We did get to Manila!

 We arrived in Manila in the early evening. Not too pretty a spot a place I wouldn't fancy venturing into in the evening! 

My excursion started very early the next morning, 7am, as it was a 3-hour drive out into the countryside! There were only 13 of us on the bus, which was in so much better condition that the 'bashed up' windscreen smashed ones of PNG! The air-condition

ing was so cold, which didn't help me as I felt I was coming down with a cold, or was it Covid?!

Villa Escudero was a seriously strange place! There was a museum containing items the family had collected in their travels. The first section housed animals in various forms - stuffed, heads only, or seriously sad  two elephants feet!!

There were collections of religious items, different clothing, 

etc. It was the weirdest thing I'd seen! Not surprisingly, we were not allowed to take  photos!

The next surprise was lunch! This property has its own hydroelectric plant, and there was a cascading waterfall. Imagine our surprise to see tables and benches sitting in the 'river', luckily only a few inches deep. Shoes off, we waded to get our food and sat with cooling toes. It was a little slippery, but no one slipped over! Such a strange experience!

Back at the ship, another dinner under the stars awaited us! Unfortunately, the Captain warned us that it was going to be a very rough 24 hours! He wasn't wrong. I took a couple of seasickness pills as a precaution and didn't get sick, but it was crazy!! It was a wild night!

No shower for me the next morning!! I couldn't handle it. Breakfast was interesting, with passengers running from side to side trying to get to a table, items  falling, but the crew managed to get our tea/coffee to us.

It seemed a little more stable lower down, but during one of the lectures, the swell caused a massive lurch, and you could hear glasses crashing to the ground! Most of us took to our cabins and tried to ride out the'bucking bronco'!! Packing our cases under these conditions was not pleasant!

Luckily, the sea calmed down down by early evening. The Captain was determined to get us to Hong Kong in time for people to get flights, so we powered on and started into the harbour about 6:30am. It was a rather misty start but turned into a nice day. It was sad to leave as I had such a good time.

I have had a couple of days wandering around HK - it must be 10+ years since I was last here! There is so much development going on!

I have caught up with Yvette, Kitty's daughter, which has been really nice. Leave for home tonight! 

Unfortunately I can't seem to add pictures!

Please get us to Manila!

 Another day at sea entailed my 13 laps before breakfast, listening to a couple of lectures  and a generally lazy day. I also keep fit by walking up the stairs all the time!

Sometimes, it's too hot to sit out on the pool deck, and the small pool becomes very crowded. 

Another surprise evening event - dinner under the stars. All the chairs had blue covers and it was aset menu. Delicious food as usual. 

Monday morning, I woke around 6 am. to find that we had docked in Cebu - not the exotic stop we had expected! We were moored next to a ship unloading sand! There were numerous port officials on-board,  customs, etc. We were all very hopeful. of seeing some buses to take us into the centre of Cebu, but they never eventuated!

Even though the Filipino authorities had given permission for us to dock and leave the ship, the port was privately owned, and the owner wanted a rather large amount of cash.Our Captain was seriously  fed up - you could tell by his tone as he relayed messages to us! 

The ship beside us was unloading fine sand - consequently the starboard side of our ship was covered in it!

We were probably in port for nearly 11 hours, and everyone was very happy when we finally pulled away from the port. I was watching from my balcony as the pilot 'jumped' from the ship - he wasn't a slim little man either -  both ships were moving at speed.

Unfortunately, one of my shipboard  friends has got covid, and she and her travelling friend have been confined to their cabin!

Tuesday - we are now 'steaming' towards Manila and expect to be there at 7 pm.  My poor steward now has to stay on until Hong Kong because his flight should have been yesterday. We are sailing between small islands. There are birds (Boobies) swooping to catch the flying fish. The sea is a beautiful blue.

We are now hanging around, just outside Manila Port. We have to wait for the pilot to bring out a ship that is in our berth, and he has to 'hop' from that ship to ours. The Filipino staff are so excited about seeing their families. There're about 400 Filipino crew, so I'm not sure how their few hours (?) of leave will work!

We have been sailing past lovely scenery. The most impressive was a 100m high statue of the Virgin Mary! 

