DFR Travels

Fremantle Day 1...

Tuesday, February 21. Docked in Fremantle. 31 C. Eight hours behind west coast time.

A lovely sunrise this morning, during which I contacted our three kids for an early morning short catchup. All good there, plus my brother. Excellent way to start the day.

Fellette and I had a morning Shore Excursion to two wineries in the Swan Valley area. At 9:35 we were loaded and on our way in a big white comfortable Australian coach ride up to Wine Country where they have been growing grapes since 1829, about an hour’s drive.

Apparently there was originally no convicts in this area at the start of this its development. They found that the soil and growing conditions were wonderful for agriculture. However, without an ample supply of free labour, like convicts, they could not create a thriving industry that utilized that good soil and growing conditions. So, let’s bring some of those convicts here! The rest is history!

The trip was great, the bus 1/2 empty, a super Aussie guide, a woman, about early 60’s, maybe 135 pounds. On the run up the coast she explained some things to us and one was that apparently every year they have a Fremantle to Rottnest Island swimming contest/race, some 20 K, or 12 miles, offshore. Apparently it is a very big affair, the largest open water swimming event in the world. And an iconic event in Western Australia. She said it is quite a sight to see all the boats almost cheek-by-jowel, seemingly like one could walk to Rottnest on the boats.

The swimmers are in teams as a relay. In 2021, 2500 swimmers took part. Ages 14 to 76 years old. Also solo swimmers compete as well. The surprise on this story is that she has done the solo swim several times! She says that every time she dove in to start the swim she uttered “Oh, why am I doing this?” Also, she is not interested in swimming for some time after completing. 12 Miles! The times to complete the swim start around four hours, for men and close behind for the first woman. It takes place in four days from now. Rottnest Island is where Jim and Gail skipped over to early this morning and spent most of the day there. We were back home, [to the ship] after a pleasant and relaxing romp in the countryside around 1:45.

No corks today, unfortunately, they only use corks for expensive red wines that are well aged apparently. I may get another crack at a winery in South Africa perhaps. I did get two bottles, a nice red and they are allowed on the ship without a corkage fee, plus two little dignified size wine glasses as a souvenir and for use on board for the next 80 days.

A Good Day…

5:30 this morning.

Land!

Scenic route to Wine Country.

Acres and Acres and Acres...

They started to grow wine here in 1840, 183 years ago.

My Bride.

The Winery Dog!

There are grapes growing, it is hard to tell in the sun and glare.

These are some very old vines that were used for wine over 100 years ago, now used as ornamentals.

Apparently this very very large Casino Hotel Complex is on several acres and has 54 bars and restaurants, or was it 34?

Sea Day 3...

Monday, February 20. At sea, rounding the SE corner of Australia, northward to Fremantle in 16 hours. 19 C and clearing.

Nothing of interest has happened today, absolutely nothing. Sure, we attended a couple of talks, did our usual morning walkabout, talked to a few people, but nothing of importance.

Fellette and I are looking forward to a wee shore excursion tomorrow morning, out in the countryside. The next day we are here in Fremantle as well. Not sure what we will do then. Fellette and I have been here a few times and rather liked Perth. It is a beautiful city, a lovely setting, very clean and neat. It is not too big which is a big plus for us. We were here on a land trip several years ago . We have also been here with Jim and Gail a few years ago and with sister Moe I believe. We also rejoined a British ship here after coming into Perth by train after friends Keith and Jenny put us on the Indian Pacific train in Adelaide. Wonderful memories!

Today on the ship there is a ‘Seated Get-Together’ for those passengers on this cruise, all 453 of them by one report, who were on the 2020 World Cruise that was terminated on Friday, March 13, 2020 in Fremantle/Perth.

I found out this morning that there were no cases of Covid on board at the time, it was Holland America who unilaterally decided to pull the ship out of passenger service and get it to a safe haven because of Covid and they had no idea when their ships may sail again.

Apparently... those that booked that 2020 cruise and used Holland America Air were looked after and flown home, prepaid. If however, you made your own flight arrangements, or took cab to the pier in Florida, as many do apparently, you were on your own to get home, from bloody Perth! I believe that HAL may have made some adjustments to that, accurate information is hard to get.

