DAY 32---PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA

                                                    PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA

It is 89 hot and very humid degrees here at noon.  I said in yesterday's blog that I had exchanged my tour ticket for one this morning.  Well, it was raining as we docked so I did not go on the tour.  We were here on our 2017 world cruise and I did a tour then.  I can see why there are several NFL football players from here.  The men are huge as are most women too.  

JUST A REMINDER, CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM FOR MORE VIEWING ENJOYMENT!!

Historical/Background Info:       

        This is our second visit to the island.  American Samoa is a US territory (the only one south of the Equator) covering five South Pacific islands and two atolls.  Pago Pago is the largest of the islands and Tutuila is the capital of American Samoa.    It was first settled around 600 BC by Polynesians, as were most of the Pacific islands.  From 1878 to 1951 it was a coaling station and repair station for the US Navy, known then as “United States Naval Station Tutuila”.  This is because it is home to one of the deepest deep water harbors in the South Pacific.  It’s sheltered from wind and rough seas.  It became a US territory in 1900.  Pago Pago was a vital naval base during WWII.

       Bora Bora is surrounded by sand fringed islets and a turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef.  It is known for the diving here.  The island population is approximately 11,000.  The people here are "American nationals" but not American citizens.

      Tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning are its main industries.  As of 1993, Pago Pago was the world’s fourth largest tuna processor.  It is home to Chicken of the Sea and Starkist which together export an estimated $445 million in canned tuna to the US.   

LAST EVENING

Dinner with Janina, the cruise consultant.  We discussed our special "Diamond" dinner and who we would like to invite to join us that evening.  We get to choose who dines with us and what the menu is.

          I had ordered a nice red wine for our dinner.  Murphy, sommelier, is presenting the wine.

It is a Flora Springs "Trilogy" red blend.  They have a wine list with wines you have to pay for.  This one was $95.  Murphy is decanting the wine.  It really did need to "open up".

                     Veal osso bucco with creamy polenta was enjoyed by the three of us.

I decided against the chocolate cake with molten caramel and ice cream for this lemon meringue tart.

Rebecca retired but I went to the show which was already in progress.  The production cast singers are  pretty good and I enjoyed the show.  Sometimes the female singers can be screechy.

TODAY

                                                  Sailing in the very large deep-water harbor.

                                                   This tug is delivering the harbor pilot.

                          It started raining so here are some photos of the rainbows it produced.

                                                 If you look close there is double rainbow.

                                                         Some sort of a naval vessel.

    A couple photos of the house where the commander of the naval base lived back during WWII.

                                                Here are a couple huge tuna fishing boats.

                                          We will be docking here at the cargo container pier.

                                                Here you can see both ends of the rainbow.

     Photo taken from our balcony.  There was a group of Samoan dancers greeting our arrival.

                                   This is American Samoa's Miss America contestant..

                                                       Looking back from our balcony.

                             Straight out our balcony looking at the entrance to the container pier.

The town is just off the pier.  Easy walk but the local authorities say we have to wear masks to and from the ship and when inside shops.  This and the rain made me decide NOT to go on the tour.

                                                     Lookout on top of the volcanic hill.

                                     Very rugged terrain with heavy vegetation and palm trees.

        I wanted to take a photo of my lunch but ate half of the first plate before I remembered.  So, I had to go get another plate for this photo.  Beef empanada, cumin roasted flank steak, tomato & hearts of palm salad, and a chili beef taco.  All were very good.  The tomatoes were super good so must have been picked up locally.

        I will be putting photos of the different venues here on Mariner in the coming days.  That way you will know what I am talking about when I mention going to them.  So let me start with Compass Rose the main dining venue since that is where we are dining most of the time.

Entrance where they will ask your suite number then escort you to a table.  They know us so we just walk in and go to our table at Dara's station.  We don't need a menu as we know what we will be ordering before we go.  We get the menus the afternoon before delivered to our suite plus the menu is on out tv.

                                             What you see when you enter to right side door.

                                              What you see when you enter the left side door.

     This is the center section between the two sides.  The kitchen is in the back of the restaurant.

                                        This is a look into the kitchen.  Just one side of it.

                                                     This is how they set up each table.

        I must say the food is very good for the most part and always served very hot.  Service is remarkable considering the number of people dining here basically at the same time.

        We did our treadmill time this morning then got cleaned up.  I have been working on this blog post also this morning and again after lunch.  So the plan for this evening is cocktail hour in Mariner Lounge and Pedro will be bringing us some jalapeno poppers.  At lunch I asked Dominic, the Prime 7 maitre'd, if he could fit us in Prime 7 for dinner at 7pm today.  He said, "of course".  We will be going to Bruce Hammond's second show at 9:30.  We loved his first show.

                          Tonight's Compass Rose menu however we will be dining in Prime 7.

        We will be sailing at 6pm and be at sea next two days (Wednesday & Thursday) enroute to Fiji.

