Bonnetts Abroad Past Trips

Eclipse

We left home and drove to Jo's and then on to West Cowes for the 09:00 Red Jet.

It was a smooth journey across the Solent and we easily connected with the quay connect bus.

We were early for our coach, so we hung around in Palmeston Park for a while, and then did a quick sortie into Asda to pick up a couple of meal deals and a bottle of wine to drink in the hotel later.

At the coach station we sat and had a very nice cup of coffee. The coach arrived and we sat at the back, eating our sandwiches as we left Southampton. The coach was very comfortable.

We got to the central coach station at Heathrow at just after 14:00 and walked the underground tunnel to terminal 2.

The check in at the Hilton Garden Hotel was straight forward and we were in our room before 15:00.

We walked back to T2 and had a meal in the Queens arms, sausage and mash, and an all day breakfast.

Back to the room, Deb fell asleep at 19:30, I watched TV and drank wine until 21:00.

Woke up earlyish, we were out of the room by 06:30. I'd tried to check in for the flight using United's app, but wasn't able to, so we had to go to a check–in desk. Apparently one of the passport numbers didn't match the ESTA application, but that was soon resolved . We were told the flight was quite empty so were allocated three seats for the two of us.

After check–in, we went through security and then had breakfast at the London Pride pub, Eggs Benedict and toast.

We boarded the plane, a 787. The plane really was empty, there must have been 10 seats spare per passenger, so I moved to an empty row.

It was a nice flight, copious amounts of wine were served, and the chicken lunch was quite tasty. I watched “Oppenheimer” and “Wonka” on the seat back screen. A very pleasant flight.

We landed at Denver an hour ahead of schedule. Immigration was painless. We got our bags and went through customs.

Re–checked our bags and proceeded to a check–in desk at United, went to the wrong desk, but they checked us in anyway.

Underground transit system to terminal B. Then sat and waited for our flight.

This flight, a 737–800, was absolutely full, but it was only two and a half hours, had pretzels and apple juice.

Upon landing in San Diego we bumped into fellow ROL travellers and the baggage claim. The man from Safe Solo approached us and took us outside to wait for the van. We all boarded and were driven to the Bay Resort hotel. Check–in there took a while.

Room is nice , which a filter coffee machine. Had a meal in the Cavewood Restaurant, burger and beer. Then back to the room to sleep.

Slept reasonably well, got up at 08:00 and drank coffee in the room. Sat outside for a while, the weather was overcast.

We decided to go for a walk. We walked along the waterfront until we reached a caravan park, about 3 miles from the hotel, decided it looked a bit dodgy, so turned around and started walking back.

On the way back we spotted an outdoor cafe which was open fro lunch, which claimed to be a micro–vineyard. I had a grilled turkey and cranberry sandwich and a glass of Denver IPA. It was actually very tasty.

Around the back there was a small wine ship, with a few tables outside, offering flights of wine. So we had a flight each. Four wines, sparkling, white, rose and red, all from California, it was very pleasant sitting outside sipping wine.

We tried to buy wine to take back to our room, but they only had bottles with corks, and we had no corkscrew, so we abandoned that idea.

We went to the Cavewood restaurant for dinner, I had a pork chop with spitzles, a kind of fried pasta, which were very salty, but I washed it down with a couple of glasses of double IPA.

We went back to the room and flicked through the TV channels for a while, watched a bit of the Japanese Grand Prix practice session and four weddings and a funeral.

Woke up early. Showered, dressed and sat in the room drinking coffee. Check out wasn't until 11:00 and are lift to the port was at 11:30, so we had plenty of time.

Deb had an e–mail from Holland America, with “Important Information”, but couldn't open the attached PDF. Finally managed to get the PDF by configuring my e–mail for Debbie, turned out to be nothing, just boarding times.

We checked out and sat outside on rocking chairs, waiting fro the coach to come and get us. Other ROL customers turned up in dribs and drabs. There were 27 of us in all.

