Maiden Voyage

Success is not about intentions. It is about actions, not inertia. It is about wanting something so badly you refuse to quit, no matter what.

The day you step outside of your comfort zone by making success your goal is the day that you discover that adversity, risk and daring will make life sweeter than you ever imagined. Comfort zone is the land of dream and wishes. Success is the land of results, where all dreams come true. 

When I stepped out of my comfort zone, indeed, it is when dreams started to became a reality. And, I am glad I did. It is not that I don't like my work... I love it.... I love moonlighting and being at the same time the Health Care Coordination Manager of one of the leading health maintenance organization in the country. I was living a comfortable life. But, before my dreams for my family can come true it will take years. So, when a friend of mine suggested I join his company, I heeded it. And, it is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I love traveling. Before, I can only travel if i'll gave up duties which will translate to less monetary gains. Back then, travelling is a double bladed sword for me. Not only do I lose duties, I also get to spend my hard-earned money one time big time.  Now, I get to do the two things I have great passion with: traveling and the art and science of medicine. It is really is a dream come true.

In half a year, I've been to places I never even planned on trotting to.  My home away from home went:

1.  Bahamas ( Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau)

2.  Dominican Republic (Samana)

3.  British Virgin Islands (Tortola) 

4.  Antigua (St John) 

5.  Dominica (Roseau) 

6.  Barbados (Bridgetown) 

7.  St Kitts (Basaterre)

8.  Colombia (Cartagena) 

9.  Honduras (Roatan)

10. Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal) 

11. Costa Rica (Puntarenas) 

12. Mexico (Ensanada, Acapulco, Huatulco, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas) 

13. United States of America: Texas (Dallas), Miami (Florida and Key West) and California (Los Angeles and Orange County)

And, on my way to my new home, I was able to roam:

14. Taiwan (Taipei).. where i get to explore Hello Kittyland

Fourteen countries and  twenty-two ports in 3 months! Wow! Due to this, I was inspired to write a coffee table book of my 1st journey. A book I entitled "Maiden Voyage". All the details of my sojourns were well documented in the 40-pages coffee table book which I enthusiastically shares with my friends.

And, most importantly, if I didn't step out of my comfort zone, I won't be introduce to wonderful people from different nations. I won't have as close friends 2 American ex-cops, 2 American Nurses, a German IT specialist, an American doctor and an amazing Filipina Nurse. 

Life is all about moments and impacts and how it changes your life forever. Indeed, my Star family has made my journey on Earth more momentous. We may have been with each other for a short span of time but, as we always say: "It is the depth not the length that matters in a relationship". It matters not the number of breath we take but the moments that take our breath away. Definitely, my time with them have lots of "take your breath away" moments.

What makes this journey a lot more precious is the weekends that I get to spend with my cousin Joy. I even was able to give her free tours in our ship which she and her husband definitely enjoyed. The many photographs taken that day can attest to that.

Same month last year, never have imagine that i'll be leaving such a life as the year 2010 draws to a close. None of us knows what the next change will be, what unexpected opportunities is just around the corner, waiting to change all the tenor of our lives. Everything that is worth doing involves the willingness to take a risk. And, I am glad, last year, I took the risk.

If you find a task that your heart desires, reach for it and do it with passion and you'll never have to work for the rest of your life.

The Voyage to Start All Voyages.

Remember, a ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are for. Sail out to sea and do new things.  never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God. 

Never in my wildest imagination have I thought myself being a cruise doctor. I do love travels. A destressor and a constant source of serotonin overload is what travel is to me. Using the art and science of medicine to help people get better-my way of life. Thus, when the opportunity to have both was given, I grabbed it and here I am, braving the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. Life at sea is  definitely a new way of life for one who has lived all her years in land, where all is just a walk, if not a car ride away.

The Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean, South America, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera and all the wonderful places in Central America are the destinations of my home away from home - the Norwegian Star. With Port San Pedro in Los Angeles, California as home port, this is the best ship for me amongst the Norwegian Cruise Line ships. 

