Flying fish, corpses, and other sailing trivia

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

We left the Kingdom of Tonga on Super Bowl Monday (we’re a day ahead), so some of us watched the lovely departure ceremonies, complete with native dancers and a community band that would make Judy Mindicino proud, and some of us watched the thrilling end of the game. Unfortunately the two coincided so choices had to be made. I watched the once in a lifetime departure and John did not. Nuff said.

Now, after two sea days, we have some interesting observations. First, the median age of this passenger group may be 75 or older. It is helped by several twenty and thirty somethings who are accompanying grandparents – and one 35-year-old woman who is traveling alone. However, there are MANY aboard who are 80 and 90+. We estimate that the ratio of assistive devices (scooters, walkers, wheelchairs and canes) is probably 1 in 5. We are told that three people have already died, one has left the ship with extreme dementia, and you already heard about the couple from Tasmania. This is only Day 30.

Second, our “trip of a lifetime” seems to be a rather common occurrence among many here. One fellow is making his 14^th Grand World Voyage. Guess the definition of “trip of a lifetime” is in the eyes of the beholder. We thought we were fairly well traveled, but we have met people who have visited places we have only dreamed of not once, but several times.

Third, there are several ways to injure oneself on this journey. We met a guy who was bitten by a dog on Tonga. Now he’s limping around, having had a tetanus shot, lots of antibiotics, and a drain plug in his foot. Fun! He was riding his bike when the attack occurred. Got some help at a local resort before riding that bike back to the ship. Then there is the woman who fell in the shower and skinned most of her shin to the bone. She is now bandage-free, but the sore is UGLY.

We have daily flying fish sightings – always makes me think of Life of Pi. They never cease to amaze me. And we have met lots of nice, interesting people from all over the world.

We are in Auckland, New Zealand tomorrow for two days. Really looking forward to that! We have a private tour scheduled for day one, and a ride on an America’s Cup yacht on day two.