David's Cruise

Bali sunset.

After an unusually long lie-in which caused me to miss even the latest of breakfasts, I had somewhat of an uneventful day, achieving very little. Perhaps this lethargy is due in part to the humid conditions of being so close to the Equator. At night, it is still lovely and warm. I had lunch in the Britannia Restaurant. This is generally much better than the “musical chairs” chaos of the otherwise excellent Kings Court on deck 7. After lunch, I attended a classical concert of music by Mozart, Beethoven, Vidor, Elgar and Vivaldi as well as a fine piece composed by the pianist for piano and flute. Perhaps I was under the weather. There is no doubt that the music adapted for piano and flute was superb. However, I don’t think the Royal Court Theatre was the most suitable venue for what I felt was a delicate concert. It was good to hear music by familiar composers for the first time. And I do wish those who choose to attend a performance who discover they don’t like it after all, refrained from leaving the theatre while either the music is being performed, or the artiste is explaining the following work to the audience.

I tried a little deck walking after the concert; it was far too humid. I decided to tidy my stateroom in the hopes of finding items which I have mislaid during the voyage. A computer lead and other stuff remain “vanished” and I will make a further concerted effort later in the cruise. I stayed far too long in my cabin this afternoon and decided I really ought to photograph tonight’s sunset.

I could not believe my eyes as I ventured to the open deck 14. The sun had just disappeared into the horizon leaving the sky several shades of pink, grey, blue, orange and yellow. All this would change rapidly as the light from the sun faded quickly. Then there was all this spectacular land in the near distance. We got to see Bali after all albeit from some distance away. The island looked like a very inviting paradise with its sharp volcanic peaks silhouetted against a magnificent tropical sky. Yet again, I was late for dinner, but I did want to savour this fabulous sky-scape for as long as possible.

Two very pleasant ladies have joined our table for, I believe, the rest of the voyage back to Southampton, Joyce and Josephine. Both are extensively well travelled and are excellent company.

Sadly, we still cannot call at Bali tomorrow morning. Seeing the island from a distance, I now feel disappointed. However, a late afternoon approach to Singapore should partly negate this disappointment.

Tonight in the Royal Court Theatre, with the exception of the pop group “Purple Haze”, all the ship’s musicians combined to form a 22 piece orchestra for a second performance of “Songs from the Shows”. As ever, this event was “to perfection”. Four singers were backed by not only the Royal Court and Queens Room orchestras, but also the string quartet who perform daily in different parts of the ship, and the harpist who does the same.

I dumped my jacket in my room and came down to deck 7 to try to complete my walking target for the day. It’s still extremely humid and I took a break to pen this blog. I shall post this now, followed by a couple of subset pictures taken near the isle of Bali.

Thanks for reading, and best wishes,

David. 01.25hrs (less a further hour at 2am)

QM2’s position two days ago when our call at Darwin had been curtailed. Course of QM2 in closer detail Location of Cyclone Marcus over Darwin. 17/3/2018 St. Patrick’s Day celebrations last night in the Queens Room QM2’s course today, now en route for Singapore. Thanks for looking, David.

Sunday 18th March 2018.

It was announced by Captain Peter Philpot at the end of this morning’s church service, that Darwin had endured its worst cyclone in (if I remember his address correctly) 30 years and that much damage had occurred. The Indonesian immigration authorities who were scheduled to board QM2 at Darwin, in fact, had not travelled there, already aware of Cyclone Marcus. QM2 had also made a dramatic change of course northwards to begin with, then northwest, away from danger, to around 100 miles from the epicentre, before continuing westwards.

Bali is currently celebrating the Hindu Nyepi Holiday. This translates to “Day of Silence”. Everything shuts down, including Bali Airport, and the internet is disconnected to the island. This has exacerbated problems particularly concerning communication. Cunard has done everything possible to avoid cancellation of our call at Bali, as well as seek an alternative last minute port of call. All to no avail. This now means an earlier arrival at Singapore on the evening of 22nd March. The up-side is arriving the day before, early in the evening, rather than feeling obliged to get out of bed early the following morning to observe QM2’s arrival there.

My steward has just delivered an epistle from the Captain with a complete and comprehensive explanation of the difficulties and circumstances encountered. Also, a bottle of Chardonnay as a gesture from the Company. Thankfully, the few people I have been in conversation with are, while understandably disappointed, philosophical and thankful to be on board QM2, and not enduring an encore of Britain’s tedious winter. It could be worse!

Thanks for reading,

David.

16th March 2018.

Yesterday, our second of three sea days was extremely agreeable but not particularly remarkable. Outside, it was humid. We had exited the Great Barrier Reef at around 10am, after what must have been a very skilful and complicated transit. The previous night, the blackness out to sea, was punctuated by marker lights which were installed as a guide to shipping in that area. I now regret that I didn’t take an air trip to witness the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef from above. The ship’s photographers have produced the most fabulous images from both above and among the sea life below the water’s surface. My resultant pictures could have been taken anywhere!

