A surprisingly busy day we have today! Or not! Actually there is an excellent lecture the destination manager gives us all about ANZAC day. It was fascinating to learn more about the Australian and New Zealand participation in Gallipoli and how the whole action came about – or got botched – really – and how it affected so many lives.

After that, well we spent the day doing….I don’t know what! Balcony? Yes. Reading? Yes. Gym – oh come on now, of course! There may have been activities, can’t quite remember but since this is the end of the 3 or 5 day “sea-cation” a lot of the activities are up at the pool and the bars. Oh, plus, it’s Australia Day! Whether or not there is controversy about it (Maori, indigenous persecution, why celebrate colonization?), it’s still a big holiday – there is even a couple of cakes made up for it. So, we are steering clear of all that sort of hoopla.

We also spend part of the day trying to figure out what to do with our non-refundable cabin credit that we though would be going away after this leg of the cruise (Note: it didn’t! Oh well.). I end up getting a sports watch band for the medallion thingy. It’s easier for me to wear it as a faux watch than that damn lanyard which I abhor. Even though it is really silly, because it will become totally useless on February 10 when we disembark the ship. It was free, what can you say?

The rest of the time? Drinks on the balcony. Check. Dinner. Check. Sunset on the balcony (yes the sunsets late down under). Check.

And a lovely end to our sea day. Tomorrow – Melbourne and cruise #2!