Other Side of the World

Take a breath because this one is a bit long...

So the adventure has definitely been in full force since I last updated my blog. I have been sailed to Hawaii, San Diego, Mexico, back to Hawaii, Pago Pago (American Samoa), Fiji, and today we are in New Caledonia. I have had a lot of time on my hands with this last cruise and for some reason I keep avoiding my blog because I know I am long overdue for an update. So here goes!!

Our first trip to Hawaii was a bust. We missed two of our ports and I got sick with strep. The highlight of the entire time in the islands was a great night in Waikiki with the cast and my first official skydiving experience. We jumped at 40,000 feet over O’ahu at the Pacific International Skydiving Center. It was a rush!!!!! I remember thinking on the way up the plane that the only way back was to take the plunge…that was as nervous as I got. When I actually swung my legs outside the plane door, the beauty of the visions in front of me took my breath away. During the 60 free fall it felt like I was flying and it really was incredibly peaceful. There is nothing quite like it in the entire world to compare it too. If you have a fear of heights you should still try and go because it is an exhilarating experience. I felt incredibly safe with my tandem jump guide and he completely prepared me for the jump incredibly well. I did not end up buying a video because I could have jumped again for the price they wanted to charge for it and I decided that I would probably want to jump again maybe in Australia or New Zealand. Next on the list is bridge jump bunjeeing!!!! I hear there is a great one in Auckland!

It has been a breath of fresh air sailing in warmer climates. During our days at sea when we don’t have rehearsals we can lay out and get out daily doses of Vitamin D. Everyone is extremely happier with this set up as opposed to the overcast days of Alaska.

My parents came out to visit me for Mexico and we had a ball. I think we successfully celebrated every holiday that I would miss with them and since we were in Mexico it involved a lot of tequila! For their Christmas presents I took them swimming with the dolphins and out on a secluded island dinner cruise. Mom and dad both loved the dolphin experience. They both love animals so much that being around such intelligent marine animals was a lot of fun….and seeing my dad being pulled around by 2 dolphins was a good time. The dinner cruise was called Rhythms of the Night…think Cirque De Sole meets ancient Mexico tribal ceremony. The entire island was lit by fire once the sun set and the atmosphere was incredible. Austin and his parents were on the same tour with us and we got to eat an authentic Mexican spread with them on the island while enjoying…yes…a few more shots of tequila. It seemed like every time his parents and my parents got together tequila shots magically appeared on the table…hey it’s an upper=) The show itself was steeped in ancient traditions of the tribes of the island and involved a lot of body stunts, fire dancers, and some great special effects. Another highlight of their trip to Mexico was our snorkeling adventure in Cabo. We took a catamaran out to Santa Maria cove and enjoyed a few hours snorkeling. Our guide went out and feed the coral fish so the fish were literally swimming everywhere…it was pretty darn cool! Other than our tours we ate till our tummys hurt and stayed up late most nights enjoying each others company and mingling with all the cast families on board. Overall about 5 families were sailing at the same time and it felt like family week at summer camp. Good times were had by all. I felt fortunate to be able to meet the parents of all those I work with on the Zaandam. It gave me a greater appreciation for who they are as individuals and a little more love for them as well.

After the parents went home we chartered a cruise called The Legendary Blues Cruise. Basically, couples pay to come sail with incredible blues musicians, some of the hottest in the industry. The entire week was like a party. Every night was a theme night from harry hippies, to wig night, to wizard night, and carnival night. The passengers on this cruise know how to live to the fullest and they didn’t hold back on board. I had the entire week off since I was entertainment staff but had to help out about 6 hours during the week at the memorabilia store. Most nights ended around 4 am for the passengers on the back pool deck where they had built a full concert stage over the pool. My favorite act that was on board was Girls With Guitars. They have an album on iTunes and one of their artist Cassie Taylor was the queen of the bass. She was so funky and literally a true artist. Check em out if you are looking for some new soul sounds in your music library!

Our second trek out to Hawaii proved to be much better. First of all we go to celebrate Halloween. Our entire cast decided to put on Thriller as pre-show entertainment for our guest artist. It turned out far better than any of us thought for the amount of time it took us to pull it together. I YouTubed zombie make-up tutorials on-line and found a great one using elmer’s glue and toilet paper to created a rotted flesh look. The process definitely took some serious time but the final product was perfect. I also sacrificed a pair of jeans and a dress shirt to complete the zombie look, so overall my costume was very inexpensive. Once I headed to the crew party I peeled off my mask, pain free actually, and then dressed up as a Newsie. It was a much more comfortable look and once again I didn’t have to spend a dime on it! I give myself a 10 for creativity and low-cost look! Since this cruise kicked off our 26 day voyage to Sydney our guest entertainment was a little better than usual. The Unexpected Boys came sailing with us and one of them happen to be Danny Calvert, he practically stole everyone’s heart with Scott Alan’s Kiss The Air. He is such a great person and totally down to earth. I also go to meet J.D., Eric, and Steven. They are all based out of New York City and take gigs to get out of the city and travel. Their show is based on Frankie Valli and the crowd really enjoys them. All super talented and a lot of fun. The Unexpected Boys have about 30 members in the company and rotate who goes out based on availability. Pretty cool gig if I may say so myself.

This time in Hawaii I went hiking to waterfalls, drank Kava and Kona, ate Poke (raw fish over rice, delicious), did some crazy cool snorkeling on a Captain Zodiac adventure tour in Kona, celebrated Liz’s birthday at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, went to Pearl Harbor, cliff jumping at a waterfall on O’ahu that included a barefoot mud hike with an excellent tour guide, grabbed Coldstone with Megs and Papa John’s, and tubed the ditch at an old sugar cane farm in Nawiliwili!!!! It was a packed couple of days and I had an amazing time with those I did the activities with and those I met along the way. I bought an underwater camera before pulling away from the islands. I thought it would come in handy going to the Great Barrier Reef and all. Unfortunately when I took it out for it’s first test run in American Samoa…it had a meltdown. Now I have to send it back to Kmart, thankfully I have someone who is going to return it for me, although I fear it may cost a lot to send from Sydney!

