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| Is that smoke? Oops. |
G'day,
GREAt Barrier Reef day, leaving at about 80 degrees and high humidity. The Coral Sea felt wonderfully refreshing and endless... right... Half hour out, crew running, open door, smoke blows in..oops. Engines immediately cut. We drift. Blown port turbo (engine... just a tad bit important). We continue on one engine - slowly - while engineers try to replace blown turbo. Suddenly, a 180 degree turn and we limp back to Port Douglas through heavy swells, at snail pace. See crew running about with latex gloves, little white bags and white cloths drenched in water...hmmm.... We remain on top deck, unscathed thanks to sea sickness tablets we have taken prior to boarding. Return to port. Lunch is served, which is perfect as half those aboard disembark, green-faced with nary a glance at delish buffet laid out.
So... we are rebooked for tomorrow which will include yet another fabulous buffet. Yesss...
We wandered through the wonderful Hawaii-like village of Port Douglas. Shops and cafes and palm trees. Sigh. Then a 40 minute beach walk back to the Rydges.
Tonight, dinner at Salsa which turned out to be a perfect 10. See photos.
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| Hotel pet |
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| Lobby |
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| Great anticipation! |
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| The boat which will take us out to floating platform out on the outer edge of the reefs |
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| Leaving Port Douglas |
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| Trying to walk with swells and wind |
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| We had great crew. They all ran around barefoot and totally sure-footed. |
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| The swells which at slower speeds are felt much more strongly. |
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| Port Douglas |
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| Maybe we should have taken that little guy out??!! |
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| Lunch at arrival at port |
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| The Sunshine State!! |
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| dinner tonight |
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| Salsa |
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| The town |
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| Where we will eat Tuesday Hand-made pasta! |
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| The Whileaway Coffee Joint and bookstore |
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| Thirty minute walk back to hotel along beach |
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| Hmmmmm.... wonder if if one of the bunch of animals that can kill you in Ozland!! |
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| Back at hotel for quick swim |
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| Dinner at 8, at Salsa |
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| Good start |
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| Bartender who talked about how terrible it is to have so many people (500 a day, 6 months of the year)jump off boats around the reef area..the salinity they add...the sunscreen etc... ugh |
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| Chef and owner Billl |
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| Smoked Mahi Mahi potato salad in special cucumber gazpacho |
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| Mimi's delish kingfish with miso glaze, cauliflower puree, ginger croquette, seven pepper-spiced prawn salad. Groan.... |
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