Report # 59 Saturday, February 28, 2026----Sea Day #4 Of 5 Enroute To Auckland, New Zealand----Clouds---75 Degrees---64% Humidity---14mph Winds---Ships Speed 15 Knots---6' Swell-----Casual Dress

The two week delivery of our President's Club amenity has arrived again.  We always ask for Cokes, and they were brought this morning.  As soon as we saw Santa Claus on the cans, we knew the date had expired.    Glad we were "home" when the room service fellow came, and when we pointed out the fact that it had expired, he immediately took it back.  Actually, we still have one 12 pack left from our delivery two weeks ago, also Christmas cans.    We don't mind a few old ones, but not 40 more.  He promised he would be back later with the fresher batch.   He did not say when, but it was not today.

 

The Polynesian ambassadors are onboard with daily activities that include sarong tying, Polynesian dance class, and ukulele lessons.  We have a guest chef,  Bertrand Jang.   Fijian-born, he is here to give a special group of diners a traditional experience with dishes from both New Zealand and the Pacific.  His talents will be on display in the Pinnacle Grill this evening with a pop-up dinner. 

 

The Volendam has sailed far enough southwest that the weather has changed.  The temperature was 75 degrees with 64% humidity.  The winds were 13.8 mph and the seas were confused.  The sea swells are still around 6 feet, and we do have some motion, but not extreme.  The skies were overcast most all day, and there was very little heat in whatever sun did peek through.   We sat at the Seaview Pool with just a handful of people and a small number of smokers.  During his noon update, jolly Captain Rens reported that we have been successful in skirting around the cyclone conditions, and we had about 940 nautical miles to reach Auckland on March 2^nd. 

 

This afternoon was a good time to research restaurants in Auckland, since the last time we were here was in 2023.  Not that long ago, but long enough for cafes or pizzerias to come and go or change names.    We usually end up in the Parnell District and have gone to several different venues over the years.  And in recent years, we discovered that New Zealand does not accept all credit cards.  So because of that, we always buy some NZ dollars.  It was not announced before the cruise that the ship would carry many foreign monies, but it does look like they will be selling the NZ dollars.   

 

After a light lunch, one of us went to buy some money at the front desk.  It appeared that only one person was doing that and that person was on a break.    Thinking a good time to go there would be during the first dinner time,  it worked.  Best not to wait until the last minute, because they might run out of it. 

 

Dinner was good in the dining room.  A different type of appetizer, a spring roll with shrimp was wrapped in a thin noodle and had peanut sauce under it.  It was served cold.  We both had Caesar salads, which have been on the  small side.  Then one of  us ordered the BBQ ribs, and the other spaghetti Bolognese.  Both were excellent.  Desserts were lemon jello and watermelon.

 

The entertainer this evening was another instrumentalist by the name of Akos Laki with happy Latin vibes.  His instrument was a saxophone and he played Latin jazz and Balkan music.    The Dam Band was playing in the Ocean Bar.  We notice how much louder they are compared to the other performers.   It's no wonder that our neighbors had moved from the room over the Ocean Bar because they heard the noise almost every night.

 

One more lazy day at sea, then we will be in beautiful New Zealand.

 

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

No Pictures

Report # 58 Thursday, February 26, 2026----Sea Day #3 Of 5 Enroute To Auckland, New Zealand---Broken Clouds---77 Degrees---60% Humidity---20mph Winds---Ships Speed 15 Knots---6' Swell----Casual Dress

The days seem to be rolling by all too quickly.  Hard to imagine we are about halfway through the Grand Voyage.  Today's temperature was much more tolerable compared to a few days ago when we were roasting.  It was 77 degrees this morning with only 60% humidity.  The winds were 20 mph and the skies had broken clouds according to the weather channel. 

 

We are beginning to see some flying fish, although their numbers are low.  Even a small flock of sea birds were spotted flying over the waves.  Speaking of waves, the swells are measuring around 6 feet, but it sure feels like much higher than that.  During the late evening, it began to become rough and it lasted throughout the night.   According to Captain Rens, we are slowly escaping the cyclone conditions as we rapidly head southwest.  We still have over 900 nautical miles to reach Auckland. 

 

Now that it is certain we will be docking a day early in Auckland, we were advised to complete the forms required by New Zealand today and not wait until 24 hours prior to our visit.  Those with cell phones could do this form with the use of a QR code.  We were given a flyer to complete this information on our computer.  Following the directions, it was going OK until we reached the part about the address of the pier we will be docked at.   The front desk folks had given us the incorrect info to type in for an address, so we couldn't go any further with the first application.   Finally we called and we were given the correct address.  It worked.  So the second time we completed the questionnaire, it went smoother.  This was supposed to take 10 minutes a person.  But in order to get it correct, it took almost an hour.    In the end, it was accepted and should be added to our passport numbers along with the New Zealand visas we got before we left home.    The only sad thing is that we wished we had more ports to see in New Zealand instead of just 2 ports in three days.   

 

This morning we spent an hour at the Seaview Pool and enjoyed sitting back there.  It had cooled down a whole lot, although we still drank three glasses of lemonade served by Ramon.   Then we indulged with two Cannonball burgers from the Dive-In, which were very good for a change.  We still are not big fans of their French fries, but one order between the two of us was plenty. 

 

Going for a 5:30pm walk around the promenade did not last long since the deck crew were just starting to do some deep cleaning out there.   The doors to the deck had been roped off, except the one we went out of.  Honestly, it was still too rough to walk a straight line.

 

Dinner was good with a coconut-crusted shrimp appetizer, a Caesar salad, another jumbo shrimp cocktail and one Caesar  salad.  Tonight's hot soup was minestrone, so one of us ordered that.  I would have been happy with two bowls of this delicious soup and skip the main course.  But we both ordered one huli-huli chicken dish and the other had the veal and sage meatballs.  Except for a few bites, we cleaned the plates.  Dessert looked tempting, but we passed on it. 

 

The entertainment this evening was the comedian Simon Palomares with "All in the Family" comedy referring to teenage kids, aging parents, and dogs.  But he was funny.

 

A few more sea days and we will be docking in Auckland.  

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

No Pictures

Report # 57 Wednesday, February 25, 2026----Sea Day #2 Of 5 Enroute To Auckland, New Zealand---Cloudy With Heavy Rain---79 Degrees---75% Humidity---11mph Winds-----Formal Dress

Day  number 2 at sea sure started totally different from the last few days in Polynesia.  It was overcast and dark with rain.  We figured we would be encountering some of that storm the Captain spoke about.   As the day advanced, it never got much better.  We are beginning to feel the motion of the ocean and we suspect it will continue as long as this storm goes on.  It would have great to have avoided it, but that's not always possible.    Now we are grateful that we had such nice days while in the Polynesian islands.   

 

The temperature was still warm at 79 degrees with 75% humidity.  The winds at 8am were 11 mph, but later in the day, they increased significantly.   The light rain turned heavy just about the time one of us went for the morning promenade walk around 10am.  When the rain came in a driving downpour, the promenade deck was closed and roped off.  We think there have been several falling accidents, but only a couple that we were aware of.  

 

The Captain's talk at noon had a little more info regarding the change in the weather.  Captain Rens joked that the ship was getting "automatic" washing with the downpours.  The swells were 3 to 6 feet and the winds were increasing.  He added something interesting about the temperature of the sea waters which are currently 86 degrees.  He was hurrying to get to cooler waters which  might reduce the rough seas.  Hope it works…. We have 618 nautical miles to reach Auckland on March 2^nd, which we guess that means they secured another day in that port.  We would get the details later in the evening.

 

We worked online most of the morning into the afternoon while catching up on news.  It was a good day for inside activities which included wine tasting, water coloring, arts and crafts, and some dance lessons.  Board games in the library seems to be a growing activity here.  Speaker Dr. Chris Benton spoke about the human spaceflight to Mars. 

 

A formal attire evening was sprung upon us with the theme of Casino Royale.  The dining room menu offered the usual suspects like escargots, shrimp cocktails, smoked chicken slices and surf and turf.  Feeling the motion of the ship caught up with one of us, so a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup was in order.   The avocado and shrimp bowl and sliced smoked chicken were starters for the hearty one of us who never gets seasick.  Not even close, lucky guy.  Entrees were the surf and turf which consisted of a thin filet mignon, which was on the tough side, but tasty with a very good gravy.  The chefs are hitting the mark on the gravies this year.  Only one of us had the lobster.  Finishing the meal was one dessert of a little chocolate volcano cake in a ramekin.  It was as close as it got to the old standby of Chocolate Volcano Cake we used to get in the Pinnacle Grill.   Talk about sugar overload, which we never gave a second thought back in those days.  The other dessert was a slice banana with a tiny bit of chocolate sauce.  We usually finish dinner before 9pm, but we noticed the room was emptying after 8:30pm. 

