2020
is quite a significant decade for us “oldies” and Helen wanted to give the
younger generation a taste of our love of cruising. We opted for a Sydney to
Sydney cruise via New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
It also worked out well as it got us out of the dreadful air
quality that Canberra was suffering as a result of all the bush fires. First
job on any ship is to explore! This picture was less to do with the “coat
hanger” and more to do with the fact there was real grass on the upper deck
where you could play bocce, putt and even put up a tent (for the younger ones)!
I had always wanted to head
out through the Sydney Heads but had not expected it to be with this smoggy view.
Fresh air here we come…..
Of course after the sun set the first goal was to sample the food. Baeddan in particular was
blown away with the service while Helen had decided as this was a 20’s cruise
there was a need for appropriate attire.
The first two days were at
sea which was great as we could enjoy a whole range of activities including
flying fish spotting.
Our first point of call was
Noumea in the ex-French colony of New Caledonia. We had arranged for our own
private tour as mixing it with the almost 3000 on board was not so attractive.
Look at this sky!
After an hour or so going
round the markets and taking in some sights it was time to get some morning
tea. The French connection at least meant we had some good coffee and pastries.
New Caledonia is a quite rich
country due to its three significant Nickel mining operations. Given all the
activity and smelting this was a remarkbly clean site.
And on the other side of the
hill…..just spectacular…..
Helen and I had stayed in New
Caledonia for a week way back in …… One essential visit was the Tjibaou
cultural centre. The various tribes all had variations on the type of hut they
used to live in. The highest chieftan had an extraordinarily tall hut.
Internally was no less impressive.
However,
the centre itself take the architectural prize. The “towers” represent the main
tribes of each region. The centre gets its name from Jean-Marie Tjibaou who
signed the independence treaty with France. Some were so upset with the treaty they
murdered him and his entourage. All that for signing a peace agreement.
The following day was Mystery
Island which belongs to Vanautu. A beautiful little island which has some
fantastic snorkelling and enabled a few of us to get renew our skills.
The island was so called after
a visit from the Queen where a reporter could not ascertain its name and ended
up referrring it as Mystery Island – which then stuck. It is about 50 metres
wide and a couple of hundred long. At the Northern end is a watch tower.
Actually if you look closer maybe it is really just a tower.
Some
of the local (Kanaks) had some good looking food on display but I am not sure given
the heat that eating it would have been a positive experience.
The tenders on the ship were unusuual as there was space on the roof for some travellers which made travelling ashore much more enjoyable.
Day 3 ashore was a stop at Vila, the capital of Vanuatu and where
Michael and I had dived way back on 1997. This time we had six qualified family
members (Michael, Sonia, Lianne, Kellan and Baeddan). The first dive was on a
fabulous reef where it was rewarding to see how much new growth was occurring.
The second was on a wreck called Kunanda. Just to prove I was on the trip….
In addition to the fun of the wreck this unexpected Lion
Fish really grabbed our attention.
Helen took the younger ones on an inland trip to a waterfall
where all seem to be having a great time albeit Daelin needs to stop talking
when swimming under water.
The islands have many stalls offering all sorts of goods but
one service that appealed to many of the younger travellors aboard was having
your hair braided. Kellan also had his done but it quickly fell out after a swim
in the pool and before I could take the mandatory shot.
The fourth shore day was Mare island but it actually ended
up pouring all day and we opted to stay aboard. This is the first time H and I have
not gone ashore on any cruise stop.
Our final island was Lifou which was back at New Calaedonia.
The huts were a little less dramatic but still looked neat and well kept.
For
a small population having two churches within a kilometre of one another was surprising.
This one dates back to 1898.
The
nearby grave yard was neat albeit a mixture of “normal” graves and local sculptures
Coconuts
provided a welcome refreshment and helped to get some funds into the local
economy.
There is of course the need to include at least one shot of our
floating hotel. Not quite a Queen when it comes to looks but very comfortable.
Helen and I had a disabled cabin which was 50% larger than those of the
children (needed for our wheel chairs!!!). The benefits of a Travel Agent in “the
know”. The four adjoining cabins that the younger members had enabled dividers to be folded back so that a large
balcony was available for enjoying cocktails.
The vegetation in the islands is diverse and quite different
to Canberra, none more so than this plant. I have no idea of the name but raspberry
tree seems appropriate.
Getting the tenders aboard is a fascinating exercise that
occupied Daelin.
The last two days were at sea and of course that meant a
larger focus on wining and dining. Lianne had been very creative and looked out
the Halling coat of arms and then produced a T-shirt for each of us. Certainly
made for some interesting looks and discussion from fellow travellers!
The penultimate night our
dinner table team agreed to serve the grandchildren without adults which freed
us up for an up market dinner at the Maruno restaurant. Flambe “lobster” for
Sonia….
And Dover sole for me (de-boned of course)……….
Some pretty satisfied customers! A superb meal at the end of
a wonderful cruise. The children make the dynamics so different! All want to do
it again – enough said!
