Sunday, January 7, 2024
HAL Grand Australia & New Zealand Cruise
On New Year’s Day 2024, we loaded up the luggage; checked in for our flight out of Orlando; and flew to San Diego. The process was easy and uneventful. The flight was smooth and comfortable. The landing was on-time.
And at that point, the idyllic journey turned into reality!!!
We collected the luggage!!! Of course, we knew how much luggage was necessary to sustain us on a 112-day cruise; that’s why we forwarded two duffel bags to San Diego earlier in December. But what we didn’t factor into our planning was our own AGE!!! What were we thinking!!! Seeing as porters were unavailable; we grabbed our luggage from the baggage carousel, loaded it onto TWO luggage carts, rented from a nearby rack; and pushed our cruise wardrobes, electronic devices, and accompanying toiletries and medications out to the pick-up/loading curb. And it was at that point we realized: we are no longer as young or strong as we think!!! We had to load that luggage into the rented SUV ourselves!!! Sure ‘nough; worked up a sweat and wore ourselves out!!! But guess what!!! After a short drive to the harbor and our hotel across from the pier, we had to unload!!! And then, two days later, we repeated the process and delivered the luggage to the dock. We no longer cared if we ever saw that stuff again!!!
But we did, most definitely, take pleasure in meeting up with friends as we enjoyed a pleasant afternoon at the Top Sail Lounge at Brigatines’s on the Harbor. We also did a final shopping run at WalMart for (wait for it): those things we had not brought with us in those 6 bags of luggage and 2 shipped duffel bags. Oh Joy!!! Another box to load and transport!!!
Ahhh but,
The joy of being back on a cruise ship is invigorating!!! And Holland America has gone out of their way to give us many, many options of fun things to do. Thus far, we have been “at sea” since departing San Diego and will arrive in Honolulu on Tuesday, January 9th. We’ll be in Hawaii for several days.
We’ll look forward to telling you all about it!!!
See you soon!!!
RovingRaconteurs.com 
Thank you for this. I enjoy seeing pics of your adventures and love seeing our friends Shirley & David Nairn! Tell them Hi for me, have fun and take good care of them for me! Joanne
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And David and Shirley send, “Greetings” right back to you!!!
Tomorrow we arrive in Honolulu and plan to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. No doubt, you’ll hear all about it in a future posting!!!
Thank you for following along!!!
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Too funny, too true, but you made it! So great to see you crusing again and what an itinerary! Will be watching for your posts eagerly and happy to go along for the ride. Have a wonderful time and enjoy this enticing new Grand cruise!
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Thank you, Patricia!
We always love returning to Hawaii. Having lived here for 4 years in the 1970s, we were enchanted with the vibe of Paradise!!! We return when we can; and enjoy simply being here!!!
When we arrive in Hilo, we are booked on a helicopter tour of Volcanoes National Park. It’s been years since we’ve done that and look forward to seeing the changes.
Thank you for following along!!!
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How can we be on the same small ship for 5 days and not see each other at all?!? If you are anywhere near the Piano Bar between 9 and 11AM, we are there every day for our group chat. Or find us in 2623. Looking forward to seeing you.
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We will find you!!!!
Today however, Mixology at 3:00pm; Tamarind at 6:30pm; In the Mood at 7:30pm!!!
They do keep us busily entertained, don’t they!!!
We’ve been searching; we’ll find you!!!
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