Showtime Entertainment - Thank God I’m a Country Boy

Aloha Everyone,

Thank God I’m a Country Boy, featuring Jonathan Scott Roth, was Tonight’s Showtime in the Princess Theater. The theater was packed. He played classic country to contemporary music and the audience’s response was enthusiastic. 

It was a relaxing evening. Though not a devoted country music fans, J.J. and I are familiar with John Denver’s love ballads and Glen Campbell’s songs. A little disappointing since the title of the program says, “Thank God I’m Country Boy” a title of John Denver’s hit song. He sang just one John Denver song.

Aloha -- Cathi

On Board Entertainment

Aloha Everyone,

Kate Targett-Adams, singer, songwriter, harpist, enchanted the audience by performing rarely seen harp as a singular musical instrument.

Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, her musical journey took her to China where she popularized Celtic Harp by singing in Chinese in Asian countries. She has Masters in Modern and Medieval Languages from Oxford University. She lived in Hong Kong and worked in China during a span of 12 years.

Aloha -- Cathi

Controlling Gastrointestinal Illness

Aloha Everyone,

Ship’s management is going the extra miles to control the spread of gastrointestinal illness. Announcement by the captain includes new protocols. Some of these illnesses may spread from person-to-person by touching surfaces such as handrails, door handles and elevator buttons.

The new protocols remind people of the COVID epidemic when we had to be extremely cautious including wearing masks, wash hands under a faucet regularly with soap and water and use hand sanitizers. 

On the 14th Floor Fresh Market, staff members take care of serving food, handing plates and utensils wrapped in napkins. Everything including soup and salads must be served by the staff. If you want sugar, salt and pepper, these condiments must be brought to your table. A staff member shake salt, pepper or sugar on your food then the containers are immediately removed. You can see delays in getting service and some people simply stand up and leave to avoid the agitation of waiting.

We take deep breath and compromise. It’s not worth raising our blood pressures. We are grateful that our Captain and his staff are doing excellent job of keeping us safe and healthy.

Aloha -- Cathi

Dravuni Island, Fiji

Aloha Everyone,

Perhaps one of the most enchanting small islands we will be visiting on this cruise. J.J. and I decided to have an early breakfast then go ashore taking a tender. Due to our Elite Class status, we were the very first tender to leave.

J.J. didn’t take the short ride on a tender well. He stayed on an area near our landing where there was a shaded spot with chairs.  

I walked around on the island from one end to the other except to climb up the highest hill where I didn’t have confidence to be able to run up then soak in the clear water as Tui, the husband of Maile was planning to do while she gets her massage.

On our return trip, J.J. and I were the only passengers on the tender. Early lunch, shower, then siesta, another wonderful day.  

Captain’s announcement of a helicopter to emergency airlift a passenger from the Dravuni Island came when I was wrapping up my daily walk. Sending our prayers and hope the individual will make a full recovery.

Aloha -- Cathi

Suva, Fiji

Aloha Everyone,

Nearly a full day in Suva. J.J. and I walked out of the port and we went to visit the local food market. This is where residents do their shopping. Green vegetables, coconuts, tropical fruits were spread across the makeshift tables. I kept my face mask on Pungent smell of ripe bananas, extremely red watermelon mixed with prepared fish, enormous chocolate breakfast muffins, and fragrant tropical flowers caused my head to ache. While I love the sights, my other senses are so sharp that they overwhelm me.

Returned to the ship early giving me plenty of time to do my daily walking.

Due to crossing the International Date Line, Sunday April 21, 2024 was omitted.

Tonight’s Folkloric Performance: A Spectacle of Fijian Culture was interesting. Compared to the Mexican Folkloric Performance we watched in Mexico City it was amateurish. Fascinating to see the Fijian culture outside of Christian traditions. Socially awkward situations displayed on a big stage performance was also acceptable to one’s psychological makeup up.

Aloha -- Cathi