M/S Norwegian Star’s maiden voyage was on November 19, 2001 and since then has been cruising back and forth the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean at a speed of 25 knots. In each cruise, it carries 2,240-3,000 passengers and 1,100 crew personnels. For its 15 decks, it has 22 elevators, 11 dining facilities, 10 lounges and bars, and 26 service facilities. Gross tonnage is 91,740 with 965 feet in length, 105 feet in breadth and 28 feet in draft.  The ship has 20 lifeboats (even numbered on the port side and odd numbered on the starboard side and numbered from bow to stern), 2 rescue boats and 4 chutes stations. Each chute has 3 rafts per station plus 8 spares totaled to 20 life rafts.  A total of 150 people can be accommodated in one life boat, 4 people in each rescue boat and 101 people in one life raft. 

Located in deck 4 midship, the medical center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipments to cater to the different medical needs onboard. A 2-bed ICU, 2-bed ward, 1-bed operating theater, well-stocked pharmacy and a doctor’s clinic can be found in the center. In each cruise, 2 doctors and 3 nurses are in-charge of the health of the 3,340+ persons onboard. 

During my stay in the Star, I’ve worked with Dr Jeff for the 1st 2 3/4 months and the rest, with Dr Devon.  The nurses who rotated were Brian  (10/21-11/19), Jennifer   (10/21-12/18), Erika  (11/9-12/18), Jane  (11/18-2/28,4/2-23)), Lynn  (12/18 -3/19), Cristina  (12/18 - 3/14), Susan  (2/28-4/23) and Lebogang  (3/19-4/23). Captain Gunnar Hammerin, Captain Kostas Fafalios, Staff Captain Peter Engwall and Staff Captain Martin Holmsqvist. are my direct supervisors. 

My days with the Star five were the most enjoyable part of work; tiring but fun. However, the last part of my Star stay was the best part of it all, with Devon, Roy and I attending almost all social events that we can: exhausting but all worth it.  And of course, the last week of my Star stay and all the events in it made it all the more very special. The crew and officers of Star made us feel important                                          and appreciated.    Devon and I, definitely loved our Star stay. 

Puerto Vallarta with the boys

Marvelous cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs, elegant colonial cathedrals, secluded beaches and forest-covered mountains define Puerto Vallarta. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s love affair placed Puerto Vallarta on traveller’s map. 

As early as 1525, the Spanish ashore Puerta Vallarta but were unimpressed and the area became forgotten until mid-1800 when it became a ranch. By 1920, it was mainly a fishing village and remain so until 1963 when the town appeared on world radar screen with a splash. Elizabeth Taylor accompanied her lover , Richard Burton, on location to Puerta Vallarta. She was still married to Eddie Fisher then. Burton was one of the cast of the Night of the Iguana and Taylor went with him.Where love blossomed, tourist followed and today the town is a combination of an enchanting mexican pueblo and a world class resort city.  The centerpiece of Puerta Vllarta is Guadalupe Cathedral. Its pretty crown-topped bell tower is the city’s distinguishing  landmark. Just a block away is the Malecon, 10 minutes  away, where innovative art turns the baywalk into an art gallery which includes Los Milenios, Nostalgia, Sea Horse and Los Arcos. Tha Cuale river divides Puerta Vallarta down its middle.  In its middle is Isla Cuale. Hard Rock is found in Diaz Ordaz St corner Abasolo St. 

Puerta Vallarta was Star’s destination for Dec 22&29,Feb2,9,16&23, March 2,9,16,23 & 30, April 6, 13 & 20.

I toured Puerto Vallarta’s downtown with Cris Noriega and went a number of times in Starbucks and Walmart with Lynn Dressel. But, of all the activities I’ve done in Puerto Vallarta, the one that I enjoyed the most is the lunch date i had with Jane Agustin-Von Stemm, Danica Driz, Alvin Legaspi, Neil dela Cruz, Leandrew Sotto and Sir Carlo. We ate lunch in the Filipino restaurant nearby, had dessert and wifi time in VIPS and laughed the day away. Most of my PV days were spent in Starbucks, Liverpool. Trivia: In Liverpool is where I had my 1st out-of-the-country haircut. :) 

Dr Agustin Fernandez de Souza is our medical coordinator for San Javier Marina Hospital. He gave me a hospital tour once and was insisting that he will treat me out for lunch but due to time constraint and lack of available medical staff, the plan did not push through. But, he is a very good medical coordinator which made us prefer Puerto Vallarta for our referrals.

