Hi Guys,
well all good things must come to an end. I had a great trip on discovery, (some cruises have been better but it was still enjoyable).
The weather on the trip for the most part, was not too hot,, but the humidity! I spent the whole trip soaked through from the tropical humidity. I did a lot of walking in Townsville and Cairns, but in Darwin, I hired a people mover and drove 2 yanks and 2 poms down to Litchfield National Park. We had a great drive down , saw lots of wildlife, wild horses (I think), plenty of kangaroos/wallabies, whatever! also a small group of wild pigs! Lots of huge termite mounds, includng the Magnetic ones, (which face north south). We went to the waterfalls, Florence, Wangi, Tolmer, which due to it being the "wet" were all flowing fiercely. Really wonderful sights! we swam at Florence falls, after climbing down about 150 stairs, but the swim at the pool was fabulous. Course the climb back up the stairs was a killer!! As a tour guide I failed miserably though! Forgot to make sure there was food available down there! We finally ate about 3.30pm! Our tour cost the five of us 71 dollars each, the ship's tour was about 180 pound!
Next morning still in Darwin, this ship stays over in some ports for 2 days, I returned the vehicle and went off to the gorgeous patchwork shop for a few yards of aboriginal patterned fabrics. (Funny last time I visited Darwin from a cruise ship I went there too!)
After I dried myself off we left Darwin and went on to Indonesia, firstly to Komodo Island, Home of the famous Komodo dragons! Great Ugly hulking things about 10 metres long and weigh about 250/300 lbs, UGH!!! I paid 50 pounds to do a walking tour to see them! Who's crazy here? they eat deer, other small animals and the occasional villager!! Only people with tour tickets were allowed to go ashore, so those people who didn't want to spend a small fortune nearly ran a riot at the tour desk! Oh boy the life of the cruise goer! Next we spent 2 days in Bali, quite renewed my feelings about how good the place can be. We hired a car and driver and Marylou and chris the 2 yanks and I went up to Ubud , had a massage and some lovely cold drinks in a bar with the most marvellous views. Next morning we went out again, along to Candidasi and visited a lovely palace, and then drove over the mountains viewing gorgeous rice terraces as we went. Until we got to Ubud again, had a lovely indonesian lunch and then a wonderful drive back down the mountians and back to the ship. Las t stop before Singapore was Semerang, for the historic temple of Borobodur. Again I splashed out to do a tour 105 quid ! but it was worth it I suppose, I guess I won't ever go that way again. Another temple with a million steps, you actually climb over it rather than into it. If you get to the top, and circle the top stupa 3 times clockwise, you gain eternal happiness! So I guess I'm made.
So the cruise finished up with one more bit of excitement, as we were waiting on board to be released from Singapore Immigration,the Captain came over the loud speakers and asked everyone to leave the ship at once as there was a "security risk", so we took off as fast as we could! Luckily my luggage was already unloaded, so I was right thanks, Jack!
I am back in Adelaide, in the motorhome, ready to take off again, as soon as I repair my flat tyre I got while I was away. More to come in the next episode.
To all my friends who may be suffering ll health or bad times, I wish you relief and comfort, good luck and I love you all. Vicki
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Discovery
Hi All, I am sending this from Darwin, I hope!
I am aboard MV Discovery, out of Sydney to Singapore, over 21 days. A great last minute bargain, it pays to keep your passport valid! The ship is only carrying 580 passengers out of a possible 650. Not a bad ship, a bit tired, it was the original LOVE BOAT! sold by princess a few years ago. It evidently goes into dry dock at the end of this cruise when it reaches the UK. I have to say it needs a bit of work done, but that besides, it is not too bad! A funny deep swimming pool, you feel like you are in a well! The food is a bit variable, but that means I don't eat too much. So far I have weighed myself in the gym and appear to have lost another kilo! so that is promising. I am glad I am the only one in the cabin, (a triple), but it is quite "compact" The beds are comfortable, and the pillows are really good! the telly doesn't move very far so I can't lie in bed and watch, but that is ok as they don't have very good tv programs! They have an enormous amount of lecturers on board, sometimes 5 a day. I have been attending the photography ones, we shall see whether I can put into practice what I am learning!
