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Bass Strait

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    • Traveler2024 - A Whole New World
      Day 52

      A Day at Sea H3

      February 21 ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

      As we make our way from Melbourne down to Hobart, we had another long day at sea . . . so what to do? Let's have a trail onboard. So they gave me a stack of post-it notes, and away I go. We covered probably over 1000 meters as we snaked our way along passageways, climbed stair, and even rode an elevator at one point. All in all, it made the day go by quicker . . . Tomorrow we go ashore for another running trail, in Tasmania.Read more

    • TravelerWorld cruise
      Day 55

      Penguin Parade

      February 14 ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

      We sailed about 58 miles north from Melbourne to Phillip Island. It is a somewhat predator free island known for its Colony of Little Blue (fairy) Penguins. Viking scheduled us to see the "Penguin Parade," a nocturnal event when the adult Penguins emerge from the sea and travel to their burrows to awaiting chicks. They tendered 700 of us to the island in groups of 100 (capacity of the tender) to watch the Penguins walk from the sea. I imagined the whole group of 800 Penguins running from the waves of the ocean en masse. In reality they come out in groups of about 5 to about 30 between 9 and 11 pm. They advanced haltingly, looking for potential predators. Then they trudged from the beach to the sandy, grassy dunes containing their burrows with hungry chicks. As we walked back from the observation stand to the visitor center on the 1000 foot boardwalk we could see cute little creatures close up walking through the sand beside the boardwalk.

      In the morning we walked around the island finding more birds, a brush-tailed possum and wallabies. The Australians are conserving the possum; the New Zealanders are exterminating it because it attacks the birds native only to New Zealand.      Read more

    • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
      Day 55

      Day 55: Meet Farid & Tana

      February 15 ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

      Please meet Farid (Java, Indonesia) and Tana (Bali, Indonesia). This is Farid’s first Viking contract, and Tana’s third.

      It’s been 408 days since I have done this thing called “work.” I know my peers back at Yale would disagree and say it has been much longer than that. January 2, 2023 was my retirement date. I mention this because … while Donna and I were enjoying burgers and wine on the Pool Deck for lunch I observed Tana was doing his job - it’s called work. Again, haven’t had to do the “w” word in 408 days.

      I am a car guy. We own a 65 MG Midget and 96 Corvette CE LT4. Watching Tana organize and clean the deck chairs with microfiber in hand - Tana had an intensity on his face which reminded me of the same intensity a “car guy/gal” has when the prep their classic for the next upcoming car show.

      They’re deck chairs, not 56 T-Bird.

      It’s this level of detail and pride the crew has in their work no matter what the task. They do it every day, multiple times a day. I waved to Tana and asked if I could take his picture, he brought in his friend Farid for the shot. The comradery and support the crew has for each other is also obvious. Many of you have told me you appreciate the crew vignettes - this just really stood out to me today.

      After lunch and brief chat with Farid & Tana - a quick stop at the Pool Bar to say “Hi” to Beka and Windu (from Bali) and pick up a Myers & Diet Coke for the road (or ocean?).

      After a long Penguin Parade night yesterday today is a nice sea day - Most of the ship slept in this morning and are still thinking about waking up - Donna and I are enjoying a quiet time in the Explorer’s Lounge.

      Of course,there is always afternoon tea at 4:00 PM in the Wintergarden.

      We are just trying to figure out how to do this forever. - Life is good.

      #myVikingJourney #myVikingStory #vikingNeptune      Read more

    • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
      Day 51

      Day 51: Meet Martin

      February 11 ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

      Martin is a single man, from China, this is his third Viking contract. In an earlier life he graduated with a degree in CNC Numeric Control. For fun he enjoys badminton & hiking.

      How many of us have degrees in a certain field and our careers have taken us on a different path? Martin is a clearly a people person. The idea of working in a factory for him just didn’t seem to fit. His never ending smile and wanting to make others smile as well is the direction which led him to Viking.

      One of the threads throughout our meeting the various crew members has been their ability to “SWE” - Smile without Ending! How do they do it? Are there classes they have to complete?

      What is the final exam like? The exam is to keep smiling for 8 hours straight while people ask them for another napkin, another drink, or tell them the room is too cold or too hot. I would fail that exam. By the way to pass this final exam you have to carry, without dropping, 43 pounds of dirty dishes, or 20 glasses of champagne while the ship simulator is rocking and rolling - weaving their way through the “Waitstaff Ballet” walking through the World Cafe or The Restaurant.

