Pacific Island cruise

In July 2011, Anne and her sister Debra, together with James and Andrew, took a 10 day cruise on the Pacific Jewel. We visited Vanuatu and New Caledonia. It was a first time cruise for all of us and the general consensus was that it was an 'interesting' experience. Here are some photos to give you a snapshot view of what life was like on the high seas.

On Day 1 we arrived at Hickson Wharf and boarded the Pacific Jewel and settled into our comfortable balcony cabins, with amazing ocean views.




Leaving Sydney just on sunset was an unforgetable sight, with the Harbour Bridge illuminated by the setting sun and the moon and stars twinkling in velvet blue skies.




On Day 2 on board ship we checked out the facilities - gym, spa, library, bars, shops and food......lots of food!



On Day 3 we were still at sea and we prowled the decks enjoying the magnificent 360 degree ocean views and breathtaking sunsets.




On Day 4 we arrived at New Caledonia and docked at Noumea. We took a tour through Noumea and as we left at sunset we marvelled at how an ugly industrial port could co-exist with such glorious ocean panoramas and tropical beaches.



On Day 5 we touched Vanuata at the beautiful Mystery Island. Debra and Andrew went ashore by tender and James and Anne stayed on board to view yet another magnificent sunset.



On Day 6 we arrived at Lifou Island, a tropical island and photographer's paradise. We were warmly greeted by the natives - both animal and human - and we swam and snorkled in crystal clear aqua blue waters.









Anne took photos of the numerous flowers along the seashore...















......and the ferns and foliage.













On Day 7 we made our last port of call at the Isle of Pines, another French colonial outpost, with interesting relics and a friendly people and lots to see. The landing jetty and the market square were all surrounded by dense tropical vegetation, with paw paw and coconut trees growing quite happily alongside the ubiquitous mothers-in-law tongue.


Intricate wood carvings were used as fences to define anything from a monument to a simple front yard.







As this was to be our last port of call we waited until the last tender arrived before reluctantly leaving, just on sunset.




Day 8 and 9 were spent at sea, with nothing to see but the horizon and clouds and seabirds.





On Day 9 we caught sight of the Australian mainland, just on sunset. After 9 days at sea it was wonderful to see the Queensland coast again. Rough seas made for a rather restless night but it was good to know we would arrive back home the next day.



On Day 10 we arrived back in Sydney and sailed through the Heads just on sunrise. Standing on deck and seeing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge glide by, we were struck by the immense beauty of the harbour that many Sydney siders take for granted.












After 10 days at sea we were grateful to arrive home, although it did take several days for us to stop swaying from side to side! During the cruise we had seen musical productions, comedy sketches, magic shows and circus acrobatics as well as relaxing with martinis at the piano bar and indulging in trivial pursuits. The highlight of the trip though was still the amazing unspoilt tropical islands that we had visited. All in all it was an amazing journey with time spent with some wonderful companions and I think we've all been bitten by the travel bug. Andrew and James have already taken off overseas and Anne and Debra are likewise itching to do some more travelling.