Day 12 More Pics

Lunch with some CC'ers

Day 12

We are feeling better today, thank goodness so we began the day with an early morning swim followed by a hot tub, boiling actually, dip. George accompanied me to breakfast, this may sound normal but it was his second breakfast! There was a shopping event in the Dining room so I thought I would have a look, wow it was a scene straight from a Balinese market, t shirts flying everywhere, all that was missing was the haggling. I left quickly. We had lunch with some of our CC group, and my lovely waiter came flying across the room to make sure I was ok, as I had missed the previous 3 nights for Dinner. He ordered my lunch and the delicious panacotta dessert, see the pics.

Today at noon was the Crossing the Equator ceremony, George braved the humidity and took some pics. I decided to read on a lounger in the shade, watching the sea go by.

Day 10 Bali Hai

We sailed into Bali, and it was raining! Had a quick breakfast and headed down to the Vista Lounge to collect our tender tickets, as the ship is much too big to berth close to the dock, We chose to do Kuta on our own with Paul and Kim, a 45 minute boat ride then 20 minute bus ride into the main part of Kuta. As this was our first time to Bali we weren't sure what to expect. In hindsight I wish we had done the traditional village tour which would have given us a better insight as Kuta is all about haggling and George an I don't enjoy that, although some people do. Anyway the Bintang beer really helped us to chill out! It is an interesting place with the contrast of beautiful monuments and run down shacks. We only had 2.5 hours to shop and all we bought was 6 beers for less the $10, to bring back aboard. Arriving back at the dock, the scene was hilarious as there would have been about 1000 people all waiting to catch the tenders back to the ship. However it was only about 1.5 hour wait, in the heat and starvation setting in, we finally got on our way. Well this proved to be the most exciting part of the day as we had some BIG waves rocking the tender boat, so much that a huge wave caused water to pour in through the hatch on the top. Yes, it landed on George and his bag. My first thought was NOT ANOTHER CAMERA GONE, but thankfully it survived. I have to say that I was quite terrified on the tender. We were so exhausted we fell asleep after we got to our cabin and missed dinner.

Day 11 More pics

Location of ship.

Each night we receive a newsletter called The Princess Patter, and chocolates, also tonight there was an invitation to the Captain's Cocktail Party.

Day 11 Sailing toward Singapore

Its good to have 2 days at sea, time to relax and do a few activities offered on the ship. Today we were offered to have our washing done for $25 a bag, which is really good as it's a fair amount of clothes. Its a special price for WC. After breakfast went to Trivia, 14/20 not bad. The weather is lovely, we intend to swim later. We both have the ship virus, sore throat and no voice for me, which is good according to George. We have the Captain's Cocktail Party tonight, prior to this we are having drinks with Tom and Shirley, who we met on the first night.

We have been told that we will get a new flat screen TV sometime during the voyage but knowing our luck it will be on Day 103! We have taken some pics of the cabin for you to get a feel of the closet like condition, only joking, its really cosy and nice. `

Day 10 More pics

Pictures of the tender boat, some Bali statues and us waiting for tender at dock.

Day 9 at Sea

Had a relatively quiet day, we both have the tickly throat bug which is doing the rounds. Trivia was a laugh, I managed to answer 3 correct answers so its certainly improving the grey matter. We spent most of the day bumping into people and talking all day! Now wonder we have sore throats. It's the people we have met that are making this cruise so fantastic.

There was a Cruise Critic meeting however we managed to lose each other and after an hour of searching the ship we had managed to miss it altogether. Never mind there will be more organised. Weather is still lovely, humid but quite sunny. The Captain has told us that from now on there will be a chance of showers all through Asia. We organised out tickets for Bali tomorrow, we decided to just do the shuttle bus to Kuta. Nice and easy.

Day 8

After breakfast we went to trivia and I, yes me, actually answered a correct answer. Where it came from I have no idea, it was Freddie Mercury's real name and it just popped into my head. We got 13.5 out of 20, once again thanks to Gail. Our ex policeman friend, Barry got me a beauty. He said, "have you heard the news"?. I said "no". He then said the local Darwin police are on the lookout for 2 albino indigenous last seen in the local park heavily drinking and disposing of many bottles. We all went to a lecture on our upcoming port of Bali. George almost feel asleep. Had coffee in the Patisserie, just getting ready to have lunch, more food!! Life is tough.

Day 8 Sail Away from Darwin

Last night we sailed away from Darwin and Australia too! Beautiful calm seas and full moon to send us off. We stood on the top deck with Roy and Marg from Tassie. We had an early night as we were pooped from shopping in Darwin. But not before George had his gorgeous dessert at dinner, we are saying that we will only eat dessert once a week from now on, that's the idea anyway. There is just so much lovely food that already we have have gained the kilos.

We chose not to do any tours because of our shopping expedition but many people did do crocodile tours and loved it. Lots went to Casuarina Shopping Centre, $2 return for non pensioners and free for pensioners.

