Rare WCB Posted September 24, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Report # 1 Getting ready to go…..again….. September 24, 2016 Saturday Sunny and warm 88 degrees Well, here we are, once again, preparing to leave on another special adventure to the South Pacific. Anticipating cooler autumn temperatures here in northern California, we like to escape to the warmer climates for a few weeks. This year has been exceptionally nice, but it will not last long. Our 53 day itinerary will begin with a flight to Seattle tomorrow, bright and early, with a pick-up at 5am to the San Francisco airport. If all goes according to schedule, we should be arriving to Holland America’s Amsterdam by 1pm or so. Looks like we may be lucky and have a couple of sunny days while in Seattle and Vancouver the following day. From there, we head south to Catalina and San Diego…..both really fun ports for us. Then we’ll have 5 lazy days at sea on our way to Hawaii, specifically Honolulu, Lahaina, Maui, Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hilo and Kona. Can taste those shaved ice cream treats already……. Crossing both the Equator and the International dateline, we will visit the primitive island of Fanning in Kiribat. That’s if the tides are right, since we seem to land there only about 50% of the time. Next will come two stops in Samoa….Pago Pago and Apia, followed by four stops in Fiji. The last stop there being Dravuni Island with the whitest, finest sand you’ll ever see and feel between your toes. Nuku alofa, Tonga is next, and if we are lucky, we may see the king and queen out and about in their fancy chauffeur-driven car. Vava u, Tonga is close by, and we sure hope the tenderboats will be made more accessible than on our last visit. It was quite a sight to watch the folks sit on the pier, then be slid in the side of the boat. Graceful, it was not. Wandering over the dateline again, we will stop in Alofi, Niue, belonging to New Zealand. Rarotonga in the Cook Islands should be interesting. On our last visit, one of the tenderboats was washed over the sharp coralbeds, ripping a good-sized hole in the bottom and sides. Can you imagine the officers and crew coming out to help with the stranded guests? Our buddy, Barb, was on that boat and said it was the best “three hour tour” she ever had. Believe this – if it is ever-so-slightly dangerous to tender to shore, this port will be cancelled. Then we’re off to beautiful French Polynesia…….Bora Bora, Raiatea, Papeete, and Moorea. A little bit of heaven on earth, in our humble opinion. And great pizza too. Our final stops will be in the Marquesas……Rangiroa, Fakarava, and Nuku Hiva. All are as remote as you can imagine. And they have sharks, as we remember when we witnessed a reef shark circling a picnic table in the water at a shoreline resort in Fakarava. The oblivious diners never knew that while they were munching their burgers, the sharks were considering munching on them. Harmless, they say? You never know………. We’ll have six days at sea, then will end our journey in San Diego, with a short flight back home on November 17th. Just in time to get ready for the Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie! So, journey with us, and we promise to keep you all entertained. Bill & Mary Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Btimmer Posted September 24, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 24, 2016 (edited) Maybe our paths will cross as we board the Maasdam for 52 days to and around Australia on Monday, 9/26 for a sailing through Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, and New Caledonia. . . Edited September 24, 2016 by Btimmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettty45 Posted September 24, 2016 #3 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Report # 1 Getting ready to go…..again….. September 24, 2016 Saturday Sunny and warm 88 degrees Well, here we are, once again, preparing to leave on another special adventure to the South Pacific. Anticipating cooler autumn temperatures here in northern California, we like to escape to the warmer climates for a few weeks. This year has been exceptionally nice, but it will not last long. Our 53 day itinerary will begin with a flight to Seattle tomorrow, bright and early, with a pick-up at 5am to the San Francisco airport. If all goes according to schedule, we should be arriving to Holland America’s Amsterdam by 1pm or so. Looks like we may be lucky and have a couple of sunny days while in Seattle and Vancouver the following day. From there, we head south to Catalina and San Diego…..both really fun ports for us. Then we’ll have 5 lazy days at sea on our way to Hawaii, specifically Honolulu, Lahaina, Maui, Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hilo and Kona. Can taste those shaved ice cream treats already……. Crossing both the Equator and the International dateline, we will visit the primitive island of Fanning in Kiribat. That’s if the tides are right, since we seem to land there only about 50% of the time. Next will come two stops in Samoa….Pago Pago and Apia, followed by four stops in Fiji. The last stop there being Dravuni Island with the whitest, finest sand you’ll ever see and feel between your toes. Nuku alofa, Tonga is next, and if we are lucky, we may see the king and queen out and about in their fancy chauffeur-driven car. Vava u, Tonga is close by, and we sure hope the tenderboats will be made more accessible than on our last visit. It was quite a sight to watch the folks sit on the pier, then be slid in the side of the boat. Graceful, it was not. Wandering over the dateline again, we will stop in Alofi, Niue, belonging to New Zealand. Rarotonga in the Cook Islands should be interesting. On our last visit, one of the tenderboats was washed over the sharp coralbeds, ripping a good-sized hole in the bottom and sides. Can you imagine the officers and crew coming out to help with the stranded guests? Our buddy, Barb, was on that boat and said it was the best “three hour tour” she ever had. Believe this – if it is ever-so-slightly dangerous to tender to shore, this port will be cancelled. Then we’re off to beautiful French Polynesia…….Bora Bora, Raiatea, Papeete, and Moorea. A little bit of heaven on earth, in our humble opinion. And great pizza too. Our final stops will be in the Marquesas……Rangiroa, Fakarava, and Nuku Hiva. All are as remote as you can imagine. And they have sharks, as we remember when we witnessed a reef shark circling a picnic table in the water at a shoreline resort in Fakarava. The oblivious diners never knew that while they were munching their burgers, the sharks were considering munching on them. Harmless, they say? You never know………. We’ll have six days at sea, then will end our journey in San Diego, with a short flight back home on November 17th. Just in time to get ready for the Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie! So, journey