The sweltering heat subsided little as yesterday progressed despite a torrential downpour. I retreated to the coolness of the cinema just in time to watch the recent movie, L.B.J., a “biopic” of the the Vice President who took over the U.S. Presidency following the world shattering events of November 22nd 1963, the day President Kennedy was assassinated. (I remember it well, they played classical music back to back all evening on Radio Luxembourg).

Back to this morning. I awoke to find, eventually, the open spaces on deck 12 soaking from yet another tropical downpour. Again it was humid but I was still able to complete my walking target prior to breakfast. While strolling along the boat deck, the Captain announced that because of a developing tropical cyclone, it would not be prudent to continue to Darwin thus heading straight for this dangerous weather. Naturally, I am disappointed because I wanted to see Australia one last time.

My texts are not being transmitted at the moment, probably because I am in the wrong part of the world for my phone! Anybody at home need not be concerned about this cyclone which with internet and other media may be common knowledge and perhaps a cause for alarm. The closest we shall be is around 100 miles from its epicentre.

Next port of call is Bali, I think on 19th March. I shall be joining my table companions Martin & Jan, and Nick and Geraldine for a relaxing day at a luxury beach complex. Because of a national holiday, we are not welcome there the day before. All credit to Cunard, they did try to arrange for a two day visit.

Many thanks again for reading. Best wishes, David.

Distant image from QM2

Sailing through the Great Barrier Reef.

Wednesday 14th March 2018.

Today is the first of three sea days before for we dock at our final port of call in Australia. The seas are calm and already it’s a scorcher. And, it can only get hotter. Last night on deck, the heat of the day lingered on. Any southeasterlies have lost their cooling influence, probably in part, because, they are now trailing winds. Right now, there is little to see from the ship, save for an occasional school of flying fish. Few clouds decorate the sky, and the sea is that wonderful shade of azure blue. While I don’t intend spending time inside, there are interesting lectures to attend. This afternoon, we are assured of further glorious scenery as we steam to the area of the Great Barrier Reef.

So, what did I expect from this voyage of four months. Were there disappointments? What was unexpected? What exceeded expectations? (a phrase often used in Cunard publicity material).

Despite a life long desire to go around the world, the reality of having commited myself to such an expedition did fill me with (I suppose) a few misgivings. Many of these were negated, however, by the fact that this journey was a cruise where “everything is taken care of….all I would have to do is sit back and let it all happen”. At each of the 43 ports of call in 23 countries, there would be a huge choice of arranged shore excursions…understandably at an appreciable cost. Extravagant they may be, but visiting most of these places for the first and probably only time, I remain convinced these arranged trips are the most efficient way of seeing as much as possible.(and guaranteeing safe return to the ship!) The evening prior to each port of call, very comprehensive details are issued to each guest along with the following day’s Daily Programme. Thus it is not difficult to arrange your own worthwhile visit if one so wishes. However, there was no mention of the Railway Museum at Ipswich, not a great distance from Brisbane, or, the one at Adelaide. I was more amused than disappointed! I factored all these tour costs in when assessing the overall expected cost and feasibility of this global voyage, as well as other incidentals….but not the expense of necessary trips to the Medical Centre!

In August 2016, I contacted my travel agent and booked the Cunard QM2 World Voyage 2018, and looked forward with considerable pleasure and just a “smidgen” of apprehension to a trip to the other side of the world and back. I had chosen one of the new inside stateroom on deck 13, which I had a look at during a 4 night mini cruise in November 2016.

In April 2017, I was rushed to hospital having suffered(unknown to me) a heart attack. Within days, a quadruple bypass operation had been performed and I came out of hospital rebuilt but fragile. It turned out to be a very close run thing, and in a brief period of utter blackness when I thought it might all be over, I thought in that dark wilderness, “I can’t even make it to January 10th….let alone an autograph from the reigning monarch!” Thankfully, I came round and thus began the long road to recovery….and the real possibility that I could go on this voyage after all. In this blog, I wish to record my enormous gratitude to ALL the staff at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester for their compassion, patience, and expertise for the hugely efficient way they dealt immediately with this sudden and unexpected health issue. Away from hospital, my appreciation goes out to friends and neighbours, my sister and her family, and others, as well as the NHS who helped me through those early alarming stages of recovery. (This blog started out as a “cruise critic”).

I have been on this voyage for 64 very enjoyable days. Generally, the Cunard brochures have kept to their word, and, indeed, have exceeded my expectations….but the “complainers” will be relieved to hear, not entirely! However, I have little to comment about publicly at the moment.

