Feb 6.  Life onboard:  we've been sailing now for 23 days. A few brief stops, though most days at sea, endless horizons, learning the rhythms of cruise life.  Will undoubtedly acquire a different perspective after five months, but should note some early impressions.  Port stops so far have been uninspiring to most of the passengers.  This will soon change, but so far the trek across the Pacific has been more meditative than enriching.  Lots going on in Hawaii, but all quite familiar.  French Polynesia and Tonga are sleepy tropical islands with struggling economies in beautiful but disadvantaged locations.  Pacific islanders can earn a subsistence living from the plentiful sea and lush islands.  These locations score poorly however in the econometric realm of GDP.  One passenger who spent four years living and sailing among south Pacific islands in the 70's describes the current situation as 'sad'.

Better adventures await.  Tomorrow begins eight days in New Zealand, then many stops in Asia, Middle East, & Europe.  Meanwhile cruise ship life reframes the obvious.  The cruise industry has spent a great deal of time and money figuring out what people want.  They could have spared such effort and just googled it.  On this ship we feel nurtured, socially connected, enriched,  and entertained.  I think the nurture feeling comes from the all-inclusive feature. We pay one upfront fee, then everything is included.  No money needed onboard, no upselling, no gratuities.  The power of this arrangement is profound.  We feel like honored guests in the home of gracious hosts. 

There are pros and cons to this arrangement.  On the downside, after five months we will probably forget how to do some simple tasks, such as putting a napkin on our lap.  Lots of upside:  have met interesting people, diverse selection of enrichment lectures, abundant fun and stylish living.  Soon we'll get a taste of many cultures, see many sites.  We garner clues from some veteran travelers.  Five months of cruising and 67 ports may recalibrate our value system - increase the importance of experiences, diminish the importance of things.  We'll see.

Tomorrow New Zealand, sail into the beautiful Bay of Islands, so named for the 140 small islands dotting this bay.  Originally home to bloodthirsty Maori headhunters.  Will visit forests and the tiny historic town of Russell - the first European settlement in New Zealand.  Looking forward to this.