Apparently there are a number of crew onboard who were on at the time the cruise was cancelled that were invited as well. Several stories and explanations were given and much laughing and crying was expressed. A successful end to a nasty experience. All is well that ends well.

Jim has a picked up a cold, unfortunately.

Lastly, there is apparently a Cyclone brewing out in the Indian Ocean, due to hit Madagascar in a few days. Our course, when we leave Fremantle on Wednesday, is through the route of where the cyclone is scheduled to go! No kidding. I have no idea what affect, if any, it will have on us. Just keep an eye on that Cyclone on TV. We are due in Madagascar March 5 and the Islands east of Madagascar March 2. Likely fine.

Easy Peasy Lazy Day…

Lots of White Horses on the ocean today, and, motion in the ship.

Sea Day 2...

Sunday, February 19. At sea. Some quite severe swells, blue sky and warm out, but only 20 C.

Another rather lazy uneventful day. It is impossible for me to pretend that there is anything but basic laziness going on in our days at sea. The excitement of being on the ship has long worn off and we just enjoy the fact that we are almost immune from anything except gluttony, which now would have manifested itself in the form of tight-fitting clothes!

Myself, I do admit some weight gain. The reason is lack of the ‘work’ we do at at home in the form of just doing what we do in our everyday lives. We never went to Gyms, however Fellette has gone to a women’s exercise group for over 30 years. We consider ourselves ‘active’ and have so for years. Our diet is healthy and very simple, so simple some consider it boring.

However, the real cause of my weigh-gain, as well as Fellette’s, is that we are eating too much. Plain and simple. The temptation to over eat on this ship is unbelievable, as too is the inclination to over drink. Fellette only has the temptation to overeat as she does not drink, I have both. No wonder my clothes are shrinking!

Getting on this ship and cruising for 128 days is at the exact opposite ends of everything we do in our regular life. Aboard, we do none of the regular work we do at home, for example: Carpentry, Gardening, Chain Sawing fire wood, Wood Chopping, [Fellette’s wood chopping is for the workshop wood stove]. Also we do Working/Carpentry at Canada Ticket, our Family Company. If we run out of work we make work by building things and giving them away, now or later.

I will give you an example of keeping busy. In two days, Fellette and I have booked a Shore Excursion to a Winery outside of Perth. The reason we are going on a Winery Tour, besides seeing some nice country, is there is a possibility that I can get a bag or two of corks we can make trivets for people as gifts. During Covid we spent enumerable hours making such gifts to give away, a few weeks of shop work actually.

Aboard, I also have our Table Steward on board gathering corks for me right now from the dining room service where wine drinking is assumed as natural. Nobody at the table thought that we were going on the Wine Tour to get corks. These corks will keep us busy next time we run out of other projects and need some light work for a filler.

A Good Day At Sea, Lazy But Good…

Be Happy in your Work, such as it is.

An example of a trivet we made for a neighbour who recently retired and sold his business. The wood colour matches their dining room table.

There are some rather severe swells amongst those ‘invisible' waves out there.

Sea Day 1...

Saturday, February 18. At sea in The Great Australian Bight, [the giant bay-like stretch of water on the bottom-left of Australia], on the way to Perth/Fremantle. 18 C.

Our clocks are now behind West Coast time by seven hours. [However a day ahead of you].

A gentle sea and blue sky makes for a lazy day for us, late to rise, late to eat, light walking for several reasons and catchup on many things. Fellette finished her second baby blanket.

The slight rolling motion of the ship makes a creaking motion on the ship. Not as loud a creaking noise as Magellan's and Captain’s Cook's ship but similar: nice to have that sensation going on.

Every day at noon the Captain gives his report, that includes position, speed, weather and anything else that he thinks would be of interest or importance to the passengers. Today he chatted about moving onto the next continent: Africa. He told us that in Africa it is a different culture than we may be used to. Corruption and bribery are common there, [as well as other foreign-to-us common practices.] This information of course is subject to everyone’s different interpretation of the Captain’s message and also taking into account his heavy accent!

My Version of his message: Apparently, at the port where we intended to dock, the pier is privately owned and the owner might be asking too much for the Ship to pay, so there is a possibility/likelihood that we may be tendering in on the ship’s boats. That is fine but it does make it a bit more complicated, inconvenient and much more work for the crew. Welcome to The Dark Continent!

Easy Day…

Fellette’s second baby blanket crocheted: next one coming up soon.

