Homeward bound

What a lovely nights sleep - one of the darkest hotel rooms ever, and the bed was soooo comfy.  Still feeling odd on the feet, you don't really notice the boat sway until you're on land again.

Breakfast was the buffet extravaganza in the hotel.  Without a doubt one of the best breakfasts weve ever had in a hotel, certainly the best we've had in Australia! I'm not a big breaky eater but I could have eaten so much.

Our flights left at 1pm so we didn't have to rush to the airport.  We booked an earlish taxi as we were sure how long it would take so of course we were there early.  So what does one do when they're in the airport waiting.... They book another cruise!!!  We didn't really have internet access while away as the antenna packed it in on the second or third day.  So I spent time clearing my emails and noticed an email from cruise guru about a princess cruise sale.  I think this one caught my eye particularly as it leaves from Adelaide!!!  While it was great to visit Sydney, it did add about $1000 to the cost for flights and accommodation.

So we have a new cruise date - 11th March 2021!!!!  Adelaide to Hong Kong on the Majestic Princess!!

Land Ahoy

Happily for me it seems I saved the worst nights sleep for last night.  I think I was overly keen to be up when we came back into Sydney Harbour.  Tony and I awoke at about 5am, just as we had just started going through Sydney Heads.  It was earie and dark still so very cool to watch.  We went out onto our balcony for about an hour and watched us return to civilisation - we docked just after 6.  

Its officially Good Friday so super quiet in the harbour.  We showered and then I nicked downstairs to get a plate of pastries and yoghurt and of course coffee.  Our planned debarkation time was supposed to be 750 but at about 7 we could see people walking off.  

We gathered our suitcases and headed downatairs, fully expecting to be sent to our waiting zone.  Instead, we were ushered off the ship with no wait time at all!.


The process for customs was super quick too so really just a matter of handing in our customs forms and walking out.  We ambled over to McDonalds for Nates second breakfast and planned our journey over to Darling Harbour where we are staying tonight.  We tried to get a cab but there were none available so we opted for the train again.  Quick couple of stops and then a short walk over Cockle Bay to Novotel Darling Harbour.  

Id organised an early check-in so only had to wait an hour and then we got to our room.  Then bam it hit - the boatlag ( feels just like jetlag).  We had a short snooze and then wandered into the shopping centre to get drinks and some lunch.  Watched the tv and walked back over to the shops in the afternoon and that was it.  Room service dinner and then a couple of movies to keep us awake until 1030.


Sad that the trip is nearly over, but that just means its time to plan the next one :-)) 

Water everywhere - sea day 4

Last sea day tomorrow as were back in Sydney bright and early tomorrow.  We had a time change back an hour overnight so its like daylight savings all over again.


Tried our hands at trivia, this time general knowledge and then superheros.  I went out solo to try the musicals one and none of them did we get close.  I guess no ship on a stick for us!  Tried the movie themed one this afternoon and did well, although not as good as the people in front of us who cheated.


Last dinner was had in the dining room and again the staff put on a show.  They did the traditional cruise baked alaska parade and then a bit of a dance show.  We all agreed that the service from our team has been exceptional.  The food again was great - japanese theme tonight.  Karaage chicken and then tonkatsu.  Tonkatsu will always remind me of dad - so there were some tears from Tony and I, remembering our time in Japan.

Sadly post dinner we returned to our room and finished packing.  

I cant believe how quickly the time has flown on this ship.

Out to sea again - sea day 3

A slightly calmer night to begin our journey home.  After breakfast we went out to the lido deck to check out the towel animals that the staff had made.  So cool - channelling my inner child!


We all had a lazy day planned but I still managed to get the boys to join me in 2 trivia sessions.  The first was songs from the 00's and the second session was Game of Thrones.  We thought we had a chance at both - oh so wrong!


We were feeling tired from doing nothing so Nate ventured out solo to the comedy performance tonight.  I think he enjoyed it but not as much as the first night.  Its nice to see him bventuring out to do things on his own, but I remain frustrated that he hasnt wanted to go and do kid things.  Didnt want to try the water slides, or meet other kids in the kids club - I think hes just in that wierd in between age group.

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck....

