Cairns, Australia

February 19, 2015

On the evening of February 15, we slowly navigated out of Sydney Harbor.   

February 17 we entered the famous Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, located in the body of water known as the Coral Sea.  It covers an area of 133,000 square miles, and contains 2900 individual reefs and more than 900 islands.  It is officially the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms and is a World Heritage Site.  Historically, this area was extremely difficult to navigate and there are many shipwrecks in the area.  World War II sites and many lighthouses all are maintained and protected by the Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Once we entered the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park we were advised that water usage and consumption is severely restricted.  We were asked to conserve water through the length of time spent showering and while brushing teeth or shaving, etc - OH, and no complimentary laundry!

Onward north past the smaller townships of the far north of Queensland, Australia to Cairns.  We are closely watching the formation of Cyclone Marcia off the coast, but the Captain assures us we are in good shape and we are also watching the cyclone near Darwin.....

Finally reached our berth early morning the 19th, to gorgeous sunshine.  Since we have seen most of the area sights on a previous visit (snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda Railway, Katoomba, Rainforest Skyrail and Tjapukai Aboriginal Park) we opted to stay in Cairns and visit the city and the delightful esplanade.

Cairns is a small, tropical city, nestled between the Coral Sea and the mountains of the Great Dividing Range.  The temperature remains fairly constant year round, warm to hot, always humid and the rainy season is November to May, but we missed it today.

The waters in the area are known for their tropical reef fish; i.e., red emperor and coral trout, large tiger prawns and freshwater barramundi.  Crocodiles are farmed too (no swimming) mostly for their skins but some restaurants feature CROC burgers!!!

We set sail at 5PM back through the Harbor Channel and out to the Great Barrier Reef heading north to begin our trip to Darwin, the last stop in Australia.

Sydney, Australia

February 14 and 15, 2015

Sydney Daily Telegraph ran a full front page about our arrival on the Pacific Princess.  This was the first time the "Love Boat" arrived in Sydney on Valentine Day.  With a gorgeous sunrise in the background and as we passed by the Opera House and under the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the Princess Choir sang; the ship's whistle played the Love Boat theme song and all the ship's passengers were on the open decks waving flags with red hearts on them.  News TV helicopters flew overhead and TV camera crews met us at the pier.

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, home to 4 million residents and the oldest city in Australia and largest port in the South Pacific.  The biggest challenge when arriving in Sydney is deciding what to do - sightsee?  go to the beach?  shop?  eat?  just walk and walk?  - the choices are limitless!

We decided to do a little of all the above except the beach.    Darling Harbor and Chinatown were our destinations.  Lunch with friends at one of our favorite restaurants, Golden Harbour in the heart of Chinatown, shopping at Paddy's Market (more like sightseeing) and lot's of walking in Darling Harbor.

Arrival in Sydney ended the first twenty-three day segment of the World Cruise.  Approximately 200 passengers disembarked and we are expecting 110 to board.  Tonight at 10PM we drop our lines and head for our next port of call, Cairns.  This will be a special sailaway as the ship passes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House and out of Bennelong Point.   Always a spectacular sight at night.

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

On board the Pacific Princess

G'day mates - see 'ya next time!