So what has pleased me? I expected the menus to follow what might become a monotonous pattern. Main and other courses do make frequent but welcome appearances. Their lamb shank is as good and tender as I have enjoyed anywhere. But local food is sourced and adds interest to the evening and perhaps also the luncheon menu. The King’s Court, which people, and even I sometimes, love to hate, continually has the widest ranges of food available for most of the day. This area was remodelled in 2016 and although much improved in layout and decor, doesn’t seem to work very much better than previously. But, the food is now hot when previously it often wasn’t. There’s an amazingly wide choice. However, for some reason, guests are not issued with trays on which to carry their food. For such an unjustifiably maligned eatery, it is difficult to find a seat, particularly in the bay windows. This place is always busy and often chaotic. In the evening, sections are converted to speciality dining at modest extra cost. As far as I am concerned, all this is very good. Next door forward, is the Carinthia Lounge, a magnificently reworked area with comfortable seating and low tables. Food is available here too, and today, I shall try this place for lunch. (Right now, very little choice, I will try again in a few minutes). The recently delivered Captain’s noon day address promised temperatures of 84 degrees Fahrenheit…that’ll do!

I do have one complaint that shouldn’t offend too many people, and unlikely to generate “sympathy”. In Melbourne, I booked a shore excursion for which the starring feature was a ride on the Puffing Billy Steam train. A photo of this train crossing a spectacular trestle bridge was featured in the brochure’s description. I booked accordingly, expecting the railway trip to be along the lines of Thomas the Tank engine, and not to be taken too seriously. How wrong I was. We were taken to a superb section of a lovely restored narrow gauge railway, reminiscent of what the Leek and Manifold Railway might have been like today had it not closed in the 1930s. Our coach party took their allocated seats. As promised in the brochure, we travelled for around 20 minutes through exciting terrain to Menzies Creek. This was about 3.5 miles. I would discover that the entire line was around 14 miles. Far better to complete the entire journey than visit further places of (for me) lesser interest. However, all was made up for with two stunning railtours in New Zealand. In fact, ALL the shore excursions have been worth taking and I am impressed greatly with the amount of options on offer. And I can revisit Melbourne’s preserved railway on a future visit.

Given the opportunity, would I do this journey again..? Without hesitation!

Thanks again for reading.

David.

A few pictures. Daily position indicated on stateroom TV Web Cam image from the bridge, taken in my stateroom. Looking towatds Airley Beach No wonder I liked the Museum! Loco built Leeds 1916, worked in France before being exported to Australia for use in Sugar cane industry. There are still 600km of 2ft gauge railway still in use today in this industry.

What a lovely day. I walked from my stateroom straight out onto a sundrenched open deck and looked accross to distant islands giving me an instant desire to stay for a number of days rather than just a few hours. We were anchored off Airlie Beach thus necessitating the use of tenders and hire craft for transfer to the harbour. The warmth was uplifting rather than oppressive. The tender transfer was only slightly chaotic. Nevertheless, an air of over-the-top disgruntlement for the most minor of inconvenience was enough for me to join in the conversation with something along the lines of “sorry, but all this is fabulous…..” The Chelsea faces frowned disappaprovingly as if to indicate I was easily pleased! Eventually, we were escorted to a tiny boat in which we would venture out into the shallow waters in search of turtles. The expectation was that we would see hundreds making momentary appearances. That was the raison d’etre of this excursion. The tour guide, who must have been hugely embarrassed saw just three, another participant two, and me just one for a split second. Neither the guide nor Cunard came in for criticism over the lack of wildlife, but the $70 price tag was frowned upon. I kept out of that one! On arrival back at the harbour, we went our separate ways, me to the local snack shop for a tuna and cottage cheese baguette….now, that really was a rip-off, but I wasn’t bothered. This World Cruise works out at 66p a nautical mile!

In the afternoon, I joined a second shore excursion “Airlie Beach, Sights and History”. I regarded this as a “time passer” and jumped on the coach, making my way to a decent window seat near the back. Immediately, we were in fabulous green countryside. We had sugar cane and coffee fields as well as other stuff pointed out. Eventually, we arrived at the Proserpine Historical Museum. My expectations were not high. But this place housed a wonderfully presented archive of the town, population around 10,000. There were artefacts from people who fought in recent wars and conflicts. There is too much to describe right now, but do Google Proserpine Historical Museum; perhaps you may understand my unexpected enthusiasm. I wasn’t expecting coffee and cake to be part of the deal. This was a gem of a tour in a lovely distant part of the world. Perhaps I will come this away again; they want volunteers at the museum. I just wish I had some appropriate skills!

I returned to a sofa in the Carinthia Lounge where the “easy on the eye” harpist was serenading a handful of passengers. She finished her shift despite a guest’s request for her to keep playing. It’s almost 7pm. I have been sitting here well over an hour, comfortable, content and with a pre-paid de-caff latte to savour. Next and final port of call in Australia, Darwin, after three welcome days at sea. I enjoyed New Zealand and Australia enormously and can’t wait to come back..

Thanks for reading. Very best wishes, David.