Jim_Iain Live - 2nd Half World Cruise - B2B Singapore to Down Under 11/25 – 12/21

[Jim_Iain]

I need to get started posting.  
 

It is a long way to Litchfield Park.   About 2+ hours to the south of Darwin.   Most of the trip was just the outback.  
 

I did spot 4 wallabies along the road.   One nice thing was the bus had a number of monitors and a high definition camera mounted on the front of bus. 
 

 

Full Bus.  Kind felt like this 
 

 

An hour or we had a rest stop. 

 

 

 

 

We are in Bachelor- 32 km south of Darwin

 

 

 

Petrol A$ 1.92 per liter -  which according to a google search is US 7.27 per gallon.

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

I mentioned the monitors on the bus.  
 

[Bullswood]

I think you’ll find that fuel price is equivalent to US$1.28 litre or US$4.84/US gallon. Not too bad but can be a lot higher away from  civilisation!

[Jim_Iain]

Next stop  The Cathedral

 

Though termites are tiny individually, together they leave a bold and lasting impression on the surrounding landscape.

This is made apparent by the many mounds you can see, however only a fraction of the termites around us live in mounds. Three-quarters of termite species found in northern Australia are hidden from view; these species build their nests in trees or underground. 

The mound you see here is made by the aptly named Cathedral termite Nasulitormes triodiae. Reaching over five metres high, these structures are an impressive achievement for a mere 5 mm long termite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Next stop  The Cathedral

 

Though termites are tiny individually, together they leave a bold and lasting impression on the surrounding landscape.

This is made apparent by the many mounds you can see, however only a fraction of the termites around us live in mounds. Three-quarters of termite species found in northern Australia are hidden from view; these species build their nests in trees or underground. 

The mound you see here is made by the aptly named Cathedral termite Nasulitormes triodiae. Reaching over five metres high, these structures are an impressive achievement for a mere 5 mm long termite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Missusdubbya]

Welcome back to Australia @Jim_Iain, and thank you for your wonderful review

[Jim_Iain]

Just a quick map of where we went for orientation

 

[MMMCruiser]

On 11/30/2023 at 10:45 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

They are on the Anytime Menu that isn't printed - 

 

Starters -

Chilled Shrimp Cocktail

Escargot a la Bouguigononne

French Onion Soup

 

Classics -

Grilled Chicken Breast

Broiled Salmon

Grilled New York Steak

 

Deserts -

Cream Brulee

Cheese Cake

Apple Pie Al a Mode.

 

Just another -   ahum ... missing item is the deserts are missing from all the menus .

 

Thank you so much for this.  I think I'll be fine with the unwritten menu (why is it not written down LOL?) if I can't find anything I want on the daily menu. 

[Jim_Iain]

Out of sequence but last night Gerry popped over.  I’ve missed find her for the past 7 days. 
 

This picture captures both Iain and Gerry after I said strike a pose.  Iain alway throws on an instance elfish expression. 
 

 

Gerry broke up in hysterics 

 

 

I have to say it captures Gerry’s fun personality. 

[abbydancer2003]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

At least the CS on Edge only has one of Kelly Ann's Kitch --- A Pineapple of Course.

 

Here’s Iain asking -What’s this mean

 

 

I assume you don't need any of us to tell you what it means (I only learned earlier this year)

 

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

 

We will have to meet in Mt View for coffee when I get home.

Absolutely.  We get home on the 23rd from the cruise that's your fault.

[Jim_Iain]

Staying hydrated sitting it the quiet Le Grand Cafe.  Nice gentle canned music playing in background. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 Next stop Florence Falls

The Florence Falls is a segmented waterfall on the Florence Creek located within the Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Packed schedule.  Zenith Lunch today we have been broken up into 2 groups. 

When I walked by Blu they were busy setting up for our 11:30 gathering. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Back to catching up.  We concentrated on the area in the red circle. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

Geeze ======The toilet just started gurgling and sputtering and water shooting in the air.   Thank goodness no one was sitting on it would bring new meaning to a Bidet. 

 

Just called room attendant to disinfect the wash room.  At least in the CS it is a different room than the rest of the bathroom.   

