South Pacific and Peru -- April, 2015 -- Days 10, 11 and 12

Day 10, April 12, 2015 … I slept in a while and slowly got started with prayer and a delicious croissant brought to our room. The ship is anchored just off the island of Pitcairn.  This island has a long, infamous history of mutiny, romance, murder and hearty survival.  The sixth generations of those men who committed mutiny on the British ship, the Bounty, still live here.  It is a two-mile long, one-mile wide rugged island which is currently inhabited by 45 individuals … about 30 or so working adults and one seven-year-old child.  Other children are at school in New Zealand. Because of the difficulty in getting on the island, we were unable to leave the ship; however, the Pitcairns have three long boats that they bring to the ship. They set up shop in the upper lounge on the ship where we were able to purchase their wares.  I found many cute things … they make pure honey, soaps and creams; sell beautifully wood carved plates, bowls and sea animals; souvenir stamps are popular and are in various venues; plus t-shirts and hats, jewelry and head pieces, post cards and books. I was impressed at the quality and uniqueness of the crafts.

The coastline of Pitcairn

The longboat from Pitcairn

We also attended a presentation by a woman who was born on the island, lived in many states in the US, married an American, lived in Alaska for 37 years and returned to live on Pitcairn five years ago.  It was very interesting to hear of their generator providing electricity from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, their relatively modern medical clinic, their large school for the currently one student, their collection of rain for water (though there is a spring on the island as a backup), the supply ship that comes from New Zealand every three months, the 12 to 18 cruise ships that anchor off their shores every year which provides a major source of their income, the Internet and television stations available to them now and the fact that most adults wear several hats to “get the job done” to keep everything functioning on the island.  There are also many plants and animals that are only found here, some very close to extinction.  With such a small population and few children, the future of the island seems doomed unless others immigrate here. Even though we weren’t able to actually go onto the island, I do feel well acquainted with it, both its history and the lives of those who still live there.

We had lunch with Skip and Cheryl at the Grand Dining Room … it’s now more fun as the waiters are getting to know us by name! And, of course, the food continues to be so, so delicious.  About 2 o’clock the ship started sailing around the island, giving us a glimpse of its rugged terrain. It was fascinating watching the longboat as it approached the ship, tethered to it and the crafters boarded the boat with their remaining wares.  

By now it is time for martini tasting once again!  Bob joined Cheryl and me and Skip was the “official photographer!”  More great ideas for martini tasting parties!  Afterwards, we tried our luck again at Trivia … we’re doing better but still not good!!! 

Martini tasting aboard the Oceania Marina

We opted for dinner at the Terrace Café where they served all Indian cuisine. I found it generally tasty, though Bob is not a fan and was also frustrated with the buffet lines. But it’s always good spending time with good friends … life is good aboard the cruise ship!

Day 11, April 13, 2015 … We’re up early to do laundry. Then a quick breakfast and off to Dr. Smith’s lecture on Easter Island where we will be stopping for two days.  We enjoyed a malt while sitting in the lounge chairs on the pool deck, after which all of us had lunch again at the Grand Dining Room. After that I attended a short informative seminar about eye care put on by a member of the ship’s spa (oh vanities of vanities!). Team trivia again … we really did bad today! 

By now it’s Happy Hour, so we had a drink with Barb and Steve, then dinner at Jacques, another specialty restaurant serving French food … Oh my, I think this may be a favorite!  Delicious escargot with butter and garlic, excellent French onion soup, scrumptious lobster thermidor served on lobster shells. Several others had Dover Sole which the waiter deboned right at the table … Wow!

Escargot at Jacques
Oceania Marina

Lobster termidor
Oceania Marina

We roll ourselves into bed after turning our clocks ahead yet another hour. It was another day of a gorgeous sunrise and sunset, the waves of the deep blue sea, walking up and down many steps (our exercise rather than taking the elevator), talking with others from around the world and enjoying the company of good friends. Life is so good!

Day 12, April 14, 2015 … Because of the time changes, the sun didn’t rise until 8:05 this morning, making it very easy to stay in bed!  So after a lazy morning, we are at sea again today, (though I must say Bob has been really good about walking a mile or two every day up top of the ship … no, not me), we went to the ship’s sales pitch on why we should book another tour (or two or three!) with Oceania … some really are enticing. The Grand Dining Room had a special Brunch buffet today, which all of us went to; and then to another lecture by Dr. Smith on the life of Thor Heyerdahl, whose theories on the origins of the Polynesians were revolutionary.  Fascinating.

Dinner with Barb, Bob, Marcie, Cheryl, Skip and Steve

Afternoon tea was beautiful, as usual, and we did do quite well at trivia today though still not close to being winners!  This evening’s dinner was at the Polo Grill, checking out the last of the ship’s specialty restaurants. The atmosphere was opulent with the windows out the front of the boat, leather chairs, waiters who addressed us by name and, of course, delicious wine, appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts. It’s been fun “getting dressed” for dinner and being treated as though we were someone of importance.  I’m getting spoiled!  We move our clocks ahead once more. Between that and late dinners, little time is left for night-time entertainment, at least for those of us who need sleep!  Lovely, lovely day. We are looking forward to Easter Island tomorrow.