Saturday 24 March 2012 - Townsville, Australia

Saturday 24 March 2012 – Townsville, Australia

As I walk at 6:30 am we arrive in Townsville – it is fun to watch the tug boat push and pull the Regatta into position.    Regatta docks  in an industrial part of town with shuttle service to downtown Townsville.    The bus drops us at an odd place  requiring  20 minutes to walk to the attractions and shops.

Our goal is  Reef HQ  Great Barrier Reef Aquarium – on the way we make a stop at the Information Center so Patte, Beth and Lynn can make arrangements to go snorkeling tomorrow.  There are several tours  --  not all go to the Great Barrier Reef  -- many options to sort through.   A decision is finally made and a tour is booked so it’s off to the   Reef HQ Aquarium.

Reef HQ is a great place with lots of activity – feedings take place frequently and there were two divers in the water during our  entire time.    I am  amazed at the various types and colors of the fish – particularly the sea horses  – so tiny.

After  ninety minutes we’ve completed the tour of Reef HQ – some of our group take a taxi to Billabong Sanctuary – an animal park allowing visitors to feed the animals while walking among them.   Phil and I stay in Townsville.  

Wandering around the shops – I spot a nail salon that Beth  noticed earlier.   - Kitty and her husband run the shop.  Their three month old baby boy is in the shop and so adorable – and good.   Kitty did a nice job –  originally from Saigon she  was  raised in Australia . 

I stop at the outdoor mall where dealers selling their wares set up when a cruise ship comes to town.   I purchase a couple pearl necklaces from  Alexis Melvin, a young woman who makes the jewelry --- both necklaces are $11.70 AU.

On my way to the shuttle bus pick-up point I pop in to Woolworth’s – here it is a grocery store –  I buy a  magazine and some gum.

Tonight we dine with two of the ship’s officers – Soledad (Destination Services) and Paola (Purser’s Office) – with Beth and Lynn, an Australian couple and a French Canadian couple.  It is a fun dinner with good food,  wine and  conversation.

Beth, Lynn and I go to the movies tonight to see “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” but only last about half way through – we keep nodding off.

Good Day in Townsville!

Thanks for Reading!

Pat