Cruise Around the World
In and around World
Since retiring, Sallie and I have discovered the world of cruising. In the twelve years since, we've been fortunate in being able to see a lot of the world. For our fiftieth wedding anniversary, I asked Sallie if she would like to make a trip around the world. We decided to book passage on the Silver Seas' "Silver Shadow," departing Ft. Lauderdale on January 15th, 2007. Fortunately, JoAnne and Don West were considering the same trip for the same time frame. Since we are very good friends and have taken two previous cruises with them, we could not be more delighted that we'll be making this trip together. We equally excited because our family are very enthusiastic over our plans.
I hope it will be possible to maintain this journal during our trip, and that you will keep up with our travels by visiting it occassionally.
Route taken and entries written by WBWallace
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1
Pre-Cruise Party
This morning Liz & Derek picked us up at 7 AM and drove us to BWI. Should have flown into Palm Beach instead of Ft. Lauderdalee as we had to wait... Continue reading »
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2
Debarkation
Following a lovely brunch,all 145 of us boarded a lovely yacht that had been chartered to take us on a 2 1/2 hour cruise down the inland waterway to F... Continue reading »
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3
Cozumel
.Today we were up early for a workout before embarking on a tour in Cozumel,Mexico. We saw some Mayan ruins at San Gervasio .The temples here were a p... Continue reading »
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4
Belize City
Early breakfast and departure for a ride into Belize City by tender and another bus tour-this one to far more interesting Mayan ruins of an ancient... Continue reading »
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5
Panama Canal
.After two days at sea filled with good food and drinks, good books and entertainment which included a an informative lecture on The Panama Cana... Continue reading »
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6
Guayaquil, Ecuador
We disembarked here and went immediatedly to airport for flight to Cuzco.Guayaquil has a population of more than 2,000,000 people and spreads out from... Continue reading »
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7
Machu Picchu
1/26/2007After breakfast, I decided to return to the ruins and climb higher than we had ventured the day before on ou guided tour. The early morning s... Continue reading »
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8
Cusco
1/24/2007Departed the ship for Guayaquil Airport and took a 3 hour flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transferred to Hotel Monasterio in the historical cen... Continue reading »
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9
Lima. Peru
1/30/2007 Friday,after a one hour flight from Cusco to Lima we took a tour of the residential area enroute to Casa Diez Canseco for lunch.The owner of... Continue reading »
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10
Valparaiso
02.01.07Yesterday we woke up in Valparaiso,Chile’s most important seaport. Valparaiso is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. And the home of th... Continue reading »
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11
Robinson Crusoe Island
2.2.2007Today we anchored in Cumberland Bay and after our workout took a 5 minute tender ride to Robinson Crusoe Island. It was the tale of the Scotti... Continue reading »
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12
Easter Island
Today is the first unpleasant day weatherwise, that we have had. It’s cloudy and the seas are moderately rough but no one is complaining as veteran tr... Continue reading »
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13
Moorea, Tahiti
.We made this stop before Moorea. It's not on my blog map.2.09.2007We arrived at Pitcairn Island this morning and dropped anchor at 8AM. The isl... Continue reading »
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14
Papeete, Tahiti
The Silver Shadow docked at the main pier right at the city center. Formed by two ancient volcanos and joined at the isthmus of Taravao, Tahiti... Continue reading »
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15
Huahine, French Polynesia
2.14.2007 Huahine,French PolynesiaHappy Valentine’s Day. We got up and exchanged cards ,we each I purchased before leaving thinking we would out smart... Continue reading »
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16
Bora Bora
2.15.2007 This morning we arose in time to see our entry into the beautiful Teavanui Pass, a narrow passage way into our anchorage at Vaitape, Bora Bo... Continue reading »
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17
Rarotonga
2.17.2007 RarotongaThe past two days at sea have been busy and enjoyable. The time has gone quickly and we seem to be kept busy all the time. We had d... Continue reading »
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18
Nuku'Alofa,Tonga
2.21.2007 Nuku’Alofa, Tonga The Polynesia Islands are located within a large triangle in The Pacific running from The Hawaiian Islands to Easter Islan... Continue reading »
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19
Lautoka,Fiji Islands
2.23.2007 Lautoka- Fiji IslandsWhile at sea yesterday Sallie and I both got our hair cut for the first time since leaving home. It seems that most nor... Continue reading »
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20
Bay of Islands