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Day 7

Arrived in Darwin and lovely rain greeted us, but the humidity was stifling. Had a quick breakfast and headed off to the big city to load up with supplies. There was a $7 each way Shuttle bus offered but it was only a 15 minute  walk and with all the desserts we have had we figured we needed to walk. I don't think Woolies knew what had hit them, they were running out of things like Hand Sanitizer. We got all the usual things like shampoo etc, then off to the booze shop. As we had heard lots of conflicting info regarding how much booze you could get on the ship, we had a plan! However the stress involved wasn't worth the substantial saving, I don't think but George thinks it was. Sitting in a park in Darwin, trying to decant Drambuie and Baileys into choc milk bottles, with the local indigenous nearby watching us, well you get the picture. The hilarious part was trying to dispose of the bottles discreetly into the rubbish bin......they wouldn't fit without a struggle and a lot of clinking which drew attention. We noticed the bin being pounced upon after we had left. We had made 2 trips into town to get more supplies, if you know what I mean. Had a couple of pints of beer, wow only $8 for 2, what a bargain and it went down well too. Back to ship and straight for a swim to cool off.

Note to any future cruisers: may be worth just paying the ships booze prices if you are a nervous person.  We purchased a trolley which was great for all the stuff we bought and then we can use it for our laundry onboard.

Our Cruise Director, Warren and his Assistant Colin (from Scotland so we love hearing his voice lol) are really fantastic.

 I have included 2 photos from the Ship's Tour, one of the Captain and the other is 2nd in Command.

Day 6

Last night after watching the beautiful sunset, we had a lovely delicious dinner, the food is amazing. We eat in the Dining Room every night, apart from the best service and food, its all about portion control.Not to mention our fantastic table companions.We left at a respectable time as we wanted to see the first Production Show. The waiter was gobsmacked when we all left before 9.30. In the Princess Theatre we watched the absolutely amazing show. It was mostly 60's music, so we knew all the words, but oh boy the singers and dancers were great. After this we went on deck for a walk, its still very humid at night.

Day 6

Early start today, we had booked the Ship's Ultimate Tour on Monday however it's a lottery system so to our surprise we actually "won" our places in the tour. So it began at 8.30 this morning. It's a behind the scenes look but we really got much more than we had ever anticipated. It began with a visit to the Bridge (met El Captain) right the way down to the galley and laundry and lots in between. It also consisted of 2 glasses of beautiful champagne, not usual for us before lunch, and canapé's which were so delicious. We also receive, chef's jackets, bathrobes, lots of photos and personalised stationery. It ended with champagne and canapé's again and shaking hands with the Captain. Well worth every cent of the $180 charge each. It was great to meet our Cruise Director and all his staff who are doing a great job. He promises to show lots of the Soccer World Cup.

 

Lunch at the Buffet, and then watch an ice carving demo by the pool, very good. We intend to have a swim today but don't hold us to that haha.

Day 5

Started with our walk, its is getting humid now but thank goodness no sea sickness. Trivia today, big improvement, 16/20. Thanks again to Gail, in fact if she doesn't turn up we will just leave too. Tomorrow we will miss it as we have just been invited (got to pay) to do the Ultimate Ship Tour, all the behind the scenes stuff so should be good. George is booked in to help with blog posting for a lovely couple, it may be the blind leading the blind. We are having lunch today with more of our group. A couple of people we know have caught the dreaded flu or something so hope it doesn't go around the ship. Never washed our hands so often before, every time we move we use hand gel haha.

Our cabin steward is really nice and very attentive.

The seas are calm and a beautiful aqua colour, its only by looking out at sea that you are reminded that you are on a ship.

Witnessed the first of coffee rage, because the waiter hadn't brought cakes instantly, this lady abused the poor waiter. I felt like squashing the cream pie into her face, there is no need for this as the staff are amazing.

Joanne (packetau), can you please put on blog address on the CC for other WC to enjoy.

Day 4

We had delicious pizza at lunch today, freshly made. Previous to this we had our first trivia experience, 6 of us but really only 3.5 brains attended. Lots of fun and we got 12 out of 20, not bad for our first effort, thanks to Gail.

We have been pleasantly surprised by the age group on the ship, yes there are some oldies but the majority would be in the early fifties to late sixties, but as we have discovered age is just a number, its all about attitiude. Not too many walking frames!

I am actually finding it difficult to have the time to read my Kindle. I intended to read 20 or so books but if I can get through 10 it will be a bonus. I am sitting on the top deck writing this and the loungers are being set up for the Movie under the Stars, they cover the chairs with rugs etc.

Tonight at dinner we were the last table to leave, in fact we were thrown out politely. George and I have never laughed so much, but really George is the dining room comedian, and table diners love it.

A note on the age thing, we met a lovely couple from who remarked on meeting us, "its nice to see some young people, as we thought we were getting on the geriatric ship", George then asked later how old Tom and Shirley were and were amazed when he said 80 years young,lol.