that his homeland, Austria, was now part of the German Reich.

Our tour continued on in medieval Vienna to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna. The current Romanesque and Gothic form of the structure was originated in the 1368 and continued to 1433. The Cathedral’s massive south tower is its highest point and a dominant feature of the Vienna skyline. It has many outstanding features including 18 altars, icons, tombs, catacombs and crypts. The interior is truly breathtaking.

Baroque in Bratislava

We began the day with a Tauck Exclusive – a presentation by a local guide that takes you inside contemporary Slovakia and Bratislava for a look at politics, the economy, religion, the social order, preservation and emergence of the arts, and more. Then, as the weather is now improving with a glimpse of sunshine, we had a pleasant walking tour of this cobblestoned, vehicle-free city, where we saw 17 centuries of history chronicled in sites including its 13th-century Old Town Hall, Baroque Hapsburg-era palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall and St. Martin’s Cathedral.

Wheelhouse visit

After a great visit to the charming city of Bratislava, which also is an important manufacturing center, I took some time to visit the Captain in the Wheelhouse. Captain Marinescu has the latest in Navigation aids that helped him guide us the 374 miles from Vilshofen, Bavaria to Budapest, Hungary. Along the way we transited 11 locks each of which descended 36 to 65 feet. Great job Captain!

The river Cruise ended the next morning in Budapest, Hungary, which is split into the sections of Buda and Pest. We disembarked the riverboat and bid the crew farewell, then explored the city’s Buda side with a visit to the historic Covered Market and a walking tour of Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Covered Market Hall with an amazing selection of fruits, vegetables, specialty meats from specialized butcher shops, pastries, spices and spirits, not to mention clothing, handcrafts and souvenirs.

Buda, Capitol Hill and Fisherman’s Bastion

We admired the stained glass windows, the incredible detail and the centuries of history in Matthias Church and then were awed by the views from Fishermen’s Bastion with its Neo-Romanesque design. After lunch at a local café, we transferred to the city-center Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Panoramic view of Budapest from Fisherman’s Bastion from Castle Hill in Buda

We had a seamless check-in at the Ritz-Carlton on Elizabeth Square smack dab in city center Budapest. The hotel staff greeted us warmly and we settled in and prepared to get ready for dinner.

We chose to dine at Rezkakas (Copper Rooster) a local Hungarian Restaurant which offered live traditional music, as well as, Hungarian cuisine with a modern twist. Of course, I had to go with the braised veal cheeks! The music was lively and how can you go wrong with a good veal cheek?

On the walk back to the hotel, we passed through Elizabeth Square and there it was, the Budapest Eye, the enclosed ferris wheel that serves as a city landmark. At over 200 feet high, it affords great views of the City.

Budapest is split into the sections of Buda and Pest by the Danube River. In the morning, we explored the Pest side of the city on a tour including a special visit to the opulent State Opera House, opened in 1884, with its royal boxes, gilded vaulted ceiling, exquisite murals and three-ton chandelier.

Our tour continued to City Park and Heroes’ Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary. The walking tour focused on the Hungarian Revolution and includes the Parliament building and the Embassy.

Ronald Reagan is a popular figure in Hungary

Vaci Street, Fashion street in central Pest

Budapest has acquired quite an excellent reputation for its cuisine and tonight’s special farewell dinner is at the grand Akadémia Club in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

And so after 14 days of traveling by air, bus, boat and car we are returning to the US, but not before our required Covid testing. Of the 67 travelers about 60 were tested, as others were extending their trip elsewhere. Over 20 tested positive for Covid and had to be remain in Budapest for 5 days, or until they tested negative. Fortunately, we were the lucky ones!

We were able to complete our journey home through Munich, then Dulles and finally Tampa without a hitch. The long flights can be quite pleasant, if you are able to get assistance from the appropriate medications. We returned home with pleasant memories and an appreciation for the wonderful treasures and complex history of Central Europe. We can heartily recommend this Danube itinerary and the Tauck Tour Company.

A perfect day on Vorosmarty Square, Budapest. Definitely a Bobamala favorite!

Australia

G’day Mates!

March 24, 2019February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

G’day Mates,

Welcome to Australia the “Land Down Under”, the largest country in Oceania and the sixth largest in the world. It is about the size of the continental U.S. The population of 25 million is highly urbanized and mostly located on the eastern seaboard.

A highly developed country with the world’s 13^th largest economy, it ranks tenth in per capita income as evidenced by the astronomical real estate prices in Sydney where the average home price is $850,000!

After traveling 32 days by sea for a total of 10,260 nautical miles we were delighted to start our adventure in Sydney with its population of nearly 6 million, living in an area which extends about 43 miles from the city center. It’s huge . . . and expensive, but boasts the most picturesque harbor in the world, along with notable sites such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Royal Botanic Garden and over 2 million acres of national parks.

I can tell you that sailing into Sydney Harbour and passing by the Sydney Opera House and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge was breathtaking. When sailing under the bridge we looked up and saw what looked like ants climbing on the top arch of the Bridge. The next day we would be two of those ants!

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened in 1932, is the tallest steel arch bridge 440 feet from the top arch to the water. It accommodates vehicles, rail, bicycles and pedestrians and Wallenda wannabees!

BridgeClimb Sydney is billed as “360˚ of Unforgettable” and so it was. After suiting up with coveralls, safety harnesses, headphones for the narration during the climb and tethers for hats and sunglasses, our group of 11 performed an indoor practice climb including important advice about clipping on to the safety cable.

After our guide was satisfied, we clipped on to the cable, exited the building and began our 1332 step journey to the bridge summit. At that point, we were under the bridge road surface and about 40 feet above the road and park below walking on a catwalk of two 2 x 12 planks. I started to sweat and was happy that I wore nothing but Tommy Johns under my coveralls. The climb up the narrow ladders to the arch itself was nerve wracking, especially for someone who would rather dive at 175 feet below the ocean surface or dive with sharks than climb a step stool!