A 95 year old man or lady had their birthday today in the dining room. All the waters gathered around to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to them, in Philippino!

Many a true word is written in jest. Food for thought today.

Kangaroo Island...

Friday, February 17. Anchored off of Kangaroo Island, a bit south of Adelaide. 22 C. Nice breeze

The pleasant weather seems to be with us for now. It was cloudy early morning but turned to brilliant blue skies later. We Four had nothing planned and went ashore, not expecting much and we did not book tours here. They had a very serious fire on the island that killed off many/most of the wildlife two years ago.

Fellette and I spent a couple of days on the island about eight [?] years ago on a land trip to Australia. The island was then interesting and quiet and not terribly exciting for us then. We thought that is was just a laid back Aussie Island for people who liked Island Life. And, for a camper van family vacation. Quite nice, for that purpose.

We had dreams of hiring a cab here to buzz us around for a few hours today, until when we heard the price of $150.00 each. No competition here: for anything. A post office; a Grocery store and a Pharmacy. Our low expectations were completely fulfilled. The locals however had set up a nice craft market for the ship today. Lovely pleasant vendors with a limited range of crafts, some sunny clothes and bits and pieces; not much. A baby kangaroo was there but we never saw one on our little walk, apparently there was a wallaby seen by some. [A bit sad methinks.]

We then went for a little walk in a Sculpture Park on a hill near the Tender Port before Jim and Gail struck out on a serious beach walk. Fellette and I took the Tender back, had some lunch, and I tended to my toes and feet that are not doing well at all. I am a little concerned about this ongoing foot issue. I am not really sure how to address it but I am sure we will come up with something in the remaining 84 days!

I would not call this a bad day at all, it was more a nothing day that turned out just fine. Beautiful views from our suite, and a quiet and restful afternoon. We sailed around 5:30 with three days at sea on the way to Fremantle, Western Australia We then have seven sea days until we hit the islands off of Africa and Madagascar in the Southern Indian Ocean on March 2.

A Good Day, Restful…

Commorants and seagulls. Report of penguins but I did not see.

The beach looks nice. Jim and Gail walked down it.

A new metal bridge: not to burn, did it?

Metal Owl.

Stone eggs.

Metal something.

Lunch view...

Adelaide, Day 2...

Thursday, February 16. Still docked in Adelaide. 39 C, 102 F at 2:49 according to ships information. [Rather hot!]

We four took the tram into Adelaide proper today. ‘The 9:28 to Adelaide’. We stuck together for a few blocks then split up. We each had different goals for the day so it works best to separate.

We have been keeping a little shopping list for a couple of weeks to get some items that would be nice to have, but not critical. Within a little more than an hour we had all but one! We started off in the basement of a building where there were all things Japanese. The problem was, all the writing was in Japanese and we could not tell what we were looking at. Finally we approached a clerk, an Aussie, who led us around the shop as we told him our shopping list. We got something but not much.

And so it went, bit by bit we got things. Finally all that was left on the list was a decent pair of PJ’s for me. We found that on the fourth floor of a posh department store that seemed out of place because it was well stocked with goods and staff but not that many customers.

We knew that it was hot out and we wanted to explore downtown outside a bit so we went in search of something to drink and a bit of very light food as the heat seemed to have take away our appetite. That is when we bumped into Jim and Gail. Gail had found a Hair Salon and had a hair cut. [It was a different style from her usual and made quite a nice difference.] I think Jim explored the shopping district while waiting for Gail.

Jim did not fancy food too much, but we did, so we separated again.This was our first real encounter with Cold Pressed Coffee, with milk and ice. Absolutely delicious!!! Fellette and I each had a light snack to tide us over.

In the Cafe we were in, there seemed to be tattoos on every woman in there, [maybe six girls/women]. The tattoos would run the gamut from little lizards running up and down a girls legs to full arm tattoos, and one leg on a 40 year old woman in a proper dress. When the male sever came and delivered our food I asked him about what’s the deal with the tattoos on women. He said that this cafe offers a great selection of Vegan foods and that attracted a certain crowd. Hmmm. I observed the men in there who looked like regular blokes without the tattoos all over their bodies. [???]