 

There was a Casino Royale event happening in the Mix for a change at 8:30pm.   They had table games and a chance to win up to $100 casino free play, as well as prizes and drawings.  For the first time this cruise, the casino on the opposite side had many players at the slot machines and tables too.

 

There was a show in the World Stage featuring a vocalist named Daniel Thompson doing Johnny Cash songs and telling tales of the famous crooner.

 

Back in our room we had a turtle towel animal and two little boxes of Belgium chocolates, a formal evening treat.   Also in the stack of papers on the bed were the letters explaining how crossing the dateline works.    It is simple going west.  We lose a whole day, which will be Friday the 27^th.   Then the other notice was about the change in the itinerary with Tonga being cancelled.    We have not talked to anyone yet that is disappointed about missing that stop.  Usually when we are in New Zealand, we always have two days in Auckland.  This cruise, it was only one day.   Now we will have two full days there beginning March 2^nd and everyone is pleased.  All the prepaid Tongan shore excursions will be credited back to everyone's accounts.  If you had booked independent tours in Tonga, then you would be on your own to get refunded. 

 

Never a dull moment here.  Oh almost forgot, the clocks went back one hour tonight.

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

67 Pictures

Report # 56 Tuesday, February 24, 2026----Sea Day #1 Of 5 Enroute To Auckland, New Zealand---Sunny With Some Clouds---81 Degrees---77% Humidity---10mph Winds-----Casual Dress

Day one at sea began like any other one with temperatures in the low 80's, 77% humidity, and 10 mph winds.  The skies were partly sunny and cloudy.  Another month has gone by so we were due for a full passenger muster drill at 10:30am.   Everyone was required to follow the directions given by the cruise director, Erin.  For a change, it went smoothly and everyone showed up to their assigned stations, having their room cards scanned.   And for the first time in years, the passengers did not chatter incessantly or play on their cell phones like we usually see.  The Captain did his talk, then thanked everyone for their cooperation. 

 

One of us having completed yesterday's report and the other completing a promenade walk, we headed for the Seaview Pool for some lemonade and some sunshine.  We downed three glasses before cooling off.  The sun remained intense with just a small breeze. 

 

Then the Captain came on with his daily report.  After the usual numbers were read off, he proceeded to tell us we were heading directly to Auckland.  The port of Nuku'alofa, Tonga had been cancelled.  Unknown to us, there is a system brewing in the area near Tonga that is producing 30 foot seas.  No way do we want to be caught up in that.  So the plan is to turn southwest and head away from Tonga at a speed of 19 knots.  Captain Rens added that he is working on getting a slip in Auckland for March 2^nd, giving us two full days there.  He could not promise that will work, but they are trying their best.  So as it stands, we will have 5 full days at sea with a distance of 1867 nautical miles to reach Auckland, New Zealand.  Oh well, we were just in Tonga last fall, so we are not terribly disappointed.  

 

Polynesian-themed activities continued all day, as well as a new speaker Dr. Chris Benton with Our Place in the Universe.  There were 11 promotional activities with the shops and the casino.   

 

We had a room service lunch with one salad, soup and one shared plate of mini burger sliders.   It took all afternoon catching up on the last few days in Moorea and Bora Bora.   

 

Dinner time snuck up on us, and we had salads, a chicken appetizer, and different entrees.  One of us had the parmesan-crusted veal loin, and the other had the pork dish called spiced porchetta.  Both were good with ample-sized servings.    Dessert was a small jar of lemon jello, which we shared.  It is never on the menu, but it is offered everyday since it is totally sugar-free. 

 

The show in the World Stage was the cast with Legends.   It was a tribute to the greatest male legends of all time.

 

Hope tomorrow is a real lazy day at sea without any more surprises.  One good thing is that the temperature is supposed to fall  about 5 degrees.  That's fine with us. 

 

Bill & Mary Ann   

 

No Pictures

Report #55---Monday, February 23, 2026---Vaitape, Bora Bora, French Polynesia---Anchored Using Ship's Tenders---Clear Skies---82 Degrees---67% Humidity---10mph Winds------Casual Dress

Today's port has to be one of the most beautiful spots in the world….Bora Bora, French Polynesia.  There are not enough words to describe the shades of blue, turquoise, and sapphire waters that surround this island and comprise their many lagoons.  As many times that we have been here,  we never tire of seeing the tall peaks of the volcanic mountains and the lush green hillsides of this  island of 38 square kilometers with a shoreline road of 20 miles.  No wonder it is home to over 10,000 residents.

 

According to the Daily newsletter, the bow would be opened at 7am as the Volendam entered the lagoon at Teavanui Pass and dropped anchor in the harbor in Vaitape.   Except, the Captain had mentioned  in his sail away talk yesterday, that the sail in would be at 6am.  We were up early, so it did not matter as we could see the entrance right from our veranda although still very dark.   And it was the earlier time after all. 

 

We went to breakfast as usual, and only heard the quarantine message regarding forbidden things to take ashore.  So far this trip, we seldom hear that the ship has been cleared, or the tenders are operating, and even tender ticket numbers called.  In other words, there is very little communication over the ship wide speakers.    Maybe this is the new trend for all HAL ships.  We do know for a fact that the early tour groups will be getting off first in a tender port like today or yesterday.  Then eventually, "open tenders" is called and you do not need to get tickets after that.  

 

When the tender platform is open on the port side, we get to watch the action from our room.  And that's when we decide to go when we see a boat pulling up to get loaded.  The time to leave today was after 10am.  It was going to be a nice warm day once again with temperatures in the mid 80's, a bit less humidity at 67% and light winds.  The ride over was quick because we were quite close to the Vaitape dock.  Another ship was already anchored when we arrived.  It was the Paul Gauguin, a small luxury vessel of 19,200 gross tons.  It holds up to 330 guests and has a crew of 209, giving it one of the highest guest to crew ratio.  They have 7-to-14-day itineraries and are "all inclusive".    One of their tender boats was at the dock when we arrived there, and some of the guests could ride on the roof.

 

While we were gone, an emergency maintenance was done on the hot water system in our quarter once again.  It had no effect on our water supply. 

 

Our plan for the day was to take the local shuttle to Matira Beach.  It is walkable, but it would take way too much time.  Riding the shuttle bus was a mere $5 per person and well worth it.   There were excursions offered of course.    The island discovery is one we have taken more than once for 3 hours for $70.  A glass bottom boat was popular for 2 hours and $90.  The shark and ray coral gardens was 3  hours for $150.  A motu islet cruise and beach tour was 3 hours for $160, while a catamaran lagoon cruise with sharks and rays was 5 hours for $300.  That included a BBQ lunch.  To rent jet skis for 2  hours was an outrageous $570.  A drink came with that excursion.  A 4x4 off the beaten track was more affordable for 3 hours and $180.  Once again, several independent tours were offered by the locals at much better prices. 

 

Bypassing the souvenir hut, we got seats in the local shuttle to Matira Beach.   The speed limit is slow, so it gave us a chance to get some photos along the way.   We passed the area where the famous restaurant Bloody Mary's was located.  The old icon is gone now, but there is a resort going up across the road with more over-the-water huts and new restaurant we assume.   Last fall, we were told the property would be open for business by Christmas 2025.  Not a chance……even by next summer, we highly doubt it will be completed.   Many times that we came to Bora Bora, we made it a point to bus to Matira Beach, then walk back to Bloody Mary's where we would have lunch in their sand floor restaurant on a gentle slope of the hillside.  The chairs were stumps of coconut trees and most uncomfortable.  But it was the atmosphere and the place where many Hollywood stars and dignitaries spent their time belly up to the bar, so to speak.  And one of the jokes associated with this place had to be the restrooms with some different type of decorations that might raise one's eyebrows.  All in good fun.  After lunch, we would pick up the shuttle back. 

 

We walked Matira Beach for a ways, but due to high tide,  the sandy beach area was much narrower.  It's always fun watching locals as well as cruise ship guests basking in the sun and snorkeling in the aqua waters.  We searched for some "floating" rocks, which turn out to be sting rays, but saw none today.  Bird sightings were minimal.  At the end of the beach, we exited at the covered pavilion which is usually filled with locals.  But being that today was Monday, few people were out and about.  Worth mentioning is the fact that there are fairly new restrooms and changing rooms at this end of the beach in case you came here to swim for the day.  Beware……the sun is extremely intense and you will need a lot of sunscreen.