      Kudos, to Martin, Jeric, Karmila, Shai & Gede, Lisa, Nick, Casper, Igor #1, Igor 2, Ledi Gaga, Beka & John, Amiee, Guest Services, Wait Staff, The Blue Man Group, The White Suits, the Entertainers, the list goes on, and on, and on. They all have clearly passed their final exam.

      There are about 1,500 people on the Neptune - many of us about ⅓ of us have already fulfilled our career paths and now living our retirement dreams. While a group of the next generation is looking towards their future hopes and aspirations. Families at home.

      I know I still view this cruise through a “first-timers” lens. I met one gentleman in the hallway a couple of days ago; this is cruise number 39 for him. Wow No matter the number of cruises we have been on, all of us (passengers & crew) come to this cruise with unique backstories and dreams for the future. Whatever our story, we are all very fortunate to have this experience on the Neptune.

      “As iron sharpens iron, so to a person another.”      Read more

    • TravelerWeltreise
      122
      Day 10

      Byebye Tasmanien

      February 15, 2018 ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      Wir sitzen gerade im Flugzeug Richtung Melbourne. Unsere erste Woche in Tasmanien ging schnell zu Ende.
      Die letzten Tage erkundeten wir Bruny Island und hatten den ersten Kontakt mit Kängurus im Bonorongo Wildlife Sanctuary, wo wir auch Wombats, Koalas und Tasmanische Teufel sehen konnten.

      In Port Arthur, einem ehemaligen Verurteiltenlager, erfuhren wir mehr über die Vergangenheit Tasmaniens. Heute Nachmittag waren wir noch im MONA, dem Museum of old and new Art. Es war sehr speziell aber auch eindrücklich. Es gab lebende Ausstellungsstücke wie den tätowierten Tim und auch erstaunlich viele Kunstwerke aus der Schweiz. (Gib uns ein "☝️" im Kommentar und du erhälst ein kurzes Einführungsvideo😊)

      Unseren kleinen Flitzer mussten wir auch wieder zurückgeben. Er hat in den 8 Tagen doch über 900 km zurückgelegt und hat die Schaummassage am Schluss verdient.

      Verluste dieser Woche: 1 Zahnbürste,
      1 Zahnpasta und 1 Shampoo.. ojjeh das ist noch optimierungsfähig😅      Read more

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    • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
      Day 51

      Day 51: Sea Day - Melbourne tonight

      February 11 ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

      Included are some maps of our locations today. Earlier we rounded the tip of Australia to now heads towards Melbourne. Phillip Island, Australia is off our starboard side. Earlier today we passed below the mainland of Australia going through the Bass Strait.

      The logistics of organizing so many cruise & cargo ships is beyond my understanding. We have been accompanied by our sister ship the Viking Sky and another cruise line the Norwegian Spirit. It’s a cruise ship traffic jam - not really. We are taking a slow pace into Melbourne - we arrive early due to the modified route we took to avoid a huge storm. The captain told us this change helped us to experience the inside of a washing machine on sea. We are thankful for that.

      Honestly, today has been a bit calm - nearing a bit bored. Donna & I have read, watched the port talks and lectures we missed on TV in our stateroom. I think the plan is a light dinner at World Cafe and then we might hit the spa for some steam, snow, and jacuzzi.

      The ship will be in port tonight, not cleared to leave the ship until tomorrow - we have to all do a face-to-face immigration clearance check.

      Super Bowl is tomorrow at 10:30AM (That’s Monday Feb 12) Melbourne, Australia time - some folks got reservations at pubs to go watch the game. The ship will be showing it on the pool deck - serving American food & America Beer. Just to set the story straight not all Americans drink Budweiser or Miller Lite.

      We will be in Melbourne for three days - Watch the game Monday morning/early afternoon - then explore Melbourne - get a city pass to take the various transportation methods - we will just explore to find what we can find. Then Tuesday & Wednesday we have planned excursions.

      The biggest concern people have right now is - what will our future route be? Nothing has been announced, Look at CNN and other news stories you will see other cruise lines making switches in their plans. We all think it is a given we will not be going through the Red Sea or Suez Canal. But, what will we do we don’t know yet. I do believe Viking will do everything in their power to first keep us safe and second still provide us with an amazing cruise.      Read more

