Day 77 - Sea Day Serenity & Gentle Joy

Today is day one of our two sea days before we arrive in Cooktown, and once again I found myself deeply grateful for the gift of time at sea. I really do love sea days. I don’t think I can ever fully put into words the deep calmness and serenity I feel whilst sailing. The gentle movement of the ship, the sound of the waves, and the vast expanse of open ocean truly ground me in a way nothing else does.



So it was back to my cherished sea day routine:
morning sunrise, gym, veggie juice, then off to enjoy the guest speakers.

First up was Skip, with his presentation “The Coral Sea: Blue on Blue”. It was excellent and especially relevant as we’ll soon be sailing through the Coral Sea. Right now, we’re cruising the Arafura Sea, and during the Captain’s noon update he shared that the nearest land is Crocodile Island, just 60 nautical miles away—a reminder of just how remote and wild this part of the world really is.

Next was Tony, speaking about Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre. Fascinating, expansive, and another reminder of the extraordinary contrasts that Australia holds.

After that, it was time for my familiar comforts—crossword and sudoku—before meeting Joe for lunch at La Veranda. Once again, he worked his magic and secured us a table out on deck, which was perfect. The temperatures were in the mid-30s, warm and summery, with the sea stretching endlessly in front of us.



In the afternoon, I made a start on my thank you letters to the Navigator crew. It feels important to acknowledge the extraordinary service, kindness, and care we’ve received on board—truly exceptional.

We then went along to the talk by magician Tim Ellis. It wasn’t quite what Mr C had expected, and he found himself a little bored, but that’s all part of the joy of sampling different experiences.

Then it was time for the quiz—Joe’s daily highlight. Today his team came 4th, but spirits remained high, as always. Nina, our friend from the Grand Voyage who got Joe to go to the quiz, sent us a photo of them both.



I then treated myself to my final massage of the cruise, which was absolutely lovely and such a nourishing way to honour my body after all these weeks of travel. Then a thoughtful moment to watch the sunset.



I’ve also been messaging with our dear friend Jane, arranging our upcoming meet-up in Townsville. It feels so surreal and incredibly exciting to think that after many years we’ll finally be reunited.

With the help of Carlos, the Executive Concierge, Joe has also managed to find a restaurant for our stop in Cooktown, as he’s decided he doesn’t fancy any of the organised tours there—perfect.

Dinner this evening was at Compass Rose, followed by a real treat: Scot Robin’s Buddy Holly show. Joe was absolutely delighted as Scot played Joe’s two favourite Buddy Holly songs, leading to a joyful singalong and a walk down memory lane to the days of playing old 45s in his car.

Tonight, our clocks go forward by another 30 minutes, so it’s time to reset our watches before heading to sleep.

🌿 Daily Reflection

The ocean continues to teach me the power of rhythm, patience, and presence. There is a deep wisdom in slowing down and allowing life to gently carry you forward.

⭐ Highlight of the Day

Joe’s pure joy during the Buddy Holly show—singing along, smiling, and reliving happy memories. A beautiful reminder that music truly is a time machine.

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