South Pacific Islands

What a wonderful collection of ports for our cruise back across the Pacific to Hawaii and the US mainland!  The new ports included Noumea and Isle des Pins in New Caledonia, Lautoka and Suva in Fiji, and Apia in Samoa.  We explored all these great islands and Tom even went snorkeling for the first time — he says he's now crossed it off the list.  Too bad, because we saw lots of colorful fish, giant turtles, sharks and sea snakes.  That may be why he's says "never again", haha.

Steve recalled his scuba diving days back in the 80's when he dove in the Caribbean.  He says snorkeling here in the South Pacific is more fun and he hopes we get other chances when we return to other islands this spring on our continued cruise around the world.  Here are some more photos, including a sea snake that is a cousin to the coral snake he almost stepped on when he joined Ken and Fred walking around the little island we visited on our snorkel tour.

We really had a fun time and Steve borrowed some of the underwater photos for our blog from our friends, Ken and Fred.

One of our tour guides, Roberto, was most helpful getting us on and off the boat with our gear.  He also looked good enough to make our blog, heh heh.

The next island stop was Isle des Pins and we hiked back to a grotto that was unfortunately at low tide so we had to walk further than we had planned.  But once we arrived at the pool of water we found it was incredibly beautiful and very refreshing for swimming and snorkeling.

 

Afterwards we returned to the ship and we sailed on to Latouka, Fiji where we explored the market and shops and surrounding community sights.  We had wanted to go to the Cultural Center but instead borrowed a photo from other friends, Orlin and Barbara.  The Center was designed by architect, Renzo Piano, and he used vertical hollow tubes in five decorative structures that help the Center's buildings blend with the landscape. 

We sailed around Fiji to the capital city of Suva where the local police band welcomed the Amsterdam's arrival and the ship's Location Guide, Barbara, and Cruise Director, Gene, greeted us as we departed for our walking tour of the city.

We stopped at a local shop named Jack's to look for colorful Fijian shirts to buy.  Ken and Fred joined us as we walked around the busy food markets and talked with some of the local residents about the types of fruits and vegetables that were for sale.  And we strolled through a park, visited a Catholic church, and watched a colorful parade in support of a nonprofit that supported children's education.

It was mostly cloudy with rain over the mountains that day so we stayed in town and enjoyed leisurely walking around downtown.  We also visited the historic Grand Pacific Hotel where they had recently finished restoring the lobby as it looked in 1914 when the hotel opened during the British Colonial period.  

Then we returned to the ship and as the ship sailed out of the harbor, we were treated to another beautiful sunset.  

The next island we visited was Samoa and the ship docked at the capital city of Apia.  Samoans are very friendly people and native dancers performed for the ship as we arrived in port.  We met lots of local people and Steve decided it was his favorite of the South Pacific islands we visited on this cruise.  Again the weather started out cloudy but sunshine came as the drive around the island progressed.  We took a private tour with our friends and enjoyed seeing the many beaches and waterfalls on the island.  We had lunch at a beach resort that offers cabanas and small beach rooms that mimic native houses, called fales, where all sides of the structure are open to take advantage of the fresh air and gentle breezes.

Leaving Samoa, we had five (5) sea days sailing to Hawaii and we relaxed and enjoyed lots of activities on board the Amsterdam, our "home at sea"!  Please

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