Exploring on the Explorer. Lautoka, Fiji to Broome, Australia

[highplanesdrifters]

Gugari Rip, Hole in the Wall

Australia 

 

Rescue at sea!

 

One of the zodiac engines went kaput and guests needed to be transfered to other zodiacs. This happened at the gap opening in bumpy seas.  No one lost, yay.

 

 

The tow of shame.

 

 

The tide rushing through the hole in the wall gave us another wet and wild ride.

 

 

Great limestone formations. 

 

 

 

We ducked into calm tributaries. Some saw Eagle Rays. We saw turtles.

 

 

Massive chunks erroded into the sea.

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Gugari Rip, Hole in the Wall

Australia 

 

Rescue at sea!

 

One of the zodiac engines went kaput and guests needed to be transfered to other zodiacs. This happened at the gap opening in bumpy seas.  No one lost, yay.

 

 

The tow of shame.

 

 

The tide rushing through the hole in the wall gave us another wet and wild ride.

 

 

Great limestone formations. 

 

 

 

We ducked into calm tributaries. Some saw Eagle Rays. We saw turtles.

 

 

Massive chunks erroded into the sea.

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

UP NEXT

 

VICTORIA SETTLEMENT, AUSTRALIA

Nestled into the highly indented and rainforest-cloaked coastline of the Cobourg Peninsula,

about as far north as you can go in the Northern Territory, lie the historic ruins of Victoria

Settlement. At first glance the remains of weathered brick chimneys suggest a civilisation hewed

out of the wilderness, but as the story unfolds, they become a monument to the folly of colonial

expansion in a remote and unforgiving setting.

The outpost was founded in 1838 to serve as a re-supply post for ships passing through the

Torres Strait, and to strengthen British territorial claims. Now, as you walk around the various

crumbling structures, it’s difficult not to appreciate the vibrant jungle enclosing the site, yet this

same beautiful environment must have been viewed differently by the pioneers. The suffocating

climate and fever gradually weakened and whittled down the population. Isolation and infrequent

visits from ships eroded the spirits of the survivors. Unappealing to reinforcements, Victoria was

abandoned after 11 years.

The Cobourg Peninsula has since returned to its former glory under the alias Garig Gunak Barlu

National Park. Its diverse wildlife list includes 6 species of marine turtle, dugong and wild

banteng cattle (threatened in their native Indonesia). Even more notable is its recognition as an

internationally important wetland habitat (under the Ramsar Convention). The park is

administered jointly by the Parks and Wildlife Service and the traditional landowners, the

Iwaidja speaking peoples.

 

A group of British soldiers arrived with their families in 1838 and spent 11 years establishing the

settlement. They built a Governor's residence, which was one of the first elevated houses ever

built, a hospital, church, military and married quarters with distinctive round Cornish chimneys.

The settlement was abandoned in 1849 and all that remains today are the ruins of the settlement.

[lincslady]

Wow,  high.  I am glad I was not trying to transfer from zodiac to zodiac.  I hope all on board were fit enough not to have problems.  Super photos.

 

Lola

[highplanesdrifters]

Food Porn & Sunset

 

Citrus spare ribs with Cumin potatoes and Caribbean slaw

 

Coconut Fried Chicken leg with Fried rice.

 

 

Banana Bread pudding and Carmel sauce.  I could have taken the entire dish back to my suite. 

 

Sunset....yes it really is this color.

 

[highplanesdrifters]

2 hours ago, lincslady said:

Wow,  high.  I am glad I was not trying to transfer from zodiac to zodiac.  I hope all on board were fit enough not to have problems.  Super photos.

 

Lola

I was thinking the same thing. It's hard enough when they create a snorkel platform of zodiacs to transfer to in calm seas.  Expedition team are really top knotch. They got it all done safely. 

[Port Power]

6 hours ago, lincslady said:

Wow,  high.  I am glad I was not trying to transfer from zodiac to zodiac.  I hope all on board were fit enough not to have problems.  Super photos.