DAY 31---AT SEA ENROUTE TO AMERICAN SAMOA

 THERE WAS NO INTERNET IN THE AFTERNOON SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO POST THIS UNTIL TUESDAY.

Our position at noon today still at sea enroute to American Samoa.  Sunny, 85 humid degrees, and still smooth sailing.

LAST EVENING

                  There were 32 of us at the service.  It was 15 minutes long and very nice.

                                        Block Party neighbors--Eddie Zito, Carla Sue & Brad

R to L:  Lyn, Marcia, the Brain's (photography lecturer), Bill, Birgit, Rebecca.

                                                                      Captain Aivo

                                                                Massimo, General Mgt

                                                            Paul Reynolds, cruise director

                                                             Nino, food & beverage director

              Dinner in Sette Mari, Italian.  We both had minestrone soup.  Always good.

This is my gorgonzola crusted beef filet.  Not what I had envisioned and not good.  Next time I'll stick with the veal parmesan.

                                                         The new Sette Mari chef, Anees.

TODAY

                             For lunch in Compass Rose I opted for the salmon with fried rice.

        The internet was better this morning but no so in the afternoon.  Hope I can get this posted later today.  So at 6pm the Captain's Welcome Reception for this segment will happen in the theater.  Cocktails and canapes will be served while Captain Aivo introduces the ship's officers up on stage.  We will make our entrance but not stay long before heading to the Mariner Lounge for our cocktail hour.  

        We have been invited to dine with Janina, the Cruise Consultant, in Compass Rose at 7pm.  I have made a special order for 3 veal osso bucco's with creamy polenta for our entrees.

                                                          Regular menu for tonight

        Tonight's show was to feature a violinist, David Klinkenberg.  But he missed the boat, so to speak, as has not arrived on board yet.  So the show was changed to the production cast singers doing their, "Broadway in Concert" show. 

        So we are to dock in Pago Pago on American Samoa tomorrow morning by 9am.  I have a 3 hour tour, "Samoan Cultural Experience", scheduled for 1:40pm.  Now I discover the transportation is buses (much like the Le Trucks), not airconditioned, wooden bench seats and high school students for guides.  It will be close to 90 degrees and very humid.  It also appears the cultural dances to be seen on this tour will be in a field with no shade.  Sorry, no thanks!!  OOPS!!  Change of plan!  I was able to exchange my afternoon tour time to one at 9:15 in the morning so I will do this tour.  Hope it goes well.

DAY 30---AT SEA IN SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

 

        Here is our position at noon today.  We are passing the Cook Islands enroute to American Samoa.  It is 84 degrees today with mostly sunny skies.  We gained another hour of sleep last night so now we are 5 hours earlier than Central time.  Noon here is 5pm in Dallas for example.

COOK ISLANDS

        It is a self governing island country in the South Pacific.  It is comprised of 15 volcanic activity formed islands spread over 850,000 square miles with ties to New Zealand.  10,000 of the 15,000 Cook Islanders live on the larger island of Rarotonga.  Most Cook Islanders are citizens of New Zealand but they also have the status of Cook Island nationals.  English is the official language.  Tourism is the main industry.  In addition, offshore banking, pearls, and fruit exports add to their economy.  Most of the population is Christian.  There are 11 airports in the Cook Islands but the only paved runway is on Rarotonga, which is the international airport.

LAST EVENING

Departing Bora Bora and passing the coral reef that surrounds the island.

I tried a new appetizer.  This is a steamed Polynesian seafood dumpling.  I did not like it.                       

Rebecca had the 'szechuan beef stir fry and I had a roasted half chicken.  This is my apple tart.  NO ice

ice cream however.

 

                                                    We enjoyed Bruce Hammond's show.

TODAY

        It's another caviar/champagne Sunday.  Joseph gave me another extra large serving.

Instead of eggs Benedict I had this western omelet with cheddar cheese and some sausage.  Rebecca had her room service scrambled eggs.

        After I returned from breakfast we headed out to do our treadmill hour.  After that I got cleaned up and Rebecca is finishing catching up on her Young and Restless soaps.  Initially, I had trouble getting my phone logged on the internet but our phones and my laptop are now getting the internet  Knock on wood!!  We received a letter last night saying that due to the ship's internet issues, each suite with world cruisers will receive a $300 ship board credit for the inconvenience.  I had just mentioned we should receive something and it happened.  Hopefully the internet will be fixed in 6 or 7 days.

        We have three lecturers on this segment of the WC.  Terry Bishop is still with us, thankfully.  Benedict Brain, a UK based photographer and artist will be giving lectures on photography.  And Kay Taylor will be giving lectures on the South Pacific.  As usual I will not attend the lectures but will watch the taped replay of them on our tv later.

