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On Saturday we arrived at our mooring outside Port Douglas. We weren't able to go ashore until after 10am. We went down for the morning quiz, (which we won again) and snaking through the Ocean Bar was a long queue waiting for tender tickets. I waited until it was near the end and then joined. We were still able to go in Group 4.
After the quiz we watched as they launched the tenders and then noticed two large ferries coming from the mainland. Then we went into the bar to wait for our group to be called. It was not until about 11am that we got on board one of the larger boats and then it was a short ride to the wharf.It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the sunshine and the fresh air. We walked along the Marina and decided to have lunch at a place called Hemingway's. I had booked us on a croc spotting river cruise at 2-30 so we had plenty of time to enjoy some different food and a glass or two of wine. It was pleasant sitting there, people watching and observing the boats going to and fro
About 2-15 we
walked back to the Lady Douglas, an old wooden boat. I had booked the trip on line and it seemed many others from the ship had done so as well. We set out along the mangrove lined river, watching for crocodiles and we were not disappointed. There were several sunning themselves at the water's edge. The commentary gave us a history of the area and the 90 minutes went quickly. We did also get a glass of wine and some cheese and biscuits.
Then it was back to the ship, again on one of the larger boats, and we were in time for the final of the progressive trivia.We blitzed that and won overall by nearly 10 points. Our prize was vouchers for four pizzas but the others preferred icecreams so our quizmaster got them changed for us.
Fletcher and I still fancied pizza for dinner so we went to the 400 Gradi restaurant. We had to pay extra but it was worth it. Then we went up to deck 12 and redeemed our voucher for icecream. This topped off a good day!
The next morning we had to be out of our cabin by 6-30 am. We had
packed the night before and left our luggage outside our room for collection. We waited in the Ocean Bar until Group 9 was called and then off the ship and luggage collected in a very smooth and quick manner. We decided to walk the 800 metres or so to our hotel, the Shangri-La. However, due to poor signage we went the long way around. We dropped our bags in the foyer and then found a coffee shop where we had ham and cheese croissants and a cup of coffee. As it was only 8 am we walked along the Esplanade.As it was Sunday morning it was very quiet though part of the Esplanade was roped off for a cycling event. We walked for a long time reorienting ourselves as it had been a few years since we had visited. We eventually made our way back to the Marina and to a bistro, the Blu Marlin. As it was 10-30 by this time we could order some wine and had that while waiting to order from the lunch menu. This we did at 11. I had a chicken focaccia and Fletcher a BLT sandwich both on Turkish bread and tasty but
filling. We eventually went back to the hotel and were relieved to get into our room about 12-30.
We stayed there, me writing a blog and Fletcher doing his stats until 4-30. Then we needed to find somewhere we could watch the footy. Mr Google told me the bar just around the corner would oblige so we went there. What a great win over Brisbane by the Crows. We then had dinner at a nearby restaurant, pasta marinara for Fletcher and chowder for me. We were glad to get to our room and an early night . Another interesting day!!
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