Jan31st-Catching Up at Sea

Pay attention class....THIS is valuable instructional material!!!

This is a Breadfruit.  It was almost single-handedly responsible for "The Mutiny On The Bounty!" Captain Bligh cut water rations for his crew in favor of keeping the Breadfruit plants he was transporting from Polynesia to the West Indies alive. It was hoped that the Breadfruit would be a cheap way to feed the slaves. Natives say that cooked over a fire until black, then popped open and served with copious amounts of butter is "good"(a reason why it's never found on a menu)...It never caught on...I'm not sure the plants actually ever made the trip successfully.

Another Instructional tidbit....Do Not ask your Polynesian Tour Guide named Elizabit where the closest "La Reine Du Lait" is! This was the response to George's attempt to find out where the closest "Dairy Queen" might be ...a dismissive branch in the face!   

Jan30th-Bora Bora

"Maruru"....means "Thank You" in Polynesian.....It says it all!

Jan 28th-Moorea

If you EVER get the chance to get to Moorea...grab your bathingsuit and go!!!

 Here's the scoop...Try to keep all the beautiful and exotic fantasies of Tahiti that years of "Mutiny on the Bounty" conjured up and don't under ANY circumstances actually come to Tahiti. Shocking, but it's a HUGE disappointment. We toured the island and the poverty and disrepair is rampant. I think the French just abandoned Tahiti, which really isn't surprising as they can hardly manage themselves. It's very lucky that a lot of self-sustaining fruits and veggies grow on trees year-round or there would probably be rebellion...for the sheer beauty and friendliness of the people, go to Moorea(only 9 miles from Tahiti and a world away)

Jan 25th-Crossing the Equator

You must supply your own mental imagery for this one! There is an old maritime tradition into which first-time equator crossers must be initiated. Yesterday, much to our chagrin, we were lured(herded) onto the upper deck for a mock kangaroo court proceeding....the outcome: Being sentenced to kiss the biggest slimiest gutted raw fish....to then be declared "non poly-wogs"...the equivalent of a rite of mermanhood passage....but wait! Weren't "The Nevilles" Equator virgins???? and where ARE THEY???? This is why we have not provided any images of this event...There are just some things one cannot ask of people from the far-away land of New Joisey to do! Good Night!

Jan 22nd-Sunset at sea about 400 nautical miles from Hawaii

A view from our room.....

Jan 21st-Maui

Our last stop in official USA territory. I continue to marvel at the beautiful variety of land that is our country. My Maui memories are of spouting, flipping whales....a mammoth Banyan tree....Hawaiian Shave ice...lush green cloud-shrouded, rainbow-tipped mini mountains running into the sea. Aloha...until we meet again in French Polynesia.

This sure beats Kayaking!!!!

Oahu Lesson #1

Always know who you're kayaking with (especially if you're up front!)

No wonder I was totally exhausted by the time we made it back!

Jan 20th Oahu

The Port of Honolulu was quite impressive...we docked at City Center...George proceeded to have a power struggle with King Kamehameha...

Jan 19th-20th First Impressions of Hilo

I call this: "My First Lei"





Friday, January 14th, 2011, 4:30pm

We've been over it and around it, but this is a first!

Two of our California Nephews visited the Ship...then raced home to wave us on our departure out  of the San Francisco Bay with a huge white flag... Martyn & Mark on floor 15 above Ghiradelli Square ...It was really Cool!

Jan5-Fun in San Diego

So, Okay, are you ready for another "Dad" story? Last night we met Melinda for dinner at a cozy great little Italian restaurant on India Street(DO NOT HESITATE...order the homemade Lasagna). Melinda is Jared Dudley's Mom. Jared was a star player for the BC Eagles when our son Ty was a walk-on and Jared now plays for the Phoenix Suns. We were dining in a cozy corner with another table of ten who were celebrating and having a boisterous time, which Dad couldn't resist...somehow, in his usual way, he made a connection...he was taking their pictures with their camera, and they were taking our picture with ours.Dad insisted that Melinda do one of her Madison Square Garden whistles.Things got rolling..At diner's end, Melinda insisted on picking up the check cause "we were on her turf" and gave the waitress her card. Ten minutes later, our waitress returns and says our tab was taken care of by the boisterous table. We all sang a heart-felt round of "God Bless America" Everyone clapped and yelled goodbye to "The Joisey Guy." I'm not making this up....and we were just drinking Pelligrino. Dad's like the Lottery...You Never Know! We had a great time catching up with Melinda.

Jan3-Sedona, AZ

We left Albequerque in 15 degree weather, land of 310 days of sunshine a year, only to make the critical decision of ditching a run for the south rim of the Grand Canyon when we reached Flaggstaff. With the forecast of snowsqualls and near 0 temps...an overall great decision in favor of a beautiful drive thru Oak River Canyon which leads to red-rocked Sedona.

One of these things

               is not like the others (Can you guess which picture George took?)

Jan2-Texas Hill Country

This place is so KEWL!!!  Beautiful rolling hills and pristine air...had a good breakfast with HGF II then on our way to Albequerque.

Dec31-Dallas

Approaching Dallas

Miles and miles of miles and miles
Wandering white picket fences
Blue-blooded, black Angus
sharing pastures with stone-gated mansions.
(Kathryn, This is for you, my humble attempt knowing only the savorings of your "Pigtailed Memoirs"

Interesting facts in Dallas:
1. From Mrs. D. : One MUST eat at least TWO black-eyed peas to ensure health and good fortune for the New Year.



Mrs. D.'s Famous Black-Eyed Pea Salsa(you can't eat just two!!)

2. From Mr. D.: There are many confederate soldier statues near county courthouses everywhere in Texas EAST of Route #35, but not so many WEST of Route #35...ergo East Texas tends to identify with "The South", while West Texas tends to identify with "The West."

New Year's Eve 2010 in Dallas with the Dunlaps............Priceless!