Maui Destination Presentation - Dan Middleditch Tribute to Elvis Presley

Aloha Everyone,

After the Honolulu Destination presentation, we weren’t surprised to hear about charges of tourist destinations on Maui. But to climb Iao Needles and Haleakala plus numerous botanical gardens and some waterfalls, the cost for access were a little disconcerting.

A couple from Vancouver, Canada have been enjoying their periodic nomadic lifestyle. Last year, they spent four months traveling in Vietnam staying in 4 different cities. Malaysia is where they get their annual physicals. 

The four of us discussed how daily uses of artificial intelligence are changing everything from healthcare to education, employment to manufacturing and management. Global economic growth and security are all being affected.

Aloha -- Cathi

Meeting Fellow Voyagers

Aloha Everyone,

Our dinner table mates were a couple from New Zealand and another couple from Kansas City, Missouri. Finding enthusiastic listeners, the New Zealanders gave us a glimpse of what’s like to live in their country. His favorite expression “astonishing” was catchy.

The husband from Kansas City retired from Dun & Bradstreet, the credit monitoring company for corporations. Fans of the Kansas Chiefs football team, he was thrilled that his team won and happy to hear we were also cheering for his team.

The six of us learned that we have many things in common including our long lasting marriage. The couple from Kansas, 54 years, ours 53 years and the New Zealanders, 52 years. Each one of us engaged in our lives, love our families and friends. This indeed was a special dinner since we boarded the Crown Princess just 3 days ago.

Captain Christopher Lye boarded this ship in San Pedro. He was the same captain who sailed us to the Hawaiian and Polynesian waters and returned us to San Pedro last year. Wonderful storyteller, he is personable and has many incredible experiences.

Our room steward Manuelito, is from the Philippines. Hard working and attentive, we are glad to have him in charge of our room.

Attended Showtime with Rechell Sears at the Princess Theater.

Aloha -- Cathi

Honolulu Destination Presentation

Aloha Everyone,

We attended the Honolulu destination presentation with Hutch. We’ve heard him on our prior trips. It’s always uncomfortable to listen. He mispronounces Hawaiian words as well as English words.

There were a few things J.J. and I learned. For example, there’s been increase of prices on numerous items starting with the fees to ride the Bus, trolley, taxis, entry to the Honolulu Zoo, Honolulu aquarium, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head climbing, Arizona Memorials. The list goes on.

Tonight’s Showtime with Alfred & Seymour at Princess Theater had some good laughs but not quite my kind of entertainment. Their closing message of laughing as a great stress reliever was good. If all of us are less stressed, then we all will be able to enjoy life.

A great walking day for me too. I finished 5.8 miles or 15,019 steps.

Aloha -- Cathi

Two Dramamine Day

Aloha Everyone,

On every voyage heading to Hawaii, I suffer from sea sickness. Today I took two Dramamine and slept most of the day. 

J.J. and I watched the classic comedy “Home Alone.”

Aloha -- Cathi

Embarkation Day

Aloha Everyone,

Riding in a Tesla was a comfortable experience. J.J.’s assumption was correct. There was no assistance to take care of our luggages along the dock side. Fortunately, as we were getting on Crown Princess, a couple of staff members volunteered to take the luggages to our room.

Our stateroom is located on the Starboard side with large windows giving us a wide ocean view.

We learned that Crown Princess’s interior was recently refurbished and drawers and shelves have new linings. 

I am cautiously optimistic that I can stay on my healthy diet and resume my daily walking.

Aloha -- Cathi

A Day Hanging Out with My Sister

Aloha Everyone,

Both of us are busy with our daily activities. We talk by phone every day, but today after J.J. returned our rental car, my sister and I decided to just “hang out”.

Venue we chose, King’s Hawaiian is familiar, comfortable with great Hawaiian food. After settling for Saimin, curly noodles prepared Hawaiian-style, we chatted about her volunteer work with a music group. She has met many of my friends in Honolulu and was interested in learning that J.J. and I will be meeting some of them.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our Two Luggages are Packed

Aloha Everyone,

Stressful day. We decided to pack our luggages, take extra items including kitchen utensils and two extra suitcases to our storage unit. We also put away extra medications.

Very relieved that we were able to fit everything into our 2 medium size suitcases.

J.J. has been maintaining his 3 miles plus a day and me my 5 miles plus. I think keeping our exercise routine help us stay focused on our task at hand. We definitely sleep very well.

Aloha -- Cathi

Wells Fargo ExpressSend Service

Aloha Everyone,

Our tentative stay in the Philippines will be approximately 3 months. Exploring different lodging options, J.J. is looking for a condo or apartment that is in a newer, upscale neighborhood. 

Wells Fargo ExpressSend Service promotes a person to person remittance service that offers you more options to send money to family or friends in 12 countries.

This program sounds great and feasible but once we began the application process, the bank requires ridiculous amounts of information which are not readily available. Trying to satisfy their requirements, J.J. contacted his family members and we went back to the bank to submit. No information can be transmitted via phone nor email. Only the person who assisted us in the first place may complete the filing. Otherwise, we have to set up appointment which will be available on Friday this week, after our departure.

J.J. and I will use another way to receive money while overseas.

