February 22 to 25, 2016 – Easter Island to Papeete – After we left Easter Island we headed West and slightly North across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, starting in Tahiti, then to Morea, but more about those when we get there. For now, we had various terrific days at sea with an amazing amount of activities that kept us busy all the time. Mostly lectures, shows, gym and meals. Diana spent a lot of time in Jewlery making classes and made some amazing Jewlery that she tried on each night. Sowroski crystals, pearls, glass beads etc were weaved together into an amazing group of bits of Jewlery. Nelson and Roger spent time together going to the lectures and shows and in the Gym. Now to the details:-
Monday February 22, 2016 – (Time Change – One hour back) The lectures included the pathologist Dr. Andrew Adam who spoke several times on matters of life and death and was a terrific speaker, amusing despite talking about murderers and death. This talk was on “What can we Learn from Near Death Experinces”? – Apparently about 4% of the world’s population has experienced some form of “Near Death” with the 4,000 fully medically documented cases all having similar experiences of reaching the brink and then returning. Even blind people, who have been blind from birth, can see and describe in detail all that is in the room after returning from the brink of death. Next was the ex-manager of the Red Arrows – Ruth Shackleton, who described various life experiences she has experienced. This talk was on her walk / pilgrimage following the 500 mile track of St. James to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. An amazing story of all the pilgrims from some 30 nations that made the track last year with the daily stops at hostels after some 20+ miles per day, ending in a noon service in Santiago de Compostella. The third lecture by Professor James Floyd was on “Volcanos, The fires Within”, discussing the volcanoes, islands we are visiting and focusing on the Pacific Ring of Fire – a ring all around the countries / shores of the countries on the Pacific Ocean from Chile to Alaska and back to New Zealand that have active volcanoes and affect world weather and Tsunami events. The evening show was by the Flutist virtuoso – Gary Arbuthnot, who has been seen by millions all around the world.
Tuesday February 23, 2016 – (Time Change – One hour back) – Lectures by Ruth Shackleton on her experience some 20 years ago with her father “In Search of Shangrila”; Dr Andrew Adam on “Famous People and their Illnesses”, discussing patients and their either imaginary or real illnesses, such as Stephen Hawkins and Charles Darwin, who after his trip to the Beagle Channel, spent the rest of his life with his wife and several children, holed up in his home in Kent, England as a hermit, working on his Evolution of Species and feigned a multitude of illnesses (none real) and was a hypochondriac that felt he could do nothing, because of the illnesses. The third lecture was by Mike Harvey (the husband of Diana’s Jewlrey teacher) – a very amusing, but real, discussion about the differences between the sexes – “The Minds of Men and Women: How We are Different”. The amazing singer Helen Wilding was the evening show and did a brilliant job showing off her vocal prowess in Opera, Jazz and Broadway. However, the most exciting part of the day was the “Tug-of-War”. This event pitted the various departments from the ship against each other for the viewing of the Passengers and to raise funds for various charities. There were some 18 teams of 6 that compeated head to head with direct elimination of the looser. Two categories were competing – Men only and Mixed (men and women) teams. The event took place on the open top deck with the cloudless sky and spectacular emerald blue Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. The teams competed, in blazing sun + 32+C (90F) temperatures with many in amusing dress (pirates, babies etc). A bakingly hot, but very amusing time for 90 minutes, with each team working very hard for the prizes of a wall hanging featuring nautical knots and an inscribed plaque. Were you aware that “Tug-of-War” was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920
Wednesday February 24, 2016 – (Time Change – One hour back) – Today was a slow day with just one lecture by Graham Howell (The port lecturer) who spoke on the collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein in the creation of Briadway Musicals during the Golden Age of Musicals. During the afternoon there was a Matinee performance by Bruce Morrison, the West End Actor, taking up and singing musicals of famous people who crossed the Atlantic on Cunard ships over the ages. A particularly good one was Marlena Dietrix, with Rex Harrison and other such luminaries being imitated and a very amusing show. As the evening show was “Viva Italia” – a show we have seen 5 times, we decided to work on Organization of the many photographs we have taken during the trip. A major undertaking!
Thursday February 25, 2016 – (Time Change – One hour back) – Lectures included the Dr. Andrew Adam going through the case of Dr. Harold (Fred) Shipman – the worst serial killer in British history, who killed about 260 patients injecting them with Morphene. He was eventually found out, although he was beloved by the Leeds community where he practiced. After conviction of 15 cases and given 15 life sentences, plus 4 years for forging a will of one of his victims, he committed suicide in Jail (goal) in 2004. Ruth Shackleton, followed describing her job as Manager of the Main Terminal at Manchester Airport, which has 23 airlines and about 1 million passengers a month. Due to the capacity problems at Heathrow and Gatwick, London air traffic has had to be shifted to Manchester and the projection is that by 2020, some 55 Million people will go through Manchester Airport a year. She has 500 employees, mostly in Security, but discussed the various areas of responsibility and technology enhancements. Graham Howell did a Port lecture on Auckland, New Zeakand, where we visit next week. The evening show was a return of the very amusing comedian from Northern Ireland who lives in Australia – Paul Martell for half the show and the second part was the excellent New Zealand songstress – Ali Harper with her jazz and (NZ) patriotic songs.
Friday February 26, 2016 – (Time Change – One hour back) – Arrive in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia early in the morning. I will talk about this after we have visited, tomorrow.
Roger & Anne Travels 