Shadow, San Francisco to Papette now

On to Honolulu, Oahu, for an overnight. It was really hot (92)! so we rented a car and drove up to the North Shore via hills and then back down the coast. All of the Surfer beaches were full of tourists taking photos. There were lots of folks out on boards, but it is not great wave season. A beautiful ride and lunch on a small working harbor. We tried to get into the mountains but the US Government was not cooperative. They would've let cut through Scofield Barracks...even tried different gates! Oh well. Lots of food trucks along the roads at the beaches. Excursions included Heli rides, Royal History Tour, Taste of the North Shore, the Missouri, Pearl Harbor and VIP Military Base Visit, Diamond Head Crater Hike. Passed. Since we were overnight, we the on the Veranda outside la Terrazzo. It was the first night of a new option...Familia style. The family style offerings change daily to reflect different areas of Italy. The usual l carte menu is till available. It still changes every 3 days. The whole table is not required to order the Familia, few can share if they want. The next day in Honolulu there was a Memorial service for Judie. I posted about it elsewhere but suffice it to say that a video of Judie singing Send in the Clowns, to a recorded track of her late husband, Trevor, was very emotional for all present. The service was followed by Bloodies and Mimosas in the Bar with Officers and other crew. Judie would have loved that part! We sailed at 2PM, so we had a great ride along the coast and past Diamond Head. There is now a Magician aboard and he did a show that evening. Later.

Another few sea days with lots of activities, language classes, bridge games, bridge tours, galley tours, water volleyball. David Bilsland doing food demo on the pool deck; lectures on Reef Fish, the Reefs themselves, photography. Venetian Night was full, over 200 folks with lots of days and milestone awards. High Cs show a success as usual. We skipped Oct 5 when we crossed the Intl. Dateline. Lunch in La Champagne. With David's Lunch & Learn, smoked salmon, duck breast and a lemon posset, accompanied by the appropriate wines! An early show of Bacharach Songbook with Liar's Club later. Very fun and funny.

Land Ho! Fanning Island, Kiribati. No electric, no plumbing, lots of children. Craft Market at the tender landing. Music, dancers and smiles. Very nice. Even nicer was going into the lagoon for a swim in the warm, silk water that just happens to be perfect turquoise! We are 180 miles north of the equator. Dedrick Bonner did his cabaret show to great applause. That man has the best smile going. Next Day, Christmas Island, Kiribati. Jimmy got new costumes in Honolulu and the crew put on a great Crossing the Equator show. Very hard to believe that the fierce, grotesque Dr Doom was the same guy that did another outstanding opera show that evening! His mother was here and had every right to be beaming in the front row. Duke also paid a lovely tribute to his other and her friend who have guided him through his career. Karaoke was fairly well attended but not too many volunteers to make spectacles of themselves! The next days were Thursday #1 and Thursday #2 at the Dateline again. The usual activities and lectures, a show by the Magician as well as something new, to me, Footprint Analysis by the Personal Trainer! Later.

Arrived BoraBora this AM in the drizzle! Clearing. Took a long time for Immigration to clear the ship but, it IS France! Pilot came aboard via a small outboard, canvas t-top. Different. Off to Bloody Mary's for lunch and maybe a little shopping at Robert Wan?! Lots of excursions: helicopters, aqua bikes, Motu picnics, aqua safari, off-road adventures, BB by Le Truck, glass bottom boats cruising, sharks and rays snorkeling and SCUBA for certified divers. BBQ This evening with deck show and disco. Just another day in Paradise!

Thanks dt for the robust on board reports--look fwd to visiting Fanning Island in March and enjoying the dt lagoon swim:)

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Arrived BoraBora this AM... a little shopping at Robert Wan?!

Glad to hear you're enjoying paradise!

DT....I'm waving to you from the huge ship sitting across from Shadow.

Arrived BoraBora this AM in the drizzle! Clearing. Took a long time for Immigration to clear the ship but, it IS France! Pilot came aboard via a small outboard, canvas t-top. Different. Off to Bloody Mary's for lunch and maybe a little shopping at Robert Wan?! Lots of excursions: helicopters, aqua bikes, Motu picnics, aqua safari, off-road adventures, BB by Le Truck, glass bottom boats cruising, sharks and rays snorkeling and SCUBA for certified divers. BBQ This evening with deck show and disco. Just another day in Paradise!

Appreciate the great updates and details from duct tape. BoraBora sound great, except for that little opening drizzle. Love the range of excursion options there. Keep up the wonderful reporting.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 160,184 views. Nice to be hitting this high of a level for viewership. Appreciate the interest and follow-up questions/comments!!

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Hi, oregon50, come over here!

Moorea yesterday. More beautiful than ever! Lots of excursions, 4x4 rides, Belvedere Viewpoint, golf @ Moorea Pearl Resort, Motu island and snorkeling and SCUBA. Great meal at the Moorea Beach Cafe and Yacht Club. Bruno, from Paris, has been open for a few years. Fab view on the beach and great food, fresh ravioli filled with spiny lobster in a cream leek sauce. Yum. There was an In Transit cocktail on 8 aft, replete with a gorgeous sunset. Good job, SS. Then the local show came aboard "0 Tahiti E". Excellent talent from beautiful, sleek examples of human perfection. Michaelangelo should have been there! After that Jessica and Duke did a few tunes on request from some guests. It was a very busy and pleasant evening. We sailed during the local show so we arrived Papette in time for them to debark and get to the other 2 shows they were scheduled for last night!

There about 33 in-transit. Full house again this segment. Finally found Santos from CC after 17 days! Good CC crowd. Will start a new thread for the next 2 segments. Later

DT....enjoy the upcoming island tour. Fantastic weather, yes? Sorry to have missed you.....about to depart.