Port Louis, Mauritius

It’s a port day!! Yea. We were so excited to be able to hop off the ship this morning and touch solids ground!! I was up at 5:30am and ready for the day about an hour before Megan was. I had a fantastic conversation with Valerie and Mom before we headed off to the Lido for our breakfast. Then it was off to the Main Stage to meet our excursion group. This morning the line to check in for our excursion was the longest it had ever been. Everyone wanted to get off and go and explore today after having been on the ship for so long. We had a lovely excursion today called the “The Tea Route”. We visited two colonial mansions that were built in 1872. The homes were absolutely beautiful and the grounds were amazing. So many plants and trees and flowers. Some I have never seen before in my life. One mansion had a vanilla plantation on the property and so many greenhouses growing plants and flowers. We visited a tea factory and got to see the process of making tea from field to the little bag you put in your hot water. We got to see some animals, Megan climbed a tree, and we played on not one, but TWO different teeter totters. And yes, my back is feeling much better and I am so glad so I could be a big kid and “play” today. We went to a most majestic overlook and got to see the ocean below and the waves crashing. Sadly, you are not allowed to swim at this beach. It would have been nice to dip my toes in the ocean here. We got to sample tea today, I got to sample some rum, we had a lovely lunch and Megan and I got ice cream from an old school ice cream truck. We also got to see three Tamil Temples around Mauritius. The population of Mauritius is 47% Indian and there we temples all over the island. They were beautiful, colorful and so intricately designed. It was a long 8 hours on and off the bus today. But I really feel like we saw quite a bit of this new destination that I had never visited before. We got back to the ship around 4:30pm and decided not to eat dinner in the Main Dining room tonight. We went up and spent a bit of time at the aft deck pool area watching the sunset and then we went and had dinner. As we were finishing up, the ship pulled away from the dock and we headed back out to sea. Tomorrow morning we will arrive in La Possession, Reunion. Another new and exciting adventure awaits us there. I am exhausted and feel like I super “bulleted” our tour for today. But I will let all the photos talk for themselves. I hope, if even on some small level, you feel like you were here and a part of our journey today. Hugs from almost half way around the world!!

Sea Day 7 of 7

It’s our last sea day of this seven day crossing from Australia to Mauritius. We have enjoyed everyone of them. I was awake at 4:30am again thanks to the time change last night. I was feeling good so I got myself up and was there when the gym opened at 6:00am. Got in a gentle hour in the elliptical and I am hopeful I am not sore tomorrow morning. After some cool down time I headed back to wake up Megan to start our day. We had breakfast this morning at the Pinnacle Grill and then headed to Project Linus. Megan finished her blanket today and got to turn it in!! I was so proud of her. After Project Linus Megan went off to do school work and I went to work on my blog and updated our excursion calendar. Time to start looking ahead at what we have coming up so we can research, learn about, and be prepared for our journeys. Not long after I got deep into my work, Henjie came and told me that medical was looking for me to screen me to make a blog donation for the passenger from last night. So down I went to medical. They were excited to see a younger donor and I was excited to make a donation, only one problem, acupuncture excluded me from being qualified to donate blood. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. But rules are rules. Ironically shortly thereafter I went to see Dr. Kim for my acupuncture treatment. I told him how disappointed I was and he said in this day and age with the disposable, one use, sterile acupuncture needles, it didn’t seem right to exclude me either. Oh well, I told them to reach back out to me if they changed their minds. After my treatment I headed home to finish up the project I had started earlier. Tonight we had dinner with Gail and Marty in the main dining room. You can request a chef’s choice Indian food meal a few days in advance and it will be prepared for you and/or your guests. We have never done it before and didn’t even know it could be done. We had a fantastic meal inclusive of many traditional Indian dishes. We weren’t 100% sure of what we were eating, but we enjoyed all of it. We will definitely do it again. As always a meal with Marty and Gail goes on for so long. We always have such lovely conversation and we before we knew it it was almost 9:00pm. Megan and I headed home to get ready for tomorrow. We arrive into Mauritius in the early morning and have an 8 hour excursion. But I will tell you al about that tomorrow. Enjoy the photo of tonight sunset with the rain storm in the distance. We’ve had such beautiful sunsets on this crossing. Sweet dreams and Happy March to you all.

