Monday 2/3/2015 Day 55 Darwin and the crocs!

What can I say? Last night’s meal in East was delicious, spicy, hot, different, and the company so  funny and interesting - Jim Judy Debbie and Phil.  Such good fun, and really kind people.

We were off the ship in Darwin by 9 this morning exploring the town, and back for the crocodile trip on the Adelaide River by 11 a.m. In the town Khachik has bought a straw trilby style hat with a black band around it. He looks fabulous in it, cool and hot at the same time. I have photos!

Our trip out to the wetlands took just under an hour, mainly good roads, just a little bit of bumpy track down to the jetty, and then we had a good hour and a half on the jumping crocs ship feeding the crocs with buffalo meat (not us, the guides), then taking unbelievable videos and pictures.

 
 
 




We survived with all our fingers and toes, you’ll be pleased to hear.  

After this unforgettable feast all the birds appeared and were pointed out to us by the guides – magpie geese, sea eagles, kites, herons, storks. Awesome indeed!  Following a stop at a viewing point over the wetlands and visiting a wildlife information area we set off back for the ship. Rain had been forecast so I’d say we were very lucky to be back in the bus when the heavens opened and the rain kept coming down monsoon style until we got back, bone dry and slipped smug as owt into the secure port area.  One Thai green curry and a coffee later and we were ready for the hot tub, a little rest and then it was dinner.

Now we have sailed away again for 2 sea days until Bitung, Indonesia, that 2 art masterpieces and several miles of walking on the Promenade deck. We might even be ready to dance again, especially if the lesson is a tango! Soon we must be re-crossing the Equator, it certainly feels warm enough, I’ll check that out before the next blog.  Meanwhile, love to you all until tomorrow.

Day 27 Sunday 1st February 2015 Pacific Ocean to Hawaii

Everything went as planned on Sunday, the City highlights was such good fun and our tour pictures are already up on Facebook because we found a Starbucks for hi speed internet just before going back to the ship. Golden Gate Park, Golden Gate Bridge, look out points, Twin Peaks, Union Square, the cable cars, trams and buses  On one of our stops we tried the clam chowder – enough chunky and tasty food for a day in one bowl!

The jobs we had to do all got done too, paying bills and keeping our bank up to date with the countries we are using our account in.  We found a Fedex agent so we could send important documents to the UK, and a hairdresser for me so I could have another “haircut of the world”, and then spent the afternoon walking towards Union Square up Market Street, taking in the feel of a new city.  Lots of pop up craft stalls more street performers, places we recognised from movies. We made it back in time for dinner, and enjoyed the cabaret, and then were off to sleep in no time with very little waking up.  The clocks have stayed the same for 2 nights now.  I imagine they will start to go back again on the way to Hawaii.

On 13^th we are told we “miss a day” to bring us back to reality as we cross the international date line, otherwise we would be going back in time until we got home.

As it’s a sea day we have started our stretching, dance and art together again. In art we painted a penguin with chick, and were very happy.

Dance actually felt comfortable today. You know what, I am beginning to think I might even be able go to one of the dances on board without a “caller”! Steady on.   Today we worked on our rhythm foxtrot, which we are reassured we can resort to for anything in 4:4 time.  Time will tell.  Other sea day activities include sitting on the deck for coffee, doing brain training puzzles and chatting away.

We have attempted not to eat too much today, and we have maintained 9-10 laps of the Promenade Deck every sea day, so efforts are in place not to overdo it (too often ;) )It’s easy to eat very well as there’s so much choice, it’s also just as easy to add a slice of cake, chips, in fact ANYTHING your heart desires 24 hours a day.

Another sea day tomorrow, bye for now.