Satellite Connection Again

For the past 24 hours we have been outside what they call the satellite footprint, meaning we haven't had Internet or TV during this period.  We are some 386 miles to the Northeast of Easter Island this morning and have pretty good connection now.  Hopefully, we will retain communications.  But, the South Pacific is noted for areas where there is no communication. 

This is our 4th day at sea since departing Lima, Peru.  Yesterday the winds reached 25 MPH causing pretty rough seas.  The ship was rocking and rolling.  We thought it was fun, but many passengers remained in their staterooms. 

When we arrive at Easter Island tomorrow the ship will be utilizing tenders to transport us to the island.  Looking forward to our return to this extremely remote location.  Easter Island is one of the world's most isolated, yet inhabited islands in the world.  It sits 2,000 miles away from both Chile and Tahiti.

World Cruise FYI

World Cruise FYI

Complete 2011 World Cruise 34 DVD Collection

The ship is offering the Reflections Ultimate World Cruise DVD Collection which covers all four segments squeezed onto 34 DVDs.  It includes every port of call, shore excursions, folkloric shows, ship’s events and more.  If passengers order the complete collection prior to Auckland, New Zealand, there is a substantial discount totaling about $210 off the regular retail price.

Laundry Room

The Pacific Princess has upgraded the Laundry Room by removing old washers and dryers and installing 8 stackable machines.  This photo only shows four of the new machines.  The laundry detergent is no longer free.  It’s now $1.00 per box.

Frig Move

We took the small refrigerator out of the shirt/jacket closet and relocated it to below the desk in our stateroom.  The refrigerator operates on 220 volts.  There are two 220 outlets and two 110 outlets on the desk, so this location works out well.  The extra closet space has really come in handy.

Magnetic Baskets

Prior to this trip, a friend suggested that purchasing several magnetic baskets.  We checked them out on the Internet and decided they would work well for holding all the little things that clutter drawers.  Cindy uses them in the room and the bathroom.  These are in addition to the old standby, our shoe holder which we use for arranging items such as sun screen, hand sanitizer bottles, first aid supplies, etc.  We use large magnets to hold the shoe holder in place.  FYI--each wall and the ceiling on the Pacific Princess is steel allowing for use of magnets to hang things or hold a stretchable clothes line on laundry day.

Passenger Suggested Discussions

Our Deputy Cruise Director, Frankie, has done an excellent job organizing discussions based on suggestions from passengers.  For example, Peru—Two Different Worlds, Academy Award Movie Review, IPOD Touch Users & Audio Book Discussion, Common Interests @ Sea, How Natural is Supernatural, Facebook discussion, etc...These discussions have been interesting and lively.

Frankie and Cindy

Manta and Lima Shuttle Changes

After many visits to each of these ports of call we have noticed some changes in the transportation arrangements.  Getting from the pier to the town in both of the cities has changed.  In Manta a shuttle service used to operate on a no fee basis with several stops on the way to town.  Stops included Manta Mall (handicrafts, grocery store and bank), Artisan’s Market, and Hotel Oro Verde for beach access.  The shuttle service is still in place for these stops, except now there is a $6.00 per person each way charge.  In Lima, the shuttle service there was on a fee basis.  Now the shuttle service to the JW Marriott Hotel in Miraflores is provided free of charge by H. Stern.  The shuttle departed the port at 8:00am, 10:00am, and Noon and returned from the JW Marriott at 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm.   Not sure if these changes affect only the small ships or to all ships within the Princess fleet.

Live Television Lineup

The live television lineup has changed and most passengers appreciate the variety.  The live channels include FOX News, BBC World News, MSNBC, CNBC, ESPN,  and ESPN2.  Additionally, there are the standard recorded channels such as Discovery Channel, Princess Movie Channel, Leonard Maltin Movie Channel, Romance Movie Channel, Pacific TV Channel, and other Princess related channels.



Lima (continued)



After much anguish, frustration, and research, we finally got the laptop computer to boot again.  Although it isn’t booting-up as you would normally expect, we were able to find a work-around on the HP website.  Hopefully, we will get some assistance to correct the Power Management settings from the onboard Computer Officer.  Anyway, we are back and running.

Here is a shot of some dolphins that we passed heading down to Lima.  Throughout the day prior to our arrival in Lima, we saw many dolphins and sea birds fishing. 

The port for Lima is actually known as Callao.  Its population is a little over 600,000.  The two cities have merged forming a very large 8 million person metropolis.  Getting from the pier in Callao to downtown Lima takes about 35 minutes unless you hit rush hour traffic.  Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro, the conquistador who defeated the forces of the Inca Empire and delivered South America into the hands of Spain.

During the day yesterday, we did a refresher trip to Plaza de Armas (now know as Plaza Mayor), the Cathedral, and to see some the colorful homes.   

We ended yesterday with our usual shopping at some of the usual Indian Markets.

Departure from Lima is a 1:00pm today.  The Pacific Princess will then spend the next 4 ½ days at sea.  Our arrival is at Easter Island will be on February 3, 2011. Both of us are looking forward to returning to what the indigenous people call Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Lima, Peru

Early today we arrived in Lima, Peru.  We will be here for two days.  I will Post more later, but currently having a real problem with my laptop computer.  It stopped booting yesterday; then it booted, but has refused to boot today.  So I am using the ship's computers which don't allow you to download any photos, etc.   I have asked a friend in Auckland is he can scope-out any Netbooks that would allow me to again Post photos.  So, looks like I will just be posting narrative for awhile, and add photos later after we get some new computer equipment.

Manta, Ecuador

Throughout the day yesterday, the ship was on a southerly course en route to Manta, Ecuador.  Not too much was visible at sea other than some Brown Bobbies diving for fish and a couple of small dolphins.  Shortly after midnight, at 1:00am we crossed the Equator. 

This morning at 4:15am we embarked our local pilot for the final course into the pier at Manta.  Today the sky is overcast with a temperature of 79 degrees.  Manta is very close to the Equator.  It’s Longitude and Latitude is 0 degrees 55.880 South Lat. and 80 degrees 43.240 North Lon.  The port of Manta is the gateway to Ecuador and its capital, Quito, the second highest capital in elevation in the world lies at 9,300 feet above sea level.

Many passengers disembarked at about 5:30am this morning for extended tours.  The tour to Quito flew out and will return tonight at 6:30pm.  Tours to the Galapagos Islands (600 miles away), and Cuzco/Machu Picchu will rejoin the ship in a few days at Lima, Peru. 

Over the years we have visited Manta several times.  Because of these previous trips we chose to not do any of the tours, most notably to the village of Montecristi.  This village is noted for small family-run home industries where you can see women weaving Panama Hats.  In Manta there is the Archaeological Museum and Ivory Nut factory.  At this factory they carve the Taguera nut into jewelry, buttons, and artwork.  Probably the biggest industry in Manta is tuna fishing and processing.

 This morning we watched as many of the tuna boats were unloading their frozen catch of hugh tuna.  Our ship’s Hotel General Manager and one of the Chefs were lucky enough to get one of the tuna that fell from the trucks.

Our scheduled departed is at 7:00pm tonight.  We will then have two sea days and will arrive in Lima on Friday, January 28^th.