At sea

At sea en route to Tahiti
February 24-27, 2013

Since we lost a day on the outward leg, we need to get it back on the homeward leg.  So we are having two Tuesdays, two February 26ths.  I have never crossed the international dateline eastbound before.

I have resumed my daily routine of Trivia, lectures, reading, listening to jazz and classical music, schmoozing, etc. Weather is not yet warm enough to be outside.  It has been grey again with showers and it has been rough.  Too windy to go outside, even on the balcony.  I must say we have not had a lot of blue skies and sunny weather while at sea.  On Tuesday number one, we were not allowed outside on any decks.  Winds were force 8.  Huge waves!  The evening show was cancelled and will be shown tomorrow.

On Tuesday number two we were informed that the dreaded norovirus is onboard...since Wellington apparently.  Well, we know three people who are sick, though we don't know why...I imagine it is the virus.  So this means that we cannot help ourselves to food any more.  So long lines in the Lido and alternate venues are closed because they need extra personnel in the Lido.  I cannot stand for that long, so I guess I'll go to the dining room for lunch or use room service.  Also, we are not allowed to use the reference books in the library.  The ship follows procedures set out by the CDC and its counterparts in the UK and Australia.  Apparently this virus is rife at the moment in the US and the UK.  One of Ross' friends who happens to be in London is very ill with it.

On the plus side, the seas abated, the skies cleared somewhat and the sun made an appearance.  It is nice and warm and I am writing this on my balcony...at long last!

As we approach Tahiti, the temperature is getting warmer and the sunsets are earlier....6:20!I By the time we finish dinner, it is dark.  I was really enjoying the long light evenings while we were in New Zealand....it was light until well after 9pm, just like in Northern Europe.

On Wednesday the captain announced that, due to the length of time it takes to take on fuel in Tahiti, we would be in port until 9pm.  Maybe we'll find a nice French restaurant!

We continue to place second or third in Trivia....but we enjoy picking our brains and the congeniality.

New Zealand continued

Tauranga, New Zealand
February 21, 2013

We are in what Captain Cook aptly named the Bay of Plenty which is now the main kiwi (fruit, not the bird!)  growing area.  It is absolutely stunning.  It is New Zealand's fastest growing city...having just received the official designation of city.  It is 127 miles from Auckland...but that means 4 hours by car....no highways!  This is the QE's maiden call, a substitute for Christchurch which remains in ruins from the earthquake.

The port of Tauranga is actually in Maunganui, named for the extinct volcano which protects the harbor.  Maunganui was a sleepy holiday town with stunning beaches, a few houses and a lot of campgrounds.  Now, the campgrounds are few.   A beautiful boardwalk winds along the beaches and new apartment buildings and restaurants are in evidence.  I could holiday here any time.

Well, I had made plans to spend the day with my beloved late cousin Roger's daughter, Emma, who lives about 40 minutes north in Katikati.  I had not seen her for about 25 years!  She has been out of the UK for most of that time...traveling the world, settling in Australia, then back to the UK briefly, then finally settling in New Zealand where she has lived for the last 13 years working in horticulture, currently in the kiwi industry.  She is now a NZ citizen.

There she was at the gate to the dock.  We both kind of stared at each other until we finally realized who we were!  What a stunning young woman...tall, blonde, lithe and with some elegant tattoos.  We drove around Mount Maunganui (we never got to Tauranga proper, which was fine) then parked and walked along the marine parade, eventually settling on a bench facing the beautiful surf beaches.  We talked and talked about family, especially her Dad for about two hours, after which we went to a restaurant facing the beach and had the most delicious fish and chips.  The fish was a local one: terakihi.  We continued chatting over coffees and I showed Emma some photos on the iPad.  I gave her a framed photo of her Dad who died in 2011.  It was quite emotional and very difficult to say good-bye.  Who knows when we will meet again.

P.S.  This is also Hobbit country

Napier, New Zealand
February 22, 2013

Another maiden call for the QE.  Napier, a port on Hawke's Bay, and its inland twin city, Hastings, is an important  grape and wine producing area and is the  largest producer of apples, pears and stone fruit in New Zealand.  It is also the largest wool center in the Southern Hemisphere.

Established in 1839, Napier was leveled by an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude in February 1931.  The land rose by up by 7 feet in some areas and, what once had been a lagoon filled in.  Within two years, Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco and Spanish Mission styles that were popular in the 1930s.  Today, Napier is considered the Art Deco capital of the world.  These Art Deco buildings are beautiful....one after the next along the streets.

