ingridandleotravels

Day 39 – Sea day after Darwin on the way to Komodo Island Everyone talking about Darwin gives you the 3 top rules. 1.               Don’t go in the water. 2.              DON’T go in the water! 3.             DON’T GO IN THE WATER!!! We stayed out of the water and safe! According to anyone from Darwin or talking about Darwin, if you go in the water either the sea snakes, or the Box Jellyfish or the salt/fresh water crocks will GET you.   If you stay on land you are supposed to avoid the numerous venomous snakes or the dangerous kangaroos. We were actually glad to leave Darwin without any serious injuries! We did have a nice time at the Barramundi cooking class.   It was a short covered walk from the ship to the restaurant and they had lovely mango drinks for us when we arrived.  ...

Day 37 – 3 rd sea day on the way to Darwin after Cairns, Australia Just a quick update on the plan. We will follow most of the plan posted below with the exception of getting off the ship in Durban, South Africa for a safari and then rejoining the Pacific Princess at Cape Town, South Africa. Last night we got to see and photograph the Southern Cross.  Another beautiful day at sea and tonight we get to have another dinner with our Princess human resources friend MJ.   Should be fun. World Cruise - Leg II

Day 36 – At sea after Cairns on the way to Darwin Day 34 was a tremendous day in Cairns and on the Great Barrier Reef. It began with a short walk along the peer to the catamaran, which would take us the 60 km to the reef. Ingrid and I commuted out to the reef – about a 60km ride and started the day by snorkeling.   Since there were 132 passengers on the catamaran and only about 10 certified divers, the majority of the people were all snorkeling around the boat.   Amazing to look down into the waters of the GBR, teaming with life, but kind of elbow to elbow snorkeling with 120 of your best friends. So when Ingrid and I went down for the first dive it was not only beautiful, but it was a relief to be in that peaceful world of bubbles and amazing fish and far fewer people. I was greeted on the first dive by this terrifying-looking fish that seemed to welcome me to the GBR with his fangs. After a couple minutes down at about 25 feet it became apparent why so many ...

Day 31 – At sea on the way to Cairns, Australia Day 30 at Sydney was great.   We had been to Sydney in 2013 with Katherine so we had already done the bridge climb (at night – spectacular) and gone to the Opera House, so when our friends, Bambi and Barb offered to meet us and show us around we were thrilled.   Thrilled to see them again and catch up and thrilled to have locals show us around.   After a slow start due to customs delays getting off the ship we were met by Bambi and scampered to the 11:07 ferry, with just minutes to spare.   Thankfully Bambi had already arranged for tickets, and some other cruise members, when finding out that we were going to have to run for the ferry, allowed us to cut ahead in the customs line, otherwise we never would have made it.   Bambi and Barb work in planning for Qantas Airlines, and Bambi said when working with aircraft she always has a plan “B”.   As the time for the ferry approached and we were still shuffling ...