16 April, Bali, Indonesia

After a further two days at sea across the top of Australia, we arrived early this morning in Benoa, Bali in Indonesia. This little port does not have a dock large enough for the Princess, which meant we had to be taken ashore using some of the ship’s lifeboats as tenders.

Today was another beautiful warm day and when we arrived at the Benoa terminal we were immediately beset by dozens of taxi drivers offering to show us the island. We finally struck an all day deal with a very nice Balinese man called Rico who took us through the incredible hustle and bustle of Balinese towns into the foothills where we could get glimpses of the ancient rice terraces of Bali which are thousands of years old.

After that we went back to Kuta for a bit of shopping and a Bintang beer. We finally boarded a tender back to the Princess with more than an hour to spare after a very interesting and enjoyable day in Bali.

13 April - A day in Darwin, NT, Australia

After leaving Brisbane we enjoyed 4 days at sea. Quite a spectacular part of the cruise as we travelled through various channels in the Great Barrier Reef, and lots of islands as we passed the northern coast of Queensland. Then after a couple of days we reached Cape York Peninsula the most Northern part of Australia. The ship then turned on to a westerly heading and into the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

 

In the strait we passed many of the Torres Strait islands in perfect weather. Blue skies and crystal clear water everywhere. The highlight of this part of this trip was passing Thursday Island. To pass through this channel requires the use of a reef pilot as in some places there is only 3m under the keel, and the channels can be quite narrow.

During this four day sea passage we experienced perfect weather and we spent most afternoons in a hot tub and just relaxing in a deckchair watching this magnificent scenery glide by.
Then, when we woke this morning we were berthed in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. Darwin was almost totally wiped out by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Day 1974. We had been there shortly before the cyclone and in 1976 when we moved back to Victoria and so there was not a single feature of the new Darwin that we recognised. In the past 42 years Darwin has re-emerged as a large modern city complete with high rise buildings. We had a pleasant walk (35ºC) through the CBD and then took a bus out to Casuarina to visit a large new shopping centre where I managed to buy my Apple Watch which I had been looking for.

We then walked from the city back to the port to see the magnificent view of the Golden Princess berthed in the harbour, and waiting to receive us back for afternoon tea. Tomorrow is another sea day before we arrive in Bali the following day.

8 April, Brisbane, Australia

A couple of nights ago we enjoyed one of the most spectacular sea departures we have ever experienced. The Golden Princess was berthed right between the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and the Opera House. As the sunset approached the city lights started to twinkle and we sat on the topmost deck to watch it all. To depart from Sydney the ship had to reverse away from the dock and turn until the stern, where we were sitting was almost directly below the Harbour Bridge.

Then it we proceeded slowly toward Sydney Heads to continue our trip to Brisbane. The night time views in every direction were absolutely breathtaking.

As we departed from Sydney the Harbour Bridge was directly behind us and the opera house was magnificent on our right side.

I must have taken a couple of hundred images as well as lots of video. It was a truly magnificent spectacle.

Yesterday was a sea day. In the afternoon we found a deck with a huge hot tub and lots of spots to sunbathe so we had a very relaxing afternoon. After dinner we attended a great show at the Princess Theatre - it was a magic show and a full house. A really amazing performance.
When we woke this morning we were berthed in the Brisbane river, and after breakfast we caught a shuttle bus into Brisbane for a bit of shopping and sight seeing. When we depart later today we will have four days at sea before reaching Darwin. I don't expect to have any internet access before we reach Darwin.

6 April - Sydney, Australia

Once again, we're on holiday for a few weeks so no motorcycling. We are on a cruise, with friends, from Melbourne, Australia to Hong Kong. I thought a few of the regular visitors to this blog might enjoy catching up with the highlights of our trip even though the mode of transport has changed somewhat.

We boarded the Golden Princess at Station Pier at about 3:30 pm on Monday, just in time for lunch. Unlike other cruises our cabins and luggage were already available so after a quick look around we were able to settle in to our new home for the next 23 nights.
Tuesday was spent at sea in a gentle swell which let you know we were at sea although it was not uncomfortable. Went to the "Welcome Aboard" show in the evening which was terrific. When we woke this morning we were berthed in Sydney right next to Circular Quay.
This is the view from the back of the Golden Princess.

We had a leisurely day looking around the area and the Opera House before catching a ferry to Manley for a bit of shopping and a mandatory visit to the Royal Copenhagen Ice Cream shop. It was very hot here today and I realised I didn't bring a hat so had to buy one.

Right now we are just enjoying the afternoon and the wonderful Sydney Harbour views from the Princess. We sail this evening sometime after 6 pm, bound for Brisbane. I'm hoping for some good sunset photos of the city skyline before that.

11 March - Warburton

A medical appointment planned for today fell through and provided an unexpected opportunity to get on the Honda for one of my favourite rides - the Warburton bakery. The weather started off cool and foggy but the clouds soon parted and produced a bright warm day. Almost no traffic on the roads and I was able to cruise along at a snail's pace to really enjoy the day and my surroundings. Lunch and coffee at the bakery were excellent as always and by 1 pm it was time to turn back and head for home. On the way back I took the opportunity to get some closeup photos of the static locomotive display in Noojee. These old relics of the past have always fascinated me partly because I can remember travelling on steam trains which makes me a relic of the past too.

Only one event threatened the serenity of the day. Entering Noojee the engine suddenly stopped and resisted all attempts to restart it. My immediate thought was to call 'road side assist' but then the methodical part of my brain kicked in and I checked all the things which can kill the engine. I got it in one - the 'kill switch' was in the off position which was a complete mystery. The only explanation I can think of is that someone fiddled with it while the bike was parked and left it in an intermediate position. A bump in the road was then enough to move it to off. Glad I checked before calling for help.

Reached home around 3:30 after a very relaxing and enjoyable ride.

Total Distance 270 km.

7 March - Bulga Park, Tarra Valley and fish and chips in Port Albert

Met my brother Luke this morning for a bike ride through Tarra Valley. Although the skies warned of rain and the road was wet in places. we never actually saw a drop. We rode through Callignee and then on to Bulga Park for a walk down to the famous suspension foot bridge. Being a week day we were the only ones there and the only sound was the screeching of the black cockatoos. We continued on down the winding Tarra Valley road to Yarram and then continued straight on to Port Albert to visit the famous Wild Fish fish and chippery for a light lunch. As always, this drew plenty of attention from the local seagull population which seems to appear from nowhere when you open a packet of fish and chips.

After a pleasant lunch and a chat I tried for a few more seagull photos but without food they soon lost interest in us.

The return trip was straight up the Hyland Highway through Gormandale and  home to  Traralgon.
It was good to get out on the bike.

Total Distance 170 km.

20 February - Port Albert

Not many rides the last few weeks apart from a trip to Bairnsdale to get the 30,000km service on the Honda carried out. Just a quick return trip of around 240km. Today promised to be the last moderate day before another stretch of really hot days so I took the Honda over the Strzeleckis to Port Albert, with the aim of getting some fresh air and hopefully a photo of boats at the pier. Rode off in overcast conditions and by the time I reached Port Albert it was still quite overcast with a bit of rain in the distance. Walked around the boats for a while and snapped a few pictures on the RX100M3 and then continued on down the South Gippsland Highway.

Back through Meeniyan and lunch at the InLine 4 cafe in Mirboo North (http://inline4cafe.com.au) where the special of the day was German Curry Wurst. Irresistible!

After finishing the wurst and an excellent coffee it was time to head towards home.

Total Distance 235 km.