November 12 - At Sea

Last day!  😥. Overnight we apparently passed by Kangaroo Island  (around 120 miles away!) and at noon were lined up with Cape Northumberland - I would have waved to the old stomping ground of Port MacDonnell but couldn't see through the rain and fog!!!  Weather is appalling but not rough.  Thankfully we are getting off tomorrow as people getting bored due weather.  

Had our final game of mahjong - what a treat to be able to play 60 hours of mahjong over 30 sea days.  Stella, Wendy & I were there for the whole cruise & Dale joined us when the other two left in Singapore.  Thanks so much Julie, the tiles were fantastic.  

Have also had our last pina coladas at happy hour - now to work them off in the next few weeks!!!!  Margaret & Richard (UK) have been such fun and another older couple, also from the UK, will be in Melbourne for the next six days so we hope to catch up with them during the week.  He is 88 & she is 87 - I videotaped them doing the twist on the dance floor last night!! 

Shortly off to dinner, a farewell to our terrific waiters and other dining room staff who have looked after us beyond expectations.  They are doing a special cherries jubilee for us tonight - not sure why! 

If anyone is still reading this, thanks!  Hope it hasn't been too boring or repetitive!  

Love to you all

Maureen XXX 

November 11 - At Sea

We are deep into the Bight now and the weather is pretty ordinary.  No-one sunbathing on the deck, although last night when I went to the buffet for some water after the show there were people watching the outdoor movie - wrapped up in about three blankets each and only just under cover (it was raining)!  

Nathan Foley didn't disappoint last night, he is an excellent performer and not hard to see why he won the performer of the year with Princess.  

At 10.45 this morning there was a lovely memorial service in the theatre, the place was packed, we had rousing hymns and good speakers along with the Last Post on the trumpet. 

Due to the weather, the ship feels crowded today, people walking around with sweaters & jackets on.  At noon the Captain told us that tomorrow's weather may get rough and to be careful walking about etc.  - but that is to be expected in these waters.  Apparently the depth of water at noon was 5,000 metres.  

Another formal night tonight then will start packing the bags tomorrow! 

November 10 - At Sea

Finally upped anchor ⚓️ and set sail around 7.30 pm.  Rounded Cape Naturaliste on the port side.  This Cape is a headland in the south western region of WA at the western edge of Geographe Bay.  It is the northernmost point of th Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge which was named after the cape.  After 50 nautical miles, abeam of Cape Hamelin, the ship set a south easterly course across the Great Australian Bight. 

Today's trivia! 

So far, the sea is really calm - like glass.  So much for the Bight being rough but then it might be early days!  

After breakfast we went to the port talk on Melbourne.  We have had the same man doing port talks since Southampton & he is called the port EXPERT! Well, a lot to be desired as he should have talked to some locals before he waffled on about Melbourne.  He talked about the tram, tickets etc, but didn't mention the free city trams, Queen Victoria Market, the MCC, botanical gardens, Grand Prix track.  Called the Dandenongs 'the Dandelols', said that if you were to get a taxi to Ballarat then you could swing back to Mel via the 'You You's'!!!!! As if!  He also said that as we are arriving on a Sunday it may be that a lot of things will be closed or more difficult to access. Anyway, after the lecture, I went up to the stage as he was packing up his notes and told him that first of all just because it is a Sunday doesn't mean anything will be closed.  That Melbourne is a very vibrant city, full of life every day of the week. And that I was disappointed he hadn't mentioned these beautiful parts of Melbourne let alone consulted locals before his delivery. So, Richard Eisenbise, get your red hat on and give these people the real deal on Sunday - you will be a great meeter and greeter!!!!!

It's not cold but it's also not warm - rather breezy so after lunch I went to a film 'The Money Monsters' which I enjoyed.  

Tonight's entertainment should be good, a guy called Nathan Foley who we saw when on the Star Princess earlier in the year.  He won the Princess entertainment award for the past year.  Was formerly a member of High 5.  

A lot of newbies on ship now as many disembarked in Perth.  Nearly all old and boring like us 🤓

 

November 9 - Busselton, WA

We had anchored at Busselton by the time I woke this morning - a cool day with a top temperature of 20C expected.  With only about 6 tenders operating and being quite a long distance from the shore we stayed aboard until around 9.30.  Passengers were met and welcomed by numerous local volunteers, all anxious to ensure a good day was had by all.  Being Wednesday, there was a local market nearby with mostly craft, jewellery and soaps/essences, etc, however I did see a dozen eggs on one table - just not sure if they would saleable to a ship load of 3,000 passengers!!! 

