Today marked my release for the second time this cruise, from isolation, because I no longer had a fever. I did have cabin fever after 4 straight days in bed. I guess I have had the flu that has been rocking the rest of the world, because I have not been this sick for many years. The doctor said that the flu shot, which I did take in November was only effective against 3 strains floating around the world, and I had obviously had one in Port Perry, albeit milder, then with an already depressed immune system from the second virus (GI ), I likely picked up one of the other hundreds somewhere in Peru. I call this the intense weight loss program, followed by the even more intense weight loss program. I am writing this on Thursday the 24th, and it has been a slow climb back to any energy, and I am still eating with great trepidation as the second anti-biotic seems to have upset my stomach. The first one, I was just plain allergic to! The bad news this morning was that Barry had begun with the little cough that had marked my flu onset, so he made a trip to the doctor, who gave him the new miracle drug Tamiflu to see if they could arrest it. Happy to say that is working, but he is on light duty.
Easter Island - this mystical island was on our itinerary last year, and we felt fortunate to have a chance to visit it again, because we had such a memorable time there, but alas fate would keep us both on the ship. It was just as well, given the unbelievable conditions for the tenders to get the passengers ashore. This little island has no docking facilities, and the shoals and rocky coastline, make for gorgeous pictures of the blue water smashing ashore, but present the need for heroics for those trying to dock even small boats. I had very little energy, but dragged myself to the starboard side to see what was going on and nearly fell over when I saw what the crew had to contend with. The landing chosen this year was different, but it required the tender boat drivers to go through a narrow channel of surf into a calmer bay. There was only room for one tender at a time, and with over 800 people going ashore, this was a lengthy process. The tide rose and got even rougher in the afternoon, and The Captain reluctantly cancelled the afternoon excursions to ensure that he could get those ashore safely back to the ship. One of the tenders was damaged while loading passengers at the ship, by a rope that swung and broke a window.
I did get some great shots of some Moai that were right opposite our ship, and hopefully you can see the surf where the boats were trying to navigate to shore. On the return trips in the afternoon the waves were breaking right over the tenders, and these conditions required very skilled and able seamen.
I have been absent the dining table since last Wednesday, and living on a fluid diet of beef broth and crackers. Before closing I must reiterate that the medical care has been superb. The nurses were visiting me twice daily, and calling regularly to see how I was. The doctor was also terrific, and I feel so fortunate to have had such fine care. I remarked that had I been home with the flu, no one would have been calling and making sure I was ok. 
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