Just testing

I hope this works. Tomorrow I get up at ridiculous o'clock to catch a plane to Sydney at 6.35am!!

Last two days on board the Pacific Pearl

Tomorrow we dock in Sydney around 6.30am. We have to have our bags packed this afternoon and leave them outside our cabin door...... how did 10 days pass so quickly?   We will be through customs about 9.30 I guess and are spending the day with some friends who are picking us up and then later dropping us off at the airport - we will be back in Wellington around 1.00am 17th. 

So to finish here some more pictures of activities around the ship over the last couple of days 

Did I tell you about Bianco night?....

The children have their own place and are well catered for, they all see to have had a ball. 

Some good movies on the big screen each day.

A game of water balloon soccer in the teenage area. 

A bit more of a putting challenge today - the ship is rock 'n rolling again!!

This is the Adults only area called the Oasis'. Three levels of peace and quiet at the back of the boat with a jacuzzi and loungers, and of course a bar - we have only just found it!

Trivia in the Connexions Bar

We walked around the track for 20 mins most days at sea. 

A sun set type shot taken from our balcony

Did I tell you about the Bargain Sale on deck 6 (in the middle)?

Dining in the Waterfront Restaurant

The Orient Pub - a great place to have a pre-dinner drink

The Champagne waterfall

The lead up to the filling of the champagne waterfall

Let's hear it for the chefs.....

It's all over Rover

Just in case you were curious about my unfinished conversation with Jim, here is his story so far....

Jim's Story - 10 July 2015

We met Jim at breakfast in the Waterfront Restaurant on the Pacific Pearl.  After a little while we got talking and I asked him whereabouts in England he came from, he replied that he was born in Germany, but educated in England. He explained that he was brought up by his grandparents for the first few years of his life, and that they spoilt him rotten. He went on to describe how they owned a small store in a very small village in Germany and every day his grandfather would take him for a walk to the Post Office to collect the mail.  On the way back he would be carried on his grandfathers shoulders, and in their small village his grandfather was well known and respected, many people would stop and chat, and young Jim had been told by his grandfather to tell people he was his "old donkey", which he did as a great joke.  However his grandmother heard about this and told young Jim to say "old gentleman" instead as it was much more polite.  This Jim did but then whispered in his grandfather's ear that he was really his old donkey, just to please him.  

Another time his grandfather would give him a penny to buy a block of chocolate, which he ate on the way home.  This apparently spoilt his appetite and when his grandmother found out she said he was to put the chocolate bar in his pocket and eat it after his dinner. Grandfather then asked a few days later why he didn't eat his chocolate bar on the way home, and when Jim told him he gave him 2 pennies to buy two chocolate bars, eating one on the way home and the other to give to grandmother.  And so he believes he had the most loving early upbringing and he treats his own grandchildren in a similar way. 

I was curious to know what happened to his parents.  And Jim took a little time to gather his thoughts, and I guess it was knowing where to start.

His father was an academic, he studied hard and became a doctor.  His parents advised him to find a rich women and marry her!  However, he did marry but not to a rich women!  In those days doctors had to go where they were needed and so they ended up in this little village.  

Hitler came to power in 1933 and there were several uprisings. The unions were always fractious, and one day a fight broke out and one of the unionists was shot in the stomach. His friends brought him to the surgery, but his father knew that this would have to be reported to the police which would mean jobs would be lost.  So he sutured the wound and agreed to fill out the form by describing the injury as being bored by a bull.  All was well until the same man got into another fight and ended up at the police station where the doctor there asked the man to explain the wound on his stomach. He gave the story about being bored by a bull and the doctor didn't believe him. The union rep was brought in and he told him about the shooting and cover up by Jim's father.