Sea Day 6 of 7

Good morning from over 11,000 miles away (to California). We are wrapping up our week at sea and are enjoying the down time immensely. On the same token though I am ready to set foot on solid ground and to see some new, wonderful countries, experience new cultures and try new food. We started our morning pretty much as normal today. I was up earlier than I wanted to be and since I couldn’t go to the gym yet and didn’t want to wake up Megan, and went and sat on our patio and just breathed on the salt air. And let the wind mess up my hair. And watched the clouds change colors as the sun came up. It was a pretty magical time out there, just me and the big blue sea. I’m glad I took the time to just be in the moment. I woke up Megan just before 8:00am so we could go to the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast. After breakfast we went and did Project Linus. Megan is almost finished with her blanket and I now have a couple going at one time now. I am making one with personal yarn to donate the school for blind and deaf children we are going to in a few weeks. There is another passenger that is also making a blanket for us to take as well. We are also going to do some shopping in the next few weeks to buy some supplies to donate as well. After Project Linus I took some time to work on my blog this afternoon before I headed to a 2:00pm acupuncture appointment. Dr. Kim seems to know his stuff. My back is now about 80% back to normal and I am hoping to go to gym again tomorrow morning….I know slow and easy. This evening was Hollywood themed. We were encouraged to dress as our favorite movie stars or in our red carpet finest. There were decorations throughout the second floor of the ship and cardboard cutouts of movie stars that we could take photos with. I got a great one with George Clooney. The main dining room even themed each dish after a movie. We didn’t have dinner in the main dining room tonight but I attached a copy of the menu for your viewing pleasure. It made me smile. We had dinner in the Pinnacle Grill before all the festivities with compliments of our amazing cruise company, Cruise Specialists. We felt appreciated, pampered and spoiled. We had a wonderful meal and got to enjoy getting to know better a lovely couple from Florida we had met earlier in the cruise. Just at the conclusion of dinner there was a ship wide announcement looking for immediate blood donors for passengers who had blood type O- or A+. Ballgown in all I went to the cabin to get my blood donor card and went to guest services to put my name on the list. There were over 30 people within 10 minutes who put their name on a list to help the immediate needs of a fellow passenger. It really warmed my heart to see everyone coming together so quickly for the well being of another. I have not been asked to donate but I will if asked. After that Megan and I hit the red carpet. They had all the glitz and glam up, a Hollywood sign and the paparazzi were out in full force. Megan gave a wonderful rendition of a young Audrey Hepburn (there were two others but she was far the cutest and definitely the youngest). I was channeling Glenda the good witch from the Wizard of Oz. I told people I was sorry that I had left my crown in my bubble. Great idea for a future Halloween party costume. I bought my dress a few months before the world cruise and tonight was my first opportunity to wear it. It is covered in glitter and I definitely left my mark everywhere I went. Glitter bombs everywhere I sat. At 10:00pm we headed to the Crow’s nest on deck 10 where two Navigational officers gave us an education on the history of navigation tools including a sextant. They talked about the celestial bodies that were currently overhead and then we went outside and had to opportunity to do some star gazing. The highlight of my evening was getting to see the Southern Cross. It was so windy up there, I almost had Marilyn Monroe moment in my dress. By the time we were done it was time to head home and hit the hay. It turned out to be a full day and lots of activities throughout the evening. Tonight we set the clocks back yet again. That will make it 12 hours difference from CA time. Time to eat breakfast while the family is eating dinner. LOL!! Please pray for the passenger who needed the blood, we don’t know the details, but I’m sure he or she could use your prayers. Sweet dreams.