Here we are huddled in the middle of the group for protection!

Our guide was informative and kept the group engaged as we climbed up in the 30 knots of wind and finally reached the summit and enjoyed the view, hoping a strong gust wouldn’t make me plunge the 430 feet to the water below. We did manage to smile for the photo though!

The total experience lasted 3 ½ hours, but we had a great time didn’t we!!

The next day we took the Ferry from Circular Quay (pronounced “Key”) next to the Opera House for the 15 minute ride to the Taronga Park Zoo.

Along the way the scenery of the harbour with the residences bordering it is amazing. Contact your local Sydney real estate agent if you’d like to drop 5 to 50 million on a place to lay your head.

After arriving at the dock we took the Sky Safari, a tram ride to the Zoo entrance, from there it is an easy stroll back down to the waiting ferry after you experience the wonders of the resident animals.

Some of the highlights were the indigenous, Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabees and, of course, the Platypus. The Zoo is undergoing considerable renovation with new exhibits suggesting that a return visit may be appropriate.

We used the ferry system to return to Barangaroo on Darling Harbour, south of City Center. From there we walked the ½ mile back to our hotel located in the business area and Sydney Town Hall.

Sydney is a very busy city with lots of traffic and hills. Construction of a Center City tram line on George Street which bisects the city will join rail and ferry lines in an attempt to alleviate congestion. The scheduled completion date was 2019, now estimated to be March 2020. Hopefully, it will function as planned.

BLUE MOUNTAINS

The Blue Mountains derive their name form the blue haze created by sunlight at it reflects off of the oil from the vast Eucalyptus Forest. The region borders the Sydney Metropolitan area and was inhabited for millennia by the Aboriginal people. The area encompasses 3,900 square miles and is a tourist mecca for its stunning vistas, rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking.

We woke early for pickup @ 6:50 for the Blue Mountains with Diamond Tours. Tim, our guide, driving a Mercedes Benz Sprinter with only 12 aboard provided insightful information. We benefitted from the fact that he has lived in Sydney for over 30 years and is extremely knowledgeable. He kept us entertained and herded properly for over 10 hours.

After driving about two hours out of the city, our trip took us to several points of interest including Lincoln’s Rock, Echo Point, Scenic World, Cahills Lookout and the Three Sisters near Katoomba. We varied our modes of transportation by using a glass floored Skyway car, a cable car, the world’s steepest inclined railway and our feet. Following that, we had time for lunch in a lovely hotel in the small town Lapstone.

To top it off, we visited the Featherdale Wildlife Park with its collection of indigenous species and the ability to get up close and personal with Koalas and Kanagaroos. Robin spent most of her time feeding her new kangaroo friends.

Ever want to cuddle with a koala? Since they sleep for 20 hours per day, we had to give “Duke” a bit of a nudge to wake him up for this photo.

After a long and incredible day, we took the Ferry back to Banagaroo on Darling Harbour and walked back to our hotel.

Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is no doubt one of the most iconic buildings in the world. The construction of this truly unique performing arts center was started in 1959 and completed in 1973. The structure is magnificent and wondered at its features during a comprehensive tour and learned that there actually 5 performance halls.

We had booked the opera performance of “Werther” months ago and after the tour we had dinner at the Opera Restaurant overlooking the Sydney Harbour and the Harbour Bridge where I nearly fell to my death only three days ago!

While dining we were entertained by a number of young Asian females taking selfies in every possible pose for the entire hour. This would be something we would witness during the entire trip in Australia. By some freak of nature we didn’t get impaled by a selfie stick, but it was close. Where in the hell do they send all of those pictures?

Attending an Opera in one the world’s great venues was very special, but you know the story. . . I love her, she married someone else, so I’ll kill myself! Isn’t opera fun!!

New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria

Over the next few days we will criss-cross Eastern Australia travelling from Sydney in New South Wales to Hamilton Island just west of the GRB in Queensland to Melbourne in Victoria and finally through Brisbane the largest city in Queensland on our way back to Tampa. Our travels will have taken us to three of Ausralia’s six states.

Travel to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays on Virgin Australia, treated to spacious cabin and comfy seats with flight attendants so stunning they would make a grown man weep. I think I have found a new favorite airline!

Part of the Whitsundays and in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is a family-oriented holiday destination. It is known for its pristine beaches and access to the GBR with its variety of coral and marine life.

From the airport our luggage was delivered to our hotel room and arrived before we did. Transportation on island is only by Buggy (golf cart) or the frequent air conditioned shuttles. The weather here was very similar to spring or autumn in Sarasota. 90 degrees and high humidity. . . I can breathe again!

Great Barrier Reef

After enjoying the fabulous view from our balcony we had arranged for a trip on a fast cat to the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef, as you know is the largest barrier reef in the world and is about the size of Japan.

Cruise Whitsundays maintains a Pontoon (barge like structure) moored to the reef about 50 miles to the east on Hardy Reef which is part of the GBR. We took the 300-passenger power Trimaran along with its 26 member crew to the Pontoon for the 1.5 hour trip with orientation along the way. I was scheduled for a two- tank dive. Robin planned on snorkeling.

Well-organized and efficient, the crew managed the 120 guests with ease. Most of the participants were new to diving and/or snorkeling so there was plenty of entertainment!

There was also plenty of excitement to go around as stinger suit clad snorkelers enjoyed their day. The stinger suits are necessary due to the presence of Irukandji. They are a group of jellyfish that can cause potentially serious injury. The stinger suit is a full body lycra suit that includes a hood and gives all the protection that you will likely need. The height of the jellyfish season is November to May. Robin heard this and immediately signed up for the semi-submersible sub to eliminate the possibility of Cnideria attack.

