Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver

[Oville]

As always, such fun joining you and Iain on your adventure.  Katie

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

It looks like you are having a blast!!!  Your photos are wonderful.  

Thanks... it is a great cruise... It is nice to visits new cultures you have only heard of.   It makes you appreciate the diversity of the world and at times grateful for how well we have it ourselves.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Today’s tour.  Let’s see how accurate the description is. 

 

Indulge your senses with the pristine natural beauty of Upolu during this scenic, half-day tour of the island's northeast coast. Depart the pier for a picturesque drive along the northeast coast of Upolu. Along the way, you will pass through local villages that still observe a traditional lifestyle. Your first stop is at Falefa Village for photo stop at the Cathedral.

 

Continuing on to the Falefa Waterfall and Estuary, a former trading post for locals and whalers in the early 1800s.

 

The return trip will be made via the same coastal road. Your tour will conclude with a visit to Maalaauli Gardens, which features an abundance of native and tropical plants, flowers and fruits. Included are specimens found in the bird of paradise family, along with ginger, axoria heliconia, ylangylang, papaya, guava, star fruit, pineapple and mang. During your visit, you will be served local fruit, bottled water and coconuts and see demonstrations of coconut tree climbing, husking, grating and preparing fresh coconut cream.

 

Afterward, you will rejoin your coach for the return drive to the pier.

[Jim_Iain]

We started out in small busses with about 20 per bus.  They had a convoy of about 12 busses that arrived at each place at the same time.   Would have been less chaotic had they staggered the busses 

[Jim_Iain]

Not the biggest on visiting the obligatory church stops of most tours.  But did find some good photo ops. 
 

While beautiful the temps were in the 90’s and 100% humidity in the equatorial intense sun.   Definitely staying hydrated is important.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 18 by Jim_Iain

[abbydancer2003]

10 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Let’s backtrack to Suva.   We took a Tour that @abbydancer2003 arranged with tour by locals.   I think think there were 8 of us.   Great job Abby. 

 

 

 

Thank you, sweetie.

 

 

9 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We next visited a Fijian village.   Much more Disneyland than the authentic Ine we previously visited. 
 

I think calling it Disneyland is not the right word.  It's more commercial, but it's a real village, but one where the residents have made it a much bigger production.  A fake village would not have children and chickens running around.  I think everyone there, performers, cooks, servers, etc, are locals who don costumes to show their culture.  They live in the village.  They have just figured out how to make some money from their culture.  They are not actors from LA brought in to stage a village.

 

It was fun and the food was great.

 

 

[Justpackingmybags]

Ohhhh! I’m enjoying living this cruise vicariously so much. Thank you for all the photos and observations Jim

Sally

[abbydancer2003]

Hi all,

 

I thought I would treat you all to the sunsets from Samoa, from our somewhat unique view out the back of the ship.  They were taken about an hour apart.

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy them.

[Mike981]

@abbydancer2003 thank you for the great pictures. You reminded me of a cruise my wife and I were on with and aft balcony. I can't remember the island, but we had an amazing sunset. If you looked to the right you could see the spectacular sunset and if you looked to the left you could see smoke coming out of a volcano in the wonderful light of the sunset. It looked like a movie scene and a moment that gets brought up every trip.

[Jim_Iain]

Last night had incredible sunsets.  The sunset bar was packed.  Love how it changes constantly. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

It was really nice to wander around the ship at twilight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bessinfl]

Wow!

[Gracie115]

41 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Last night had incredible sunsets.  The sunset bar was packed.  Love how it changes constantly. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow!! These are just beautiful!! 💗💗

[Altamar]

Simply beautiful, thanks.

[cruisetonowhere10]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Last night had incredible sunsets.  The sunset bar was packed.  Love how it changes constantly. 
 

 

 

 

 

The last one is so cool.

[Chrissi3010]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Last night had incredible sunsets.  The sunset bar was packed.  Love how it changes constantly. 
 

 

 

 

 

All your pictures are beautiful, Jim. I love these incredible colours. 

[Lastdance]

I so agree about twilight time and photos...dinner seems to not always allow for such timing, but running out for a few great pics is usually rewarding.  My DH does not agree. 🤷‍♀️

Edited April 18 by Lastdance

[hcat]

love the sunsets and nightime shots    AND the flowers are truly amazing !

 

Edited April 18 by hcat

[Gaynors]

Your sunset pictures are amazing.  Here's our view of Apia right now.

[Jim_Iain]

Finished up a short video of Apia -    

 

 

 

[Justpackingmybags]

Following this thread is going to cost me serious money isn’t it?

I want to take this cruise so much now. Time to up the savings for a couple of years - I’m not doing those long flights without some comfort!

Absolutely loving the photos Jim; I’m a sucker for a good sunset.

[chemmo]

16 hours ago, Mike981 said:

@abbydancer2003 thank you for the great pictures. You reminded me of a cruise my wife and I were on with and aft balcony. I can't remember the island, but we had an amazing sunset. If you looked to the right you could see the spectacular sunset and if you looked to the left you could see smoke coming out of a volcano in the wonderful light of the sunset. It looked like a movie scene and a moment that gets brought up every trip.

My late husband and I always said we never regretted a penny we spent on cruising because of the fabulous memories…Like yourself, there are moments we will remember forever.

[chemmo]

3 hours ago, Justpackingmybags said:

Following this thread is going to cost me serious money isn’t it?

I want to take this cruise so much now. Time to up the savings for a couple of years - I’m not doing those long flights without some comfort!

Absolutely loving the photos Jim; I’m a sucker for a good sunset.

Writing as someone from your neighbourhood the older you get the harder it gets to fly long haul, even when upgrading flights so don’t leave it too long!

 

Having enjoyed two trips in the Pacific and South Pacific I can only say if I close my eyes I can see the sights, hear the noises and even smell the fresh earth smell of the islands…Worth every penny and suffering the flights!

[hcat]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Finished up a short video of Apia -    

 

 

 

very well done..the music was perfect with these pics

[Rina155]

8 hours ago, Justpackingmybags said:

Following this thread is going to cost me serious money isn’t it?

I want to take this cruise so much now. Time to up the savings for a couple of years - I’m not doing those long flights without some comfort!

Absolutely loving the photos Jim; I’m a sucker for a good sunset.

I am right there with you.  This cruise and flying in comfort are now on my travel list for the future!