Ponant Le Laperouse Darwin Australia
Regina and Joris
September 2019
Sept 4: We left uninhabited Kimberly where we could not even dangle our feet because of the crocodiles. We can't even put a hand in the water Our guides are an unusual lot and continue to entertain us! Tomorrow we enter very undeveloped areas of Indonesia. Darwin departure--we were given a room upgrade! All is well. Best trip ever! This one you can recommend!
Sept. 7
Just
saying where ever we are as the schedule and locations are not ... , well they
change ... , frequently. Just finished lunch on the ship after a morning
on an uninhabited island, amongst many uninhabited islands, with a soft white
sand beach, lovely snorkeling, plenty of non motorized beach toys for those
inclined. Our next activity is a lecture is on “Unity in Diversity” about
Indonesia.
Our
excursion leaders have quite a few advanced degrees amongst them.
Yesterday’s lecture on the microbiology of corals given by one of more
eccentric leaders (phd. In corals) was fascinating. He had some good news
concerning global warming and survival of coral reefs, but was concerned about
phosphates, etc. dumping into the seas and POSITIVELY affecting the dreaded
crown of thorn starfish which are really thriving and detrimental to corals big
time. The crown of thorns were affecting the Great Barrier Reef when we
were there about 25 years ago.
Yesterday
went to a small village somewhere and had a most amazing welcome. School
was called off for the morning, and we were met by a band, uniformed school
children waving flags and giggling, dancers, young boys doing warrior dances,
speeches by town officials and a few words from the sultan, and a tea and cakes
reception at the sultans house (with pictures of Jesus!). We all got a
bit teary eyed. Apparently we’re the first ship to come there and they
spent a month before cleaning up the usual trash you see everywhere. The
whole town, all ages, were outside their homes and lined the street. Any
residents with phones were taking more videos of us than us of them!
Absolutely beautiful people. After we went back to our ship I wondered
what they were thinking of what just happened. I was wondering myself.
Before
sunset whales showed up on port side, then starboard and in front of the
ship. The captain stopped proceeding until the whales swam off about an
hour later. And we were treated with the ‘green flash” at sunset, a first
on this cruise.
I’ve
actually been going to the evening shows. They are not every night but
consist of 3 dancers and an amazing singer, great costumes and choreography.
The shows are not cheesy or sleazy. And as a special treat once a week —-
our excursion leader geologist, Jorge, can SING! In Spanish!
Romantically! (He’s from Columbia and is married to Lou, an Australian
marine biologist, a beautiful blond who is probably as strong as katrina!)
Found
a couple from LA. That completes the 6 Americans of 150 passengers.
Miss
you all. Keep in good health and love.
Reg
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