While we are on a touchy subject, I might as well get hell for writing this but I will. I also noticed that more than a few young Aussie girls were dressed in light and flimsy and obviously cool tops, short on the bottom and basically open at the back, without Bras on. It looks like they must do that until Mother Nature takes over and 'Cooper’s Droop' sets in. I am just reporting my observations that are different than what we are used to seeing at home.

However, if we went into such places at home I suppose we may be more enlightened about what goes on in the real world rather than our sheltered version of life. That’s what travel does folks, it Widens Your Horizons!

We bumped into Jim and Gail at the Train Station in Adelaide and enjoyed the 45 minute ride back to the ship. Jim mentioned that he thought he may have had a bit too much sun. We skipped dinner, not sure about Jim and Gail.

We sailed at 11:00 pm for Kangaroo Island, a very, very short distance away.

I had taped up two toes before leaving this morning in case the walking got to them today. It didn’t so that may be the procedure until those toenails figure out what to do.

A Hot And Busy Partial day…

All Aboard the 9:28 to Adelaide. I don’t know if this modern tram even has a driver. Everything seems to be automated.

Once again, I have an eye for the old architecture, or replica, amongst the new .

Ozzie humour: Pigs on the wide pedestrian modern shopping strip. Nice.

A bookstore, moving to another location, super sale: two purchases

I can’t resist flowers in a market.

On the main drag we ran into Jim and Gail sporting her new hair style.

Where we ate lunch and had our enlightenment.

Cold Pressed Coffee. Fantastic, my brother loves this stuff.

Adelaide: Late...

Wednesday, February 15. [Day 43, 86 to go.] Docked in Adelaide around 2:00 pm. Rather warm. 32 C.

Now five and one half hours behind West Coast time, tomorrow.

Hopefully the cooler weather is behind us and we can take off our long pants and get a little tan on our pallid bodies.

In the 'Too Much Information Department’…

I will give you an update on the status of my feet and toe problems. Through my own fault and inattention, it appears that I have been wearing footwear at home that has been too small for me. Over the years my feet have grown longer as my arch has flattened somewhat. However I just kept wearing the same size boots at home. I have always had foot issues since I was a kid but I just put up with it and carried on, it became a routine issue with me.

Fellette and I are not ‘walkers’ because walking is not a pleasurable thing for me. Fellette however has no issue with walking. I bought new footwear for the cruise. Wrong Size! We boarded January 3 and we walked the decks a bit and obviously walked in the wrong sized shoes for too long, on and off the ship. I injured the toes! Like many people, the toe next to my Big Toe, is longer than my Big Toe. Those toes have been beat up and had blood under the toe nail. Now, those toes hurt when walking and need time to recover.

Thanks to a generous next-cabin-over gent who also had an issue with shoes too small plus coming across a Foot Locker running shoe store in Wellington, NZ, where I also walked too much, I purchased a new set of size 11 running shoes. Next was Sydney Australia where I walked in my new shoes as well as my neighbours larger shoes. Too much!

The damage was done! Even in bigger shoes, my toes now need time to recover and hopefully with ample space, my nails will start to grow out and I then will not have so bad a time walking. I know that nails are slow-growing but can grow back. How long, who knows. End Of Too Much Information!

*** *** ***

We docked at a somewhat remote Industrial Port a 40 minute Train Ride away from Adelaide proper at about 2:00 pm. We four walked off at 3:00 in hope of finding something of interest nearby. But there was nothing interesting out there! We had just missed the train that runs every 30 minutes so we four took a Cab to Port Adelaide. 1/3 of the way to Adelaide proper It was faster and cheaper and a heck of a lot more convenient. Once in Port Adelaide, [not Adelaide proper] we four went to the tourist information office where they told us more than we needed to know about this proper-sized town that started some time about 1847 ???. It appeared deserted in the blazing hot sun. But places were open, in a lazy sort of way, no hustle bustle here!

To Fellette and I, the heat was unbearable. To Jim and Gail it felt like home although I think it was a bit warm for Gail. We eventually stopped in at a pub-like establishment and had some beer and ciders. It felt great to sit. Jim soon became restless and was soon out taking photos and exploring. We three held the table and waited for Jim to return. This he soon did. We eventually ordered Schnitzels and then they ordered a cab for us and we were soon in our air-conditioned floating hotel: quite pleased with our 1/4 day in this wonderful place called Australia. In Adelaide proper tomorrow.

A Good Day…