After we posted our Blog last evening, Anne Marie went to the evening show with John and Linda, which was called Black Tie, and featured an Australian Vocal and Instrumental Group. The group included two brothers who sang. In turn, they were accompanied by each of their wives with one wife playing the piano while the other one played the cello. They sang a variety of songs from various plays along with other songs and their performance was teriffic.
We began today with our daily workout in the Fitness Center. Keith worked out on the elliptical machine and Anne Marie worked out on the treadmill. A few of the regulars were working out including Mary and John. Keith and Mary talked for a while about yesterday’s activities and also about the excursions that are offered today. We also enjoyed a beautiful sunrise that we could see through the windows of the Fitness Center. We concluded our workout with some stretching exercises.
We decided to have breakfast in our room this morning rather than the Lido Café. The butler brought us breakfast at 7:00 AM. We enjoyed a very nice breakfast and while we ate we had a very nice view of land as we made our way today’s port of call.
We arrived n Lautoka, Fiji at around 8:30 AM. This is our first time to Fiji. Since yesterday late afternoon we have seen a variety of small to medium size islands as we made our way to Fiji.
Fiji is located to the east of the International Dateline. Fiji is composed of several islands. The town that we docked at, Lautoka, has a population of approximately 45,000 people. It is located on the western shores of Viti Levu, the largest of Fiji’s 300 idyllic islands. It is Fiji’s second largest town and second major seaport. Not too far from the pier where the ship was docked are fields upon fields of lush sugar cane, traditional villages and an orchid wonderland. Sugar is considered king of this town. Another major item that is exported from this area is wood chips.
After we docked, we departed the ship at approximately 9:00 AM. The pier is located around two miles from town. Crystal provided complimentary shuttle service that operated between the pier the downtown area. There was not too much to the downtown area. We visited one supermarket to get a feel as the foods that the locals consume. There were many types of red meat and poultry along with a variety of cold and frozen items and a variety of other packaged and canned items. We walked by a few other stores and then decided to go back to the ship.
Once, back on the ship we took a nice long walk on the Promenade Deck. During our walk, the crew was conducting their weekly lifeboat drill. As we walked around the deck we saw many familiar faces from the crew who were at their assigned spots on this deck.
Later in the day we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the main dining room.
This evening we attended a special on board event that was for those passengers on the full world cruise. Given the size of the group there was an early and late seating and we were assigned to the early seating which was a requested preference. Our invitation looked like a passport and we were invited to Bogart’s Bash. Yes, Bogart as in actor Humphrey Bogart and the request was from the Casablancan Authority. ☺ The event started off with pre-dinner cocktails in the Palm Court and dinner commenced at 5:30 PM in the area around the indoor pool. There were assigned tables for dinner. All of the wait staff from the Silk Road and Prego Specialty Restaurants was on hand to serve during this event along with many other crewmembers. A great deal of effort goes into preparing for this event. For much of the day a stage was erected for the entertainment. For those passengers not on the full World Cruise, Crystal provided them with a nice selection of complimentary house wines in the Main Dining Room.
We had a wonderful time this evening and we greatly appreciate all of the planning and effort that went into this event.
We now have two days at sea as we cruise to Auckland, New Zealand. We are very excited to be visiting New Zealand for the very first time. We have a couple of shore excursions planned fro Auckland.
Keith & Anne Marie