There were some sympathisers in the village who told Jim's father that the police would be coming for him the next day, so he had to pack whatever he could and get out.  With a lot of help by brave people in the underground movement he somehow managed to get to Scotland (another story perhaps?).  Meanwhile the next day the police came knocking on the door and demanded that his wife tell them where the doctor was.  She feigned innocence and told them ,

he had gone off with another woman and they let it go at that. Some weeks later the mayor of the village told Jim's mother that she would need a new passport and would need it in her maiden name, and this was done.  This meant that she could leave Germany officially and joined her husband in Scotland. Apparently, ever the academic he was studying at Edinburgh University and because he needed funds, his mother went back to Germany a few times to bring money back - (again may be another story?). 

Jim is sad he has so few relatives, most of his family were murdered by the Nazis, he mentions an Aunty who was born with a back defect, she had little schooling but her mother taught her how to cook. So instead of the Germans killing her because she was a cripple, she volunteered to work in the kitchens. She was sent to one of their labour camps and just managed to survive the war.  He has no one else from that era.  

One comment he made was that his father waited until he was 18 and then signed up for the German Army for WW1 only to be told that the war had ended!

Things I would like to know:

More detail on his fathers escape to Scotland

More detail on the trips his mother took

When and how did he and the grandparents get to join his parents?  I know he has a sister still living

Where did they move to in the UK because there is no trace of a Scottish accent

Why did he think his parents were strict on him?

I think it is amazing that probably Jim is only one of millions of Jews who escaped the holocaust, and they must all have stories like his.  If we probe deep enough we know that something like this is still going on in many parts of the world today, what is it about mankind that they inflict such grave fear into their fellow men?

Day Eight - Monday 13 July 2015 - on board Pacific Pearl

Today was a bit of everything day. 

This morning we went to the Marquee to learn about all the wonderful trips P&O are offering us next year, and how they are adding two more ships to their fleet.  It all sounded marvellous, but not much happening from NZ. They have some good ideas about short trips though, especially for long weekends where you can go on a speciality cruise for 4 days for an event such as a birthday, Christmas, Melbourne Cup etc.  but only from Sydney or Brisbane. 

A modest breakfast on the 12 deck

It's lovely having a balcony to sit out on, the weather is balmy and a bit humid, sunny this morning and overcast later this afternoon.

Deck 12 has been very busy all day with all the sunbathers and people in the pool, the kids have their own pool and have had great fun with all the organised activities for them. 

Looks a bit deserted now but you get the picture?

We did a bit of shopping this morning, the shop on board has some lovely stuff, so as we couldn't buy anything special on the days ashore, we thought we could treat ourselves to a few things (well, just me actually!)

Such a sweet little thing to remind me of our cruise

We had our lunch outside on deck 12 as usual and spent the rest of the afternoon reading and relaxing.  I did check out the "Beading Workshop" at 2 o'clock, but considering my last beadwork was Renoir's 'Rainy Day in Paris' consisting of over 28 thousand beads hand sewn, when I saw all the tables set out with a piece of paper and large plastic beads and a piece of string, I knew this wasn't for me!!

This is 'The Dome' on deck 14 where dance lessons and aerobics happens for those energetic passengers.

This is due south, where we are heading.

We did, however, catch the sun going down this afternoon, and although not spectacular, it was nice to see.  

The show last night was called "The Circus comes to Town", I can't really fault this troupe they are excellent, great costumes, sing along music, and a huge elephant manipulated by 4 people which was so realistic. Very enjoyable.  We moved on after the show to the Karaoke competition, they had the 'alter Ego' as their backing group, and it always amazes me how many people want to have a go, and most of them were really good, such hidden talent. 

Day Seven - Sunday 12 July 2015

We arrived in port on time in spite of our late departure!  Another bumpy ride last night and an overcast morning, but I'm sure it will be sunny again today - there's a bit of blue sky up there.

Santo is located on Espiritu Santo, the largest island in the Vanuatu archipelago. It is the second largest town in Vanuatu after Port Vila, and already from the ship I can see sandy beaches and waving palm trees.  

