Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

Sorry I’ve been AWOL today, Cruising Adventurers, I’ve spent the day doing my daughter’s garden.

 

But will be back tomorrow to finish off our swim at Eton Beach, and take us to the Blue Lagoon.

 

See you tomorrow (or later today, if you are in Oz)

[ellie1145]

Eton Beach

 

The bus parks right on the beach, where there are some small huts where I get ready to swim and DH sits in the shade.

 

 

There are changing rooms and toilets at the other end of the car park but I decide to do a tango under a towel instead.

 

We have the beach entirely to ourselves, as we are the only visitors. That proves to be a boon as doing the ‘swimsuit tango’ is something to be seen, so it’s fortuitous that the beach is empty.

 

 

 

It’s a lagoon, and at the entrance we can see a ring of rocks which form a barrier to the surf which breaks outside.

 

 

The water is shallow, and perfectly calm, and I’m pleased to have my water shoes as there is coral.

It's crystal clear and warm, so perfect for a gently swim.

 

 

I wade out to where the rest of the party are already enjoying the crystal clear water, and it is glorious.

 

 

 

There is a much deeper pool by the entrance to the lagoon and the snorkellers enjoy seeing lots of fish. 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 22, 2020 by ellie1145

[AF-1]

looks like you visited a nice island in the south pacific.  Fun times;  boy they have some nice fruit there

[winifred]

Eton beach looks gorgeous I am missing my swimming here in UK due to CV  I would have been first in the water! 

[ellie1145]

Off We Go To The Blue Lagoon
 

We float and talk and enjoy the experience and I don't want to leave, but we have one more stop, the beautiful Blue Lagoon.

 

It is with regret that I force myself to leave the water. It’s so beautiful and so pristine that I can hardly bear to go, but I grab my camera and take a few last minute photos before climbing up the beach. The coach is parked nearby, and our two drivers are patiently waiting for us.

 

There is a real sense of camaraderie on the bus and I am really enjoying being with such a wonderful group of people. I really hope that they are enjoying themselves. I certainly am.

 

I wrap a towel round myself and hop up into the bus. Our next stop is one of my favourites, the Blue Lagoon. This pool is a mixture of freshwater and seawater, in a sylvan setting and it provides the opportunity to swim again

 

 

 

At low tide it is freshwater, filling from an underground freshwater spring, and at high tide it is salt water, which is pretty unique. It is a truly magical setting, surrounded by trees, and with the sun beaming down on the water, which really is a beautiful turquoise colour.

 

 

 

There are numerous covered picnic areas with tables and benches, and at the lagoon there are swings and platforms to jump from.

 

 

[ellie1145]

8 minutes ago, winifred said:

Eton beach looks gorgeous I am missing my swimming here in UK due to CV  I would have been first in the water! 

 

It really was, Winifred. I think it’s one of my favourite beaches, so unspoilt and free of crowds. I’d love to go back. 

 

Glad to hear you are ready for a swim, it’s lovely at the Blue Lagoon, see you there! 

[ellie1145]

The Blue Lagoon

 

 

The grounds are well kept and there are changing rooms and toilets, but I have still got my swimming costume on so walk straight down to the pool.

 

 

There are ropes to swing on and the younger members of the party seem to be in their element, jumping happily into the water. Sadly, I’m way too ancient for any such shenanigans, so I don my water shoes and make my way gingerly down the steps and into the water.

 

It’s wonderful, cool and refreshing but I soon acclimatise and float happily around.

 

 

I overhear someone say that they’ve just seen a snake in the water, over by the bank but I take my courage in my hands and don’t rush to exit the water. I chat to one of the ladies who says where she lives in Australia snakes are a common occurrence. Now I love Australia, but the thought of snakes (or spiders!) fills me with horror. How amazing this lady is to cope so bravely with these reptiles.

 

 

 

 

The water is an amazing colour.

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

 

For those of us who are a little less agile, there are steps leading down into the water. I am glad I brought my water shoes as I am always nervous when I don't know exactly what I am treading on. Good job I didn't know about the water snake  lurking nearby or you wouldn't have seen me for dust! Thankfully, the water is so inviting that even the knowledge that Sammy Snake is swimming about somewhere nearby doesn't put me off once I'm in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

The changing rooms and toilet block

 

[ellie1145]

 Time For Some Fruit

 

 

While we have been swimming, our two drivers have organised a fruit feast, beautifully laid out on a table under cover, and decorated with colourful hibiscus plants.

