South American Tour: Balboa, Panama (1964-1965)

Monday, December 28, 1964 Enroute to Balboa

We were on our way to Balboa Canal Zone at 5:30 am, so I am told. Millie and I slept until 10. Lazy day, smooth sea. Saw lots of fish, porpoise, sail fish, tarpon. I swam in ship's pool this PM. The water from the sea was a delightful 75 degrees. We are in sight of land most of the time.

Tuesday, December 29, 1964 Enroute to Balboa

Slept late. Awoek with headache and upset stomach. Millie not feeling too good. Later we felt we had picked up a bug in the salad we ate for lunch at the Hilton in Acapulco. We have and will continue to refraing from drinking water or milk when off ship. Also to leave fresh vegetables and fruits alone. I thought perhaps the Hilton could control their products but apparently not. I slept most of the afternoon and ate little dinner.

Wednesday, December 30, 1964 Enroute to Balboa

Decided to get up for breakfast instead of sleeping. On our previous trip we had access to pantry and we could prepare toast and coffee. On this ship the pantry is locked. So we will probably get up in the future. We both feel ill and to make matters worse we had run into a gale making the sea rough. However, it did not pitch or rock as much as the Flying fish. We went back to bed after breakfast. Got up for a big lunch and went back to bed. Got up and dressed for cocktail and enjoyed a good dinner. The wind went down with the sun and the sea became smooth again. Everyone went on deck it was most delightful. Due in Balboa, Canal Zone Friday noon. Played Bingo in the lounge until ten, then had a gab-fest for the late go-to-bedders.

Thursday, December 31, 1964 Enroute to Balboa

Weather balmy, sea smooth, saw land on port side. Every once in a while. Captain gave cocktail party at 5 PM in lounge. Dinner at six. After dinner had more drinks in lounge Bea Finnerty was doing a solo dance in stocking feet on slippery tile floor when she slipped and fell on shoulder and a gash over right eye. Frantz, the Chief Steward patched her up. Then we slipped away to the officers mess to celebrate New Years Eve.

Friday, January 1, 1965 Balboa, Panama

Miraflores Locks

We opened the new day and the new year with parking the ship at 6 am out in the Bay of Panama - expecting to be there all day. However, a pilot came out and the ship was docked. We took taxi with Finnerty's, five other passengers another taxi. All of us were going to visit some noted park. On the way we saw a sign inviting visitors to see the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side of Canal so we left the other five. On the side of the locks there is an observatory which overlooks the locks which is glass enclosed and covered, with a bilingual guide to talk about the operation and answer questions. We watched ships going in each direction thru the two locks at that point. We returned to Balboa Railroad station to take the train for the 48 mile ride across the continental seaside (271 Elv) and Isthmus to Cólon and Cristóbal. We walked about 12 blocks thru Cólon to Sea. Washington Hotel for lunch and discovered we were too late and too early for dinner. Took Taci back to yacht Club in Cristóbal where we had an excellent broiled lobster meal - $200 panama is the only country which does not have any paper money of its own. If they did it would be called Balboa, but they use Us paper money instead. Pretty smart as then no fluctuation. We took a taxi ride around the two towns and then back to RR station for return to Balboa at 6:30 (from coast to coast and return in an afternoon)

Train to Colon

Saturday, January 2, 1965 Balboa, Panama

Balboa

Posted time for sailing was 12 noon, so we hustled away by taxi for Panama City in Republic of Panama which is about 3 miles from Balboa. There are many excellent shops, drug stores/farmacias, and a number of camera stores. We made the rounds and taxied back to ship. It was still unloading. We had lunch and sailing time postponed to 2:30 PM. I walked about 1/2 mile to Balboa Post Office to mail film for processing. Al-tho the canal zone was in U.S. territory, U.S. Stamps are no good for postage, it must be Canal Zone Stamps - probably printed in Wash DC. When I returned found sailing time had been set back again. Millie and Finnerty's had gone into Panama City looking for me on the way but I had wandered off the beaten track to take some pictures. In late afternoon, we visited the United Fruit boat tethered on other side of our dock. The passengers were quite unhappy. They had inspected our ship in the morning and had seen passenger accommodations. They had no air conditioning, cabins were cramped, windows were port holes, and they were told while we were there that they would have to leave the ship to go to hotel and wait for another ship which would take them to Baltimore and pay their own expense from there. Originally they expected to return to New Orleans. We sailed at 6:15 pm. It was a beautiful balmy evening.

