Sea Day

Aloha Everyone,

Able to get my morning walk and attend the Enrichment Classical Music Series: History of Broadway. Princess Theater was about 70% packed. 

Destination presentation that followed on Fiji was full.  By a show of hands, it seemed nearly 80% of the audience hasn’t been to Fiji. Not only were there standing room only but some people stood on steps blocking the view.  I decided to leave and join J.J. who was enjoying his cappuccino on the Piazza deck.

Tonight’s ShowTime with Comedian Sid Davis was disappointing. His performance 2 nights ago was light, funny and well received. His material for tonight was more adult themed and made people uncomfortable. Good comedians are sensitive to the audience’s reactions. Having discords and talking amongst themselves made performer and audience eagerly waiting for the program to end. 

Our breakfast, lunch and dinner selections.

Aloha -- Cathi

Pago Pago, American Samoa

Aloha Everyone,

Due to crossing International Date Line, today, Friday April 18, 2024 is repeated.

Cheerful welcoming dancing performance on the pier despite a steady tropical shower. 

Our taxi driver, Timo was born in Apia, Western Samoa. He has a working visa that allows him to live and work in Pago Pago. He expressed his gratitude for having all his 4 children born in Pago Pago which will give his children an American education. Timo like so many Samoans will eventually emigrate to the United States. 

Timo first drove us to the hill top where we can see Sapphire Princess directly below. Very nice sight. Timo was just as excited taking souvenir photos including his selfie before taking photos for me. 

J.J. then asked Timo to drive along the seaside route towards the airport. In preparation for the American Samoa Flag Day, red, blue and white ribbons were hung along the route fluttering in the wind. The canoes we saw when we were entering into the harbor were practicing for the canoe race which is one of the highlights of Flag Day. The canoes are owned by local villages. Timo mentioned the winning team will receive US $35,000 which will go to their village.

Aloha -- Cathi

Apia, Samoa

Aloha Everyone,

Princess cruise organized land tours are available to those who are hoping to see as much as as they can in a few hours. For bus tours with no air conditioning and hard seat, the charge of US $10 each sounds very affordable. 

J.J. and I hired our own taxi driver to get around. Last year we recall that they had a free shuttle that took us to the Samoan Cultural Center. This year they no longer offers free shuttle. Our taxi ride to the Samoan Cultural Center was US $5 each way. Still very reasonably priced. 

By the time we returned to our ship, morning cool breeze had disappeared and both of us were ready for an early lunch, shower and nap.

Aloha -- Cathi

Sea Day, Formal Night

Aloha Everyone,

There are numerous onboard activities for passengers as well as for the crew. Last night, when we returned from our dinner, our survival vests were all lined up along the corridor. This was due to removing the old battery and replacing with new ones. 

Tai chi classes are open to anyone in the Explorer’s Lounge. It attracts people who want to do low key exercises following an instructor whose larger than life image is projected on several screens. Even those who were sitting in their wheel chairs were able to raise their arms, shift from their bodies from side to side and make large circular motions bending forwards and backwards. Today the sea was rough and pitching motions of the boat made it somewhat precarious to do Tai chi balance poses.

Healing chronic pains with Acupuncture, Enhance Your Natural Beauty with Dr. E.P. M.D., Hoe to Increase Your Metabolism, Diabetes, Weight Loss, and Chinese Herbs, Tighten your Skin with Thermage - these are but some of the daily classes being offered on board the Sapphire Princess. At lunch, one of the couples we shared a table with told us how they feel younger, free of pain and have so much more energy.

Sometimes illnesses and healing processes occurs when one is happy, relaxed and ready to embrace life. Hope their pains and suffering have been relieved and they are going back to their normal lifestyle in high spirits.

Photos of our meal selections for today.

Aloha -- Cathi