Geez louise the weather hasnt really gone in our favour.  Windy again this morning after another rocky night.  This was our last stop today - Isle of Pines.  The plan to get to swim with turtles went out the window with the weather.  Not only did the turtles swim for cover, the tour was to take place on these tiny little boats, again not weather friendly.  So Nates heart was broken; we did tender over to the island, had a quick look and then returned.  In the bay as we were getting back onto the tender there was a tiny turtle looking for cover so at least we saw one.


Back on board gave us some more snoozing time and time to catch up on tv programs and reading.


We had our dinner in the restaurant again and then head to the theatre for the comedy performance.  We got there 20 mins early but still we were looking to find a seat.   We did get one and were glad we did.  The comedian was very funny, it was a PG show so he had to do it without swearing which would have been tough.  These two brat kids who were throweing popcorn around became his target which was superfunny.  Their parents did seem to claim them which was also funny. 

Under the Sea

The second of our 3 port days is Mare.  A beautiful island with a poulation of around 7000 people.   We had our restaurant breakfast and got straight onto the tender boat at around 9 am.  We didnt need to line up for the boat, and should they have been busy we could have used our Faster to The Fun and queue jumped.  

The lifeboats hold about 140 people although I think there was only about 50 of us going over to the island.  Once on the island we got onto the prepaid shuttle buses and took a 15 minute rtide to the other side of the island and Yejele beach.  The beach was magnificent although sadly it was way windy.  We eventually got up the courage and went into the water - Tony was the bravest so Nate joined him.  About 2 mins later I decided I wasnt going to be outdone so I got in too.

There were a couple of small coral reefs near to the waters edge so we got to do a wee bit of snorkelling over them.  I was surprised how many fishies we saw.  Some bright blue ones and some yellow ones and the boys even saw some clown fish. 

The other bummer was that there were some very strong currents that were more than willing to push me out to sea.  Nate and Tony being much stronger swimmers than I were fine.  It did freak me out a little so I kept myself close to shore.  I think we spent about an hour splashing around and then caught the bus back to the ship.


We got back onto the ship at around 12 so we showered and then went to get lunch.  Was a revisit of Guys Burgers for the grownups today and was just as nice as the first visit.

We passed the afternoon watching movies and snoozing and before I knew it dinner time arrived.  Was Italian themed food and we tried Venison which I thought to be quite shite lol.


After dinner we planned to go to the comedy show at 845 but man did we underestimate how popular it was.  We got there 10 mins early and it was standing room only.  Much to Nates dissapointment we left and decided to try agian tommorrow night - definately getting there early!

A whole new island

Holy crapola that was a rough night.  Was ultra windy and the ship did rock.  We were woken a couple of times by what could only be described as screaming wind through the cabin.  Luckily we did wake the last time fairly early, just as we were coming into Noumea.  We went out on deck with the sunrise and watched the beautiful scenery.


Breakfast in the restaurant – again nice, a different menu to sea days which is good.  Went for the old faithful today – vegemite on toast (sometimes you just want simple).


It was a port day today so we were able to just walk off the ship and onto the dock.  We had to catch a transit bus to the terminal in Noumea as this is a working port and you’re not able to walk around.  Once at the terminal we chose to do the Chou Chou Train tour.  This was a little train that took us on a ride around the island.  The island certainly does have some spectacular views and there’s very much a fitness and physical activity feel everywhere you go.  Lots of bike tracks and running tracks everywhere you look.


This is probably my only real complaint about the whole thing so far - being that today is a Sunday it was slightly disappointing that everything was closed.  It did make the town feel more than a little deserted.  There were still some locals around though, in the parks and streets, who seemed super friendly.  We got drinks at the only cafe open and noticed it was very expensive for food here.


Once done on the tour we wandered back to the ship for lunch.  Today we went for the toasted sandwiches that were super tasty.  I had a reuben and it’s a firm favourite going forward (beef and sauerkraut and cheese).


Dinner was in the dining room again and yet again superb.  We started a tradition whereby we order the ‘special’ dish which is generally something different that we normally wouldn’t.  Tonight’s special was frogs legs.  Nate chickened out but Tony and I tried them.  They look like tiny little chicken legs and have surprisingly little taste.  Maybe a little like chicken with a tiny fishy taste?


The theme on board tonight was 80’s and the restaurant staff did their usual little song and dance mid meal.  I even partook in the Nutbush which was a hoot.