 

The Intercontinental Resort is located here and we always like to explore the property passing through the open-air lobby.  We did not see a day pass being offered for cruise ship folks like us.   But if we were staying at this nice place, we would not like the invasion of extra guests invading for the day.  Happy to take some photos of the several restaurants and bungalows over the water, we made our way past the  swimming pool, then continued on with our walk.

 

About a half mile more up the road, we found our lunch spot at the Maitai Polynesia Resort.  Slowly walking the property, we entered the open-air restaurant about noontime when it opened.    What is nice here is the fact it is never crowded, the food and service is good, and we are never rushed.    A strong breeze seems to always flow through this venue, and it was most welcomed today.  First on the lunch list were two Hinano draft beers (the big ones), followed by a pepperoni pizza to share.  Two small French bread rolls were served with butter too.  Not quite as good as the pizza in Papeete, but every bit as tasty.  There are at least three dogs that live here, and they think nothing of plopping down under the chairs.  Then they give you that "I am starving look" as you eat the pizza.  Most times, they are content with a pat on the head.  We saved enough room for a dessert of profiteroles.  This will probably be our last chance to enjoy this treat.  We stayed until 1:30pm, then decided it was time to head back. 

 

One of the shuttles was just filling up as we made it back to the drop-off point.  Within minutes, we were on our way back with about 12 other guests.   Once back at the pier, we strolled into town, but not for long.  A tender boat arrived and we got onboard for the short ride back to the ship.   We managed to skip the souvenir hut altogether since there was nothing more we needed. 

 

Relaxing with ice cold sodas, we spent the remainder of the afternoon in the comfort of our room.  Of course, working on reports and pictures.  A scenic sail away was held at the Seaview Pool at 4:30pm .  The Captain came on the speakers and declared the day a glorious one.  The temperature was still 82 degree with a breeze of 10 mph.   The ship left through the passe after the anchor was hoisted around 5pm.  We now have a long way to go to Tonga, arriving by Saturday.   Friday will not exist for us, since we will be crossing the International Dateline.   Not to worry, we will get that day back later in the cruise. 

 

Dinner was light for us with a smoked chicken starter, a salad, and mains of sliced lamb.  It was served over coconut rice, which one of us does not prefer.  So the lamb came with just gravy….tender and tasty.  No dessert again. 

 

There was an "Island Dream" activity held in the Lido Poolside at 8:30pm with the Dam Band playing.  After three days in the sun and heat, we would be most surprised if the after party was well attended.  And there was an instrumentalist in the World Stage by the name of Andrei Cavassi with Brazilian, Argentinian, Greek and Spanish tunes.   Prepare to be captivated!

 

Looking forward to three days at sea.

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

461 Pictures

Report #54 Sunday, February 22, 2026----Bahia d' Opunohu, Moorea, French Polynesia---Anchored In The Bay---Partly Cloudy---84 Degrees---17mph Winds---72% Humidity-----Casual Dress

Our second port in French Polynesia was Moorea, the sister island of Tahiti and a hop and a skip away from Papeete.  However, our itinerary showed we were to arrive at 9am at Opunohu Bay with scenic cruising beginning at 8am.   The Volendam left the harbor at Papeete sometime around 4am, so where did we go for five hours?  Apparently we were circling the area until we were ready to enter the bay.  Now here's the funny thing……we were already in the bay when we woke up.    What happened to the bow opening at 8am?  Guess it never happened nor was there any explanation of what changed the planned scenic sail in.  We have been lucky to have been here numerous times over the years, but the first time sailing into either Opunohu or Cook's Bay was memorable.  Many folks that are here on this cruise are first time "world cruisers" and would have appreciated the effort.   Anyway, we were here and anchored and ready to go ashore later in the morning. 

 

As you may have guessed, there were some tours here today.  Discover Moorea, a bus ride, was 3 hours and $80.  Also the same price covered a 2-hour lagoon cruise into both bays for 2 hours.  A snorkel safari was 3 hours for $100, and the Aito safari adventure was also $100 for 4 hours.  An island drive and Belvedere was 3 hours for $100, while Moorea highlights was 4 hours and $120. The Ohana catamaran escapade was 3  hours for $160 and dolphin-watching was also 3 hours for $170.  A popular excursion was the motu beach picnic and ray feeding for 5  hours and $180.  A photography expedition was 4 hours and $180.  One time many years ago, we took the ferry from Papeete with our host at the time.  We spent the day at a beach, then took the ferry back.  There was one problem that cropped up that day and that was traffic we did not anticipate getting back to the ferry landing.   Had we missed that ferry, we would have been stuck overnight and missed our ship.  Not a good feeling, we never tried that again. 

 

It was going to be another hot day in paradise as the 7am temperature was already 79 degrees with 72% humidity.  Winds were 16.5 mph which decreased during the day.  We stayed onboard until most of the excursions were taken off.  The tender boat was full of guests and one of the last seats in the front near us was taken by a man who talked incessantly about his career and flying  all around the world.  All we could say is "that's nice".  He continued on, but then his phone rang.  How funny is that?  It was his significant other who called to tell him to move and sit by her in the tender boat.   That way they could be the first ones off.   With that, he got up and moved, working better for us as it was really cramped for space.

 

As the driver approached the tender dock, he went straight ahead and rammed into the dock.  Gosh, we thought he put a hole in the boat it hit so hard.   Guess he was not watching and made a mistake.  Ropes were thrown and we were tied up snug so we could get off.  And we did quickly but did not see any damage.   The welcome group of musicians were there as well as the usual tables of precious souvenirs.  A sign posted on a pole stated that all of the pearls were genuine black pearls.   They may be of various quality, but they are real.  Good to know.  And as always, we looked for our sweet Tahitian lady that has been selling her designs for many years now.  And there she was, sitting in her same spot as always.  Her face lit up when she saw us as did ours.  This time she asked in broken English if we were from Hawaii.  Maybe because we always have a tan when we arrive here, or it is closer to Polynesia by ship.  She really laughed when we said San Francisco.  Then we inquired how long she had been working the souvenir stand, but she understood that as how old was she.  We never would have asked that, but she showed us eight fingers, indicating that was her age.  Gosh, she is close to our ages, which we never suspected.    Then we did buy one of her seashell designs with some blue shells to match the blouse I wore.   She was pleased with the sale and we wished her well as we continued our hike. 

 

Many independent tour guides were at the exit with good prices on excursions.   They had a lot of takers.   We headed up to the main road, turned right, and began our long walk to lunch somewhere.  Passing many private houses, a church, a few closed restaurants and fruit and veggie stands, we visited along the way with those who were out and about.  Being that it was Sunday, most locals were enjoying a lazy day raking leaves, hanging laundry, watching little ones, or simply hanging out.  Most all of the locals young and old are friendly. 

 

It took us a while to get as far as the old Intercontinental Hotel, due to the heat, we went from shade to shade tree, and bus stop to bus stop benches.  We had time and were in no need to hurry.  It would have been nice if it had rained.   The clouds came and went, and we did get some misting on the way back.  Anyway, we decided to check out Holy Steak House or as it is named these days Holy Delizes.   According to the internet ad and the sign on the road, they were opened for lunch.  It had better be after climbing the steep road to access it. 

 

Yes, they were opened and welcomed us to sit on their breezy patio.  They are located high enough to see over the palm trees right to the lagoon.  We ordered Hinano draft beers, the large size, then added a cheeseburger with extra fries to share.   Those Hinano beers are life savers for sure.  They had a nice chocolate mousse dessert, so we finished our meal on the sweet side.  As we walked out of the restaurant, the waitress handed us a shotglass full of pineapple rum.  Really tasty

 

We figured if there was a taxi that came by on the way back, we might take it.  However, no one stopped and we slowly made it back to the pier by 2:30pm or so.  While sipping some lemonade, we happened to talk to the beverage manager who was manning the stand.   We mentioned that it came as a surprise to find the Lido bar had Blanton's whisky at the special cocktail party we attended a few nights ago.  Actually, he said that the case was delivered by mistake in San Antonio, but they decide to keep it, selling the shots for $16.  Once it is gone, they did not know if they will get anymore.   We mentioned to him that we heard Carnival had Blanton's, which he seemed to know.  But HAL does not know if they intend to restock it.  Hopefully they will host another party for our group and we'll ask for the good stuff once more.   A tender boat had just arrived, so we had a quick ride back.  The air-conditioning never felt so good.