 

Iain was in the shower at the time and I yelled in What the Hell are you doing...  LOL

[Redking]

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Geeze ======The toilet just started gurgling and sputtering and water shooting in the air.   Thank goodness no one was sitting on it would bring new meaning to a Bidet. 

 

Just called room attendant to disinfect the wash room.  At least in the CS it is a different room than the rest of the bathroom.   

 

Iain was in the shower at the time and I yelled in What the Hell are you doing...  LOL

Edge must be cleaning its bottom 🤣

[Jim_Iain]

19 hours ago, Missusdubbya said:

Welcome back to Australia @Jim_Iain, and thank you for your wonderful review

Thank you.   What an incredible beginning.   I've never been to Northern Territory and love it.

 

As you know we have a load of Aussie's aboard and all are so engaging and fun people. 

[Jim_Iain]

34 minutes ago, Redking said:

Edge must be cleaning its bottom 🤣

 

We do want to look respectable to you when we arrive in your beautiful Country.    New Zealand it the Jewel in the Crown for me.   Been on my bucket list for a long time.   

[Jim_Iain]

Our next stop kin Litchfield park was Lunch. 
 

Another single traveler from Toronto was my seat  mate and we buddied up.  
 

 

 

 

 

Our guide recommended the Barramundi -   It did not dissapoint.   Perfect cooked and delicious.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[terrydtx]

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We do want to look respectable to you when we arrive in your beautiful Country.    New Zealand it the Jewel in the Crown for me.   Been on my bucket list for a long time.   

The Edge got her bottom cleaned before she left the Med for this cruise to the lands down under. NZ has also been on our bucket list along with Australia. We board in 40 days for our 6 week adventure, as long as you and Iain haven't used up all the fun from the Edge, LOL

[Jim_Iain]

Next stop is Wangi Falls - 

Set amongst the stunning scenery of the Litchfield National Park near Darwin, Wangi Falls promises visitors a magical dose of beauty and fascinating history.

 

The falls raise 45 Meters (about 150 feet) above a beautiful deep swimming hole.     At 98 F  I sure wish I had brought my swimmers.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Our tour group was incredible and we had no delays waiting for errant members of our group.   As a reward our Guide decided to take us to an additional falls (shh... he wasn't suppose to do that).  

 

On the way to Tolmer Falls we were rewarded with seeing Wallabies and a small heard of Feral Cows.  
 

 

It cascades over two high escarpments into one deep plunge pool. Accessed by sealed road, the falls are located near the western boundary of the park, 85 kilometres south of Darwin as the crow flies.

 

A short walk takes you to 2 viewing platforms at the top of the gorge, opposite the most spectacular waterfalls in the park. Return to the carpark via the 1.6 kilometre Tolmer Falls loop walk - an easy walk (that is rocky in parts) that takes about 45 minutes. Follow the path through typical Top End sandstone country, along Tolmer Creek and a tributary, past pristine rock pools. Swimming is not permitted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[JazzyV]

42 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We do want to look respectable to you when we arrive in your beautiful Country.    New Zealand it the Jewel in the Crown for me.   Been on my bucket list for a long time.   

Great photos, as usual. Many years ago I cruised from Auckland, NZ to Sydney. The NZ landscape is just gorgeous. You'll enjoy it.

[Jim_Iain]

The drive back was about 2 hours and many napped.  As another bonus as we were make good times our guide gave us a driving tour of Darwin.    He was one of the most friendly and knowledgeable I've had. 

 

Needless to say we were all glad to be back aboard the ship with 30 minutes to spare before All Aboard time.   If I had been on a Private Tour I would have been anxietal.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

46 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

The Edge got her bottom cleaned before she left the Med for this cruise to the lands down under. NZ has also been on our bucket list along with Australia. We board in 40 days for our 6 week adventure, as long as you and Iain haven't used up all the fun from the Edge, LOL

 

It always amaze me that 40 days seem so far away yet close,  It's incredible how quickly time start to fly.  

 

There is plenty of fun awaiting you on Edge.   I think once she settles into her normal season many of the problems that have plagued the World Cruise will have been sorted. out. 

 

After all this time I found this yesterday in al Bacio.   The first sighting of this rare sugar.   Today I was looking for some in OVC and they had a bowl of Raw Sugar Crystals and a spoon but the packets haven't made their way up there yet.

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Jim_Iain