Day 76 - Hello Australia!

Today we sailed into Darwin, our first Australian port, and the sun was shining—a perfect welcome. It felt surreal and deeply exciting to finally arrive in Australia, a country that has lived on my bucket list for many years.

I woke with a heart full of gratitude—for my beloved husband, my family, friends who check in with us, and my truly incredible team at GibSams/GibSilver who continue to do an amazing job and make it possible for me to take this space. Life is short, and even on this journey we’ve felt the loss of friends and family. It’s a powerful reminder that each day is precious, and we should spend it doing what we love. Negativity simply doesn’t get a seat at my table anymore. Someone onboard told me today that they see me as the most positive person they know, that my energy brightens their day. That was a beautiful thing to hear—and something I hope we can all share more of with one another.

We arrived around 9am, enjoying views of Darwin Port from our balcony. There was time for the gym and my usual veggie juice breakfast, then we headed ashore for our tour. Mr C was delighted to get his passport back—safely returned to its cover—now staying with us for each Australian port.

We’d chosen the Territory Wildlife Park tour. In hindsight, with all the incredible aquariums and safaris around, it may not have been the best pick—but it still offered a lovely introduction. We had front-row seats on the bus (a win for Joe), complete with seatbelts—though his new concern was the cracked windscreen! Thankfully, it held firm.

Our guide was excellent—a published author on Darwin’s history—and shared fascinating insights en route. The heat hit us on arrival, early 30s, a noticeable shift from Indonesia. We hopped on the park train for a full loop, then grabbed cold drinks (to Joe’s surprise, no Aussie beer in sight). Back on the train, we visited the Nocturnal House (possums, wallabies, bats), the Aquarium (freshwater to saltwater species, corals, a saltwater crocodile), then the dingoes and water buffalo.


It was too hot for Joe to tackle the longer walking sections, so we cooled off in the café with a snack. Later, they brought out snakes and a lizard for a closer look—always a crowd-pleaser. We then enjoyed a brief city tour of Darwin on the way back, learning how the city has rebuilt itself multiple times after major disasters—resilient and determined.


Joe made it back in time for trivia; his team narrowly missed the top three today, so no Regent points—but tomorrow is another chance. I caught up on my Mindvalley course while watching us sail out of Darwin, Joe listening to his audiobook on deck.

Dinner was at Compass Rose, where Joe happily enjoyed his special order of Miso Seabass—a perfect end to a landmark day.

✨ Daily Reflection

Arriving in Australia felt like a milestone—and a reminder that life is happening now. Gratitude, positivity, and choosing joy aren’t luxuries; they’re essentials.

🌟 Highlight of the Day

🌞 Sailing into Darwin under blue skies, feeling the warmth, the welcome, and the quiet pride of finally stepping onto Australian soil. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 7 - Lanzarote: Sunshine, Family, and a Tale of Two Ports

Image
The day began in a haze — quite literally. A thick morning fog had settled over the ocean, and for a while, the ship’s horn sounded regularly as we carefully made our approach toward Arrecife, Lanzarote . The mysterious mist wrapped around us like a soft blanket, but as we neared the island, the clouds lifted , revealing a clear blue sky and glorious sunshine. Disembarkation was a little slow today, as most of the excursions were departing at the same time, but eventually we were off the ship and ready for a wonderful reunion. Cousin Joe had sent us detailed directions and was waiting patiently for us at the port. Or so we thought! As we stepped out, we began walking… and walking… and walking . Poor Joe’s back was not particularly pleased about this unexpected trek, and as we checked in with Cousin Joe, he reassured us he was “just nearby.” What none of us realised was that there are two ports in Lanzarote — we had docked at the old commercial port , while Cousin Joe was waiting ...
Read more

Day 5 - A Day Without Wi-Fi: Casablanca Adventures and Serendipity at Sea

Image
  Another beautiful morning greeted us as we sailed into Casablanca — sunlight glinting off the water as we arrived into the port. There was an immediate sense of arrival in a city filled with colour, culture, and history. But as we soon discovered, Casablanca had a little surprise in store for us. Because it’s a naval port , all Wi-Fi was cut as soon as we docked — and it stayed that way for many hours, long after we had left the harbour. At first, the silence felt strange, a sudden digital stillness in our usually connected world. But as the hours passed, it began to feel… refreshing. A day without Wi-Fi turned out to be a quiet gift — unless, of course, you’re Joe! Joe had to head into town to collect the medicines that were missing from our luggage. Since no taxis are allowed into the port and the shuttle bus had already left, two kind gentlemen kindly offered him a lift into town . It was such a lovely reminder of the goodness of strangers and the small kindnesses that m...
Read more

Day 3 - Our First Day at Sea: Finding Our Rhythm

Image
  There’s something magical about waking to the gentle movement of the ocean. This morning, I slipped out onto the deck just as the sun began to rise — soft hues of pink and gold spilling across the sky. The ship was quiet except for the sound of the waves, and it felt like the perfect setting for a mindful start to the day. I walked the deck, breathing in the salty air and feeling gratitude wash over me with each step. After my morning walk, I found a quiet spot for meditation and my daily EFT tapping session — a grounding way to tune into the energy of the sea and the peace of the moment. Afterwards, I treated myself to a blissful morning in the spa — a pampering start that left me feeling completely relaxed and radiant. Meanwhile, Joe enjoyed a lazy, leisurely morning in our suite catching up on his broken nights sleep. We met later for a lovely lunch in the Compass Rose restaurant, enjoying fresh, beautifully prepared dishes and the gentle hum of conversation around us. J...
Read more