I get really peeved when I hear the so called experts bleating about australia and they aren't australian! Quite a few mistakes too!! A really great one, was by a scottish surgeon, about "mercy hospital ships" I was fascinated, and might look into doing a stint on board. They take the ship to 3rd world places and operate etc. They do a lot of cleft palates, a bit like Operation Rainbow, but on board a specially fitted out ship.
I have met an American, Marylou, a nice lady from Florida, we kick around a bit together, and as she is not a shopper, that has kept me on the straight and narrow! She has been to some amazing places, she has just been in Burma for a month and after the cruise she is going to Taiwan for a month! She is amazing, she travels with just a roll-aboard piece of luggage. wow! I could try and learn something from her!
Today I did the aussie tour guide thing. 5 of us hired a people mover vehicle and I drove us down to Litchfield National Park. We did about 380kms, called into all the waterfals, they are very much in full flood, we climbed down 135 steps to the Florence falls plunge pool, and had a lovely swim, it is the only waterfall you can swim at because of the danger from crocs! gorgeous place to swim at, a bit rocky but very pleasant. We saw lots of wildlife on the way down and around the park, so that was good. Our companion s were 2 POMs and 2 Yanks, so they were pleased to see lots of kangaroos/wallabies? a family of wild pigs, a group of brumbies, a few gorgeous birds, absolutely terrific colours , and some sort of "kite, or hunting bird".
When we stopped for lunch, about 330pm, an absolute cloudburst occurred! buckets and buckets of water drumming on the tin roof of the cafe, thunder and lightning, I was glad we were stopped and I didn't have to drive through it! It must have dropped several inches, as all the creek/river crossings were now flooded! it rained/drizzled all the way back to the ship. We took lots of photos of the termite mounds, but weren't sure whether we saw the Magnetic ones or not!
Wednesday the ship has to move from the dock, as the Queen Mary is coming in, so our second day in Darwin will be at anchor and tendering ashore! I know I am a mad patchwork fanatic, but I have met a woman, a yank, of course! , who is travelling with her sewing, machine and yards of fabric, she wants to go to the Darwin shop, Dragon Fly. I think I ought to give it a miss as I have been sooo good in the shopping department on this trip , so far!
I just have to figure out adding my photos and then this will get sent off to you. Much love to you all
vicki
I am aboard MV Discovery, out of Sydney to Singapore, over 21 days. A great last minute bargain, it pays to keep your passport valid! The ship is only carrying 580 passengers out of a possible 650. Not a bad ship, a bit tired, it was the original LOVE BOAT! sold by princess a few years ago. It evidently goes into dry dock at the end of this cruise when it reaches the UK. I have to say it needs a bit of work done, but that besides, it is not too bad! A funny deep swimming pool, you feel like you are in a well! The food is a bit variable, but that means I don't eat too much. So far I have weighed myself in the gym and appear to have lost another kilo! so that is promising. I am glad I am the only one in the cabin, (a triple), but it is quite "compact" The beds are comfortable, and the pillows are really good! the telly doesn't move very far so I can't lie in bed and watch, but that is ok as they don't have very good tv programs! They have an enormous amount of lecturers on board, sometimes 5 a day. I have been attending the photography ones, we shall see whether I can put into practice what I am learning!
I get really peeved when I hear the so called experts bleating about australia and they aren't australian! Quite a few mistakes too!! A really great one, was by a scottish surgeon, about "mercy hospital ships" I was fascinated, and might look into doing a stint on board. They take the ship to 3rd world places and operate etc. They do a lot of cleft palates, a bit like Operation Rainbow, but on board a specially fitted out ship.
