Rainy Fiji

Today we are in Suva, Fiji! Its my first time in Fiji. Unfortunately its a pretty rainy day and I don't have to best schedule, so I didn't really get to sightsee much other than the town itself. To be honest, the town of Suva isn't very nice. You really have to rent a boat to get out to the untouched beauty that Fiji is famous for. So since I can't do that today, I've just wandered about the little downtown area, and settled at Gloria Jean's, a nice coffee shop that seems to be everywhere in the South Pacific, very similar to Starbucks. Unfortunately the wifi isn't free here, but its worth paying a little bit to be able to get online here, especially since there isn't much else I can do today. Gloria Jean's always has really pretty foam-art, if you're ever lucky enough to visit one. Once the barista wrote my name in caramel syrup across the top of my caramel latte, and today they drew an intricate leaf with the different color foams. Not sure why anyone out there would care, but it makes me happy.

The other day we visited the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia, which was absolutely gorgeous. I am so happy we get to go back there petty often. It is almost entirely untouched, with beautiful white sand beaches and blue water for snorkeling. The best thing is that its all right there as you get off the ship - there really isn't anything there but the beach. I can save money and enjoy a really beautiful place every time I'm there. Its called the Isle of Pines for a reason - there are pine trees of all sorts growing right near the beach, giving the island a really interesting look.

Tonight we have our 4th guest entertainer this cruise, which is getting a little bit mentally exhuasting. I know it isn't very many hours of work, about a grand total of 4, but it takes a lot out of you to learn a new show every day and perform it that night. You really have to be focused and tuned in so you can remember everything from the rehearsal and execute it perfectly the first time in from of 1000 people. And when its a new show every day so many days in a row it starts to require a lot more mental focus to stay 100% on top of things. So I'm gearing up for tonight - just one more act tonight before we have a break. I can do it!

First cruise in Australia

We just finished our first cruise in Australia, up the east coast all the way to Cairns and back. My schedule didn't allow me as much time in a few of the ports as I would have liked, but I still had a couple of great days. We had an overnight in Cairns, and so were able to all go out at night after our shows and experience a little of the nightlife there. On the second day a few of us braved a snorkeling tour to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef, despite the weather being a bit nasty and rainy. The visibility wasn't great, but I still saw some amazing things, like a blue spotted ray, a sea turtle, and a huge nurse shark hiding under the reef.

In Airlie Beach I got to catch up with my old friend Matt, whom I haven't seen since the last time I was in Australia, something like 6 years or so ago. He took me around to see some of the sights, including a beautiful waterfall out in the semi-rainforest area, and to see the town where he lives and the school where he teaches grade 5. It was great to catch up with him, I had a really wonderful day. Unfortunately, we don't head up that direction again, except for once about 4 months from now at the end of my contract. But even having the one day was really nice. I had just enough time to get off the ship, take a picture, and eat some ice cream (the essentials) in both Brisbane and Newcastle, due to rehearsal scheduling, but it was still nice to se a little of those cities.

Yesterday was embarkation day once again in Sydney, and I got to do something really special. One of my favorite plays, The Pirates of Penzance, had a matinee in the Opera Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, and I bought myself a ticket. Having played in the show, I know it really well, and it was like seeing an old friend. An old friend who has curiously developed an Aussie accent. :-) I was smiling and singing along through the whole show and was in a great mood all day. The great thing is its so easy just to walk there from the ship, no worrying about transportation or having enough time. I could just enjoy it. The performers were all fantastic, as was the orchestra. It was neat to hear a full orchestra play the same show I had played. We were limited in our production, but they had the full monty: 10 violins, 3 violas, 2 cellos, 2 basses, 2 flutes, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horns, two trombones and two trumpets. Awesome! In the morning I also revisted another old friend, a place called Pancakes on the Rocks. Mmmm.....yummy.

Today we're on our way to the South Pacific Islands, and also to Fiji for the first time. We are all looking forward to that!!!