Aloha - Cathi

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Aloha Everyone,

This is a free service by the Department of State for US citizens and nationals. Emergency can be related to health, weather, safety and security in the country. The process is via online app and there’s a statement that time to complete is only 20 minutes.

On our coming voyage, it was recommended that we use the service. The two of us will fly to Hong Kong to spend 4 nights before going to the Philippines. The US Consulate had our information if a problem or emergency comes up.

Aloha -- Cathi

Authentic Paella Meals

Aloha Everyone,

What a sumptuous treat! La Española Meats, Inc. is located in the industrial part of town on Doble Avenue in Harbor City. The first impressions of the business is good. The business is housed in a large, well maintained building. The owner, Dońa Juana is an astute jefe. Her famous paella is available only on Saturdays and you must preorder by Friday. She also has Flamenco dancers on the last Saturday every month.

We were fortunate that there were a couple of Paella Mariscos still available. J.J. purchased 2 packages, 2 churros con chocolate and authentic Tortas from Sevilla. All these for $50 which will more than satisfy us for 2 full meals :-). 

We are grateful to Moira who mentioned to us about this wonderful hidden gem.

Aloha -- Cathi

Pfizer Covid Vaccine

Aloha Everyone,

This morning J.J. and I went to get our Pfizer Covid vaccine at Walmart pharmacy. They were also offering RSV in addition to the annual flu vaccine. The pharmacist told us that the cost of RSV is not covered by Medicare nor our insurance. When we learned that the cost is $400 per person, the two of us declined. I will continue to wear my face masks.

September 18, 2024, the Federal Reserve cut interest for the first time in 4 years. Businesses and individuals were expecting the Fed’s move and they anticipate additional cuts. The interest rates cut will affect retirees like us. In the meantime, US stock markets ended the week in positive territory.

Aloha -- Cathi

Luncheon with Cousins

Aloha Everyone,

Had a wonderful time talking and eating. We heard some family updates including J.J.’s grandniece is expecting fraternal twins in February 2025. Fraternal twins run in the family. 

Another grandniece who works in New Zealand is also expecting a baby in March 2025.

One of J.J.’s cousins is going to inform her brother about our schedules in Sydney. It’s fun to have a large families but logistics to see everyone can be complicated.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our Celebration Lunch

Aloha Everyone,

A great day! We have visas for New Zealand and Australia. Hotel reservations for Sydney and Hong Kong. We passed by Wells Fargo to pick up the Hong Kong currency we ordered.

Our celebration lunch, at a local Japanese restaurant was interesting. Reservations at 11:30 am, people were already standing by the door to seek admittance. Within 20 minutes, this popular restaurant had no empty table.

The restaurant closes at 1:30 pm & reopens for dinner at 5:30 pm.

Aloha -- Cathi

Takeout Dining at Extended Stay in America (ESA)

Aloha Everyone,

Here are some takeouts J.J. and I have been enjoying since our return to ESA (Extended Stay in America).

Aloha -- Cathi

South Dakota Driving License

Aloha Everyone,

My mail-in South Dakota Driving license has been accepted. I had to answer a couple of questions including am I willing to be organ donor. Unfortunately, my having cancer disqualifies me. Also having cataract surgery on both eyes is another reason why I’m not a good candidate.

Since my driving license is less than 5 years old, my old photograph will be utilized. Once our credit card was charged, it will take 2-3 weeks for me to get my new license in the mail. Another things to check off from our things to do list.

Aloha -- Cathi

Staying Touch with Family & Friends

Aloha Everyone,

Our family and friends are always busy with working, volunteering, taking classes and learning new things or traveling. 

October 4th is one day we will be in Honolulu on a Crown Princess cruise. We are looking forward to meeting some of our friends.

Aloha -- Cathi

Extremely Productive Day

Aloha Everyone,

Did my morning walk, dropped off our laundry, then to Wells Fargo Bank where we took care of two different issues.  Stopped at our storage locker to pick up two more suitcases. Staples to print the luggage tags for our upcoming cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia. Walmart to purchase a few items. Our final stop was at Tokyo Central to restock on bottled drinking water and takeout bento boxes for two days.

My sister came by to give me 5 clothes hangers. We are dealing with bureaucratic red tape, AGAIN! Our new room lacks one kitchen chair and one living room recliner. When we requested for them, it appears that the new ESA (Extended Stay America) rule requires that the front desk person send a requisition to headquarters. Days are gone when one of the housekeepers would go and get missing items, including clothes hangers, from rooms that are not being used due to ongoing renovation.

Anticipation of Federal Reserve lowering interest rates, today’s US stock market hit all time highs.

Aloha -- Cathi

Dealing With Bureaucracy

Aloha Everyone,

New Zealand and Australia require that each arriving passenger obtain a visa. After much frustration, J.J. was able to obtain ours online for New Zealand. Australia on the other hand is proving to be difficult. We already paid $250 in advance. 

Princess Cruise isn’t helpful. But they might refer their customers to a third party who can work on your visa for a fee.

My South Dakota Driving License renewal is coming up. I had my vision examined by a licensed optometrist.

Recalling how simple it was for J.J. to renew his driving license once we arrived in South Dakota, I almost regretting that we didn’t drive there.

Aloha -- Cathi

Challenging Drawing Exercises with my Granddaughter

Aloha Everyone,

One of the things I enjoy most is drawing with my granddaughter.

Aloha -- Cathi