 

The Captain came on with his update around 5:20pm, with the all aboard time of 5:30pm coming up.   He claimed there were 25 more guests to be transferred, then the last tender would be loaded and we sail out of the bay shortly afterwards.  There was really no mention of why we missed the sail-in this morning.  We had another 149 nautical miles to reach Bora Boa tomorrow with the bow promised to be opened by 6am.   By the time we left Moorea, the temperature was still 84 degrees with12 knot winds, which may or may not have caused some problems early on.   By the time we went to dinner, we did catch a nice sunset as we left the island behind. 

 

Neither of us were really hungry at dinner tonight, and we think it was due more to the heat than anything else.  One of us had a Caesar salad and a bacon-wrapped tenderloin appetizer, which was so good it should have been an entr?e.    A bowl of Italian wedding soup was just right for a starter.  One entr?e was swordfish and the other was pork tenderloin….both were excellent.  Dessert was one sliced banana to fend off possible leg cramps and one scoop of vanilla ice cream.   

 

A comedian, Simon Palomares, was the entertainer in the World Stage this evening.  We heard he was hilarious. 

 

Ready or not – Bora Bora here we come………..

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

434 Pictures

Report #53 Saturday, February 21, 2026---Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia---Docked Starboard Side To Pier---8am--Overnight---Till 4am Sunday---Mostly Sunny---86 Degrees---17mph Winds-----Casual Dress

Today's port of call was a very familiar one for us, since we have been here in this most beautiful part of the world many times….too many to count.  And the port was the island of Tahiti and the capital Papeete.  The bow was opened at 7am for those who wished to watch the sail into the harbor.  Watching the bow camera in our room, we noticed that only a few folks got up early today.  And what did they miss?  Dolphins in front of the ship, then alongside right below our room, and finally in the wake.  They appeared to be feeding in a pod of adults and some youngsters.  In all of the times we have done this sailing, we never saw so many dolphins, and certainly not this close-up.    A young neighbor gal next door to us was at the railing, and she heard us say dolphins.  With that she asked where?  She whipped out her cell phone and took some pictures, and said in a joking way, wait until my husband (in the shower) sees what he missed.  Yep, you just have to be in the right place and time like today. 

 

At the same time there were two ferries that were waiting for us to enter the harbor.   They proceeded on their way out and that was the end of the sightings.   We will be leaving the harbor at 4am tomorrow morning, and we know we will not be up to watch it, let alone see any more dolphins. 

 

Before we arrived here, we all got notices regarding the biosecurity notice for all of French Polynesia.   This notice advises us not to bring over agricultural items, fresh fruits, flowers, veggies, plants, or plant derivatives.  Quarantine officers will be at each port and will spot check bags.  We have seen it done and we have also seen folks bringing bananas, oranges, and sandwiches for their bus tours.  If a fine is involved, it is not worth it. 

 

Another notice was a new one we have not seen.  It is informing folks that buy pearls more than 5,000 Pacific French Francs, or about $45 USD, you may be eligible for a tax refund if they are purchased in a shop and you get a receipt. 

 

Two room things were scheduled this morning.  First we had balcony cleaning, followed by rug shampooing.  We think both happened while we were at breakfast.

 

OK, so what is there to do in Tahiti?  We have heard some guests on previous trips say there is nothing to do and see in the town of Papeete.   But then, they were organizing independent tours outside the area and sold many to the guests.    We happen to like the town and easily can spend most of the day exploring the sights and having lunch.  Naturally, there were some HAL excursions here, many of which we have done over the years.  East coast highlights was 2  hours for $100, while the West coast tour was 4 hours for $130.  Rapenoo Valley & waterfall on a 4wd was 3  hours for $130.  Tahiti lagoon discovery was 3 hours for $140, while Natural treasures was 4  hours for $140.  The Ohana Catamaran was 3 hours for $160, and a 2 hour sunset sail with cocktails was $160.  Tahiti around the island was 7 hours and $220 which included lunch.   

 

No doubt it was going to be a nice and warm day even though we have been seeing rain in the forecast for a week now.  Yes, it can rain at any given time, but it usually, it is passing.  The temperature at 10am was already 86 degrees with the humidity at 70%.  The winds were 17 mph but decreased as the day advanced.  We had overcast early on, followed by some sun and broken clouds.  The rain stayed away, at least in the town. 

 

Around 9:30am, there was a crew drill, which we knew would last an hour.  So we left the ship by 10:15am for a walkabout in downtown. Going through the new terminal is not people-friendly in our humble opinion.  Once leaving the gate at the pier, we had to walk up a flight of stairs to access the terminal.  There is a ramp, but you have to walk almost the entire length of Vaiete Park where the food roulettes come at night.   We did notice another ramp by the stairs, but access to be building was closed.  This new terminal does have all  of the souvenirs that used to be at the old tent and info hut…..all gone now.  There is another section full of seating for those who are boarding other ships here as well as those who try to get internet.  We tried later in the day but had no luck connecting. 

 

We crossed Boulevard Pomare and headed right for the Marche Municipal, or the Marketplace.  This two-story building has everything you might be seeking in the way of clothing, jewelry, woven goods, or souvenirs.  There is a food and fish market on the first floor and something we always get…..flowers, tropical flowers.   We had recalled that this market closes earlier on Saturday like around 1pm.  So we decided to continue our hike and stop here on the way back.  That way we would not have to pack flowers for hours, as they tend to be heavy. 

 

Passing the outside tables, we looked a little closer at the pearl offerings, and found a strand of 5 dropped black and grey pearls that would work with earrings already owned.   The prices were quite reasonable and it took a short time to find a suitable necklace.  Deliberately staying clear of the fabric shops (I have too much already), this was a nice substitute. 

 

Hinano has a very nice store in this area with a variety of clothing that one of us likes.  Namely, t-shirts with the Hinano logo.  They happened to have a 20% Valentine's Day sale if you bought one man's and one woman's t-shirts.   A good deal, we did just that, and lucky to get our sizes since the store was full of customers, mostly from the Volendam.  

 

Our walk took us into the downtown area passing the Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.  Once again, we found the doors locked to the public.   A little further up this street, we passed one of the busiest places in town….McDonalds.   Locals love to dine there, and cruise ship guests like to use their free wifi.   Of course, the more people using it, the slower it becomes.   Beyond the parking lot at McDonalds is a wall that always had a beautiful mural.  It had been painted over the last couple of visits we had here, but today, there was a new one in its place.  Even nicer of a beautiful mature Tahitian woman who might be famous person here.  

 

This is where the Assembly building is located with the Queen's Garden walk along the side and into the back of the property.  Sadly, the place was gated and locked today.  We did see a sign saying that on Monday, there would be an event held here for a week or so.   So we crossed the busy street to Bougainville Park, which seems to have become the refuge of a few homeless locals.   There are public restrooms located here and are convenient to the non-working crowd.  Remembering that the marketplace might be closing early, we headed back to purchase some tropical flowers.    We ended up with four large bunches of white and red ginger, bird of paradise, protea, and some filler blossoms with many ti leaves for color.   They are surprisingly heavy with their thick stalks.  

 

Back onboard, one of us re-arranged the flowers and made one huge bouquet using the large vase our room steward supplied.  Even by shortening the stems, it remained very large and tall, taking up our coffee table.  Sometimes there are ants in the blossoms, but we only saw a few.  Taking no chances, we always use Vaseline around the upper one inch or more edge of the vase as a barrier.  It works well.   By the time we were done with that job, it was time to head out again for lunch. 

 

This time we walked in the shade to LaPizzeria, not too far from the ship.  The pedestrian traffic had slowed to the point it looked like a Sunday here.  Many of the shops on the boulevard had closed  and we knew that the marketplace was also wrapping up business for the day.  It is always a relief to find the doors of this popular Italian restaurant opened.  We were seated next to a family of eight with four little kids.  Obviously on vacation,  they were speaking French.   The young kids were pretty good, until one by one, they began roaming the place with the excuse of going to the restrooms.   Always fun to watch, and glad they were not part of our group. 

 

So the very first thing we ordered were Hinano draft beers….the big ones.  Then one of us recalled having some pasta here last fall, and decided to try another bowl of the tagliatelle noodles with butter.  Oh….noodle heaven and gladly shared since the petite portion was still large.  The pizza we always like best is the Hawaiian with plenty of sauce, pineapple, cheese, and ham.   Hands down, it is among the best pizzas you can find in all of these islands.  Dessert was one shared bowl of profiteroles with vanilla ice cream.  Needless to say, dinner will be light tonight. 