Cabo San Lucas and Senor Sweets

Our most frequented port in Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, is located in the southernmost tip of the Baja peninsula. The town of Cabo San Lucas is surrounded by natural beauty: white sandy beaches, a dazzling sea and countless sunny days a year creating brilliant settings for activities on, in, and under the water.

Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the late 17th century, 3 native tribes inhabit the  wild Baja landscape. They flourished with the abundant gift of the sea, fruits of a variety of cactus, agape roots and mosco beans. The Spaniards established mission churches that still exist today. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that sport fisherman discovered the 500lbs Marlin in Cabo’s plankton rich waters. When the trans peninsular highway from La Pas was paved in 1973, resort developers saw the Cabo potential and a new luxury vacation was born. The defining feature of Cabo San Lucas is El Arco, a distinctive  granite arch at lands end which create a natural window where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. 

Whale watching is a prime activity from late December to late March. Watch the great masters of the belly flap. Cabo’s underwater scenery is just as spectacular. Comfortable water temperature encourages snorkeling and scuba diving  all year round. A favorite snorkeling destination is Santa Maria Bay. A quiet cove steaming with more than dozens of species that live undisturbed in the marine sanctuary.  Depending on the condition, local dive experts will introduce you to a variety of undersea environment.  One can also soar over the sea in a Parasail adventure . 20 miles off Cabo San Lucas is San Jose del Cabo, a quaint, Spanish colonial town complete with twin steeple church and white gazebo in the town square, an excellent place to stroll and shop with local flair.

We’ve frequented Cabo San Lucas in the last quarter of 2010 and 1st quarter of 2011 (Nov 17, 22 Dec 16, 20 and 27, Jan 3,27&31, Feb7,14, 21&28, March 7,14, 21&28, April 4, 11,&18). It is Nov 23 in the Philippines and the 22nd only in Mexico when the girsl and I went for  a treat at Senior Sweets. Many reasons to celebrate, for one my 1st monthsary onboard Norwegian Star. Senor Sweets was our sponsor for our ice creams. Pistacchio and Strawberry were my flavors for the day.  Starbucks, by the main road near Paradiso, is where I spent most of my CSL time. With its free wi fi, free connection time with my family and friends, a homey atmosphere  and delicious java chip, what more can I ask for. I went exploring Cabo for unrecalled number of times with Lynn, 2x with Jenn Santiago and Cris Noriega and once with Jane Agustin-Von Stemm and Roy Kirk. And when none of them can go out with me, I went exploring CSL on my own. Dr Hector Martinez is our medical coordinator in CSL and most of my early out on ports were to endorse to him patients we have either medically debarked or are for referral. 

Cabo San Lucas is my most favoritge port outside of US due to a very long list of reasons. Ice creams @ Senor Sweets is my most loved activity in CSL. I would love to try parasailing here but due to time constraint, I can’t.

Kitty in Taiwan

The trip to the United States comprised of several stops and I am not complaining. Mainly, if it was a direct flight, I won't see Hellokittyland in Taipei :) 

I dubbed C3 of the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport as Hellokittyland. It has a boarding gate fully decorated with Hello Kitty, not to mention it is situated near a Sanrio store. The seats, walls and glass are all Hello Kitty inspired. They even have a Hello Kitty playroom, theater, phone booth and mini-house. Oh! I so love the place. I am a big Hello Kitty fun since I can remember but of the subtle type. 

  

I have a friend who saw my stuffed toy and said, "This looks familiar. Is it a popular character or what?". Hahaha. For the 1st time, I met a person who is clueless as to who Hello Kitty is. He is more than a decade older than me - that explains it ha!.

