Happy birthday Reg. How lucky is my husband to get a cruise for his birthday? He is doubly lucky because he celebrated all day yesterday as it was already the twenty-first in Australia and then again today for the twenty-first here.

We had a leisurely morning cruising and docked at beautiful Victoria in the early afternoon. As we have been to this part of the world a few times before, we enjoyed just roaming around and taking in the atmosphere. Familiarity allows a more relaxed exploring, but does not take away the appreciation of a lovely place. The flowers are still blooming in strong colours and the leaves are starting to change colour making ready for the fall.

We decided to go all out for Reg's birthday and pay the cover charge to go and eat in one of the specialty restaurants on board the ship. We chose the French one and the extra $20 a head was well worth it. The setting, the food and the service were divine.