 

Heading back, we crossed the boulevard and took or time walking the Paofai Park trail.  At this time of day, the harborside cafes and restaurants were not crowded at all.   But then it was 3pm and ice cream time for many.  Along the marina, there are a  series of manmade coral beds with growing corals that had been tied on years ago.  Much like planting a garden, these colorful corals attract many small  and large tropical fish.  One such fish is a puffer fish .  The one we saw today was bright yellow, most unusual we thought.   The bird sightings today were fewer with two types of terns, doves, pigeons and chickens. 

 

On the way back, we stopped for a while to try for the wifi at the terminal but had no luck.   The restaurant did have a website, but the signal was poor at best.   So we gave up and boarded the ship, enjoying the coolness of our room for the remainder of the afternoon, consuming at least two sodas each.

 

Somehow we missed the sunset, or a huge black cloud obliterated it.  Once it was dark, the food trucks arrived at Vaiete Place, a favorite spot for the crew members to have local cuisine.

 

One event that took place last evening was Dinner Under The Stars held at the Seaview Pool area at 6pm.   Many of our friends attended and they were all concerned about sudden rain showers.  They got lucky and only a light mist came down upon them by coffee time.  Bet it felt good because it was still hot a 9pm.    Dinner for us was light with a salad, one bowl of soup and a "right-sized" petite tenderloin meal with polenta.  Even at that, we were still full and declined dessert.  We had outdone ourselves at lunch, but did not tell our waiter that.  

 

There was a local show in the World Stage with "Mana: The Spirit of Tahiti" which we saw last November.  This award-winning show featured the best singers, dancers, and musicians from Tahiti and was well-attended.

 

Tomorrow we will be in Moorea.

 

Bill & Mary Ann 

 

406 Pictures

Report #52 Friday, February 20, 2026---Sea Day #2 Of 2---Enroute To Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia---Partly Cloudy---82 Degrees---19mph Winds---6' Swell----78% Humidity-----Casual Dress

A day at sea is just what we all needed to adjust to five time changes in six days.  So many people we know have been complaining about the fact that they do not sleep well when the clocks keep going back.  It is true because we find that we wake up about every hour, checking the clock for the correct time.  You think you slept for hours and it turns out it was only one or two hours.  Then falling back asleep is not always that easy.  Oh well…this too will pass.

 

The temperature was already 81 degrees at 7am this morning.  The humidity has been creeping up and thanks for the wind speed of 19mph, it helped cool it down a bit.   The forecast shows light rain, but somehow the navigators onboard are able to steer around the light downpours.  We are doing a speed of 19 knots, although that may decrease the closer we get to French Polynesia.

 

While we were deep in photo sorting, the Captain came on with his noon update.  He did slow down to 15 knots to arrive on time to Papeete, 286 nautical miles away.  By noon, the thermometer read 84 degrees with partly cloudy skies.  He also added that the swells were confused with 6 foot peaks.  The water temperature is 86 degrees.  Tomorrow he expects more of the same conditions, but a possibility of rain is there because we are here in the wet season.   In other words, pack the umbrellas. 

 

The usual activities took place with the emphasis on promotions in the shops and Effy Jewelry sections.  The casino even had deals, which we can say for a fact, that so far the casino has been extremely quiet.  At least when we pass through on our way to dinner, we might see a half dozen folks in there playing the slots.  Most of the table games have a few guests.  And we have not noticed any smokers in there, although the Casino doors by the Hudson Room have been closed every day for a few weeks now.   

 

Lectures took place all day, with one delivered by Captain Rens about HAL memorabilia.  We do need to catch up on these talks before they are erased from their system. 

 

The day passed by all too quickly and we even forgot lunch.  Dinnertime was casual with some new items such as an artichoke shrimp and cheese dip, and a beef tataki appetizer.  We both had salads, then ordered one KFC or BFC as our waiter suggested.  He said it stands for buttermilk fried chicken instead of Kentucky fried.  The other meal was a mix of sliced pork, ham, and a hunk of sausage with some sauerkraut.  Very different for an entree, but it worked.  For the first time since we boarded, we spotted carrot cake on the dessert list.  So we each had a small slice.  It was worth the calories. 

 

Looking forward to Papeete tomorrow.  It seems like we were just there, but then again, we were here last November.  That's why it is beginning to feel like coming home.   

 

And no time change this evening.  There was a show with vocalists Superduo singing a unique musical journey with the classics.  The movie was Gauguin Voyage to Tahiti. 

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

30 Pictures

Report #51 Thursday, February 19, 2026---Sea Day #1 Of 2---Enroute To Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia---Partly Cloudy---80 Degrees---16mph Winds---6' Swell----72% Humidity-----Dressy Dress

Some sea days are lazy ones, while others carry a surprise.  Today was one of those that had both.  With the time change one more hour back, we were surprised to see the Pinnacle Grill fill up with hungry guests this morning at 8am.  Usually there are a handful of us that are exactly on time.  But today, almost every table filled up with regulars and some new folks.  Not all of the waiters were there, so the bussing of tables was slow.   Now we know to be on time or else we might lose our cherished table by the door.  This afternoon the Pinnacle was hosting a French Bistro Lunch, so the staff was probably preparing for that event.   And for good reason, the Pinnacle Grill would be closed for dinner.

 

It was going to be a warmer day since we noticed the temperature was already near 80 degrees F at 8am.  We could see there were following winds, and with the increased humidity, it made things even hotter.  It was starting to feel like French Polynesia already although at noon we still had over 700 nautical miles to reach Papeete, Tahiti on Saturday. 

 

With one promenade walk and one session catching up on yesterday's scenic port, we spent an hour or so at the Seaview Pool.  Fewer people were back there sunbathing, just the ones that like to toast.  We lasted long enough to drink two glasses of lemonade, then headed back to the coolness of our room.  With the sun at the aft of the ship, none of the verandas get the direct heat even when the sun is ready to set. 

 

We had an invitation for a complimentary wine tasting that was a walk around tasting.  Since we do not drink wine, we passed on the invite.  For most everyone else, the price was $35.  So for us, the remainder of the afternoon was still a lazy one, with the exception of the task of photo work.

 

Now to the surprise part of the day.  That began with another invitation from Captain Rens and Florin for an exclusive President's Club Event for cocktails and dinner.  But this time, the event was held in the Lido Dome Forward beginning at 5:30pm.   Ever since we received this invitation, some of us wondered where dinner would be held.  Certainly not in the pool area since it had been such a scorcher of a day and we might melt.  However, the theme was Island Dream with the suggestion of tropical attire suitable for a warm festive atmosphere.  OK, that sounds like the dinner would be in the same area as the cocktails.  Now at breakfast this morning, one of our fellow members suggested we all wear shorts to this affair.  At first we laughed but the more we thought about it, why not?  Actually, the suggested attire for the rest of the guests was "dressy".   So we deducted that since we were dining on the Lido deck, shorts were perfectly acceptable.  And besides, the fellows could wear their nice tropical shirts and the ladies something similar.    Once we all sat down at the tables, who would know who was wearing shorts? 

 

Well, when we arrived, about half of the folks we know dressed very casual, and we figured that Florin had gotten the message that we were rebelling just this one time.  He greeted us all with a smile and said why not?  The sun was still shining on part of the Lido poolside,  but by the time cocktail hour was over, it was all in the shade.   Now here's a funny fact.  Captain Rens came to the gathering dressed in tropical attire, but long pants.  When he saw most of us in shorts, he disappeared and came back wearing…..you guessed it….shorts.  He does have a wicked sense of humor.   

 

So tonight the Pinnacle Grill was closed and all of the staff took care of the 32 or so guests and two officers or staff members that joined each table for 10.  One side of the pool had been converted to just four large round tables and island decorations.   Cocktails were served in the bar area along with some canapies.  One was a breaded salmon bite, another was a cheese and jam snack and the third was a tender piece of beef steak.  Now came the bigger surprise of the evening.   We seldom go to any of the bars so we did not know that they have started serving Blanton's, a very nice single batch whiskey and a favorite for one of us.   Sitting at the bar with friends, we instantly spotted the cork with the racing horse on the top.  The bartender gladly poured a drink for Bill, who was a happy camper.  I had a Cuba Libra, then switched to a strawberry daiquiri with rum after watching the bartender whipping them up right and left.  Sure was good……

 

Dinner was served shortly after we all were seated at place markers with our names.  We lucked out and had a great table with people we know and the Staff Captain, Kadesh and Hotel Manager Florin.  What a perfect combination.  Kadesh, who we have met on previous cruises was all smiles because he will be going home in Papeete.  We will miss him, but he will be happy to be home with his family.  He told us many things about how the captains are chosen for the job.  It takes about ten years as staff captain and experience working with multiple captains and various crew members.  Then a screening process takes place as well as special training.  It might take a long time with referrals and recommendations before becoming a captain these days.    One day we know for certain that Rakesh will be an excellent captain and we sure hope he stays with HAL. 

