So near so far Bali

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Bali is in the ‘Coral Triangle’. It has some of the richest maritime ecosystems in the World and is obviously a Mecca for divers. It also has the highest concentration of spas in the world for its size, 1200+ so for me and ideal place to visit. A traditional Balinese massage is characterised by long, slightly firm strokes focused on pressure points.



It is however, quite a small island and we are quite a big ship. So there is no port for us, instead we are to have our first tender experience of this voyage. (You go ashore on one of the ship’s tenders.) From our balcony on deck 11, at least twelve storeys up, the swell really doesn’t look too bad. The ship isn’t moving at all. But looking at the coast you can see the waves crashing on the beaches and going over a rocky headland. We are told the swell is 2+ metres. That means the tenders are rising and falling 2+ metres as you try to transfer from the ship. A great many passengers are elderly, frail and with mobility issues. Long story short no one is going ashore. The transfer of the state officials (Indonesians getting off and Australians getting on) is apparently very exciting indeed. Even the entertainers who were supposed to join us have to fly ahead.



Ah well, we’ll have to try for Bali again sometime. All we see are green hills, sandy beaches and red roofed houses. Although the grey sea and grey sky aren’t what you normally expect. Still it’s not altogether surprising as Bali has only two seasons, April - October hot and dry, October - April monsoon.



So after a few hours looking at what is not to be we sail onwards to Darwin and Australia.

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Comments

[Maggie Sweeney]

Shame about Bali
Such a pity you didn’t get to see the island, the interior is beautiful and unspoilt. We had a driver take us round, at one point he stopped the car in the middle of fields and told us to get out, was this a robbery, were we going to be murdered?! No, he just wanted us to smell the wonderful aromas rising up, phew! How’s life on deck 11? Why Ian has to go out and maim himself instead of running up and down the stairs is beyond e! Bit of News, we’ve just put our names down for the inaugural world cruise on the Queen Anne 2025, should have confirmation on Wednesday after 1pm—— fancy it? I’m getting in touch with Nanci to see if she would be interested. Keep on having fun xxx

[BridgetIan]

World cruise 2025
Thanks for the info, at the moment not really looking at cruises but might come round. If we do it wouldn’t be a full cruise just a stage or two. We need to get home from this one and recover. Hope you are all well and enjoying your travels