Hi finally had time to post tonight during a really fun and relaxing cruise. What a great bunch the LCTers are. We've enjoyed meeting every one. Thanks for Ngaire and Ken for a wonderful reception last night in their gorgeous suite, and the dinner with staff. Really enjoyed Berneice and Arjan (Guest Relations and F&B Manager) at the table. Wonderful conversation and food and wine.
We have been busy with super lectures on the islands and their culture, and Tom Lippman from the Washington Post on the Middle East. Fascinating!
Our excursion to Bay of Islands on the Maori cultural tour was terrific. Really enjoyed all the stories by our guide on Maori culture. We also were privileged to go to a Maori marae and have a welcoming ceremony from the elders in their hand-carved sanctuary. The ritual was beautiful and we were asked to respond on behalf of our culture and group. In the end, they accepted our tour group as friends and it was a very moving ceremony. An unforgettable experience.
Played trivia every day and won the first day. John also has won at golf some, so the tokens are coming in, albeit slowly.
Today was really something! The waves at Rarotonga were quite high. The tenders were bobbing like crazy and it was uncertain whether we would even be able to go ashore. However, we caught the first tender. Marcie and Tom and Joanna and Tony were on it too, and we really rocked and rolled into port. John and I walked around town for a few hours and enjoyed the beach before returning to catch the tender back. Because the seas were so high, and one of the tenders had a window blown out on the way in, the wait was a bit longer. But, we got on and really felt the seas on the way back. It took a couple tries to tie up to the ship, which couldn't anchor and had to keep the engines going. The deck crew did an excellent job in finally getting the tender tied up and getting us back onboard. The ride was definitely like an amusement park! The later tenders lost their sliding doors and windows, which were crushed by the wave action pushing the tender into the loading platform. However, everyone eventually got back onboard and relaxed, being safe and sound. Kudos to the crew! Some excursions were cancelled however, which was to bad for those involved.
We've been taking dance lessons with Dieter and Ilsa, along with Don and Michele. It's been a lot of fun and we look forward to cheering on the LCTers in Dancing with the Stars.
Tonight we had dinner at Signatures with the new menu which was fabulous. Service as ever, was great.
The whole cruise has been super - service, food, cabins, staff. Can't ask for more. Good to see old friends too.
We'll close now. A day at sea tomorrow and we'll try to post later. This is a dream of a cruise and thanks to all LCTers for their warm welcome.
John and Kathy