After a drive through the city, we headed out, through vineyards and up into the mountains to the top of Te Mata, the sleeping giant.  It was overcast when we arrived this morning.  At the top of the peak, it was windy and rainy and positively cold.  Of course, we have been going south, so it gets cooler every day.  Yes south....closer to Antartica!  We quickly took photos of the Tukituki River, the Heretaunga Valley and the twin cities and climbed back in the bus.  The landscape was mainly rocks and yellow grass which reminded many of us of the San Francisco area.

Next stop, the Clifton Woolshed and the main reason for my choosing this excursion: animals!  But first, a spot of tea with fresh scones, butter, cream and jam in. Little tea house in the shore, which is all gravel here.

And then to the woolshed.  On the way in there were a couple of pens of time animals, one of which, in his own, pen, was an enormous, I mean enormous, black pig.  Well, I just a out cell in love with him (photo below, dribbling milk after being fed by the owner).  He loved being patted on his very wiry bristles. We watched the sheep dogs herd the sheep.  I just love watching them.  Then we watched some sheep shearing very close up.  Probably the most interesting part of the procedure was to watch the owner subdue the sheep which, once subdued, does not move a muscle while being shorn.  The man pulled the sheep out of its pen on its back, kind of hunched over.  It was valiumized!  Unbelievable!  Then the shearer got to work.  He started with the clippers, then used a hand cranked pair of clippers, very like those used in barbers' shops and finally electric clippers.  A second sheep was brought out and the shearer set to work with the electric clippers as the bus driver timed him: 44 seconds!  And I suspect that is not a record!

I bought something.  Said I wasn't going to, but I did.  But you won't see it on my wall.  It is a lambskin hot water bottle cover in the shape of a sheep.  How could I resist that!

Then it was back to the ship where, for the second day, we had drinks and dinner in the most underused and beautiful space on the ship, the Garden Lounge. It runs, unimpeded, the width of the ship and so it is wonderful for sailaway when it is too cool to be outside.

Wellington, New Zealand
February 23, 2013

Wellington, New Zealand's capital, is the world's southernmost capital.  "The coolest little capital in the world" is situated at the southwestern tip of North Island on Cook Strait, which separates North and South Islands.  A very attractive and vibrant city, it is built on many hills surrounding the late harbor which is the flooded crater of an extinct volcano.  The first European settlers arrived in the 18th century, but the city did not flourish until around 1853.  In 1865, the capital was transferred here from Auckland.
In addition to being the capital and a major port, Wellington is home to the national symphony and ballet, opera companies, theatres, art galleries and sporting venues and Pete Jackson's studio WETA..."Lord of the Rings", "Avatar", among others.

Our tour took us around the city, past the government buildings, one of which is known as the beehive for its unusual shape.  There are many lovely old Victorian buildings that have been converted to apartments.  There are also still a few charming small old houses cheek by jowl with modern buildings.  Along Oriental Parade, we saw large homes of all styles seemingly glued to the sides of the hills.  Some even  have their own funiculars from the houses down to the garages on the Main Street. They all have magnificent views of the harbour and surrounding hills.  We headed up these hills, winding our way past lovely homes, to the top of Mount Victoria at 643 feet.  Incredible panoramic views of this beautiful city.

Next stop Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House.  I have never seen such masses of tuberous begonias in my life.  Stunning!

Next, the exquisite Old St. Paul's Cathedral, completed in 1866, which was nearly razed by developers!  Of neo-Gothic style, the church is constructed entirely of local woods.  he stained glass windows are beautiful...but I think it's glory is the timbered ceiling.  I is magnificent.

Finally, we arrived at TePapa, or "the place", the national museum dedicated to the past, present and future of the country.  We had a one hour guided tour.  We could have stayed for days.  It is an imaginative and innovative museum.  Fascinating and exciting.  Its extensive collection includes Maori artifacts, a Maori meeting house, which will soon be returned to its people, a preserved giant squid, a giant punamou stone (jade, used for tools and,later, jewelry), virtual reality areas recreating an earthquake experience, and much more.

Back to the ship for sailaway and farewell to New Zealand.  I love this country and its friendly people.  Too bad it is so far away!

After dinner, Amy and I went to the show: "Jazz, Blues and Rock 'n' Roll", a journey through the 20's, 50's and 60' of popular music.  Terrific show...and, the costumes were sensational, as usual.

We now have five days at sea before we reach Tahiti, so I will not post until February 27.  Meanwhile, enjoy the Oscars!

Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand
February 20, 2013

Up at 6 to watch us come into beautiful Auckland harbor.  I love this city and its surroundings.  We docked on the starboard side, so Paul came down to my cabin to video.  We knew Ross was there somewhere....and there he was right under my cabin in the dawn!  He had been there since 4am since he had received conflicting estimates of our arrival.  I think I woke up the entire ship having a rather loud conversation with him.

Paul and Amy took the ferry over to Devonport for the morning.  Ross ran off to meet friends of his who were going out on the Oosterdam, which was docked right next to us.  Jan and Layne came to pick me up and we went over to their gorgeous new offices and then drove around to see some of Layne's new projects....he is a real estate developer....he really has a flair for design and renovation.  Saw some lovely neighborhoods I hadn't seen before.  Then they took me down to Wynyard....an area of disused tanks, silos, warehouses, etc. which has been turned into a beautiful harborside stroll of parks, shops, restaurants, linked by trolley and a new drawbridge to the main harbor.  The old concrete silos are used for functions, believe it or not and the tanks are being painted in various designs with famous quotations.  Very exciting place.

Final stop for the day an new complex of restaurants and shops on Ponsonby Road....created from an old building with new additions at the back.  From the road, it just looks like one restaurant....but there are several including a sushi bar.  There are also produce stalls, a fishmonger, a deli and various small shops.  We settled in to a large table for coffee.  Ross joined us.  Then Karen arrived.  I had the best cappuccino ever...it had an additional shot of expresso!  We munched on something wonderful...somewhere between a scone and a coffee cake.  Indescribable!  Ross went off to pick Paul and Amy at the ferry, dropped them off at an art store Amy had heard of and then they joined us.  So the crowd was complete.  Karen's husband, David could not make it.  Well, it was a work day!  We ordered a wonderful lunch and just schmoozed...catching up on all the news.  Then Ross took us over to his house for  quick peek for Paul and Amy.  I got to hold Paris his beautiful cat....a quick fix of soft fur!  Then it was back to the ship.  Paul and Amy embarked and Ross and I sat on a bench on the dock and talked of this and that.  Then it was time to say goodbye.  Ross stayed on the dock to see both ships off.  Karen and David appeared to wave goodbye and then another friend, Robert.  What a wonderful day with old friends!

At sea en route to Auckland

February 17-19, 2013
At sea, en route to Auckland

After Samoa, I resumed my usual schedule: in the morning, Trivia and lectures: "Seafaring Lore and Legend" and "Whatever happened to Captain Bligh?" Both were very interesting.  The former included superstitions, maritime traditions and the humorous origins of maritime terms, such as son of a gun and shake and leg....and others.  The latter reminded us that, although Bligh is always depicted as a villain, which he surely was, he was an extraordinary navigator and that he should be remembered for his remarkable open-boat voyage to Timor after he was expelled from the Bounty.  And he made it with no loss of life.

Spa in the afternoon...the occasional nap. No days at the pool.  Weather has been cloudy and rainy.  After dinner and before the shows, Amy and I continue to watch the sequence dancing.  The best show of this short leg was "Danza" which, as the title suggests, consisted of dance numbers....including ballet, jazz, Flamenco, all beautifully executed with stunning costumes.  The finale was an amazing "Scottish" number.  We saw the same show in 2010 during the Panama Canal cruise, but I could see if once a year?

We continue to enjoy our drinks before dinner.  Yesterday we opened one of my bottles of champagne in my cabin.  I had hoped to do it on the balcony.  I had just wiped off the chairs and then it rained and the wind blew the rain onto the balcony.  We also continue to enjoy our tablemates.  We lose 4 tomorrow since they disembark in Auckland....two really great couples.  We retain four, but we have asked 4 others to join us and we think that will happen.

Just a heads up.  Some of you have told me that you have posted comments.  I cannot see rm anywhere.  They seem to be lost in cyberspace.  I have no idea what has gone wrong, but I can't fix it now.  Sorry about that.

February 14 and 16 Samoa

February 14 and 16 Pago Pago, American Samoa and Apia, Samoa

We lost February 15 to the international date line.  Some people lost their birthdays!

