On Moreton Island, we were supposed to do 4 shore excursions: a cruise of the Marine Aquatic Park (intentionally scuttled ships providing artificial reefs), snorkeling the same area, parasailing, and a 4-wheel ATV adventure. Our tender to the shore stopped halfway, as winds and storm conditions suddenly flared up. We had to go back to the ship, all tours canceled.

Wallaby (smaller).

Pretty cute, although might want steer clear of those claws.

....and some other, other guys.

Also, some other guys.

Lots of koalas and ‘roos.

We’re in Brisbane, where we went to the wonderful Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

We sailed out after dark. Going back under the wonderful bridge, and back by the Opera House one last time.

Back to Sydney for a moment.....if you’re a fan of swooping bold textures with nary a 90° angle in sight, the Sydney Opera House is for you.

Just listened to the Dodgers trounce Arizona 12-5, on Opening Day! (as we pull into Brisbane)

Ahh, Sydney. The iconic Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The latter is regarded, we are told, as “the coat hanger”. To be phonetically pronounced without the “h”....kao-tangah.

around Eden

I’ve never been much of an oyster guy, but I may reconsider. Tasty!

Each individual oyster, after being sorted by size, is momentarily analyzed by computer imaging, and is thus also sorted by quality.

Eden, Australia is famous for whales & seafood. Not to suggest those 2 things are related. We went to a local oyster farm, and an hour later I know a whole lot more about oysters than I did yesterday.

Quite late last night we sat out on the little veranda off our stateroom, and watched a lightning storm off on the horizon, for over an hour. Too far away to capture a photo or video of course, but it was still pretty impressive, dramatic flashes every 6-8 seconds.

Chaise lounge cushions in the pool. (It’s windy)

Today is a sea day, on our way from Phillip Island to Eden. The Captain does a daily noon announcement, location updates, how many nautical miles to next port, etc. Today: rough seas (19 foot swells), and “strong gale” winds, which translates to over 50 mph. We’re like a cork bobbing around in a swirling bathtub, it’s a lot of fun!

So, today we took a local charter boat out to a sea lion rookery, on Phillip Island, SE of Melbourne.

More Melbourne.

Out & about in Melbourne. Setting foot in Australia means we’ve visited every continent. Not so long ago Antarctica was impossible to check off the list, but we got that done a couple of years ago. (We have pledged to go back!)

So, for the last 48 hours we’ve been traversing the Tasman Sea, we’ve left New Zealand behind, and are headed to Australia. The previous 2 days were cold and rainy and foggy and windy, but this morning we woke up to blue skies and temps allowing us to have our veranda door propped open. Breakfast on deck, with bright skies & a beautiful view. We’ll dock in Melbourne tomorrow.

Very reminiscent of the fjords in Norway.