Anchored off of Easo, New Caledonia...

Tuesday, January 27. Light cloud. 28 C.

All good here, only another week before we get to Cairns in Australia. We have some very interesting places to visit before that happens though. Including Guadalcanal, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The later is an independent country with a very pleasant and happy lifestyle, for residents and visitors alike apparently.

Today we are actually anchored off of Easo in New Caledonia. We stayed aboard today. This side of this island is rather far away from anything and unless one went snorkeling, the only alternative was an relatively expensive Shore Excursion. I ventured into the gym a couple of times today to try and get my legs back into shape. Too much rest and relax time lately!

There is an interesting 'Shore Excursion' coming up in Australia a few weeks from now. When we sail over the top of Australia, then sail down, we dock at Perth or really Fremantle on the extreme left, [West]. That area is a lovely part of Australia, gorgeous. Regardless, on this ship, right now you can book a shore excursion that takes you from Fremantle, off the ship for five days and puts you on the Indian-Pacific, the Cross-Australian Train and transports you to Adelaide on the underbelly of Australia, taking three nights on the train, [I think], staying in luxury hotels for a couple of nights in Adelaide and meeting up with the ship there. The price is U$7000, per person. Of course there will be lots of good quality Western Australian wine along the way!

Fellette and I did the train trip years ago, from Adelaide to Perth. My memory is getting fuzzy but I will get part of the journey right! Fellette and I stayed with my 1960-Motor-Scooter-friend Keith and his wife Jenny in Melbourne for a bit, they then drove us to Adelaide via The Great Ocean Road, Keith and Jenny staying in their small tow-behind trailer while Fellette and I stayed in small shacks at the same campsites. Those were the days when we never thought about ageing and thought it would go on forever. I remember saying goodbye to Keith and Jenny in the Adelaide Railway Station after too many beers with Keith. We thought that we would never see each other again.  Next thing we knew the Train was whisking us across the great nothingness of the Nullabor, which means 'No trees' We then rejoined the ship in Perth/Fremantle and sailed home and lived happily ever after!

Please forgive me for story telling, we have very good and fond memories of people and good times in regard to Australia, even writing about it makes me feel good!

A Great Day.

After the anchor was placed, the tenders were set down to transfer people to shore for snorkeling or transported about. This side of this island is rather remote.

I am aware that is a pretty darn bad photo, but it looked good and like a possible nice trek up there, for younger folk.

A lady from Denver took this photo today and left her finger there to prove it!

This photo was taken by son Wally in Maui at sunset today. Timed just as the sun slips below the horizon, waiting for that elusive Green Flash! Left is Katrina, Wally's wife and their son, Nathan and of course, the one and only Miles: Our Great grandson. Nice to see them all!