 

Lola

I was one of them, and my transfer across would not have been a pretty sight!  At least I didn’t land flat on my back in the the second zodiac!  There were many hands to help.  Especially with seeing those four spotted eagle rays, it was still a very good morning out.

[TLCOhio]

3 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Food Porn & Sunset

 

Wonderful "Food Porn" and sunset visuals.  Refresh my memory, when does your adventure finish, date and location?  What will be your next cruise/trip?  Keep up the great sharing. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[highplanesdrifters]

6 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Refresh my memory, when does your adventure finish, date and location?  What will be your next cruise/trip?

We depart the ship on June 1 in Broome. We are headed into the heart of the Kimberlys. I dare not say what I'm looking forward to because it will get canceled. It's been one of those trips. So you'll just have to cross your fingers and wait for details!😃

 

As for what the future holds.....Summer at home!  I know, a shocker. A good monsoon season has been promised, which is a show stopper.   We have taken 4 expedition trips in under a year and spent 3 weeks in Tahiti. The house needs some care and we are hoping to find someone to work. The building boom in our area has created a scarcity of contractors. So who knows!

 

The future does have 3 on the books. This fall Eastern Med on Seabourn Encore. Feb of 24, return to Antarctica [while the body still works], b2b Cape to Cape on SS Cloud.  September of 24 Guam to Valparaiso on Seabourn Pursuit. Would love to slip in a Ponant trip and give them a try. It's all about options.

[highplanesdrifters]

7 hours ago, Port Power said:

I was one of them, and my transfer across would not have been a pretty sight!  At least I didn’t land flat on my back in the the second zodiac!  There were many hands to help.  Especially with seeing those four spotted eagle rays, it was still a very good morning out.

I would happily do the sea transfer for the Eagle Ray spotting.  And I'm sure you were the picture of grace!😃

[highplanesdrifters]

Victoria Settlement, Australia 

 

If you build it they will come.....or not.

 

With the Dutch East Indies Company breathing down their necks, the British Government hoping to create another Singapore  established Victoria Settlement in 1838. It was their third attempt.  Due to a lack of fresh water, malaria, the oppressive climate, and, go figure -  no trade it was abandoned after 11 years.

 

SS offered a long and short hike to the Settlement. Easy path and cool ocean breezes made for a pleasant day.

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Daily Food Porn and Sunset

 

Lunch Buffet

 

 

Cherry Clafouti - dangerous 

 

Attempt at turkey and stuffing.

 

Tuna steak - not bad

 

Our favorite included wine

 

And another ever changing amazing sunset. The colors last for a good hour.  Even staff is out there taking pictures every night.

 

 

 

 

[Lirio]

21 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Daily Food Porn and Sunset

 

Lunch Buffet

 

 

Cherry Clafouti - dangerous 

 

Attempt at turkey and stuffing.

 

Tuna steak - not bad

 

Our favorite included wine

 

And another ever changing amazing sunset. The colors last for a good hour.  Even staff is out there taking pictures every night.

 

 

 

 

Great! It is in list!

[drkitkat123]

23 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Victoria Settlement, Australia 

 

If you build it they will come.....or not.

 

With the Dutch East Indies Company breathing down their necks, the British Government hoping to create another Singapore  established Victoria Settlement in 1838. It was their third attempt.  Due to a lack of fresh water, malaria, the oppressive climate, and, go figure -  no trade it was abandoned after 11 years.

 

SS offered a long and short hike to the Settlement. Easy path and cool ocean breezes made for a pleasant day.

 

 

 

 

what's amazing is that they built all the houses with these severely sloping roofs so the snow would not accumulate on them!

[highplanesdrifters]

UP NEXT

Ashmore Reef, Australia 

 

Lots of grumbling about this stop. No snorkeling or landing, just a Zodiac ride. A rather long way to go, day and a half just to get there. We then backtrack with another sea day to our next port. Reminiscent of the three day journey to the mediocre Mornington Island stop.   One feels for the expedition leader who has to deal with all the poor planning by corporate and unexpected cancelations this leg has experienced so far. I hope my next report declares that it was worth the time to get there. Fortunately we like sea days.