When the coach turned up, it had exactly 27 seats, they had an extra car to take some of the luggage.

The drive to the port was short and uneventful. We left our check–in bags, hoping they'd be picked up by porters, and walked into the terminal building. There was a long queue, but it was moving quite quickly.

First checkpoint was for our passports, then through security and then on to check–in. Check–in was meant to be via a barcode scan, but our boarding passed didn't have barcodes, so we were directed to a human at a desk. We very quickly got slips of paper with barcodes on and proceeded to the ship. It was all very slick, we were on the ship by 12:30, only an hour after leaving the hotel.

We easily found out room, which was quite small, but adequate.

Had a look around the ship. First impressions were that it was very dark everywhere with few places to sit and read.

From the outside top deck we could see over to the USS Midway Museum

Had lunch in the buffet, “The View”, Fish and Chips, not great so got a sandwich was was quite nice. PG Tips tea bags were available to make tea.

We continued to look around, until 15:30, when there was a full muster exercise. When the ship's alarm was sounded, everyone gathered at our respective muster stations, which meant the ship was extremely busy.

Went back to our room, one of our two cases was there, the other case arrived much later.

Had dinner in the buffet, steak and chips, and a couple of beers. Went back to the room and watched “Bank of Dave” on the TV.

Because there are no tea or coffee making facilities in the room, we thought we'd have it delivered in the morning, so hung the breakfast card outside the door.

Slept ok, woke up at about 06:30, showered and waited for our room service breakfast.

We'd ordered both tea and coffee, but the tea had no tea bag in it, it was just a pot of hot water. The breakfast itself, was very small, so went up for a second breakfast in the buffet, had a cheese roll and a cup of tea.

Went to origami lesson in the craft room, where we made butterflies.

Then at 11:00 it was time for a flower arranging demonstration, which was actually quite good. Debbie won one of the arrangements in the free raffle.

We headed upstairs for lunch, a Canadian couple and their son sat next to us.

I was going to go to the lecture on the eclipse, but the theatre was standing room only, so I abandoned that idea and went back to the room. Debbie went back to the second origami session, more butterflies.

Met Debbie at 15:30 in the craft room, for modern painted lettering. We were joined by the Canadian lady from lunch (Jean).

Had another cup of tea in the buffet, and then went back to the room to get changed for dinner.

It was the captain's welcome address in the theatre, glass of fizz for the toast was handed to us on the way in. We stayed for the show, which was a dance routine, but also showcased the high tech screens. It was quite good, but a little disjointed.

Started queuing for dinner in the dining room, but changed our minds and went upstairs to the buffet instread.

Went up to the buffet to get two teas and brought them back to the room. After shower and shave went up to The Lido for breakfast, then sat and read in the Crowsnest while Debbie went to knitting. Went outside to take pictures of our approach to Cabo.

We were eating lunch in the buffet, when the tannoy announced that the tenders were open with no need to get a ticket, so we headed down to deck A.

The tender was a local boat, we sat in the back under open skies. It was a very pleasant ride to the quayside.

We walked along the quayside and a little bit into town, and then turned around and walked back.

We walked a little way past our tender and spotted a couple of seals in the harbour. There where loads of pelicans too, and brightly coloured fish were visible in the water.

Then we got the tender back to the ship, this time it was a standard lifeboat.

Had a drink in the Billboard.

Dinner in the buffet and a film on TV, “A Million Miles Away”.

During the Night, the ship headed south by about 160 miles to get into position for the eclipse

After breakfast we went back to the room to get cameras etc. and scouted out a good place to watch from.

I took up position on the sun deck, deck 14, Debbie left and then returned with a foldable chair, a lot more comfortable than perching on the stairs. She later came back with a chair for herself.

We sat and watched as the moon slowly moved over the sun. The skies were perfectly clear. There was plenty of space on the deck as they had recommended getting a view looking aft, so everyone was crowded onto the aft decks, but the sun was almost directly overhead, so any deck would do.

Totality was spectacular, a full four and a half minutes.

