Cruising the Indian Ocean

January 2-6, 2019

We successfully left busy Benoa harbor, not running aground like a Regent sister ship did last year as it avoided two local fishing boats illegally in the channel.  We watched the departure from the top deck with a passenger who had been on that ship.  They had an extra 4 days in Bali.

David left dinner the next night abruptly before dessert not feeling well and laid low for the next day.  Seas were calm so we suspect something he ate.  We skipped the tour in the small town of Broome. Some people took a camel ride along Cable Beach, in the top 5 of the over 10,000 beaches in Australia.  Broome was once a big pearling center and was one of the Australian towns attacked by the Japanese. We were docked at the end of a 2,700 ft. pier built to overcome the difficulties of the 30 foot tidal range. 

 The next day (Jan. 4) was at sea, heading further down the western coast toward Exmouth.  This small town was once home to a US military communication base now abandoned.  David had recovered and was looking forward to snorkeling on Ningaloo Reef. This is a fringe reef located near to shore unlike the farther out barrier reefs. It is reportedly one of the best snorkeling areas with a healthier reef than the Great Barrier Reef.  Jan was planning on taking a tour to a turtle center snd more beautiful beaches.  Ninety percent of Australians live within 30 minutes of a beach! After anchoring off shore the Captain reported a 6 foot ocean swell made it too dangerous to use the tenders, so the port visit was cancelled. Most of us didn’t think it looked that bad but Regent takes passenger safety very seriously.   The  Cruise Director quickly rearranged the schedule of onboard activities to include another good lecture by the cinematographer.

It will take another day to reach the Port of Fremantle (Perth) where we will dock, so tenders will not be an issue.  Our trivia team is still struggling but having fun. There is usually one Harry Potter question each day of which we know little.

 Pictures are of Sea Day activities—games in Atrium, passengers against officers, ring toss; reading newspaper while suite is cleaned; David recovering; Broome, gateway to the desolate, beautiful Kimberley region; long pier to account for huge tides; beach with no one on it because of the stingers (jellyfish) and sparse population.







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Image
January 12, 2019 After two days across the Great Australian Bight, we anchored in the harbor of Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.  A small island off the south coast, it is home to seals, penguins, sea lions and, of course, kangaroos. We were told the penguins are out at sea during most of the day fishing and come back to the island at night. Keeping to our reputation of seeing very little wildlife on trips, we saw nothing. We did see another good sunset off our portside cabin on the ship. While in the town we walked on the beach and enjoyed a lunch of fish and chips at a small local restaurant. The owner recommended Tommies as the local fish of choice that day and it was very light and tasty.  Across from the restaurant was a typical Aussie 4-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a snorkel. This allows them to drive through water without ruining the air intake and filter. We were back from town on the tender in time for Jan’s nap and team trivia. 
Read more

Three sea days, one a surprise

Image
December 16, 17, 18 We are settled on the Mariner, greeted several familiar staff members, and are ready for the next adventure. Today, the 17th, was to be a port day in Mooloolaba in southern Queensland. We arrived right on time, anchor went down, and then the announcement came—too much swell to launch the tenders. Up came the anchor and off we sailed. A major disappointment for many was missing the Australia Zoo of Steve Irwin fame. A zoo representative is onboard lecturing, showing wonderful pictures and educating us about their unique way of conserving and saving wildlife. We have a revised schedule with lots of activities—lectures, bridge for David, craft demonstrations, passenger vs. crew games, music, trivia (came in third) and plenty of opportunities to eat. Tonight is one of our favorite Regent events, the Block Party, where you meet in the passageway with your neighbors, enjoy wine and appetizers and the ship’s senior staff races through the ship greeting everyone. Jan ac...
Read more

Bali, Day 1

Image
December 31, 2018   We arrived on the island of Bali about   1pm   from Komodo after being escorted to the docks by two big tugs. For Australian college students, Bali is like Cancun is for Americans. Luckily, school had been out for a few weeks so the Aussies had come and gone.  We had arranged for a guide to meet us at the ship and were driven north through a number of villages to see the rice terraces In Ubud.  Rice is a staple of the Balinese diet.  The terraces were quite steep. Along the way there were elaborate decorations made from bamboo and palm trees to celebrate Balinese Christmas, which occurs twice a year, 210 days apart (who knew—2 Christmases!). 90 % of the 4 million people on Bali are Hindus unlike the rest of Indonesia, which is majority Muslim. This was New Years Eve and street vendors were out selling fish, vegetables, etc. for upcoming family celebrations. For Jan, the road up and back was a feast for this former expat’s eyes. Shops s...
Read more