NEW ZEALAND!!

We made it to NZ!! We're in Bay of Islands which is on the North Island. Internet is finally cheap as the exchange rate is in our favor. We are all excited to be off the ship tomorrow. We are arriving in Auckland and a lot of us are going to try to travel together for the next 3 weeks, however none of us has a "plan" per say and it will be interesting coordinating approximately 10 people. Its cooler here today, maybe 60s, but we've had great weather the whole trip. We have had a great time having so many of our friends onboard. 9 of us eat dinner in the formal dining room every night (as in 5 courses). We have a funny waiter and asst. waiter that keep us laughing. Last night was Halloween (since we crossed the international date line and lost October 30th completely). Kristen and I borrowed the guys dress clothes and went as Mormom missionaries. Pretty funny. Not as funny as the Mormons dressed as hula girls complete with coconuts and sparkly eye make-up. Pictures were taken.

We've spent 9 of the last 12 days at sea. Sea days can get long and boring but we try to appreciate the relaxation, food, gym and each other. In Tahiti the ship docked in the city and all 11 of us took a public bus to a nearby beach. It was not the nicest Tahiti-esque beach and the skies were cloudy. We enjoyed the next two islands better. In Moorea, 9 of us went snorkeling and also got to feed sting rays and swim with (3 feet long) sharks. I have a camera that is (was) water proof so we were having a heyday taking pictures of it all, until my camera died and went to digital heaven. I was planning to buy a new one but one of the Mormon boys took it apart, dried it out and apparently has it working again, however I haven't seen him since he called to tell me that in the middle of the night last night. In Bora Bora I went scuba diving with Nate (mormon boy) and two girls we've met on the ship (moving from Hawaii to NZ via cruise ship). We got to swim with sharks 10 feet long and I'm getting the pictures developed right now (from disposable camera). It was my first dive besides getting certified and it was pretty darn cool.

In other news, Kristen and I proudly took home first and second place respectively in the sudoku competition onboard (easiest thing we've ever done). The 11 of us are quite the spectical onboard since everyone else is nearly dead(sparing a few newly weds and over feds) and because the mormons do all the events and meet lots of people.

The Plan, as we know it, for the next three weeks (until Nate, Adam, Cramer, myself and maybe Bryan and Roberta) leave Nov. 23 to cruise to Australia for 15 nights is as follows:

Kristen flies out of Auckland Nov. 4 to Fiji, LA and Kansas.
Kelly and Julie fly out of Auckland back to AK Nov. 4
Adam, Cramer, and Nate (The Mormons) plan to "see and do it all" in NZ but don't have reservations or plans.
Andy and Brianna will stay onboard tomorrow for the following cruise, then spend a month in Australia.
The two girls we met on the ship (moving to NZ) are being "courted" by Bryan and Cramer so I'm assuming Bryan, his travelmate Roberta and the 2 girls will align themselves with the Mormons.
I'm going to go with the big group and see what happens, just for kicks and giggles.
Two other RCT friends, Vinnie and Pierre are already in NZ and are supposed to meet us at the pier tomorrow and they may want to travel with us as well. Vinnie supposedly bought a van.

So basically I'm just going to follow along and let others make the decisions, confident in their ability to make fun happen and excited to not have to be in charge of logistics. Hopefully making the trip more economical as well. I'm hoping to skydive at some point and do some hiking.

Well I should be able to update this wonderfully entertaining blog more often now!

Kauai, Kona, Oahu

Having lots of fun! Glad we are getting to do another cruise. It was fun this AM to have the ship to ourselves (well, there are a few back to back cruisers like ourselves). Today we meet up with 8 additional friends on this next cruise! Kristen and I have our own room this time as Cramer is sharing with 2 other guys and Matt decided last minute to fly back to Anchorage for a potential job opportunity (he will be living in my condo and paying rent...yea!).

In Kauai we did the adventure of taking the free Walmart shuttle. Then Cramer and I hitchhiked out to a waterfall/rope swing and did that a couple of times. Got some good pics and a little muddy. In Kona 6 of us rented a car and snorkel gear and attempted to snorkel with dolphins like friends of ours had done the week before. However the dolphins did not get the memo. There was a ton of coral right near the shore and my camera takes great underwater pics. It was pretty cloudy skiies both here and Kauai so pics aren't too scenic.

In Honolulu right now, didn't get off the ship yesterday. I enjoy the ship when all the people are off doing excursions. Kristen and I like to work out multiple times a day, eat multiple times and not fall asleep before 10 pm. This is our life.

Internet has been really expensive so far so I don't write much. Right now its $10 an hour and I also need to check email and book some flights. Tomorrow we're on another Hawaiian island, then we are at sea for 5 days. I'll be able to update the blog more often in NZ when internet access should be more readily available and reasonably priced. Cheers!

Maui

We have 2 days in Maui on this itinerary so Cramer, Matt, Kristen and I rented a surf board yesterday and took turns trying to learn. I let Cramer help me until today when I decided to paddle out and do it all by myself. I actually stood up and did it on my own which was a small step for mankind but my goal of the day.

Its sunny and warm, there are nice wimpy waves for us to learn on. We spent 5 days at sea so we're all glad to be on land. The port town is really convenient to the ship, although we have to take a tender out to the boat. So I'm probably going to go back for lunch, then maybe come back to go snorkeling.

We like the 2 young couples we sit with at dinner, however I like to skip the 5 course meal at 8:30 at night, cuz I get really tired and eat even when I'm not hungry. Kristen and I work out a lot at the gym. We are wearing sunscreen too.

Mexico

Mexican hair cut: $6
Mexican fish taco: $1
Mexican churro (stuffed): $1.50
Mexican prescription ($50 in US): $5
Mexican "swimsuit" wax: $15

Loving Ensenada. Nice people, clean air, clean town, safe (even at night), great sunny weather. Two (very) white girls walk around and don't get heckled. Cheap fish market...we bought crabs and a mixture of octapus, squid, shrimp, etc., more than 2 of us could eat for $5. Lots of recent updates to the city of 300,000 including a boardwalk, park area along the water. Got here just fine from San Diego's airport...bus, trolley, walk across the border (no customs or showing of passport?), another bus to Ensenada...Carlos from the hostel was there within 5 minutes to pick us up. Cramer showed up at our hostel that evening, Matt is flying in today. We're waiting to board the ship around 4. We have 5 days at sea before Hawaii so won't be writing until we get to wherever we get to in Hawaii. Nice hostel, free kitchen, free internet. Our room had 3 sets of bunkbeds but the first night we had the room to ourselves. Last night Nina from Germany joined us. We're just a few blocks from the port and touristy area. Good job Kristen on planning this part. Hostel and town were both above expectations.

Fall 2008 Plans

Cruise, Cruise, Backpack, Cruise, Backpack, Fly home before February.