February 16, 2016 - Day 42- Cairns, Australia

We docked on schedule this morning. Several tours left for the reef. We did that last year. We headed for the tour to Kuranda. This involved a ride on a train along an old mining route up the mountain. We followed the Barron River stopping for a view of the falls before arriving in Kuranda. The ride took an hour and a half. Some of it was pretty, but much of it was a boring ride through thick brush next to the track. Two old diesels provided the motive power. The coaches were vintage with no air conditioning except for the open windows. The temperature hovered in the mid 90's. Sure it was hot, but it sure beats Chicago.

Kuranda is a nice tourist town. Lots of shops and galleries. Some were nice. Others were full of authentic Australian objects imported from China. Go figure. After an hour of this we boarded the bus to the aerial tram down the mountain. This was a great ride above the tree tops. There were two stops. The first was optional  and had three overlooks for the Barron Falls. Each was prettier than the last. The second stop was mandatory in order to change to the second tram line. We took the short nature walk here before going on. The views of the coast, city and sea from this line were amazing. What a great ride.

What a great tour.

Again, we sailed away in the Crows nest before dinner.

February 15, 2016 - Day 41- Townsville, Australia

We arrived in Townsville on schedule at 8:00 AM. Alice and I scheduled a tour to the Billabong Sanctuary. As we left the dock to board our tour bus we were handed a red tote bag by a volunteer from the tourist board. We had no time to peruse it now, but would get to it later. On the bus ride our guide explained the geography and economy of the area. The land around the city is primarily marsh. The "grass" is green for about two months just before cyclone season. It is green and lush right now. This is primarily an export harbor for metals, sugar and cattle. We were docked at a sugar loading dock. Facing us was a cattle ship. Steers, destined for Indonesia, were being loaded all day. Fortunately the wind was blowing away from our ship.

Amsterdam at the sugar loading dock in Townsville. Cattle ship next to us.

Marshy coastal flat

At the sanctuary we were introduced to wombats, koalas, snakes and crocodiles. We scratched the wombat, petted the koala, held a six foot snake and a two year old croc. Then we moved on to the crocodile show. We watched a twelve foot croc with an enormous jaw jump straight up in an attempt to snatch a hunk of meat from a pole held above his head. We had seen such a demonstration at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo in Brisbane last year. That was from stadium seating quite a way from the crocodile. This time we were just ten feet away with a fence to protect us. All went well.

After this demo we were directed to a pavilion for morning tea. Fruit, sweets, tea and soft drinks were provided. Everyone was friendly and accommodating and very happy to be hosting us. We learned that they had only learned we were coming yesterday afternoon. They were excellent service hosts. After tea Alice decided she would be willing to have a picture taken with a koala. She had seen Pam's picture, and really liked it. Pam is at our dinner table. By the time she and a few other ladies arrived at the photo spot, it had been shut down. Koalas must have a very strong union.

Next we toured around the city before driving through neighborhoods and up the highest peak in town. This was about 1,000 feet above the city. The views were spectacular. Back at sea level we drove along the Strand. This nicely improved walkway and park system followed the shoreline. As we returned to the Amsterdam, several historic buildings and museums were pointed out.

Townsville from the highest peak

Back at the ship we had lunch before heading into town on the shuttle. During lunch a friend asked if we had seen the special newspaper. It was in the red bag. We would look at it back in our cabin. The local paper had printed a special edition heralding the unexpected arrival of Amsterdam. This included three pages of articles about the ship to lead off the edition. Then came the local news. Boy had they worked hard to make us welcome.

Everyone we met welcomed us like we were special. What an amazing bunch of volunteers.

The shuttle dropped us off around the corner from the main tourist office. The important maps and brochures had been included in the red bag. The area around this office was overrun with passengers and crew using free wifi. We would be back later.

We started walking to the Strand. On the way we spied a Salvation Army Store. We knew we needed another suitcase to check on the way home, and thought we would find a cheap one in Hong Kong. We could not pass up this chance to find one. As we walked through the store, we found many bargains but no luggage. As we neared the rear of the store I saw two bags against the wall. One was too big. The other was just right. For $10 Australian we had our bag. They put our name on it, and placed it behind the counter. We would pick it up after our walk.

Along the Townsville Strand

We walked around downtown and over to the waterfront. The Strand was nicely shaded and the onshore breeze was cooling. The temperature was 96. This felt refreshing after our bus tour. We came to a very nice water park. The kids, young and older, were enjoying it. Especially when the large tub atop the center filled with water and tipped over raining a flood on all below.

