We set out from Uluru about 8-30am, and headed back to the Stuart Highway so we could proceed to Alice Springs. We checked our predicted petrol range on the car dashboard and decided we could make it to Erldunda, or if not, there was the Mount Ebenezeer Roadhouse marked on our map. It was a beautiful sunny day and listening to You only Live Twice, we sped along, finding the going easy. We passed the Curtin Springs roadhouse, still confident, but as we neared Mt Ebenezeer, we noticed that the fuel consumption was more than we had expected. We decided we would need to fill up there. However, when we reached this spot we found a derelict roadhouse and no fuel pumps.We stopped and looked around. Fletcher spoke to a fellow traveller in a motor home ... read more

We set out on Tuesday, June 11th. Fletcher had to renew his drivers' licence before we went so once that was done we were off! Our first destination was Woomera. We have been all over the world, but the north of our own state is unknown to us! We had packed the car with all we needed for a long trip including extra water and food and a box of talking books and other CDs to keep us interested in the long stretches of driving ahead. We headed north, travelling past Port Wakefield and our first stop was Port Pirie. Neither of us had been here for a long time , so we drove into the town and went for a stroll around the main strip. Not incredibly exciting, but we found a Cafe Primo and ... read more

Our ship docked early in the Port of Los Angeles and we were disembarked not long after 8am. We quickly found a taxi and went to our hotel in Long Beach. It was not very far so we were there before 9am. We were pleased when the receptionist told us that there was a room ready and we could check in straight away. After the big last night we were glad to be able to rest in the room for a couple of hours. Our hotel was on Long Beach Boulevard and the waterfront was at the end of this. The receptionist said it was about a thirty minute walk, but undaunted we set out under a warm and sunny sky. There was not a lot to see along this stretch of road and we soon ... read more

After we left the shores of Guatemala, we voyaged for 3 days before docking again. Life on board during days at sea is relaxing and unhurried, with our focus more on ourselves rather than where we are. Each day at 12 noon we attended the daily trivia quiz in the Explorers’ Lounge on Deck 7. These have proved to be challenging and we have hooked up with a lovely couple from the UK, Helena and Mark Smith, who live in Surrey. We have got very close to winning, tying at least twice and losing on the tiebreaker question, as well as always being either third or second, The questions have been varied and challenging. Helena and Mark are lovely and we have new people to visit in the UK. Each day Fletcher and I have gone ... read more

Sunday morning we awoke to sea and sky as we cruised towards Costa Rica. It was a full day at sea which we spent enjoying the ship. We have got to know some of the other guests and certainly staff. Our favourite bar in the Atrium, known as The Living Room, is manned by a mixture of nationalities including Indonesian, Phillipino, Chinese and Peruvian. Eddie is the “star” here, enjoying customers applause as he performs his “tricks” like catching blocks of ice in a glass behind his back and floating coasters to us from the back of his hand. He is always smiling and seems to know all the guests’ names. We usually have breakfast and lunch in the World Café on Deck 7 and then go to either the Restaurant or one of the two ... read more