Anyway, I decided to dedicate my supposedly about Taiwan blog to Hello Kitty for those who like my friend does not know Kitty White popularly known as Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty   (ハローキティ Harō Kiti) was born in London on November 1, 1974. Sanrio, a Tokyo-based company, asked designer Ikuko Shimizu to invent a character who can represent the preteen girl in every girl. Her debut picture was as a white cat wearing a red bow and blue overalls, sitting in between a bottle of milk and a pet goldfish, with her head turned sideways to face her newfound friends. Hello Kitty is not normally given a mouth because "without the mouth, it is easier for the person looking at her to project their feelings onto the character" and "the person can be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty". Since its introduction, the character has been a staple of the kawaii segment of Japanese popular culture and has become a fashion diva, an icon and the best known of many fictional characters. 

In a vinyl coin purse was Hello Kitty's 1st appearance on an item. It was introduced in Japan in 1974 and in the United States in 1976. Hahaha. I wasn't even born then!:) Now, Hello Kitty can be found on a variety of consumer products; from school supplies to fashion accessories to household stuff. Products range from everyday items to rare collectibles. I, myself, can't stop collecting Hello Kitty items. 

Due to its popularity, A Hello Kitty anime series was aired on Tokyo TV in Japan and CBS in the United States in 1991. Toon Disney ran reruns of the said show which had 13 episodes. In the series, she lives in the suburbs outside London with her father (George White), mother (Mary White), and twin sister (Mimmy White). Hello Kitty prefers a red bow in her left ear while Mimmy prefers a yellow bow on her right ear. In their house, they have a teddy-bear and Marley who pops out of the garden.  Through the series, we have known that the 3rd grader Hello Kitty is a cheerful, warm-hearted little character  who loves baking cookies and loves her mom's apple pie. We also learn that her favorite things include candy, stars, and goldfish, as well as the inevitable trivial things. She weighs the same as three apples and stands five apples tall with a blood type of A.

In 1993, Dear Daniel was introduced, a similar-looking kitty who is her boyfriend. Her social circle grew to include the teen bunny Kathy, brother and sister monkeys Timmy and Tammy, and boy puppy Jody. Hello Kitty and friends also appeared in Hello Kitty's Animation Theatre, which had Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters appearing in their versions of different fairy tales.  Her fame as a Sanrio character has led to the creation of two officially licensed Hello Kitty theme parks namely Harmonyland and Sanrio Puroland. 

Hello Kitty also has played ambassador roles. In May 2008, Japan named Hello Kitty the ambassador of Japanese tourism in China and Hong Kong, two places where the character is exceptionally popular among children and young women. This marked the first time Japan's tourism ministry had appointed a fictional character to the role. In 2004, UNICEF has awarded Hello Kitty the exclusive title of UNICEF Special Friend of Children. More than $150,000 donation to UNICEF girls' education programmes was done by Sanrio on Hello Kitty's 30th anniversary. This was the 3rd time Hello Kitty and UNICEF have joined forces; 1st with the United States in 1984 and then with Japan in 1994. In 2010 the UK UNICEF and Hello Kitty "promise to help enable the worlds children the right to childhood". 

On her 35th anniversary in 2009, a Hello Kitty Mac was launched and had a 60 percent sell just in its  first week. At presents, several brands have tie-ups with Hello Kitty including the popular shoe brand Vans and Crocs. 

Thirty-seven years after its birth, Hello Kitty still is one of the best known fictional character to both children and adults.  

I am no longer a child and I am a doctor now, but, still a big Hello Kitty fan. I think my relationship with Kitty White will last forever. 

Punta sa Puntarenas

Puntarenas discovered by Hernan Ponce de Leon in 1519 is also known as as La Perla del Pacífico. Its name originated from the Spanish word "Punta Arenas" or sand point. The place was known as Villa Bruselas in colonial times when oxcarts were widely used as means of transportation. In 1840, when coffee production in the highlands reached exportable volumes, the port of Puntarenas was developed. 

Puntarenas is found in pacific coast of Costa Rica. The country was under Spanish rule for almost 300 years or until 1821. When Spanish occupation ceased in the Americas, independence was granted to Costa Rica. After a brief civil war, the country declared itself a state in the Federal Republic of Central America. The most influential period in the development of Costa Rica's democracy was facilitated about by Juan Mora Fernandez, the 1st head of state (1824).  However, the coffee industry proved to be most important in unifying the nation. 

