Sailing Towards The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world's largest collection of coral.
February 15, 2014
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
From the time we left Brisbane on February 14, 2014, we had a Great Barrier Reef pilot on board. He would stay with us until Madang, Papua New Guinea. His duty was to assist and advise on the safe navigation of our vessel in the protected marine environment. In short, he was there to make sure that we got in and out of the Barrier Reef Region without any damage. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is the largest protected marine park in the world. Anyway, today was a fun sea day as we headed to the Great Barrier Reef. We had a Swagman's dinner prepared for us at the Lido Aft Pool area.
A Swagman in Australia is commonly known as a lower class of temporary worker. They would travel by foot from farm to farm carrying a swag, better known as a bed roll. If no work was available, food and shelter were provided anyway. I always thought that apart from sports and sailing, Australian's other pastime was to convert animals into meat pies and spare ribs. So today, our chefs cooked a “fair dinkum” Australian meal for us featuring crocodile, emu, and kangaroo. Even with a bit of rain,the cooks spread out the meat on the barbecue; soon the flame was leaping, and the Aussie barbecue was near ready.
A few people ate happily and ravenously. I asked a fellow passenger how the meat tasted, but she just stared at her plate. Others said nothing, and they did’t t want to speak with me about killing of animals?? I didn’t press them, but instead just took their photos. After lunch, I saw a few of our cruise mates “hopping” back to the Lido restaurant while others came back outside for more Crocmeat.
Changing the subject, at 1:00 p.m we also had the regular speed wine tasting attended by a select group, Bert included. I swear when you see them around 2:00 p.m, they all looked like they’ve just come from Lindsay Lohan’s house. It is also interesting to mention that in Sydney, about 175 people embarked and we welcomed a few more candidates for “Mr. Dunkin Donut 2014”.
We always see them at the Lido eating happily in silence almost like living fossils. They held their oatmeal bowls in hand, muffins, yogurt, omelets, and toast, one after another. After slurping down a few bowls of whatever edible food they could get their hands on, they came back to life! The only other thing they had to do while on board is chew in between meals. You know like cows!!
Saint Veronica or Cher as most people call her is still around and continues to shock people with her outrageous attire. My friend swore, “One day, I’m going to ask her where in the world she gets her clothes and who makes them. My granddaughter would love her outfit!”
A week ago, Bert and I happened to chance upon her on the dance floor of the Crows Nest. The first surprise was she was wearing a micro mini skirt with matching 7 inches high heels. At 84 years-old, her legs were the most magnificent ones that I had seen. We were both stunned with her outfit and legs; but what lies above it, don’ even start to think. A friend called her “the antidote to Viagra and Cialis! “
If a guy is having a problem after four hours of erection, nothing would help except seeing her firsthand! Her looks would make her a perfect poster woman for birth control in the Catholic country of the Philippines!
We also followed the weird stories of the Commando guy or Rasputin to most of us. He disembarked in Sydney, thank God! This is just after he madly performed push-ups on the dance floor at the Crows Nest, at one of the sail away parties. He sat far back and when everybody was starting to have a good time, he maneuvered his way forward and pushed everybody aside, in shock. With lungs heaving, nostrils large and sucking breath, he started his desperate push-ups. They smelled him too; and that`s why they moved away. He had never changed his clothes, only that one black frock or habit. One day, he decided to order several lobsters and clams for room service. He kept the shells like some prized souvenir from Pitcairn Island and didn’t let anybody clean his room for two weeks. I could only imagine his room being a primeval picture of a man-worthy of its own petroglyphs. Soon the security guards and the head of the room stewards; armed with sanitizers and room spray, were into his room like germ busters.
A lot of the women are still shopping like crazy. They are constantly on the prowl for that one table with a small for sale sign. Their husbands used to be men, and now are just mere servants, relegated to fetching, and carrying shopping bags. Their wives buy expensive diamonds at the shopping gallery while the men are content with buying t-shirts, and a pack of beer.
Some people are so at home on board, that when you ask them, “ Where are you from?” They answer, “ Verandah deck or Dolphin Deck!” Some of them are even more familiar with the ships than the crew. They know every inch of the ship and every public place.
In between our port days in Australia, we had the Celebrity Chef Guest Mark Best from Australia and the HGTV’s Extreme Chef, Terry French and his sidekick. We had a lot of fun with the Bad Ass Chef, Terry French, during his cooking demonstrations. He also taught a few “hands on cooking” classes as well as a lecture on how he won the title of Extreme Chef!
Anyway, everyday on our sea days is a fun day. Sometimes it gets more weird, and sometimes it gets funnier too. Sometime, we get tired too, and so we slow down for a while until we get to the next Port, and then the excitement starts all over again. Fortunately, we always have something to look forward to.
Comments
Holy Cow that's one Big Glass of Vino!!!! That Wine Bar would be Heaven for the likes of Marcelle & I ..... Cheers ...K,M,&Twig XOXO From Kim Connelly, on Mar 4, 2014 at 12:32 a.m
Wish I could get one for you and her! From Charlotte & Bert, on Mar 4, 2014 at 04:16 a.m