Darwin is a bust.
Apparently, there is a mini-cyclone of sorts that is/will be affecting this port today. The Captain got on the squawk box last night and informed all of us that the Port Authority of Darwin (Australia) did not recommend, nor even want us in port today. Winds up to 65mph (or 100 kilometers per hour down here) are forecasted and, believe it or not, being at sea and in control of one’s destiny is favored over being tied to a pier where the bashing and grinding of metal on concrete is not the favorite activity. We’re talking about ships here, not boats. If we were a smaller vessel, say like a cabin cruiser or some other pleasure type boat, being in harbor may be of some advantage.
Remember the old adage… “Any port in storm” ?
I guess it only applies sometimes!
But…. as I write this (4am here) the winds are non-existent, and the seas are calm. I do not know our present location as Google Maps chose not to pay attention to the “location” part of its App, it had us back in Fort Lauderdale and unless we invented Warp Speed travel overnight and had it installed, there is no way we are in Florida!
We could be in a calmer part of the approach to Darwin as we still need to meet up with the Pilot Boat and disembark the Reef Pilot that we’ve had on board to help us navigate the Great Barrier Reef. It is bad business to have the ship hung up on one of the more cherished and protected reefs of the world!
Or… even worse, the weather stooges may have “Oopst” it, and the weather is now fine, but all of the Excursions have already been canceled and trying to get them up and running again would create more chaos than it would be worth.
If we don’t get into port, then it means that we will be at sea for six looong days as we don’t arrive at Komodo Island in Indonesia until three days from now. That means that when I get bored, I get to bore you to death with a Topic du Jour of my picking, probably having to with the natural history of something 🙂
So… here’s hoping that we will in fact get some Rockin’ an’ Rollin’ going on the High Seas today! At least there would be one person on board not disappointed!
10 replies on “No Port Today!”
Sounds like a day or three or SIX of quiet time. Maybe you need a boat building activity. Lol.
Maybe Ill write a book!
Bummer, hopefully you outrun the bad weather as you head east.
Since you crossed the date line you have experienced either torrential rain and cyclones or triple digit temperatures. And Google can’t locate you. Queue the distinctive music and have Rod Sterling begin his monologue.
Come to think of it….. we’re all starting to look like mannequins…..
Cue Rod Serling: “What the passengers didn’t know was that they were unable to dock at Darwin because the dinosaurs had eaten the port pilot.”
Come to think of it, next time you see the captain look very closely at his pupils. If they were round but now shifting shape try to get a message out.
Fortunately, I will be at a reception in a day or so with him… I will take a close look and report back!
Cassowaries??!! You lucky dogs!! What kind of owls are the first two? Also, that pic of you guys in front of the Banyon tree is GREAT!! You look really happy.
We are! We’re on a World Cruise!
A day of rest! Hope you’re enjoying your trip. Miss you.
We are, and we miss you too!.See you in June!