Melbourne

Despite dire warnings about the weather, we woke up to a sunny, but cool day in Melbourne.

We were able to get straight off the ship once the gangway was in place on deck 2. The cruise terminal was rather minimal, only having a tacky souvenir shop and a jewellery stand, no wifi or ATM. There were free shuttle buses into the downtown area, and also a trolley.

We met up with Brian’s cousins, Shelley, Brenda, and Robert, at the end of the pier, and we drove towards the downtown area. This turned out to be quite the challenge. Today was Labour Day and the Moomba Parade. Many streets downtown were closed off, and we had to take several detours. However, this gave us a great scenic tour of Melbourne, although we were never able to reach our destination. We ended up abandoning the car, and taking a bus into town. This didn’t get us where we wanted to be, so we then took a trolley, with the same outcome. At that stage it became clear, our only option was to walk, and boy did we walk!

Brenda had an extensive itinerary lined up for us, which did not include stopping to shop, and we spent the morning exploring the arcades and alleyways of Brisbane. We finally stopped for lunch at a great little restaurant down an alleyway full of restaurants, and spent time eating, drinking, and catching up on news as it had been many years since we had seen them.

In the afternoon we took the Brisbane tour shuttle bus and got to explore the areas that we had not been able to see on foot. Melbourne is a wonderful city, with wide streets, lots of trees and parks, Victorian buildings, and an almost colonial feel to it. They have a wonderful exhibit on an old railway bridge across the river celebrating immigration and the city’s diverse heritage.

After the bus tour we took a taxi to check out the Children’s Hospital, and then alas, it was time to say goodbye to the cousins, and take a cab back to the ship.

Traffic and detours were better than expected, and arrived the ship with time to spare, so we wandered around the port area. The cruise terminal is quite a way from downtown in what seems to be a mostly residential area. There is a wonderful beach nearby, and lots of waterfront cafes and restaurants. There is also an ice cream shop.

When we got onboard we went to our cabin to get our camera equipment for the sail away. All of a sudden the lights went out, and we were plunged into darkness. Well not really because the curtains were open, but it was dark. A few minutes later the lights flickered on again, and an announcement was made that there had been a power failure and that we were functioning on auxiliary power so not everything was working.

We decided we might as well go on deck. Brian wanted to stop in the Lido to get a cup of coffee, but the coffee machine wasn’t working. Then, horrors, I discovered that the ice cream machine doesn’t work on auxiliary power. Someone didn’t have their priorities right when they chose what things should work on auxiliary power.

We went to our favorite sail away spot, deck 10 aft, and took some photos of the skyline and surrounding buildings, and watched cars and motorbikes driving on to the Tasmanian ferry next to us. Synergy was playing for the sail away party. I do prefer the Royal Court Theater Orchestra, but it was great that we at least had music and a party atmosphere, although it did feel strange dancing to Caribbean music in the middle of the Port of Melbourne. Maybe it is time to book another Caribbean cruise………….

Finally with all our passengers on board, and the electrical system up and running again, we set sail for New Zealand.