The diving was enjoyable, but not as great as I had hoped; the visibility was only about 30 feet, the reef was devoid of color and about 30% of the coral growth appeared to be dead or dying. I was told that the coral growth is actually improving. Let’s hope so.

The trip back was comfortable on this huge cat with great scenery as we motored through the Whitsunday Islands. The water color and islands can be likened to the Abacos in the Bahamas, but with mountains.

Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach

The next day we joined Cruise Whitsundays again for a trip to Whitehaven Beach. The 100 passenger, 2 deck Power Cat whisked us to the beach on the largest of the 74 Whitsundays. . . Whitsunday Island, which makes sense. Whitehaven Beach is billed as one of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches in the world. With its white sand and 7 km (4.3 mile) beach it’s easy to see why. Spectacular!

We spend our time walking the National Park Trail and strolling the beach, taking in the magnificent views on a beautiful Queensland morning.

When it was time to return, the Cat had a boarding ramp extending to the beach itself for easy passenger loading and they power-washed your lower extremities of sand to keep the boat interior civilized.

We enjoyed lunch at a sandwich shop near the marina, took the shuttle back to the Reef View Hotel and relaxed by the pool before we prepared for yet another trip on Virgin Australia. Oh, yeah!

Hamilton Island to Melbourne

The amount of luggage we were toting was a concern, but the Hamilton Island staff came to the rescue once again and made the airport check in a breeze. We were again greeting by a beautiful and friendly Virgin Australia staff who managed to have the 737-300 aircraft boarded and ready to go 30 minutes before schedule. Imagine that!

On our arrival at Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city with about 5 million people, we were greeted by a driver who helped us schlepp our belongings to the awaiting MB People-Mover van for our 30 minute trip downtown. We were staying at a hotel in the Theatre District which is in Chinatown. After settling in, we took a stroll around the area and scoped out local options. We took advantage of the free trams and trolleys with their city tours. There are the iconic laneways or alleys with shops and restaurants, tantalizing food and a dynamic arts and entertainment scene. One thing for sure, we won’t go hungry.

The first thing we accomplished early the next morning was to buy theatre Tickets to “Muriel’s Wedding”, a cheeky new Australian musical, based on a popular film of the same name. It was playing in the historic Her Majesty’s Theatre just steps from our hotel. The show was vibrant and fun and we were awed by the magnificent 1700 seat theatre originally built in 1886; it currently exhibits a classy art deco style. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was followed by a short walk to the hotel to prepare for our last tour of the trip, The Great Ocean Road.

The Great Ocean Road

Fred from Oceania Tours arrived at 7:45am and loaded the van with a total of 9 guests. This is one fantastic guide. He also had plenty of bird feed on hand to attract the cockatoos and parrots.

Fred’s narration was non stop and very informative. He arrived in Melbourne as a boy and his Aussie humor was on display along with his bush hat and quick wit.

In addition to the usual great attractions such as the Loch Ard Gorge and Twelve Apostles (there are only 8), Fred sought out locations we would like such as Kangaroo and Koala hangouts so we could get up close and personal.

We had an action packed day topped off by a drive to the Crown Casino on the Yarro river downtown so we could witness the hourly fire show. . . Wow! After a 13 hour tour we had to face final packing for the flights home.

The 6:00 am limo arrived on time and we were off to the airport. As usual the Virgin Australia staff was very helpful in getting our bags check all the way through to LAX so we wouldn’t have to deal with them in Brisbane. All flights were pleasant and on time. The Brisbane to Los Angeles leg was only 12 hours, an hour less than our day with Fred! We left Melbourne on Thursday at 8:00 am and arrived in LA on Thursday at 7:00 am. We picked up the day we lost crossing the International Date Line.

The LAX International Terminal is a horror show. Even with Global Entry I was a victim of White Profiling. I should have worn facial jewelry and sported a neck tattoo if I wanted to be ignored. After pushing two carts full of luggage that would make a Sherpa’s eyes roll, we finally arrived at the domestic departure area. There was no availability in the Sky Lounge so we were forced to wait with the unwashed masses for three hours to board our flight.

Unfortunately, LAX does not have enough seating for the crowds and the bathrooms were backed up like halftime at the Superbowl. The flight, however, was on time and we paid up for better seats so we were delighted to arrive in Tampa after 28 hours, 18 of which was spent in an airline seat.

We spent the limo ride home discussing our travel plans and the return visit to Australia and New Zealand, which is for sure. . . they are amazing countries with wonderful people. Speaking of wonderful, thank you for coming along and we hope that you enjoyed the trip nearly as much as we did. Hope to see you all soon, maybe in the Whitsundays!

Best regards,

Bobby Di

New Zealand, Oceania Insignia

Kia Ora New Zealand

March 3, 2019February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

Ahoy Kiwis!

Day 24 found us sailing south toward New Zealand. We noted the cooler weather and enjoyed a sunny day with moderate wind and five foot seas. Starting to feel sinus congestion, I took measures to mediate the effects of infection. First step. . . no Bombay Sapphire Martinis for a few days. . . OUCH, that hurt!

As you know, New Zealand is an island in the South Pacific, 1,200 miles east of Australia across the Tasman Sea. It consists of two main islands, the North Island, which has most of the population of 4.5 million and the South Island which is the slightly larger. The combined land mass is about 990 miles long and 250 miles wide and has about the same surface area as the state of Colorado.

Due to its remote location, New Zealand was one of the last land masses to be settled by humans. The Polynesians arrived in about 1250 AD and developed the Maori culture. The Europeans did not arrive and settle until Captain Cook mapped the entire coastline in 1769. The white settlers and the Maori had a history of conflict until a treaty was signed in 1840. Soon thereafter, it became a colony of the British Empire until 1947, when became a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. Currently, it is identified as of the world’s most stable, well-governed states.

