Hello everyone,
Well, TONS has happened since my last blog…its been a good cruise from Papeete, Tahiti to Auckland, New Zealand.
Here's what has happened:
Wednesday, February 2nd we were in Raiatea, French Polynesia but unfortunately for everyone else…they couldn't get off the ship due to the swell of the ocean. I walked upstairs on top deck to get a few pictures of the place before we left and I swear…the winds we blowing so hard that if I was holding on to the ship…it would have blown me over. It was very pretty there though….just a shame no one could get off the ship, so we had a impromptu sea day…wonderful…haha. Had another normal day of the duties of IPM and sea days…I'm getting really, really sick of these sea days.
Thursday, February 3rd we were in Bora Bora, French Polynesia and this day had to be one of my FAVORITE since my contract started. It was INCREDIBLE. We started off by driving around the coast (which is just beautiful) going to a bar called "Bloody Mary's" which is a very nice and famous restaurant because Hollywood Actors come there to eat when they come to visit Bora Bora. It was so cool inside because the floors were sand and you could walk around with your shoes off…so cool. We had a great meal and just enjoying our time off the ship. Lesley and I had scheduled to do a crew excursion to swim with stingray and sharks so we had to get back to the port quickly after lunch. Our taxi lady didn't come back when she said she would and we were both really nervous…that they weren't going to wait for us. Luckily another taxi showed up and we finally got back to the port. Everyone was there and hadn't left yet (thank the lord). We all got onto the ship that was taking us out to the place that we would be snorkeling with the stingrays first. Now, when you imagine paradise…with CLEAR blue seas….this is it. The water was SO clear…I would consider it bath water…it was just so clear. Once we got to the coral reef, about 10 stingrays showed up and the guide said, "Alright…get in". I sat there and thought….ummmm, you first buddy…haha. He also told us that we should be careful around them because they don't bite but they suck. He said to us, "Guys, you have to watch your chest and bananas with these stingrays….watch for sucky-sucky." I was just laughing so hard….could you just imagine the stories that man has with these stingrays? Anyway, getting into the water, surrounded by stingrays…was a little strange and takes a bit to get use to. The coral reef was absolutely BEAUTIFUL with all these colorful fish swimming right next to you..it was the coolest thing I've done. At one moment, I got the courage up to take a picture with one of the stingrays…cause when would I have this chance again…so I started petting the top of it and Lesley snapped the picture. They are so soft and squishy…not what I would expect they would feel like. Well, apparently this stingray got excited or didn't like me because it was so strong it started to push me over….and then swam away…gosh, scared the crap out of me. I thought for a second that it was trying to give me a hickey on my chest….good lord. After Lesley and I took some pictures and videos underwater…we were all asked to get back on the ship to go to where the sharks were…so we could swim with them. On our way there…we were given so fruits to snack on and I had one of the smallest bananas that I have ever seen…it was so strange…but still good. Once we got to the area where the sharks were….thats when the butterflies came out. They threw bait into the water and all of a sudden about 20 sharks showed up and that freaked out everyone. Again, the captain of the ship said, "Jump on in" and we all just laughed. Eventually, Lesley and I made our way into the water and that just freaked me out…I have NEVER thought that I would be swimming around with sharks. They would come close to you but wouldn't get too close…they were more scared of us, then us of them. It was very surreal watching them swimming around us and thinking of where I was (Bora Bora) and how many chances people can say they have done this. Was a WONDERFUL experience. After we all got back onto the ship…they brought us back to the port where Lesley and I went for a quick bite to eat and went shopping for some souvenirs. What a WONDERFUL day in Bora Bora, French Polynesia….
For the next 5 days, Friday February 4th - Wednesday February 9th (with us losing Feb. 8th to the International Dateline) we were at sea again. We weren't able to go to the Cook Islands on the 5th…due to the cyclone that was off our port side…the wind and swell was just too big….so we were going to add another New Zealand port on the 10th. This is our last LONG crossing we have for a while. The normal duties were done over the next 5 days and it was so strange to cross the dateline…trying to wrap the mind around the fact that you lost a day of your life just traveling on a ship…just strange. I also thought that it was strange that of all the days that I could have lost…it had to be the day that my dad would have been turning 50….was just strange. This crossing wasn't as bad as the others but I will say…I am getting sick of these long crossing….it gets overwhelming.
Thursday, February 10th we were in the port that was added to the itinerary due to the loss of the Cook Island port…Tauronga, New Zealand. We all got off the ship as early as we could…so we could enjoy our day in our first New Zealand port. We all walked down the main street that everyone told us to go to…looking for some great food and some internet. Lesley, Jodie, Jen, Adam and I went to this place called "Med on the Mount". It has the freshest food and bread that I've tasted. I had a wood burned pizza and wow…what an incredible lunch. We all got up and walked down to the internet cafe and all took advantage of that. Lesley and I uploaded most of the pictures that we needed to upload (just for you, Mom). Afterwards, Lesley and I walked down the street, went into a few shops and then made our way to the ship for back on board. We both didn't want to get back to the ship…we hated the fact that we couldn't spend more time off the ship…always having to be back at a certain time…just gets a little tiring.
Friday, February 11th (4 months left) we were in Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It was a beautiful and homey town that we spent the day in. We all got off and Lesley really wanted to have fish and chips…so we found a nice little cafe so she could have that meal. The lunch was really nice and we all just enjoyed the town. In the past two days with being in New Zealand, I have found that everything looks very new and everything is very clean. Its nice to be around that compared to some of the other islands and places that we have been to. Back to the day…after lunch, Lesley and I wanted to find another place where we could have some free internet and we found it. We spent about 2.5 hours talking to friends and family from back home. I got the chance to skype with my brother, sister-in-law and niece for about an hour. It was great talking with them and seeing my niece crawl around and try to type to me on the computer…haha. I can't wait to come and see her after my contract ends…which is exactly the day before Riley's first birthday.
Saturday, February 12th we ended the cruise in Auckland, New Zealand for the next embarkation day. I had to work that day from 12:00 - 3:30 pm checking in everyone to get on the ship. I didn't feel very well this day…for the past couple of days…I have had really bad stomach pains. I hope that I can get over this soon. After doing my shift on embarkation day, I met Lesley outside where I went to meet her sister (which she hasn't seen in about a year). I went to Lauren's wonderful apartment and had a great time talking with her and getting to know her. After a little while, we decided to go down to the port and have a good lunch. We sat there and had a great time…I felt bad for Lesley that she had to leave her sister so soon…that she didn't get to have more time with her…I understood what she was feeling.
We are now currently on our next cruise and here is the itinerary for the first part of the cruise: At Sea on Feb. 13th / Wellington, New Zealand on Feb.14th / Christchurch, New Zealand on Feb. 15th / Port Chalmers, New Zealand on Feb. 16th / Stewart Island, New Zealand on Feb. 17th / Cruising Milford Sound and Doubtful Fiord, New Zealand on Feb. 18th.
I'll write a blog about the first half of this cruise and another blog for the Australian part of the cruise. I can't wait to get to Australia…something that is extremely close to my mom, brother and myself. I hope that everyone is having a great February thus far and I'll update soon.
Until Next Time,
Jason
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