South America Tour: Acapulco (1964-1965)

Friday, December 25 1964 Christmas Day.

Acapulco was approached at 7 am. Another bonus stop. We entered a lovely harbor and maneuvered for an anchor position. There is only one dock in Acapulco for large ships and one was already at the wharf and a Japanese ship was next in line. Anchor was dropped at 8. All passengers decided to wait until after lunch before going ashore a water taxi called for us at 130 PM. It was one of their many holidays and they were out in force. We decided to take some bus rides to get our bearings. We took one going south that went thru the residential section some of which were very depressing. Then we took a bus back and went north of the center of town and finally another to get back. Bus fares are fixed first class 50 centavos - 4 cents US and second class 30 centavos.

The town starts right at the water front and runs for miles along this half moon bay. It has 264 hotels and 12 miles of sandy beaches backed by Coco Palms, truly a south sea island picture. Sea & air temperature 75 degrees

Saturday, December 26 1964 (Acapulco, Mexico)

Cliff Dive

Still anchored in Bay. We went ashore by water taxi. Town was still full of Mexicans on a Mexican Holiday - Many from Mexico City. A cruise ship came in with 1400 passengers to add to the jam. It is amazing to see the number of people from places other than local Guerrero Province. Families from all over Mexico as well as California, Texas and other U.S. states. We roamed the town until our feet and legs would no longer operate. We walked over the mountain to Hotel Merador to see the high dive off the cliff and then walked back to town. Prices here are not cheap some stores like Kodak film is tremendously expensive. However, the sun is cheap and there is plenty of it.

Sunday, December 27 1964 (Acapulco, Mexico) 

When we awoke our ship had moved into the dock. After breakfast we went ashore with the Fennerty's, Tom and Bea. Some shopping and then a taxi to the Acapulco Hilton. Sat around the enormous pool which also encompasses one of their dinning rooms. Met a man from Georgia and talked to young fellows from Kansas via California. They were beach comber type said they stayed at the "Smelton". - $15 week for 3 and enjoyed the facilities of the Hilton only ate there when invited. The Hilton is a wonderful place, immaculate gardens lush with foliage, flowers, birds even deer. We had drinks, lunch, then taxied back to another dock where we took a steamer for two hour excursion around Acapulco Bay.  

South American Tour 1964-1965 (Manzanillo, Mexico)

Wednesday, December 23 1964 (Enroute to Manazanillo)

The train was derailed and the cotton did not arrive for someone forgot to tell the Captain that's Mexico. We sailed for Manzanillo 318 n. miles away at 6 AM. At noon we had gone 74 miles leaving 244 to go. Time was advanced one hour as we went on Central standard time. The sea was still smooth a school of sharks was observed converting in the glassy sea and twice we saw large birds standing on the surface. When the binoculars were put on then we could see there were large turtles floating on the survace. In the evening all the passengers gathered in the lounge and sang christmas songs. Two of them would sing solos and dutes. Bridge topped off the day.

Thursday, December 24 1964 (Manazanillo)

The Porsanger docked in the harbor at Manazanillo at 5:30 AM. I got up at seven. Millie stayed in bed. Her legs bothered her and her ankles were swollen. All other passengers went ashore to see the town which began at the wharf. Many of the people live on the sides of the steep hills which rise from the level streets of the town. I bought some picture postcards, one peso each eight cents (strictly a tourist commodity) and a 2 oz bottle of ink, Sheaffer Skrip, azul-negro, $4.75(pesos) 389.

