In the Indonesian archipelago

We visited Bali yesterday using the ships life boats as tenders from our anchorage to shore. I went on an excursion which took in a wood carving village (Mas) and then onto an artists colony at Ubud. Whilst there we visited the Monky forest - Macaques everywhere having rolling ferocious battles amongst themselves almost skittling a few tourists! We then visited an amazing hotel - Royal Pinta Maha - with incredibles carvings, beautiful secluded area high in the hills with views to match. We then visited a silversmith village. It seemed to me that as our bus pulled in at each village, the locals sprang to work as artisans one minute, then as very pushy sales people when we entered the showroom of their products!

It was sooooo hot and humid. I was glad to get back on board at 1730. Would you believe we had "Ugly Dave Gray" as our entertainment for the evening - then off to bed and deep sleep.

We eventually left Bali at 1930 - 2 hours late and we are now heading towards the south western end of Kalimantan (Borneo) before setting course for Singapore. The seas remain incredibly calm and the temperature oppressive. Guess it will be like this until we emerge into the Mediterranaen after passage through the Suez Canal.

Some photos to feast your eyes.

Darwin and beyond

Yesterday we "did" Darwin. It was hellishly hot and raining. I declined the chance to revisit our northern tropical jewel and stayed on board.

We left last evening. The way they maneouvre this ship without the aid of tugs is fascinating.

We are now sailing through a smooth, glassy see eastward beneath Timor and headed for Bali (Benoa) on Sunday.

The passengers seem to have sorted out the pecking order and are enjoying themselves. More later

Up Top

Like the butcher who sat on his bacon slicer - I am getting behind with my orders! So I'll do yesterday's entry now, and today's later on.

Yesterday we rounded Cape York and sailed into the Torres Straits. Before we headed west, the water was a creamy light green colour from horizon to horizon. The temperature is high with a high humidity. All the best shady spots on the pool deck go very quickly and even though there is a "no reservation" policy on deck chairs, this seems to be treated with ignore. Down below on the Atrium decks (see photo above) is is cooler but busy.

At sea, the days all roll into one - I already feel like the Ancient Mariner, hair bleached by the sun, body burned to a crisp, face caked with salt - you get the picture! But wait, the good people of the Princess Line are doing their damnedest to keep us entered in  Butlinesque program of daily activities. See example below,

0600 the "wake" show
0900 Bridge at Sea lecture
0900 Complimentary health seminar
0900 Sports at Sea - Ping Pong knock out
1000 Photography at Sea classes
1000 Ceramics at Sea
1015 Morning Trivia
1045 Sports at Sea - Bean Bag Boule
1000 Games at Sea - Chess
1100 Tahitian Pearls event
1155 Line Dance Mania
1130 Scholarship at Sea - Pilotage in the Great barrier reef
Noon Pray the Rosary
Noon Lunchtime Melodies

...and that's only the morning! I'll detail the afternoon offerings in my next contribution.

I've now booked my stopover excursions which I'll tell you about later.

Tomorrow we arrive in Darwin - good time to do the dhobeying I think!

Going North

It is amazing to me that less than 3 days into the odyssey we are already north of Port Douglas! We sailed between Cairns and Green Island this morning and are now headed for Cape York.

We still have flat seas and balmy conditions.

There are some amazing people on board - no more so than the woman who must be in her late 60s but has a body that only money could buy. Lips as thick as Bridgestone tyres. Inflated puffy face surrounding sunken eyes. Boobs like over-filled bean bags. Amazing.

Let's see if I can get some photos up. Sorry - having trouble - one will have to do for now.

At Sea off Central Queensland

Less than 2 days into the voyage and I've lost track of time already! It's 1030 on Sunday morning. The temperature is climbing, smooth sea with a following wind. I can just see the coast line - reckon we're 30 nautical miles off shore heading north outside the reef for the moment. We will have to go inside the reef to round Cape York. Must say though the water looks suspiciously light green!

Meanwhile the morning moves anti clockwise around the Promenade Deck (7). It's quite a sight and lasts a couple of hours. Some super-fit oldies - jogging, determined couples pushing their bodies to the limit, others staggering round as best they can.

At buffet breakfast this morning - I overheard an old dear telling another couple that her husband in his nineties is in a home and that this is her 33rd cruise!

I'm finding myself strangely inhibited and alone - but why should that surprise me - I'm either out there or introverted,

Haven't seen any sea life yet - no whales or dolphins. Looking forward to being where the flying fish play.

There are enough people her to work up a few characters and possibly even a story or two.

Meanwhile your humble scribe will continue his observations.

At Sea - Day 1

This time yesterday we were manoeuvring to depart from Darling Harbour. 24 hours later we are already passing Brisbane! This ship is simply amazing. 77,000 tonnes, 256 metres long, 2000 passengers and hundreds of crew - yet we're making 21 knots and cruising with nary a roll nor pitch so far.

