Geraldton, Australia
Didn't want to go on an organized tour, so took a hop-on hop-off bus around the town. Of course, we found a shopping center - so stocked up on all kinds of nibbles (--you'd think they didn't feed us on the ship, right? --)
We also stopped at a pawn shop where Jeff found a few more DVDs and I bought a small wooden serving tray with a tea cup motif. I think it's going to be for sale at our Duxbury Antique Show in March!
January 11, 2018
Fremantle/Perth, Australia - Rottnest Island
Just a brief walk from our ships' dock, there is a ferry service that takes passengers out to Rottnest Island. This is a bicyclists dream since there are only bicycles, buses and trains to get visitors around the island - no private cars. On the ferry there, you can actually rent your bicycles and helmets so you don't even need to bring one 'from home'. Beautiful paved road goes completely around the island and the bus tour we took made just a few stops where we got off to look around/take photos - the rest of the time was minute or two breaks just for photos from the bus (which was totally okay).
One of the major animal sitings on Rottnest Island are the Quokkas - this animal looks like a cross between a very cute rat (what the Island was named after) and a miniature kangaroo. They have no natural predators on the Island (and it's one of only 3 places they can be found). They'll come right up to people - no fear at all - and they're just adorable.
The Island is almost completely power self-sustaining (wind and solar power) and has its own 10 student school (for those children of parents that work full-time on the Island), shops and amazing natural beauty.
January 12, 2018
Fremantle/Perth, Australia
Originally, today was supposed to be a sea day and tomorrow we were to be anchored off Esperance. However, weather reports led our captain to believe we wouldn't be able to use our tenders again, so we stayed a second day docked in Fremantle - will cruise for three days and then on January 16th, we'll be docked at Kangaroo Island.
Fremantle is a VERY tourist friendly city. They have two free bus routes that cover the majority of the business/tourist areas that run every 10-15 minutes.
Therefore, today we went to the Fremantle Markets - - it's an indoor market with lots of different stalls (food, clothing, souvenirs, and even antiques/vintage items).
We started out buying some porcelain teacup three-piece sets (which will be going into my eBay store when we return home). Had a lovely conversation with the dealer. Hope to do business with her again (either buying or selling!).
Also purchased a lovely small 'bird' made entirely of glass. He'll be able to keep my glass penquins from last year company at home.
The Fremantle Markets makes you feel that you're back in the 1960's - - and it feels really groovy. The people in Fremantle are very laid back, super friendly, and love to chat.
Then back towards to ship, a little more shopping at Coles (chain store/mainly groceries with some clothes - not touristy, but loads of fun to walk around).
Dinner tonight with our shipboard friend, Mary Anne Sigal. We feel like we're old friends who are sharing this journey together. What a joy!
January 13, 2018
At Sea - Indian Ocean
Inbetween 'food o'clocks' - truly relaxing.
Now the news of the day - - we just booked our next cruise (July, 2019) which will go from Oslo, Norway to London, England.
The itinerary is:
Day 1 Oslo, Norway Day 13 Cruising the North Sea
Day 2 Skagen, Denmark Day 14 London (Southampton), UK
Day 3 Haugesund, Norway Day 15 Cruising the North Sea
Day 4 Flam (Sognefjord), Norway Day 16 Edinburgh (Newhaven), Scotland
Day 5 Hellesylt, Norway Day 17 Invergordon, Scotland
Day 6 Geiranger (Geirangerfjord), Norway Day 18 Cruising the North Sea
Day 7 Alesund, Norway Day 19 Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland
Day 8 Kristiansund, Norway Day 20 Dublin, Ireland
Day 9 Bodo, Norway Day 21 Dublin, Ireland
Day 10 Harstad, Norway Day 22 Cork (Cobh), Ireland
Day 11 Cruising the North Sea Day 23 Portland, UK
Day 12 Bergen, Norway Day 24 London (Southampton), UK
The ship we'll be on is the Marina which has 1,250 passengers (800 crew) versus our current ship, Regatta which has only 684 passengers (400 crew). The plus to the larger ship is twice as many specialty restaurants and more activities (like a cooking program) aboard.
Hard to believe we'll be home in 10 days - this has been a wonderful adventure.
Life is Good!
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