Lat: 21.449033°

Long: –107.732063°

After it was over we made tea in the buffet and took it back to our room.

Had a light dinner in the Dutch Cafe.

Went to the show in the evening, a comedian.

The ship was already docked in Mazatlan when we awoke. We had a leisurely breakfast and then decided to go ashore. We were docked in the cargo port, so a fleet of land trains had been pressed into service to take us to the cruise terminal.

There was a blue line painted on the pavement which led the way to the town, along the way volunteers were standing offering advice and handing out maps.

We walked into town, to the plazas and town hall. We went into the cathedral and explored the market.

We then walked to the coast. We came across the “Liverpool” area, which had statues of the Beatles, and a model yellow submarine.

On the coast there where statues of various local people, as well as of Jacques Cousteau.

It was very pleasant on the coast with frigate birds and pelicans flying around, and also paragliders.

We walked back in the general direction of the ship until we found the blue line to follow.

In the evening we went to the show, David Meyer with his Xylosynth. Very good.

A day at sea. After breakfast we went to lei making at 08:30, which consisted of threading beads onto a ribbon, but it was free.

Debbie had a flower arranging class at 09:00, so I sat and read.

We had lunch and then went to the one o'clock quiz.

They were holding ukulele lessons at 14:00, given by the Hawaiian ambassadors who had come on board, so I went to that. There weren't enough ukuleles to go round, so had to share. Not a particularly good lesson, won't go to another.

Happy hour in the billboard club is from 15:00 to 16:00, so went to that, and then stayed on the the four o'clock quiz.

We had a light dinner in the Dutch Cafe before retiring to our room.

Breakfast in the View, then sat in BB Kings to read, but had to move when they started hula lessons.

As we had bought internet for the day we sat and did the Guardian crossword on line.

Had lunch in The View, Paella, fish was very overcooked, so had a burger from Dive–In, nice chips. Went back to the cabin.

Happy hour at 15:00 followed by quiz at 16:00.

Dinner in the Lido buffet

Back to the room and watched “Angels and Demons” on the TV.

It was a formal night, so to towel origami was on the beds when we got back to our room.

There was a one hour clock change overnight.

Went to origami, made a compass rose.

Debbie then went to watercolour class, in the same room, but had to go out and join a long queue to get back in. While I sat at some tables with charging points and read.

Lunch in the buffet

Debbie went to the cooking demonstration with the executive chef, Daran

Happy hour in the Billboard followed by quiz. Sat with 2 Americans, who mentioned that they had met another British woman who had been on the Fred Olsen cruise around Africa.

Went to the evening show, Marcus Winter, a sand artist. Quite good.

Lunch in the buffet. Then back to room, watch “Late Night” on the TV.

Breakfast in the Lido.

Managed to get a seat in the library, so sat and read.

Lunch in the Lido, very busy, eventually found a seat.

Happy hour at 15:00, quiz at 16:00, teamed up with Helen and Harvey from Vancouver, got 21 out of 30.

Went to the show to see Dave Myers again, not as good as his first show.

Dinner in the Lido, then back to cabin to watch a film on TV.

Breakfast in the Lido , then went to origami to make a crane.

Debbie then queued up for art class.

For lunch had freshly made pizza from the NY Deli, nice.

Happy hour at 15:00, quiz at 16:00

Dinner in the Lido, watch “Indiana Jones and the compass of destiny” on the TV.

Breakfast in the Lido, had bought internet access so did Guardian crossword on–line.

Went to the library to read.

Lunch in the Lido.

Happy hour at 15:00, quiz at 16:00 (18/30).

Lido for dinner, then back to cabin, watched “The French Dispatch” on TV.

We had to get our passports stamped by US immigration, who were set up in the theatre. We did this first thing, it was a very easy process and we were quickly through.

We went up for breakfast in the Lido and then went back to the cabin to get ready to go out, applying sunscreen etc.

We then went to get our ticket for the tender, number 13. It wasn't a long wait until our number was called and we could go ashore.

