A Box of Chocolates

It has been about a month since I last posted. Seems like only yesterday but actually it has been: 4 countries, 6 different stops averaging 3 days in each port, and 14 Sea Days. It has been a different collection of experiences this month. Some good, some which could have been better, and some disappointing. But that is Life, isn't it? It isn't always a box of chocolates.

We stopped in Koral, Palau. I think, maybe, I had heard of a place called Palau, but that was the extent of my knowledge. We arrived at this beautiful island and for us it was a "tender port". What this meant was that we would not be tying up to a dock and disembarking right in town or at the port. There was no big Cruise ship dock and the water was way to shallow for Odyssey to get close. So our able-bodied crew lowered two of our 10 Lifeboats which serve as tender-boats in these situations. The crew then spent the next couple of days delivering us back and forth from shore to home and back again. But, oh my goodness, what a beautiful place to spend the day or two. A lovely resort with outdoor restaurant & bar, nice swimming pool, a beach with chairs & umbrellas, and snorkeling with an abundance of fish and coral. The resort was just about the only thing on the island so we didn't have to go running around on tours and looking for souvenirs. The nachos and Pain Killer cocktails were the best souvenirs. I also took home a boo-boo on my big toe when I accidently kicked a coral reef and knocked a chunk out of my toe. Yes, I did bring my water shoes to keep that from happening, but did I wear them? NO! Several days of antibiotic cream made sure there was no problem. Lesson learned.

We have a large contingent of Indonesian and Indian crew members. Late October is the time of year that most Hindus celebrate Diwali - or the Festival of Lights. Celebrating Light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. We also have an Indian couple on board and they wanted to celebrate Diwali and they wanted to make sure the Hindu Crew members were involved. First they worked with the Food and Beverage Manager to plan a special dinner for the Hindu crew and for a select group of friends who worked to put on a Diwali evening. There were the traditional decorations and then the ceremony, prayers, and dancing. It was an amazing evening. I got to help decorate our large Neptune Theater so I was included in the dinner group. I enjoyed the food so much that I forgot to take any pictures. The Celebration started late (9:30pm)so that members of the crew could participate. They were so pleased that there was a large turnout of Residents to learn about their traditions. The Prayers and symbolism were interesting even if we could not understand a word. I thought it was "funny" that I heard some Residents saying the "service" went on to long, But imagine if you came to a Christian Celebration of Easter and didn't know a word of English, I'll bet you would be bored too. But I found it fascinating. Then the dancing began. Everyone, including Captain Val got up to dance. Captain Val is always so supportive of his Crew.

Then on to Bitung, Indonesia which is on the island of Sulawesi.. Our Excursion/Tour guru laughingly called it Bite-Your-Tongue Indonesia. This island was all about Rain & Forests, monkeys, and birds. We had 3 days there so my 1st day was a walking excursion to see the near-by town and hopefully mix with the friendly locals. And I certainly did that. Sharon and I walked about 30 minutes into the main town looking for an ATM and maybe a place to have lunch. It wasn't long before we commented on how every street, house, and business had piles of trash everywhere. After the cleanliness of Japan, this was really appalling. As we were nearing the end of the Main Street all of a sudden we were surrounded by young school children. I would guess they were 6-10 years old and their school was right in front of us. They were in their school uniforms and each one had a small lined notebook and a short pencil. They were talking, giggling, and shoving their notebook and pencils at us. We finally realized they wanted us to sign their little books, so we wrote our first name and a note and the date. Sometimes I wrote You are pretty, or I am from America, or I live on a Ship. After about 30 minutes we pushed our way through the crowd of children that had now gathered, and said good-bye. I hope their teachers can help them read what we wrote in their books. As we walked down the street beside the school some older kids on the 2nd floor all waved and yelled hello to us as we walked by. I wish we had taken a picture of all this but we didn't. We continued our walk and then it started raining - it is the rainy season now. We thought we could outlast it, but then it really started pouring. We stopped under an awning of a small shop and within 5 minutes the owner stepped out from the back with a small stool and a plastic chair and told us to have a seat (at least she pointed to the seats and then walked back inside where it was dry). We accepted graciously. Some of the school children waved and yelled hello to us as they rode home on the backs of their parents scooter through the pouring rain and trash floating down the potholed street. After 30 minutes, we said to heck with it, flagged down a sort-of taxi and went back to the ship.

My second day was a long day which began with a very long walk to see the Black Monkeys of Indonesia. After an hour of stomping thru the drizzle and forest, we found monkeys. Once you saw them, they were everywhere. Large and medium size ones playing or just watching everything going on. Interesting butts, don't you think? We hung around, took lots of pictures and then walked thru more forest to the beach where we went snorkeling but there was nothing to see. The water was cool with black volcanic sand and at the time, we enjoyed it. Later I got to thinking about how polluted the water was and how many monkeys were around, and decided that probably wasn't such a great idea. But too late by then.

Our tour host took us to his Home Stay for a typical Indonesian lunch. Sea food (whole baked fish in a spicy sauce), veggies, rice and fruit. All really good. Then back to the Rain Forest and the rain while looking for birds (oh yippee!), and the tiny monkey. The Tarsier monkey is the smallest mammal in the world - size of a mouse with a long tail and big eyes. They hide in holes in the trees, and can jump or fly from tree to tree. Finally found the little sucker, or at least I could see his eyes, in a tree. Checked that off my imaginary Bucket list. Several of our group stayed another hour or so to see them come out and "fly". around. Nope, not me...I was done. I'm sure you will think they are just sooo cute.