I was excited to return to New Zealand and we planned on visiting three destinations on North Island: Bay of Islands in the Northland, Auckland, the largest city and Wellington, the southernmost capital in the World.

After three days at sea, we awoke on Day 26 in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It was noticeably cooler at about 60 degrees with a 20 knot wind. We anchored off of Waitangi and took the tender to the pier and a 5 minute shuttle ride to the lovely seaside town of Paihia.

With its friendly locals, trendy cafés and restaurants it’s a great tourist town and home for many recreational activities, including diving, snorkeling and kayaking.

We made our way to the pier and took the ferry to nearby Russell , home to whalers and traders in the 18^th and 19^th century and a super anchorage for boaters today.

The weather was a perfect 72 degrees with a warming sun, so we arranged a tour of the area on a minibus for a bit of history including a visit to the Russell Museum with its 1/5 size replica of Captain Cook’s Endeavor.

To complete the day, we enjoyed a coffee in the historic Pompallier House before our return to Paihai, followed by a one mile walk back to the Waitangi pier.

Along the way, we strolled along the grassy apron adjacent to the beach and glimpsed modern waterside houses and condos until we reached the pier and boarded the tender to return to Insignia.

Auckland is Awesome! We woke at Prince’s Wharf in the downtown Port of Auckland for great views of this wonderful city. Although old-fashioned and traditional with friendly people, it is modern, vibrant and clean. . . could this be Bobamala?

With no definite touring plan we strolled along the busy pier with its shops and eateries and visited the “i site” tour office and arranged a 3 hour tour of the city highlights.

Our driver, Paul, was a stout Mauri gentlemen with a wonderful Kiwi accent. He did a great job of navigating the city, describing points of interest, the homes of the rich and famous and provided visits to Winter Gardens, as well as, Mt. Eden, a dormant volcano and Cornwell Park, a working farm within the city limits. Paul warned us not to talk to the sheep!

We returned to downtown Auckland to visit the shops on Queen Street. There were many wool and sheepskin items for sale, but also notable was the presence of Gucci, Prada and other designer stores.

Since I was a bit shaggy, Robin escorted me to a men’s hairstylist was a Middle Eastern fellow with dark, deep set eyes. The haircut was actually not bad, but I got a bit nervous when he used a Bic lighter to burn the hair from my ears. Since he wasn’t wearing an explosive vest, I didn’t protest. I can hear a bit better too. . . so I violated the New Zealand “no tipping” policy.

We would put in a very rough sea day sailing the 550 nautical miles to Wellington. The wind was recorded at 45 knots and the seas were likely 12 to 15 feet. Since the ship is only 593 feet long and 84 feet wide, there was quite a bit of pitch and roll. We could have used some tie downs to keep us on the mattress. Since I was awake at 0400 and there was no one awake to clog the broadband, I logged onto a trading platform and executed a few option trades. My trading friends will understand, they know I’m a bit of an options addict.

On Day 29 we arrived at the city of Wellington, New Zealand’s culinary and cultural capital. With its population of only 200,000 it is a compact city with a mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine.

It was also cold and windy, unlike the usual climate in the northern part of the island. We embarked on a tour of the city, including a cable car ride at Lambton Quay up the hill to the suburb of Kelburn. A visit to the Wellington Botanic Gardens, Historic Old St Paul’s Cathedral, built in 1867 and a drive to the overlook on Mt. Victoria for a few photos completed our morning.

We returned to the ship and took advantage of its amenities and the solitude while other guests were still touring. With sail away at 6:00 pm it wasn’t long before we were met with heavy winds and rough seas in the dining room. Of course, the service was superb as there were fewer diners and an accommodating staff.

We’ll have another three sea days and 1225 nautical miles crossing the Tasman Sea until we arrive at Sydney. When we are about 450 nautical miles east of Australia the Captain announced that due to a medical emergency affecting a crew member, we will arrive in Sydney earlier than planned. He then cruised at the max speed of 20.5 knots which brought us to Sydney a day ahead of schedule.

We entered Sydney Harbour at 1500 hours and cruised past the iconic Opera House and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Cruising slowly through the busy harbour and between the racing sailboats and ferry traffic was a wonderful experience!

We have finally arived at our destination at this gleaming, vibrant and cosmopolitan city. We have travelled 10,260 nautical miles (11,800 statue miles) or about ½ the distance around the world and are thrilled to disembark and spend an extra day in this wonderful city.

We spent the early evening on the trendy, upscale Darling Harbour waterfront and enjoyed al fresco dining in the absolutely perfect weather of 75 degrees with a clear sky and a light cool breeze. A dreamy evening. . . I think Robin may want to stay a while.

We will have another 12 days of touring in Australia . Come along with us as we visit Sydney for 5 days, then fly to Hamilton Island on the Barrier Reef for some diving, snorkeling and sailing. We’ll then fly to city of Melbourne for a few days of touring before we return.

Thanks for being great shipmates!

Captain Bobby

American Samoa and Fiji

Talofa and Bula, Bula

February 28, 2019February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

Ahoy Mates!

As we continued our nautical journey through Oceania, Day 20 had us 775 nautical miles from French Polynesia, headed west to American Samoa just 340 miles away. It was another beautiful day at sea for relaxation and some research.

American Samoa or Tutuila Island which is under U.S. sovereignty is a quite striking with its natural beauty. 1,600 nautical miles from Hawaii and 840 miles south of the Equator, the island boasts coral reefs offshore, rainforests, waterfalls and a Star Kist Tuna factory, which is how Nancy Pelosi funds her sartorial spleandor.

The island has a population of about 65,000. Pago Pago ( pronounced Pango Pango), the capital has 9,000 residents. By the way, Samoa is pronounced “Sam wah”, not “Sam oh ah”. We were told that when pronounced “Sam oh ah”, it is the native word for the ocular discharge also known as “eye oogies”. Now you know!

