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The guest reaction to the new world cruise itinerary has been very positive overall. Some cruisers will likely depart in Singapore. Others are waiting to see what new excursions will be offered in Africa. But most – including us – are excited about going to places we have never been before, on a cruise ship or otherwise.
In the meantime, we visited our last Australian port today. Thursday Island is one of the Torres Strait Islands, 24 miles north of the northernmost tip of mainland Australia. It was named “Thursday Island” by a British captain who was surveying the area. (He named another island “Friday Island.”)
The Torres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the area, ethnically distinct from the Aborigines on the mainland. The TS Islanders are Melanesian, meaning “dark skinned.” Last year we were scheduled to visit here, but only three tenders made it ashore before everyone was called back due to rough seas and weather. So while we have seen Thursday Island before, we have never set foot on it.
Once again we were anchored off of Thursday Island, but this year the seas were calm. Still, we had to take a 25-minute tender to get from ship to shore. The island itself is only 1.4 square miles, and there is not much infrastructure here. In fact, most businesses were closed for Sunday. (There is a high Christian population.) Finally, it rained off and on throughout the day.
As a result, our visit here was brief. With no excursions booked, we simply walked around. We watched the end of a Sunday church service, when attendees filed out dressed in absolutely gorgeous, colorful attire. Sadly, we could not find an open clothing store. We did make it into the local grocery store a little while before they closed for the day, and Gail supplemented her onboard pantry with more peanut butter and apricot jam.
After two weeks, we have now departed Australia. Our multi-day “vacation” has come to an end. Over the next three sea days, Russell will resume lecturing and Gail will resume needle felting workshops. Next stop: Indonesia!