Back to the updates: I got sick crossing from Hawaii to America Samoa. Some kind of stomach bug landed me quarantined in my room for a little over 48 hours. Thankfully the cast and shipmates made sure I had plenty of water and entertainment during the process. I am all better now, but that first morning it started was rough. It was great to catch up on rest but due to my illness I missed our King Neptune ceremony when we crossed the equator which is a huge mariner tradition. But I believe I will get my chance on Jan 7^th when we cross the equator again.

Fiji is as beautiful as you could imagine. In Lautoka I sailed out on sail boat to a tiny island called Tivua. The water was clear, azure, and literally the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I was kicking myself for not having a camera at this point. I enjoyed the day snorkeling around the reefs surrounding the island, napping in a hammock like a true islander and enjoying a few beverages with some other passengers and crewmates. We also had a Kava ceremony as well. It is basically Fiji’s national drink. It is basically like Chamomile on steroids and makes you chill out. It works wonders for people with anxiety and insomnia. It comes from a root and is strained through a wet cloth. The ending result is a huge wooden bowl filled with a tan colored liquid that taste like a mouthful of earth. I quite enjoy the taste of Kava but some people feel as though they are drinking dirt=) It is served in a half of a dried coconut shell. Shout  BULA (traditional Fiji greeting) and guzzle away! I think I may purchase a set to take back home. I think I am hooked on beverages from different parts of the world….mate, Kona, and now Kava.

We have one more port before we reach Sydney. It is Noumea, New Caledonia, and since the French inhabited this island the culture here is a little piece of France. Tomorrow I will hopefully be going on a wine and cheese tour. I am looking forward to expanding my wine palate and seeing a new place. It is true that traveling expands your knowledge. It helps you understand other cultures and in some ways helps you get outside of yourself and see the beautiful connective threads of humanity. I’m pumped!

If you can’t tell I am enjoying myself immensely. The perk of this 26 day voyage is that our cast has worked 4 days since leaving San Diego back on Oct. 30, so we have been enjoying each other, the sights, and the ship. I’m one thankful guy right and I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people in my life at the moment. I’m ready to see the Aussie side of life and for all the adventures in New Zealand. And if you are back home in the states reading this post, know that I have not forgotten you and that I think of you guys often. I am thankful to every person who allows me to follow my dreams and support me along the way….I would never be here without you.

I will leave with another Meet The Cast: Here’s Austin!!!!!

Name: Austin Taylor

Age: 22

Hometown: North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Number of ship contracts: 1

Favorite food found on board the MS Zaandam: Banana Cream Pie

Favorite production show on board: On The Air

What are a few things you miss while cruising at sea?

Affordable Internet and phone access at all times, boyfriend friends and family, microwave and full size refrigerator

What did you find most challenging about the rehearsal process with Stiletto?

The most challenging thing I found was how fast everything was taught. Before I had time to really process the material and let it sink in, we were on to the next song. Some days I felt like I was at an audition. You have to be engaged from start to finish otherwise you will miss out on something. 

What was the most enjoyable aspect of rehearsals?

The most enjoyable aspect of rehearsal was getting to know everyone and watch other people work. Its rewarding to watch everyone and everything come together under the same common goal.

What is your favorite feature of ship life?

Discounted prices. It is nice to be rewarded for working hard for the company.

What was the largest adjustment for you in adapting to ship life?

What to do with my free time. I spent a lot of the first 2 months sleeping and not enjoying my time in Alaska. I’m taking the opportunity the next 6 months to really get out there and enjoy what this state has to offer.

Tell us a little bit about your performance background:

Started dancing when I was 3 at a local dance studio. (Ken and Jean Dance Studio in North Versailles PA) I started with Tap and eventually was taking tap, ballet, jazz and acro. I also tested in levels I, II, and III of the Cecchetti Ballet Method. Senior year of high school I started auditioning for colleges and then moved to NYC to pursue a degree in dance at Marymount Manhattan College. While in college I studied various styles of Modern, Ballet, Tap and Jazz and eventually concentrated in Jazz. In May I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance with a concentration in Jazz.  The Zaandam is my first professional job :D

Out of your past show credits, what has been your favorite to be a part of?

My Junior year of College, I performed Concerto Six Twenty Two choreographed by Lar Lubovitch. It was originally choreographed in the 1980’s at the height of the AIDS crisis. This piece was a celebration of life and a celebration of friendship and showed how beautiful it was to see people come together at such a fragile moment. It was also a first. It has a beautiful duet in the middle of the 45 minute work. This duet has two men partnering in a way that you would usually see a male and a female. It was the first time that someone had choreographed a loving partnership between two men. As a gay man it was a privilege to recreate this work. It was an experience that I will never forget.

What’s next after this contract ends?

I would like to do another contract perhaps on a larger ship. I would also like to do some work in Vegas and for Disney. Of course I would love to spend some time in New York City again or on a broadway tour. My ultimate dream is to own a studio and teach children.

What are you looking forward to the most over the next 6 ½ months?

Warmer weather! I love the sun and sand. I’m also looking forward to my family coming on board in October. It’s a proud moment to be able to perform for my parents and show them what I’ve been up to for the past few months.

If you could only have packed 3 items when taking this contract, even though it is impossible, what would you consider to be the most important?

Contacts/glasses… otherwise I’d be blind

Computer… I have to stay in touch with the people I love.

Soap… No one likes the smelly kid.