Sea Day 5 of 7

Today is another restful, peace filled sea day. I was up at 4:30am thanks to the time changes but I was happily able to go back to sleep till 6:30am. I slept so good last night, thanks to the fresh air and the cosmopolitans. I woke up so refreshed. Megan I went to the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast this morning. Then we were off to project Linus for some crochet time. I started a new blanket yesterday and didn’t like the way it looked so I took it out and restarted it two more times before I decided I didn’t like the stitch so I restarted it a third time. Sometime you just have to “feel” the stitch because you have to do it so many times over and over you better be enjoying what you are doing. After crochet we headed home to get out room ready for tonight’s block party. We had one earlier in the cruise and it’s a time to socialize in the hallway on the floor you live on. Staff members come through the hallway pouring wine and passing appetizers. It was a lot of fun last time and I looked forward to doing it again. We also have a few friends excited to see our tropical themed room that hadn’t seen it yet and we’re excited to show it off. Megan went to tutoring at 12:30pm and then to Catan at 3:00pm. I had an acupuncture appointment at 3:00pm and we talked about the benefits of using acupuncture for weight loss so I am going to give it a go and see if I can benefit from the treatment while I am still on restrictions physically because of my back. I have nothing to lose….except weight. Next, it was time for the block party. Everyone got a chance to wander the hall, bring your empty wine glass, and crew members walked the floor with bottles of wine and champagne filling the glasses. We had several guests come through our “Hawaiian” themed cabin to get some decorating ideas for future cruises. Everyone loved how personalized our room is and how hard we work to make it feel home. Past cruisers enjoyed seeing recent photos of Valerie and my mom as well on my photo wall. It is really someplace I love coming home to. After the block party it was 5:00pm and time for dinner. We had a great dinner and then headed home. I grabbed my crocheting and headed to the Main stage for the 7:00pm performance by Elijah Rock Celebration of Classic Crooner. I love the classic music and enjoyed his performance. By the time I got home Megan was heading off to play cards with Gail and Marty. It was another lovely Sea Day. I think tomorrow I will take some time to just be outside. But for now it is bed time and I am glad to not have a time change tonight. Sweet dreams to all.

Sea Day 4 of 7

Another early morning. But no gym this morning. I was up before the sun again this morning. We lost another hour last night so I headed up to Lido area at 6:00am ship time so I could FaceTime Valerie and we could catch up. It was 4:00pm to her. She and I got to talk and we went through the mail that had arrived since the last time we sorted it. Mostly trash but a few things I need to handle now and a few things that can wait till I get home. She is doing so well at home with Nana. She told me today she couldn’t believe the cost of groceries. It is funny to hear her talk about the things I do everyday as being a surprise to her. She mostly prepares the meal that are delivered from Hello Fresh and does some grocery shopping for the other meals she cooks. After I talked to her I went home and grabbed my computer and took it to the Neptune lounge so I could write my blag from last night I did not get to finish. I must admit I spent about two hours in the lounge and never got the blog post done. I had three lovely conversations with different passengers and had a pleasant time socializing the morning away. I went and woke up Megan around 8:30am and then went to the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast solo. Then I made it to Project Linus and got to turn in my completed blanket. I also grabbed some yarn and got a jump on my next blanket. I am going to try another new pattern and I am excited to try something different. I did finally get my blog from yesterday done after Project Linus. Megan went off to eat brunch with her friends. I was still full from breakfast and then she had tutoring at 12:30pm. She is working on her math review and state testing preparations. I took care of a few things that “had to be done” bills, etc. this afternoon. We had dinner in the Main dining room tonight at our normal 5:00pm time and had the pleasure of the company of Cat who is the Port Shopping and Effy jewelry supervisor on the ship. He is from Romania and it was interesting learning about how he came to work for Holland America some 13 years ago. He started in the photographer department, spent several years as an art auctioneer and has now worked his way up to where he is now. After dinner we were invited to attended a cocktail party with the captain on Deck 11 where the cabanas are. They aren’t utilized much on the world cruise but the are quite popular in the summer and when there are more passengers on the ship. I got a chance to take a photo with Joy and Henjie who take such wonderful care of us in the Neptune Lounge. It was a lovely evening. The weather was warm, there was a cool breeze blowing, and the music was pumping. It was one the most beautiful sunsets we have seen yet this trip. It bought joy to my heart to witness this majestic sight out here in the middle of the Indian Ocean so far from everything. I went and supervised Megan and her friends swimming at the pool till 9:00pm when the pool closed. AND then…we went to the 9:30 performance in the Main Stage tonight. A comedian, that also uses Yo-Yo’s in his act. It was entertaining. I was exhausted by the end of the night. There wasn’t much time between my head hitting the pillow and me falling fast asleep. We set the clocks back yet another hour tonight. So we are continuously adjusting the the time changes, but we are pushing through. I am blessed to be where I am right now. Love and hugs to all my nearest and dearest.

There is also a photo below of the snow on the mountains near my home town. NOT something that we have seen as long as we have lived there.

