Final Port of Contract

Champagne Bay, Vanuatu. Beautiful. First day off the ship this cruise, actually. Here are some final pics, and unfortunately this will be my last post until i get back to the USA, most likely. The next few days will consist of my doing our final shows, laundry and packing like a fiend to try and have my luggage within the weight limit of the airlines to avoid extra costs. Enjoy the pics, and I will hopefully see some of you back in the states.

In other news, this is supposed to be the day of the Rapture... so far, nothing has happened. Touch wood, hopefully nothing will. We are supposed to have rough seas tonight and for the next three days.

more from Fiji

Port Denarau, Fiji

Lesson learned: don't shake hands with the Fijians.

Lost pics

So I JUST uploaded bunches of photos, and none of them showed up... here they are once again.

And this is the new friend I made while at the Suva museum.

Suva, Fiji

So Fiji is not my favorite place. It is pretty, don't get me wrong, but I don't care for the pressure and the trickery involved in getting people to buy goods. Let me explain.

After my tour today of the town of Suva and the Suva Museum (dedicated to the art of cannibalism), I went for a quick walk around town before heading back to the ship. I spoke with one local, who absconded with me to a local t-shirt shop, speaking in their native tongue that roughly translated as "If he buys something, don't forget it was ME who brought him."

I didn't buy anything.

So I walked along the waterfront heading back to the ship, and just before I got to the gate, yet another very friendly artisan sticks out his hand and asks me where I am from. I tell him I am from North Carolina. "Ah, the states! How is Obama?" he asks. I tell him Obama had a great week. I try to walk away. He motions me over to his table of carved wooden objects. He picks one up.

"What is your name?" he asks.

"Michael" I say.

And I kid you not, from the time the word "Michael" came out of my mouth, he had carved my name on one of the pieces of wood. A knife of some sort. Ugly.

"What is your last name?" he asks, picking up another one.

"Beech."

"Really?" he says, eyes lighting up.

"Believe it or not." I am thinking he will probably misspell it "B-E-A-C-H".

He wraps up the knives in newspaper and hands them to me.

"My family is very poor. Give me ten dollars for these."

Are you freaking kidding me? Not to mention, I only had three singles in my wallet.

"I'll give you two," I say, frustrated that I totally got suckered into this.

Thankfully, Jemma walks by and says hello. My way out of this. I take the rolled up items and walk away, somewhat ashamed that i only had two dollars, but more ashamed that i got myself into the situation to begin with.

Jemma and I get back to the ship, and I show her the knives I just bought for two dollars. The first one says "MICHALE", and the second one says... and I kid you not... "BITCH".

That's how it sounds in Fijian, I suppose. Michale Bitch.

Enjoy the pics from Fiji. I made a friend, as you will see.

Bora Bora Fauna and Flora

Bora Bora was beautiful. As you can see. Went on a tour of the island, and visited Bloody Mary's, apparently THE place to go on the island. I was underwhelmed, but I can see the allure.

Anyhow. The days are going faster and faster, and the next thing you know it, I will be at HOME!

Only three more weeks left! Then home to the family and the cats, and my FABULOUS niece, Gaby! (Who I hope will accept an "Uncle Date" with me when I return...)

Three sea days ahead, so I will not be posting anything. Be patient, and I will see you in a few days! Thanks for checking out my pictures, and look for a nice coffee table book in the next year or so. Maybe I should look into becoming a nature photographer if I grow up.

Raiatea today, Bora Bora Tomorrah!

More from Papeete, Tahiti

Papeete, Tahiti

Nice day today, even though it started with yet another episode of "Mister O." Ugh. Some people need to be put down.