We had a very easy and relaxing day, cruising by Wineglass Bay and into Oyster Bay in Freycinet National Park. I love it when the scenery comes to us, and it certainly did today. We skipped breakfast in the Concerto Dining Room, grabbed some coffee and a few items from the World Fresh Marketplace, and found the warmest place on deck, near our cabin and the hamburger grill area, to sit back and watch it all go by. Occasionally we’d run up one deck and take photos where there was no glass blocking our view, but mostly we were happy to just stay put. We already have plenty of photos of this area.
We were a little disappointed that we never came close to entering Wineglass Bay, that horseshoe-shaped bay below Mount Dove (above). I don’t know if it was a weather- or ship size- related issue.
We then cruised through Oyster Bay, crossing between Freycinet National Park and Schouten Island, with beautiful scenery on both sides of the ship.
Where in Tasmania are we?
The view from our breakfast table
This granite...my favorite colors. Gorgeous!
Schouten Island
Schouten Island
This area reminds me quite a bit of the Maine coast, but features endless pure white sand beaches that don’t exist on the North Atlantic coast. We saw a few pleasure boats today, more than we’d ever seen here before, but it is the height of summer, after all.
We stayed in that area long enough to get a seafood noodle soup from the Noodle Bar (me) and a burger and fries (G). By the time we finished eating, we were past the best of the scenery and returned to our cabin. I took advantage of the time to remove my glitter polish; another clear sign that the season is coming to an end. I didn’t want to wait until the last sea day, when we’ll be busy packing, to take care of that. I also wanted to get the last of the polish remover I had purchased at the Target in Honolulu to steward Eldrich to dispose of.
We went to the Elite Lounge in the Vista-less Lounge and then to dinner where Headwaiter Francesco continues to spoil us rotten. Today it was sundried tomato and black olive focaccia right from the oven. Never have I ever tasted bread that good. Perfection on a plate.
Day 5 dinner menu, page 1
Day 5 dinner menu, page 2
Day 5 dessert menu
Still, we should have skipped dinner altogether; tonight was the Most Traveled Guest cocktail party for this cruise, and the food served there boggles the mind. It was held in the Hollywood Conservatory, which was a rather different venue for it. We missed having small tables on which to set plates as we ate, but the view from up there, Deck 17 at the front of the ship with floor to ceiling windows, couldn’t be beat. We were able to meet this cruise’s Most Traveled Guests, Ray and Barb King with over 2300 Princess days. They are from Hobart, and are on this cruise with their young grandson (also from Hobart). Joyce, they said to tell you Hi and made some remark about your skill as a trivia player that I won’t repeat here. I know it was said in jest. ;-)
Clockwise from the upper left:
Crab margarita, mango coconut shrimp, ahi tuna poke, and an oyster shooter.
Life is good. :-)
Just part of the dessert table
Just part of the dessert table
When we finally made it back to our cabin at 9pm, the front of the ship cam still showed that beautiful twilight that we love so much down here. It helps to know that the days are getting longer at home, and daylight savings time is not that far away.
Day 5 Princess Patter, page 1
Day 5 Princess Patter, page 2
Day 5 Princess Patter, page 3
Day 5 Princess Patter, page 4