Lunch today is going to be special as Masaki, Amanda & Marika will be joining us on the Voyager and yes, lots of photos will be posted on Smugmug.

Fortunately, Masaki has volunteered to make a copy of the photos I take and will post them on Smugmug for me when he gets home.

Yesterday we rented a car with another couple and toured the volcanos of Hilo followed by dinner in the Compass Rose will three other couples.

Masaki just phoned. Lots like we'll be doing some island touring with them priot to lunch.

Later.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Ray & Penny,

Oh how special is that? Lunch with Masaki, Amanda, & Marika. Please remember to deliver hugs all around.

Ditto the hugs! Can't wait to see the pix!

Please give them hugs and best wishes. I'm sure Amanda looks radiant. Can't wait to see photos!

We're all so envious of you!! Give them Hugs from us too...it's been much too long since MUSH.

Masaki and Amanda seem to be the official greeters for Hawaii! Hope you have a great time, Ray and Penny! My, how many friendships were born from MINT, way back then when Amanda first announced Marika's coming!

I hope you have a wonderful visit - yes, Olivia, Mint was a special cruise and anyone still have their invoice? We need more Mint $$$$ trips

Todd named that cruise because we were saving a MINT! Hard to find those deals these days on Regent!

What a memory O!! I guessed it was "M"ariner "N"ovember forget the I and T :D ( I think it was November?? 2004 )

Greetings:

What a fun day with the Takai family and Marika was at her best with a bushel basket full of smiles for us and everyone else she came in contact with. The Voyager cruisers also enjoyed seeing her, especially one chap who wanted Marika to marry his grandson. He couldn't keep his eyes off her and came over to the table twice to get nearer. And we were fortunate to catch the Ardis & Stan (screen name McKeever) in the corridor and the Takai's got to meet them as well.

We had a nice tour of part of the island that was quite scenic but then again, isn't it all. Also saw the beach where they filmed the love scene from "Here to Eternity."

And,yes, some good photos await you but for heavens sake, I can't believe I didn't remove the flower from our lunch table when taking some photos of the family. The flower was always in the way of Masaki. However, you'll see some video of baby as well. You'll like it!

What a neat family. I need not say more as any of you who have been in their company already know it.

Cheers! Ray & Penny
Mariner In November Twelveth

Olivia: When we sat at your hosted table on MINT we were with Masaki and Amanda, Bill and Joy, Gil and your Johanna. That night set the tone for some endearing friendships.

I remember the excitement at the table when Amanda said she "couldn't have a drink" because - and the because is Marika! :D

Can't wait to see the pics!

It was a wonderful day with Ray and Penny! We got back to Voyager for lunch and figured 2 hours was plenty of time so didn't fill up the parking meter. WRONG! Poor Ray had to feed the meter while we finished lunch. We continue to live in the LCT tradition of closing Compass Rose out, even if it is for lunch. :)

I've uploaded the pictures to Ray's SmugMug account.



Please go to his SmugMug site to see all the pictures!

Segment One pictures to date

Masaki

The photos are great - so many smiles! And of course the Takai's Honolulu hospitality continues - it was fun to remember their visit to the Mariner when we were there!

Looks like a great day. How fun to get to see Masaki, Amanda and Marika.
Enjoying your trip Ray, thanks for sharing.

Great photos and video! Marika is a cute as ever and pregnancy certainly agrees with Amanda!

Loved the pictures, Ray. What a fun reunion with Masaki, Amanda and that cutie, Marika.

Beautiful pictures! Marika is just so precious.

Nancy

Ray & Penny - have a wonderful cruise!

Thanks, Masaki, for getting the photos onto Ray's Smugmug site. They are just wonderful. Your family looks so great, Marika is precious!

I looks like Marika and Compass Rose were a perfect fit! Fantastic pictures, Ray!

These sure are wonderful pictures! Marika is so adorable....just loved seeing everyone's beautiful faces! What a great day! Thanks for posting these Masaki.

What great photos! Marika is such a doll! Great fun to see you all together! Thanks for posting these, Masaki. (Love the one where you are all in the cabin with Masaki at the computer. So cute!) Ray, I love your sunset photos-they make me feel like I'm right there taking in all that warmth & beauty....ah!!(I even forgot to take my blood pressure meds this a.m., this was so therapeutic!)

Hey, Masaki, thanks so much for doing this for us. We sincerely appreciate it!!!

Hi Amanda and baby :>)

Cheers! Ray & Penny

LOVE all the pix - gorgeous! A fun time certainly had by all!

Great pix! Thanks Masaki and Ray!

Thanks all though the credit all goes to Ray for taking the photos/videos. :) Nothing like spending time with LCT people and especially when they are people as nice as Ray and Penny! The time flew by as it always does and before we knew it, it was time for us to go. :( I was thinking about stowing away somewhere in the Constellation Theater ...

Masaki

What wonderful pictures, it is amazing the friendships that have developed from the cruises over the years. Each trip seems to bring some wonderful new people into the fold and the LCT FAMILY continues to grow.

Remember the LCT theme song for Kareoke night, "WE ARE LCT" instead of "WE ARE FAMILY". That was started by DION (Assistant Cruise Director and from South Africa) on the Mariner who said we all acted like family. I thought that was a wonderful compliment.

Enjoyed sharing that day with you Ray and Penny, Masaki and Amanda and of course Marika. Pictures tell the story!!!

What a happy child! I'm really enjoying all of the pics......keep em coming guys!
Pat

It was great to finally meet Amanda and Masaki after reading their names for a long time. Wonderful people. We had only minutes to be with them but they have left a lasting impression.

McKeever

Oh, yes, L.C.T. is family!

When we reach Sydney, we'll be with our good buddy, Lee, for several days and we'll get to meet her husband too.


We've previously cruised with Lee and her son, Michael and spent time with them when Lee was visiting Michael in NYC last June. While in NYC we of course visited with DougW and Andi as well.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

It really proves that LCT is a wonderful place, doesn't it?

Ardis - it was great finally meeting you and Stan as well! :D

Masaki

Penny and Ray.

Just realized we will be in Auckland the same day you will be there. We will just be starting a 3 week land trip put together by Ngaire. Maybe our paths will cross. At least we will come and wave goodby as you leave. We are thinking one day to do a world cruise so reading your updates with interest. Sounds better than spending the winter in "GOd's waiting room". Sorry you Florida people. Of course we live in the happiest city in the United States according to "Dateline" Why would we ever want to leave.

Hi Pammy:

Have a super time in New Zealand! We're only in Auckland a short time and will be on the move early on.

If we can't see you in Auckland then Asheville sounds like just the ticket :>)

Really a fun day yesterday. More on that later as our bridge lessons start soon.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

We will wave goodby from the dock. So if you are dockside as you leave look for us. (We will be there if jet lag hasn't done us in.

Hi Ray and Penny: Love reading what you're doing and am counting down the days - not that I want your cruise to go by too quickly! Lee

I'm continuing to enjoy all the pics and commentary. The food sounds wonderful, the company sounds wonderful, and the scenery is beautiful.

What lovely pics of your day with Amanda, Marika and Masaki! :)

I've finally gotten around to adding my photos of the day to Ray's gallery. Have to add photos of the two WC sailors!





Masaki

lovely