As we left Sydney Harbour with darkness falling - there were storms all around and very heavy rain. As we proceed north it gets warmer and we seem to have left the clouds behind. Dawn Princess is massive and sumptuous - almost obscenely opulent.

DP has 2 theatres, open air cinema, casino, 12 bars, 6 dining rooms, several pools and spas as well as many other minor facilities.My cabin is the size of a small hotel room, with en suite and a littler balcony with chairs and table. My home for the next 8 weeks.

The passengers look like the original cast from Cocoon, but 20 years older. Wheelchairs and zimmer frames abound. They are also, almost without exception, couples - so I'm still managing to be alone!

More tomorrow as we thread the reef.

Organised chaos

Tommorow is the start of my journey. I drive to Canberra, leaving Merimbula at 0700. Then deposit my car with my sister and off to the airport to fly to Sydney. I'm staying at the Medina Darling Harbour which so far as I can make out is right next to berth 8 Darling Harbour where the ship leaves from on Friday. My "real" blog begins at 1700 on Friday when we slip silently out of Sydney (into the 5 metre swells!) turn left (oops to Port) and head north for Darwin.

More later.

Dawn Princess Deck Plans : Princess Cruises®

Dawn Princess Deck Plans : Princess Cruises®

God help sailors on a day like this

This time next week I'll be on my way to Sydney preparing to board the DAWN PRINCEESS on the following day. I'm glad we're not sailing today though! In Merimbula it is freezing cold and blowing a gale. As Mike Street knows, my first day at sea can be a bit wobbly - so I'm hoping for a smooth sea on departure day!

Two weeks to departure

So much to do! Today I upgraded my morning constipational from a half beach marathon to the full beach marathon. 10Km 55 minutes each way. This afternoon I'm off to Canberra to watch Steff playing hockey.

My plan is to travel by train from Canberra to Sydney on the day prior to departure - stay somewhere close to embarkation overnight. 

Oh Frabjous Day!

Two days after paying my fare - I have been upgraded 5 decks from 5 to 10 and given my own double cabin with balcony on the starboard quarter!!

The Itinerary

Port Arrival Departure


1 Sydney, Australia 5:00 PM
2 At Sea
3 At Sea
4 At Sea
5 At Sea
6 At Sea
7 Darwin, Australia 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
8 At Sea
9 At Sea
10 Bali (Benoa), Indonesia 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
11 At Sea
12 At Sea
13 Singapore 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
14 Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Malaysia 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
15 Langkawi, Malaysia 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
16 At Sea
17 At Sea
18 At Sea
19 Cochin, India 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
20 At Sea
21 Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India 7:00 AM 11:00 PM
22 At Sea
23 At Sea
24 Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Oman 7:00 AM 1:00 PM
25 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 8:00 AM 8:00 PM
26 At Sea
27 At Sea
28 At Sea
29 At Sea
30 At Sea
31 Luxor/Karnak (Safaga), Egypt 7:00 AM 11:00 PM
32 At Sea
33 Suez Canal, Egypt 1:00 AM 5:00 PM
34 Port Said (Cairo/Giza), Egypt 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
35 At Sea
36 Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey 7:00 AM 1:00 PM
37 Istanbul, Turkey 10:00 AM 8:00 PM
38 Anzac Cove, Turkey 6:00 AM 2:00 PM
39 Santorini, Greece 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
40 Athens (Piraeus), Greece 6:00 AM 4:45 PM
41 At Sea
42 Venice, Italy 1:30 PM
43 Venice, Italy 1:00 PM
44 Dubrovnik, Croatia 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
45 At Sea
46 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
47 Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy 7:00 AM 7:00 PM
48 Cannes, France 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
49 Barcelona, Spain 9:00 AM 10:00 PM
50 At Sea
51 Gibraltar, Great Britain 7:00 AM 2:00 PM
52 At Sea
53 At Sea
54 Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France 7:00 AM 8:00 PM
55 London (Southampton), England 7:00 AM 9:00 PM

Reverting to Plan A again!

After 10 days of procrastination and frustration I finally pressed the "go" button on my cruise and international adventure! On 21 May I depart from Sydney on the MV DAWN PRINCESS on an eight week voyage to Southampton UK. On 4 July 1960, I left the UK as an emigrant on the MV FAIRSEA headed to Australia. On 14 July 2010 - just over 50 years later I will be sailing into Southampton. I wonder if the chewed pencil stub I tossed onto the wharf as we pulled away6 in 1960 is still there?!

I thank Danielle for suggesting I blog my "adventures". It's a great idea and I am starting it now as there is much to prepare prior to departure. Stay tuned for more details folks!