I have met an American, Marylou, a nice lady from Florida, we kick around a bit together, and as she is not a shopper, that has kept me on the straight and narrow! She has been to some amazing places, she has just been in Burma for a month and after the cruise she is going to Taiwan for a month! She is amazing, she travels with just a roll-aboard piece of luggage. wow! I could try and learn something from her!
Today I did the aussie tour guide thing. 5 of us hired a people mover vehicle and I drove us down to Litchfield National Park. We did about 380kms, called into all the waterfals, they are very much in full flood, we climbed down 135 steps to the Florence falls plunge pool, and had a lovely swim, it is the only waterfall you can swim at because of the danger from crocs! gorgeous place to swim at, a bit rocky but very pleasant. We saw lots of wildlife on the way down and around the park, so that was good. Our companion s were 2 POMs and 2 Yanks, so they were pleased to see lots of kangaroos/wallabies? a family of wild pigs, a group of brumbies, a few gorgeous birds, absolutely terrific colours , and some sort of "kite, or hunting bird".
When we stopped for lunch, about 330pm, an absolute cloudburst occurred! buckets and buckets of water drumming on the tin roof of the cafe, thunder and lightning, I was glad we were stopped and I didn't have to drive through it! It must have dropped several inches, as all the creek/river crossings were now flooded! it rained/drizzled all the way back to the ship. We took lots of photos of the termite mounds, but weren't sure whether we saw the Magnetic ones or not!
Wednesday the ship has to move from the dock, as the Queen Mary is coming in, so our second day in Darwin will be at anchor and tendering ashore! I know I am a mad patchwork fanatic, but I have met a woman, a yank, of course! , who is travelling with her sewing, machine and yards of fabric, she wants to go to the Darwin shop, Dragon Fly. I think I ought to give it a miss as I have been sooo good in the shopping department on this trip , so far!
I just have to figure out adding my photos and then this will get sent off to you. Much love to you all
vicki
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Discovery Cruise
Hi I have surprised myself with my spontaneity!,
When I arrived back in SA after my Christmas visit back to West Australia, I visited my friends in Elizabeth, and Geoff took me to the cricket to see Australia and India play the final test. It was a wonderful experience! We sat in the members grand stand, under cover thank God, as it was pretty hot that day! I was thrilled to see Ponting and Clarke hit into the 200 runs each and set Australia up for another great win! Needless to say, I declined to go again the next days, it was way too hot! However I can say I have been to the TEST Cricket! Next experience is the Tennis!
I went fromn there up to Clare again, to findmy friends there involved with the Tour down Under, cycle race. So the first country leg finished in Clare. All those lycra clad bodies! I picked up an article from the newspaper about a wonderful bargain of a cruise! I called Kath to see if she wanted to do it, but it wasn't quite suitable for her at that time, so I continued over to Loxton , where my cousin lives, and I have already had 3 visits to! Ioffered the trip to my cousin, but again no go! So I booked myself on , as even with single supplement, it was still dirt cheap!
So here I am, currently just docked in Townsville, having left Sydney on the 10th heading for Darwin, Komodo, Indonesia, Bali and Semarang, also Indonesia, and then to Singapore! 3 weeks of lovely tropical cruising. So far, you may all be surprised to know, I have been able to keep my hands firmly in my pockets having only spent a seniors ticket on Brisbane's city cat, and 2 bottles of water!
The ship is in British pounds currency, so that is a bit of a bummer, but I am watching my drinking habits, and I think I could make it quite an economical trip! (No more jewellry shopping for me!) Some lovely people on board, the ship evidently captures many loyal return passengers, mostly english, but quite a lot of Americans also. Only 650 passengers, but we are only carrying 580. No grand shows in the evenings, but very good singers and musicians, a lot of lectures about what we are travelling through, no casino!, and only a small shop. The ship looks like a ship, it is apparently the original "Love Boat", a little tired around the edges, but perfectly adequate - for the price I paid!
