Chiliburn

Shuttles in Sydney have a bad reputation,unreliable,dirty , bad comprehension. Taxi,Uber or train is your best.

Some of the drink prices on Ovation and gratuity is included in the price! Prices weren’t that bad, I got my 5 C&A drinks each day and bought a few . my bill for 10 nights was $135U.S. The C&A drinks start at midnight,so if you are thirsty you can go down to the casino after 12:00 and get some more . The upcharge coffee shops take the C&A vouchers for coffee or milk shakes and on debarkation day you do have your vouchers. I tested it and you do have vouchers on debarkation day.

I just did my first solo cruise and I was very apprehensive about being lonely.But I had the best time of my life. I come back and now have decided I don’t think I will travel with a group again. To many people to please. Maybe I will cruise with someone I get along with very well like my daughter but no more groups . I found people asking me if I was by myself and invited my along to join them. Solo it is for me , I just have to find a cheap cabin.

I don’t think it was anywhere near full that cruise.There where a heap of unsold suites . We went to the holiday inn in Vila that trip and I was talking to some people ( I can’t say who )and they said there was nothing wrong with the wharf. I think there’s some politics involved Julie. They have signed a 75 year lease on Lelepa and the wheels have fallen off it.

Something is going on.

He also said they are going to build another class of ships smaller than voyager , I don’t think so. I’m sure they would be under contacting obligations to get something happening before then. The landlords would have their hands out for money.

I’m thinking they could drop Mystery or as you say ,a day in Vila and visit Lelepa. I’m sure they could knock up a small prefabricate dock and put on a barge.

It’s a mystery ,that’s why it’s called that.

What do you make of this? Lelepa next year?? https://www.dailypost.vu/news/lelepa-chief-to-cruise-liner-visit-dependent-on-conditions/article_cedec975-e030-5d48-a64b-c7a235a2dc93.html

It must have been his brother. I can’t understand for the life of me why they have a tip jar ,no body carries cash .

Stowaway pianist on Ovation . IMG_5129.MOV

Ovation IMG_5129.MOV

I like Cooktown but I haven’t been there for a long time. The museum is interesting,they have a heap of glass tubes in there . They are the results of lightning hitting the sand dunes.

I wasn’t just Cooktown it was mostly the Scenic flight, I would do it again

I have done it on a cruise years ago, we flew to Cooktown . A small bus picked us up in Cooktown and did a bit of a tour .

I think the dock is 550 long but can only take one ship at a time. There used to be a mob that did a day trips to Cooktown but I can’t seem to find them . Like you said it’s going to be hot. I don’t know how much you want to spend but we can dream https://www.nautilusaviation.com.au

That’s the catch phrase these days Graham ,climate,climate,climate. Hey ,I was just listening to the ABC radio on the internet and the U.S government is going to make a proposal to move Miami (U.S.A.) to Lismore (N.S.W.) when it goes under with climate change. I don’t think I could even come up with such a stupid idea .

I think we could expect a few more punters to help rebuild their economies. Australia,uncle Sam,the French and I believe Japan is becoming quite active in our region to counter the Chinese. I spent the whole day walking around Noumea yesterday (16,000 steps) and I couldn’t believe how they have cleaned the place up. Along the esplanade near the cruise terminal ,they have built a heap of buildings that will have restaurants and bars. It has the potential to be very nice. Just inland from the cruise terminal it was fairly clean,no graffiti. Coconut square was very presentable. I used the local buses to get around ,buses where good,there was some new electric articulated bus !!! There seems to be some upgrades around Lemon bay and Anse Vata . The other side of the container terminal near the power station is probably worse that before the pandemic.

They have the bucket of beer deal still Mr Walker. I was talking to a fellow buying one . $33 for 5 beers. The diamond vouchers are good, I use mine for something with a bit more kick. The 2 sisters seem to think I’m drinking scotch and coke .They keep buying them for me so I just go with the flow. Scotch and coke $10.50 .

Apparently Noumea is getting 50 ton bollards which is all that is required for Oasis class. Villa is interesting how Quantum class is doing so many overnights. As someone said they probably have a legal agreement with Lelepa to have so many stops in Vanuatu. I know Oasis class aren’t supposed to tender but the resent tender I had on Ovation in Vila went very well and wth a bit of work on wharfs. I think Oasis could do it. https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/130557203/new-zealand-supports-vanuatu-with-10m-to-build-climateresilient-wharfs

I had a beer for you Mr Walker, $8.25 I think all the beers are $8.25 ,maybe the Fosters are a bit more. I haven’t seen the bucket of beer deals. I tried to download a photo but it didn’t work with this internet on the ship.

It looks like back out to sea ? We are just near duck island ,drop the anchor and tender into lemon bay tonight. This Captain has a mental problem.

I’ll get a few receipts from tonight mr Walker . Those sisters are pushy. I have had a few reports of people just after someone with a Australian passport for immigration. I have a broad mind but I was shocked when I was introduced to someone who just wanted a baby . I’m 60 years old and I’m past that kind of thing.

John Grantham, he is quite good ,American with a deep strong voice. I believe Joff is on Anthem, I’m afraid I’m not a fan of Joff but some people love him.

A overnight in Noumea but we will probably get a few more circles in the middle of nowhere.