Today feels kind of weird. Last night when we went to bed, it was Saturday, March 28. This morning when we woke it was Monday, March 30. We completely slept through Sunday! Actually, what we did was cross the International Date Line during the night which caused us to lose a complete day.
Today we’re docked in the capital city of Apia, Samoa. Apia offers a “rare blend of colonial history, lush tropical beauty and the enduring spirit of Fa’a Samoa or the Samoan Way.” It is sometimes referred to as “a modern Pacific capital that has never lost its ancient pulse.” Apia is also home to a bustling sea port. There is much to see and do here if one has the time and energy.
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| busy port |
It has rained off and on all day. My first day out in a week, I was able to attend a “church” service last night on the ship to celebrate Palm Sunday - a day early. Today I'm still very much recovering from whatever upper respiratory crud I’ve had this past week.
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| believers from various denominations - Palm "Saturday"?? |
I even slept through at least 100 Samoan dancers and drummers who greeted our ship’s arrival this morning. By the time I was awake, it was all over and they were loading into their buses. I caught a picture of a few of them from our balcony.
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| friendly local dancers |
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| leaving by the time I looked out |
Ronnie is feeling much better and even took advantage of being in a place where he could run this morning. He must have timed his run perfectly as it was raining before he left and has continued to rain since his return. I’ll post a few photos he took during his run this morning.
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| Immaculate Conception Cathedral |
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| Vista docked in background |
Locals selling their handicrafts set up booths in the parking lot just across from our ship but I haven’t even ventured out to take a look. Instead, I’m taking full advantage of having a literal “day off” and resting in our room. I’ve started a new book that I’m enjoying, and am thankful for the luxury of having nothing to do except rest. We were supposed to attend a birthday dinner for a friend tonight but cancelled because I don’t feel comfortable dining with others with a lingering cough.
Ronnie has been much more social than I so far. He has joined a Trivia Team (meets daily on sea days) and works the Mensa challenge each day. He's also found a ukulele group that meets each sea day, which is helping with his strumming and learning some new songs.
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| ukulele group |
Late this afternoon, the skies cleared again and another group of dancers showed up. I snapped a few photos from our balcony.
Barbara: I love seeing the Samoan dancers. Good for Ronnie keeping up his land running. Glad you have a good book until you feel better. I try to read 100 books per year, plus my Bible Study. I have had 4 years of surgeries-3 back and 2 knees, so reading has been my mainstay. I remember the old days if Compaq when I used to fly to Singapore, crossing the date line with my watch that had a day and date on it! Thank goodness for digital timepieces! It is kind for you to not want to cough around others. People in Hawaii are very susceptible to colds and other viruses...much more than mainlanders. Many scientists think that genetically, their bodies changed due to circumstances of limited diet. They also have much higher rates of diabetes on the islands, and less medical care in managing it. When I worked in Hawaii, pre-Covid, I once had allergies that caused me to lose my voice. When I showed up at work, because I felt totally fine, they sent me home and scolded me for putting them all at risk. Luckily, none of them "caught" anything. They couldn't understand how I knew it was from allergies. Tourists usually don't want to miss out on vacation, and fail to realize that local people can easily become ill if they are infectious. So you are totally a responsible tourist. Hope losing a day chases your cough away sooner!
ReplyDeleteHmm...I didn't realize that! Sounds like tourism is a double-edge sword for the islanders! 100 books a year plus your Bible study - wowzers! That's awesome! But definitely a blessing to enjoy reading with 5 surgeries behind you - and all FAR from minor!! Hope you're continuing to see progress each month and you're done with surgeries for a long time!! You're a trooper, for sure!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan and Ronnie! It’s so much fun to follow your travels! Loved meeting you guys and wish we could have continued the cruise with you and shared some dinners! Love the Palm Sunday service. We would have been there too! And Ronnie’s ukelele group! We had a uke group on 2025 Viking World Cruise and it was so much fun!! I’m so jealous! We did a flash mob of “Jolene” that was a blast! Haha!! Enjoy the rest of your trip and I’m so happy you’re feeling better!
ReplyDeleteSo great to hear from you! We wish yall were here too. I didn't know you played the ukulele; you could have given Ronnie some much needed private lessons! A flash mob of "Jolene" - what fun!! Thanks for following along. Hopefully I'll have more to share as I'm able to get away from the ship more often.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I shared your message with Ronnie. He said "Tell karen, I wish she was here to lead us!! We need a real teacher. Moreover, I'm disappointed. She could have given me lessons all the way around south America. Say hello to Des. He's a great role model."
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