Act 10
22
September 2008 - 7 October 2008
22/09/08
Today we headed back to San Francisco and the Chancellor Hotel. I had a hair and nail appointment and
Reg took our washing to the Laundromat to be done.
We met back at the hotel and then had a couple of drinks in the bar downstairs as we met a lot of those travelling on our cruise who were part of the group booking I had organised at the Chancellor. They all seemed very happy with the hotel, which was a great relief, and it was great to catch up with everyone.
23/09/08
We were supposed to go on a Winery Tour today with some of our group but
alas I tripped in our room last night and injured my left knee and couldn’t
walk. So we opted out of the tour
and I iced the knee and tried to rest it.
I
had a call from Kathy (who is on the cruise) and she has hurt her back so the
two of us are really starting the cruise on a good note. She also offered to lend me Dennis’
crutches, which she brought just in case he needed them. Anyway some friends of theirs very
kindly dropped them in at the hotel for me.
By around 2pm we realised that I was definitely not going to be able to walk onto the ship so after a couple of calls to Princess, trying to organise a wheelchair with no luck, we decided to buy a wheelchair. I called the front desk and asked if they knew of anywhere close by and after a little while we had a call from the housekeeping manageress and she had found a place for us. She met Reg in the lobby and then took him to a Pharmacy just around the corner where he found a suitable chair. We both felt that the hotel had acted above and beyond the call of duty.
24/09/08
Well our day to start our cruise finally dawned. Although still unable to walk but one or
two very painful steps it was just fantastic to know that we would soon be on
the Dawn Princess.
I
had organised a shuttle to the pier for everyone at the Chancellor but although
our luggage travelled on the shuttle we headed to the pier in a taxi. There was no way I was able to get up
the stairs to the bus.
Once
at the pier we were shown into the check in area and headed in the direction of
the special needs check in. Usually
this line goes a little faster but it was very slow. Still we were on board and then looking
around the ship in a little over an hour.
The
ship is quite large compared to what we have been on and it is a lovely
ship. The atrium which is the
centre for a lot of things is lovely.
We
were up on deck for sailaway and had a great view of Alcatraz as we passed and
then we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Thus
brought to a close our 6 weeks of our US tour. It has been wonderful and we have seen
some wonderful sights but now it is time for our next adventure on the
Dawn.
We had dinner tonight with Kathy and Dennis and the food was excellent. Dinner over we headed in different directions. Reg and I back to our cabin for an early night. It has been a big day.
25/09/08
– 28/09/08 The 4 sea
days have passed very leisurely we have not done too much and I have tried to
rest the knee as much as possible.
I am even able to take a few more steps with the aid of the
crutches. A big bonus really as it
means I can get off the ship (hopefully) when we get to the tender ports.
We
have not done too much of the shipboard activities but have just enjoyed reading
and relaxing.
We
have had breakfast delivered to our room one day and enjoyed dinner and lunch
with a few of our group. It is
great to catch up and have a chat.
On
Thursday 26th there was a Meet and Group organised for our roll call
group on Cruise Critic. It was a
great meeting and included a gift exchange for those of us who wanted to
participate. It was a lot of fun
and the gift which Reg picked was a lovely White House Christmas Ornament. It is very pretty.
The group will be holding a meet and greet every Thursday, which is a sea day for us.
29/09/08
Today we arrived in Honolulu and we hired a car with Tanya & Kevin
and Kathy & Dennis and did a tour around a few places. It was a great day and was good to see a
little of the island. We visited
the Byodo-In Temple, Mokolii Island (Chinaman’s Hat), Lanakai Beach (so pretty),
Hanauma Bay and inside Diamond Head Crater.
After
dropping off the car we all headed to Ross for Less for some shopping and then
we headed to Walmart with Tanya & Kevin for a few things before catching a
cab back to the ship.
I
waited for the others at the bottom of the gangway while they stowed their
shopping and then the four of us headed to a bar at the end of the Aloha Tower
for a couple of cold beers. From
here we went back to the ship and then met up a little later in the Pizzeria for
dinner. The pizzas were good and I
think we will be eating there again before the voyage is
over.
Dinner
over it was time to head back to our cabins for a well earned sleep. It has been a great
day.
30/09/08
This morning the ship arrived in Kona. We had originally booked a glass bottom
boat cruise but I cancelled mine a few days ago as I felt I would have too much
difficulty getting on and off the boat.
Reg did still go and found it very good and has quite a bit of film
footage.
The
plans was that after he returned we would then try and go ashore depending on
how difficult it would be for me to get on and off the tender. On his return Reg said he really didn’t
want me to try to go ashore today there were a number of stairs to negotiate and
he felt there would be a lot of difficulties for me even with the
crutches.
I
was happy to take his lead (he has been wonderful this last week) and we enjoyed
a restful day on board.
We enjoyed dinner with Kathy and Dennis, Tanya and Kevin and then it was off to bed.
01/10/08
We are at sea again and heading for Christmas Island and some scenic
cruising. The seas are still like a
mill pond and our days are so restful.
After we cruise around Christmas Island on Friday we will be heading to
Bora Bora.
