Traditional dancers performed for us as we got off the ship. We visited the produce market and an outdoor craft market. As we were going by bus to the town, our guide said the road was built by the US Army during WWII. It is still in use. We arrived on a Sunday and the few other businesses were closed. Weather was iffy. We almost ran through the markets before the heavy rain started and stayed. Colinda got a beautiful hand carved bird of paradise just in time. We got stared at by the local children. They call us din-dins. The townsfolk were very friendly and spoke to us in English. Lots of people use betel nuts. They were for sale in the produce market along with a lot of fruits and vegetables I have never seen. This was the most underdeveloped country we have been to so far. We will have another stop in New Guinea day after tomorrow.

Usual sea day. Lectures about New Guinea, trivia game, choir practice. Going slowly because the day before I used some muscles that had not been used in a long time…or maybe never. Trivia team is in first place!!! Sure beats the times we were in ninth place out of ten.

I SNORKELED ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF!!!

Such an experience. I had never ever snorkeled before. Janice and Colinda have. We went to an island that is near Cairns where we met our instructor Phil. He is the lead biologist for the area who is working for the government gathering information about the condition of the reef. He just happened to be there that day and was free to take us out. If you have never put on one of the suits you wear to protect yourself from stings, they are very hard to put on. Reminds me of the girdles we hiked on in the 50’s. (When I weighed 96 pounds). When we were all ready Phil took us to the swimming pool and when we got our masks put on to his satisfaction we walked out to the reef. In the ocean, he swam in front and pulled us along behind him holding onto a bright orange life saver ring. We had our faces in the water looking down. He told us about what we were seeing and what to look for. We were very close to the reef and could see all the various corals, giant clams, fishes, and seaweed. When we got back after over an hour later, he remarked that I had been with my face in the water for the whole time. I guess that is unusual. After a lunch of (Guess What?) fish we went onto a glass bottom boat over the reef. I did get some pictures there. What a day!!!!

Cairns is a very big modern city at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. We took two big packages to the post office for Colinda to mail. Everyone in her large family is getting a birthday present from her trip. It has been fun watching her pick the presents out. Went to a huge shopping mall and had toes and nails done. Bought something green to wear for St. Patrick’s Day. Meanwhile back at the ship were asked to come for a meeting. So finally what we had been speculating for a month was revealed. We will be skipping sections eight and nine and will be going around Africa instead of going through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Dubai will be the last stop. We can continue onboard but will have many days at sea and will only stop to refuel. We can go home and get credit for future voyages. We can get off and come back for part 10 which starts in Venice and goes around the Mediterranean Sea. We soon found out that Colinda’s daughter and granddaughter had booked passage on part nine of the trip for a surprise for Colinda. They got a notice the same day cancelling their trip . So. Stand by for the outcome. Lots of choices. Will we goof around with family for two weeks and go somewhere and live for three weeks, or will we go on with the voyage? We definitely are not coming home. Having too much fun!!!

Seaside town mainly built for tourists. Went shopping and had lunch on shore. Got some books at the book store, things at the pharmacy (drug store), and had a great fish lunch. Ship leaving mid afternoon.

This seaside town is the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and the gateway to the 74 Whitsunday Islands. We took an airplane ride over the Reef. The plane had seats for 13 and we had eleven on board. Everyone had a window seat. The flight was as an hour and a half. I cannot describe what we saw adequately. Colors, shapes, glistening beauty. Really DID take your breath away. It is huge, so amazing, and all made out of tiny tiny living creatures. I Will remember that plane ride forever and keep it fresh in my memory. I took a 26 minute video and no still photos so will be happy to show it to anyone who asks when I get home.

Beautiful clear blue sky. Choir met first time. Not as big as before. Three sopranos, three altos and two baritones. We practiced a three part Danny Boy and one man quit because it made him cry. Made us sad for him. I think there are a lot of people here that are trying to move on.

Whoo! Recovering from the night before. Doing usual at sea activities. Brief meeting. Choir is reforming for St. Patrick’s Day. Rehearsal on next season day

Two busses left at three thirty to drive to downtown to get a good spot to watch the Mardi Gras parade. We did get a spot where we could get in the front row. We brought our folding stools we bought in Eden. Good thing because by parade time at seven thirty there were four to five rows behind us. Colinda and I wore our sparkly hats and glued jewels on our faces also brought in Eden. You could tell when the parade was about to start because helicopters flew around. The parade was televised on national tv. People watching was fantastic. Everyone was dressed for the occasion. The parade floats were in trucks or pulled by a car. The different groups had great matching outfits and you could tell they had practiced their routines. The parade is a gay parade and I never got an answer as to why it is called Mardi Gras. It started is 1978, and maybe it was a Mardi Gras parade at the beginning. Many various groups were represented to support. We saw businesses, a girl guide group, a church , a synagogue, a pre school and animal rescue group among the many taking part. When we had to leave at nine thirty, the parade was still going strong. What a happy positive experience. I was told everyone stays up all night and the party does not stop until the sun comes up.

Entertained ourselves in our various ways. Slept late! Mardi Gras wore ourselves out.