MONDAY, 22ND - WEDNESDAY, 24TH MAY, 2017 – SEA DAY

Fortunately we enjoy 'sea days', as there are plenty of them!!!   Most people have a bit of a routine – Trivia, Lectures, Gym, Movies, Art Auctions, Group Get Togethers, Cards, Shopping, Dancing, etc., etc…. the list goes on and on but I think 'Eating' is everyone's favourite…..  and we no exception!!!   

I forgot to mention yesterday, that there were 600+ passengers who sailed from Sydney to Brisbane (including a Hen's Party of about 20 young things, plus many hangeroners :) …. and then 600+ boarded the ship, needless to say, it is a lot quieter now :)  

We met the group we are going to Incheon (S. Korea) with for lunch in the dining room – a good group of twelve, and knowing two of the couples makes it even better!!  Much talk was about the State of Origin, and unfortunately we were outnumbered..... but thinking there will be a whole lot more 'Blues' barracking on the day.  It was then off to our first CC meeting in the Vista lounge, with around 150 people, which turned out to be far too big to control - our leader not acquiring a microphone didn't help, but some group get togethers have been organised and now we will meet for lunch by Decks. 

 

It was also our first Formal Night, so on with the glad rags and off to drinks with our group, before meeting our delightful Captain John Foster, at his Welcome Aboard Champagne Waterfall Party, and a free drink, or two for all:)   He was very welcoming and has the most wonderful sense of humour and best of all, very chatty, and keeps us well informed.  We were pleasantly surprised to be reacquainted with a previous waiter, Anthony, who was on our last cruise from SF to Sydney.  We dined with Deb, Bob, Megan, Mal, Ros & Arnold and enjoyed another great meal, along with fun company.

By Tuesday, we were settling into our routine with brekky in our cabin, gym for me and Colin pounding the Promenade, morning tea, lunch and then afternoon Canasta with Ros & Arnold…. the girls had a good start!!  Early evening drinks with friends, dinner and another super show with Tom Burlinson, an amazing, talented performer.

 

Wednesday, and we continued our daily routine…  so far there have been many little surprises and bumping into a 'pen/email pal' for many years (she postponed a cruise we were on years ago and we have been in contact ever since but never met).  I was going to a meeting and had my name tag on and as we passed in the corridor,  she stopped me and said surprise!!!  I was gobsmacked as she had told me she was not going on this cruise… fun moment!   The boys have overtaken us in cards, and it is now 3-1!!!  The seas are so smooth and we are heading for Rabaul, PNG tomorrow. 

  

    

         

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY, 21ST MAY, 2017 - BRISBANE

Unfortunately we have docked at the Grain/Multipurpose Terminal, in Brisbane, (as the ship is too long to go to the usual port terminal), which is 25kms from the CBD, so we all have to take shuttle buses into town, $50 return each!!... lucky it's Sunday and not much traffic. We tried Uber but it would not connect - darn!!  It's a lovely 27deg.C. and after a little shopping, in Queens Street Mall,  we were met by good friends and taken to a fabulous seafood restaurant for lunch, where we devoured the biggest seafood platter we have ever seen, in fact there were 2 of them, for 7 adults.  Little Molly had just been baptised so it was a lovely celebration as well as a good catch up and meeting Molly's Aunty & Uncle. 

 

The day disappeared and we were back on the shuttle bus by 3.15 for an early departure at 5pm.  After drinks and nibbles (couldn't eat dinner after our huge lunch), we were 'treated' to an outstanding performance by Tom Burlinson in the Theatre, the best we have seen on ships and doubt whether we will get another like that one, on this trip anyway.  We now have 3 days at sea and next port of call will be Rabaul, PNG.

   

SATURDAY, 20TH MAY, 2017 – SEA DAY

A great sleep, the sun is shining, seas calm, brekky in our cabin and now it's time to find our way around this big ship again.  Many familiar faces are dotted around and lots of laughing and hugging by old friends, as well as some of the crew from past cruises.  Very chilly on deck, but it won't be too long before we can venture outside.

 

Before we knew it, lunch beckoned and we shared a table with a couple from Castle Hill and another lady.  Could not believe my eyes/ears when another lady came over to tell us that we had had the first lunch with them in 2013 and to cut a very long story short, our daughter and hubby bought their friends' home in Sydney after the discussions we had at that lunch as we sat next to them…. Seeing that there are 2,000 passengers having lunch in various parts of the ship, this was  sheer coincidence!!!! 

 

After a lazy afternoon, it was drinks time with Barb, Ken and a few others who joined in and then a fabulous dinner with Barb, Ken, Ros, Arnold, Mal & Megan, before we adjourned to the Princess Theatre for a very good show, put on by the Princess Singers & Dancers.  Sadly it was time to say our farewells to Barb & Ken who were leaving the ship in the morning……. Just had to stroll past the 'supper desserts'…..