Costa Rica is a peaceful nation, one that has essentially avoided the conflict and disorder that besets most Central American countries. In the Western Hemisphere, Costa Rica is the only country without an army or military of any kind since 1948.  The people are not letting conflict get the better of them and thus has resorted to use of humor, charisma, and even a disappearing act, anything to avoid it.

Costa Rican food is generally quite healthy.

Costa Rican staple foods are black beans and rice (gallo pinto). This simple, standard dish, often referred to as comida tipica, is the backbone of Costa Rican cuisine. 

Often served with a good portion of fruits or vegetables or both, the meals are very well rounded and generally high in fiber. 

A typical meal is the casado, the name referring to the eternal "marriage" of its components. Consisting of rice and beans, meat or fish, fried plantains, and a carrot, tomato, and cabbage salad, this basic and well-rounded meal strikes a good nutritional balance. 

Costa Ricans or Ticos do not eat in excess. Their modest proportions are 

smaller than that of the U.S, 

much like the Europeans. Lunch their main meal of the day. In fact, many employers will give an additional hour off for a post-lunch casado. 

In Costa Rica, a dollar is equivalent to 503.02 Costa Rican Colones (CRC). A private taxi tour for 3 people costs 35USD per head. Lynn, Cris and I availed of it and were quite satisfied with our tour. Tour guide Jesus brought us as far as Orotina, National Parque de Carara, Crocodile watching, Hotel Villa Lapas and San Mateo. We all agreed that we got our money's worth. All the sites that we went to were really far from Puntarenas. We even have to pay toll fees that is how far those places were. 

My 1st visit was just a walking tour in Puntarenas. It was a sunday; hence,

the 1st agenda was to attend a sunday mass at Parroquia de Puntarenas. The mass was in spanish but, I don't care, i haven't heard a mass for quite a very long time. After the mass, I was joined by the Jen and Erika for a  city walk. A gastronomic feast at Gagas Seafood Resto followed the 4-hour city tour. The day in Costa Rica ended with some flea market shopping. 

Costa Rica is a beautiful country and I'm thankful i was given the oppurtunity to explore it twice.

Mazatlan while it is still safe

Half a dozen times during my contract Star visited Mazatlan. We headed to Mazatlan on Dec 21 and 28 in 2010 and Feb1,8,15 and 22 in 2011. Even after other cruise lines were shying away from its port, Star continued visiting the place. However, due to safety and security reasons during its February 22 visit, we stopped visiting the port and changed the Star itinerary.

Just south of the Tropic of Cancer is the land of Mazatlan, where excellent weather, great adventure, golf and shopping are just the beginning. Local Indians occupied the site for nearly 10,000 years. Spanish sailors discovered the region in 1531 but it wasn’t until 1820’s that the 1st permanent colony was established. It was designed to take advantage of incredible natural harbour and nearness of gold mine to Sierra Madre. 

When gold played out, playtime took over as tourist begun to discover this welcoming city. Now it neatly combine the thriving industry with fun in the sun. Mazatlan may be best known for its beaches and sporting activities , but, it has much more to offer.  

In the heart of downtown is the historic Old Mazatlan with dates back to 19th century. Dominating the main plaza is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepcion. It is best known for its unusual yellow-tilled twin steeples. Nearby is the ornate Angela Peralta Theater completed in 1874. This 841 seat Italian style theater is a natural historical monument. Many small galleries and shop are beginning to appear in Old Mazatlan but the city market with its colorful umbrellas and open areas are still the favorite place for commerce.  Golden zone, on the other hand,is shopping, central Mazatlan style. The cliff divers in El Mirador and the Aztec Museums are some of the other sites to see while in Mazatlan. Many find Kayaking the best way to explore its nearby islands. Outside Mazatlan are mountain villages  where artisan craft handicarfts  and tiles. Concordia is known for its furniture while Capela is a historic mining town which was founded in 1565 but still suggest a long gone era/. A journey in to the Sierra Madre to experience the traditional town is a consistently familiar activity.