Ersatz Reef
March 12, 2020, Cairns, Australia Rain, Old Testament rain. The slight rain in Townsville was just the preview for the heavy rains Cairns. We went to Great Barrier Reef HQ in Townsville as kind of an insurance policy. It was … Continue reading Ersatz Reef
Things Here Can Kill You!
March 11, 2020, Townsville, Australia In our lectures we’re warned of several different types of jellyfish with stingers that can cause a range of reactions from discomfort to heart stopping paralysis. Then there are crocodiles, sharks to eat you, fish … Continue reading Things Here Can Kill You!
The Australian Trash Bin Bird and Other Downtown Delights.
March 8, 2020, Sydney, Australia Two years ago, two days in Sydney wasn’t enough, we explored “The Rocks” the original part of town, did the Opera House tour, explored Circular Quay, went to Bondi Beach, had tea in the Queen … Continue reading The Australian Trash Bin Bird and Other Downtown Delights.
Sunday on the Ferry
Sunday Sydney Ferry. March 8, 2020, Sydney Harbor The ferry sails through fleets of Sunday sailors in every sort of sailboat. There are hundreds of them, sometimes tacking and heeling over like some sort of synchronized ballet regatta. There was … Continue reading Sunday on the Ferry
Halfway Home? Who knows?
March 9, 2020, The morning after Sydney, Halfway home. Sydney marks the halfway point in our journey. The second day in Sydney was the 64th day of our 128 day ‘round the world cruise. Marked in time zones we’re 9 … Continue reading Halfway Home? Who knows?
Wilderness Theme Park
March 7, 2020, Katoomba, Australia. Our family likes playing a game called “Empire Builder, Australian Edition” where we get to build track to different Australian cities, collect loads, deliver tourists and have our tracks wiped out by sandstorms, bush fires … Continue reading Wilderness Theme Park
Water Light (Songlines)
March 7. 2020, Sydney Opera House Two years ago, we stumbled on Badu Gili, a projection of animated Australian aboriginal art onto one of the sets of sails on the Sydney Opera House. I found a flyer tucked into a … Continue reading Water Light (Songlines)
A Cultural Misunderstanding
March 4, 2020, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. After our ride with Geoff I checked out the boat tours of the island. Holland America offered such a tour in the morning; it costs about $80 and lasts for 2 hours. … Continue reading A Cultural Misunderstanding
A Town Character
March 4, 2020, Waitangi and Paihia, New Zealand Geoff, our cab driver is from Sheffield, England and still talks with a Yorkshire accent. It is tempered enough by the other places where he has lived to make it understandable, but … Continue reading A Town Character
A-Maze-In’ Auckland
March 3, 2020, Auckland, NZ Last time I was in Auckland, two years ago, the area along the waterfront and for a few blocks up Queen Street was torn up for renovation. Auckland is renovating its entire waterfront and we … Continue reading A-Maze-In’ Auckland
Where in the World are Suzi and Rich? — A New Game.
March 5, 2020, Sailing in the Coral Sea “Where are we going, I don’t know. Where are I headed I ain’t certain. All that I know is I am on my way.” Allen J Lerner and Fredrick Lowe from “Paint … Continue reading Where in the World are Suzi and Rich? — A New Game.
Wine Island
March 2, 2020, Waiheke Island, New Zealand It’ the soil and the climate, so says a brochure about Waiheke Island, about 40 minutes by fast ferry from Auckland. The soil is not fertile, but it is mineral rich. According to … Continue reading Wine Island
Stylin’ in New Zealand
March 2, 2020, Waiheke Island, New Zealand You don’t always need to go to Havana to see a car like this. I saw this beauty in the Thomas Batch winery parking lot on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. It’s a ’57 … Continue reading Stylin’ in New Zealand
We hear from the Elephant
The elephant in the room has finally spoken in the voice of Captain Jonathan Mercer. He gave his normal sail away announcement and then paid tribute to the medical staff who negotiated with the Tongan officials to let us land … Continue reading We hear from the Elephant
The Friendly Islands
February 28, 2020, Kingdom of Tonga. February 28, 2020, Kingdom of Tonga. I set the alarm for 7. It went off when my phone thought it was 7 but the ship’s clock thought it was 6. Ship’s clock wins but … Continue reading The Friendly Islands
Velvet waves on Ash Thursday
February 27, 2020, Sailing between the Cook Islands and Tonga. “There’s a sign over a bar saying ‘It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.’ Well it’s Wednesday somewhere.” That’s how Father Lew opened the service. Pastor Bruce added “Welcome to Ash Thursday.” The … Continue reading Velvet waves on Ash Thursday
What, No Lent?
Last night we celebrated Carnival, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday; and then, with the tick of a second hand, Fat Tuesday flipped over to Thursday as we turn our clocks ahead 23 hours. Ash Wednesday is consumed by the International Date … Continue reading What, No Lent?
That’s Rarotonga…
… not Roto-Rooter February 24, 2020, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. A shipmate was asking the confused woman behind the excursion desk about tours on Roto-Rooter. Finally, the light went on, “You mean Rarotonga.” Now I can’t unhear it. Avarua is … Continue reading That’s Rarotonga…
Heaven or Hell?
February 22, 2020, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia As a kid the legend was that Tahiti was supposed to be paradise on earth, it was sung about, movies were made about it and lots of ‘50s doo wop era motels on … Continue reading Heaven or Hell?
A Boatload of Christians…
…and a few Peus February 19, 2020, Off Pitcairn Island, South Pacific You can’t properly say we called on Pitcairn Island as much as Pitcairn Island called on us. With 1200 passengers it would be hard for Pitcairn, the last … Continue reading A Boatload of Christians…
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
February 16, 2020, Sailing away form Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Chile Easter Island is not an easy place to visit on a ship. For the past 4 sea days most of the conversation was whether we would be able to … Continue reading Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
That BIG Elephant Over There*
February 13, 2020, At Sea A few days ago, we got an email from a friend contemplating a cruise and asking us how we thought the 2020 Coronavirus would affect their leaving from Singapore. Suzi explained that we are the … Continue reading That BIG Elephant Over There*
Too Many Pisco Sours.
February 11, 2020, Santiago, Chile. The shore lecturer said that there was not much to do in San Antonio, the container port for Chile’s capital Santiago, but there were a lot of tours that the cruise line offered to take … Continue reading Too Many Pisco Sours.
Parque Nacional Vincente Perez Rosales.
When we got to the Parque Nacional Vincente Perez after our taxi ride with Maurice we did what I love doing in Sitka National Park, we took a walk. Instead of along the coastline and through the spruce forest punctuated … Continue reading Parque Nacional Vincente Perez Rosales.