with us, and we promise to keep you all entertained. Bill & Mary Ann I'm interested in your review of this ship. We are considering the Grand Asia for next fall. Is she pretty old or in good shape and a ship you enjoy? The trip sounds fantastic!! Enjoy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoghornLeghorn Posted September 24, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Bill and Mary - so glad you're out on another adventure. Sounds like a great one, wish I was going with you LOL we went to Nuku Hiva on our last South Pacific Cruise, because of a medical emergency, but I thought the island was something out of a movie it was so beautiful. Can't wait to hear about that particular stop. I will be following along as usual Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpf Posted September 24, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Ooooh, another adventure for Bill & Mary Ann, I love your adventures and I will certainly be following along in spirit and wishing I was with you. Have a fantastic trip. Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOT2L82SAIL Posted September 24, 2016 #6 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Bill and Mary Ann.... another fantastic adventure. I will be reading right along with you. I cannot wait. Have a great time. I know I will.... love your reporting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted September 24, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 24, 2016 How wonderful, another adventure to follow - thank you for inviting us along once more. I'll be able to enjoy some of your activities from home, some from Spain, a few from the Eurodam, then will have to wait till we get to Florida after our T-A. Have a safe and memorable journey! Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :) Gerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Boston Posted September 24, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 24, 2016 I can't wait for your excellent reports! I always look forward to following you along on your trips. Bon voyage ⚓️ Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestyling Posted September 24, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Smooth sailing to you both! I look forward to reading along. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durangoscots Posted September 24, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Glad you are posting.... I was supposed to do this cruise but life has way derailing plans sometimes... so I will have to be content with following along. Maybe another year. Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdw1972 Posted September 25, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Bon Voyage - so happy to read you're doing this cruise so I can follow along on your adventures! Sue/WDW1972 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozcruizer Posted September 25, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Bon Voyage - so happy to read you're doing this cruise so I can follow along on your adventures! Sue/WDW1972 Have a wonderful cruise - it's a lovely part of the world. We are heading to Vancouver tomorrow to join the Volendam on Wednesday to do a repositioning cruise through Alaska, across the North Pacific and down the coast of Asia (Sth Korea, Japan and China) to Hong Kong. I hope to be able to follow your adventures, but knowing ship internet it may be a trial at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted September 25, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Always enjoy reading about your travels. Thanks for taking us along. Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candiaccruiser Posted September 25, 2016 #14 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Bon voyage... and thank you for letting us all cruise along with you! [emoji3] Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted September 25, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 25, 2016 (edited) Had to rub my eyes and blink a few times to make sure I was reading this right. And make sure this was not a revival thread of last year's Tales of the South Pacific report ..that we shared with you on this same cruise (almost anonymously -we knew you because you are famous) You are doing it again? Yup, you are doing it again! Good for you. Wishing you the best possible Amsterdam crew ...again.... on this unique cruise that is unlike any other HAL cruise we have done so far. Please have a double serving of that delicious sweet green grapefruit for us when you get to Tahiti. Enjoy. Edited September 25, 2016 by OlsSalt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted September 25, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Have a great cruise. Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ineke Posted September 25, 2016 #17 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Oh yay! Been looking for one of your reports, and ta da! here it is! Have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchip Posted September 25, 2016 #18 Share Posted September 25, 2016 I'll be reading every word as you travel through the South Pacific this year, as I did last year. The big difference is this year we will be on the Amsterdam also! Hopefully, we will meet you as you are very close neighbors in real life. :D Cheers, Denise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marysb Posted September 25, 2016 #19 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Have a great cruise! Looking forward to your entertaining and interesting reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamesEM Posted September 25, 2016 #20 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Following along, looking forward to your reports and photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted September 25, 2016 #21 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Excited to follow your journey with your updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhcw Posted September 25, 2016 #22 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Bon voyage:). Always love reading your trip reports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyingfish Posted September 25, 2016 #23 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Well I'm ready to go! Let the cruise begin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbri Posted September 25, 2016 #24 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Have a wonderful, wonderful cruise. Looking forward to following your review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare boards Posted September 25, 2016 #25 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Very much looking forward to reading your reviews. You make it feel like we are right there experiencing the adventure. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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