Returning home.....

The morning we arrived into San Diego was overcast and gloomy. It kind of matches the mood of leaving new friends. My flight home was pretty good. I flew first class so it was pretty comfortable. I hate long flights. My ride home from the airport was a kick.... I'm glad my neighbors were asleep. Nothing like arriving home in a white stretched limo..... Until the next voyage, see ya!

Day 65 At Sea

Last night’s Captain’s Farewell Cocktail party and dinner was a lot of fun. At dinner we had three guests…. Arkie & Shirley, the future cruise specialists and Joann Taylor, the Mariner Manager from Seattle. It certainly was a fun night. Today, once again, if you got out of the wind the day was great. Few people figured this out so I was the only one out for most of the day. Ian & Carol joined me later in the day. Then it was time to visit some friends and say goodbye… so sad. Now…. Packing!!!!! This evening I met friends in the Crow's Nest before dinner for drinks and Joann Taylor joined us for dinner. It was a nice final evening aboard the ms Amsterdam....

Day 64 At Sea

Today was very similar to yesterday, sunny but very windy. The temperatures are cooling a bit as we head north to San Diego. Today they had the presentations for the photo contest. I got first place for the Rice Fields of Bali in the Landscape. I guess I owe a big thank you to my buddy Randy for suggesting I submit that one. Thanks! I received a second place award for the Wildlife category with my photo of the baby birds. Finally, I also received another second place award for the people/life category for my photo of the Floating Markets in Bangkok…. Not a bad day….. Thanks to all who voted for my photos..... Tonight is our last formal night and our farewell dinner. This will be preceeded by a cocktail party with the Captain and his staff.... should be fun

Day 63 At Sea

Last night’s dinner at the Pinnacle was really nice. I was disappointed that my favorite, Thai Chicken Soup, was no longer on the menu. Anyway, a great time was had by all. Today was once again great once you go out of the wind…. Amazing! I hope the sunny weather lasts. It looks pretty cold back in Virginia. I am not looking forward to 5 weeks of possibly very cold weather. I am not used to chilly weather anymore. I just hope our last two sea days are good…..

Day 62 At Sea

Today was a nice day but once again very windy. The winds were near gale force…. This has been the windiest voyage I have been on by far. I have spent a lot of time getting out of the strong winds. I was able to get out of the wind so it was pretty nice. Tonight is a formal night and I am going to the Pinnacle Grill with Ian & Carol. It should be a nice evening. I got my suitcases delivered today…. time to start packing. It seems amazing that there are only three sea days left on this voyage.

Day 61 Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

We arrived very early this morning in out anchorage spot in Lahaina, Maui. The skies were very overcast and it was very wet. Due to the apparent crappy weather ahead of us for the day and our early arrival I decided to not take my tour and go ashore on the first tender. I was on the same tender as my friends Ken & Helen so we toured the town together. The only problem is we got ashore so early that we had a pretty long wait before most of the stores opened. As the morning worn on the weather gradually improved and the afternoon was great…. We sailed at 2:00 on our way to San Diego….. I have 4 days at sea before I disembark and head home. It will be good to get home, see family and friends and celebrate the holidays and then……. 5 January 2009, 131 day Grand World Voyage on the ms Rotterdam…….

Day 60 Honolulu, Hawaii

The weather gods weren’t smiling on me today…. That’s what comes with a tropicl paradise. The beach didn’t look like a good bet so we headed out this morning for a little shopping. You can never have enough tank tops. We went to Hilo Hattie’s and then to the International Market Place. After I gort back to the ship I sat out for a little while when I decided to go up to the top of the Aloha Tower for a few quick photos. The weather still wasn’t great so I pretty much called it quits after that. Tomorrow we hit out last port of call, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. We have a short day ther, leaving at 2:00 in the afternoon. I am taking a tour to get the most out of the visit. Here is the description: Valley to Ocean Discovery
Explore Maui from above the ocean and below! You will visit the lush landscape of Iao Valley, followed by the Maui Ocean Center. In the Iao Valley you will stop at the scenic lookout called the Iao Needle. History claims that the Valley was where King Kamehameha conquered the forces of Maui in the Battle of Kepanewai. Walk through the fragrant, fresh island flowers while basking in the serenity of the valley. Next is a journey beneath the waves at the Maui Ocean Center--the only aquarium in the world devoted solely to Hawaii's unique marine environment. Explore the creatures of the Living Reef, the
Turtle Lagoon and the Stingray Cove exhibits. Learn about Hawaii's largest undersea inhabitants at the Whale Discovery Center, and stroll through the Underwater Journey's transparent tunnel to see exotic fish and sharks swimming all around you. The live exhibits and hands-on activities make this a trip to remember.