Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Day 40 Darwin, Australia
















Today was a really nice day overall. I went into Darwin after we cleared immigration and wandered around a bit. I saw a number of Aboriginals walking about…. Interesting people! I did some shopping and looked at some of the local sites. It was brutally hot. After walking back to the ship I went to the pool for a couple of hours before my shore excursion. After showering again I headed out for my jumping crocodile cruise. This turned out to be a really nice tour. The cruise was great and we really got some up close looks at jumping crocs. Also, the local birds were great to catch a few really nice photos. We then went to the Wetlands Center to look at the exhibits and local scenery. Finally, we went to a local Aussie Bush Pub, the Humpty Doo. Talk about local color…. These guys looked like central casting for the next Crocodile Dundee movie. The most bizarre, but nice, thing all day was I ended up with the same guide and driver that I had touring Litchfield Park on the World Voyage…. Small world…. Next, 3 days at sea on our way to Cairns Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Plans for Darwin, Australia


In the morning I plan on exploring Darwin on foot and in the afternoon go into the wild. I will be taking to the water on the Adelaide River to checkout Crocs and other wildlife. Here is a description: Jumping Crocodile Cruise
Duration Approximately 4 - 5 hours DescriptionTake a cruise on the Adelaide River for a pure Outback experience. Your motor coach leaves the pier and travels through Darwin, heading south on the Arnhem Highway to the vast wetlands near the mouth of the Adelaide River. Keep an eye out for the area's unique wildlife and flora as you travel. Board your riverboat for an approximately 75-minute cruise on the Adelaide River. In its murky waters live the most dangerous reptiles in Northern Australia--huge saltwater jumping crocodiles! Keep your camera at the ready to record the Northern Territory's unspoiled beauty and the river's famous jumping crocodiles, which shoot out of the water in pursuit of their prey. As you cruise the banks of the river, you will gain an understanding of why it took Europeans more than 200 years to settle the region. A stop will be made at the Humpty Doo, a traditional Aussie bush pub, for a cold beer or a refreshing soft drink.

Day 39 At Sea


Today was another spectacular day, hot, sunny and a nice breeze. We have hit my climate "sweet spot" and I love it. Tomorrow we arrive at our first port in Australia, Darwin. I am looking forward to it because I love Australia.... mate. My highlight later in the evening is a hair appointment. It was either that or buy a rubberband and start a pony tail. Boy do I know how to have a good time. Last night I went to the show to see "Black Tie", an Australian clasical music group. They are fabulous. Previously I saw them on the World Voyage.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Day 38 At Sea

Today was as good as it gets….. The weather was fantastic. I had a nice and relaxing day poolside. There were lots of dolphins to watch as we sailed along. After a couple days in a port it is always nice to have a day at sea…. If the weather is great. We are just cruising along in the Indian Ocean on our way to Darwin Australia.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Day 37 Bali, Indonesia




































Today had a very slow start to it. We were notified that all tender operations were on hold because of low tides (looks like someone didn’t do their homework). Apparently last night they ran a tender aground… as a matter of fact, when I went in last night my tender hit a rock going in. Finally, around 0830 we got the call to head down to the gangway. Once again, my tender hit a rock but this was far more dramatic. The rock lifted on side of the tender up as we slide over it. I think some tender repairs will be in order. Once we got ashore things didn’t get much better. This place was so jammed up with cars and buses we couldn’t move. Finally, some guys literally picked up a car that was blocking our way and moved it about 3 feet…. Amazing. Once we were off we went to a place to see the Barong dance. It was interesting but sitting in the heat the interest level began to fade as time went on. Then it was off to see the village of Mas which is basically where the wood carvers live. I actually did buy a carving…. They are exceptional. We were running very late at this point so the schedule was changed a bit and we headed to the slopes of Mt Batur (a volcano inside a volcano) for lunch. After lunch we went to a very interesting place, Tirta Empul, a 1000 year old temple with a holy spring. Our final stop was at the village of Ubud, a center for painters…. It was a very long day but interesting. I believe I’ll get a little rest in the next two days at sea.
Did anyone notice that I slipped in a couple of photos of my buddy Randy?

Plans for Bali


I decided that for my first full day in Bali this trip I would take an excursion and explore some different parts of the island. Here is the ship's description:
Barong Dance & Mt Batur
Duration
Approximately 8 1/2 hours
Description
This comprehensive tour will encompass a little of everything, including shopping. First, you will see the Barong Dance which is a traditional dance depicting the timeless theme of good versus evil. In the background, gongs and percussion instruments provide a musical accompaniment to create a meaningful experience. Continue to the village of Mas, where skilled carvers turn slabs of teak and ebony into many different forms and decorations. At the Ubud artists' colony, famous for its painters' and artists' studios, galleries and museums, you will visit one of the galleries to watch painters at work. Take time to browse in the large gift shop where you can purchase the finished products. You will then continue to Kintamani, a beautiful place for lunch overlooking the slopes of Mt. Batur. Enjoy stunning views of the volcano and the lake in the distance. Finally, you will head to Tirta Empul--the temple of holy springs. This 1,000-year-old temple complex is built around a sacred spring, and Balinese journey from around the island to bathe in its protective waters.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Day 36 Padang Bai, Bali Indonesia



























Great day today! It was a long day because it started out as a full sea day of sorts followed by a port visit…. Busy, busy. The weather today couldn’t have been better. It was very hot and sunny with a fair breeze (thank goodness). I lounged by the pool awaiting our 1600 arrival into Bali, Indonesia. Bali is a wonderful and exceptionally beautiful place. It is so lush and green…. Simply beautiful! The people here are great but they still suffer under the economic downturn that came from the terrorist bombings. There tourism dried up to a great extent. After we arrived today I decided to go ashore, rent a taxi and tour for a couple of hours before it got dark. I decided to go to the village of Klungkung and visit the Klungkung Kertagosa built in 1710. The compound contains a floating pavilion that is pretty cool. After visiting Klungkung I decided to check out some terraced rice paddies. Then it was back to the ship for a lovely Indonesian Barbeque…. yummy

Friday, October 26, 2007

Day 35 Semarang to Borobudur
























































The main reason I took this tour again, including the train option, was because of the great scenery and people along the way. I hope you agree.....

Late add on..... I just added a statue of the god Dwra Pala that looks just like my buddy Randy.... uncanny

Borobudur, Indonesia














Last February, when I first visited Borobudur, I talked about how amazing this ninth century Buddhist monument was and how massive its structure. It is composed of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms and decorated with 2,672 bas relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. It is topped with the main dome or stupa. The main stupa is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues…. Amazing. Fantastic trip and….. some more great photos of a top notch UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oh yeah, almost forgot…. It was extremely humid…. Sweated like a pig…. I hate to be fully dressed in oppressive heat. That’s bathing suit weather….