Day 6

Day 6 Eve to arrival into Darwin

Yesterday we woke a little later than previous mornings due to that fact we are sleeping longer and deeper…..yipee! First activity for the day is 7 laps around the promenade deck. If you can remember the book or movie Midnight Express where the main character is in a Turkish Prison and all the inmates are walking around a centre point and he makes a decision to walk in the opposite direction. Then this is the impression I had this morning, a sea of walkers, all moving anti-clockwise around the deck. I am sure there were at least a quarter of the ship's passengers getting their daily exercise at the same time. The previous day a lady pushed her husband in his wheelchair, along this deck as everyone walked in the recommended direction. It was lovely seeing their happy faces as they took in the fresh sea air. We had passed them twice before we finished our laps. We had guessed nobody had the heart to let them know they were going the opposite direction!

In the afternoon we sailed past the two Tuesday Islands, Wednesday Island and Thursday Island. Whilst we listened to a commentary relating to this group of islands, we stood on the deck and watched as the ship passed. Then a broadcast came over to say an electrician living on Thursday Island rang the ship and said his parents, whom he hadn't seen for two years, were on board and he would try to make himself visible to them as the ship passed. Well, I become teary when a little fishing boat comes tearing out from the island, white water splashing up over the bow as it is obvious that the engines must have been powering on full. This little boat manages to stay about 200 meters portside of the ship for about 30mins as the Dawn Princess passes the group of islands. How lovely for Mum and Dad. This of course, made me think of my DS and DSD and DSS and in-law children….and GChildren, this is why I became teary.

Today started fairly well. All the Cruise Critic passengers were given a special treat, however we were asked not to disclose the details. As a consequence Paul and I missed out on our morning walk, however we made up for it after lunch. Whilst I played the afternoon quiz, Paul headed off to have a body massage which he greatly enjoyed.

Tomorrow the ship docks in Darwin.