What a trip!

Living the Dream, One Trip at a Time

What a Trip!!

Little did we know that the Pacific Ocean covers about one-third of the Earth’s surface….that it is the largest and deepest ocean and that it spans more than 63 million square miles (roughly 46% of the Earth’s water surface! ) What an opportunity for us to learn about some tiny pieces of this amazing expanse.

We spent 31 days enjoying the breathtaking scenery, vibrant cultures, outdoor excursions, luxurious accommodations, and fantastic food. It really checked all of our boxes!

✅. Breathtaking Scenery…..

Crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, lush tropical rainforests, and stunning coral reefs.

✅. Cultural Experiences…..

Opportunities to engage with local traditions, dance, music, and cuisine.

✅. Fun Excursions

Activities like snorkeling, boating, hiking, ATVing, and exploring ancient archaeological sites.

✅. Luxurious Accommodations

This was our second voyage on the Oceania Nautica, which is the perfect size for us, with a maximum capacity of 650 passengers.

✅. Gourmet Dining

Oceania claims to have the best food on the sea, and we can not disagree! It tastes great, is beautifully plated, and offers a range of options.

We also had great food off the boat….this charcuterie plate was served with our wine tasting.

✅. Wildlife Encounters

Among our observations at the Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney, where we disembarked our ship. These animals are…….a Wombat (carries the baby in a pouch), a Tasmanian devil (very mean!), Koala Bear (adorable but not really a bear, related to kangaroo & wombats), and a Southern Cassowary (a relative of the Emu!)

✅. Entertainment

We regularly had shows…..the Oceania Cast some nights, guest singers and musicians and a Comedian. The very talented Nautica House Band and the classical quintet were ever-present each day at various events.

✅. Educational Opportunities

In addition to the whole itinerary being one huge learning experience, we also had great lecturers on various topics, such as photography, South Pacific history/geography/culture, and physics (only Pete could understand those!).

This presenter, James Grant Piterkin, was a favorite!

Here the is showing us where the Polynesians originally came from.

✅. Friendships…..Old and New

New friends from Pittsburgh and South Carolina.

This couple, both dentists, lives just down the road from us in southern Florida!

Perhaps this quote from Robert Louis Stevenson says it all……….

And we agree!!!!

We’re now setting off on the next leg of our journey—exploring more of Australia—while Rick and Carol head back to New Zealand’s South Island for a month. We’ve truly enjoyed traveling with them and discovering, for both couples, this remarkable corner of the world for the very first time.