Bali, Indonesia – again

Last evening a party dinner party boat cruised by us.

We visited some rice fields.

But this place was weird. There were some “rides”.

I found a nice statue to go on the porch. Kathy wouldn’t let me buy it.

We did visit an old palace.

And an outdoor market

I bought a wood carving of the tree of life like in the photo.

Having fun!

Bali, Indonesia

Really slow internet. But I will try a short blog.

We took an excursion to the batik factory and to a wood carver. Yesterday we went to a museum and a fruit market.

And a wood carver shop.

Too slow to add more.

Introductions by the Cruise Director Bruce.

The choir made up of passengers who volunteered to sing. It was very large group and difficult to photo.

Two members of the choir often join us at the naughty table in the World Cafe.

Barbara

And her husband, California Judge Nace.

I missed yesterday. We were at sea with not much happening except for lamb.

Today is starting with a bang! The ship is serving a brunch. An amazing brunch.

And the serving tables are well decorated.

Let’s have some cheese.

Or possibly some seafood.

Did you ever have coconut shrimp. These are just a bit different than I am used to.

Lot’s of other choices. But I will only add the desserts.

Many people were taking photos like me before the brunch opened. And the crew management seemed really pleased with how it looked and how passengers were impressed.

Thursday Island

This is our second time cruising to Thursday Island. In 2019 there was a cyclone arriving at the same time. So we raced it and left the area without stopping. Today there was a windy stormy day. A couple of tenders brought passengers to shore. Steve, one of our new friends, went to the port to ride a helicopter. He actually touched the helicopter. But it couldn’t fly because of the weather. Then the Captain came on the PA and shut everything down. No one else could tender to shore. Everyone on shore had to come back. By early afternoon we were sailing away. Last time in Australia.

At lunch we talked with Steve once again. This time we talked about Thursday Island. Wow! He was on the Grand Pacific Cruise the same time we were. He just didn’t ever join the naughty table on that cruise. So he missed the island that time.

This time he booked an excursion to take a helicopter ride. So, he took the first tender to shore. He actually touched the helicopter. But the weather didn’t allow the thing to fly. So he had to tender back to the ship. (45 minutes each way on the tender bouncing all the way). He sat at our table to have lunch.

Breakfast was different. I had some shakshuka ( شكشوكة a very Mediterranean vegetable dish often served with a fried egg on top) and an almond-chocolate pastry. The shakshuka was a bit too spicy for me but was still good. Lots of bell peppers, eggplant in a tomato sauce.

Today we are sailing along the northeastern coast of Australia heading towards Thursday Island. Our Grand Pacific Cruise was scheduled to stop there but there was a cyclone. So instead we raced the cyclone and docked in Darwin. We missed the storm. Today there is no storm. However, the sunset was sort of special.

Cairns, Australia

We didn’t book an excursion to the Great Barrier Rife because we had done this in 2019. We were really pleased once we saw the weather. It was very rainy. And we learned in 2019 that the jelly fish sting any skin not covered. Putting on the wet suits didn’t look like fun. We did talk with friends who did go to the rife. They were under impressed and some were stung.

Instead, we went to the wildlife dome.

This “zoo” is located above a hotel and casino. It is very interesting.

As we walked back to the ship we stopped for lunch.

A well decorated plate with lamb chops (of course) carrots, green beans, potatoes, brie cheese and herbs. Yum!

Kathy had a salad. Okay.

We did do some shopping and bought a toy koala and kangaroo that talk when talked to.

It didn’t rain while we walked but rained again while we ate dinner on the ship.

Whitsunday Islands

It rained all night and most of the day. We took an excursion to Proserpine. This small town is in the middle of the sugar cane region. We actually went there in 2019 on the Grand Pacific Cruise. And with rain there were no good photos.

Last night we were greeted by 2 of the vocalists as we entered the cafe.

My dinner was lamb. Of course, where are we? We are in lamb country.

And then there was an eclair special dessert section.

Sorry that there are no photos of the area.

Maloolooba, Australia

We lost a day. Not much happening and poor internet.

But the 19th was fantastic! We had an excursion to a winery, Montville and to a lookout for viewing the Glass House Mountains. There are 13 standalone mountains that were formed by volcanoes about 25 million years ago. Captain James Cook named them in 1770 because they reminded him of the glass furnaces in England. One is commonly called the Crooked Neck. I took a photo but the sky wasn’t clear. So I also took one from the web.

Yesterday Chef Willy stopped by our table. He was so excited because he had been to the large fish market in Sydney and bought several types of seafood. He would be serving it on the 19th (today). I forgot to ask which restaurant. Oh well. We know people. We didn’t really find a good selection listed on the menus. So, we went to our normal naughty table in the cafe. Soon the Chef came by again. He took our order to start with Moreton Bay Bugs. Yes, they are called bugs. Really they are very similar to tobster.

Soon 2 plates were delivered to us. This was mine. Later I ha d a small piece of Barramundi fish. It is a white fish very popular in Australia. No photo.

Sydney, Australia – still

Loads of people walk up the Harbour Bridge. Some are near the base of the flag. We didn’t do that.

We walked through much of the area called the Rocks. This is the old part of the city. We ate in the Rocks Cafe, the oldest continuous restaurant in Sydney.

I had lamb skewers, of course.

The night before Viking rented an entire Opera Concert Hall (no, not the famous one) and almost 700 passengers went by bus to a special concert.

The singers provided a concert based on several of their favorite songs.