27th January 2013 Three days after putting Pitcairn island astern of us and 1,190 miles later, we are docked in Papeete, Tahiti. It is hot and humid, 29⁰C/89⁰F. We are fortunate, for the past 4 days the island has not seen sun, instead experiencing rain and thunderstorms, yet today, despite the occasional cooling shower, the… read more of “Captain’s…”
24 January 2013 In 1767, a young British Midshipman, Robert Pitcairn, on the British sloop HMS “Swallow” sighted land and thus the 15-year old had the distinction of having an island named after him. The island was uninhabited on that day. In 1790, the mutineers of HMS “Bounty”, along with some Tahitian companions (who may… read more of “Captain’s…”
An early wake-up call. The south side of the island was in complete darkness, except for the occasional light of a isolated house. We were passing 1 ½ miles off the rocky coastline, intending to round the south-west headland and turn to the north, arriving off our 1st-choice tendering spot off Hanga Roa, the main… read more of “Captain’s…”
16th January, Cusco, San Martin, Peru; 17th-18th, at sea: Cusco is a relatively small port on the coast of Peru. One dock long enough to accommodate our length. We are surrounded by sand, the desert of the Atacama. Guests return from ‘interior’ tours here, particularly Machu Picchu and fly to see the Nazca Lines, vast… read more of “Captain’s…”
11th January. Manta, Ecuador: We crept into the port at 0400, ‘crept’ because most, if not all of our guests were still sleeping and I needed to avoid waking them with the vibration of the bow thrust. Approximately 20 of our guests were leaving us here and flying to the Galapagos Islands, hence the need… read more of “Captain’s…”
Dear Readers, back again on the lovely m.s. Amsterdam and our World Cruise. Not an auspicious start for me, personally, for within 2 days of commencing our epic voyage, I have been struck with what appears to be, flu. I am fortunate enough to have a great Bridge team and my ‘lack of enthusiasm’ was… read more of “Captain’s…”
The ms Volendam ended her 34-day circumnavigation of Australia on the 24th of November in Sydney Australia. On November 22, she left Hobart, Tasmania, and sailed by Cape Raoul and later Tasman Island. This steep rocky coastline looks like a giant organ. From now it is north toward Sydney and then she will start her… read more of “Captain’s…”
Yesterday was a proud day for Eurodam’s Captain van Donselaar when his new baby Rowan got to come on board for the first time. The ship was in New York so Pam (our avid blogger and the captain’s wife) brought Rowan for the day to see his dad in action.
