Carpe Diem: Explore.Dream.Discover.

 DAY 36/136  Wednesday  January 24, 2024   Sunrise  6:05 AM  Sunset 7:35 PM Lecture with Viking Resident Historian Wing Commander (Ret) William Simpson: "Operation Doolittle-Pacific war Game Changer?  Hear how the daring mission that offered little chance of survival may have turned the tide of the war. Photography Workshop with Mr. James Fraser: "Let Us Talk About Your Pictures." Analyze why some pictures work, and some do not.  Guest lecture with Mike Bradley: "Nine Mutineers Who Got Away:  Pitcairn Island." Listen to this sad tale over property rights, inequality, alcoholism, sex and murder.  Guest entertainer Nick Russoniello, a saxophonist from Australia. Day 2 of the Women's A to Z cocktail hour at 4PM.  Today's drink was a Bloody Mary

 DAY 37/138  Thursday  January 25, 2024   Sunrise 5:26 AM  Sunset: 7:07 PM  Had a 3  hour nap this morning!! Photography Q & A with Workshop Host James Fraser.  Stop by with your photography questions and receive guidance for improving your skills.  Guest Lecture with Mr. Lennart Resenbro, MSC: "The International Date Line. "Understand the International system of time zones and how the Date Line seemingly makes time travel possible. " Excellent presentation but still a confusing issue.   Tonight I will be changing the date on all of my devices:  laptop, Kindle,  Sony camera, Casio watch,  my old Google Pixel 3A phone that has a headphone jack and I use it to listen to podcasts in the gym, and last but not least my Google Pixel 7 Pro phone.  Crazy:  six devices....life was so much simpler in the past.   So tomorrow is Saturday January 27th.   Pedicure this afternoon, very relaxing...

 DAY 35/138   Tuesday January 23, 2024     Sunrise:  5:50AM  Sunset  7:05 PM Interesting guest lecture with Professor John Hay:  "Tourism in the Pacific".  Learn how the global pandemic affected tourism and how the economies of the South Pacific survived. In the evening a guest lecture with Mike Bradley: "Bligh's Next Breadfruit Transport and another Mutiny."  Discover Bligh's success at collecting Tahitian breadfruit, but his next assignment led to yet another mutiny.   This afternoon the Explorer's Society met in the Atrium.  It was for guests who have sailed with Viking Cruises before and were invited to mark the occasion with a loyalty toast.  Beautiful moon tonight.                                                                    ...

DAY 34/138  1/22/2024   Sunrise:  5:40AM  Sunset: 6:39 PM Tahiti is an island paradise that lays claim to the invention of surfing.  Its mile upon mile of sandy beaches, soothing waters and warm sun are ideal for leisure-seeking visitors.  The island's volcanic origins deposited black sands on much of its coast creating a dramatic coastal canvas, while white-sand beaches stretch along the southern shores.  point Venus on the east coast boasts dark sands and moderate waves.  The waters of maui Beach, lined with palms, offer shallow, quiet surf for wading and snorkeling among stunning coral reefs.  Our excursion today was Vaipahi Gardens & Papara Surf Beach Island Drive to Explore Flora and Scenic Spots -- Discover the tropical flora and stunning beachside locations of Tahiti on a scenic island drive. Travel with your guide to the east coast and stop for photos at Point Venus, the historic landing site of European explorers and th...