We walked along the sea front, past museums and churches, and the palace, which was closed.

The beaches were mostly volcanic rock, with loads of little black crabs running and jumping across them.

We went back to the ship in time for a late lunch, followed by happy hour and the quiz.

We were docked in Nawiliwili on the island of Kauai.

We were on a trip today, to see the Waimea Canyon, so we went to the theatre to get our sticker for the bus, number 8.

As we got off the ship we were all given leis made of real flowers to wear.

There was quite a queue for the buses, but we eventually got onto our bus.

The bus driver was into his tech, so there were screens set up in the bus, which he could control while he was driving, showing relevant details, pictures and maps, as well as playing musical snippets to highlight certain points.

The first stop was Waimea Canyon overlook, 2 levels of viewing area, with vistas over the canyon and waterfall. There were chickens running wild everywhere.

We were then driver down to Spouting Horn Park, to see the tidal blow hole.

Then it was time for lunch at Keoki's Paradise, a serve yourself buffet.

After lunch we were driven to the Smith's Fern Grotto tour, where we boarded a boat to take us up the Wallua River.

It was a short walk from the landing stage to the Fern Grotto, where a wedding song was played on ukulele.

Then it was back to the boat and back down the river, there were a lot of canoes and kayaks on the water.

Back on the coach, our last stop was the Wailua waterfall viewpoint

After this is was back to the ship, quite a long day.

Overnight we had moved to Honolulu, and were docked next to the Aloha tower.

We had a notion that there was a hop–on hop–off bus, so we set off tying to find it. We walked along, and around a couple of blocks, when we found a status of King Kamehameha outside the Judiciary History Centre.

Entry to the centre was free, it was quite interesting, in the court room a group of school children were acting out a trial.

We walked back towards the ship, where we talked to other passengers who were after the same bus by the harbour wall, but they were few and far between. When one did arrive it was $60 each, and they only took cash, so no good for us.

So we abandoned the idea of the bus and set about walking along into the city. The road along the coast was 4 lanes, and very busy, not very pleasant.

We turned off the main road to a shore side park, where we rested for a while, before heading back to the ship.

Today we had decided to visit the Foster Botanical garden, which was only a mile and a half from where we were docked.

We walked there quite easily, the entrance fee was $5 each, bargain. We were given a map of the garden with specimen trees marked and numbered, and also a list of birds that we might see.

We spent a lot of time walking round the gardens, looking at the trees.

They had a small hot house.

We then retraced out route back to the ship.

Overnight we had sailed back to the big island, we were booked on a trip, so we went through the routine of getting our tickets for the bus.

The bus was a large 4x4 affair, which could seat about 20 people. It was raining quite heavily as we boarded.

The first stop on our tour was the Rainbow Falls on the Wailuku river, the driver had a stash of umbrellas in the back of the bus, which he handed out to us as we got off to go and look at the falls.

The second stop was at the Big Island Candies factory and shop, we had a good look around but didn't buy anything. From the shop you could see into the factory part, but there was no one in there.

We were then driven quite a way, with the intention of having an early lunch at the Volcano Winery, but we were too early and it wasn't open yet. So we went to the Hawaii Volcanoes visitor centre to have a look around there for half an hour, before heading back to the winery.

At the winery we were allowed to taste two wines each, and then select which one we wanted a glass of with our lunch.

The lunch was a packed lunch supplied from the coach, consisting of a turkey sandwich in Hawaiian sweet bread, a tub of salad and a cake.

After lunch we returned to the Volcano National park and were driven down to a trailhead, were we got off the coach. There was a trail down to the Nahuku – Thurston Lava Tube, about 300 yards away from where we parked. The walk down to the lava tube was interesting through a tropical forest of ferns.

We had been supplied with torches by the bus driver, so we could see as we went through the lava tube. On the other side of the tube, more magnificent ferns. We loitered a bit too long admiring the ferns and were almost last back to the bus.