2.26.2007 Bay of Islands, New ZealandYesterday was another busy day at sea. In the morning Peter Hillary gave a wonderful introduction to a film about... Continue reading »
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21
Aukland
2.27.2007 Auckland, New ZealandLast night before going to dinner we attended an entertaining cabaret session in The Atenian Lounge where we heard a lo... Continue reading »
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22
Tauranga
2.28.2007 Tauranga, New ZealandTauranga is the principal city of The Bay of Plenty (Named by Capt.Cook in his journal 10/8/1769. This area is blessed... Continue reading »
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23
Napier
.3.01.2007 Napier, New ZealandTwo hours after leading Tauranga , yesterday,we past by White Island- a live volcano that continues to belch smoke... Continue reading »
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24
Wellington
3.02.2007 Wellington, New ZealandNew Zealand is a long narrow country divided in half-North Island and South Island. We have been traveling down the e... Continue reading »
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25
Christchurch
3.03.2007 Lyttleton, Christchurch, New Zealand Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary to Joanne and Donny. Lyttelton is the harbor town serving Christchurch, t... Continue reading »
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26
Dunedin
3.04.2007 Dunedin, New Zealand Dunedin is South Island’s 2nd largest city, after Christchurch. It was envisioned by its Scotch founders as the “Edinbu... Continue reading »
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27
Stewart Island
3.06.2007 At Sea.Yesterday afternoon Capt. Chiesa informed us that due to changing weather conditions he had decided that it would not be wise to proc... Continue reading »
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28
Melbourne
3.09.2007 Melbourne, AustraliaMelbourne was the creation of a Tasmanian farmer named John Bateman who arrived in 1855; he began trading blankets, mirr... Continue reading »
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29
Sydney
3.11.2007 SydneyLast night it was farewell night to 100 passengers departing. Early bedtime to arise for what had to be one of the great experiences a... Continue reading »
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30
Newcastle
3.13.2007 Newcastle, AustraliaThe first sighting of Newcastle was by Capt. John Cook in 1770. In 1997 John Shortland discovered the Hunter River and t... Continue reading »
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31
Hayman Island
3.16.2007 Hayman Island, AustraliaToday is our lovely granddaughter’s 22nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Lindsay.For the past two days we have been at sea... Continue reading »
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32
Townsville
3.17.2007 Townsville, AustraliaTownsville was founded in 1864 and is the heart of North Queensland with a population of 130,000. It is a busy port cit... Continue reading »
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33
Cairns
.3.18.2007 Cairns (Queensland), AustraliaCairns (pronounced “cans”) is located on the north-eastern coast of the State of Queensland and offers... Continue reading »
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34
Darwin
.3/22/2007 Darwin, Australia In the Cairns commentary I included a picture of Josanne and Don being greeted by the Captain as he presented them their... Continue reading »
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35
Bali
3/25/2007 Bali, IndonesiaYesterday was the normal but busy day at sea. Again, we attended a pre dinner show in The Athenian Lounge and were treated to... Continue reading »
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36
Singapore
3.28.2007 SingaporeWe arrived here as the sun was rising over the city. The city is already interesting with its modern skyline and busy harbor with t... Continue reading »
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37
Phuket
3.30.2007 Phuket, ThailandPhuket is the largest island in Thailand with 215 square miles (about the size of Siongapore). On 12/26/2004 Phuket and othe... Continue reading »
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38
Colombo
.4.02.2007 En route to Colombo, Sri LankaToday is our 3rd day at sea since leaving Phuket. We have sailed in waters that were heavily affected b... Continue reading »
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39
Cochin to Delhi
4.04.2007 Cochin, IndiaThis morning I attended a lecture, Political Islam: Pakistan at the Crossroads” by Dr. Stephen Dachi. Very informative. As were... Continue reading »
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40
Delhi
We have not arrived at this destination yet. Tune in after our scheduled visit and hopefully I will have added some comments and maybe a picture... Continue reading »
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41
Jaipur
4.05.2007 Jaipur, IndiaAfter breakfast we had a brief tour of Delhi and headed for the airport where a new terminal building is under construction-and... Continue reading »
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42
Udaipur
W4.07,2007 Udaipur, IndiaWe were awakened at 4:30 AM, met in the lobby at 5AM for coffee and boarded the bus for the airport at 5:15 AM.for our... Continue reading »
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43
Mumbai
Wow, what a city Mumbai is-more than a hundred newcomers seeking fame and fortune squeeze their way into the city every day, adding to the coffers of... Continue reading »