The next day 3 of us took another tour which was supposed to be to a Boat Parade on this huge lake. It was about a 2 hour drive (was supposed to be 1 hour) but the driver took us on the scenic route. It was pretty but we weren't sure he knew where he was going. By the time we found the lake we were pretty sure something was wrong - there were no boats. Opps, website was wrong - parade was the following week. So we turned around and headed back toward the only town around. On our way the driver pulls over and stops. We never did figure out if he knew these people or just thought we should meet these Indigenous people. They could speak no English but they were fun and Holly and I bought feather head dresses. $19. Figured Halloween was coming! I didn't say It or I was pretty.

Finally got into town and once again the driver pulled over to ask a group of policemen what was going one because it looked like a Parade was getting ready to start. So, the 3 policemen came over to the car to meet/talk with us. Then they wanted to take pictures with us. It is like people in Indonesia really like pictures with white people. They recommended a restaurant for lunch which was good but no beer.

Back closer to Bitung, the driver wanted to take us to a waterfall. OK! why not. I counted them - 129 steps down and 129 steps back up. Just missed the rain but the rock walls, steps, and everything you touched was covered with mold and mildew. Yes, it was a pretty waterfall. Bucket list - NO. Long but an interesting, sort of, day. And one last stop at the local market. Just can't get enuf of dead chickens with their heads still attached.

Thank goodness the next 2 days were Sea Days because I had forgotten how allergic I am to Mold & Mildew. But my sinuses remembered. For the next week I had a stopped up nose and cough. I stayed in my room for a couple of days just so others would not think I was contagious. Fear of Covid syndrome! We were actually in a port called Sorong but I stayed home. I had enuf of Rain Forests and really dirty places.

But there was Australia on the horizon. We arrived in Darwin on a Sunday morning and we were all really excited. Well, everyone except our Cat owners were not We are the only cruise ship in the world that allows pets on board and we have 13. The cats never leave their owners cabins and depending on the owner, are virtually invisible. But Australia went berserk and VVR mgmt had been working on a compromise for months. Finally, each of the cats had to be removed from their cabin, moved to another cabin, inspected by the Australian officials each day, and the owners could visit their pet twice a day for one hour each time and then they had to leave. This plan worked well as we were in Aussie waters for only 2 days, then at sea for 4 days (cats could go back to their home), then in Cairns for 3 days (cats back to Jail), and then we left again. But, we will return in February and will be in Australia and New Zealand (same laws) for 3 months. The Cat owners are really struggling on what to do. They don't want to leave cats in a barren room (Jail) for 3 months, but other countries may not let them off the ship.

I enjoyed Darwin. There was a beautiful park and a protected (from sharks) swimming hole just a 5 minute walk from the ship. I walked around and found the highly recommended Hot Tamale restaurant. Loaded nachos and a margarita please. Nachos were very good except for the pickled onions on top and no melted cheddar cheese. But good guacamole, sour cream and shredded beef. Our on-board Excursion guide knows to check for Mexican Restaurants and Beer Pubs in every port we go to.

I had coordinated with the Ocean Cruising Club Port Officer to meet at the Dinah Beach Yacht Cruising Club after their Sunday afternoon Race. The Race of about 25 boats was done in the Bay where Odyssey was docked, so I got to see a lot of their boats rounding the marker. Ten of us (Villa Vie Yacht Club) members met their President, and exchanged Yacht Club Burgees. And yes, we have about 25 members of our club and we designed our own Burgee. They had great food and beer.

And then it was on to Cairns (pronounced Cannes). Most everyone on board was heading out to the Great Barrier Reef to dive or snorkel. Kay & I did that several years ago so I didn't have to spend a couple hundred dollars to do that again. In fact, most of the Things to do in Cairns, I had already done. But I did go to the Casino (as I did before) and enjoyed myself. On the way back, I stopped in a neat bar/restaurant called Hemingway's and got a pizza to go - a 5 minute walk back to the ship. OMG, it was so good. The pepperoni was really spicy. The pizza was too big for just me so I called friends to meet me in my cabin. Best friends forever now! Our International on-board chefs don't have a pizza oven and it must be really hard to make pizzas for 350 people. so we don't get pizza very often.

Lots of Mall shopping done while in Cairns because next 2-3 months are going to be spent in Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and French Polynesia. Not a lot of good-ole American snack foods sold there. One thing someone discovered was that Chinese made Peanut Butter is not very good. Christmas is coming so decorations, presents, and Christmas Pajamas were being searched for. We all need new PJs for our Christmas Morning PJ breakfast party.

As I said earlier we have had good news and bad. Another Typhoon hit Cebu City in the Philippines and several family members of our Crew were severely impacted - as in completely losing their family home. But our VVR family of Residents stepped up and collected over $10,000 US$ for 3 families. This was a small fortune to these families hoping to rebuild. We have lost two residents in death but have gained many new Residents as we continue to grow as a Community. The Odyssey and its Management Team continue to surprise the Nay-Sayers who said it couldn't be done. We continue to get better and pass more Certifications to prove We Can Do It. And I still love the decision I made to come aboard, and to upgrade to a

Balcony Villa.

My Christmas present this year is my sister. Kay is coming back for a 2 week visit on New Years Day. It will certainly be fun as we celebrate a late Christmas, her birthday, New Years, and my one year anniversary aboard the Odyssey in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. What a year it has been. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.