Sea Day 3 of 7

Good morning. Happy Sea Day. It was another up and running morning for me as I got up at 5:30am and snuck out so the room so I could go to the gym. I did the elliptical and the seating bike this morning and now think I probably shouldn’t have done the bike. After my workout I one home to wake up Megan and we headed to breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill. After breakfast I went to visit my friends at Project Linus and say good morning but I did not crochet with them today because I had a 10:00am appointment with the acupuncturist. He and I decided I went a little too hard too fast back to the gym so I am going to take a couple of days off again and rest my back. I don’t do “slow” very well and I thought I was pulling back, but obviously not enough. After my appointment I went home to rest a half an hour, the recommended wait time, so I could then go and soak in the hot tub for a bit. It was relaxing and I believe therapeutic as well. The rest of the afternoon I really didn’t do anything. I rested, relaxed, and just breathed. I watched the man clean the floor and windows in our cabin. I also had a chance to finish up my 6^th project Linus blanket.  I will turn it in tomorrow during our crochet time.  At 4:00pm today we had a gathering in the Neptune lounge for all the ladies in the suites.  There was a woman on the ship who desired to meet and get to know her neighbors better so she coordinated this event.  By the end of the gathering, plans were already in the works for the next one.  It was also dressy night tonight so we had fun getting dressed up for dinner.  Megan has a new dress we bought for the cruise and she hadn’t had the opportunity to wear it yet, so tonight was the night.  She got SO many compliments tonight on how cute she looked.  We then went to dinner at 5:00pm in the main dining room.  After dinner we cruised through the casino and I had a chance to figure out how the room key works in the machines just like a credit card.  You can put any demonization into the machine as credits and it charges it right to your ship account.  I made a $20 donation to the casino and Megan got a little taste of (watching) gambling.  Next, we had another cocktail party sponsored by our amazing travel company Cruise Specialist.  It was lovely catching up and seeing our friends and the cruise hosts and hostess that are on board.  We haven’t yet had the opportunity to do any excursions with them yet, but that will happen later in the cruise. We headed home at the conclusion of the cocktail party.  I was ready for sleep.  We were greeting by our towel animal for the evening, a bird had taken flight inside our cabin. Megan went swimming again tonight with some of the other young ladies on the ship and they closed down the pool around 8:45pm.  Tonight we set the clocks back yet another hour.  We are now 14 hours ahead of California.  It’s getting harder to communicate with people at home.  I am having breakfast when they are getting ready for dinner.  But you make it work.  Those things that are of the most importance to you, you can always find or make the time for.  Sending you our love and blessings from across the sea.  

Sea Day 2 of 7

Good morning once again from out in the India Ocean. It was a lovely sea day. I started my morning by easing myself back into the gym this morning. Half the resistance, half the elevation and half the time on the elliptical. Followed by a leisurely walk on the treadmill. I also did a few weight machines at a lower weight and less sets than I normally would have. It was hard to put on the brakes and hold myself back, but I don’t want to re-injure myself so I will do what I need to do. After breakfast I went home and woke up Megan and we headed to the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast. After breakfast we went to Project Linus. I wound up spending the rest of the morning into the early afternoon crocheting today. I am almost done with my sixth blanket and I wanted to try and get it done. Megan went to a presentation this afternoon on corral reefs and took three pages of notes for her science lesson for the day. Next, Megan had tutoring at 12:30pm. I am so proud to announce Megan has completed all her required math curriculum for the entire school year. She will continue to work on preparing for state testing and reviewing for the remainder of the cruise. She did a fantastic job putting her time and energy into accomplishing what she had to do and she got it done. At 1:00pm the Main Stage had a showing of the 2022 movie “The Menu”. Megan had seen it previously with with my son Kevin in the theater and she was excited to see it again. It was a rather macabre horror/thriller movie. It had you laughing, I’ll say somewhat uncomfortably, by the end of the film. Throughout the movie, passengers left the theater due to its gruesomeness, but to each their own. After the movie was over Megan went to play Catan. We had reservations this evening for dinner at the Tamarind restaurant. The “pop up” asian inspired restaurant that happens at what is normally the Pinnacle Grill a couple of evenings per month. I had exactly what I had last time, a dragon roll and a wonderful coconut Thai fish dish. I was so full by the time we left. Mostly, due to the baskets of shrimp chips they serve you before the meal that are made fresh here on the ship. I was full before the entree even came to the table. It was a great dinner and I was all snuggled into my cozies shortly after dinner. Megan went off to meet a couple of the other young ladies from the ship at the pool. That girl definitely keeps going later than I do in the evening, but in my defense I get up much earlier than she does. I go back to the acupuncturist tomorrow and will keep seeing him a while until I am fully healed. I will be up early tomorrow to go to the gym if I feel o.k. after my workout today. Another night of amazing sleep ahead for me. Happiness is gently rocking on the ship. Considering the insomnia I experience at home regularly, perhaps I am destined to live on ship sometime…hmmmmm…something to think about. Sweet dreams to you all.