Pronounced Pango Pango, there being no "n" in the Samoan alphabet, according to our lecturer.  I do note some names with n's on the map. Hmmmmmm

This group of 16 islands is in the center of the South  Pacific.  American Samoa consist of 7 and Samoa of  9.  Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa and is on the island of Tutuila, 18 miles long and 6 across at its widest. Apia is the capital of Samoa.  They are  volcanic islands and the and harbor of Pango Pango is a collapsed crater...very dramatic entrance.  The landscape...broken, toothy mountains range, verdant steep hillsides with dense vegetation.  It is hot and humid with an annual 200 inches of rainfall.  Much of two of the islands of American Samoa and a good bit of northern Tutuila is American Samoa National Park and there is a national marine sanctuary....and Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medicine Center.



I took a short tour around the east side of the island Tutuila on a very colorful little bus with small hard seats on a very windy and bumpy road.  Oh did I ache when I got back!!  We went through the town, passing the local fish cannery.  Yikes what a pong!  Tuna fishing....boats go out with helicopters on board to locate the tuna.  Captain does not think it is very sporting! There were some pretty little bays with beautiful tuff islands shaped by the wind and the waves.  Very few beaches.  Lots of dogs who approach for a pet, but are very fearful.  This always bothers me.  There are many churches as there are on just about every Pacific island. The missionaries made their mark here all right, especially the Mormons.  Houses vary from those of the chiefs, which are splendid, through pretty colored bungalows, each with a colonnaded open meeting area to very run down dwellings.  There are many abandoned buildings...no one demolishes them.  Of course recent cyclones wreaked havoc in both Samoas.  (This was particularly evident in Apia where entire areas of the mountains have been stripped of vegetation.). There is a once grand hotel just rotting away.  One gets the feeling that this outpost of 19th century American colonialism is not thriving.  Unemployment is very high and the  US government supports this territory.  I am not sure American Samoa has any strategic value any more.  It once was a coaling station for US vessels.  I did  not find it as attractive as some of the other islands I've seen.  It reminded me of Tonga.

The people are very friendly.  They are related to the other Polynesians and this is evident, not only in their appearance, but also in their language, songs and dances.  They speak their own language, but most learn English.  I had a hard time understanding our guide.

We made a stop on the way back at Two Dollar Beach...a tiny sandy beach with chaises, sheltered tables  and chairs and a little bar.  Apparently you can go there and have a good time for $2.00!  We were treated to some Samoan dances which were very nice and very similar to the other island dances.

Anyone remember the film with Rita Hayworth, "Miss Sadie Thompson"?  Somerset Maugham wrote the story here on which the film was based.  It was called "Rain".  And with reason.  We had two showers....during one of which we went out to take photos.  Lovely cooling rain that dries immediately.  The mountain called "Rainmaker" lives up to its reputation.


Samoa, pronounced with the accent on the  "a" is an independent state, having belonged briefly to the Germans until 1914 and then coming under the auspices of New Zealand as a UN trust until independence in 1962.  It is better developed, though the traditions, language and people are the same.  One wonders why they can't be one nation. The Chinese influence is evident here.  They have built some government buildings and are "helping" Samoa.  It would seem that they are buying up land.





In Apia,  were greeted at the wharf with  troupe of singers and dancers.   A very colorful welcome. We took a trip around Apia, which is larger and more developed than Pango Pango.  This time the bus was much more comfortable and the roads recently paved.  Unfortunately, it was rainy and misty all day.  Well, this is the rainy season.  The scenery was the same as American Samoa: lush, green, mountainous, churches, houses with open meeting halls or fales, some hotels this time, a large covered market place, graves in front of the houses, so that ancestors stay with the families.  We visited a Catholic Church overlooking the harbor.  Very pretty...blue and white with lovely stained glass windows.  Samoans believe that they are God's people.  There are signs on some of the buses: Samoa is God.  Sunday really is. Day of rest and worship here.

The main event of the tour was the visit to Robert Louis Stevenson's house which he built three years before he died here of TB.  He is buried on the mountain above his home.  It is an interesting house and we learned the story of his life there with his American wife and her two children and his mother.   While he lived in Samoa, he wrote thirteen novels...a prolific output in only three years.  He was extremely popular, intervening on Samoa's behalf when colonial powers wanted to take over the islands.  Two of the guides sang one of his poems which ends "Home is the sailor, home from the sea/ Home is the hunter.........".  Delightful!

Unfortunately, we did not see the western part if the island which, according to James Michener is "the most beautiful drive in the South Pacific."  Although, "South Pacific", based on his tales, was filmed in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, the real "Bali Ha'i" is Manono, a tiny island of Samoa.

A few photos

At sea February 9-13

February 9, Honolulu

I did not leave the ship.  I visited the entire island, including Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona in 2005, so I just hung out.  I practically had the entire ship to myself.  It was too hot to sit outside without the breeze from the ship's motion, but there are plenty of lovely venues inside for reading or napping.

