Viking Cruise 2019

FEBRUARY 27, 2020 CRUISING THE INDIAN OCEAN What can one say about just another sea day? Well, this evenings shrimp curry dish was the best meal I have had on the Viking Sun. So good that I ordered a second helping. That was dessert. I had intended to offer Kitaro's " Silk Road Theme " at a different time on this voyage but our route has changed. Enjoy this masterpiece now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMaupYWRMpE

FEBRUARY 26, 2020 THURSDAY ISLAND, AUSTRALIA Surprise - SUN. The weather forecast of thundershowers was dead wrong - who is this meteorologist? Arriving at Thursday Island ..... Temperature - 33; wind - still; humidity - a steamy 90%; sweat - profuse. Still, we didn't stay long in this seriously podunk town. A ten minute walk up and down the main drag is all there is, though presumably there are areas outside of town that might be interesting.    Thursday Island is a replacement stop, one seldom used by cruise lines due to the lack of worthwhile highlights as well as the long distance needed for tendering. In our case it was a matter of necessity, which explains why it was merely a six hour visit. When the SUN pulled up stakes, we passed a lighthouse guarding the harbour. Next stop - Darwin. David Friedman " For Erin ". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MFE_31LepI

FEBRUARY 25, 2020 CRUISING THE ARAFURA SEA We definitely are in the rainy season here. Despite heavy overcast, the sea is calm. There are a series of cyclones in this area to our west; if we are lucky we might skirt them. In the Southern Hemisphere, cyclones are simply tropical lows, not tornadoes, though they can develop into what we call hurricanes.  Looks like we will see little sun for the next several days. As Captain Lars continually reminds us, "it is what it is". A sound philosophy. This is what Windy.com has to say (show) about our current situation:  https://www.windy.com/-10.762/142.701?rain,-17.001,142.720,6 Pssst - increase the scope of your view with the mouse. Some people have indicated they they will be leaving Viking Sun in Darwin or Bali in light of the prevailing coronavirus threat, which makes this a sensible decision for people with respiratory issues or other medical conditions. This evening eight of us decided to secure a large table in the W...

FEBRUARY 24, 2020 TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA After being chased away from Airlie Beach by foul weather, it didn't get much better in Townsville. This is the view from Castle Hill on a sunny day.    This is what we saw today. Yes, it was raining. But that didn't stop us from visiting Billabong Sanctuary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L5lecwOP8Y It rained there too but we took pix of Karen and some of her friends. In addition to the koala and wombat above, we saw cassowary, emu, dingo, wallaby, crocodile, turtles, pademelon, echidna plus various types of birds, snakes and lizards. Quite a place!  BTW - Billabong   is an  Australian  term for an oxbow lake, an isolated pond left behind after a river changes course. Later we had a formal "tea" with good friends who were returning home to Victoria that evening.   Time to lighten things a bit. Once again Sophie Zelmani entertains us with one of her many vibrant tun...

FEBRUARY 23, 2020 AIRLIE BEACH, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, AUSTRALIA This is what we were hoping to see: Having already been to Airlie Beach several years ago in ideal conditions, Karen and I elected to take a four hour "Tropical Paradise Rain Forest Walk". But wait!. Before the Viking Sun even arrived at Airlie Beach this morning Captain Lars announced that the height of the sea swells would make tendering too difficult for passenger safety and the stop was cancelled. All things considered - the all-day rains, gusty winds, fog, 200-yard visibility and unfavourable swells, Lars's decision to cancel Airlie is the right one. So, the ship turned around and headed for Townsville. Too bad, so sad. Last evening we received an IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT from Viking Head Office. Since 14 Asian ports have been deleted from the itinerary, Viking will compensate all passengers in the form of a Future Cruise Voucher which can be used on any future Viking river or ocean voyage valid f...

FEBRUARY 22, 2020 CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA Oh, I forgot to mention yesterday that I found the coronavirus. It's at Cairns Botanic Garden and it's much larger than reported, about four inches across: Although it rained buckets this morning, the weather eventually improved so I could take this photo from the Viking Sun looking towards downtown. Moving to the other side of the ship, this is what the harbour looks like: As planned, we lunched at The Chambers again. Same wonderful meal. Nirvana. Bottom line - Cairns is a delightful, welcoming city. Karen and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and wish the ship could spend more time here. It is what it is. In 1785 Mozart composed his familiar Piano Concerto #21. Almost 200 years later, in 1967, a movie titled " Elvira Madigan " used Mozart's Concerto as its theme music. Ever since, Mozart's composition has been known as Elvira Madigan . Funny how that happens.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3QC4Uc...