Grand World Voyage – Michael Innis

Waitangi (Bay of Islands), New Zealand 2/1/2016

On the way to Waitangi, we were unable to stop at Rarotanga due to sea conditions that prevented us from tendering ashore. The ship was taking people ashore when a rogue wave washed boat 9 onto the reef. It took over three harrowing hours to get all passengers safely to shore.

On January 27, 2016 – January 29, 2016, we crossed the imaginary line on the Earth that separates two consecutive calendar days – The Internatioal Date Line. We arrived in Waitangi on February 1st, having traveled 2230 nautical miles from Cook’s Bay. Onboard, we were treated to a performance of Maori tribal dance and music

Waitangi is the home of the indigenous Maori tribe who have lived there for over 800 years. In 1840 the Maori chiefs signed over sovereignty of their lands to Britain. This has been a contentious issue ever since.

Tides run 20 feet here. We visited two islands and saw a strong British influence in the architecture.

Cooks Bay, Moorea 1/24/2016

Moorea was the most beautiful of the Polynesian Islands we visited. The souls of all the Polyneasian’s who migrated to Hawaii and New Zealand and various islands all return here to be with their ancestors. We hired a private jeep and travelled through pinapple fields, subtropical forests, and ancient sacred sights on our way to Belvedere lookout point. Here we overlooked deep valleys, sacred mountains, Cooks Bay, Opunohu Bay and Papetoal, a fishing village. Michael saw the stilted bungalow where he stayed in 2001 on a previous visit.

Sailing towards Nuku Hiva

Tuesday, January 12th we set sail towards Nuku Hiva in the French Polynesian Islands. We covered the distance of 3846 nautical miles, with an average speed of 18 knots, in eight days. The weather was a moderate breeze, 84°F, clear skies and calm seas.

Every sea day, we teach bridge lessons from 9:00 – 11:00 in the morning; Gail teaches beginning bridge, using Audrey Grant’s Better Bridge Books, and Michael teaches intermediate/advance lessons. Bridge games are held in the afternoon between 1:30 – 4:00 in the deck five dining room since we have too many bridge players to fit in the ship’s Hudson Bridge Room. We have two sections; an open event with 12-13 tables and a limited game (non-life masters) with 6-7 tables. We were quite pleased that some absolute beginners began playing in the limited game and had fun. The bridge players are diverse; we have a 96 year old silver life master, Annette, several each of gold, silver, bronze and life masters. A few pairs play ACOL but most play Standard American.

The abundant fresh-cut flowers on display are masterfully arranged by Florists Eddy and Callista.

Fort Lauderdale

Going to Fort Lauderdale a few days before our cruise departed was a great idea. Gail used her expiring United Mileage to upgrade us to First Class. As we had two extra suitcases for bridge this saved us a lot. We stayed at the Harbor Beach Marriott which was a birthday present from Gail.

It was a trip back in time for me as I previously spent many memorable weeks there while cruising. We visited all the old haunts and took a water taxi tour of the inland waterway. On our last night we went to Coconuts to celebrate Gail’s birthday with lobster.

115-Day Grand World Voyage

WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Truly an epic voyage, this global circumnavigation encompasses five continents, four oceans, two legendary canals and more than 45 ports. Gail Hanson and I are Bridge Instructors on this cruise aboard Holland America’s MS Amsterdam, January 5th through April 30th, 2016. Continue reading “115-Day Grand World Voyage”