C'est la Vie.

31 days to cross the Pacific Ocean....a crossing that is interspersed with delightful ports of call at tropical islands that are surrounded by turquoise blue waters, coral reefs, sharks, sting rays and a kaleidoscope of fish. Be prepared for a possible darting moray eel or a wayward coconut dropping from a tree. Savor the fruit...mangos so fresh that when plucked from a tree they stain your hands orange as the juice explodes with each bite or the sun-kissed sweetness of pineapples transported only to the pier and not thousands of miles to your grocery store. It is an idyllic journey to another dimension where the clock revolves around a much simpler life: meal times, time to create art, time to sit on the verandah, read, visit with friends, sip wine or play Scrabble. Our “tournament” is on! I am leading! I am a fierce competitor and Harry is a good sport.

31 days crossing the Pacific does as much, or more, for you than any doctor's office visit. It's a tonic mixed with relaxation and serenity. Harry looks at least ten years younger than when we boarded in San Francisco 23 days ago. Stress is erased from his face.

Last night at dinner, someone remarked that they weren't aware of the enormity of the Pacific Ocean. It is huge, however, along with all the time at sea, comes this incredible opportunity to absorb the magnificence and vastness of our world. 

Our itinerary has changed. Due to health precautions, Samoa has refused our ship port entry. This decision added more time at sea to our schedule. Fiji, however, has graciously welcomed us for a second day. We will visit their charming colonial town of Suva, a port originally not on our itinerary. This is a wonderful bonus.

We predict that this will not be last change of schedule. However, we're well informed and are updated immediately when Captain Aivo has information to share. I don't know the feelings of many of the guests on the Mariner, but I will speak for our little merry band of friends on board and say that we are all very mellow, “drunk” on the beauty around us and the opportunity to live this life for 4.5 months. 

We're in very good hands with Regent and we trust them to keep us safe and healthy. It's delightful to be along for the ride even though we lose a day in our lives when we cross the International Date Line, tomorrow...wait, there is no tomorrow, there's only the day after!

As they say in French Polynesia, “c'est la vie.”

Swimming with sting rays and sharks in Mo'orea

Unedited...the color of the water!

This white sea bird's feathers reflect the color of the water

Bali Hai'

The lagoon at Mo'orea and the view from our verandah!

Gorgeous tropical flowers in the Pape'ete market. We brought them back to our suite.