He who Dar.wins!

This was the first time we sailed into Darwin under the cover of darkness.  It took a moment but we  realised that this cruise started a month later than our world cruise, and sunrise was not until just after 7 am

We had a plan … well sort of a plan. We were getting off the ship!

This time, to make our way into town we followed the road out of the terminal then through Bicentennial park along to the Esplanade.  The park is home to many War memorials commemorating lost ships, lost planes and many lost souls.

The old out door Cinema... Garry remembers it from his time in Darwin

Lovely coastline

A bit of fun!

Upon reaching Doctors Gully we decided to weave our way back towards Darwin’s Chinese Temple.

The original Chinese temple was on this site since 1887.  Earlier cyclones and bombings from 1942, saw it repaired many times. It was Cyclone Tracey that totally destroyed it. A new temple was built and completed in 1978 to replicate the original temple.

Today several Chinese religions are practised in the temple, a sign of unity and harmony within the 

community.

Chinese Temple

Lovin that BBQ Chicken

You can feel the peace and serenity as you enter the temple.  Followers with their sweet smelling incense sticks praying to their deities.  One devoted community member even left a Woolies BBQ chicken still in its wrapper. I did notice one person open the bag slightly so the gods could be tempted by its aroma.

Memorabilia from the old Movie Theatre

Smith St Mall

After leaving the temple we headed back down to Smith St Mall where many fellow passengers were spotted with shopping trolleys full of provisions to see them through the cruise. 

After partaking in a bit shopping ourselves, we headed back to the ship. Walking back via the Esplanade, we passed Parliament House, more affectionately known as the Wedding Cake. This is due to its sparkling white presence. Across the road is the Governors’ Residence with its beautiful manicured gardens.

The "Wedding Cake"

Governors Residence

Keeping the old Facade the new church is built behind it.

Inside the Church

Ever Changing Waterfront

We walked back down to the Darwin Waterfront, this time using the lifts.  Each time we have visited Darwin we have witness the progress of the redevelopment of this area.  

There is the wave pool, a netted off swimming area that protects its swimmers from the local crocs.  Restaurants and Bars to tempt the weary travellers with a quick snack and drink.  Best of all is the addition of the covering along the long walk way to protect everyone from the sun… the only design fault is that the sun is on the wrong side in the afternoon and the shade is cast over the water.

Man Made beach fenced off from the Crocodiles.

Getting back on the ship with a bottle or two of wine was a little hit and miss, and everyone has a story about whether or not they were caught and charged corkage.

With a slight of hand, or quick step, Garry managed to take advantage of a momentary distraction and walked straight pass the collection desk.

With a couple more hours before we needed to be back on board, a few of us decided to enjoy a little more of the Darwin atmosphere (and heat) and enjoyed a pizza and drink at one of the restaurants by the water.

But it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the great sacrifice endured by our good friends Marie and Mal, who walked back up all the way to Coles to buy a few extra folding chairs… bargain at only $10 each.

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Making our way back again, the last of the passengers were browsing the stalls within the terminal for pearls, opals, crocodile goods and aboriginal art.  Marie and Mal turned out to be one of them, and as they made their last purchase they were suitably corralled back to the ship by a crew member, and just like an Indiana Jones movie, the gangway fell away behind them with each step, and they won the prize for last on.

Everyone from Stokes Wharf waved us goodbye.

Sail away was lovely, and in the daylight you could now see the Darwin skyline and notice how much it has changed.

And so it is “Sea La Vie” from the beautiful Sun Princess.

 

Water, water everywhere but we have alcohol to drink!

Another way to while away the day is to gather with good friends and have a drink…  Only cruising out of Australia will you find a group that will BYO fold up chairs…  Yes at drink o’clock ( 5pm ) at the back of deck 11,  the party faithful arrange their chairs, fill their glasses and debrief on the day’s Events

d so it is “Sea La Vie” from the beautiful Sun Princess.

Are we there yet!

There are lots of sea days between Sydney and Darwin, but as we sail upon this mill pond, we occasionally glimpse an island or two, especially the really big one on our Port side.

The Big Island - Australia

 Filling in the days has not been difficult, especially when it comes to organising our Cruise Critic events… I thought I had them all finalised, even sent out the notices for our gift swap, only to get the call that they have now scheduled the crossing the equator ceremony at the same time… back down to guest services for me, and yet another cabin drop for my Deck Angels.

We did have our first lunch the other day which was a roaring success.  Approximately 170 Pacific Circlers invaded the dining room.  The look on Sean, the Head Waiter’s face as the never ending stream of passengers passed by was priceless.

There is always trivia

Our Dinner Table

Slot pull..... we may not have been winners, but we were grinners.

And so it is “Sea La Vie” from the beautiful Sun Princess.

Day 3 We are still sailing...