Once we were all back on the bus, we were taken to the Kilauea Overlook, from here we could look down into the crater, which was steaming away. The guide pointed out where a road had collapsed into the crater, which was still visible with its yellow line painted down the middle, it was quite hard to make out though.

From the crater we were driven to a couple of steam vents, which were well fenced off, but quite interesting.

We were running a bit early, so we stopped at Volcano House, a hotel with views over the crater.

We left the Volcano Park and headed down to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Visitor Centre, here we were given some free tasters of macadamia nuts, but our interest lay mainly outside in the gardens, which were nicely planted and everything labelled.

We had one more stop to make, and that was to see the statue of Kamehameha the Great.

Then it was back to the ship, an 8 hour tour. Very good.

A day at sea, into the, by now, familiar routine of breakfast and lunch in the Lido. Happy hour in the Billboard, followed buy the quiz.

Another day at sea.

Another day at sea.

At sea

Today we varied our routine by having a Pizza from the NY Deli for dinner.

We docked in Victoria at about 13:00, so we had already had lunch by the time we walked of the ship.

Tourist information was readily available, and we easily got a map.

We set out walking towards Fisherman's Wharf, spotting a few interesting things on the way.

From Fisherman's Wharf we walked along the waterfront, lots of little ferries in the water, and the float planes were coming and going on a regular basis. There were otters in the water and quite a few seabirds

We bumped into a couple that we'd done a quiz with, they had walked the other way, through Beacon Hill Park, and said how beautiful it was, so we decided to head that way. We walked past the Legislative Assembly building.

And into Beacon Hill Park, it was beautiful. We got a bit disorientated at one point, but managed to get back on track.

Heading through the park to the coast, and then along the coast back to the ship. A longish walk.

Today is disembarkation day, we had decided to self disembark so we'd kept our bags in our room overnight.

Breakfast was available in the Lido from 06:00, so we had an early breakfast, before returning to our room to wait.

The call over the PA came at around 07:45 that the gangway was clear, so we header down to the gangway with our bags.

Very easy, just a case of getting our card swiped and walking off. We were off by 08:00. Our safe–solo agent was there waiting, he directed us to a holding area to wait for his other clients to arrive. By 09:00 we had everybody, and we boarded a minibus to take us to the Sheraton Wall Hotel, only a short drive away.

We checked in and took our bags up to our room in the North Tower on the 20th floor. Nice room.

We had the rest of the day to ourselves so set off walking. We headed down Burrard Street towards the Burrard Street Bridge, but turned off when we reached the banks of False Creek, and then headed along the shore of English Bay. Through Sunset Beach Park, and along English Bay Beach.

We reached the A–mazing Laughter sculpture and then turned inland, along Denmar Street.

We stopped and had a coffee and a snack at Delany's coffee house.

We walked on a little further, and went into Denmar Place Mall to have a look around, and to pick up a few supplies.

We started heading back to the hotel down Comox Street, detouring through Nelson Park before reaching our hotel.

After resting for a while, we went out again to try to find something to eat, the Poteen place we'd seen on Google maps was take away only, so we walked on, and found a nice pub, The White Spot on the corner of Granville and Drake. We had a burger each, very nice. So tasty we had extra chips, which were freshly cooked and really nice, so we had yet more chips. The IPA was also extremely nice.

Our second day in Vancouver. We were on a trip arranged by ROL, so we headed down to the lobby of the South Tower and joined our fellow travellers who were waiting.

The coach looked nice, but it had a large screen separating the passenger compartment from the driver, so we couldn't see ahead, and the view from the side was restricted too, so it was quite hard to see out.

The first stop was to see the Olympic Cauldron by the cruise terminal, it was raining, but not too badly.

Then we headed into Stanley park, to look at the Totem Poles and to admire the views of the city from across the water.

Then on a little further to Brockton Point Lighthouse.

Then round to Prospect Point Lookout, looking over to West Vancouver.