I have linked up with a nice american woman, very widely travelled, just carries one rollaboard piece of luggage, and has been travelling for 3 months! I hop to learn something from her about packing!
I am attending the photography lectures, and feel as if I have already picked up somne clues and tips, the trouble will be that I will next want a new camera!
I have finally been able to get internet service now we have arrived in Townsville, so I am dealing with all that! I still have to add the photos
So take care and I will send you all more news soon.
Love Vicki
When I arrived back in SA after my Christmas visit back to West Australia, I visited my friends in Elizabeth, and Geoff took me to the cricket to see Australia and India play the final test. It was a wonderful experience! We sat in the members grand stand, under cover thank God, as it was pretty hot that day! I was thrilled to see Ponting and Clarke hit into the 200 runs each and set Australia up for another great win! Needless to say, I declined to go again the next days, it was way too hot! However I can say I have been to the TEST Cricket! Next experience is the Tennis!
I went fromn there up to Clare again, to findmy friends there involved with the Tour down Under, cycle race. So the first country leg finished in Clare. All those lycra clad bodies! I picked up an article from the newspaper about a wonderful bargain of a cruise! I called Kath to see if she wanted to do it, but it wasn't quite suitable for her at that time, so I continued over to Loxton , where my cousin lives, and I have already had 3 visits to! Ioffered the trip to my cousin, but again no go! So I booked myself on , as even with single supplement, it was still dirt cheap!
So here I am, currently just docked in Townsville, having left Sydney on the 10th heading for Darwin, Komodo, Indonesia, Bali and Semarang, also Indonesia, and then to Singapore! 3 weeks of lovely tropical cruising. So far, you may all be surprised to know, I have been able to keep my hands firmly in my pockets having only spent a seniors ticket on Brisbane's city cat, and 2 bottles of water!
The ship is in British pounds currency, so that is a bit of a bummer, but I am watching my drinking habits, and I think I could make it quite an economical trip! (No more jewellry shopping for me!) Some lovely people on board, the ship evidently captures many loyal return passengers, mostly english, but quite a lot of Americans also. Only 650 passengers, but we are only carrying 580. No grand shows in the evenings, but very good singers and musicians, a lot of lectures about what we are travelling through, no casino!, and only a small shop. The ship looks like a ship, it is apparently the original "Love Boat", a little tired around the edges, but perfectly adequate - for the price I paid!
I have linked up with a nice american woman, very widely travelled, just carries one rollaboard piece of luggage, and has been travelling for 3 months! I hop to learn something from her about packing!
I am attending the photography lectures, and feel as if I have already picked up somne clues and tips, the trouble will be that I will next want a new camera!
I have finally been able to get internet service now we have arrived in Townsville, so I am dealing with all that! I still have to add the photos
So take care and I will send you all more news soon.
Love Vicki
Monday, January 30, 2012
2012
This is the Jigsaw that took 3 of us at leat 4 days over christmas/ new year to complete
. It was a very difficult one to complete, for starters, the picture was mirror image reversed!After I returned t0 SA, I went up to Clare to my friend Yvonnes', we saw the
T Tour Downunder cycle race finish of the first leg at Clare. And I helped them with their Lions fundraiser gourmet sausage sizzle. It was getting pretty hot.
I moved down to Elizabeth to Adele and Geoffs', once again we sat around in the heat, but first , Geoff took me to the SA last cricket game . Up at 6am to queue for the best seats in the members grandstand. While we were waiting, the ABC was broadcasting, It was so hot the presenter had his shorts on bemneath his jacket and tie! We were killing ourselves!
We saw ponting and Clarke hit their double centuries! It was really thrilling to be present at this great match.
I finished off the week by helping Adele get her quilt finished (she bought it in Geraldton on the cruise where we met!) I felt I could leave after I got her well and truly on the way to finishing it. Now I am on the way to Loxton again to visit some more with my family history buff, cousin Pauline.I promise to get my blogs happening more regularly now!
regards
vicki
Thursday, January 5, 2012
2012
Hi Everyone! don't faint! I haven't forgotten you all, just ben incredibly lazy on one hand , and indescribably frantic with the other!
