Wednesday, 26 May

Same old, same old. Woke up to a beautiful view of the ocean from the bed. The weather is still perfect and the seas calm. Delicious breakfast then trivia. For the Ccrs, our team was DickWho (Rick), Barry7 (Barry and Linda), Roymar (only Roy) and me. Came close today, 18/20 but some know it alls got 20/20. George and Dianne (GTR58) sprang for the $150 to do the ships tour so thought meeting the Captain was a better offer than going to trivia with us. Lots of flying fish out there today. We saw a school (if that's the correct collective noun – no wonder we don't win the quiz) of sharks all in a circle, eating some poor unfortunate deceased thing. Saw the 'production show' last night – Rock the Town but wasn't over impressed. It was good entertainment but not up to the standard i've seen on other cruises – picky, picky. They have belatedly announced that they will show the State of Origin on Movies Under the Stars big screen tonight. They've hastily rearranged the advertised entertainment and announced because it's because of a big Australian 'Rugby' match. I suppose Qld will be on the port side and NSW on the starboard. Hate to be in the middle when bottles start flying.Had another swim today, water is perfect and not too many people in there. Should I ever get up early, am going to swim laps. Darwin tomorrow. The ship's shuttle bus is $7 each way into town for a five minute ride one way. Allan and Sally have bought shuttle tickets but we're going to walk or get a cab with Garth and Dianne – I think the cab fare is about $10. Everyone is heading to Casuarina shopping centre with huge shopping lists. My shopping list includes wine so we can do more entertaining on the balcony or there is a lovely small deck at the stern, only a short walk from our cabin. It's a hard live but someone has to do it. Sally, if you're reading this, our 'purser feller' is a woman!! And cocktail report – Key Lime martini was average. More research coming up!!

Tuesday, 25 May

We've just rounded Cape York – so we've seen the northern tip of Australia. It's certainly stunning scenery and the colour of the ocean is tropical island turquoise. Counting today, we've had four days at sea with one to go before we arrive in Darwin. Sailed really close in to Cairns, Fitzroy Island, Green Island and saw Bowen at night. I would like not to arrive in Darwin but to keep sailing but no choice I suppose. The sea is so calm and flat it's hard to tell we're on a ship. Hopefully we'll get some bigger seas before long. I know we're probably the only ones on the ship hoping for this. The weather is sunny and warm. Had our first swim in the pool today. Haven't won trivia yet (or come close) – damn, and I wanted those luggage prize tags too. We had formal night on Monday – a bit of a non event. There was no captain's cocktail party, just a lot of people dressed up and milling about in the Atrium. There was free champagne but it was flat and disgusting. Don't know what it was but definitely not up to my standard. There were glasses of it left on tables everywhere. John said we could market it to run cars when oil starts to run out. The officers were presented to us on a little balcony far above the unwashed public, so, I suppose, they didn't get any germs from shaking hands with everyone. Food has been wonderful. George (for CruiseCritic people, GTR58) helped me upload the blog today. I couldn't paste anything into it so George showed me how to email the info to the Blog. Isn't technology wonderful (not to mention George). My next task is to work out how to email a photo (downsized) as well. So far I've managed to walk three, six or nine laps of the deck every day – three laps is one mile. Have only used the lifts when I'm wearing high heels or if I'm really in a hurry. John has half-heartedly done three laps or so every now and then. He's more into walking to the Wheelhouse bar with Allan then to Jammers nightclub. We had drinks on our balcony with Allan and Sally last night – three of us could fit on the balcony and the other one in the doorway. Drank the wine and champagne that I took on board as well as some of my Benedictine. Princess kindly provided the nibblies, purloined from the Horizon Lounge at lunch time. God I'm a good hostess..

For whoever asked – I haven't seen any cider on the drink list. Will try to remember to ask a waiter tonight. Sally, haven't had any cocktails yet – none of our favourites there. Have found a Key Lime cocktail that looks interesting. Will sample it and let you know, in the interests of research of course.

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