After viewing the war memorial, we walked to the sailboat harbor. Here we met a young man with his son having ice cream cones. We stopped to chat and learned that he had just started his holiday/vacation from the newspaper where he was a printer. He had brought his son down to see the ship. All day Sunday emails had been flying regarding our visit and how to put together the special edition. He said it had been frantic, but rewarding. The finished product was truly special to us. Before we parted he told us he was getting a new car. It was a yellow Mustang. Ford had just started shipping right hand drive Mustangs to Australia. His would arrive on March 11. We also learned that his son had his learners permit, and was to take his test next week. He would drive with a red L plate for a year. Then with a good record after passing another test he would get a green L plate. One year later after another test he would get a normal plate. He would not drive the Mustang, but would drive the old SUV they had. We shook hands, smiling, and went our separate ways after we told him how proud he should be of the job he did and the reception the city had given us.

We took another route back to the Salvation Army Store. We saw the aquarium, some gentlemen's clubs, a brewery and lots of pubs and restaurants. At the store we retrieved our suitcase, and were sent off with a cheery farewell.

The wifi at the tourist office let me upload some text updates to my blog. Pictures should follow in Darwin  on Saturday. At the ship I asked a volunteer how many cruise ships visit. Not many, even though a new terminal had been built two years ago. Access to the Great Barrier Reef is just too far from here. Cairns and Port Douglas offer much more convenience. Those who pass Townsville by are really missing something special. We thanked this man for his hospitality, and he beamed as he said goodby. Another great ambassador.

Back home we went out on deck three to watch the loading of the cattle ship. Trucks had been arriving all day to discharge animals into the loading chutes. These were on the other side of the vessel so we did not have a clear view of the process. We could see the heads and legs of men through the pens as they herded thee cattle along to the correct deck and pens. Zooming showed some bulls and other large animals waiting to depart. Little did they know their futures.

Sail away is celebrated on deck 8 aft. We celebrate in the Crows Nest on deck 9 for Happy Hour. This one was bittersweet. We truly enjoyed our diversion to Townsville

February 14, 2016 - Day 40 - Sea Day

Happy Valentines Day!

Good news. The powers that be have determined that we can stop at Townsville tomorrow. We are the largest cruise ship they can handle. We will be docked. Tendering will not be necessary. Shore excursions is preparing tours for us.

More music, painting and stories.

This is a Gala Night in celebration of Valentines Day. The dining room is decorated superbly. Dinner was excellent. Alice placed an order for left over decorations with Andy, our dining room steward. We will see what arrives.

Decorations from the dining room

We skipped the ball at 9:30 and went to bed to prepare for Townsville.

February 13, 2016 - Day 39 - Sea Day

More didg, painting and stories. We have dodged heavy seas, but do not know our next stop yet.

February 12, 2016 - Day 38 - Sea Day

This was another typical sea day except for the didgerido and painting classes. The connection of the music and art to Dream Time is inspiring. We want to learn more about the indigenous people and their culture.

We did get some bad news today. Our next port of call is Mooloolaba (Moo loo la ba). This is a tender port. There is a cyclone building off its coast. This has caused high winds and a high swell. The harbor master has closed the port. We will cruise past and continue on toward Cairns. The captain is working with local authorities and headquarters to find a replacement for this port. The challenge is other vessels doing the same. He will keep us informed.

February 11, 2016 - Day 37 - Sydney, Australia Day Two

Before breakfast I retraced my steps through the cruise terminal to the taxi drop. I also inquired at the terminal lost and found and the ship's lost and found. No sign of Fitbit.

After breakfast we took the shuttle to The Rocks. We would visit the tourist information office we had found so useful last year. We learned how to get to the historic observatory, and how the new public transit card really works. We had been told yesterday that we would need to top off the card after using $15 in one day. In reality we learned that all rides were free after spending $15 per day. The topping off was only necessary to use the card on a succeeding day. Wish we had gotten better information yesterday.

We then got a phone number for the taxi service. I had sent an email about the Fitbit last night, but had heard nothing. When I called the number and started my story, the lady who answered said " Oh Mr. Finn, you emailed last night. Please give me the terminal number from your Visa receipt. That will let me know who your driver was."  She tried to put me on a conference call with the driver, but he did not answer. We guessed he was sleeping after coming off the night shift. She would leave a voice message as well as email him with my phone number and email. I thanked her, but this was the last I heard on this matter.

The Fitbit is gone. I will miss it, but I will not risk losing another. If they want me back, they must improve the clasp. My 15 year old Cassio has never come off.

Enough rant.

