Over the years I've always been fascinated
by the stories of the South Pacific. Probably one that
influenced me the most was "Mutiny on the Bounty". A few
years ago I made an inaugural sea going trip on my way to Sidney,
Australia totaling 9,300 nautical miles. It was an
introduction hitting the main, more populated places. After
that, I wanted to get closer to the real South Seas of story book
fame. It was clear that I needed to find a way to get off
the beaten path and to the less popular spots.
Holland America Lines has established a route that hits the main
ports as well as the primitive or at least, more isolated
landfalls. A favorable formula for my expectations. The map
at left shows the route, leaving San Diego on 22 November 2010 and
returning to San Diego thirty days later. We made 12 stops
along the way. Many were tendered because of shallow lagoons
or inadequate docking facilities. We traveled a total of
9,800 nautical miles with speeds of 17-20 knots but that was
slowed at times to meet birthing schedules. Also, ships are
usually more efficient at lower hull speeds.
Sound bytes are available in several places on this page.
Your browser may or may not play them. They have been tested
with the latest Internet Explorer from MS but may not function
with others and small cache settings. Background theme music
(MIDI) can be turned 'on' at end of page.
Over 1,000 pictures were taken, contact neil@robin-wood.com
if you want to get into greater depth and wish further
information. Follows the trip highlights:
Hawaii
After 5 days at sea on the MS
Rotterdam IV we reached Hilo, Hawaii. A stop I've made many
times and always enjoyable on the "lush" side of the big
island. Milt and Evie Smith met me near the dock and we
spent the day together. I've known Milt nearly my entire
working career and he was instrumental in getting me hired at
Tektronix back in 1969.
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Hilo Bay |
Milt & Evie Smith, Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo
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Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo
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Kalapaki Beach, Nawiliwili, Kauai
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Grounds of Kaui Marrott and Kalapaki Beach
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Amateur Radio Operator, Eran, WH6R, Honolulu
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Me snorkeling at Hanauma Bay,
Oahu
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Nawiliwili |
LIDO deck buffet, Rotterdam
IV
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Fanning Island (Tabuaeran,Kiribati)
Leaving the Hawaiian Islands we head due South for 1,091 nmiles
to Tabuaeran which is 228 miles North of the equator. You
think of it as the South Pacific but you're really still in the
North Pacific. T32 is the amateur radio call sign.
This is clearly the least developed of all the islands we
visited. Thats what makes it so attractive. About 250
people live here. They live in structures that usually
have a sand floor with two rooms. Far more children than I
would have expected... many adults have moved away to find high
paying jobs.
A big deal is when a ship comes in. The people put on quite
a show with entertainment and, of course, trying to sell you
souvenirs. Of all the places, this one seemed to appreciate
us the most and they were anxious to communicate. The adults
know all about the rest of the world.
No paved roads, few vehicles, two tractors, a number of
motorbikes and many bicycles. Only a few buildings have
electricity, mostly for communications and entertainment. A
couple of solar panels were noted. Tabuaeran is one of the
islands threatened by global warming as the land is only a few
feet above the sea level. Only Holland America now visits
this atoll on a scheduled basis and is an important income for the
islanders. Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanning_island
For those interested in the music from the Pacific Islands you
can reach Internet Radio from
http://www.live365.com/index.live#stations/janeresture?play=2.
Select: "Pacific Islands Radio" from the gold coast of Australia.
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Young Performers
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Selling shells |
Bill & Mary
Shipboard dinner partners from San Francisco |
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Girl and her baby
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Popular lagoon view
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Young dancer
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Neil in Paradise
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Swimming beach and dock
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Space view of Tabuaeran
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Main road in Paelau
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One of many bare buildings |
Singers at dock
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