From there we had to do a loop around the park to get back so we could cross Lions Gate Bridge, so we could get to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

There was a bit of confusion over tickets, but we paid and entered.

We crossed the bridge, it ways all over the place, quite difficult to walk on, and steep in places too.

On the other side of the Capilano River, we did a short circuit around a raised walkway through the rainforest.

We then recrossed the bridge and headed to the cliff walk. Quite magnificent.

Then it was time to head back to our bus, once outside the park we were told we could get a free certificate, so they let us reenter the park to get them.

Back on the bus, we headed back over the Lions Gate Bridge, through Stanley Park and we stopped by the A–mazing Laughter sculpture that we'd walked to yesterday. The guide called them laughing Buddahs.

Then it was off to the Granville Island Public Market, where we were dropped.

We had lunch, one portion of fish and chips and one Spinach and Feta roll, both very nice.

Before getting back on the bus, we both had what they called an ice cream sandwich, a block of ice cream between two cookies.

We were driven past the arenas in the sports district, and then taken to Gastown, here we walked down to look at the Steam Clock.

This was our last stop and we were taken back to our hotel.

Our last day in Vancouver, we walked to the Vancouver Lookout tower, to be there as it opened at 10:00.

The lift goes up the outside of the tower, at the top we had tremendous 360 degree views of the city.

After the tower, we walked down into Gastown to have another look as the steam clock.

And then started walking over to China town, a couple of officials advised us to walk straight, and don't venture into East Hastings Street, made us feel a little uneasy.

We headed back in the general direction of the hotel, but then turned down through Robson Square, just beyond that we found The Ox Pub on the corner of Granville Street and Robson Street. We had lunch here while we formulated our plans for the afternoon.

We decided we would try the transit system, the Skytrain. We bought a day pass from Burrard station, and went down in the lift to the platforms.

We got on the blue line and travelled as far as Lougheed Station.

We swapped to the yellow line, and rode to Rocky Point, thinking we could get a normal train back into the city, but we didn't know what time they came, and there was no one to ask, so we went back on the yellow line to Lougheed, and then changed back to the Blue line to complete the loop back into the City.

We changed to the pink line, to take us back out of the city, towards the airport, rode it to the end of the line, where it reversed direction and went back into the city.

It was an interesting ride, and a good way of seeing what life was like away from the city.

After the trains, we got food from a shop close to the hotel, and took it back to our room.

We weren't being picked up from the hotel until the afternoon, but we didn't fell like doing much, so we relaxed in our room until mid–day, and then went down to check out. We waited in the lobby for safe–solo to come and collect us.

They came half an hour early, we loaded into a car with three other travellers and set of for the airport.

At the airport, we checked in. The plane was full and we were allocated seats in different rows, I was in the seat behind Debbie.

We went through security, had a bite to eat at a bar and then sat down to wait at the gate.

When we had boarded the plane and sat in our seats, the man in the seat next to Debbie, offered to swap seats, so we were able to sit together.

Seemed a long flight, food was ok, served red wine with the meal.

Tried to sleep a bit, but the seats were very cramped.

Breakfast was a yoghurt and a cereal bar.

The plane landed at just after 13:00, slightly ahead of schedule.

At Heathrow we got off the plane easily, passport control was an automated gate, there was only a small queue. Then it was on to luggage claim. Had to wait a bit for our luggage, we saw several of our fellow ROL travellers there, who all seemed to get their bags before us.

Through customs, and a short walk to the central bus station.

Paid £5 to get our coach ticket changed to an earlier coach, we still had to wait an hour for it though. Bought meal deals at the mini–Smiths there.

The coach back to Southampton seemed uncomfortable, but I think that was just because we'd been sitting for so long on the plane.

When we got to Southampton it was raining, but we had no choice but to walk, so opted for the driest route we could think off, through Asda and then through the Marlands. By which time the rain had slackened off and we didn't get too wet dragging our cases down to the red jet.

Red Jet back to West Cowes, Jo and Maisie pickup us up.

Then we were back home.