There are over two thousand people on the ship and so organising us into our booked tours is well managed, and we all get there on time.  To say that our minivan was rustic is an exaggeration - and when you are tall it's not an easy exercise. However David had the back seat and was able to stretch his legs down the little passage way, and I sat next to him and sat side saddle!  No thoughts of seat belts here. 

Fortunately Santo is a different kettle of fish to the other islands, we had good roads, so the journey was interesting. Unfortunately sitting side saddle at the back of the van meant that I couldn't take good pictures, but I took a few. Coconuts, or Copra is their main industry and there are fields and fields of palms all well planted and farmed.  

There are also big areas which are now cattle farms. These areas were left by the Americans during WW2 when they were preparing for a battle with Japan in Guadelcanal. 

 The grazing isn't lush, but the cattle look healthy enough. It was Sunday so the villagers went to church and then walked along the highway to see their friends and neighbours. 

The journey took an hour before we turned down a very rutted road to Champagne Cove, but it was so worth it. What an idyllic spot, south seas at its best, golden sand forever, beautiful clear water, palm trees, etc.  

We were there for two hours and it passed in a flash. 

Yes I did have a swim, and the water was surprisingly cold at first, but that is probably in contrast to the heat and humidity of the day.  

There were outbreaks of coral under the water which you had to be careful of in case you cut your feet, but once passed those the ground fell away steeply and the sand was soft and smooth.

It was time to return to the van, and just as we finished changing the rain came down, so we sheltered inside the thatched roof area, which also served as a 'pop up' bar, and had a beer while we waited for the mini van to come.  Five minutes later the rain stops and the sun came out again - that's the tropics!

Our driver was called William (Anglicised for tourists I am sure),  but the locals called him grandad. He was the best driver, been doing it for years, lucky to be with me, he bragged. Frankly we were lucky to arrive in one piece, and so were the cars on the other side of the road!  He was totally reckless, crossing double lines uphill on a bend, overtaking towards on coming traffic.  

Unfortunately "group think" in the van cheered him on - or were they just cheering because we made it?  David was the only voice of reason, but other than forcing him to stop, we had to go with the flow.  David left him in no doubt about his poor driving skills when we got back to the boat, and will be complaining to the Purser - he could have killed us all, which would have a mighty impact on the ship as well.  

We looked at all the stalls in the market set up alongside the boat, it's always colourful and the people always helpful, but they all sell the same beachy stuff of dubious quality. 

A late lunch, a pleasant afternoon blogging in the lounge where wifi is strongest, and on our balcony for drinkies at 4.30pm to watch the boat move away.   We had a nice table for two at dinner and then off to the theatre to watch Richard Leay, the mighty powerful mind reader!  We are never quite sure what we are in for at these shows, but he was truly amazing - and I am a skeptic. Needless to say he picked on David for the first round of volunteers (?), and I am sure David would not have helped him in anyway, but he got it right. I won't bore you with details, but he was very clever, we were most impressed. 

And so we are on our way back to Sydney, three more days as cruislings.......

Day Six - 11 July 2015

The boat was Rock 'n Rolling all last night, not enough to prevent us sleeping however, but we woke a few times with doors banging or the boat shuddering on a high roller.  Fortunately the wind died down as we entered the harbour but it was overcast and very humid.

As we were on one of the first buses to go on a tour at 8.30, we showered and had breakfast early. We were going on a 'Vila City Highlights tour', again we were warned that the mini buses were rustic with no air conditioning and the guides were from the local village.  

However the roads are so appalling with ruts and bumps that it's amazing how the buses stay in one piece anyway.  The guide we had was the village chief's cousin, she told us she had five children and 25 grandchildren, goodness knows how many great grandchildren she had!  But she was very knowledgeable and emphasised how well all the nations got on together in Vila, the French and English had historically different quarters when they built.

The 9th hole?

The Americans were here during the war and their pale coloured kids are well accepted, the Chinese and Indians all play a part, and they all look out for each other as one big happy family.  

By this time we had bumped our way through  the outskirts of town and stopped at a little village called Pango Village.

