November 23, 2024

Champagne Reef

This popular dive and snorkel spot is well known on the island because of the unique bubbles that rise out from the reef, caused by thermal vents escaping from the nearby (5 Miles away) volcano. When you dive / swim in front of bubbles, you can feel their warmth. The reef is a little treacherous accessing as the beach is covered in rocks, and rocks are also all along the shoreline a good 5 to 10 feet out, before the water deepens enough to swim. I hired a guide to get me in and out safely because so many were getting beaten up on the rocks. Worth every penny. Donny turns out to half fish and knows every crevasse of the reef. He stayed with me for an hour and was constantly free diving down pointing out all kinds of things on the reef. So many fish and coral and saw a whole family of turtles. He would dive down to the thermal vents and fill up his snorkel pipe with the warm mineral water, then pour it in my hands for me to rub all over my face and head - said each washing, would erase 10 years! I gained 30 years back! He did for my friends too! One guy wanted a gallon for his bald head! Parts of The Pirates of the Caribbean movie was filmed here. There was a rope bridge scene done here and remnants remain up on the hill, above the cove, of the bridge.    

Trafalgar Falls

After the reef we drove out to the Morne Trois Pitons, National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to see the twin falls nestled within. After about a 15-minute hike in, we got to see the twin falls in all their glory. People were swimming in the pools below each fall, we opted to return to the Ship having already swum at the reef. My Cabin Stewart Harry decided to treat me to more wildlife. 

By Patricia Patrick February 15, 2026
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.