Sorry have not posted for a while you know how busy it can get. Cairns was a great port of call. We have been there before but had not done the Kuranda area where you go up by train and then can come back by coach or skyrail. We were a little lazy that morning then had emails to do so by the time we got off the ship it was about 9.00 a.m. We found that the train left at 9.30 am and we had to “speed walk” through town to the station. It is only about five blocks away. We made it in plenty of time and the train journey is about 1 ½ hours long. It was okay been on better trains. At the top it is pretty touristy but it was a great day, sunny but not too hot, so we had fun just wandering around. There are a bunch of wildlife parks at the top but we chose not to do these have done this type of thing so often in the past. You can hold a koala and get your picture taken so if you have not done that it is a nice thing to do.

Coming back we took the skyrail and we absolutely loved that. I would recommend that to anyone who does not have a fear of heights or concerns about a gondola type ride. It is really high off the ground – never been on a gondola that high before. It went right on top of the hills and the rainforest canopy. You could hear all the birds and see the forest so well. I thought it was spectacular. We then came back to town and walked around. There really was not enough time in Cairns. It is a lovely area and the small town of Port Douglas is only about an hour away. Ken and I spend a week in Port Douglas a few years back and would loved to have gone back and retraced our steps.

Next stop was Hayman Island. A very expensive resort and a “leading hotel of the world”. We had about four hours ashore in two groups and use of the facilities of the hotel. It was really a delightful morning. I did get a tour of the hotel and see basic rooms up to the big suites. Basic rooms start at $650 Australian. The food costs were high as to be expected about $20 for a hamburger. Whenever I see these resorts I always think about what a good value cruising really is, the resorts are lovely but expensive.

We have continued to have absolutely incredible weather. Calm seas from the first day until today and the weather forecast predicts more good weather. This may be a blessed cruise and they may have a great Tasman Sea crossing as well. The food has been good and our dinners so very enjoyable. Cant believe it is already coming to an end the two weeks just flew by. The longer the trips I take the more I want to stay on board for a longer period of time. One of these days a world cruise will be in my future. Quite a long time away from now but one day!!!!

By the way the girl in the picture I posted from the Halloween party is Muriel for those of you who cannot recoginize her.