February 10-13 en route to Pago Pago, Samoa

What is amazing is that there are thousands of island in this vast ocean and we only come within 200 miles of any of them, until our destinations.  Makes the voyages of the first explorers positively awesome in the true sense of the word.  We've seen no marine life, either, a couple of birds one day....too far off to identify.

Well, my routine is pretty much the same, except that on Sunday, I had my full English breakfast, as I do every Sunday at sea. Yum!  Some rain and clouds during the morning, otherwise weather is glorious.  Started an interesting series of  lectures on the origins of the Micronesians, the Melanesians and the Polynesians. Are you confused yet? Fascinating from every point of view, including linguistic.  These peoples were the great voyagers, originally from China, long before the European explorers who will be the subject of the next lecture.  The range of their settlement is enormous....from Madagascar to Hawaii and from Taiwan to New Zealand.  Incredible! The following days included the European explorers, mapping the Pacific and the voyages of Captain Cook.

On Monday, we got 19/20 at Trivia, but the unbeatable team got 20/20.  Close but no stamp......for our prizes card!  That night, we went to see the second show, "A Night at the Palladium" - songs of the 60s and 70s  and terrific dance numbers.  Great costumes.  Amy and I were trying very hard not to sing along.

Tuesday, we got 9/20 at Trivia.  Our prof, Chuck, was absent, so we reckoned it was all his fault! We crossed the line, the Equator, at 1:15 and at 2:15 we had the Crossing of the Line Ceremony.  It was fun, but nothing can compare to the one on the QE2 in 2008!  That evening, we went to another cocktail party with ship's officers, after which we dined in the Verandah.  Paul and I had the 6-course degustation menu.  It was wonderful ......every bit as good as it was two years ago.  Here are a few details: pigeon in bitter chocolate sauce, scallops on a truffle reduction, foie gras, lobster and scallop salad, filet mignon, and a dessert plate with 6 miniature desserts.  All washed down with a great Italian wine and, for me, a post-prandial Poire William!

Wednesday, with Chuck back on board, we managed 18/20 at Trivia, but still only came in second!

We went to the single malt tasting in the afternoon.  Nicely set up with little tables and armchairs in the Commodore Club.  We tasted five single malts...Glenkinchie 12 yr, Glenmorangie, 10yr, Cragganmore, 12yr, Talisker, 10yr and Bowmore 10yr. the origins ranged from Lowlands, to Highlands, to the Western Isles and Speyside, home to more than half of all the distilleries.  Taste ranged from light and easy to the "peat monsters".  Amy and Paul really like the peaty malts.  I do not.  I liked the Glenmorangie and the Cragganmore.

The wine steward gave us a great deal of fascinating information, such as many single malts are aged in casks that have previously been used for bourbon.  Jack Daniels is a large supplier of these casks.  Others are aged in casks used for sherry.  Nan and I learned this when we went to the "1776" Macallan tasting.  This time we learned how to approach each tasting: color, "legs" (the design the oil makes when you swirl the malt in the glass), nose, taste and finish (how long the taste lingers). It was interesting to hear other tasters' takes on the various notes they could discern and particularly on the finish.  De gustibus......

So many more details...too many for here,  but I will end with a quote from Mark Twain:

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much of a good whiskey is barely enough."

In the evening, after dinner and before he show, Amy and I go to the Queens Room to watch the sequence dancing.   I've never seen it before, even though it is as old as the hills...almost literally, since, with the exception of the waltz, all dancing was sequence dancing until the 20th century.  There are currently some 4000 dances!The British have been keeping it alive.  You should see these couples, some well into their eighties, perhaps a few nonagenarians.  All doing the same steps, with few personal flourishes as they progress round the room.  They are fantastic!  The Asians love it too, but are still learning.  Ballroom dancing has always been a big part of the Cunard experience, but we have not seen this before.

Tonight's show was another terrific show which featured the Cunard orchestra, band, harpist, string quartet and the four singers.  Songs from Sondheim, Billy Joel, the Monkees, the Mamas and the Papas and more.  Great fun.

Tomorrow we reach Pago Pago.  We then lose a day and arrive in Apia.  I will post again after Apia.

Here are some photos:

Above: the judge, Neptune and his wife at the Crossing of the Line ceremony.

Below: Amy and I wearing our necklaces that we bought in Bhutan in 2008.

February 9,2013

Photos.

