First my summary for this most recent Grand Voyage around the Pacific. Diversity is the word that comes to mind, both in cultures and experiences. The extremes were in abundance, from the well organized clean cities of Hong Kong and Singapore to the street kids in Manila and the human massage Metro, to Chuuck, a spot of third world survival in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Our experiences went from the well dressed of the first world to the red smiles of the betel juiced faces in Papua New Guinea - all amazing experiences that I will not soon forget. This voyage very much circled around WWII sites for the veterans on board and to the Dive sites for the scuba enthusiasts using the ship as site to site floating scuba shop. We took in a little of both with for me the crescendo experience of my first dive, thank you again Bea if you are reading this.
Overshadowing our voyage was our very unfortunate and sad return home some three weeks in. I will give full marks to Holland America and the Crew on board this wonderful ship, they were very respectful and very caring in taking care of every need that unfolded during this time, they truly are an extended family which are thankful and grateful for. Which brings to our plans for 2014.
Our target is Hong Kong for March 3rd, where we are planning on embarking the beautiful MS Amsterdam to complete her second half of the 2014 World Cruise. We do have a medical procedure hurdle to jump before getting the 100% go ahead but it is good to have a target out there to look forward to, so stay tuned I should have an update in this by the end of January. For now Happy New Year and check back in about a month for my update. Not sure if I highlighted that we won the second leg of the photo contest, I have included the prize winning photo here in this update.
Until then ......
