Thursday, 19th March 2015 @1:37PM
The car’s packed and my sister and I are on our way to pick up dad from pop’s house then on our way to Aunt Kymmy’s house for the night. The weather is beautiful today, not one cloud in the sky.
@ 2:53PM
We are almost at Kymmy’s. Bekki has coped very well with driving on the freeway. I’m proud of her.
It has been a nice hour sitting in the car. I’m feeling a bit sick today but I think I have mixed emotions. I’m so excited to be going on this cruise for Kara’s birthday, I’m also frightened of getting sick as i’ve never been on a big ship before. I just hope I will be ok.
@time unknown
We arrived safely at Kymmy’s house. It’s bloody hot still. We decided to go to Twin Towns for a couple of drinks. I’m glad we decided to go there as I’ve never been before. We get there and the club is absolutely beautiful. I decided I would put $20 through the pokies. And at the time I thought “Yeah I’ll never win”. Next thing I know there’s coins all over the screen, music blaring. Turns out I’d had won, $100 in my pocket. What a great start to my holiday.
We stay a little bit longer before deciding on going home for tea. But first we have a small pit stop into Dan Murphies. Need to stock up on ‘supplies’ for the night. Currently having a few drinks before bed- before getting up early for my bus – to Brisbane.
Friday, 20th March @8:30AM
Well I’m up! Would love some more sleep but I know I have to get organized for my bus to Brisbane. So tired.
@4:00PM
I arrived at the Coolangatta bus stop early to make sure I wouldn’t miss the bus. Time is ticking away and before I knew it,the bus was 30 minutes late. I get on the bus and as expected the bus was pretty full and people were so rude. It’s such a big deal to make some room for some one to sit down.
I arrive in Brisbane at the transit centre and it’s just after mid-day. The transit centre is huge!
I managed to find my way to platform 10.
Get to Jodie’s and the air con is so nice. It’s bloody hot outside. We go for a walk to the Chermside shopping centre and that place is huge! We went to a couple of shops, before walking back to Jodie’s and relaxed before having dinner.
Saturday, 21st March @6:05PM
We have departed Brisbane AND Australia on the Pacific Dawn! We were waiting in line from 11:30AM and I think it took over an hour to get onto the ship. We get onto the ship and the first place we head to is our cabins. Deck 6, room 6205! The bed is comfortable. We make our way to a deck outside and get cocktails! Pina colada, yes please!
We head around the ship and check it out – The ship is amazing!
@10:15PM
We had dinner at Plantations (All you can eat buffet) It was so nice and yummy. We celebrated Kara’s 30th Birthday and we all had a Ball! The girls had ice cream and I decided not to as I didn’t want to mix alcohol and ice cream together as I didn’t want to get sick. Speaking of sick – I have survived 9 hours so far on the ship and I haven’t felt sick yet.
We went to a show at 7:30pm – there wasn’t many acts- but it was entertaining.
We are back in our cabins now- early night, will feel good in the morning. I am excited to see what’s on the breakfast menu.
Sunday, 22nd March @time unknown
We got up around 7am and headed up to deck 12 for breakfast! We had a huge range to choose from. I decided to have bacon and eggs. I had a pancake but i didn’t really like it, it was OK though.
We went to check our onboard account and last night I only spent $40 roughly That’s not too bad – considering all of the food is free – some restaurant’s you have to pay.
Tonight is formal night. I have a nice cocktail dress I can’t wait to wear. Dinner reservation is for 5:30pm at The waterfont restaurant.
At 10:15am we are doing knitting for charity. It should be fun, even though I haven’t knitted in years! We also have bingo booked in for 11:00am and then ladies free pampering at 1.30pm I’m off to have a fun day!
@12:52
I learned how to knit for charity! I didn’t do much but I had a go. It was fun!
We went up on to deck 11, Denise and I had a swim in the pool. It was very rocky. After having a swim I felt a bit sick so I took a sickness tablet.
I had $3 nachos for lunch. I think i’m still hungry.
@1:30PM
Just had a fruit tingle and went to check my onboard account. Just standing there felt like I was drunk, I was holding onto the table- it felt so funny.
Monday, 23rd March @unknown time
We had dinner at the waterfront last night. Talk about yum food. After dinner we went to the 7:30pm comedy show. He was ok but could have been better. After the show I went to the casino. I put $10 through the pokies and lost.
Sue and I checked out another comedy show at 10:30pm and he was pretty funny. We went to bed around 11:30/12am and woke up around 7am today.
Today the ship stops in Noumea. I’m pretty excited to see land.
I am missing everyone back home, but i’m still enjoying the cruise!
@6:00PM
Today at 1:30pm we played bingo. I came close to winning but i didnt win. Sue won one game.
