Apia- Samoa

Okay- not what I expected. Its like Cambodia but more tropical scenery. Very poor and run down. We hired a cab driver to take us to what the map called Black Sand Beach. Well that eneded up being a pile of black sand in someone’s backyard and the rock cliffs to the water. Um weird. Our cab driver was even surprised. So he took us further down to a cave pool. A local church runs it- and for five Samoan dollars we had access to a cute area….it was a little park area by the ocean. There was a fresh water cave pool. It was crystal clear and had lots of fish swimming around. You could go back into the cave too- but I wasn’t a huge fan of the dark cave and the talk of eels. However Kurt went- and even braved the tunnel you could swim through that led you out the other side. He braved it 3 times….We layed out to read and then went back in the pool again and then layed out to dry before heading back to the ship.

That night between shows I layed out on the bow- the stars again were ridiculous because the sky was so clear! I saw a satellite and a shooting star! 

our ship...

heading into town- which was basically run down vacant buildings..

cave pool

and beach...

filled with fish!

little park...sunbathing!

kurt after he swam through the rock tunnel underwater- had to hold his breath and swim toward the light in a little tunnel- i obviously didnt do it. but he braved it 3 times! scared the crap outta me....

pretty money!

me swimming with fish! I know i know everyone...i promise this is not photoshopped- i really did it!

American Samoa- Pago Pago

Me and Kurt,  Justin, Ashlee, Kat, and Natalia took off to see what we could find. We heard rumors of a beach…we walked a while but it was just random buildings and industrial stuff…we saw a tree full of bats- that was interesting….and then as we passed a small building on the left I noticed a sign that said beach entrance….we went over to check it out- walked thorugh the building and into- PARADISE! Wow. What a find. It was perfect! A small beach with kayaks and snorkeling, a pool and deck, a restaurant on a boardwalk with a musician singing beachy standards…

Perfect! We went swimming in the clearest water I have ever seen! I had fish tacos and a frozen daquiri, then we went snorkeling (the highlight being a huge blue starfish!), layed out. Then when it started raining we moved our stuff to the shelter and went swimming in the rain…It was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went back later at night- seems everyone found it….we went down t o the beach and saw more starts than I ever have before! We got out Kurts astronomy app and found the southern hemisphere constellations and planets. You could even see the milky way….The water and the stars and great company….ugh. Heaven.  I am so lucky. 

bats!

yea!

Kat kayaking

me sunbathing

with my awesome frozen cocktail!

Kat, Justin and I swimming!

ah......

thought this shot of me and kat was cool....

Hawaii!

We had 3 days in Hawaii.  Hilo, Honolulu, and Kona….

Hilo- we started the day by visiting Akaka Falls…it was a rainforest with a trail to the waterfall! It was beautiful and we took lots of photos!

Then we basically did some sightseeing/ shopping. I bought a purple sarong (hey- when in rome…), had  a teryiaki pineapple chicken sandwhich, and then got caught in a massive downpour with Kurt, Justin, Jessica and Jeremy. After a few minutes of walking we were completely soaked and gave up- we crossed the street to a park, dumped our bags under a tree and then headed out to the ocean. They went swimming- I watched…then I learned how to skip rocks. We walked down the beach back towards the ship…literally in a downpour! It was actually a ton of fun! I know we were all disappointed that there was no sun but it ended up being ridiculously fun anyways….

Honolulu- Kurt and I walked a bit and decided to go to Waikiki Beach. I passed the Hilton Hotel which I stayed at last time I was in Hawaii-that brought back some memories! Then we went to a little café for breakfast and coffee and some internet….then off to the beach! We found a great spot and just alternated laying out and swimming and reading… This was what I had been waiting for! Then to California Pizza Kitchen for lunch and a daquiri to cool off with…

Kona- we took an excursion and had a blast! We took one of those raft boats with some of the other crew….we went out and found a pod of dolphins and sat while they played around us…so close to us! They were jumping and doing tricks…it was better than Sea World! After a while of that- which was magical and I will never do it justice with words….we rode to a place where we were to go snorkeling. Its apparently in the top 7 places in the world to snorkel. Its also where captain Cook died and they have erected a monument. Anyways- it took me a while to get the hang of snorkeling. I jumped in and couldn’t seem to swim with those dang flippers and breathe at the same time. I started having a panic attack and couldn’t breathe. I grabbed the rope of the side of the boat. I asked for a noodle floatation device. That kept me afloat while I learned how to breathe through the snorkel and not panic. I had to really concentrate….but I kept the noodle J and snorkled for a while. It was beautiful coral reefs and tons of fish and crabs….It was quite beautiful! After we were all done we had some snacks then rode to see the image of Pele in the rock cliffs, some lava tubes, and learned some of the local history. What a day!

dolphins!

playing dolphins!

Captain Cook's place of death...our place to snorkel...

South Pacific here we come!

Yea! Alaska was beautiful- BUT I am excited to head down through the south pacific. Let’s be honest- this is why I took this contract! Hello tropical drinks and beaches!

First stop- Long Beach California. No its not the islands yet but its where we picked up more passengers for the crossing. I had the privilege of spending the day with Kurt’s other side of the family- his dad Kit and stepmom Lynne…and then his Aunt and 3 cousins (who reminded me so much of me and my sisters!) and then little Madeline! What an adorable little girl!

We had a beautiful lunch at a French craperie- thanks Kit and Lynne for that! It was not only incredible food but also great company! Then we went to a beautiful park to chat before we left. They had some time for a little game of Frisbee and a mini photoshoot of Madeline…

Leaving Vancouver!

Here's a few pics of Vancouver- Stanley Park that I never blogged about....

self portrait.....see me?

little girl and swan...lol

the kid in me

Kurt's family comes to visit the Vole!!!

Kurt’s mom- Carol James as he affectionately calls her, stepdad Jeff and sister Valerie came to visit for a week cruise. They had upgraded to one of the first class suites. It was amazing! And we got to hang out and take advantage of some of the VIP perks while they were here- such as the amazing room and veranda, the fresh fruit bowl, the VIP lounge with fancy coffees and chocolates and desserts…and of course just the general perk of hanging out with the VIP’s on board- Kurt’s family! We had such a blast….Jeff and Valerie took advantage of all the activities- Jeff actually won money in the casino (gasp!) , Val got her certificate for the Polar Bear Plunge,  and Carol James- well she really just enjoyed all the beauty Alaska had to offer and all the great  healthy food available.. (note sarcasm).  LOL. Actually she spent most of the time wishing for sunshine and to not feel sea sick.  L  She had brought some of her own food and managed to find a few things she could eat, and actually did enjoy seeing the glacier- for about a second. I think the highlight ( aside from seeing Kurt of course!) was the thermal suite!

I had so much fun hanging out with them- thanks to Val for showing us her Africa video! And to Val and Jeff for their patience teaching me how to play that card game! Jeff- thanks for showing me where they keep the fancy VIP chocolates J And Carol James- thanks for all the laughs! For letting me be a part of your vacation…You are hilarious and I hope if we ever end up on a cruise ship together again that it is some place warm and tropical so you can enjoy it a bit more!

I really really enjoyed getting to know you all! And im looking forward to my surfing lesson ( take 2) if I ever end up in Santa Barabara!