We were back at 10:45. Cargo was still being loaded and continued so for two hours. Ship left dock at 1:30 PM for acapulco. Sea calm, temp 79.

At 5 PM the passengers joined the officers and crew on deck to celebrate their regular Christmas Eve Party. Cocktails for all and everyone shook hands with a "Merry Christmas" wish to all of the others. With each wish there is a "Skaal" and as there were about 42 people present it became very sticky. Presents were passed out to the ships personnel some from home and at least three from societies in Norway and one in Seattle which sent Xmas gifts to sailors all over the world. The officers joined us for dinner and afterwards we sang Christmas songs in English and in Norwegian. The party lasted until 1 PM.

South American Tour 1964-1965 (Mazatlan Mexico)

Friday, December 18,  1964 En route to Mazatlan

Full day at sea. At noon, ship was 29˚08’ N. Lat. 116˚16’ E. Long, had traveled 292 nautical miles from L.B. Laving 719 to go to next port. WE average 15.29 knots per hour. Air temperature was 61˚, sea temp was 61˚.

Saturday, December 19, 1964

Bright sunny day (La soles frillo) Captain announced Cocktail Party for passengers at 5 PM. Dinner at six. It was our first evening to be quite mild. All of the passengers spent most of the early evening on deck.

Shopping List: was stuck between pages.

Sunday, December 20, 1964 Mazatlan

We passed up breakfast and slept until 10 am. Actually only 9 as clocks were advanced one hour for the different time zone we were in. Weather quite warm good breeze. Hop to off Mazatlan about 12:30 PM to watch for Pilot. Mazatlan is spread along the Mexican Mainland at the foot of the lofty Sierra Madre Mountains and opposite the top of Baya California. It is the largest Mexican Port on the Pacific. The exceedingly long beach is fringed with grooves of cocoa palms, a south sea island theme. After lunch we learned the Pilot would not come aboard until 7 AM tomorrow, so we spent a lazy warm afternoon, I listened to radio shortwave of Buffalo Bills playing at Boston in a snow storm.

Mexican Pesos

Monday, December 21, 1964 Mazatlan

I awoke a few minutes before seven and realized the ships was under way. It was slowly heading for the narrow opening between the ends of the breakwater. A tug assisted in leading to dock and after tieing a line, procided to push the ship so it would face the open sea when ready to sail. This was necessary as there was only dock space for four ships.

We were ready to go ashore. All details with customs and immigration were handled by Purser. We started out with the Nelsons. It was truly a Mexican town, population of 50,000. We were impressed that we were not approached by a single child or adult begging for a handout and only one person persistently followed us trying to sell us (a small rug) on the street. Weather was very mild, good breeze. We covered quite a few miles walking and returned to ship for lunch. I took a short nap then a walk by myself over to hotel and beach section. Millie stayed in bed all afternoon to rest her tired feet. After dinner on ship, ten of us took a city bus at dock gate for a round trip fare 40 centavos - 3.2 cents. It was a wild ride over some very bumpy roads with the driver turning sharp corners with abandon. Topped off the day with bridge.

Tuesday, December 22, 1964 Mazatlan

Expected to sail in PM. Ten of us took bus into town and another one (no transfer) that ran north out of town along the beach and then the residential, motel and hotel section. We went to the end of the line and then climbed some famous promontory jutting into the sea. The name of which escapes me for the moment. Back to town on the next bus wanted to look over the hotels but time did not permit so we hailed a dock bus and contributed our fourth 3.2 cents for quite a few miles of transportation. We arrived at 12:15 PM and were told the ship would not sail until Wednesday as there was some cargo (cotton) coming from the interior which was delayed and would not arrive until late tonight and that stevedores would work all night. Sailing time 6 AM 23

South American Tour 1964-1965 (Long Beach)

Tuesday, December 15 1964 -- Long Beach

Arose early for us - 8 am. We had a delightful breakfast at 8:30. Only the Captain, Chief Engineer and First officer eat in the Passengers Dinning Room and they are on a separate table. 