We left and walked under the approach to the Sydney Bridge. This took us to the west side of The Rocks. We had never come this way before. We could see Amsterdam tied to the pier. Behind her was a P&O ship. It looked just like Amsterdam. It was Ryndam, which had been delivered to P&O in December after completing service with Holland America. What a surprise.

We also overlooked some old warehouse buildings that had been rehabilitated as condos and apartments. Atop the highest hill sat the observatory.. We climbed up and started on the path around the grounds. There were many classes of young adults working out along the path. We saw yoga, stretching, medicine balls, rope skipping, jogging, and even boxing. We never found out where they came from, but as we left we saw the equipment being loaded into vans.

We entered the observatory grounds to find monuments, antique instruments and weather gauges. Inside was a museum with various astronomical exhibits. As we completed our tour we noticed a reference to a ball drop. It seems that a large ball on the weathervane above the dome was raised and then dropped at exactly 1:00 PM everyday. This was to allow seamen to set their chronometers so that their astronomical/navigational computations would be correct.

It was 5 minutes to 1:00. We hurried outside to find a vantage point out of the sun to watch the dome. Slowly the ball was raised about 10 feet to the top of the weathervane mast. At exactly 1:00 the ball fell rapidly to the bottom. The operator waved to us from a window just below the ball. It is reported that this is the longest operating navigational ball drop. We were lucky to be there.

Back in the center of The Rocks we did some shopping. We passed the pizza restaurant we had patronized last year. It looked the same, but it was not as busy as we had experienced.

Finally, we boarded the shuttle and headed home. This was another full and satisfying visit to Sydney. The friendliness and helpfulness of the people combined with the great attractions have added to our store of fond memories.

We left the dock on schedule and headed out to leave the harbor. We went out on deck 8 aft for the sail away. About 150 passengers had left the ship today and a similar number had joined us. Sydney marked the end of the first voyage segment. Hong Kong marks the end of the next. As we looked around, we immediately spied Janet at the aft rail. She and her husband, Bruce had joined us on the Grand South America in 2014. They were on from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires. We met them again last July, when we sailed on Prinsendam around Scotland, Ireland and the Briish Isles. We went back to meet Janet. She told us they had just booked 2 weeks ago, after the ship had left Ft. Lauderdale. Bruce was up on deck 9 taking pictures. He came down to join us. 

As we talked the ship approached the Sydney Bridge. A group of climbers had gathered on the top beam directly above us. As we sailed past them the captain leaned on the horn. They waved and cheered. We waved and cheered. 

Fantastic. 

Next we passed the opera house with great views from the water. As we cruised toward the heads and the departure into the ocean we came to a stop. The captain informed us that we had a medical emergency, and would wait for a marine ambulance. It would take the passenger to shore where a helicopter would take him to hospital. We stayed in position for over an hour. During that time we watched as a sailboat race proceeded around us. The sun set and we got under way again.

February 10, 2016 - Day 36 - Sydney, Australia

At 5:45 AM I was on the bow when the pilot arrived to direct us into Sydney harbor and our berth. The sun was just rising as we passed the North and South Heads into the sheltered water of the harbor. It was a slow but beautiful cruise to our pier in White Bay. This took us past the opera house, under the famous Sydney Bridge and toward Darling Harbor before backing into White Bay. This is a former container port off the beaten path about 20 minutes from the city center. It was put in service as a cruise port several years ago when Darling Harbor was closed to cruise ships to accommodate high rise development.

We were required to dock here because a large Princess ship was too tall to pass under the bridge. As a result they docked at the heart of the action in Circular Quay. We got the 20 minute shuttle ride to the same place. Last year we were on the big ship that docked at Circular Quay. It is far more convenient.

We had decided to walk the city today. We boarded the second shuttle to leave. It was 9:00. We arrived in The Rocks next to Circular Quay at 9:40. So much for the 20 minute ride. 

We had purchased tickets in November for Barber of Seville at the opera house at 7:30 tonight. Our plan was to go straight to the opera house to pick up our tickets, and then start our walk. We would catch a shuttle at 4:30 back to the ship. Then we would change clothes, grab a bite and return to the opera house.

We walked to the box office, arriving at 10:00. After a short wait we presented our email receipt and our tickets were printed. I asked about the dress code. The nice young lady chuckled and said there is none. They love tourists, and we should just come as we were. We just gained 2.5 hours. Our walk began.