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44
Fujairah
4.11.2007 Fujairah, United Arab EmiratesWe have been at sea for two days sailng across The Arabian Sea which separates India, Pakistan and Iran on the... Continue reading »
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45
Dubai
4.12.2007 Dubai, United Arab EmiratesKnown as the City of Merchants, Dubai is the second largest of the seven Emeriates that make up the U.A.E. In the... Continue reading »
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46
Muscat
4.14.2007 Muscat, OmanOman occupies the South-Eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders Saudi Arabia and The United Arab Emirates in the Wes... Continue reading »
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47
Salalah
4.16,2007 Salalah, OmanSalalah is the capital of the Dhofar region and has a population of 135,000,less than 50% of our last port-Muscat, the capital... Continue reading »
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48
Safaga-Luxor
4.19.2007 At sea This is our third day at sea and I have caught up on my blog which is a good feeling. Yesterday, we rounded the southwest corner of Y... Continue reading »
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49
Aqaba,Jordon
4.23.2007 Aqaba,Jordon-PetraToday we are looking forward to returning to Petra which has been added to the list of 7 Greatest Wonders of the World. Af... Continue reading »
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50
Suez Canal Transit
.4.26.2007 Suez CanalEarly yesterday morning the ship arrived at Sharm El Sheikh, located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Formerly a comme... Continue reading »
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51
Alexandria
4.27.2007 Alexandria, EgyptThe weather turned very cool and windy last night and the dinner on deck was canceled. This morning we arrived in Alexandri... Continue reading »
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52
Katakolon
4.29.2007 Katakolon, GreeceToday has been another very good on. Once again we were guests of Virtuoso and they had planned something very special. The... Continue reading »
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53
Taorimina
4.20.2007 Taorimina, Sicily, ItalyToday the ship anchored in Giardini Bay at Naxos, six miles from Taoromina at 11:30, 1 ½ hour earlier than scheduled... Continue reading »
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54
Capri
5.1.2007 Naples, ItalyThis morning we were awaken by the Capt.’s voice explaining that we were not going to be anchoring at Capri but rather we were g... Continue reading »
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55
Civitavecchia
5.02.2007 Civitavecchia, ItlayIt was raining when we docked this morning and we were glad that we would not be outside on our trip today. At one time... Continue reading »
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56
Poltu Quatu
5.03.2007 Poltu Quatu, Sardinia, ItalyThe town of Poltu Quato is located on the north-east of Sardinia. It is part of the famous Costa Smeraldo that l... Continue reading »
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57
Valencia, Spain
5.05.2007 Valencia SpainYesterday was a welcomed day at sea that included attending an interview of Walter Cronkite by Fernando our Cruise Director af... Continue reading »
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58
At Sea
5.06.2007 At Sea in The MedToday is a cool day weather-wise today with the usual activities to keep us busy. Sallie and Joanne missed Bingo due to app... Continue reading »
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59
Lisbon
5.08.2007 Lisbon, PortugalYesterday morning we left The Atlantic and sailed up the Tagus River past 3 of Lisbon’s favorite landmarks: the Monument to... Continue reading »
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60
Gibraltar
.5.09.2007 Gibraltar, United KingdomGibraltar is the famous piece of rock located at the western entrance of the Mediterranean, with Spain to the nort... Continue reading »
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61
Casablanca
5.10.2007 Casablanca, MoroccoCasablanca is located on the Atlantic Ocean, is the largest city in Morocco and located just 90 miles from the country’s... Continue reading »
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62
Funchal, Madiera, Portugal
5.11.2007 Funchal.Madeira, PortugalLast night we had a most enjoyable d inner with old friends, Kathleen and John Neil of Alexandria, Va. It’s been ab... Continue reading »
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63
Ponta Delgado
.5.14.2007 Ponta Delgada, (Azores Islands), PortugalLast night the West’s and the Wallace’s had dinner with Carl Vlaeminck, the Cruise Consultan... Continue reading »
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64
At Sea
5.16.2007 At SeaLast night Fernando de Oliveira, the Cruise Director invited the West’s and the Wallace’s to join him for dinner. Also with us was Rus... Continue reading »
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65
Bermuda
5.19.2007 Hamilton, BermudaYesterday at Bingo, everyone showed up wearing the badge of a crew member as Carola had asked us to do. Sallie had borrowed... Continue reading »
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66
New York, New York
This morning we were up early for our arrival in New York City. Although Sallie was born here and I went to college here and worked here many years an... Continue reading »
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