  

The Chiefs meeting house now lay in ruins

After a bit of a wait the fearsome warriors came out and did a war dance (a bit like the Maoris) and a welcome dance.  

Then we were taken to a covered area where we met the Chief of the village and through an interpreter he also welcomed us.

 

 The Chief's meeting house had been munted by the cyclone three months ago, and all around are broken trees, roofless houses, and areas of  total devastation, some of these poor people live in broken down shacks with no windows and tarpaulins for a roof.  

Our guide was so grateful to Australia and NZ for the help they gave, they had troops on the ground clearing up and rebuilding within days of it happening.

We walked around 'Mama's Art and Craft Market' which was just above the beach and looked at all the craft items for sale, it is hard to find things that would be useful and because of import restrictions on natural goods such as nuts, shells, feathers, etc, which makes up half of what they offer. 

 However we did buy some little things and made a healthy donation to help them out.

On the way back we stopped at a war memorial which overlooked the city and our guide pointed out vaste areas that had been totally cleared by the cyclone, not a leaf left she said, and now three months later vegetation has overgrown the bare bushes and looks lush. 

The town shopping area was very small and full of craft and souvenir shops, just like the village market, so we stayed on the bus and were dropped back at the ship. 

As we got out of the bus there was a family in full swing!

We had lunch then I spent an hour or so writing up my blog.

 The ship was due to leave at 4.30 and as we were on the other side of the ship we went up to deck 14 to watch it leave. The ships horn sounded and we didn't move, then a message over the loud speaker, 3 passengers were yet to board, could they please report to reception. We all have a ships pass which is scanned as you leave and as you return, so it was unlikely they were already on board. Five o'clock comes round and the gangway is still down, lots of people looking over the rails to see what was going on,

 

then a taxi draws up and an Asian guy with a suitcase runs alongside and gets checked on,

 but there is still one more passenger missing!  By this time the ukele TUGS band has started up by the pool, 

and the atmosphere was such fun, we were all singing along, and I was wondering how long the captain gives someone who is so late back.  

But then the whistling and yahooing starts and sure enough a woman (I know) gets out of the taxi and up the gangway she goes, so the hawsers were released and we were off. 

We joined a table of eight for dinner and the lady I sat next to was a fair dinkum Aussie, she and her hubby had done many cruises.  Her voice dominated and she was "Kath and Kim" to a tee.    She kept showing me all her photos on her mini iPad, she knew more than the men about rugby league, she'd been everywhere, "see here look look at this photo", I was glad when the meal was over!  And of course today I keep bumping into her and try to avoid eye contact!

It was 'Bianco' night tonight, held poolside on deck 12. The whole deck had been dressed in those blue lights, there was a sound stage erected, and most people had gone to a bit of trouble to dress up in white. 

Not as much as David of course, he did lower the tone a bit by dressing up in his new painters overalls, but it was quite hilarious.  The only thing wrong was that it didn't start until 8.30, but after an hour so everyone was up dancing, the band was the one we heard last night at the Connexions Bar, 

and they are so good.  When they took a break the music changed to disco,and the dancers from the show lead everyone in the moves for all the dancing.  

We really enjoyed ourselves, but after a while the deafening music numbs your ears, and the old bones start to give way, so we left the youngsters to enjoy it.  So romantic really dancing under the stars in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Tomorrow we arrive in Santo.  Not sure how I feel about the Pacific Islands we have visited so far.  Sure they have the wonderful sandy beaches, palm trees down to the waters edge, crystal clear water, etc, but the trips we have been on show us the other side.  

And this is what we wanted really, we wanted to know how the people live and what the vegetation is like.  What sort of infrastructure they have, etc.  the two don't sort of tally, especially the trip today where in the village there are plenty of fit young people who could easily have fixed things up with very little.  Maybe that's a story in itself. 

 However the trip around the countryside showed random vegetation, very lush, but no farming of any description to feed the villagers.  Enough already, maybe we just didn't look in the right place, however Noumea was also a little like that.