ACTIVE VOLCANO

This is Mt Vulcan on New Britain Island in New Guinea. This baby wiped out Rabaul in 1994 and was actively belching all day while we were moored only a couple of miles away at Rabaul.

CAIRNS & THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

2 March 2009 – Cairns (pronounced cans) Australia -- This is where most people come when they want to visit the Great Barrier Reef. It is a small city and fairly low rise with green mountains and mangroves around that reminded us of the Virgin Islands. Cairns has several nice hotels and a number of shaded esplanades kind of like cities on the Costa del Sol in Spain. Some of the hotels had casinos, but Brian did not check them out. The main business district is a combination of beach tourist shops, jewelry shops and high-end (think Gucci) clothing and accessory shops.

We, of course, went on a tour to the Great Barrier Reef. The reef is so far off shore that it took us 90 minutes on a high-speed catamaran to reach it. It was pretty bouncy on the way out there and quite a few people got either queasy or sick. Mary took Clyde outside to get some air and they stayed there the whole trip out. We arrived at a floating platform that is permanently anchored over the reef and were there for 4 hours.

The reef was everything we had hoped and more. An amazing profusion of corals of every shape and color as well as many types of colorful fish – including several types we had never seen before. Snorkeling was great!! They also had a glass-bottomed boat you could go out on and an underwater observation platform. As always Clyde made some friends (see pics).

Next stop Rabaul, New Guinea.

NO MAL DE MER HERE

Despite the rocky ride Mary was enjoying herself on the catamaran ride out to the reef.

MAL DE MER

We had no idea that wombats could get seasick. They crew said throw the sickness bag overboard after use -- biodegradable bag and the fish (disgustingly) like the contents for lunch.

CLYDE'S NEW FRIENDS

John is from Nebraska and a truly nice guy. He has been on the cruise since the beginning, but this is Clyde's first opportunity for a photo with him. Their photo is on the floating island near the Great Barrier Reef.

Clyde met Emily in a jewely store in Cairns where Mary was doing her bit to stimulate the local economy. If you look closelyyou will note that Clyde was modeling a few pieces of jewelry.

WOMBATS SNORKEL - WHO KNEW?

Clyde getting ready to explore Great Barrier Reef. Note that he is also wearing sea bands against seasickness.

DELORES A LONG WAY FROM HOME

Here is our friend and table-mate Delores outside of Brisbane at the Koala Sanctuary.