Weather partly cloudy and cool. Sea very calm. Passengers are permitted up in the bow and as there was little wind we spent a number of hours there.

Lunch was a surprise - a smorgasbord with many choices. This is daily and there are from 32 to 37 platters on serving table. Everyone is well satisfied with the food and its preparation. Millie and I took a two hour nap in room. Had an excellent dinner and then went on deck to watch the approach of Long Beach. I determined that L. B. had dock facilities there are 2204 acres in the area. We docked at 8:15 PM and we went ashore with Hilding and Elaine Nelson. Window shopped, made a few purchases and walked back to ships. 

Wednesday, December 16 1964 -- Long Beach

Up at 8 AM. Breakfast at 8:30. It is a beautiful day. Took a Taxi into town. Bought odds and ends - much cheaper than in S.F. It is an easy place to find lunch. Millie had an 12:30 appointment for permanent. We expected Ham and Ev Ridgeway (they are former Denverites now living in NO. Hollywood. He works for 3M) to visit us after dinner. But Ham had the "flu" so they didn't show up. So we had the hors d'oevures with the passengers. Then we played bridge with the Nelsons. Following an hour class on Spanish taught by one of the passengers who had lived in Mexico for a number of years. Millie discovered at bed time that the permanent had hurt her hair and it was breaking off and combing out in hand fulls.

Thursday, December 17 1964 -- Long Beach

Sailing time posted for 4 PM. Millie went back to hair dresser immediately after breakfast. I walked around the docks and took pictures the brochure on the Port of Long Beach states that in 1963 it was second to New York in collection of custom duty reserve. Millie returned at 3:300 PM w a hair dresser and an assist and a wig. They started to fit the wig to her head. It became a race against time. The passengers came in an said 3 minutes. They left as the crew stood by waiting to remove the gangplank. The ship sailed a few minutes after 4 PM. Out in open sea the surface was very calm some wind. After dinner all came to lounge at 8:30 "Rags" Montin gave the passengers another Spanish lesson.

South America Tour -- 1964-1965 (San Fransisco

Monday December 14, 1964

Flag of Norway in the log. Cruise line is Norwegian. 

Finally the Big Day arrived clear and rather cold. Overslept! Nearly two hours. Had breakfast, finished packing, loaded car and took off over Bay Bridge and on to the Alameda Embark Terminal. With help of one man we took luggage on board and saw our suite for the first time - in was a honey. We put our luggage away and gazed around excellent accommodations.

There were beds with reading lights over each. Dressing table with three view mirrors, two chairs, two separate closets using the full from wall, each with three shelves a rod for hanging clothes and four drawers. There is also an electric switch to turn on a small heater in bottom of closet which circulates warm dry air thru the closet to offset the humidity. The bedroom has a ceiling light and too curtained windows. 

The living room is on the front of super structure. It has three windows facing the bow and two more on the portside. All of the windows have wood blinds concealed below window and when uncatched the blind is forced up by a spring. It permits air to pass thru but keeps circling.

In this "Day Room" are four comfortable arm chairs, sofa and writing desk. with wall lights two ceiling lights. Heating and air conditioning controls in each room. The bath is large with deep tub and movable shower head with flexible tube. There are two wash bowls and the two medicine cabinets are exceptionally deep. The hall has a full length mirror and a hat and coat-rack. Doors  to cabin have two key holes side by side. one for our key the other for emergency for opening by authorized ship personal. The door can be opened quickly even tho passengers leaved key in lock. 

The ship was built in 1958 in Holland although it indicates Bergen, Norway as homeport it has never been there. 