We were here in WA about 15 years ago and stayed several days in this region so didn't feel the need to go chasing wineries, chocolate or wood products so just wandered around the town, had a Chinese snack for lunch and caught up with a few people from the ship.  George went off to find a relative in the graveyard, didn't have any luck with the rellie  but did pick up a $50 note!!!!!

We don't sail until 6pm but sitting here now watching the TV and a Trump victory!!!! Not sure about Trump but very pleased Hillary didn't get in. 

A very nice dinner with yet another English couple and I will go to the show at 10.30.  Intended to have a flutter at the casino on the way but it is still closed - obviously not far enough from the coast yet!  What strange laws we have!!!! 

Nvember 8 - Fremantle/Perth

We docked very early and I could hear recorded music coming from the terminal -  Then around 7.30 am a folk trio appeared & sang all the Aussie songs for about 2 hours as people disembarked. There was a TV crew there too, big deal to welcome the Emerald Princess on her first visit to Australia.   After breakfast we walked to the train station and got a train to Perth.  Then got a bus to Kings Park which is looking amazing at the moment.  People everywhere, boosted by probably half the people from the ship.  Can't complain about the weather - is a lovely 24C!  

Nice to have my phone again and to have wifi without effort!  

Have just enjoyed a toasted sandwich in London Arcade, looked for the Forum Cafe which I used to frequent on visits to Perth with Ansett but it now appears to be a bra shop or something similar LOL!!!!

Will probably get a ferry back to Fremantle.  Perth/Fremantle is SO clean after some of the places we've just visited - it's been a nice first impression for visitors, I'm sure.  

Will post this now & maybe more later.  London Court, Kings Park

November 7 - At Sea

Still going south!!!!!  Early this morning we were 20 miles from Steep Point - the most westerly point of the Australian mainland. It is located within the Shark Bay World Heritage site in the Gascoyne region of WA.  On 17 July, 2006, the largest recorded tsunami to strike Australia was measured at 7.9 metres at Steep Point after being triggered by the earthquake off Java, Indonesia.  Trivia for the day! 

We are now free of ANY humidity - the English people are at a loss as to what to do now there is limited sun and plenty of wind.  Just hope their suntans don't fade before they get back to the UK! The seas are a little rougher and at least two of my mahjong friends are into the quells!  For us the movement is only slight - the Bight may be a test for some.  

Went to the talk on Margaret River this morning.  We don't have any plans for Perth or MR - will just see how the day pans out!  

Off now to a wine tasting.  

Later.......Well, to give you an idea of the wines tasted, the first was a Sav Blanc Nobilo, NZ, then Chardonnay Fetzer, Calif., followed by Cotes-Du-Rhone, a light red from Fr. and then an Ancient Peaks Merlot from Calif.  This was by far the tastiest of the four.  Finished off with a Prosecco from Italy which wasn't a patch on the King Valley proseccos from home. But all in all, a pleasant way to spend an hour or so. 

The show turned out to be fantastic - the best yet! And we had a lovely dinner with Dale & John afterwards. 

November 6 - At Sea

We are continuing to head south crossing the Indian Ocean bounded north by Asia, west by West Africa, east by Australia and to the south by Antartica.  The Indian Ocean 

Is known as Ratnakara, 'the mine of gems' in ancient Sanskrit literature and as Hind Mahasagar 'the great indian sea' in Hindi! 

While the day is still warm and sunny the humidity definitely has gone and there is a nice breeze.  

I've been sitting on the deck next to an English lady who told me she is travelling to Sydney and hoping to emigrate!  Both her children live in Batemans Bay and as her husband recently died she expects she can get a sole parent permanent visa.  I asked how much luggage she has & she said '17 boxes and 8 suitcases'! Hope they don't turn her back at the port!!!!

Another urgent call for a blood donor this afternoon - there have been many medical emergencies this trip.  Apparently a couple of people have pneumonia and there are some dreadful coughs around the ship.  

Am about to start my 9th book - being able to read this many is heaven!!

Black tie, again - not sure why it is so necessary to get dressed up but some of the women have beautiful gowns and cocktail wear.  I filled in some time at the casino before the show - had a small win on the slots but still my roulette numbers refuse to come up!!!  The show was very good, a guy Patrick McMahon, singer, from WA.  He was actually a bit hyperactive, but a wonderful singer & entertainer who comes from a sheep farm north of Perth.  He is on again tomorrow night in a split show with La Forza, the tenors we missed last night.

It is very windy outside and the ship has a bit of a rock tonight.  Is nice for a change as has been so calm most of the way.