Taiwan

Sunday, 19^th February 2012

The smooth sailing is over, very rough seas for two days, the bottles have been removed from shelves, which is a good indicator.

Rough weather delayed our arrival, but the Captain was able to extend our stay to compensate. We caught a train to Taipei it cost us about $3 return each much better than $80 for a taxi. The trip was about 50mins.

We wondered to underground shops before going above to see the real city. The day was better weather wise in Taipei, Keelung was drizzly and dull. The train ride home was uneventful and we looked at the Keelung night markets before re-boarding.

Tony in Taipei

Keelung Port

Taipei

Us at Taipei

Keelung by Night

Hong Kong

Friday, 17^th February 2012

We docked at the container port, as the Diamond is too big for the Cruise Ship Terminal. A shuttle bus took us to the a shopping area of town. We got ourselves an Octopus Card, a card that can be used to   board public transport, to buy things from some stores, eg McDonalds & 7 11’s. We took the Star ferry to Hong Kong Island and joined a Big Red Bus Tour. For $Au44 each we could hop on and off the bus for the day, Ferry tickets, Sampan ride and Peak Tram ride were all included. We started by going to the Peak. The lines were long to board the tram. It goes up a very steep incline, taking the passengers to a vantage point to view Hong Kong. As the day was overcast the view was good but I imagine it to be a lot better on a clear day. After a lunch of hotdogs we went back down the hill to re-board the Bus and headed for Stanley Markets.

It was a long winding trip with lots to see along the way. We sat on the top deck in the open, it got a little chilly but the views made up for that. We passed a building that has a large section missing, much like a window. (see pic) The dragon would not allow the building to be built as it would then be unable to get to the water from its home in the mountains. The builders came up with this solution a hole in the building for it to pass through. I think it is a wonderful story, especially as it is about a dragon.

We roamed the Stanley markets, I bought a handbag, Purple of course.

It was 5.30pm by the time we got back to Central station with a ½ hr wait til the night tour left we had a coffee with Ash and Dianne. The Night tour took us around the city streets for over an hour, it was very busy. It then dropped us at the shore line so we could watch the Light Show. A 15 min walk along the foreshore got us back to the shuttle bus.

We stayed up to watch us sail under the bridge before retiring after our long fun day.

We will be back in Hong Kong later in the trip.

Hole in building for Dragon

Bamboo Scaffolding

Eeyore looking over Hong Kong

Light show

Stanley markets

View of Hong Kong from The Peak

Cruising the Top End

February 9^th and 10^th 2012

Two very pleasant days at sea; Flat seas, and wonderful sunsets.

The Tip of Oz

Darwin

Saturday February 11^th 2012

We docked at 12 noon. We chose to walk to the City. I think $8 one way is a bit steep for a 10min walk even if the humidity is high.

We caught a bus to Alawa so I could visit the Dragonfly Quilt shop. (Why else do you come to Darwin)After I had bought some fabric we walked to Casuarina Shopping Centre.

We had a milkshake posted my fabric back to Adelaide and sent the obligatory postcard to Miss Maples’ Craft Shoppe we headed back to the ship.

Arriving at Darwin

Dragonfly Fabrics the whole point of our visit to Darwin LOL!!!

Yes! an umbrella INSIDE the air conditioned Bus.

Eeyore enjoying a bus ride through Darwin suburbs

Our pleasant walk back to the Ship

Our Cabin

Thought I would show you the inside of our cabin.

The Shower is smaller, I think than the Dawn, but the robe area makes up for it.

No need to disturb anyone with the bathroom light in the middle of the night.

Port Douglas

Wednesday Feb 8^th 2012

Another tender Port today. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda & Scenic Railway Ships Tour today. We were late arriving so the whole day seemed rushed.

Straight from the tender to 4 waiting buses and off to Cairns we went. Over and hour on the well air-conditioned bus before arriving at the start of the Skyrail.

The Scenery was lovely as we went across the top of the rainforest. The humidity level was very high today so it was and energy draining day. The cable car ride is about 7 km and you end up in Kuranda.

We only had 40 mins to eat and explore the town, before being shuttled to the Railway Station.

The Scenic Railway traverses through the Kuranda Mountains, passing waterfalls, crossing 37 bridges, and travelling through 15 tunnels in the Baron Gorge National Park. The views were great, but the carriages were very stuffy.

Our buses were waiting for us when we arrived in Cairns and so e we driven back to Port Douglas in our wonderfully cool coaches. I slept much of the way.

Back in Port Douglas we were herded onto the tenders with no time to even get a glimpse of what the town had to offer.

Cairns from Skyrail

Baron Gorge from Skyrail

Baron gorge from Train

Kuranda Local

Scenic railway

Skycar View

Airlie Beach

Tuesday Feb 7^th 2012

The Alarm woke us at 6-30am, so we could be ready to meet for our ships tour at 8.30 - The Great Barrier Reef Experience.

Our transport picked us up so no tender ride for us today. The catamaran ride to the Knuckle Reef Pontoon was 2.5 hours+.

I did not really enjoy the ride it was bumpy, but thanks to my seasick pills I dozed a lot of the way.

Once we arrived we were given wetsuits and snorkel gear to wear. I also took a pool noodle for a little extra buoyancy.

The current was very strong we had to keep hold of ropes so that we did not get carried away. The underwater viewing was lovely, but due to the current it was a little hard to relax and enjoy it fully.

Time was not on our side for this trip, we were no sooner out of the water and having lunch, with only about 2hours on the Pontoon it was soon time to head back on the long 2.5 hour trek. No chance for a second entry in the water. Oh well we can at least say we have been to the Great Barrier Reef.

Airlie Beach is somewhere we will have to visit another time. We did not set foot on Terra Firma today.