 

 

Lost in the immensity of Indian Ocean and situated 630 km of Broome, Ashmore Reef Marine Park is an Australian External Territory that covers 583 square km. With its diverse shades of blue, its underwater wonders and feathery friends, this protected area is one of Australia’s most beautiful natural treasures. The three tiny islands and their surrounding waters are home to an oasis of flourishing wildlife. Ashmore Reef is known to be the favourite place of more than 40 bird species. 100,000 seabirds breed there every year, including crested terns, white-tailed tropicbirds and greater frigatebirds. The islands are also a haven for thousands of migratory shorebirds like curlew sandpipers, bar-tailed godwits and great knots – some of them coming from very far places like Siberia! On the ocean side, the colourful reef is home to around 500 species of fish but also marine turtles, dugongs and many playful dolphins. Given the rich and fragile environment, Ashmore Reef has been declared a Sanctuary zone, providing the highest level of protection for the wildlife and minimising disturbance from human activities. Only scientific research is permitted but the visitors can access to the Recreational Use Zone, which includes a small area of the West Island, and thus discover this unique place.

Edited May 22, 2023 by highplanesdrifters

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, drkitkat123 said:

what's amazing is that they built all the houses with these severely sloping roofs so the snow would not accumulate on them!

Snow was a major problem.🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

Let's stir the pot!

 

A case for this:

 

Not this:

 

For me this transcends the environmental debate. It is the practical debate.

 

Without my reading glasses it is impossible to tell the Shampoo from the Gel and the lotion from the conditioner.  I do not wear my reading glasses in the shower.  One can arrange the bottles beforehand to tell them apart, but they are always being tidied by the butler.  Then there is the caps which must be taken on and off each time lest the ships rocking and rolling send them spilling. And the caps are always jumping about, getting underfoot.   If I gel with shampoo or shampoo with gel, things do seem to work out OK..... I think.  But condition with lotion or lotion with conditioner, catastrophic.  A First World Problem worth debating?

😁

 

Large flocks of birds appearing. Hope for the day?

 

[Port Power]

We found out from both the Bridge tour and the Expedition team that visiting Ashmore Reef is an international ship’s necessary “international” stop.  Although Ashmore Reef is on the Australian continental shelf, it somehow still ticks the box.

 

The double back route is likely due to when S/S could book so many aeroplanes for the Bungle Bungle flights.  As it is high season in the east Kimberley, the flight- seeing companies would be heavily booked.  It all made sense when the logistics of booking land tours and liaising with other expedition ships around must-see sights was taken into account.

 

I vote for wall mounted toiletries, too.

[taxatty]

1 hour ago, Port Power said:

We found out from both the Bridge tour and the Expedition team that visiting Ashmore Reef is an international ship’s necessary “international” stop.  Although Ashmore Reef is on the Australian continental shelf, it somehow still ticks the box.

 

So that explains why our SS Darwin RT cruise itinerary next month was changed a couple of months ago to add a very long side trip for a two hour and fifteen minute visit to Ashmore Reef. This appears to be by far the shortest stop there of the upcoming Kimberley cruises.

 

One of the reasons we picked our original itinerary was that it avoided a second sea day because it included only Australian coastline stops and nearby islands. Yes, as with all other cruise lines, we know SS can change ports at a whim under the universally-applied T.S. Rule. Maybe someone at SS woke up and realized our original itinerary wasn't permissible. Oh well.

Edited May 23, 2023 by taxatty

[highplanesdrifters]

Just now, Port Power said:

We found out from both the Bridge tour and the Expedition team that visiting Ashmore Reef is an international ship’s necessary “international” stop.  Although Ashmore Reef is on the Australian continental shelf, it somehow still ticks the box.

 

The double back route is likely due to when S/S could book so many aeroplanes for the Bungle Bungle flights.  As it is high season in the east Kimberley, the flight- seeing companies would be heavily booked.  It all made sense when the logistics of booking land tours and liaising with other expedition ships around must-see sights was taken into account.

