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 The Coral Sea, December 22


We are in the Coral Sea today, have travelled east of Darwin, around the tip of Australia and turned right!!!! And heading south!! We had a special presentation by an Australian Coastal Pilot, Captain Bruce Victor, this afternoon.  He joined us in Darwin and is assisting with navigation until we arrive in Sydney. He entertained us with his knowledge of the geography of the Torres Strait and protecting the Great Barrier Reef.  As I look out to the east I can see tiny islands dotted around and we’ve been told to expect sea turtles from now on.  Captain Victor talked about the amount of traffic in this area, with cargo ships, tankers, livestock ships, cruise ships etc and how strict the laws are to protect the Coral.  Someone asked the question  - what happens if there’s an oil spill if you were the captain and the answer was ‘I’d lose my house, spend several years as a guest of His Majesty and the shipping company would be banned’.  

I’m not going to rabbit on about the reef as it would be like taking coal to Newcastle but will say that according to the captain the Coral is alive and doing OK despite all the environmental issues in the area. 

I also went to another lecture ‘The Birds of Australia and Jellyfish’. I think the jellyfish bit was to warn people about the risk of swimming in FNQ at this time of year.  As for the birds, Gloeta talked about the Ibis, Cockatoos, and bats in particular.  More or less said how fabulous they all were.  Well, she should come to South Melbourne and watch those damn cockatoos eat my plants on the balcony when I’m sitting right beside them!  And as for the diseased bats that fly over - don’t like them much either.  

Has been a pleasant day, hot but not scorching like it’s been.  

Had dinner with some people who’ve been on since Istanbul.  Lovely couple  from South Carolina.  Sitting in the observation lounge with a cocktail before dinner was nice, many many islands all around.  I did go to the show, was a comedian from the UK tonight.  I’m not usually keen on comedians but he must have been ok as most of the audience seemed to still be there when I woke up! 

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