Coddiwomple Stardate 180424

After leaving New Zealand we were back in Australia for 3 weeks before heading on our 23-day voyage to Seattle. We spent 2 weeks in Melbourne catching up with family and friends before catching a train to Sydney. Then a week in Sydney once again catching up with more family and friends. We filled up our time well in Sydney by boarding several ferries that took us to Parramatta, Cockatoo Island, Manly and Toronga Zoo. Also caught a bus down to Coogee and walked back to Bondi. I had to try one of the many rock pools along the coast and chose a nice one recommended by Jade at Bronte Beach and it was a warm day for a refreshing swim.

On the 22^nd April we boarded our cruise ship “Explorer of the Seas” It took us 1½ hours to get on the ship. I felt like cattle being herded to slaughter through multiple check ins and the border force. The ocean liner has 14 levels 4000 passengers and 1200 staff. This cruise ship holds 13 x the amount of people that are living on Stuart Island. The newest and largest Royal Caribbean Cruise ship can hold 8000 people. The ships always sail between 95 and 99% patronage. There are 17 cruise ships being built now for different companies and a 7% increase each year in popularity of cruising. I’m told the ship we are on is classed as a small ship hence no lap pool. I looked around at all the people boarding and realised even at my age I felt youthful. There were lots of walking sticks, zimmer frames, gophers and people dragging oxygen bottles behind them. I’m already thinking cruising is not for me, but I shall keep an open mind and give you my opinion after 23 days.

Sharon and I decided to cruise to the USA mainly because the cost was similar to flying. For the price you get 23 nights accommodation as much food as you want to eat and plenty of on board entertainment. Sharon and I joked about our cabin, that it would be in the bowels of the ship for the price we paid. We were surprised, we are on deck 7 inside cabin so no window. Some inside cabins have a virtual window you cannot turn off, so you must close the curtains to keep out the daylight.  Our stateroom had a king size bed, lounge, TV, bar fridge and nice ensuite and no engine noise. The bar fridge can stay empty, they charge $5.85 USD + 18% gratuities for 1 litre of water or medium pack of m&m’s for $12.95 + 18%.

After a dawn service on the ship for Anzac day with a good 300+ people attending we arrived at Noumea on day 4 at 8.00am. We had 2 full days of sailing to reach New Caledonia. Sharon went to card making classes on both days. I went to a movie, also a seminar on the history of art over 30,000 years. In Noumea we booked for a kayak tour along Dumbea River. It was classed as a strenuous activity (maybe for people in zimmer frames). It was just an amble up the river. We did have fun floating down some small rapids on our back and a few small rapids in the kayak. It was a far better trip than city sight seeing. We didn’t find much to interest ourselves in Noumea, so our choice of activity was great.

We didn’t book anything on day 5 for Lifou, Loyalty Islands. Not much grabbed our attention. We decided to jump on the tender and see what happens. There were 3 people in front of us in their late 20’s (who make up about 0.1% of the passengers on the cruise ship) talking about snorkelling on the coral reef. Sharon asked them about it. They had been to Lifou twice before and gave us directions to the reef. It was only a 15min walk to get there. The locals charge you each $10 USD to swim there and another $7.50 USD to hire a pair of goggles and snorkels. The water was warm and the coral reef was absolutely stunning easily on par with the Great Barrier Reef. We spent an hour slowly swimming around just admiring everything we possibly could.

We walked to a couple of churches tried the local coconut milk straight out of the coconut and went to another small beach for another swim. The rain had started to set in, so it was back on the ship for a late lunch.

Day 6 and Mystery Island. It is a small island about 500m of the coast of Aneityum. No one lives on the island and you can walk around the whole island in 45mins. It would have to be one of the best set ups for tourists. A lot of the world economy relies on tourism. But when thousands of people descend on your home it can be annoying for the locals. We found this out on Stuart Island when the cruise ships came in. What the people of Aneityum have done is set up a tourist island. On the day a cruise ship comes in they transport everything over to the island and set up markets and tours. It keeps all us tourists away from the locals and we get to enjoy a great little island. Our day on the island included lots of swimming in the crystal clear warm water and me trying out the local Vanuatu beer while Sharon was added to the cannibal soup.

Day 8 and it is, Fiji. We had a look at tours organised through the ship, but nothing grabbed our attention. Decided we would just walk around town and hope for the best. After leaving the ship, a tour company had set up on the wharf. Checked out what was on offer and decided to grab one of their tours. We were gone for 4 hours and was taken to an old WWII battery with views over Suva harbour. Then on to a forest park and small water fall. We both had a swim while the locals were busy scaring us tourists by swinging off the rope and jumping near anyone who got in their way. We were meant to go to the local brewery but being Sunday, sadly it was closed. Then finished with a trip around town, then surprise, we finished our tour at a souvenir place! It was a good venture and half the cost of what they charge through the ship.

Day 9 and we head back west to Lautoka Fiji. We had booked on the Fijian Homestead and History tour. Our first stop was at the “South Sea Orchid Garden”. The family history goes back to the first British settlers. The house was complete with the family’s antiques and several early Fijian artefacts. The orchid garden was small but still colourful. Next stop was the town of Nadi. Surprise once again another souvenir shop. Then it was onto a traditional village. The guide asked if anyone wanted to be Chief and do the traditional Kava welcome. No one was putting up their hands, so I volunteered. I did want to try the Kava anyway. Kava was always a traditional drink only consumed by Kings. It is made from crushed roots. If enough quantity is drunk it becomes a mild sedative. It is sold in Europe in tablet form to be used as a sleeping pill or anti-depressant. It has now become the national drink to be had at the end of a day’s work. When we reached the village, I had to sit at the front facing the Fijian Tribe. I could see the Kava being mixed in front of me. When the ceremony began I had to clap my hands once accept the Kava and say “Bula” with a big smile which means welcome. Then drink all the kava hand back the bowl clap my hands three times and say “Vinaka” which means thank you. Then the singing and dancing started with them all in traditional clothing. I did not know that the next part of the ceremony included me getting up to join the dancing. Our guide neglected to inform me of that. I couldn’t refuse so up I went to dance one on one, then a line dance. After the dancing and more singing I was asked to thank the villagers on our behalf. If I had fully known what I had to do, that kava would be staying in the bowl. It tasted mildly of dirt anyway.

Day 10 to 15 we had only sea days before berthing in Honolulu. Our time was easily filled in with craft, lectures, movies mini golf and eating. Two main events we had was to cross the international date line on May 1^st. Apparently no one on board had a great day so we got to repeat May 1^st again. As we approached the equator we had a “Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep” ceremony to honour King Neptune. This ceremony is so all who pass the equator can pass safely with King Neptunes blessing. They had a couple of passenger and a couple of staff stand in front of everyone to ask King Neptune for safe passage and then they were all covered by spaghetti, bolognaise sauce and egg whites and milk. I was glad I never volunteered for that one ( you also had to kiss a really big fish!!).

The Captain announced about a half hour before crossing the equator to warn us there may be a bit of a bump when we cross over. At dinner I watched as the horizon disappeared into the ocean and the ship took on a very heavy listing as we crossed the equator.