The weather is getting better. Nice views of the Coral see and the coast.

In the evening captain Luca invited frequent passengers for the cocktail

We got a drink or two, there were lottery and wishes, but no chance to talk with the officers. They just escaped, and the lady- musician too! All event was only 35 min long and than they asked to empty the lounge. Is thie the best way to honor the best guests?

Today we are sailing throught the famous Torres Strait linking Araura Sea (of Indian Ocean) with Coral Sea (of the Pacific). The strait was named after Spanish navigator Luis Vaz de Torres who discovered this strait between Papua and Australia in 1606.

The strait is 74 kms wide and thete are many small islands in it – probably Australian populated Thursday Island is the most popular. We wera sailing passing those islands

All aboard! We were staying on the upper deck taking pictures and enjoying the atmosphere. Few ships are passing this strait. I also took the souvenir picture – this was my first time in the Torres:

Another day at sea. It is warm on the decks and from time to time the sun is shining so I am sunbathing, but no longer that 1 hour per day becaise I do not like to use sunscreen!

Many crew members easily recognize me after short talk – I have been in the countries of their origin! Above you can see lovely waitress from Philippines and below the othet one – from Uganda 🙂

Every evening I am listening to the live music. I love most fantastic Polaris String Trio from Ukraine – they perform classical music, but also pop for the majority of Australians we have aboard. They represent very high level….

Ater 3 days at sea today in the morning we disembarked in the port of Darwin in the Australian North Territory.

On the promotional photo above the cruise port of Darwin looks very nice, but today in the morning it was rainy weather, clouds and heat. We started our walk under umbrella. In the little cruise terminal there is info desk, but no wifi. To be connected you must go some 200 m to the waterfront.

Since my last visit Darwin changed a lot. There are skyscrapers and glass buildings. Only few colonial buildings remained. The places of interest ale rocated in three paralel streets: churches, cultural center, palms and raintrees.

Along the coast on the cliff they have nice park – The Esplanade. Some Aboriginal people are wondering near the parliament building. Aussie are nice, but after one hour of using city wifi they informed me that my today’s allowance is consumed and I can continue tomorrow. Shame on you Australia!

Heavy rain is expected in the evening (they cancelled few tours out of Darwin). But in the evening we will be already sailing east: through Arafura and Coral seas. We will reach Cairns on Great Barrier Reef 3 days later…

I have been here already twice, but now I am again enchanted by the nature and little temples of Bali.

For the first time I arrived to Bali by cruise ship, the only port on the island receiving big ships is Benoa – rather isolated on the little peninsula, so it is hard to plan the walk out of the port. Just near the clean terminal you will find a hundred or so souvenirs stalls with interesting handicrafts, batiks, cotton sarongs, woodcarving. Bargaining is obligatory – initial price could be double…

I wanted to refresh the memories of cultural village of Ubud. The taxi drivers ask for 100 USD per car for the tour, but the displeyed tariff to Ubud is 50 so I bargained for round-trip Ubud tour for 50 per cab. The main target was Batuan Temple (entry fee 50000 rupees pp including rental of obligatory sarong)

There are many small temples in the complex. Its brick/stone architecture is unique. Carvings are great. You go temple to temple enjoying serenity of the place, smell if incenses and flowers around.

On the way to Ubud we passed many such a style “family” temples but no so ornate and wide as Batuan. Of course the driver will offer you also batik and cafe factories to visit, but these are tourist traps.

I decided not to go to the beach because it was cloudy day and the driver asked for more money. Just let you know, that on the sunny day flag beach of Bali – Nusa Dua looks like on this picture:

In the evening we are departing to Australia. We should reach Darwin in 3 days. So please wait patiently for the next messages

Warm greetings from the South Seas! 🙂

After two days at sea today we docked on the island of Lombok. Nice, hot day. Many taxi drivers were waiting in front of the terminal. Since there is far from the port to the attractions I was bargaining for the car with a driver: finally we departed, paying 50 USD for two for half a day tour.

Driving in the landscape of rice fields and palms we visited temples, mosques, villages producing handicrafts.

Gamelan orchestra were plaing for us near the ship. Since this island is a Muslim island there are many colorful mosques – almost in every village. They built also huge islamic center – there were many people today since it is the time of Ramadan!

I did it already many times, but it was always a nice, funny event. The Neptune with his wife, the captain with officers, pirates and sirenes…

And “kiss the fish!” order for the guilty volunteers. The fish as you can see was huge mahi-mahi – not so nice!

Good music and no rain (but it was cloudy!)

Day at sea. I had a chance to introduce meself to our captain – cpt. Luca. Captain congratulated me. -All counries and dependent territoties visited! it is great achievement!

In the evening we attended an excellent show in the theater – Australian songer was really good, but theater was not full:

I woke up early – at 5 am to go to the airport to pick up my arriving companion. The flight arrived on time and soon we took a subway to the city. Then all day I was guiding him though the main attractions of Singapore. But the highlight was in the evening, when we were watching two fantastic light shows:

First one too place at 19.45 in the supertrees grove – next to Marina Bay hotels. As you can see on the pictures above the crowns of the trees were covered by flashing lights in different colors. The music from Bizet’s “Carmen” accompanied. Wow! After 15 minutes we quickly moved through the hotel and Sands Commercial Center to the terrace on the shore of the bay to see the fountain show accompanied ny contemporary music. In the background was a skyline of Singapore:

There were laser lights and the projections on the courtains of water. Another great show lasted also for 15 minutes, but was excellent… Colors, music, scenery… I have been on Singapore many times but I had for the first time chance to attend both shows!

And everything was for free!

Every time I am here I see more skyscrapers, but also many nicely restored colonial houses.

Today I discovered huge and new Buddhist temple but built exactly like those old monasteries. Everybody is welcomed to see the statues, to listen for praying and music. I was just enchanted by the atmosphere:

It is officially forbiden to take pictures in the main halls, but if you alre alone and discret…

Near the temple the young local couple in the national dressing were posing for pre marriage picture – it was nice occasion also for me to save their image:

I was hungry in the afternoon. A loaf of bread in the 7eleven costs 4 singapore dollars, and kilo of bananas – 3 SGD. Other tropical fruit cost more.