After bingo we went outside onto the deck as we were approaching Noumea. From a distance the land looked beautiful.
As we got off the ship we walked the streets for awhile. It is so different compared to back home. For one – they drive on the left hand side. There was lots of traffic lights. At one point we crossed the road and almost got ran over by the traffic. A few people waved and said hello.
We made our way back to the ship and booked a bus tour. The bus driver didn’t speak English too well.
Tonight is country western night.I’m glad I can fit into a pair of jeans.
Tonight we depart from Noumea around 9:30PM and arrive at Lifou sometime in the morning. We have a tour booked in the afternoon.
Tuesday, 24th @unknown time
We arrived at Lifou, and to get onto the island we had to get onto a smaller boat which took us to the land. We hop off the boat and the island is so beautiful. I went in the water for a swim.
We went for a walk around the island, filling in time as the tour was booked in for 1:00ppm. You could get your hair braided, or have a massage. It was set up like the markets! Had lots of things you could buy!
We watched the locals make a head piece out of a tree leaf, as they sang to us in their language.
At 1:00pm the six of us got onto the tour bus. The first stop was the Church.
On the second stop we learned about this massive hut that is used for meetings. We got to sit inside the hut but only on the right side, as the left side was reserved.
After seeing the big hut, we walked to a place where we could sit down and watch how the locals cook their food, by putting a chicken into the ground. I sampled the chicken and it was very nice. I wasn’t too keen on the other food that they cooked. I guess I’m not used to their food.
After the tour we headed back to the cruise ship. I am pretty sure after 4:00pm we were making our way to Port Vila.
After dinner, I decided to have a few drinks. I had lots of fun up on deck 12 dancing. At around 10:00pm we went down to deck 7 and I signed up for karaoke. The song I decided to sing, was ‘1985 by Bowling for soup’. When it was my turn to sing I was very nervous, but I still got up and sang the song. Alot of people cheered. I went to bed around 11.30pm/12:00am.
Wednesday, 25th @unknown time
I woke up late, and I didn’t want to face the day. I had a pretty big hangover. Which is not surprising, as the amount of cocktails I had, But I enjoyed myself. I can remember dancing with the kids up on deck 12, and doing the Macerena TWICE!
We have arrived at Port Vila, Vanuatu and sadly none of the passengers were able to disembark off the ship. Due to the island having a category 5 cyclone 1 week prior to us cruising. We were all excited for Vanuatu, but we understand, as the cyclone was pretty bad, there was homes destroyed. The only reason the ship stopped here is because the ship was carrying supplies for the island.
Overall, I have enjoyed my time away. Being with family, loving being on a cruise ship, I must say I enjoyed Lifou over Noumea.
We did not stay long at Port Vila, We are on our way back to Australia. There is not much to do today, although I am booked in for a medicure later today.
I would definitely go on another cruise. And I hope one day I’ll get to see Port Vila. I wouldn’t do the ‘Pacific Island Hopper’ cruise again. This cruise has made me think of all the places I’d like to go and see one day. I have never been a big travel person but this cruise has changed that. I absolutely love being on this ship. I am going to miss it!
Thursday, 26th @1:40PM
We had dinner last night at the Waterfront. Most of us ordered chicken. It was nice. You get good portion sized meals. Whereas at the buffet, well that, it explains it all. ALL YOU CAN EAT!
I got my nails done yesterday, a pretty red colour. Today I am booked in for the ‘Fire & Ice’ pedicure.
There is so many flights of stairs on board. There is 14 decks and we are staying on deck 6. Reception is deck 5, The waterfront is deck 7, the buffet I think is deck 11 or 12. Most of the time we took the stairs as there is around 2,000 passengers on board,so naturally sometimes theres a wait for the lifts.
We were sailing pretty slow yesterday as we couldn’t get off at Port Vila, But we have picked up some speed today.
We Won’t be able to disembark off the ship until at least 6:00am saturday. The train leaves Brisbane at 11:00am and arrives in Bundy around 5:00pm – An old slow diesel train. It has been so weird but good – not having any contact with people back home. I miss everyone!
Friday 27th @unknown time
So, it’s our last full day on the ship. I want to get off, but I want to stay on the ship. I have loved cruising,
not much to do today, except pack our bags! I am going to bed early tonight so I can get up early in the morning to disembark.
Saturday 28th @unknown time
I wake up, a bit after 5:00am. I look out the window, and I can see Lights! I can see Land. Australian land! Turn our phones back on and send a quick message to loved ones back home – to say that we have arrived back in Australia!
We head up to the waterfront and have a quick breakfast, before disembarking the ship a little after 7:00am.