The talks today were about the Ring of Fire - the Philippines gets about 200 quakes a day. There was a 2.5 yesterday - that wouldn't be noticeable! We also heard about the history of Manila. I have a full day excursion tomorrow and have to be ready to leave by 06:45.!

Wednesday -- We finally made it to Manila!

Sailing onward!

 We had two days at sea between PNG and Palau. It was a pretty rocky ride - seeing 'sick bags' on the stairs will give you an idea of what I mean!!!

Getting food at the buffet was interesting 🤣

There have been interesting lectures each day about the area and animals we are visiting.

Yesterday, I had a massage - I  wanted to use the $150 voucher I'd won. It was a very nice hot stone massage. Luckily, even with all the rocking and rolling, I managed to stay on the massage bed. 

Each night at 6 p.m., I catch up with 4 other ladies to have a drink - we like to be on the deck in the fresh air. We all have a good laugh!

At 8:15:each evening, we head to the Cabaret lounge to enjoy the entertainment.Last night, we listened to an amazing violinist from the Philippines!

Before the show I went to the Ladies and as I was coming out the ship lurched and I shot out of the door and across the gangway - visualise a body being shot out of a cannon - that was me!Two women walking along got a real shock and said it was a good thing there was a wall to stop me - if it had been an open door to the deck I  would have probably disappeared over the side!

We are now anchored off Palau - we have to tender off the ship. I have had to cancel the Jellyfish  Lake trip as with climate change, there are very few of them - I am going on a different snorkelling trip!

There has been an outbreak of covid amongst some of the crew. We have to wear masks to leave the ship - Palau's rule!

It is so beautiful here. Good thing I changed the trip as people only saw 2 Jellyfish! Instead, I saw loads of fish and swam with white nose sharks!!! Amazing!!! Thank goodness I was with the ships excursion because we were late back -

 they had to pull alongside the ship to enable us to embark!

During the cruise from Cairns, we have encountered gale force winds, strong currents, and ocean swells, and, according to the powers that be, more fuel than calculated has been used! We are now making an unscheduled stop in Cebu, Philippines! We are now trying to work out the credits they are giving us for this change in plans - good thing I go with the flow!! 

Last night, we had a surprise dinner out on the deck. The food was amazing - I  just can't describe it - consequently I  will be on a lettuce leaf and water diet when I get home!

Using ship wifi - can't upload photos!!

Afternoon excursion PNG

 Will just add pictures as ship due to leave port soon!

There were a number of 'tribes' showing their traditional dancing. 

 One tribe was from 7 hours away! The headgear was fascinating.

Papua New Guinea

 

We left Cairns a little late - I think the tender with a problem was being checked out! That evening, we were into Rock and Roll without the music! Don't believe the Captain when he says we will have a smooth passage!! 

It probably wasn't really rough, but we were really rolling - nobody could walk in a straight line!!

Yesterday was a day at sea. I couldn't do a nautical mile with the ship rolling the way it was, so I gave myself a day off! I was feeling a bit queasy and tired. I hadn't had a good nights sleep! went to two interesting talks during the day and a hilarious magician/comedian in the evening. 

Today,Sunday, the sun is blazing down as we are sailing between rainforest covered islands. We should be docking in  Alotau, Papua New Guinea, in about an hour! 

I am enjoying my time and have pre dinner drinks with a couple of ladies from Canberra. One evening, when the three of us were having dinner, a passenger came over to us  - we all thought she was going to 'tell us off' about the noise we were making, but she said it was so good to hear so much laughter!!

We arrived in PNG a little earlier than expected, and it took a while to get us tied up, plus whatever formalities needed to be completed. I went into the pool, which was very salty. You need to test the water in the poolside before stepping under because it can be boiling! I am surprised at the number of people you lay out in the sun all day - wonder if they realise what they are doing to their skin

People are getting off the ship  and have been greeted by a dance group in traditional dress  - I hope they are still there when I get off for my excursion. By the time I got off the ship, it was pouring. We were all driven in mini buses to different parts of this area. The only seat was right at the front with no door. I had to scramble over an 'engine cover'(?) to get to it. Perhaps always walking up the stairs has helped my agility 🤣.

