DAY 45---COOKTOWN, AUSTRALIA (PORT CANCELED)

 

        At 7:15 this morning the Captain made a PA saying due to the sea conditions here at Cooktown it is not safe to use tenders to go ashore today.  So we shall not be calling on this port.  They are now recovering a tender and stowing the gangway so we can proceed onward.

        By the way as a reminder, the red circle with yellow arrow is our location.  The white line is where we have been and the red line is where we will be going.

        Since I had already done the research on Cooktown, I am putting it on below.  This was to be our first visit here and we both had a tour booked.  It was to visit the Black Mountain National Park to view an imposing and eerie black granite mountain.  Next we were to visit Lion's Den Pub, an authentic old tin mining pub built in 1875 and have a welcome drink.

Historical/Background Info: 

        Cooktown is a coastal town in Queensland, Australia, with a population of over 2,600.  It is at the mouth of the Endeavor River on Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavor, after grounding in a reef.  He went into the river to do repairs in 1770.  Both the town and Mount Cook were named after him.  Cooktown was founded om 1873 as a supply port for the goldfields along the Palmer River.

        The region around Cooktown is rich in biodiversity because it is close to three major ecozones.  There are over 3,000 plant species and 500 animal species, including many rare or unusual species.

        During WWII 20,000 Australian and American troops were stationed in and around town.  The airfield played a key role in the Battle of the Coral Sea.  The last military unit ceased operations here in 1946. 

        Cooktown has become a popular tourist destination.     

LAST EVENING

                         Our pigs in a blanket and poppers at the Mariner Bar for cocktails.

This is Jerry & Jan Conrow.  They have a house not far from ours in Durango but do not live there full time like us.  Their primary residence is in California.  They are just on for this segment and will be heading home when we get to Bali.     

                    This is a Peter Lehmann syrah from the Barossa Valley in Australia.

                           Murphy presenting the nice red wine pictured above.  I enjoyed it.

We both had this Australian braised beef short ribs & tiger shrimp with potatoes and peas and a shiraz sauce.  Not enough whipped potatoes so I asked for more.  Peas not cooked enough for me.

               For dessert I enjoyed this Malibu chocolate mousse cake.  New dessert.  Very good!

TODAY

                          Some photos of offshore Cooktown area this morning before leaving.

        So at 8:15 our Captain made another PA.  The 7:15 PA was just into the public areas due to being early morning but this one was into the suites also.  We will now have 3 sea days before arriving in Darwin, Australia.  Before we were not supposed to dock there until noon so maybe now we will arrive in the morning for a longer stay there.  He will be updating our arrival time during the noon PA.

        So it is a beautiful sunny day and we are enjoying a really nice view of the Queensland coastline out our patio doors.  We are now cruising between the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian coast in the Coral Sea.  At least we can see land today even if not on it.

        The fitness center was pretty busy this morning so I did my 4 mile fast walk down on deck 6 promenade where it was in the shade and had nice views of the coast.  It was very hot and my t-shirt was soaked when I finished.  Rebecca did the treadmill.

        Knock on wood again, as the internet is back and working good so far today.

        At noon we had a meeting in Compass Rose with Executive Chef John Pugh, Restaurant Manager Alin, and Head Sommelier Arthur to plan our special "Diamond Dinner".  It will be on the evening of February 23rd.  Rebecca and I selected our menu for the dinner.  We have invited 8 others to be at our table for 10 (the Captain's table in the center of Compass Rose).  But instead of inviting the Captain we have invited the Staff Captain.  So we will be having a 7 course dinner with some very nice wines compliments of Regent.

        The other officers invited besides Staff Captain Ivan are:  General Manager Massimo, Food & Beverage Director Nino, Cruise Director Paul, Cruise Consultant Janina, Head Housekeeper Annie, and Internet Manager Kus.  The 8th person who will join us is our very special friend, Marcia Rector.  She will be the only passenger to join us as we attended her Diamond Dinner on the Explorer on a transatlantic cruise in October 2021.  Just too many friends on this cruise so could not invite more than Marcia as others might be offended.

              Thought I would share some photos of the casino on today's post.  Gaming tables.

Slot machines

                                                                         More slots

                                                   Gaming tables looking the other way.

Our suite is also on the deck but further aft.  I take the stairs, other side of the chairs, down to the Coffee Connection every morning to get Rebecca's double shot Americano coffee.  My short cut as Coffee Connection is just below on deck 6.

During the Captain's noon PA he mentioned we would be passing by a cape with rock formations around 1:15pm.  This is it.

        So this afternoon Rebecca is watching Monday's soaps and I am working on the blog then will watch this mornings lectures on our tv.

        This evening we'll have cocktails in Mariner Lounge then dinner at 7pm in Prime 7, steakhouse.  Tonight's show is featuring an Australian comedian, Sam McCool.  Apparently he was a finalist on "Australia's Got Talent".  We plan on going but sit up in balcony in case we need to make a quick escape from his show.

        Tomorrow is a sea day and they will be celebrating Mardi Gras.  It is actually today but was supposed to be at Cooktown so they will celebrate it on Wednesday.  Of course our Wednesday is your Tuesday.  Don't worry, I'm confused too!