Unfortunately, blogger has changed how photos are uploaded.  It is complicated...so I am not sure I will be able to post any. Jonathan has offered to do it for me if I e-mail him the photos.  If they are spectacular, I will do so.

At sea, February 3 to 9, 2013

At sea, en route to Honolulu.

Paul and Amy met me at the airport.  We had malt scotch and dessert at the hotel before retiring.  Next day, it was up and at the ship!  By half noon, we were ensconced in the Lido for lunch!

Lovely to be back on the QE.  Nice cabin on the starboard side with my preferred color scheme of blue and gold rather than the burgundy and gold of the port side.  A bit too cool at first to venture out on the balcony, but by day two, the weather became milder.  By Thursday, it was time to put on the sun screen and hang out in the sun at the pool.  Sea conditions have been excellent... the occasional swell, but no good blow yet!

On Tuesday, Paul and I staked out a table at morning Trivia in the Pub.  The first day's results were pitiful for everyone.  We came in third, but I will not reveal the score.  I am ashamed to tell Jonathan that I could not remember the name of the robot in "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".  But here is one for you to chew on: Which singer was born Stuart Gardener?  No one got it.  An 80s singer with a huge entry in Wikipedia.  Adam Ant....anyone?  Adam and the Ants?  We are getting better each day...one teammate is a prof of history at the Air Force Academy and he is a boon!  Paul and I stay after the end of trivia and talk with Chuck, for that is his name, and on Friday he joined us for lunch.  He is a Europeanist, but obviously still knows his US history.  We have covered so many interesting topics.  Like having your own private lecturer for your own private discussion!

Every day, Amy does her water colors, beading, knitting with her "toys" as she calls her equipment!

Mid-morning cappuccinos in the Café Carinthia are always nice.  An occasional movie on the TV in the cabin.  I watched "A Few Good Men" again....I wanted to watch Jack Nicholson lose his cool in the final scene.  A classic.

We have a very nice table at dinner with some Kiwis, Germans, Canadians and Americans.  We are 11!  I've run into cruising acquaintances which is nice.  Comparing medical adventures!

I bought a package at the spa and, after exercises in the gym, I soak in the hydrotherapy pool.  It's about the only time I don't feel the pain in my knees!

We had to stop and turn around on Wednesday to investigate an upturned hull of a boat...it was covered in barnacles and algae, so had been in the water a long time. Still, maritime law dictates that a passing ship investigate.  Then we had to be cleared by the Coast Guard to continue.  Captain reckons it probably dates to the Japanese tsunami...loads of items from that have turned up all over the Pacific.  Who knows.  But it made for some excitement.  Until we got closer to it, I think people were hoping for a dramatic rescue at sea!

There are some interesting lectures: history of the Spitfire plane; Roger MGuinn, founder of the Byrds (Mr. Tambourine Man.....); whales; an Irish painter, Philip Gray; history of the Brunels, legends from Britain's Industrial Revolution.  An excellent concert pianist is on board.  His first concert brought the audience to its feet, cheering....now that is something.  Cunard audiences are very tough.  The concert was a nice mixture of Beethoven, Chopin, Grieg and Rachmaninov......with a boogie woogie number at the beginning to throw us off!

The main big show was on Wednesday night...the Cunard singers and dancers performing a little musical called Hotel Royale based on a very silly premise.  Costumes and sets were great, the songs so-so.  But then I am not a fan of these kind of shows with a story.  I like it when the dancers just dance to all sorts of music.  Maybe there will be a show like that later.  We've also had a singer and a comedian....but I missed those shows.

Thursday evening we had the captain's reception.  Chris Wells is our captain and he is delightful.  I met him on the QM2 in 2008 and he was onboard the QV in 2010 when we had to stop in LeHavre to let the German contingency off so that they could make their way home overland.  That was when the volcano in Iceland erupted and no flights were going in or out of Heathrow.  Wells provided a wonderful history of the port over the tannoy as we sailed in.  He also gives the best announcements at Noon....full of fascinating information.

I am writing this on Saturday morning.   We have just docked in Honolulu.  Last night, we went to the alternative dining venue for Mexican/Aztec food. It was a wonderful four course meal...warm nachos and four dips, cactus salad, a cornmeal dumpling con queso, a mini shredded pork tortilla, a shrimp filled tortilla for the main course ( we all chose the same dish!) and chocolate mango taste with macadamia but ice cream for dessert.  I doubt the Aztecs ate this way, but we enjoyed it.

Here is a photo of Diamond Head at dawn.