Wending our way around huge potholes, we reached an area where the locals gave a dance performance and showed their carving and basket weaving skills. We then visited a War Memorial in honour of the bravery against the Japenese invasion.

It was unbelievably hot and humid, and a cold shower was pure bliss. 

Listened to an amazing Australian guitarist in the evening!

Monday - day at sea!

Arrived Cairns

 There's nothing like 'drama on the high seas! The tender journey from Airlie Beach to the ship took about 40 minutes. It was a gentle journey until the 'driver' of the tender increased the speed - suddenly, the area I  was sitting in filled with smoke!! I shot across the aisle. The lady next to me was nearly in my lap! I really thought we'd see flames, but luckily, that wasn't the case! Whatever had happened slowed us down, but we made it to the ship!

We sailed a bit later than we should have as one of the local cruise ships had to come alongside to allow the passengers to disembark. Otherwise, they might have been left behind! I see all sorts of 'exciting' happenings from my balcony!!!

We reached Cairns at 1pm to a typical tropical downpour. The ship came in 'nose' first, so I haven't taken my usual wake-up shot of my view - the dockside is not terribly attractive!! The ship is being turned at lunchtime, so I will get a much pleasanter afternoon picture!

Last night was the 'White Night' party. It was a real shame because the constant showers meant the tables and dancing couldn't be outside.

There have been quite a few tense days for some of the passengers who are on the world cruise. They learnt yesterday that they will not be going through the Red Sea but will go around Africa. They obviously have the chance to go that way or get off at other stops and be reimbursed. 

I am about to head to the Botanical Gardens with a couple of ladies, but it is teeming with rain - glad I bought a raincoat and brolly with me! Had a really interesting walk through the garden - so many unusual plants.

This afternoon, we sail to Papua New Guinea so I'm not sure how wifi will be!

Mooloolaba to Airlie Beach.

 I was so glad that I returned to the ship around lunchtime  because by 4pm bad weather was appearing on the horizon! The beautiful flat ocean turned  - the  book title ' The Cruel Sea' came to mind! The tenders were having major problems getting passengers onto the ship. Even once tied to the pontoon, the crew was working overtime helping passengers off. At one stage, the rope, tying the tender to the pontoon, snapped. The tenders had to move away from the ship, and a novice, like myself, was wondering how they would get everyone back on board. I must admit my stomach was churning!

The captain started to turn the ship to give the tenders some shelter from the wind, which helped. It was still very precarious getting on to the ship - the tenders were just being tossed around - but the crew worked really hard, and everyone got back on without injury! You could hear the cheers from the passengers as they finally reached the side!

The storm really drew in with incredible lightning, and the sea became rougher. Eventually, the captain announced that they were cancelling all tenders taking people back into Mooloolaba and were only going to pick up people from the tours - some had gone Brisbane or Noosa or Australia zoo! Everyone was obviously back on board by 7:30 as we moved out to sea earlier than expected! The lightning was incredible!!

The people in the cabin next to me are a mother and daughter. The daughter is a travel agent in Queensland and managed to get this cruise from Sydney to Cairns (not a stop where people usually get off!). It's obviously a PR thing as some travel agents are coming on for the day to look around.

Last night I went with them to the steak restaurant. The food was delicious.

The majority of staff are from the Philippines, and when we dock in Manila, they are being given a half-hour time slot to catch up with family! Juan, my steward, is from Honduras. He was supposed to leave the ship in Sydney, but the replacement staff from the Philippines had the wrong visa on arrival here and were sent back. He now stays on until Manila!

Woke to a grey, not so calm day, but was able to get my one nautical mile (1.85km) walk in before breakfast! I listened to a talk about 'Australia's Vanished Giants' - quite interesting. In the afternoon, I was at a talk about Airlie Beach.  I then had a restful afternoon reading before an Italian themed dinner followed by a country singer in the Cabaret area.

This morning (Wednesday), I woke to find us cruising through the Whitsundays. 

Left the ship by 9am witha tender trip of 40 mins to Airlie Beach. Had a walk and swim now going back to the shi