 

 

 

Our lovely drivers pose for a photo.

 

There is watermelon, papaya, little green bananas, peanuts in their shells, and banana and papaya chips. It looks delicious and we all tuck in. Our driver gives me a little bag of banana chips to take back.

[winifred]

Snakes in the water? Now I might really have increased my swimming speed record getting out! But as you say learn from the Aussies, I would try(!) to keep calm and carry on! 

[CruzinNoony]

On 7/14/2020 at 12:17 PM, ellie1145 said:

Sorry about the photos not being in the right order, had some problems editing it! 🙀

 

Please, no apologies!!  You are doing such a wonderful job with your descriptions and beautiful photos.  So fun to be on the ship, but like Gail, I missed the avocado and shrimp appetizer & the salmon. Plus, the cheese raviolis.  I'm hoping to see the prime rib on the dinner menu tonight.  That is always a favorite of mine!  Did the captain ever mention why we were late in leaving?  I may have missed it. 

[cnd crsr]

 Vanuatu is turning out to be one of those ideal, once in a long time, days! Thank you for booking us all on the  tour. From the time we walked off the ship and saw the welcoming dancers, it has just continued to get better and better. The market was lovely, do you think on our way back to the ship we can pop in and pick up some of the colourful, aromatic flowers for our staterooms...

 

Our time at the Pepeyo Cultural Centre certainly gave us a look into the culture, and OUCH!  my feet are still burning from watching the fire-walking! The children are adorable, so glad you were able to photograph them. I hope you don't mind that I left a "goody bag" for them. Whenever we travel to a remote area where I know we will see children I take a bag filled with stuff like coloured paper, crayons, stickers,  coloured hair ribbons etc.

 

Now I know I am in paradise!  ...  swimming at that beautiful beach followed by the Blue Lagoon . I am glad I didn't hear about the snake  until I had climbed out of the water.

 

Gail

 

 

[cnd crsr]

1 hour ago, CruzinNoony said:

 

Please, no apologies!!  You are doing such a wonderful job with your descriptions and beautiful photos.  So fun to be on the ship, but like Gail, I missed the avocado and shrimp appetizer & the salmon. Plus, the cheese raviolis.  I'm hoping to see the prime rib on the dinner menu tonight.  That is always a favorite of mine!  Did the captain ever mention why we were late in leaving?  I may have missed it. 

--Hi CruizinNoony,

 

Maybe we should try asking the Maitre'D if he can possibly get us the avocado/shrimp appetizer, salmon and ravioli . 

 

Gail

[ellie1145]

10 hours ago, winifred said:

Snakes in the water? Now I might really have increased my swimming speed record getting out! But as you say learn from the Aussies, I would try(!) to keep calm and carry on! 

 

Well that would have been something to see, Winifred! 🤣

[ellie1145]

3 hours ago, CruzinNoony said:

 

Please, no apologies!!  You are doing such a wonderful job with your descriptions and beautiful photos.  So fun to be on the ship, but like Gail, I missed the avocado and shrimp appetizer & the salmon. Plus, the cheese raviolis.  I'm hoping to see the prime rib on the dinner menu tonight.  That is always a favorite of mine!  Did the captain ever mention why we were late in leaving?  I may have missed it. 

 

Thank you CruzinNoony! Glad I’m not boring you! 🤣

 

As far as being late leaving, I was wondering if it was because we were waiting for you to arrive..... Are you on page 22 yet? 😉  

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, cnd crsr said:

 Vanuatu is turning out to be one of those ideal, once in a long time, days! Thank you for booking us all on the  tour. From the time we walked off the ship and saw the welcoming dancers, it has just continued to get better and better. The market was lovely, do you think on our way back to the ship we can pop in and pick up some of the colourful, aromatic flowers for our staterooms...

 

Our time at the Pepeyo Cultural Centre certainly gave us a look into the culture, and OUCH!  my feet are still burning from watching the fire-walking! The children are adorable, so glad you were able to photograph them. I hope you don't mind that I left a "goody bag" for them. Whenever we travel to a remote area where I know we will see children I take a bag filled with stuff like coloured paper, crayons, stickers,  coloured hair ribbons etc.