We drove back to SF and the motel. I took the car to Fillmore Garage for storage. The owner drove me back to motel which saved a lot of time. We picked up our coats and odds & ends, walked over to Chestnut st. (one block) to get bus to downtown transferred to Market St. bus and then to Wells Fargo Bank to pick up cash for trip. Then walked over to terminal to get bus to Alameda. Millie walked ahead with attache case with money, I followed two steps behind with case of film. Arrived at 1:10 pm for 1:35 Bus. Walked from Stanton st Alameda to dock and boarded ship. the luggage we left on Pier 41 SF the previous Wednesday was not there. Steward checked and assured us it was in the warehouse. It was and it arrived later.

We were first to arrive. We met the other passengers as they came in the lounge. All of them had done considerable world travelling. The ship started moving out into SF Bay at 6:00 PM. It took two hours to go down the bay, go under Golden Gate Bridge and head out into the Pacific. Dinner at 6:30 PM an excellent meal well served amid an exceptional atmosphere. Retired to lounge after dinner where passengers became better acquainted. To bed about eleven. Everyone very tired but happy.

South America Tour–1964-1965 (to San Francisco)

Before beginning the log. I wanted to share photos of Ernest Saegart and Mildred (Elwell) Saegart. That way you can have a better picture of them. 

 

Saturday November 21, 1964 Tucson

Slept late, finished packing, left Tucson at 12:30 PM. We drove thru Casa Granda, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix (last four are very nice agricultural areas) and into Sun City, Arizona. Registered at Kings Inn – $10.50/day – an excellent room.

Drove over to Sun City Real Estate office. Inspected six model homes. Fell in love with Vallensia model – $18,995. Had dinner at Kings Inn, then to Sun City Saturday Nite dance. Met a lot of nice people.

Sunday November 22, 1964 Sun City

Put up $500 deposit on home to be built in 15 months.

Monday November 23 – Saturday Nov 28, 1964

Left Sun City, Arizona at 12:30 PM and drove to Sun, City California to occur with Betty and Avery Batson. Arrived about 4:30 pm. Spent Tues. with them and left wed 11/25 for L.A. arrived and docked at the Breakers in Santa Monica – cold and cloudy. Thurs. drove down San Diego Freeway – hammed in a traffic tie up for more than an hour – to Carlsbad, to visit Mildred Pomeroy Richards (a second cousin) and family. Had delightful Thanksgiving Dinner and evening.

Left at 10 and drove back to S.M in heavy fog. Spent Friday 11/27 in R.A. too much traffic for us small town guys decided to cut short our stay here and drive to Santa Barbara in the morning. Sat 11/28 took off at 11:15 AM foggy and quite cold. By passed SB on freeway, so continued on to Monterey for the night. Later decided to go on in to San Francisco which we did and stopped at the Alpha Inn Motel 2505 Lombard St.

Sunday November 29 – Sunday November 13, 1964

This period in San Francisco was spend sight seeing and in final preparations for trips. We visited Margaret Shaver, her son Mike, daughter Shelia in Palo Alto, Emily King in San Carlo, Red and Ida McKennon in Hillsborough; talked to Leona Brant of Cheyenne at hotel in S.F. but could not get together. We packed and repacked and took part of our luggage to pier 4-1 in SF, from days before sailing for transfer to Alameda. Sailing dates were changed several times. We arranged with Wells Fargo bank to transfer $3000 from our bank in Lakewood and then picked it up in small bills. Bought supplies, 6 cards of hearing aid batteries, at $1.75 for card of 6. We purchased drugs, film and cosmetics and some articles of clothing. We visited the tourist office of Ireland, Scotland, England, Switzerland and Netherlands for brochures and info on our coming European tour. We even bought an automobile, a Volvo for delivery on June first in Gothenburg, Sweden. A errand was made over the Bay Bridge to Alameda to familiarize ourselves with the streets so we could make it quickly the day we sailed and returned to S.F to put our car in storage.