 

During the course of the meal, we asked Rakesh about what went through his mind when Captain Rens was on the Pitcairn longboat at the end of our visit.   Now that he had taken the helm, he laughed and said "mutiny" flashed before him.  Of course referring to the Mutiny on the Bounty.  We all suggested how funny it would have been if he took the ship around the back of the island to hide from the Captain and crew when they came back from their little venture.  He would have loved to pull the prank, but he said you never know how people onboard will react to a joke and it was not a chance he would take.   Fun thought though.

 

So the menu was a tropical-inspired five course meal starting with assorted fresh bread, an island orchard strawberry gazpacho, or cold soup.  Real champagne (Veuve Clicquot) was served with the soup.  The second course was a slice of halibut with a lobster medallion, which only one of us had.  A white wine from Washington state was served.  A bitter-sweet grapefruit and pink pepper palate cleanser was served next.  The fourth course was Huli-Huli pork belly which had been pressed for 36 hours.  Diced pineapple and a macadamia nut onion shell was also on the plate.   A pinot noir from Oregon was the wine served with the pork dish.  The fifth and final course was dessert of lomi-style white chocolate namelaka, or orange sorbet with cinnamon gel and almond crisp on the bottom.  A Godiva kiss was served consisting of brandy, creme de cacao, and Bailey's.   Very sweet with chocolate shot around the rim.  Since it was close to 9pm, we passed on the coffee and petit fours. 

 

The party began to break up before the 9pm show in the World Stage, which was an instrumentalist Pablo Bendersky.   Speeches were made, the chefs came out for a bow, and we all thanked our hosts for such a pleasant evening.  With another hour back tonight, we called it an evening.

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

4 Pictures

 

Report #50 Wednesday, February 18, 2026---Scenic Cruising Pitcairn Island---6:30am-2pm---Ash Wednesday---Sunny--80 Degrees--15mph Winds--73% Humidity-----Casual Dress

We were up bright and early this morning for the scenic sailing into Bounty Bay of Pitcairn Island…… the very same island involved with the Mutiny on the Bounty saga.  Actually, there are four islands that comprise these remote British Overseas Territories in the Pacific.   Starting with the largest,  there is Henderson, Pitcairn, Oeno Atoll,  and Ducie.  Only Pitcairn is inhabited with about 54 residents who live in the tiny town of Adamstown and speak English and Pitkern. 

 

Breakfast was at 7:30am today, but we had gone outside on the bow briefly to take some pictures of the island on the starboard side.  One of us came carefully out of the door to the bow, strolled over to the railing, and got hit with wind that took some of my hair and wrapped it around a rope.   That rope was full of black grease…..good grief.  It took a minute to unwrap it from that rope with hands full of the grease.  That will teach me to braid it before going outside in the wind.   It did come out after three washings with shampoo and gobs of conditioner.

 

At breakfast, our waitress, Joan went in search of some Bounty Rolls which Florin had mentioned were different.  She came back with two rolls that were filled with chocolate coconut….different, but OK although we prefer the mandarin filling.  One time they served Hong Kong Rolls with bean curd, and the crew loved them.  The guests?   Not so much.  

 

Pitcairn has a total of 5 square kilometers with a landscape of desolated rock cliffs, valleys, and two peaks that are 892 feet and 1105 feet in elevation.  Their currency is the New Zealand dollar, however, there are no banks here.  They use a treasury office as well as credit cards.  Interesting, but there is no unemployment here.  The average salary is the equivalent of $885 US dollars a month.  The people that live here are Polynesian and descendants from the Bounty. 

 

Their police force consists of two constables.  There is one post office, and the locals rely on the UK government for support.  Although they do all right with tourism and selling souvenirs when ships like the Volendam stop for a visit.  That occurs from 10 to 15 times during the season when ships make a stop here.  Small expedition ships and yachts will also pay them a visit during the year.

 

Another interesting fact is that the houses here all have modern appliances which can be ordered online.  Their diet consists mainly of fish, and home-grown fruits and veggies.   They have what is considered the purest honey in the world which is sold in small amounts.  Today the guests were allowed only two jars per person.    We have no doubt it was very expensive.   All of the necessary staples and supplies come from Mangareva in French Polynesia, about a 36-hour chartered vessel ride to here.  

 

There is no hotel here, but homestay accommodations.  They do have a few shops, a pharmacy, one gas station, a hospital and a doctor and one nurse. The average life expectancy is 50.4 years old, and that applies to both sexes.   They do have TV  and internet provided by Starlink.  Guess what…..there is NO cellular service.  There is one school that is closed because there are no kids living here now.   They have one bar called Christian's Cafe.  There is one church and the main religion is Seventh Day Adventists.   Electricity is diesel generated using 75,000 liters of fuel a year.  There are plans in the future to convert to a hybrid photovoltaic solar energy, which may have already happened.   

 

In 2012, there was one car on the island (or so it was written), but we have seen 4x4 quad vehicles and many motorcycles.   It sure is a far different picture from what the mutineers found back in January of 1790, when Fletcher Christian and eight other officers and crew settled on this small island.  He also brought six Tahitian men, twelve Tahitian women and one child with the group.  And from there, the story continued.  If you are as old as us, you might remember the three movies that depicted the story of the mutiny.  We doubt any of them are 100% based on actual history as Hollywood tended to glamorize the events.  Today there was a guided pictorial presentation by resident Darralyn Griffiths, a seventh-generation descendant of Fletcher Christian, who showed what life was like living on this tiny but beautiful volcanic island.   As we chose not to waste any time inside a dark show lounge, we hope to catch this talk on the TV tomorrow.  

 

A little bit more info on Henderson Island reveals that it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and remains a scientific site for studies done annually.  The island is 170 kilometers from Pitcairn, while Oeno Atoll is 150 kilometers away, with Ducie 530 kilometers and the furthest from Pitcairn.   

 

There was no announced plan for our short stay here in regards to staying in Bounty Bay or circling the island slowly for several hours.  Because of some deep swells and higher winds, the ship had to move out of Bounty Bay to allow the islanders to board from their long boat.   We counted about 25 or more people in that boat.    The printed plan for their visit was well laid out with their craft market set up in the Lido Poolside area.  Then at 10:30am in the World Stage, Captain Rens and the Mayor of Pitcairn exchanged plaques for this memorable visit.  Following that, there was the guided presentation by native Darralyn.  We did get a chance to watch her talk and photos on our TV late after dinner.   Hotel manager, Florin, presented the Mayor with a giant check that was representing $5000 of food supplies donated by HAL, if we understood correctly.  Great idea and the gift was well-received.

 

Now, regarding the scenic sailing, it appeared that it was working mostly for the folks on the starboard side of the Volendam.  We jokingly call Captain Rens the "starboard Captain".  Perhaps there were more calls for equal time coming from other portside guests because we eventually noticed the ship turned  and gave us all the spectacular view.   We were happy to find many of the island's birds were flying overhead and above the water.  One such bird is a favorite of ours and that is the tropicbird.  For some unknown reason, we were not seeing them early in the morning.  There were plenty of white terns and a few frigatebirds.  While shopping for some treasures in the craft market, we did have a chance to talk to Mr. Christian, the son of Irma Christian, and a descendant from Fletcher.    He told us that his mother lived to within one month of 91 years old and passed away in 2016.  Lucky for us, we had purchased her cookbook which she signed for us.  Then we asked him about the tropicbirds and he said they were there mostly in the Bounty Bay area.  By golly, we went back out and finally saw several of them flying over the ship close to the time we left.  Another lucky find for us, however processing the over 2000 photos taken today is going to take time.

 

We have one good question for whoever authorized the painting of the railings on some outside decks, such as deck 9.  They had two days at sea to do this, so why pick a scenic sailing day to paint where people come to take photos or just enjoying watching this remote island?   We happened to notice more than a few folks come outside on deck nine, go directly to the railing, and put their hands right on the wet varnish, not seeing the sign below.  

