Day 2 - Wednesday 17 July - At Sea

A comfortable first night at sea. A bit of rock and rolling but that does not relate to our bed behaviour! Clocks went an hour forward before retiring last night and we have woken to our alarm at 7am New Caledonia time this morning. Sunrise not until 7.40am. Light and blue sky now peaking through the clouds. Quite heavy grey clouds to the stern of the ship.

We have decided that balcony cruising is the way to go from now on. We will need to watch our pension money to ensure that it is possible.

Full service breakfast in the Empire Dining Room - yum. Staff on the ship truly are friendly and welcoming. We have now settled into a pod in the Serenity Deck area on Level 9 (no children allowed) and are watching the wake stream from the back of the ship.

Well it started to rain so we exited the pod and have now watched people learn some dances for the Caribbean Theme Night party - we didn't join them on stage with the instructor but gave them a hearty round of applause when they finished! Then sat through a talk from the cruise director on what to expect at the island stops - motion of the ship and Stu's delivery soon had us both heavy lidded. So escaped for a cup of coffee and piece of cake and we are now sitting in the main atrium lobby area in comfortable arm chairs with the blue sea and mainly blue sky visible through the large window.

We will have to think of lunch soon!!!

This update may be short as the internet connection seems a little flaky at present. Maybe lots of passengers logging on to do some internet betting on the State of Origin. Heaven knows there are enough on the cruise who seem to think the best way to spend your time is to sit at a slot machine in the  Louis XIV Casino.

Philip tackled a cheeseburger, fries and salad from the poolside grill for lunch. Cheeseburger would amount to false advertising - it was more like a quarter pounder!

Exercise routine started after lunch with 11 laps of the Sun Deck - the forward section was roped off due to high winds so the total distance achieved was probably on 4km.

Have both enjoyed a nanna nap this afternoon - in fact Alison is still napping! We are due at dinner in 1 hour and then we may brave the predominantly NSW passenger group to watch the deciding game on the very big screen in Pharoah's Palace Theatre.

Have booked our second shore excursion today and will on Sunday go on a tastes of Vila trip which includes the imbibing of Vanuatu Tusker beer. The trip also stops at La Tentation Restaurant where we need to drop off the medical supplies that we have brought with us for the Island Wound Dressing Program.

Ketut must have known that we might be missing our boys! Tonight's towel animal: