P&O Part 1.

It was a miracle we even made it to Sydney, to begin with as there were some delays, ect, but we made it. No one was more relieved than myself. So that was the first step over with. The majority of our group stayed at a friends place in Maitland. It was a bit squishy, but it was good.

Monday 18th October the day when we need to get it together and somehow manage to get to the docklands, with our luggage, our tempers and our limbs intact. Let me tell you, it only JUST happened, too.

Wally dropped us at the train station and then went back for all of our baggage.

The first day was an absolute nightmare. It would have been easier without little kids, but even then, there were so many opinions flying around the place, it was still very stressful.

Here we are having dinner on the first night. Sorry Rob, thats not the bes photo of you.

This is at the cultural centre in Noumea, I haven't put it in the right time frame though.

OUR CABINS... four berth bunk beds, no port hole. However I liked not having any windows, because it was so nice and dark for sleeping whenever you needed to.

Brisbane 20th October

Tim and I went shopping at Carindale where we met up with Hay Jay. It was good to catch up and get a massage and fit some shopping in before we left Australia. Did I mention that the massage was awesome?

Noumea, New Caledonia 23rd October

Noumea was quite beautifully, geographically. But there was something about it that didn't sit right with me/us. It was very dirty, and a lot of people lived in slum-like conditions. it was very sad to see and made us appreciate all that we have back home. Even just to have clean running water, sewerage systems and garbage disposal is a major advantage.

It was overcast, but still warm for us. It was difficult to judge what to wear. The kids were so hot and sweaty after umping on the jumping castle.

Clearly it was not hot for the locals.

We took the Noumea Explorer Bus around the Island.

Arden and Nandahli found another nan as one nan between the two of them was not quite enough.

If anyone goes to Noumea, do go to the bakery which is close to the dock, to your left. And do go to Palm Beach which is to the right, maybe 2-3 kms away. It was the only nice place to visit.

Emerald Bay 24th October

They took us (well not me, it was raining so I stayed on the ship all day with the kids), over to the Island on Tenders, those life raft things you see on the side of the ship up the top.

Tim and Bec had a great time swimming and snorkelling. The beach wouldn't have been suitable for the kids anyway, because it was made up of broken coral.

Here's Mary-ann, from our cabin area. She was so nice and helpful. She made the kids a monkey wall hanging out of towels, so clever.

Rico was good fun as well. They work so hard... I hope he and his kids are well. I wonder if we'll ever see them again, or if they would remeber us if we saw them in a few years...