After docking in Fagatogo, we were greeted by cries of the local greeting, “TALOFA”. We started our walk into town in the 85 degree heat and humidity and thought that taking one of the local brightly painted tour busses was a better idea, even though they lacked air conditioning and padded seats.

Our tour guide was a very pleasant Samoan woman who was also a school teacher. A fairly young woman with six children, she told us that having many children was the norm. . . her brother, the driver, had 9. They do receive assistance from the U.S. Government, but from what we saw, they live quite modestly yet happily. We were relieved to hear that there has been no evidence of cannibalism for years!

We drove along the coast and visited legendary “Flower Pot Rocks” and learned some of the Samoan way of life where the head of the extended family enjoys great respect.

Our tour took us past the Tuna Factory and onward to beach resorts and the famous $2 beach where the entry fee is $5.00 . . . inflation, we were told.

It was back to the ship once again we enjoyed the usual pleasures of cruising. . . having a wonderful staff indulge your every whim while eating wonderful food.

Oceania Cruises operates only six ships famous for its voyages around the world on its award-winning mid sized ships offering fine cuisine at sea.

The Oceania Insignia was built in 1998 and just refitted just two months ago. Every surface of every stateroom is entirely new and public spaces have a refreshed color palette of soft sea and sky tones with the renewal of all fabrics as part of a sweeping rejuvenation. It is the embodiment of simple elegance. It is 593 feet long with an 84 foot beam, hosting just 684 passengers with a staff of 400, a 1.7 to 1 ratio.

About one half of the passengers are on a World Cruise lasting 180 days and visiting over 100 ports. The cruise originated in New York in early January and will terminate there in July. Robin and I joined the ship for the 33-day Los Angeles to Sydney leg of the trip. After enjoying the ship for just over 3 weeks and 7,500 nautical miles, I can understand the allure of a World Cruise.

INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE

Day 22 found us at sea having crossed the International Date Line overnight.

The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the Earth’s surface separating one day from the next. The Line is located half way around the world from 0˚ longitude (Greenwich, London, UK). This is also where Greenwich Time or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as it is now known, is established.

Then it gets a bit confusing. When you cross the Line from east to west, as we did, you add a day. Last night we crossed another time zone and the Line, so we set the clocks back one hour and up one day. So we then moved from UTC–11 hrs to UTC-12 hrs to UTC + 12 hrs. In other words, we moved from Tuesday to Thursday and lost Wednesday!! Luckily, we’ll gain it on the way back.

To illustrate, we live on the east coast of the US (EST or UTC -5 hrs.). Now, approaching Fiji, we are at (UTC + 12 hrs). or 17 hrs. ahead of EST.

When we arrive in New Zealand (UTC + 13 hrs.) we’ll be 18 hrs. ahead of EST. Alternatively, EST will be 6 hrs ahead, but one day behind. Got it?

Does anybody know what time it really is?

The archipelago of Fiji has 340 islands and we arrived in Suva, Vita Levu the hub of entire island grouping. Suva, the capital and home to the majority of population is a energetic, colorful city with a confluence of ethnicities and cultures.

“Bula” is the traditional Fiji greeting. Armed with our new language skill, we thought it best to indulge ourselves with a trip to the Pearl South Pacific Resort on Pacific Beach, known for its expansive beach and sapphire waters.

We boarded a modern air-conditioned bus for the 1 hour drive and narrated tour to Pacific Beach. After a hearty welcome with a traditional song and festive dance, we enjoying a long beach walk and an invigorating swim was a welcomed change from life in a lounge chair.

After a day at the resort, we returned to the ship and readied ourselves for the three day sail south to New Zealand. We will arrive in the Bay of Islands in the Northland after logging 1060 miles. We’ll be leaving the warmth of the South Pacific Islands and heading for cooler climes.

French Polynesia

Ohe´ French Polynesia!

February 19, 2019February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

Ahoy Mates!

We hope that you enjoyed Kauaii, Oahu and Hawaii as much as we did. Thanks for continuing with us on our journey to French Polynesia. This is an area of the Pacific that invokes visions of towering verdant peaks, indescribable hues of blue water and perfect beaches shaded by tropical palms. You will not be disappointed.

Screen Shot 2019-01-03 at 11.14.40 PM — Insignia Route Map

During our 1950 nautical mile passage from Hilo to Nuka Hiva in the Marquesas we crossed the Equator. As you know, The Equator is an imaginary line approximately half way between the North and South Poles and is about 25,000 miles in length.

On day 12, we “Crossed the Line”. When crossing the equator, sailing tradition demands that one pay homage to King Neptune. This usually encompasses a variety of odd rituals, from drinking nasty potions to uttering incantations and other nasty hazing experiences, including sexual assault. On our voyage, all we needed to do was kiss a fish and get doused by ice cold water in order to graduate from a “polywog” to an honorable “shellback”.

Although I have crossed the equator before, I never received the proper initiation. Robin and I made the transition together and after the proper baptism, but without the aforementioned assault, were quite painlessly deemed “Shellbacks”.

Soon thereafter, we entered the waters of French Polynesia.

French Polynesia is a collection of 118 islands and atolls scattered over an area the size of western Europe with a much smaller land mass. It is about halfway between Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia and as far south of the Equator as Hawaii is north and is in the same time zone.

NUKA HIVA

We anchored at Nuka Hiva in French Polynesia on Day 14. Nuka Heva is the largest of the Marquesas and their people are most likely the ones that first settled the Hawaiian Islands in 400 to 500 AD. The Marquesas are often the first stop for sailing circumnavigators after they pass the Panama Canal over 4,000 NM away.

After tendering in, we joined a tour of the Taipivai Valley. First, we visited the Notre Dame Cathedral built in the 1800’s in the small town of Taiohae and then boarded a 4×4 SUV type pickup in a caravan of 15 vehicles. We marveled at the tortuous and winding climb up the mountain on our way to the tour of the awe inspiring Taipivai Valley.

