I'm Back from a South Pacific Cruise
@DeborahDiane (40417)
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.
8 people like this
8 responses
@DeborahDiane (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@KristenH - Thanks for the hugs. I've been through a lot in the past couple of years.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@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 (144098)
• Roseburg, Oregon
2h
@DeborahDiane It was like 20 years ago. I am sure a lot has changed.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
1h
@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 (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@snowy22315 - Yes, I really needed it. Life has been stressful, lately.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (148439)
• United States
5h
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 (148439)
• United States
57m
@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.@DeborahDiane (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@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 (116174)
• Marion, Ohio
6h
Welcome back. Sorry about your husband. Happy that your cancer is in remission. That was a long cruise
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@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.
@MarieCoyle (43848)
•
5h
@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 (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@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
@MarieCoyle (43848)
•
1h
@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!
@DeborahDiane (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@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.
@cpefley (1941)
• San Jose, California
6h
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 (40417)
• Laguna Woods, California
2h
@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. 