Enjoyed
a seminar on Captain James Cook today with Andrew Gregson which was very
informative and he is so funny.
Then
we had lunch and I had a nap this afternoon while Reg did the
washing.
We
caught up with Maurice and Mark for drinks in their cabin at 5pm and we all had
a great time. Their friends Lyndon
and Graham joined us and it was laughs all round.
It
only seemed like we had been there a few minutes but 7pm came around all too
soon and it was time for us all to get ready for dinner. We were all meeting at 7.45pm for dinner
with Kathy & Dennis and Tanya & Kevin.
Dinner was good and we all had a great time. All the meals have been quite good although we have found it is much better to be eating in the dining room. We are very happy that we chose anytime dining rather than traditional and being tied down to set dinner times.
2/10/08
– 5/10/08 We
have been at sea these days heading to Bora Bora. The sea days are so relaxing - we have
been to some lectures, a movie (What Happens in Vegas), on Friday the ship did a
couple of hours of scenic cruising of Christmas Island as they were unable to
stop there and tender anyone ashore due to safety issues. Generally we have been taking the time
to relax. We haven’t even made it
to trivia yet.
Shaz
the Atrium on the Dawn is not quite what you experienced on the Sapphire. A lot of the daily activities happen in
the Atrium – even the Art Auction is held in the Atrium. Oh yes we have bought another
Goddard. The musicians only play
there at certain times still the Patisserie is a great place to sit and have
a coffee or cocktail read and
relax.
Thursday
was our second meet and greet for the roll call group and this time we organised
to wish everyone who was celebrating birthdays or anniversaries all the
best. There were not as many as at
the first one but it was great to see everyone who did turn
up.
On
Friday we met with Sue and Don for lunch and then played a board and card game
with them in the afternoon called Sequence. We are going to have to find this game
as it was lots of fun. Think you
will enjoy this one Kim.
Friday
night we crossed the equator and yesterday (Saturday) there was the Crossing the
Equator Ceremony and we now have our certificates to say we are now “shellbacks
and not pollywogs”. It was all a
lot of fun.
Saturday
night was our next formal night and everyone does look great all dressed
up. Reg looks quite dashing in his
suit with bow tie.
Today we enjoyed a lecture by the Captain on the “Night Sky”. The Princess Theatre was packed with standing room only. I am lucky as I come with my own portable chair (Lol) but poor Reg had to stand or kneel during it.
6/10/08
We were awake early this morning so decided to get up on deck for our
arrival into Bora Bora. Words can’t
describe the beauty of this island paradise with the large outer rim of an
extinct volcano towering above the island.
The ship anchored in Cooks Bay and we waited until open tender was called
before venturing forth to go ashore.
My
knee was better than it has been and it needed to be as I had to be able to walk
onto the tender (with the help of crutches) to be able to go ashore. Well this I accomplished and a lot
more.
Once
ashore we tried to find a cab so we could go to Bloody Mary’s. After a couple of false starts and as we
were heading over the road to the Avis office a lady pulled up asking if we
still wanted to go there. We jumped
at the chance and for $US5 each we were on our way.
On
arriving there we found that the path into and also the floor of the
Restaurant/Bar were sand and this meant that it would be much too difficult to
push the wheelchair through it all so I would have to walk in. It was slow going but I managed it and
once we were finished our lunch I had to walk out again.
It
was a very busy spot as a lot of those on the cruises make it a point of call in
their sightseeing itinerary as it is quite a famous place in this beautiful part
of the world.
Lunch
was fine although a little overpriced.
We both tried the local beer and it was quite enjoyable but a little
expensive at $US15 for two glasses.
We
had organised for our lady cab driver to pick us up at a pre-arranged time and
after she filled the cab we were heading back to where the tenders dock. Once again the wheelchair gave us some
priority in getting on the tender.
Definitely none getting off as the hoards clamouring to disembark would
have run me over in their rush.
Once
on board we headed into the Patisserie for a cold drink after which we decided
to head to our cabin for a lie down.
Reg had a good nap and I finished the book I was reading. Then it was time to head up for sail
away and to say goodbye to this lovely island.
After an early dinner we hit the sack quite early as we are in Papeete tomorrow and have a tour booked with one of the local operator’s.
7/10/08
Up early this morning as 8 of us were meeting around 8.15am for a tour of
Papeete and surrounds.
Leaving
the ship just before 9am we found our van waiting for us but there was no driver
with it. Anyway it wasn’t too long
before she turned up and we settled into the van. Alas there were only 7 seats so it was a
bit of a squeeze for 8 but we managed in the end.
Our
tour took us to the Museum of Papeete where our driver, Lizette, took us through
with a very informative explanation of Tahitian and Polynesian life pre
European.
From
here we went to the Cascade Waterfall, everyone took the 10 minute walk to the
falls but I stayed in the van with Lizette. Then down to the blowhole and to Venus
Point where the first Europeans set foot.
Captain James Cook also observed the transit of Venus, in 1769, across
the Sun. There is also a lighthouse
at Venus Point which was brought there by Robert Louis
Stephenson.
After
the tour Reg and I had a look around Papeete and had some lunch and a couple of
cold beers before heading back to the ship.
It
was a very enjoyable day.
