I'm Back from a South Pacific Cruise
@DeborahDiane (40529)
Laguna Woods, California
May 19, 2025 6:26pm CST
I have not been very active on MyLot the past couple of years ... my husband was dying, I had lung cancer, and I was overwhelmed. However, March was the one-year anniversary of my husband's death, my cancer is in remission, and I decided to go with five friends on a 32 day South Pacific Cruise. It was amazing ... although it felt a little too long!
We went to two islands in Hawaii (Oahu and Kaua'i), American Samoa, Samoa, two locations in Fiji, Tahiti and Moorea in French Polynesia. It was amazing! I plan to share a few short articles in the next couple of weeks, now that I am safely home.
Here is a photo of the Aloha Tower from the port in Oahu, Hawaii.
13 people like this
14 responses
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@KristenH - Thanks for the hugs. I've been through a lot in the past couple of years.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@jstory07 - I'm glad you went to Hawaii for two weeks. Sometimes we just need to get away, don't we?
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (144885)
• Roseburg, Oregon
20 May
@DeborahDiane It was like 20 years ago. I am sure a lot has changed.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@jstory07 - It probably has not changed in Hawaii as much as you think. It's just as beautiful, tropical and laid-back as before. I love it there.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@snowy22315 - Yes, I really needed it. Life has been stressful, lately.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (152350)
• United States
20 May
Your friends here already understood what was happening with your hubby and I was sorry to learn you'd had lung cancer. I'm glad you're doing better now. 
I would have enjoyed the cruise for a little while but I want to be home again within a week or so. I don't sleep well when I'm not in my own bed.
I'm glad you're safely home again and hope you're getting rested up from the long trip.
Pretty's sister lives on Oahu with their mom. Her sister invited Pretty to come spend a week with them but Pretty is scared of flying.
I would have enjoyed the cruise for a little while but I want to be home again within a week or so. I don't sleep well when I'm not in my own bed.
I'm glad you're safely home again and hope you're getting rested up from the long trip.
Pretty's sister lives on Oahu with their mom. Her sister invited Pretty to come spend a week with them but Pretty is scared of flying.2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (152350)
• United States
20 May
@DeborahDiane If I'm going to be doing the same things, day after day, I'd rather be home. 
I have my routine things I like to do and am old and set in my ways.
I'd like Pretty to try new things but she's just not interested. And we'd have to find someone who could stay with me at least part of the time. My balance isn't always good and I can't see for well over 70% of the time. She's paid by Medicaid to help me when that happens.
I have my routine things I like to do and am old and set in my ways.
I'd like Pretty to try new things but she's just not interested. And we'd have to find someone who could stay with me at least part of the time. My balance isn't always good and I can't see for well over 70% of the time. She's paid by Medicaid to help me when that happens.1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@DaddyEvil - Like you, I am getting old and enjoy my normal routine. I don't feel the need to always be doing new things. I don't think I will do anymore big trips like that.
You are lucky to have Pretty to help you. One of the women on our trip had to stop the cruise and fly home early, from Hawaii, because she was losing her balance, too. She hit her head on a wall, and the medical staff felt she needed to be checked out.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@DaddyEvil - The cruise was too long. I would have been happier with a two week cruise. We had too many sea days, which got boring after a while. The ship was rocking a lot, it was hard to walk around some days, and we did basically the same things every day we were at sea. I was thrilled to get home, and sleep in my own bed.
I hope Pretty will try going to Oahu, though. It is a beautiful place. There's nothing like relaxing in Hawaii, and doing some whale watching while sipping a MaiTai. 
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (118621)
• Marion, Ohio
20 May
Welcome back. Sorry about your husband. Happy that your cancer is in remission. That was a long cruise
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@wolfgirl569 - I hope my cancer stays in remission. I'm happy I visited the places I did, but the cruise was much too long. It got boring after a while.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45786)
•
20 May
@DeborahDiane
It is good to see you again! That was a long trip, but it does sound like you were able to see a lot of places and would be enjoyable. I think I would get really tired after a few weeks, you did good to hold out for that long!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@MarieCoyle - I was exhausted when I got home, and now I have a cold. I don't think I will ever take a trip that long again, especially not a cruise. I would rather spend the time at home, or visiting my family!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@MarieCoyle - I think that any future trips will be to visit my family, and they will be much shorter. I don't like to have my routine disrupted for so long!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (45786)
•
20 May
@DeborahDiane
I wouldn't want to be gone for so long, but I do love special vacations. Mine are always with family if I get to go, so that makes it better, we can visit and have fun together. At least you know now that if you plan more trips, to make them shorter!
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (7693)
• Philippines
20 May
I think you had fun with the cruise.
With all the adversary -- I think there are no words that can comfort anyone, but I love how you take things. I also have a problem with my health and was trying to fix it with my doctor. I just put my hope in God, whatever His will I surrender everything and just want to enjoy what I have right now, my laptop and cafe visits.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@luisadannoited - I think we have to surrender and accept whatever happens in our lives. It makes us feel more peaceful and happy!
@LeaPea2417 (38001)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 May
Nice, I am glad you and your friends had a good trip!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@LeaPea2417 - We went some places I never expected to be. It was a lot of fun to see Samoa, Fiji and French Polynesia!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (477962)
• Italy
21 May
@DeborahDiane I have always been happy when we visited distant places, but also always happy to be back home.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 May
@LadyDuck - That is exactly how I feel. The trip was fun, but exhausting. We were all sick with a bad cold when we got home. I don't think I will do anything like that again.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@LadyDuck - It was an exciting cruise, and I'm happy about all the things we did. I'm sure happy to be home, though.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (86560)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 May
Sounds like the Lord has blessed you now and glad you could take the cruise,
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 May
@RasmaSandra - I'm glad I went, but I was tired on the trip. I will not do another one.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@sallypup - Yes, it was a grand vacation, and I saw and did things I never thought I would do. However, there is no place like home, and I am happy to be back home again. I hope my life is more settled, now.
1 person likes this
@cpefley (1941)
• San Jose, California
20 May
That is so pretty! I'm so glad to hear that your cancer is in remission! I'm so sorry to hear about your husband! This is so weird, because I too, am coming back from a couple of years being not active here, as well as, another person I was reading yesterday. I guess myLot is getting popular again lol
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@cpefley - I think we all enjoy the connections we are able to make on MyLot. It is like a group of friends we can come back to, when we are ready. 
@pitsipeahie (5316)
•
20 May
What a journey you’ve been through—both the tough times and the incredible cruise! I claim more lovely days ahead for you. Welcome back to mylot.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 May
@pitsipeahie - Thanks! Yes, my life has been a journey the past few years. I hope things will settle down now.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40529)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 May
@grenery8 - Thank you! I'm glad I went on that cruise, too. I feel like a needed a change.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (18072)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
27 May
@DeborahDiane and you got it. stay well and welcome
1 person likes this