The roads were narrow yet paved and the roadway network was only recently completed in 2008. We stopped for photos of some magnificent vistas and then visited a village meeting site for some refreshments and a sample of breadfruit, papayas and bananas. The breadfruit chips were especially tasty. After a stop at Hooumi beach we returned to the ship happy with our introduction to French Polynesia.

With a couple of more sea days to prepare for touring and scuba diving we enjoyed some free time and also some enrichment lectures on Oceanography and Worldwide Naval History. Robin, of course, wowed some of our fellow cruisers with her latest needlepoint project.

RANGIROA

Day 16, Thurs Day February 14^th, Valentine’s day. The Insignia anchored in the Rangiroa Lagoon.

We had to board tenders again for the five-minute ride to the pier. Thanks again to the crew for a well-organized and timely tendering. While Robin toured the Gaugin Black Pearl Farm, I was picked up at the pier in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) and deposited at the Yaka Plongee dive shop for a 10:00 am dive. The current was right for a drift dive between Avatoru and Tiputa, usually their signature dive. In a 4 to 6 foot chop, the guide Thomas and I back-rolled, Mike Nelson style, into the current. How were my underwater photos, you ask? Let’s just say, it is tough to compose photos when you flying underwater at 1.5 knots! Also, the visibility was not ideal at only 40 feet, but you know me . . . I don’t complain!! We did manage to spot some schooling chevron barracuda and the usual striking reef dwellers like colorful Butterflies and Moorish Idols.

TAHITI

We arrived at our half way point of the cruise in Tahiti on Day 17. By 7:00 am Insignia was docked in Papeete, a bustling, multicultural city of about 200,000 people, not the idyllic island town that most people imagine. The majority of Tahiti; however, is a scenic island with lush landscapes and large waterfalls which is what we explored on our Jeep Safari.

The vehicle was actually a 4X4 pickup-like vehicle with bench seating for 8 in the rear bed. We entered the Papenoo Valley and travelled on mostly unpaved deeply pitted roads, crossing some rivers and streams to get some great views of the valley, mountains and waterfalls.

Our bodies were only mildly tortured by the three hour jostling. After return to the ship all discomfort was forgotten as it was time for lunch, relaxation and preparation for cocktails and another fabulous dinner.

BORA BORA

The next day we anchored in the Bora Bora Lagoon, the quintessential tropical Pacific island. With its lush vegetation covering the extinct volcanos contrasting with the vivid turquoise water it’s about as close to Bobamala as one can get.

I sampled the fabled diving with a two tank dive, one in the lagoon and one where we intended to go outside the reef and meet with some sharks and rays. The wind was blowing 25 knots and the sea was at 6 to 8 feet, so it was decided to return within the lagoon to try our luck spotting a Manta Ray. Bad luck. The visibility was actually very poor on both dives, but overall, the experience with Eleuthra Bora Divers was a good one with helpful and capable guides.

While I was diving, Robin was enjoying a tour of the lagoon in a Catamaran, followed by a swim in the crystalline blue water with its inviting 80 degree temperature.

The next day we were again at sea on our way to American Samoa. To keep the tradition alive of eating yourself silly on a cruise ship, we enjoyed a lavish Sunday Brunch. On the Insignia World Cruise this is a quarterly extravaganza of food, ice and food sculptures, delectible desserts and impeccable service from the wonderful crew.

IMG_8243Sunday Brunch — Olga says “Privyet”

Hawaiian Islands

Aloha. . . Mahalo!

February 11, 2019February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

Land Ho!!!

After 5 1/2 days at sea and travelling 2,050 nautical miles from Los Angeles, we arrived at Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands also called the Garden Island due to its lush green valleys and pristine rainforests. The striking island of Kauai also features towering ocean cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

We arrived at the port of Nawiliwili on Kauai in a morning mist and mostly cloudy sky. The temperature was a pleasant 70 degrees headed up to 80 with welcomed sunshine.

We got a cab and interacted with the driver, a lanky transplant from Baltimore, who recited a litany of the benefits of living on this lovely island. He left us at Kauai Kayak, where we planned a day of kayaking and hiking.

Our young, affable guide Dustin oriented us about the day planned, which included 4 ½ miles of kayaking on the beautiful Wailea, the only navigable river in all of Hawaii. This was to be followed by a 1 ½ hour hike to the Secret Falls which features many streams to cross and plenty of ankle-deep mud to keep it interesting.

It promised to be an easy 2 mile plus paddle to the hiking trail, but some of the group of 10 were wind-milling their blades apparently believing there was prize money at the end of the day.

The trail to the Secret Waterfall was winding and strewn with obstacles including fallen trees, gargantuan tree roots, swift river crossings and an unbelievable amount of thick, sticky mud, which robbed many of their footwear.

I encouraged Robin to soldier on, though mud baths are not her thing. After what seem liked days, we arrived at the waterfall in an hour and a half and enjoyed a prepared lunch on a moss covered rock. Lovely!

I was not aware that running through mud was a skill that I possessed, but we were in a hurry to get back to the kayak and leave the risk of broken bones and world of mud behind. After over an hour of paddling and just ten minutes before we arrived at the marina, a heavy rain squall ensured that we had less mud to wash off of our bodies.

After changing into dry clothers, guide Dustin was kind enough to give us a ride to Duke’s Canoe Club at the Nawiliwili Harbor. Here we met up with a high school classmate who lives and works in Kauai. It was great to see Max Trapp and catch up on the fifty years that passed since we last met. Thanks for your hospitality, Max!

OAHU

On day 8, we docked at Pier 2 in Honolulu on Oahu under sunny skies and 78 degree temps. We were pleasantly surprised with the wonderful weather, since our last visit here in 2017 was a bit gloomy.