First we photographed the opera house to death. It is so impressive in person. Then it was on to the Botanical Gardens. We walked through them, around a small bay toward The Domain and Mrs MacQuarie's Chair. We followed a new path in The Domain, along yet another bay. This took us past a beautiful Olympic swimming pool back into the botanical gardens. We visited the Garden Shop, and crossed the park to the exit next to the Music Conservatory. What a lovely building.

We walked along the edge of the gardens to the Sydney Library. The reading room inside was very large with excellent appointments and nice stained glass. Alice asked about a children's collection, and learned there is none here.

We moved on past government house in search of St Mary's Cathedral. First it was lunch time. We headed in the direction of a host of people, but could only find fast food outlets. A stop in the transit office provided information for the public buses, subways and ferries. We asked the clerk about a good place for lunch. He directed us to the Weatherfield Mall where we  found many suitable restaurants.

Refueled, we headed back toward Hyde Park. The cathedral is on the opposite side of the park. On the way we found the David Jones store. Barbara, our port lecturer, had suggested that the food court here rivaled Harrod's. We must find out. The selection and preparations rivaled anything we have seen. So did the prices. Gulp!

The cathedral was nice. It is large with beautiful stained glass windows. The organ looked very impressive. A lower level crypt hold the remains of past bishops. We did not go down. Out the front entrance we found a reflection pool and memorials.

We now were seeking the War Memorial. We found it back in Hyde Park at the far end. It's reflection pond is under renovation. We combed the steps, and entered a marble hall that surrounded the memorial statue. High above were embellishments in marble. Atop one of these sat a beautifully colored bird. The security guard was intent on removing this trespasser. He was not having much success,and bemoaned the cleanup task ahead of him. We left.

Several blocks away was George Street. Her was St. Andrews, the Anglican Cathedral. It was closed, so we started our walk back toward Circular Quay and the opera house. We were quite a distance away, so we did minimal shopping until we got to the Queen Victori Building. This houses three levels of specialty shops. We did it justice, and returned to George Street. 

Forging ahead we arrived at Circular Quay at 6:00. We walked to the lower level of the opera house. This has restaurants and bars with water views. At 6:15 we sat down in the Opera Bar for beer and calamari. My Fitbit showed that we had walked 12.2 miles. We tried two different Australian beers, Lash's and Enright. Both were enjoyable as was the calamari.

We arrived at the opera house at 7:00 and proceeded to our door 25. Our seats were in the center of the third row of the dress circle. We climbed stairway after stairway and finally arrived at the highest door in the opera house. We opted not enter immediately, but went down one level to an indoor terrace and bar that overlooked the harbor. Breathtaking!

When we entered door 25 we were directed down to our row. It was down quite a way. We were not in heaven after all. Indeed, there was no dress code. We saw everything from shorts to ball gowns on the ladies, and shorts to tuxedos on the men. We fit right in the middle.

The sight lines were perfect. When the overture began, the sound was perfect as well. The performance was excellent. The staging was very original, and the presentation was comedic. It all worked very well. At the first applause we were overwhelmed by the volume, the whistles and catcalls. This enthusiasm was magnified by the hard surfaces of the iconic ceiling. Awesome. What a grand evening!

We exited ar 10:20, and started the 20 minute walk to the shuttle stop at The Rocks. We had been told the last shuttle was 11:30, so when we arrived at 10:40 we felt safe and joined the long line of passengers. The shuttle arrived at 10:45. Boarding stopped two passengers ahead of us. The attendant informed us that the bus was full as it pulled away. OK we will board the next one. No Way he said. This was the last bus today. One of the men in front of us worked in shore excursions. He insisted that the attendant call his superior. He did. Then he told the 30 of us in line that we must take taxis to the ship. Alice and I joined two other passengers in sharing a cab. On the way back we agreed we would go to the front office to seek reimbursement for the fare. The other couple was disembarking in the morning so I paid the fare with my Visa. We went to the front desk. We were treated with courtesy, and told we would learn of the resolution in the morning. It was now midnight.

We bid the others farewell, and went to put our things in the cabin. Now it was off to the Lido for cold drinks. We shared out tales of the day with some passengers who had taken the ship's tour with transportation provided. As we told of our long walk, I went to confirm the distance on my Fitbit. It was gone. I had last looked at it as we entered the cab. I checked our cabin and my bag. No trace. Then I remembered that when I got out my credit card to pay the driver, it was a tight fit getting into my pocket. I have had a few other instances of the strap coming undone when snagged by my jacket. I was sure that it had snagged on my pocket and fallen off in the cab. 

Fitbit will hear from me when we get home. I am unhappy with them for their poor clasp design, and with me for not being more sensitive.

Sleep came hard.