        They are not showing the NFL Pro Bowl today.  We we're planning to watch it anyway as this year it is just "flag" football.  What a waste.  They will be showing the Super Bowl next Sunday.  They will show it in the theater as well as our suite tvs.  Not sure what time it will air where we are in the world.  This coming Friday we will be crossing the International Date Line.

        Lunch up in La Veranda with this carrot-potato soup.  Very hot and good.  Probably my favorite.  I also had a couple small slices of pizza.  I told Donald, Sette Mari maitre'd during the evenings, that we would be joining him this evening.  He said, "just one veal parmesan?".  He was shocked when I told him I was having the filet.

        During lunch I ran into Ivan, our new staff Captain.  He was the staff Captain on last year's WC and he just came back in Papeete after 2 1/2 months of vacation.  I was amazed when he called me by name after that long.

        At 5:30 this evening we will be attending the interdenominational church service conducted again by Paul, our cruise director, which will meet in the card room.  It usually only lasts 15 to 20 minutes.

        At 6:00 the ship will be having another shipwide block party.  We will go out in the hallway with our glasses and be served wine and canapes by our suite attendants.  Good way to meet and visit with our neighbors.

        At 6:30 we will head up to Sette Mari for dinner.  Tonight I want to try the gorgonzola crusted beef tenderloin.  Rebecca will have the penne bolognese.

        Phil Tag, a comedian, will be in the theater for his first show at 9:30.  He was on last year's WC also.  Doubt we shall be attending.

DAY 29---BORA BORA (DAY 2)

 

This is our second day here in Bora Bora.  It is Saturday, February 3rd.  In case you are wondering about our time difference now, central time zone in the US is 4 hours later that here.  For example, when it's 5pm in Dallas it's only 1pm here.  So conundrum is, when should I start happy hour, Dallas time???

LAST EVENING

        This is Mount Otemanu, which means "the peak which sucks up living things".  It rises 2400 feet above sea level and is the peak of an extinct volcano.  At its base on the western side is the largest village on the island, Vaitape.  Our tenders drop us off at the tender dock here.  Population of Vaitape is 4900, which is nearly half of Bora Bora's population.

Drinks with Marcia in Mariner Lounge

Jalapeno poppers
 

                                         Benjie, head waiter and in charge of room service.

                                            Rocris is an assistant waiter and a sweetheart.

                                               Ronald is an assistant waiter and super guy.

             Chicken & goose liver parfait with fig-cranberry jam.  So good I had two orders of it.

Our chicken parmesan with spaghetti.  NOT good.  Not enough tomato sauce or mozzarella cheese.  I asked for more tomato sauce but not nearly enough.  By then the chicken was cold so sent it back.  We will never order it again in Compass Rose.  Will get it up in Sette Mari.  Philippino chef has not clue on preparing Italian dishes.

                         Viennese apple strudel with vanilla sauce and I asked for a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

                                                       Funnel of Mariner at night.

                             Photos of the Grand Deck BBQ at its end.  Lots of dancing.

L to R:  Nino (Food & Beverage Director), Isadora (Beverage Manager), Chef John (Executive Chef), Arthur (Head Sommelier), and Alin (Restaurant Manger).  All our favorites and good friends.  They really spoil us!!

                             Whoa!!  Two of the local Bora Bora entertainers.  Nice coconuts!

TODAY

                           No tours for us today, however, there were lots going off the ship.

        We're treating today as if it were a sea day.  Treadmill from 9 to 10 this morning.  Rebecca got caught up on her Bold & Beautiful soap and is watching her Young & Restless soaps this afternoon while she does her finger nails.  I am having some luck on the internet with so many passengers off the ship on tours.  But my Gmail is not working.  

        It is a mostly sunny day and 85 degrees this afternoon.  Many of our crew have had the opportunity to spend some time on the island yesterday and today.  Don't think they found any Philippino restaurants here however as they like to have a lunch in them.  I did see a Chinese restaurant however.  

        After my workout and shower I weighed myself for the first time since leaving home.  It was a scary time as I hopped on the digital scales we had put in our bathroom.  Well, I have gained 2 pounds in a month of cruising.  So I need to cut back my eating.  So for lunch I had this Caesar salad with chicken and 5 anchovies.  I always ask for 5, just 5.  I also got the dressing on the side so I could add some tabasco to it.

        Here is tonight's Compass Rose menu.  Rebecca is eyeing the beef stir fry that Jeff liked when he cruised with us in October.  I think I will have the Dover sole which is on the "always available" part of the menu.  It sounds more calorie friendly.  No dessert!!!

        We got some new entertainers join the ship back in Papeete.  Tonight's show is featuring Bruce Hammond, a singer who will be doing Frank Sinatra songs.  We will be going to his show.  I believe he is new to working on Regent ships.

        We will pulling the anchor up at 5pm and setting sail for our next port of call.  We'll have two days at sea before arriving at Pago Pago, American Samoa on Tuesday.