My dragon roll, Showing off my new Tahitian black pearl earrings and my updo, and rocking my somewhat”batik” styled dress for the night. Sorry no photos of Megan today. I’ll get her tomorrow!!

Sea Day 1 of 7

Today was the first of seven sea days aboard the MS Zuiderdam. Time for some earned rest and catching up with our friends. We slept in till 9:00am this morning. I woke up a few times before but I kept making myself go back to sleep. I wasn’t even hungry for breakfast this morning so I got up and dress and headed to Project Linus early. Got a great time to talk with Debbie and Ginny, my fellow window aka “cat” ladies. We caught up on what everyone had done in the two days we were in port and crocheted the morning away. I headed back to the cabin around 11:30 and dropped off my sewing bag and went to the Lido and grabbed a salad for lunchroom the salad bar. I love the make your own salad options on the ship. It’s always exactly the way I want it. LOL!! After lunch I spent some time crocheting in my cabin, photo copying and helping Megan with school work, and sending off some laundry. Next it was time for our final 2020 World Cruise reunion event. Through the graciousness of our friend Pete from cruise critic and many others who donated time and money, we have a champagne toast and shared one last bon voyage to the memories of our 2020 adventure in Fremantle. We all got a wonderful favor bag of sweets and a commemorative luggage tag with a special logo designed by one of the passengers. They had door prizes for those who took the longest to get home, get their luggage, etc… Megan won the “award” for being the youngest returning 2020 World Cruise passenger. It was a lovely was to remember and reflect one last time on the events of March 22/23 2020. I celebrate the new memories that were made and how far we have come since that day. After the celebration we headed to the Main dining room for our dinner at 5:00pm. After dinner we headed back to the cabin and I changed into cozies so I could go to my 7:30pm appointment with the acupuncturist. I am happy to announce I have been cleared to return to the gym starting tomorrow with the understanding that I must go slowly and carefully and not push myself too hard too fast. I am so excited it has been a full two weeks since I got to work out. I have not gained any weight, but I wish to continue on my weight loss and my health improvement journey, so this is truly another reason to celebrate. It also means I am feeling better and I am 80% of the way back to normal. (Well as normal as I was to begin with anyway). After the acupuncture appointment I headed home and got myself ready for and tucked into bed. Looking forward to a good nights rest and an early start tomorrow. Also, time to set back out clocks another hour. So that makes us now 15 hours behind you Californians. Be nice about what time you call, text, message me. Megan and I also cracked into a beautiful box of chocolates gifted to us by Holland America for Valentine’s Day. There were two special chocolate pieces in the box that had the 2023 World Cruise logo on the them. What a super special touch!! 

I’d also love to take a moment to give a thanks, shout out and recognition all you who post comments on my blog. I love reading every one of them and I have a few responses to get back to you all with. I treasure even comment I receive and I wanted to say thank you so much for sending them.  Sweet dreams to you all!!