We disembarked and were transported to the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Wakiki to board a launch, which under the shadow of Diamond Head, transferred us to the Atlantis Submarine. The vessel accommodates 40 passengers for an undersea odyssey to 120 feet below the ocean’s surface.

Now this is Robin’s kind of diving! We did managed to see a few wrecks, turtles, eagle rays, white tip sharks and free swimming green moray eels along with the usual Jacks, assorted colorful Butterflies, Surgeon fish, Filefish, Sergeant Majors, Rainbow Parrotfish and Moorish Idols.

After a leisurely stroll through hotel gardens ,we enjoyed a cocktail and a delicious lunch at Tropics Bar and Grill on Waikiki on a perfect warm, sunny day with a light breeze.

Looking down at our feet, there we vestiges of recalcitrant Wailea mud from our hike yeasterday, which begged for removal. Siri helped us find a nearby nail salon where we enjoyed a pedicure at Luxure Nail Salon on Ala Moana Blvd. With a spring in our step, Uber ferried us back to Pier 2, me with exfoliated lower extremities and Robin sporting sparkling gel nail polish!

HAWAII

Day 9 found us on the Island of Hawaii also known as The Big Island, Orchid Isle and Volcano Island . We docked at Hilo on the SE coast and joined a “Volcanoes and Blossoms” tour on a comfortable mini bus.

The weather at Kilauea Visitor’s center was chilly and breezy so we took advantage of the self-guided tour within the center, followed by an entertaining lecture by the most gregarious tour guide in the National Park Service. He described the nature and power of volcanic activity on the island including the much publicized eruption of Kilauea just last year. Many parts of the park remained closed due to the event.

We then travelled just a few minutes away to the Steam vents emanating from the Kilauea Caldera. Robin took the opportunity to let mother nature warm her up a bit in the 100 plus degree heat of the steam vents.

It is difficult to capture the vast nature of the Caldera. . . it’s truly an amazing sight!

From there we travelled to the Akatsuka Gardens and Orchid Farm. . .magnificent! After brathing in the Sulphur Dioxide of the volcanic steam vents, we could have spent much more time here with the lovely fragrance and beauty of these orchards.

The star of the the Orchid Show, with its perfect symmetry and horizontal side petals, is the prize winning Volcano Queen orchid which displays a $20,000 price tag!

Lastly, no trip to Hawaii would be complete without a visit to the Mauna Loa Factory store. Hawaii is the world’s largest producer of Macademia nuts. As you can tell by my increased girth, a decision was made to avoid the purchase of any of the islands signature crop.

Well, it’s back to the ship to continue our journey south to French Polynesia. The nearly 2,000 nautical mile trip will have us “Cross the Line”, aka the Equator, before we arrive in Nuka Hiva. We’ll have four sea days to prepare for our next tour. In the meantime, we’ll be sure to enjoy the amenties of the ship and the comraderie of our fellow travelers. Believer it not, I’ve made a few friends!!

Wish us fair winds and following seas,

Captain Bobby

Oceania Insignia

Timing is Everything!

February 4, 2019February 19, 2024 Bobby Di

Ahoy Mates!

One of the most common sayings in the boating world is that the two happiest days in one’s life is when he buys a boat and when he sells it. When we settled on SABA, our Hunter 38 sailboat, in May of 2009, we were jubilant and looking forward to the adventure that she would bring us. We were not disappointed! If you have following this blog for the last few years we know you’ll agree. In the ten years that have passed we have put over 8,000 nautical miles under her keel in South Florida, the Keys, as well as, the Abacos and Exumas of the Bahamas. It has been about 90 % pleasure, 5 % concern and 5% sheer terror!

Downwind in the Exumas — Downnwind sailing in the Exumas

There comes a time when you consider your options and realize that one the other common sayings is: “Sailing is defined as the most expensive way to travel third class”! And so it was for us. We offered our beloved SABA for adoption and in less than two months the sale was consummated. With the plethora of fond memories and great adventures the emotion we experienced was not one of happiness, but hope that the new owners would enjoy her as much as we had.

Joe of Preferred Yachts in St Petersburg helped us market our pride and joy with great effect: http://vessel.iyba.pro/yacht-for-sale/40000040/?id=80196&vessel=2764269&title=2009Hunter38%27380-null

The timing could not have been better. Less than one week after the sale, we embarked on the Oceania Insignia, a 593 foot cruise ship with 682 other guests. Oceania is famous for its voyages around the world, award-winning mid-size ships and the finest cuisine at sea. This promised to be a premium cruise experience at sea with over 400 staff to pamper us. We boarded the ship in San Pedro near Long Beach for the 32 day cruise to Sydney which included 19 sea days and 13 ports of call. No more 3am watches!!

To embark on the Insignia, we first flew into LAX from Tampa and arranged to meet my cousin Gregory Scott Cummins in Marina del Rey. Greg is an actor that you may have seen Greg in “Cliffhanger” with Sylvester Stallone or in a myriad of other works including “Bosch”, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “NCIS” and countless other productions. At 6’4” with steely blue eyes, he’s usually typecast a villain, violent arms dealer, money launderer or other unsavory type, but he’s a wonderful guy and he bought us lunch! And many thanks for the great FACEBOOK post:

We had a two day respite in downtown Long Beach and a tour of the Queen Mary was just the activity to get us ready for our voyage. At over 1,000 feet in length and a 118 foot beam she has a great history serving as a luxury cruise liner for the rich and famous including Royalty, Hollywood types and politicians, as well as, a troop carrier during WWII.

We spent over 5 hours touring the ship reliving the Glory Days of such a grand lady with truly luxurious salons and accommodations. They boasted the use of over 50 hardwoods from all over the world and incredible artwork.