 Now as we are moving further up the coast the weather is getting warmer and warmer… Apart from running around putting the finishing touches to the cruise critic timetable, I have had a chance to lie in the sun and get a bit of well needed colour.  Hmm did I mention how fashionable red is at the moment!!

For her age, the ship is looking pretty good… and yes, there is the occasional unpleasant aroma but the staff are quick to spray and freshen things up.

Vista Lounge

Kai Seafood

Kai Seafood and Share look lovely and very pristine, probably due to fact they are usually empty…  We will try Share. Share can either be done at a full cover charge, or you can pay “a la carte” (pay for what you eat). Our waiter Ricky, suggested we eat in the dining room then move to Share and have the Bread & Butter pudding for dessert …. Apparently it is to die for….

Share

Legends

Pool Deck

Captain Riky

Our Maître d Cristan displayed some theatrics by spraying a bottle of champagne like he had just won a Formula one… So ferocious was his spray, that a couple of the glasses went crashing to the ground.

Couldn’t start my lobster count today as it was not offered on the menu, nor was the traditional Châteaux Briand, but beef medallions…. Hang on, didn’t they use to be on the always available menu!!  On saying that we have been very happy with choices that we have made at each meal.

And so it is “Sea La Vie” from the beautiful Sun Princess.

Day 2 We are Sailing..

It is amazing how it doesn’t take long to get back into cruising mode.  Once you are unpacked, and the bags are stored under the bed, it is like you have never been away.

Today is Meet and Greet day. The invites went out, so it was fingers crossed that Captain Ricky and his team would turn up.  With a sigh of relief, they came.  Although he had another appointment to rush off to, our Captain addressed the group and introduced each of his officers. 

We decided to re-introduce the Bloody Legends awards, and already we have a list of contenders, and of course, our first couple were sensible, like… Ray for his great effort on name tags and Marie for looking after our roll call so well.  But then being the loving wife, I had to give one to Garry for being such a great Wine Dropper!

Our meeting ended with a little get to know you game, well, as well as you can with around 200 people in the Marquis dining room. Everyone seemed happy enough with the way things turned out, except for Mr Grumpy Bridge Player as we broke his precious silence…

Unfortunately, we needed to have the medivac chopper come in and pick up a passenger with ulcer problems, but the captain later told us that he was ok and the rumour mill has it that he will back..

Day 1 Embarkation Day.

Excitement or nerves, not sure which has been keeping me awake the last few nights.  Was it the actual cruise or pleasing 200 cruise critic members at the first meet and greet.

The time between 3.30 am and 7 am ticked by.  After checking the Sydney Ports Vessel movements, the temptation to head down to the water’s edge to watch the Sun Princess sail in at 4.45 was just not an option….

So instead we headed down at 8 am to Pyrmont Point park where we couldn’t believe how close the ship we were… We could have swum across, but I don’t think the bags would float!!

So just like everyone else we caught a taxi to White Bay…  We counted the bags off as we loaded them into the Cab. Made ourselves comfortable and off we went.  Just as we drove out the driveway Garry turns to me and says “Have you got my camera”.  Round the block we went back into the drive way and out jumped Garry.  Our good hearted taxi driver must of felt sorry for us and paused his meter.  Now those of you who cruised with us in 2014 may have remembered that Garry nearly left his camera behind that time too ….. it was déjà vu

After depositing all the luggage with porters, we along with our two cases of wine headed into the terminal and straight into the check-in lines.

Boarding times were staggered, but as the queue was non-existent they allowed us through…  Except for the check-in agent adamant that we would not be able to debark in Vladivostok for we had no visa (amateur’s) the rest went smoothly.

Now to all my fellow co-workers, you know at debark that there is always that one person who breaks their bottle of alcohol… how embarrassing, that was us at embark.  We zigged zagged around those dreaded bollards and  as the edge of one of the boxes clipped one it dislodged the strap and like humpty dumpty the box went tumbling down. The fruity aroma of our sauvignon blanc  wafted through the terminal and we prayed that only one bottle broke, but we were too scared to check inside the box.  Buckets, mops and red faces were the order of the day and with a giggle from our immigration officer she commented “what a waste, but it smells nice”

Apart from us, the Apass photo’s was causing a delay in embarkation. To keep the Koreans happy all photos were taken in front of a white screen with rules that made getting our passport photo’s easy.

Any way it was a great opportunity to get to know the people in line.  This caused a knock on effect as the terminal got busier and the queue got longer and  some didn’t board till after muster.

Sail away from Sydney was as magical as it always is.  Apart from the melodic sounds of the sail away party, the ship glided out from the pier and the silence was only broken when we neared the harbour bridge and the Captain sounded the horn not once, not twice but as with tradition, three times.

And so it is “Sea La Vie” from the beautiful Sun Princess.