Fremantle, Australia Day 2

Good morning from Fremantle Day 2. Today was an early start for us. Alarm went off at 6:30 am so we could be ready to be off the ship by 7:30am. We grabbed a quick breakfast in the Lido and then we were off the ship among very few passengers this morning. We grabbed an Uber and ventured to Perth, Australia, about an hour away to the Caversham Wildlife Park. This was our last opportunity to get to hold a Koala before we departed Australia and I was going to do everything in my abilities to make it happen. The park opened at 9:00am so I made sure we were there by 8:30am. They sell the Koala holding experience tickets first come first served, no reservations available. Needless to say Megan and I were the first two people into the park this morning and purchase our tickets, #1 and #2. The holding was at 12:00 noon so we had a few hours to enjoy the park. We spent an hour in the kangaroo enclosure feeding and bonding with the different breeds of kangaroo they had there. It was still cool and they were hungry early in the morning so it was a fantastic experience. We saw several Kangaroos with their Joey’s still in their pouches with various body parts hanging it. It was a little like an alien movie. We got to attend the “Farm Show” where we watched a sheep get sheered and Megan had the opportunity to bottle feed a baby lamb. Then, we got to go and have an up close meeting with Cali the Wombat and Lilah (happy nana moment) the baby Quokka, and we also got to hold an Olive Python. Then we walked through the reptile area before heading to the Koala photo session. Every guest of the park gets to have their photo taken with a Koala and pet it with the back of your hand. There we met Sunshine the Koala. By then it was noon and it was time, drumrolls, nervous excitement and overwhelming feelings of appreciation washed over me. They called our numbers and we were given a fleece vest to put on over our clothes and the employee brought us Fred the Koala to hold and cuddle and take hundreds of photos with. It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it. The port of Fremantle now holds an especially traumatic and an amazingly wonderful memory for me!! We grabbed something to eat at the cafe and hydrated before we went to the gift shop for some souvenirs before getting an Uber to take us back to the ship. What a wonderful blessing it was to be able to fulfill that lifelong dream of holding a Koala. I collected stuffed Koala’s when I was a little girl and they have always held a special place in my heart as long as I can remember. When we got back to the ship it was time to relax a bit before heading out to the sail away party. A therapeutic ending and some closure that I didn’t even realize I needed. So I bid Fremantle adieu and put some new wonderful experiences into my memory banks. We also say goodbye to Australia. As we now head south toward Mauritius. We will be at sea for a week before we get to touch land again. Time to catch up on some rest, have a few more treatments, catch up with friends and hear about their adventures the last couple of days, and hopefully slowly return to the gym and my exercise routine. I am about 75% back to normal and am happy to say I can mostly bend over without winching anymore. Thank you all for taking the time to read and enjoy our adventures along with us. There is quite a few photos to see from today and one “Where’s Waldo” (Megan) photo to enjoy. It’s time to hit the showers cause despite the cuteness factor of a Koala, they are also equally as stinky. Good night and Hugs from abroad.

Fremantle, Australia

Good morning from Fremantle. I had a bit of an emotional reaction when I look outside this morning. Seeing the gangway that read welcome to Fremantle and being at the exact same spot we disembarked that horrible day in March of 2020. Took my breath away a little bit. But today is a new day and new adventures awaited us. We grabbed breakfast in the lido and met our excursion group at 9:00 am. We took a bus and visited the Fremantle prison. It was in existence from the time is was built by convict labor in 1852 until it was decommissioned in 1991 when the new prison opened. Prisoners were tortured there mentally and physically. Megan begrudgingly volunteered to be the “prisoner” and they demonstrated how the  inmate was flogged and whip at a whipping post. We also saw the gallows where they hung 44 prisoners over the years. We heard some great stories and enjoyed the history of the buildings. From there we took the bus to the West Australian Maritime Museum. We got to see the history of boating in history from fishing up to the America’s cup competition. There is a submarine on sight as well but it is currently closed to the public because it is getting repainted.  After our tour we headed back to the ship for the afternoon. Today is Fat Tuesday and there is a Mardi Gras celebration on the ship tonight. We saw them setting up all the decorations. They hid gold coins all over the ship and Megan and I spent an hour hunting for them as part of a scavenger hunt. We found 17 of them. After we hunted we decided it was a great opportunity to get to go swimming and Megan wanted to try out a new pool toy/ball she bought today. It was about 86 degrees today so it was a lovely way to pass the time and beat the heat. There was a contest tonight for whoever found the most gold coins. But we were not on the ship because we went  back out this evening for a dinner cruise on the Swam River.  The lights from the river were beautiful to see. We cruised all the way from Perth back up to Fremantle and right by the Zuiderdam. It was lovely to get to see the ship from the water looking back. Especially at night. We made it back to the dock around 10:00pm and then had approximately about a hour bus ride back to the ship. We got on the bus loudly and jovial from the dinner cruise and by the time we got back to the ship half the passengers had fallen asleep, Megan included. It was a long and late night and I was happy to be home. We went right into our pajamas and shortly there after to sleep. We get to spend the night in Fremantle and I have something special planned for tomorrow. But you”l have to wait to find out what…Love and Hugs.