On To Papeete...

Tuesday, January 19.

The same lovely sea and sky as the last 10 days. 27 C.

It is two day’s sailing from Nuka Hiva, where we were yesterday, to Papeete. Still part of French Polynesia but a much larger population. I have to qualify any facts or figures I state because it is all based on memory and snippets that I pick up because we are not given any printed information about the ports we visit by Holland America. Cost cutting, plain and simple. Oh well, I am sure I can BS my way through 110 other blogs! [No, it will not be BS, I can make it work without BS’ing.] I have already snitched a book for a few months on Norther European Ports for use in April.

I sensed the ship pulling away late last night. Other than that wake up, I find that I seem to need at least nine hours sleep: Fellette somewhat less. My morning routine includes some on-deck stretches and a few Tai-Chi like moves, a coffee or two, some knee stretches, then breakfast then a few laps around the deck. My hip slows my pace down a bit, I find that taking an Advil eases the pain pretty well. I don’t like to use pain killers on a long term basis but I am wondering if this is arthritis rearing it’s ugly head in my hip. I will survive, disappointing though!

Fellette copes better with issues better than I do. Good for her! One thing that we agree on is that we are not 'Party People'. I like to have family, and other people I know around but not too much social interaction with strangers. Fellette and I have been together for coming up on 62 years, we seem to be quite happy with our social arrangements so far. Life aboard seems a bit different for us.

On a ship, the social interaction can get a bit intense if you are not careful. Lunchtime is an example when I / we go to the Lido, which has wonderful food and service. It can be very intense with so many people wanting to eat, all around the same time, doing the 'rocking-ship shuffle' to view, select and get their choice served by somebody behind the counter and then the bump and grind your way to find your seat. This is a far cry form our usual lunch of soup and crackers served and eaten in a very large kitchen area with only two people within earshot. See what I mean when I say it takes some getting used to? Dinner in the Dining Room at our designated table takes 1 1/2 hour minimum. What new can we talk about? It takes some getting used to!

I am writing this at 10:15 in the morning and just get carried away writing. We will soon be heading down to a talk by a very good storyteller, a US Naval Officer who is in love with anything to do with ships. He seems to have a great following as well as a great personality. We love him.

Fellette seems to be coming down with a bit of a cold so she is quite enjoying the time to read, knit and lay low. I went to two lectures today. It is a time-filler and I always learn a little. Today was a good, day, nice and quiet after a hot long day yesterday.

Good Day…

The new Library, by popular demand apparently. More like a new book store. Rather cold and uninviting but better than nothing.

At one of the lectures today, this one is by the Retired Naval Officer, a very good story teller.

Part of last night’s ‘Glamping' fare. Lovely ribs.

And beer-roasted chicken, among many other deliciously prepared options.

A very handsome well-tattooed native swiftly slid his outrigger by as we were talking on the deck last evening. A very poor shot of a terrific subject!