Quite exciting arriving at Airlie Beach by ship, sailing in through the Whitsundays from the north. Everything is lush and green and the island and mainland hills are ablaze with all the poinciana in full bloom. It was as hot and humid as Port Douglas, but we found a cool retreat to have lunch and spend some time with my mother and brother and niece. Lots to see and do here, but for us it was family time that we enjoyed in the old home town.

Well, Port Douglas was a very pleasant stop - hot and humid, and oh so laid back and very typically North Queenslanderish. People walk more slowly, talk more slowly, respond more slowly. The best dressed wear smiles, singlets and thongs (that's the footwear variety of thong I'm talking about). Port Douglas is sandwiched between two World Heritage listed sites - the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living structure, to the east and the Daintree, the world...

Today was by far our most enjoyable day of cruising since starting out. We left Darwin on Friday, sailed across the Arafura Sea skirting the north of the Gulf of Carpentaria on Saturday, and today, Sunday, sailed through Torres Strait and began our journey down the coast of Queensland. We woke early and went up on deck to farewell the full moon and welcome the sunrise. The sea was like glass and the quiet of the morning was hauntingly beautiful as we slid through...

Into our third week at sea and we continue to roll with the waves - lulled more and more by their relaxing rhythms. In fact, we are so relaxed we almost missed Bali. It was a grey old day there and the Port of Benoa does nothing much to highlight the true beauty of Bali. Having been to the country several times before, we decided to only spend a short time ashore and expend minimal effort fighting off the hawkers and trying to stay dry from the downpours. I fear ...

Townsville was our home for many years, so it is always nice to get back and visit old friends. Despite its many beautifications (parks and walkways along the Strand, riverside walks and parks, new lakeside suburbs, etc.) since we lived here, it has retained its country town atmosphere. I think its sprawling, spacious layout and its tropical climate are a cause of this. We have had a wonderful apartment for the week down near the Strand. Most mornings Reg's son,...