 

Now I know I am in paradise!  ...  swimming at that beautiful beach followed by the Blue Lagoon . I am glad I didn't hear about the snake  until I had climbed out of the water.

 

Gail

 

 

 

So glad you are enjoying the trip. We’ve had a wonderful day, haven’t we?

 

There will be time to do a little shopping when we get back to the port. We have to walk all through the market to get onboard so you will be able to see everything on offer. 

 

Sailaway is going to be great, wait and see!

 

Yes, Pepeyo is wonderful, so welcoming and the children were just wonderful, even the little toddlers imitating the warriors with their little sticks. Adorable. And the mothers were so serene and friendly. Seeing them made me realise how much I am missing my little grandson. But they are so beautiful aren’t they? 

 

What a lovely idea to bring goody bags. Hang onto some for when we arrive at Dravuni.  They will be so happy to receive your gifts. I love the idea of hair bands etc. How excited the children will be. 

 

I really think that, at the moment, these islands are the nearest thing to paradise. They are still more unspoilt than the Caribbean, for example, which have become so commercialised. I would love to visit Tahiti, and Papeete, as I always imagine them to be pretty amazing. 

 

Hope you have a good shopping trip at the market! 

[JF - retired RRT]

15 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

I really think that, at the moment, these islands are the nearest thing to paradise. They are still more unspoilt than the Caribbean, for example, which have become so commercialised. I would love to visit Tahiti, and Papeete, as I always imagine them to be pretty amazing. 

 

They're way more commercialized than the island you just left.

Still beautiful, tho'

[ellie1145]

Back to the Ship we Go

 

Our tour is at an end, so it's back to the ship we go.

 

Vanuatu is a fertile island, and there are cows grazing in the fields. 

 

It’s been a wonderful day without a hint of rain and everyone has been a joy to be with.

 

It’s been such fun and made all the more special by convivial companions. Our two drivers have been so helpful, and have driven carefully.

 

Now you can see why there is a pink reflection in some of my photos. The dashboard of the van is covered in fluffy pink material. I guess that is the height of 'Pimp My Ride' in Vanuatu! 🤣

 

 

We hop into the van for the last time and set off for the port where the beautiful Majestic Princess awaits. I’m so relieved that, in the end, everything went to plan. It’s an interesting a journey and we see a little more of Vanuatu.

A roadside stall.

 

 

 

Pimp my ride!

 

 

 

 

 

There she is! Can you see her in the distance?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

17 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

They're way more commercialized than the island you just left.

Still beautiful, tho'

 

 

That's interesting, JF. They sound very romantic don't they? One day I hope I will see them for myself. 

[ellie1145]

A Two Ship Celebration from Vanuatu

 

 

We arrive at Port Vila, where a couple of our party get out to do some shopping.

There are two ships in port today, Majestic Princess and a P&O ship.

 

 

 

The children are returning from school, so smart in their school uniforms. 

The Vanuatu Parliament Building

 

 

Our beautiful Majestic Princess is waiting to welcome us back.

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

The P&O ship is dwarfed by Majestic Princess.

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Anyone for shopping?

 

 

We bid farewell to our drivers, and make our way through the market, which is beginning to clear up. There is a group of children singing, and it’s a lovely way to say goodbye to this beautiful island.

 

One of the things I love most about cruising is the sense of happiness I feel when I return to the ship. There are cold face cloths, and iced water on the dockside, and as you reach the top of the gangway the coolness of the ship envelops you. You’re ‘home’ at last.

 

 

 

A group of children welcome us back with songs and music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Failed Again......

 

We make our way to the buffet for a bite to eat and a cup of tea.

 

Unfortunately I have missed the Free Hair Consultation ‘Colour Me Beautiful,’ and the Free Open Clinic on Age Spots, and sadly, I never got to ‘How to Eliminate Fluid Retention and Puffy Ankles’ or the Good Feet Clinic, so I have failed miserably in my attempts to look 10 years younger!

 

Ah well, DH will just have to put up with his ageing, greying, spotty, puffy wife. But there’s always another day.......😉

[ellie1145]

My Goodness, Gail, I know you said you wanted to do some shopping, but really......

 

Your Duty Free is ready to be loaded.....