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Published: April 9th 2010
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DARWIN - NORTHERN TERRITORY
Sometimes, no matter how you try to avoid it, reality intrudes. In my case it came in the form of a head cold. I blame the dragon breath of Komodo but whatever caused it has laid me low for a couple of days.
I had already canceled my tour for Darwin when I learned that the projected temperature was over 100 degrees. I would have had to get off the air-conditioned bus sometime.
I woke up to the sound of thunder and the flash of lightening, rolled over and slept until 10. Then I dressed and headed to town to pick up cough medicine. At the pharmacy I discovered that I had left the ship without my credit card and my ATM card so back to the ship and out again to finish my errands. I wish I felt better because Darwin is an interesting town to explore but the sun was threatening to come out and I was dripping wet already. I had lunch and napped the afternoon away.
Folks who went out to see the leaping crocs enjoyed the day. Haven’t talked to the folks who were out all day but I think I
made the right decision. Still have that deep voice I get and the headache, runny noise and dry cough. We have three sea days ahead so I’ll get plenty of rest.
Sea day 1
Sleepy, nappy, trivia, poker tournament (came in 5th) reading, nappy, dress for dinner, a waltz, Château Briand, more reading and sleep.
Sea Day 2
Feeling much better.
We passed through the Torres Straight from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. The currents here can be treacherous and the tidal difference between oceans can be 3 meters. We are now reaching the northern boundary of The Great Barrier Reef system. The waters have turned to aquamarine and terns and frigate birds track our course. The seas have been remarkably calm since Komodo. We are currently in the sea lanes and have sited a couple of freighters. The only other boat to be seen is a small motor dingy that takes the place of cars in the Torres Straight Islands. We have passed Tuesday Island and Wednesday Island and Thursday Island and another Thursday Island, Friday Island but no Saturday, Sunday or Monday Islands. Even back then when the Islands were named the cherished Aussie long weekend was
observed.
We pass Cape York, the northernmost tip of Australia, and we will now be sailing south along the eastern coast. We have had a Reef Pilot on board since Darwin. He will stay with us until Brisbane and has been telling us all about the islands, their history and culture and reef features as we pass by.
We are anchoring overnight. This will give us another day of scenic cruising before reaching Cairns (Kanz) and access to the reef.
Day 3
It’s now 8:30 am and I am watching a wonderful lecture about the reef and its animals. The day is overcast but not raining, at least not yet. Will be going to breaky soon for my salmon and watermelon. The Pilot will be starting his travelogue soon. Plan to find a spot on a deck chair, bring my book and camera and enjoy the morning. The day passes quickly. Our trivia team, the twelve half wits, comes in second yet again. We're just biding our time. Tomorrow the Reef!
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