Feb 14

14 Feb 09 Back again. Found out message we thot had sent was somewhere
in cyberspace until Janet and Carl visited with us in Sydney, so they are
going to be our personal helpers and send these things for us to our
blogpage-think that is the way it works. The system on ship is very slow
and horribly expensive So hope the first message and with some photos has
arrived. We are now at sea between Melbourne in route to Adelaide. had a
very bumpy ride out of Mebourne (Glenn and Suzanne, we could not seem to
find out if your friend was our pilot or not)-the Capt had warned us of
this spot of rippy H2O. So to catch you up loved the Solomons or
Vanuatus--the people are just extremely friendly and outgoing. Many of
these islands were used by our military during WWII and they seem to
really like Americans. Had very rainy wx there, but the island were lush
and tropical plants abounded. Visited the markets where every kind of
fruit and vegetable was seen and stacks of crabs they tie together with
strips of coconut fronds, very clever. We waded through water during many
of the downpours, danced while banging a bamboo pole up and down with two
rather elderly braless, snaggly toothed ladies who were cute as bugs. At
Port Villa took off with the natives, to snorkel and ended up far out in
the boonies-thinking we only had to call for transportation to come pick
us up--anyhow too long a story for now. The snorkeling was the most
beautiful I have ever experienced-beat the Great Barrier Reef, the coral
and fish were too numerous to name and so colorful an experience to
remember. Fortunately one of the librarians and her boyfriend showed up
(with a cab) so we were saved for a ride back to the ship. Here the owner
had a PIG WHO LOVED TO HAVE HER BELLY scratched, s dog, chickens, and
birds. On to New Caledonia where we had three stops at Noumea were met by
fierce warriors and their clan with their usual folklore group. Toured
the city quite a group of islands around the area, beautiful setting and
beaches. Wx is actually quite mild so far highest T has been 84 and that
was here. Next day went to Ile Des Pins, very undeveloped area-had to
tender in and out very picturesque. Snorkeled and swam some, but may now
be spoiled forever after Tara Beach. This area is supposed to be the best
snorkeling and diving area in the world, maybe on the other side of the
island. Two more days at sea before we reached Sydney where we were so
looking forward to seeing Janet and Carl. Met them at 1030 and had a
“cuppa” prior to going on ship at 1100. Had lunch and a nice
visit. They brought Emu feathers, and Arnott’s Tim Tam’s-1
double coated choc bisquits and the other choc hazelnut flavored mousse
bisquits-to die for. Had a nice visit during which time they tried to
figure out the internet system onboard and dear Janet decided it would be
easier and cheaper for us to just send her our “stuff” and she
would send it all to the blog page for each of you to see. Unfortunately
we had made reservations for Madame Butterfly at the Sydney Opera House
for that night-only night we could do so- so did not get to visit as long
as we would have liked. The Opera was wonderful and very cleverly and
simply staged and the Madame Butterfly lead was great. Next day toured
the new Aboriginal Museum in The Rocks which is again, very well done,
could have spent even more time there, lunch and walked across the
Botanical gardens-we were docked at Circular Quay with the Bridge to
starboard and the opera house to port so we were close to everything-to
the NSW museum where they were featuring Aboriginal art and artists who
painted many pictures of Australia-very impressive. We were in the midst
of all of the ferry boats going back and forth and other ships going to
the shipping docks and pleasure boats-just a beehive of acitivity. We saw
the Ibis and fruit bats that inhabit the gardens. The Aboriginal
didgeridoo and beating boomerangs players were all along the quay today.
Have had more excellent entertainment-last night was the entertainer of
the year for Australia, quite a pianist. The fires continue their
devastation near Melborune, the stories of trying to escape the flames are
horror stories. Think there are over 200 dead now and hard to say how
many burned. The T a few days ago in Victoria area broke all records over
117 and with the winds the conditions were perfect for the spreading of
the fires-so tragic, so many losses and lifes affected.
We borrowed Janet’s phone n Sydney-on ship they want
$7.95/minute-were able to contact Glenn and Suzanne in Melbourne our next
stop so they will come to the ship. Glenn flies for Cathay Pacific out of
Hong Kong-so good luck we caught him at home, they are due to leave
tomorrow for Hong Kong (Glenn’s base of operations)then Frankfurt
and on down to Johannesburg where one of their daughters is studying to
become a pilot. That is his normal flying route so Suzanne is going to
tag along this time. They met us at the ship and we had lunch and then
went to a huge local market and I got my Kangeroo skin and ME a lovely
merino wool multicolored long jacket with scarf to match, suits her. They
then toured us round Melbourne and back to the ship. It was a nice visit,
we really did not know them that well having met for a brief period at
Whistler one year. Glenn had recently undergone surgery for Class 2
Hodgkins with chemo and now periodic chemo, but they both look real good.
So we are now on our way to Adelaide and since it is Happy
Valentine’s Day it is a formal night. We received a lovely
Valentine bouquet from someone not sure who!! (Janet, will send this now
and pics later.)