Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #251 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Given the glorious weather I probably should have done a tour to the GBR but the length of travel and cost in USD put me off. I did manage to get out on the water though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #252 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #253 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Booked a 8 hour cruise on this old beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #254 Share Posted December 30, 2018 After motoring out of the marina, we had plenty of wind for the all female crew to hoist the sails and spend 1 1/2 hours sailing the Whitsundays to Langham Reef. Magic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #255 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #256 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #257 Share Posted December 30, 2018 On arrival at Langham Reef we were served a tasty lunch of chicken, sliced meats and a variety of fresh salads on board. Then for those who wanted to swim/snorkel it was time to squeeze into the dreaded stinger suits (wetsuits) collect your snorkeling gear and jump into the rubber ducky to be taken across to a sandbank to be in the water for an hour. I was disappointed that we couldn't jump into the deep water from the boat like I had done in Vila & Fiji ship tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #258 Share Posted December 30, 2018 I hated swimming/snorkeling in a stinger suit and not having your face, feet, and hands covered seemed to defeat the purpose. So I ended up just grabbing a noodle and spending the time just floating around and taking in the scenery which was really nice. We had too short a time in the water anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #259 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Best part of the whole day for me was the return sail. The wind had dropped, it was a glorious afternoon, we had icy cold alcoholic drinks (available for purchase) and could just sit back and relax and drink in the views as we were under sail for 2 hours. For those who were interested one of the crew provided a detailed commentary on the surrounding islands and the sea life to be found in the waters. Just before we reached the marina I spotted two dolphins in the water beside us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #260 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Didn't get back on the ship til 7pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #261 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Next day was a sea day with our 3rd and final Gala Dinner. Food was superb. Surf & Turf 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #262 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Tiramisu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #263 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Woke up to calm seas as we cruised into the Brisbane Port which is a working port a fair distance from the CBD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #264 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #265 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #266 Share Posted December 30, 2018 (edited) Gangway for Brisbane disembarkation. I wasn't aware you could do this but about 50 passengers got off the ship here and collected their luggage inside the terminal. Edited December 30, 2018 by aussielozzie18 more info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #267 Share Posted December 30, 2018 For the majority of us who remained on the ship, once you disembarked at Brisbane dock, there was a walk to a shuttle which took you on a approx. 40 min trip into Brisbane CBD. Cost was $25 USD. CD apologised for the cost when he announced it the night before. You were able to buy tickets in the terminal after you disembarked the ship and before boarding coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #268 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Shuttle dropped us off in Brisbane CBD very close to Queen St Mall. Had a wander in Queen St Mall then decided to walk across the bridge to South Bank. It was an easy walk. As I walked across up popped a drone which hovered for a while then took off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #269 Share Posted December 30, 2018 As soon as you get to South Bank you see this across from the performing arts centre. Next is a Ferris wheel/observation wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #270 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Keep walking along the pathways and you will come to a free open air pool with life guards. Pool was very popular. It was a hot day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #271 Share Posted December 30, 2018 And just a bit further along is a free open air beach with lifeguard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #272 Share Posted December 30, 2018 I hopped a free city ferry service and then came back to Southbank for lunch. Then walked back to Queen St Mall for a spot of shopping and when I got back to the shuttle pick up point at 3pm I got one of the last seats on the waiting shuttle (they run every 30 mins I believe) and headed back to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #273 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Last night on board, I got my luggage tags delivered to my room. Annoyed to see i got the latest possible time for self disembark. My own fault for forgetting to fill out request form a couple nights earlier. Easy to fix as there was a variety of extra luggage tags for independent travellers next to the guest services desk so just swapped them for an earlier time. Filled out my details on tag. Left luggage outside room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #274 Share Posted December 30, 2018 Next morning had quick brekky, said goodbyes, disembarked ship, collected my tagged luggage, had ticked wooden items on my customs card. In seperate queue. Moved quickly. Customs were a bit iffy about one wooden item with a potential tiny borer hole. She tapped item - no sawdust or insects came out - after much umming and ahhing on her part she finally let me keep it. Walked to ferry wharf. Missed it. Walked further. Realised my mistake. Walked back. Ferry arrived within 5 mins to Barangaroo. Easy walk to Wynyard. Had to catch train to Central. Hate Central Station - no lifts for luggage. Quick trip home just in time for Christmas Day. Suspect borer hole top middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted December 30, 2018 Author #275 Share Posted December 30, 2018 So there ends my wonderful cruise with HAL to PNG and FNQ. Hope you enjoyed my photos and the info proved useful for any future cruisers to these ports and on Noordam. Safe Cruising everyone in 2019. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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