Starting The Trip Around Australia...

Wednesday, February 11. Smooth sea. 30 C.

There was something special, for me at least, this morning. We left Cairns and headed north two days ago and late this morning we turned left, West, and started the voyage through the Torres Straits, with Australia on the port side and the Island of Papua New Guinea on the starboard side. Both were visible for a short time until eventually New Guinea faded from sight. Soon we passed a point when we were no longer sailing in the Pacific Ocean but had transitioned to the Indian Ocean. To me that was an important place to be on this Cruise. We are not yet 50% of the way through this trip, but the halfway point is rapidly approaching; five days. It seems unreal that we are that far along because a good portion of the trip has been taken up with dealing with Fellette's injury.

The ship goes to great lengths to ensure there is never a dull moment for those so inclined to participate in activities. We enjoy life in a more conservative way but are still glad to see it happen. 

I have not commented on our fellow passengers too much as I was still absorbing information. There is a mixed bag all in all. However, many on the younger side are staff or crew. They mix and mingle and become part of the overall population. There are also entertainers on board and their youth, vigor and beauty, sprinkled throughout  the ship add to the appearance of it being a Fun or Party Ship. Yes, there are a lot of Old Party People aboard but they are more than balanced with older people who just want to relax and witness the fun, not be participants in it.

What we have noticed is the high percentage of passengers with walking disabilities! I would say that 35 to 40% of the actual passengers have some serious leg issues, hence walk in a different way. Then we have the overweight issues that abound. We also have a few that are Morbidly Obese. Those are sad to see and this is certainly not the right place for them to be, in my opinion.

A Good Day at Sea.

Derby Day at Sea today, that means fancy hats and a competition for that. Many women eagerly dressed up in some very elaborate hats. It was too difficult for me to get a decent shot without having an alcoholic stimulant. Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the Mid-Day sun!

Many quiet spectators, watching the participants, we just popped up to reinforce our convictions on learning how to relax.

You get the idea I think.

On a cabin door. How true!

Where we are: Top of Australia. 18 is Darwin, we are at where Fellette is pointing. Two more Sea Days at 11 Knots per hour before Darwin.

Apparently for navigation purposes, that rock, marked with a signal light is where the Pacific Ocean stops on the left and the Indian Ocean starts. 140 degrees West Longitude. So we are in the Indian Ocean for at least 15 days, around Adelaide. The captain gave a long blast on the ship's horn as we sailed by.