I hope you all had a great, or at least a good, Christmas, and a riotous New Year! Me, I spent New Years eve with my South Yunderup sister, and we worked on Sydney time, 3 hours ahead of us , watched the fireworks from Sydney at (9 pm and went to bed!
To fill you in on my trials and tribulations! I left the motorhome at Adelaide in storage , and flew back to WA on Dec 15th, picked up a hire car from the airport and feel like I have been glued to the seat ever since! EG. drove south to Sth Yunderup, stayed the night, drove south to Bunbury to elder sisters home, stayed for a couple of nights during which I drove down to Busselton to see Mum, (she's doing fine!) back to Bunbury and saw my daughter and 5 grandies! My daughter is going through a messy separation , plus a few other problems, don't get me started! It has ben all down hill from there! (not really!) I have been up and down from Sth Y. to Bunbury and Bussselton so many times I can't tell whether I'm Arthur or Martha! Been to specialists, Taxation Accountantants, financial planners, caught up with a few friends, did my duty at the Patchwork Schoolhouse in Pinjarra, inspected my house there also, and you can seee what I mean? Finally took off to Perth again to catch a friend whom I have travelled with previously, and then on to Geraldton after another Drs visit.
Had a lovely dinner with my lovely son and his wife and 3 grandies, and had a relaxing 2 days with my wonderful sewing (and ex-nursing friends) Meg and Lyn, missed out on a couple of freinds as they are away, caught up with all the local gossip, and am getting myself ready to drive down south again for 1 last visit with Mum, and see how much sorting out I still need to do for Genevieve, I fly back to SAon Tuesday the 10th.
Whew! I am exhausted again, just writing it all down!
So in closing I wish you all a happy and healthy and prosperous New Year, and I know I missed catching up with a few WA folk I said I would catch up with, but I will be back in April!
God Bless you all
love Vicki
I hope you all had a great, or at least a good, Christmas, and a riotous New Year! Me, I spent New Years eve with my South Yunderup sister, and we worked on Sydney time, 3 hours ahead of us , watched the fireworks from Sydney at (9 pm and went to bed!
To fill you in on my trials and tribulations! I left the motorhome at Adelaide in storage , and flew back to WA on Dec 15th, picked up a hire car from the airport and feel like I have been glued to the seat ever since! EG. drove south to Sth Yunderup, stayed the night, drove south to Bunbury to elder sisters home, stayed for a couple of nights during which I drove down to Busselton to see Mum, (she's doing fine!) back to Bunbury and saw my daughter and 5 grandies! My daughter is going through a messy separation , plus a few other problems, don't get me started! It has ben all down hill from there! (not really!) I have been up and down from Sth Y. to Bunbury and Bussselton so many times I can't tell whether I'm Arthur or Martha! Been to specialists, Taxation Accountantants, financial planners, caught up with a few friends, did my duty at the Patchwork Schoolhouse in Pinjarra, inspected my house there also, and you can seee what I mean? Finally took off to Perth again to catch a friend whom I have travelled with previously, and then on to Geraldton after another Drs visit.
Had a lovely dinner with my lovely son and his wife and 3 grandies, and had a relaxing 2 days with my wonderful sewing (and ex-nursing friends) Meg and Lyn, missed out on a couple of freinds as they are away, caught up with all the local gossip, and am getting myself ready to drive down south again for 1 last visit with Mum, and see how much sorting out I still need to do for Genevieve, I fly back to SAon Tuesday the 10th.
Whew! I am exhausted again, just writing it all down!
So in closing I wish you all a happy and healthy and prosperous New Year, and I know I missed catching up with a few WA folk I said I would catch up with, but I will be back in April!
God Bless you all
love Vicki
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