The next day we started the journey that we planned over 19 months ago. The transfer to the ship including loading our ample luggage was efficient and courteous. After boarding, it was obvious that the Oceania experience would exceed our expectations. The staff was welcoming and kind. Their actions assured us that we were in for a trip of a lifetime.

The Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest body of water. It covers about one third of the Earth’s surface. It is twice the size of the Atlantic. All of the land masses on the planet can fit within the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean with room to spare. Obviously, crossing it in a ship takes more time than your usual Caribbean holiday. Here is the detailed itinerary:

So it is Monday morning and our sixth day at sea. We have traveled 2150 nautical miles since departing Los Angeles. We’re about 200 nautical miles from Nawiliwili, Kauai and will be arriving there tomorrow morning at 07:00. Many have wondered what there is to do to pass the time on a cruise ship. Trust me, there are enough activities to keep any ADHD victim off his meds. In addition to enrichment lectures on various topics including history and oceanography, there is bridge, table tennis, putting, spin classes, pilates, yoga, art lessons, a stocked library, computer room, card room, bingo, slots, blackjack, baggo bean, dancing lessons, chamber music, a jazz band, entertaining shows, jewelry seminars, model ship building, afternoon tea, team trivia, religious services, wine tasting, martini tasting, Solo Travelers Cocktails and also LGBTQ Get Togethers for those who wish to switch teams. And how can I forget . . . all you can eat , all the time!

Overall the passage has been relaxing except for day three when we powered through 15′ seas and 25 knots of wind doing 19 knots over ground. There were quite a few people missing from the dining room that night! Robin is busy with a needlepoint project and reading while I am spending time reading and organizing photos and writing this blog entry. We just learned that a USCG helicopter will be evacuating one of our cruisemates at 15:00. The good news is, I don’t think it’s Robin or me.

Sea Day 14' seas — Spray over our balcony rail on day 3, we’re 6 levels above the water line!

We’ve got a few activities planned during our three stops in Hawaii. I’ll update you after we do some kayaking, meetup with friends on the island, take a submarine ride and hike a volcano or two.

Please feel free to comment on this entry and share it with your friends and family if you like. Look for our Hawaii adventures in my next post on the way to Nuka Hiva in the Marquesas.

Aloha for now.

Captain Bobby

Tom & Nancy Horne

February 4, 2019

We’re glad everything is going well for your trip, except for that one day of high winds and seas. We’ll look forward to your Hawaii pictures and hearing about your visit with Max and Dana. We dined at the Beach House restaurant with them a few years ago when we were in Kauai. Such a beautiful island!

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 4, 2019
  
  Thanks Tom and Nancy. We’ll be kayaking on the Wailea River and then joining Max at Dana at Duke’s in Kalapaki.
  
Paul Petrus

February 4, 2019

An amazing journey and you and Robin won’t have to do all the work. I hope you have just an amazing time. Looking forward to your updates while traveling with you 🙂

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 4, 2019
  
  Thanks for you comments Paul. Let’s get together when we return.
  
Nick

February 4, 2019

Beautiful. Say hello to Dana and Max on Kaui.

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 4, 2019
  
  Will do Nick Trump!
  
Michael Bryant

February 4, 2019

I cannot imagine anyone could be buying a better equipped and OCD maintained vessel than yours. Did you include extra ziploc bags for socks and underwear?

Your Pacific trip looks wonderful. My father was on the Queen Mary when it was a troop carrier, I think Mediterranean, going to Egypt. I took him and my mother on it on a trip here in the 70’s. He said he had never imagined being back on board again.

Have a great trip, stay in touch. Best to you both.

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 4, 2019
  
  Thanks MIke,
  If you check out the boat listing you will see that SABA was perfect! You can eat from the bilge!!
  You are right about the Queen Mary as a troop carrier. On one trip she carried over 15,000 men.
  
Cousin Denise

February 4, 2019

Your trip looks amazing. Enjoy.

Joy and Lenny Davis

February 4, 2019

Wow! Truly a trip of a lifetime.
Sounds absolutely incredible!
So now you can enjoy your trips without being the captain and first mate!
Send my love to Max and Dana.
Looking forward to following your journey….safe travels!!!

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 6, 2019
  
  Met Max at Duke’s waterfront bar at the Harbor in Nawiliwili on Kauai. It was great to catch up . . . were your ears burning? We were all telling Joy and Lenny stories, hahahahaha
  
Greg Cummins

February 4, 2019

Love following you Bob!!!!!!! Enjoyed the post!!! Looking forward to the next ones!!! And again, it was so waonderful seeing you both!!!!! All my love, cousin Greg

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 6, 2019
  
  We enjoyed our visit with you as well Greg. Hope to see you in the near future and thanks for following along. Love, Cugino Bob
  
Glen

February 5, 2019

I will assume that Robin won’t be making the BOCC meeting this morning..,,,,,
Damn I hate when that happens
Your probably out of range for Micky to intercept any of our communications…LMAO

Gregg

February 5, 2019

Sounds like such an exciting voyage! Looking forward to your next installments!
Gregg

Dana S Centrella

February 5, 2019

Cousin Bob, this month I’m traveling to the kitchen, then bedroom, then living room and back to the kitchen. Even though I too can have all I can eat…I think you got me beat. lol Have a great trip and I will read your posts.

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 6, 2019
  
  Dana, see if you can find my army men.
  
debby pellom

February 5, 2019

what an awesome adventure …. enjoy …

debby pellom

February 5, 2019

what an awesome adventure …enjoy

Lynne Ball

February 8, 2019

such fun to enjoy along with you, you paint a marvelous picture!! Have all the fun that you can have and safe journey along the way. Love, Your Old Cuz!

1. Captain Bobby
  
  February 10, 2019
  
  Thanks for coming along! I’ll post tomorrow about our visit to the Hawaaina Islands. We’re now on our way to Nuka Hiva in the Marquesas.