Random thoughts from the sea
Day 32, Grand World Voyage Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023; Wellington, New Zealand. It may seem strange, but thoughts of a Turkish peninsula provided the bookends for my day in Wellington, N.Z. The peninsula is Gallipoli, and it was the scene of a bitter World War I military campaign. The attempt
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Day 32, Grand World Voyage Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023; Gisborne, New Zealand. I make it a rule of thumb to first consider ship excursions on tender ports. Not a requirement, but being on an excursion does have the benefit of avoiding the wait for a tender if you want to
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Day 31, Grand World Voyage Friday, Feb. 3, 2023; Tauranga, New Zealand. I’m getting to know my way around the shops and restaurants in Mount Maunganui, the port village for Tauranga. The city of Tauranga is about 20 minutes away by bus, but I have yet to visit there. When
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Day 30, Grand World Voyage Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023; Auckland, New Zealand. There is so much to do in Auckland, and what do I do? Get a pedicure! I’ve been to Auckland four times now, and twice I have treated myself to a wonderful foot massage, nail trimming and a
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Day 27, Grand World Voyage Monday, Jan. 30, 2023; Nuku’alofa, Tonga. I sent my new dress from Tonga to the laundry on board the ship. I’m not sure what to expect when it comes back. I loved the fabric pattern and the simple A-line design. Its light weight, I thought,
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Day 25, Grand World Voyage Friday, Jan. 27, 2023; South Pacific Ocean Watercolor may be second only to arts and crafts in popularity on Holland America’s grand cruises. Of course, it’s not a competition. And some people, including my sisters, participate in both activities. Since my introduction to watercolor in
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Day 22, Grand World Voyage Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023; Uturoa, Raiatea, French Polynesia. As anyone who cruises much knows, the itinerary can change. Bad weather or unfavorable seas can prevent the ship from docking safely, as happened to us in Samoa a few years ago. Political unrest can make it
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Day 21, Grand World Voyage Monday, Jan. 23, 2023; Uturoa, Raiatea, French Polynesia. My friends Barbara and Richard love the Tales of the South Pacific cruises, with their many stops at the tropical islands from Tahiti to Fiji. They spend the days snorkeling and enjoying the beautiful beaches under the
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Day 20, Grand World Voyage Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023; Moorea, French Polynesia. Moorea is just a hop, skip and a jump from Papeete. We could see it. So sometime around 5 a.m., while I was sleeping, we motored over and anchored in Baie d’Opunchu. Eloise and Elaine took off on
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Day 19, Grand World Voyage Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023; Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Papeete is just as I remember from three years ago – a bustling city harbor with ferries and unusual luxury yachts, crazy traffic, buskers with ukuleles on street corners and fragrant flowers everywhere. Three years ago, Elaine
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