    • TravelerNoodles and Cats
      1
      Day 42

      Auf auf nach Tasmanien

      December 1, 2018 ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

      ▪️Sonne scheint, blauer Himmel und 30°C - endlich :D
      ▪️Ein vorerst letztes Bier mit meinen Französischen Freunden in der Sonne genossen - wollen nach Tasmanien zusammen Plätzchen backen, in St Kilda :D
      ▪️14Uhr - Backpack geschnappt und los gestiefelt zu Julias Hostel "Summerhouse Backpackers"
      ▪️Nach dem beladen des Autos, sind wir zu Woolworth einkaufen gegangen
      ▪️Auf dem Weg zur Fähre "Spirit of Tasmania", haben wir beim Türken was gegessen
      ▪️Kurz nach 18Uhr (3h vor Abfahrt) haben wir uns bei der Fähre angestellt und wurden durchsucht
      ▪️Mussten unser ganzes, gerade erst gekauftes Obst und Gemüse da lassen 🙈
      ▪️Es wird wie bei einem Flug gehandhabt - ärgerlich, aber es wird wohl Obdachlosen gespendet
      ▪️Wir waren zu geizig für Schlafkabinen, deswegen haben wir "nur" Schlafsitze, die wir 3h gesucht haben :P
      ▪️Haben die besten bekommen, sind in der ersten Reihe und zum Fenster ausgerichtet - richtig gut haha

      💡Es ist nicht üblich Trinkgeld zugeben, oft ist es im Preis mit inbegriffen. Man kann, aber bei besonders guten Service Trinkgeld liegen lassen.      Read more

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    • TravelerNoodles and Cats
      2
      Day 60

      T18 - Tasmanien Abreise

      December 19, 2018 ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      ▪️Nach dem Frühstück sind die Mädels nochmal heian gegangen - ich blieb wach und hab rumgewuselt :)
      ▪️Die Mädels sind gegen 14Uhr wieder aufgewacht
      ▪️Dann ging alles ganz schnell, denn wir mussten um 17Uhr bei der Fähre sein
      ▪️Haben abgebaut, danach fing es an zu regnen
      ▪️Sind Kopfhörer für Elisa und Lynn kaufen gegangen
      ▪️Während der Fahrt haben wir Pizzen bei Dominos bestellt - Margarita mit Cremé Fraiche und Avocado für 7AU$ :D
      ▪️Pizzen abgeholt, dann ab nach Devonport zur Fähre
      ▪️Auf dem Parkplatz innerhalb von 10min die Pizza gefuttert
      ▪️Der Check In auf die Spirit of Tasmania hat nur 5min gedauert - viel schneller als bei der Hinfahrt
      ▪️Mussten überhaupt nicht anstehen, nach der Zollkontrolle konnten wir direkt auf die Fähre fahren
      ▪️Haben wieder die Besten Schlafsessel in der ersten Reihe direkt am Fenster bekommen :D

      💡Auf Tasmanien gibt es viele Hybrid Toiletten. Da ist unter der Toilette ein Kompost. Das ist manchmal etwas windig am Po gewesen. :P      Read more

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    • TravelerWeltreise
      Day 65

      Tag 64

      December 30, 2023 ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

      Seetag… Sydney wir kommen und freuen uns. Nur noch 1.971 km. Der rote Kontinent begeistert mit beeindruckenden Städten, einer faszinierenden Tierwelt🦘🐨, leckeren Weinen und traumhafter Natur.
      Wir starten mal wieder mit Fit4drums um 9.15 Uhr mit PARTYMUSIK zum Wachwerden! 🥳 Morgen ist ja schließlich Silvester! 🥳🥂🥳
      Im Theater wird die Stadt Melbourne vorgestellt. Sie steht völlig zu Unrecht im Schatten von Sydney, denn die Großstadt bietet eine faszinierende Kombination aus Tradition und Moderne.
      Ich werde berichten.
      Jetzt wird ein Versprechen eingehalten: es wird zum Poolbrunch ein Gruß aus der Mannschaftsküche serviert! Der absoluter Klassiker und Dauerbrenner, nicht nur bei der internationalen Crew : Spaghetti Bolognese - Filipino Art !!! 🍝🍝🍝 !!! So beliebt und so lecker ! 🤪
      Dazu reicht das Bar Team hausgemachte weiße Sangria 🥂!
      Reiner geht zum Sport und ich schreibe wieder Findpenguin! 👍
      Nach dem Abendessen zum Thema Sizilien gehen wir ins Theater. Es wird ein sehr sehr lustiger Abend mit Manes Meckenstock. 🤩 Mit seinen giftigen Parodien über Politiker & Promis, lockert mit derben Witzen die Ernsthaftigkeit auf und bereitet uns einen höchst vergnüglichen Abend. Es ist ein so lustiger Abend und er gibt gerne Zugaben. 😘😘😘
      Heute müssen wir früh ins Bett, denn um 5 Uhr morgens wollen wir das Einlaufen der AIDAsol bei Sonnenaufgang bestaunen! Es ist ein HIGHLIGHT ❤️      Read more

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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Bass Strait

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