 

I vote for wall mounted toiletries, too.

As always your are the best!  Thanks for clarification. 👍👍👍

[Port Power]

7 hours ago, taxatty said:

So that explains why our SS Darwin RT cruise itinerary next month was changed a couple of months ago to add a very long side trip for a two hour and fifteen minute visit to Ashmore Reef. This appears to be by far the shortest stop there of the upcoming Kimberley cruises.

 

One of the reasons we picked our original itinerary was that it avoided a second sea day because it included only Australian coastline stops and nearby islands. Yes, as with all other cruise lines, we know SS can change ports at a whim under the universally-applied T.S. Rule. Maybe someone at SS woke up and realized our original itinerary wasn't permissible. Oh well.

Fortunately the time spent travelling to Ashmore Reef was absolutely worth it! @highplanesdrifters will, I am sure, delight us with her description and observations.  My zodiac members saw a spinner dolphin and three green turtles, one of which was very big), and thousands of birds.  It was wonderful!

 

I agree that someone at head office has been asleep at the wheel.  My son did point out the entry in today’s Chronicle: “our cabotage stop in accordance with Australian Maritime requirements for international vessels.”

[highplanesdrifters]

1 hour ago, Port Power said:

Fortunately the time spent travelling to Ashmore Reef was absolutely worth it! @highplanesdrifters will, I am sure, delight us with her description and observations.  My zodiac members saw a spinner dolphin and three green turtles, one of which was very big), and thousands of birds.  It was wonderful!

 

I agree that someone at head office has been asleep at the wheel.  My son did point out the entry in today’s Chronicle: “our cabotage stop in accordance with Australian Maritime requirements for international vessels.”

Super savey seasoned travel @Port Power is right. It was worth it. Full report tomorrow.  In the meantime Captain says to batten doen the hatches.  We're going to get tossed.

[Mr Luxury]

On 5/20/2023 at 12:01 PM, highplanesdrifters said:

Food Porn & Sunset

 

Citrus spare ribs with Cumin potatoes and Caribbean slaw

 

Coconut Fried Chicken leg with Fried rice.

 

 

Banana Bread pudding and Carmel sauce.  I could have taken the entire dish back to my suite. 

 

Sunset....yes it really is this color.

 

Are you sure that you haven't got sauce on the lens

[TLCOhio]

On 5/20/2023 at 6:25 PM, highplanesdrifters said:

We depart the ship on June 1 in Broome. We are headed into the heart of the Kimberlys. I dare not say what I'm looking forward to because it will get canceled. It's been one of those trips. So you'll just have to cross your fingers and wait for details!   The house needs some care and we are hoping to find someone to work. The building boom in our area has created a scarcity of contractors. So who knows!   The future does have 3 on the books. This fall Eastern Med on Seabourn Encore. Feb of 24, return to Antarctica [while the body still works], b2b Cape to Cape on SS Cloud.  September of 24 Guam to Valparaiso on Seabourn Pursuit. Would love to slip in a Ponant trip and give them a try. It's all about options.

 

Appreciate these great details and follow-up as to your fun, exciting upcoming cruises and other activities.  Busy, busy!!!

 

Glad to hear that Ashmore Reef worked well.  Look forward to learning and seeing more.  

 

Is the bulk shampoo, conditioner, etc., on the wall now the new "standard" for all Silversea ships?  No more of the small bottles and soaps that we can take home to keep the "luxury memories" alive and extended?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[AusMum]

On 5/20/2023 at 7:01 PM, highplanesdrifters said:

Food Porn & Sunset

 

Citrus spare ribs with Cumin potatoes and Caribbean slaw

 

Coconut Fried Chicken leg with Fried rice.

 

 

Banana Bread pudding and Carmel sauce.  I could have taken the entire dish back to my suite. 

 

Sunset....yes it really is this color.

 

This is one of the top reasons I love living in Western Australia - the sunsets are like this all the time 🙂