 

Back in our room, we did have the chance to witness the longboat pull alongside and load up with much appreciated food supplies such as rice, flour, sugar,  and many other staples.  Although most everything was boxed up, sometimes they send them back with fresh fruit and veggies and eggs and meats such as bacon and ham.  And other times we have seen some cases of alcohol being gifted for the adults and plenty of ice cream as well.    It took well over a half hour for them to stash the goodies, then the rest of the natives boarded and took their place on the boat.  Some of our crew went along for the ride back and that included the Captain, Florin, and some other officers.  Passengers on all of the portside decks were cheering them on as they sailed into their harbor.  Our crew were returned by 1:30pm, and before 2pm, we were on our way towards French Polynesia.   What a day we had here, and even though we did not step foot on the island, we enjoyed every minute of the sailing and mixing with the locals in the craft market wishing them well in the future.

 

We kept busy all afternoon until dinnertime arrived.   Lunch was room service mini sliders, just enough to tide us over to 8pm dinner.  Tonight the menu offered a lot of fish items.  We really like the shrimp cocktails, so we ordered those and Caesar salads.  Mains were the same with small chicken meatballs and ziti pasta with a tomato sauce.  Dwi suggested a "jar" dessert that mentioned cake and cream, but the cake was crumbs and it was way too gooey.   Slices of watermelon worked for one of us.  Cannot go wrong there.

 

The clocks went back another hour tonight, and according to the Kindle, we will need to set them back one more hour tomorrow evening.  We will be eating breakfast when we were having lunch a week ago!  Some folks went to the show of David and Dawn, instrumentalists and visual artists with imaginative creativity.  And the movie in the Wajang was Broke. 

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

440 Pictures

Report #49 Tuesday, February 17, 2026---Happy Lunar New Year And Mardi Gras--Sea Day #2 Of 2---Enroute To Pitcairn Island---Mostly cloudy--79 Degrees--13mph Winds--6' Swell--75% Humidity------Casual Dress

Technically, today was Happy Lunar New Year, although they celebrated it on the ship yesterday.  Today is also Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, and the beginning of Lent tomorrow.  So today's activities surrounded Mardi Gras with decorations, lunch menus, afternoon tea, and a Mardi Gras Party in the Crow's Nest this evening.   One celebration at a time. 

 

It was a fairly lay-low day for us, especially with the time changes.  It really doesn't matter which way the clocks go, it does affect your eating and sleep habits.  We have been hearing from other guests about not sleeping well and waking up all hours during the night. 

 

We went to the Seaview Pool to catch some sun while sipping lemonade.  Since the ship is heading almost due west, neither side of the ship gets sun on their verandas.   The temperature has remained rather comfortable with high's in the 70's.  During his noon talk, Captain Rens mentioned mild temps and winds to match.  The seas seem a bit smoother today as well.  And you will get no complaints from us.  We are still 302 nautical miles from Pitcairn Island and we are doing a speed of 17  to 19 knots.   Oher than a very nice, detailed letter on tomorrow's schedule for the scenic sailing and short stay in the harbor, he gave no details in advance during his talk. 

 

At least the TV feed is working again.  We must have been on the fringes of the satellite, but the problem has been resolved at least for now.   The internet is working fine, and that gave us a chance to research some information on these isolated islands in the middle of nowhere. 

 

Dinnertime had a Mardi Gras theme with some different items.  We stuck to the Caesar salad with appetizers of a shrimp cocktail and one arancini Pomodoro.  Then one of us ordered a chicken fajitas and the other lasagna.  Some of the other choices may have had some spices or sauces in them that the allergy-prone one of us has to avoid.  We did hope they had the traditional King cake, but it was not on the dessert menu. 

 

Since the Mardi Gras Party began at 8:30pm, many folks left the dining room by 8:30pm.  There was a show with a singer named Michael "Big Mike" Lynche .    The Dam Band moved to the Crow's Nest and the Piano Bar entertainer, Grace, moved into the Ocean Bar.  

 

And the clocks were set back one more hour tonight.  Should be a nice day in the harbor of Pitcairn tomorrow.

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

No Pictures

Report #48 Monday, February 16, 2026---Chinese New Year---Year Of The Horse---Sea Day #1 Of 2---Enroute To Pitcairn Island---Mostly Sunny --80 Degrees--20mph Winds--6' Swell--75% Humidity----Casual Dress

Happy Chinese New Year to you all!

 

Well, here we are celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of the horse we believe.  May this day bring good luck to everyone we know either in person or on Cruise Critic. 

 

The day was full of fun activities and lectures.  One talk involved the legacy of Captain Cook delivered by Howard Krug, and Pan Am's Pacific Clipper by Willie Aames.  The afternoon time slot went to Ruth Sinai who spoke about deep sea and deep space explorers.   We hope to catch these talks on our TV.  Speaking of which, the TV reception was totally interrupted all day.  We must be between satellite feeds because it was affecting all of the ship's TV's.   We will have to be patient until the reception gets better, which might not be until we are closer to French Polynesia.   

 

One of us finished the report on yesterday's exploits, while the other took his usual deck walk.   We went up to the Seaview Pool and sat at the side railing catching a breeze.  It was mostly sunny and comfortably warm with temps in the high 70's.   That can be deceiving since you do not realize how burned one can get if not being careful.  The deck fellows have been very good about bringing ice tea or water to us.  Ramon is one of the guys back there and he is most friendly.  When he is not there, Salvadore  takes care that we are not getting dehydrated. 

 

The Captain came on with his daily greeting of "Jolly good afternoon to everyone".   He said we had 710 nautical miles to reach Pitcairn Island on February 18^th.    It will be a short stop where we drop anchor and let the locals come onboard from 8am to noontime.  

 

One of us had a haircut at 4pm, and the "barber" Luchel did a fine job.   He will go back to her for the next haircut.  Rene the manager is still here, but we do not see her as often as we used to.  But then we only pass through the Lido (where most of the staff eats lunch) about once a day.   Then we usually order from room service and keep it light.

 

The entrance to the dining room was decorated nicely for Chinese New Year.   We remember when the entire dining room on both levels were decorated.  We also recall how many guests and even some of the staff collected the lanterns and other decorations and took them to their rooms.  The most decorations are the colored napkins at each place setting and a different type of printed menu.   Tonight we had one Caesar salad, a small plate of baby pork ribs, a bowl of beef soup with ramen noodles, and mains of General Tsao chicken.   All of it was very good especially the chicken.   We added one small slice  of chocolate layer cake and a few slices of pineapple. 

 

After dinner, we rode the elevator with a very attractive lady who obviously was not a passenger.  It turned out she was the instrumentalist Irina Guskova, who was about to start her second show of the evening in the World Stage.  Too bad we missed it.

 

The clocks went back one more hour this evening.  Now we are one hour off of Pacific time.  This too will take its toll by the end of the week.  Too many changes too fast.

 

Bill & Mary Ann

 

No Pictures

Report #47 Sunday, February 15, 2026----Easter Island, Chile---8am-5:30pm--Anchored Using Ship Tenders---Partly Cloudy--80 Degrees--16mph Winds--73% Humidity---Casual Dress

Today's port of call was the ever-mysterious Easter Island with their even more fascinating statues called "moais".  If it wasn't for the presence of these giant volcanic statues dotted around the island, Easter Island or Rapa Nui as the locals call it, this would just be another island located in the middle of nowhere in the massive South Pacific Ocean.   And part of the mystery lies in the fact that it was so isolated that a very different culture emerged from the original Polynesian people that lived here. 

 

Of course, there were some excursions offered that offered a glimpse into the past and the story behind the evolution to what we see today.   Ancient cultures was a good place to start the learning process for 3  hours and $300.  Easter Island panorama drive was also 3  hours for $300.  Mystical moais and highlights was 4 hours and $310, while deep Easter Island culture was 3 hours for $420.  The most expensive was Easter Island Moai and umu feast where a complete meal was cooked underground on hot stones for 5  hours and cost $580.  You might wonder why the prices were so high.  We sure did, until we learned that a Rapa Nui National Park permit for $112 was needed to enter most of the areas where the moai were located.  And if you were doing an independent tour,  it was mandated that you hire a guide to take you into these park sights, such as the quarry.   Over the years, we have taken every tour with the exception of the umu feast and were quite happy to be on our own today.   One of the most fun tours we took was a drive around the island followed by a buffet lunch at Anakena Beach, about 12 miles from the tender pier.   This is one excursion they do not offer anymore.

