GREAT BARRIER REEF Put away your expectations. Erase from your mend everything you have heard and seen about the reef. It is by far the most beautiful, most prolific, most diverse marine ecosystem that I have ever seen. Our high-speed catamaran pulled up to the ship and we boarded. After a ninety minuet cruise we arrived at our pontoon. There are a few of these scattered on the reef. Each has a glass bottom boat, a semi-submersible, a dive boat, snorkeling and a helicopter pad. For a fee you can fly over the reef, dive under the water; see the reef without getting wet or snorkel. I am going to let the pictures tell the story. After dinner a group went up to deck 10 forward. The Milky Way was spread out before us like a ... read more

KOMODO ISLAND - EASTER SUNDAY If I’m not home for Easter, this is a cool (not very) place to be. After two sea days we arrived at Komodo and anchored at six a.m. I had been up for an hour at this point, so excited and a little nervous that I might be seeing the largest lizard on earth today. At six, the temperature was 86 degrees and the humidity was 85%. Slawi Bay was a calm as a mirror and there were a few clouds in the sky. My tour left at 7:30 and we tendered to the dock. When we walked down the dock a medium size Komodo Dragon was on the beach to meet us. It would have been a successful day right then. These animals are large, this one about five feet ... read more

GERALDTON, WESTERN AU This day was completely different from all the others. It was a tender port and the seas were very rough. Getting into the tender was a matter of timing the waves. After a twenty-minute rocking ride we docked to find a lovely lab waiting to greet us. He got his monthly rations of petting. Four of us rented a car. Polite little me didn’t push and shove so I was left standing on the wharf while Tam did the paperwork. The Avis driver promised to come right back for me but I was a crispy critter before Tam drove up. It seems the driver was flagged down by a group on the street and didn’t have room for me again. Poor me! All settled in we drove out to the “dry”, the WA ... read more

AN AMBLE IN ALBANY The day was overcast but dry and mild. We docked around eight and a shuttle bus was available to take us the short distance into Albany pronounced as in “you can call me Al”. Australians will point out that it is NOT the capital of New York. The bus drops us off at the top of the main drag and will pick us up at the foot of the hill. This works particularly well for the folks who are older and can’t walk too far. Across from the stop is a park where local crafts are displayed and a two man Dixie land jazz duo entertains the crowd with Satin Doll and Take the A Train etc. It was great to sit there listening and watching the folks. At Town Hall there ... read more

Good morning from Adelaide, South Australia. Last night was a formal night and our table was hosted by two deck cadets, Susan from England and Amy from Scotland. Boy have things changed. They sail six month a year as part of the college curriculum. One day I saw them climbing, scraping and painting the bottom of the lifeboat. They have to do all tasks required of the deck hands so they can direct the crew properly. They are loving it! Amy just celebrated her 20th birthday; Susan is the youngest cadet at eighteen. Stopped in the Piano Bar after dinner but was not impressed at all. The day is clear and sunny, a perfect day to visit the Barossa Valley wineries. South Australia is the driest state in the driest inhabited continent, Antarctica being the driest. ... read more