 

As always, the ship was not cleared by the local authorities on time, so Erin had to announce for everyone to be patient and not line up at the stairs down to the platform.  Even though the tender tickets were being handed out at 8am, we have heard of many guests that lined up at 4am on previous stops here.   Those who had ship tours booked would get priority over all other groups. 

 

It looked like it was going to be a very nice and warm day on the island.   The winds were about 16mph and the temperature would reach close to 80 degrees.  Humidity was 73%, and from we gathered, there was no rain predicted.   If rain was in the forecast, we would have packed umbrellas. 

 

We headed off of the ship by 9:30am, but first with a stop at the Wajang Theater where we met with Kumar.  He escorted us down to deck A where we joined the end of the line for the next tender.    Although not really rough, it was taking some time loading the boats.  Despite the stern warnings of who should or should not go ashore,  it was quite apparent to us that lots of people ignored that warning.  The staff can only warn the folks about the possibility of accidents, but if you choose to ignore that advice, then you are on your own.   Cannot say they didn't tell us.

 

The rather smooth ride to the tender drop-off took about 20 minutes, but loading and unloading took another 40 minutes.  There were at least a dozen crew members to help us off the tender boat and up some steep steps to the parking lot.  The HAL excursions had been scheduled in the morning and afternoon, so not everyone had to go over all at once.  Shuttle buses, taxis, and personal vehicles were all parked here.  If you wanted a good photo of a moai, then you did not need to go any further.   There was one right here at the tender landing as well as numerous tables of souvenirs.  We already have one of the small moais from our first visit here, so how many more did we need?  

 

We began our hike from the small boat jetty towards the center of Hanga Roa, the main town here.  The walk is quite scenic with a series of moais and restored volcanic carvings perched on raised stone platforms.  We don't recall seeing all of these sculptures, so it is possible they have been added over the last few years.  Most all the statues and carvings date back to the 13^th to the 16^th  centuries created by the Polynesian settlers.  Their true meaning probably remains a mystery to this day.  Modern day scientists have yet to come up with a proven theory even to the mystery of how these statues were transported. 

 

Scanning the hillsides and mountain tops, we noticed there is a barren landscape with few trees.  At one time centuries ago,  trees were everywhere but were used for fuel and also for transporting the large moais to where we see them on the coastline.   In time, they  had used all of the trees, never thinking ahead of planting more in their place.  Coconut palms were a main source of food for the natives as well, but a type of native rats consumed all of the seeds these trees produced.  In time they were gone.  Erosion took a toll on the planting grounds and made the soil unsuitable for crops.  Sadly, the population declined and the culture almost disappeared.   

 

There are from 5000 to 8000 residents today on Easter Island, many of which are seasonal workers from mainland Chile.   Only a very small percentage are related to the indigenous settlers.  The remainder are mixed with Chilean people, and their official language is Spanish.  Many of the tourist-related natives speak English too.   Catholicism is the main religion.

 

There are about 3000 cars or trucks on the island, and that does not include the many motorcycles we saw.   There are nearly 2000 horses on this island, including the ranch horses and wild ones.  It is not uncommon to see some of the wild ones grazing anywhere they wish.  Higher in the hillsides, there are ranches that also raise cattle and some sheep.  

 

The electricity on the island is generated by diesel engines with the fuel imported from mainland Chile.  The power in the more highly dense towns is cut off for 2 hours once a week to preserve the fuel supply.  One piece of info that is a positive for the natives is that there are flights from Santiago often, if not daily.   It is far quicker to fly here than come by ship.

 

Unfortunately, today was a Sunday, and many venues were closed.  Those included stores, restaurants, cafes, and even the wharf where the local fishermen worked.  When we got to the center of town, the small colorful fishing boats were tied up without any activity happening around them.   Usually we go and wander around the small outboard motorboats and get to see the catch of the day which the fellows are preparing to sell to the local restaurants.  

 

We passed the restaurant Pea, where we always stop for lunch and beers.  They were closed today, but there were some other smaller venues that looked like possibilities.  But first we needed to make our way to the seven standing moais located on the coastline where no one needs the park permit.  That would take us past the bars and lounges where a fairly new entertainment stage was set up in a grassy area on the waterside.  Over the years, we have watched the progress on this venue, and from what we learned from a waitress, there is a huge Polynesian concert or competition that is held here.  It draws people from everywhere.  

 

Continuing on, we hiked to the local cemetery that has the most commanding view of the Pacific Ocean.    Walking through the parking lot, we found the path to the moais, passing some of those horses along the way.  Obviously well fed, they are like pets here.  The best photos can be taken from up high without walking down into the crater and taking pictures right in front of the statues.  While chatting with some of our buddies on the slopes, one of us leaned against a pipe railing at a small pile of sacred rocks.  It wasn't long before a park ranger lady came and politely asked me to move away from the fencing.  The sign by the pile of remains stated do not cross over the fence (more or less), but I sort of knew I might be in trouble.  It did not say do not lean here.  We read later that one lady egregiously violated the rules to the point of a $17000. USD fine.  Wow…. 

 

Usually, we walked beyond this site and a bit further up where there is a nice small kiddie park with benches.  One of us will take a break, while the other went further exploring the sites.  This was as good a place as any to turn around and head back.  It was very warm and we did not bring a lot of water with us.  And it was time to search for an alternate place for lunch and much needed beverages….namely beer.

 

Before we left the ship, we had searched for pizza, and did locate a restaurant called La Pizzeria (like in Papeete), but were not sure how far off of the main coastal drive it was.  So as much as we looked forward to sinking our teeth into a Margherita pizza, we opted for a smaller venue on the way back.  It was Le Boulangerie with a most-inviting patio with a few empty tables.  By the name, we first thought it was like a bakery, but they had a full- service daily menu with many choices, none of which was pizza.  First thing we ordered were the local beers which were called Mahina Pia Rapa Nui Motu Lager and more than likely brewed in or around Santiago, Chile.   Then we ordered one Americano chicken sandwich to share.   It came with a dip of homemade mayo and was plenty big enough for two.  The homemade bun was filled with moist sliced chicken breast, cheese, bacon, ham, lettuce, cucumber, and marinated red onions.   No sides served with it.   We did add a slice of delicious apple pie with a lattice top crust.  Excellent, also homemade.  They did accept American Express and the total bill including a tip came to under $40 USD.   At home, that price would not even cover the beers.  And being able to relax on their patio watching the people and cars pass by was perfect.  Pizza will have to wait for Papeete.

 

Back at the tender jetty, we spotted a sizable green turtle swimming and diving for algae that they eat off of the rocks.  Even with two little kids swimming nearby, the turtle was not scared off.   It surfaced often enough for us to get some good shots of the multi-colored shell.  We do know that turtle soup is a common meal in these parts.

 

The return ride back to the ship was regulated with the addition of tender tickets.  We were #29 and were called within minutes.  There was a group of crew members waiting to go back, but they had to wait until the guests were loaded first.   There was still room and they rode back with us.  The process worked well, except loading some of the guests was tedious so say the least.  And they do it with a smile, bless them.    It was a longer ride than we recalled because of the low tide, the ship had to be anchored further away.  Comparing this transfer with the one in the Falkland Islands, today was a piece of cake. 

 

We chilled out in our room working as usual on the day's photos.  All aboard was supposed to be after 5:30pm, but at 6:30pm, there was no indication that we were leaving.   Finally, the Captain came on at 6:45pm, and said we were late, but had no explanation.  We knew that three of the tenders were still off-loading guests from a late tour, so it was closer to 7:30pm before we left the island.  The Captain thanked his crew once again for an excellent job and we had 1019 nautical mile to reach Pitcairn Island in a few days.  Tomorrow  the required speed will be 17 knots with 20 mph winds and partly cloudy skies with temps in the high 70's.   The sea swells would be no more than 6 feet, and he advised us all to be careful in and around the ship. 

 

Dinner time found us ordering South American tostadas with chili con carne, lettuce and cheese.  If we had thought to have two each, that would have been plenty for dinner, along with our Caesar salads.  Mains were one enchilada plate with shredded beef….enough for both us.  And the other entr?e was a fried pork chop with rice.  Desserts were one scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sliced banana, both served with a little bit of fudge sauce. 

 

Good news was that the clocks went back one hour tonight.  And we heard through the grape vine that we will be doing "back one hour" for about 5 more days after that before arriving to Papeete, Tahiti.  That should be interesting…..

 

Looking forward to two lazy days at sea.

 

Bill & Mary Ann 

 

327 Pictures