We were scheduled to arrive at Champagne Bay at 7am and we were spot on time. Our itinerary had been changed a couple of weeks before we left due to not being able to go to Luganville - their dock was damaged in the cyclone 12 mths previous and isn't quite ready yet. This meant our schedule of stops were changed around a bit and Mare was added. Due to this our stop at Champagne Bay meant getting there early and leaving fairly early also. Last tender was scheduled for 2pm.
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| Champagne Bay |
We headed off (after brekky!) at around 9am. Not much of a wait for the tenders and a nice quick trip.
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| Heading onto the tender |
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| The tender service worked so well. Pick up, drop off |
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| The dock at Champagne Bay |
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| Friendly (!) lizard and snakes! |
I made a very wide path around these fellows and their friendly reptiles. I forgot they were there on the way back to the tender and scared myself silly when I realised how close I was to the friendly lizard. Moved very fast indeed - the guy behind me bet that was the fastest I'd moved in a long time! He was right!
There were quite a few market stalls but mum and I both forgot to bring any money. Didn't even cross our minds - you forget about money on a cruise as you get so use to using your cruise card. The majority of things were the same as all the other islands anyway.
We were told by Dave Upton, the shore expert onboard, that there is another beach not far away so we thought we'd try and find it. Another couple had the same idea so we followed them, they had no idea! We came across some people who were coming back from the other beach and said it wasn't worth the walk so we turned around and went back. Luckily we hadn't walked too far. It was sad to see how much rubbish was around, such a pity that the locals don't take better care of their beautiful island.
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| Searching for the other beach |
The water was perfect. We stayed in for ages which is unlike us. Strangely enough, especially doing a south pacific cruise, we aren't really beach people - too much sand plus I burn easily! The sand was so soft and the water was so clear and warm - just how I like it. You can see the sharks coming towards you! Not that we saw any, thank god!
I guess the only thing wrong with cruises is that you never get to enjoy the beach to yourself, you always share it with 2000 other people.
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| Some people came very prepared - brought their own sun shelter |
This is the first time we have been to Champagne Bay (hopefully not the last) and we both really enjoyed it. It was hot enough to swim and the water was the perfect temperature - what's not to love. Possibly fewer people would have made it near perfect but hey, it's a cruise and everyone wants to enjoy the gorgeous beach too!
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| Retail therapy |
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| Back to the Dawn P on the tender |
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| because it's lunch time! |
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| The Horizon Buffet |
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| Riviera Deck |
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| Princess Patter - daily schedule |
We set sail for Mystery Island at around 3pm and were due there the following morning at around 10am. It was quite a long trip which I guess is why we left Champagne Bay pretty early.
Sailaway drinks started a bit after sailaway so technically they were sailing drinks :-)
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| Crooners Bar |
The Crooners Bar was a great place to sit, enjoy a wine or two and listen to the music. Sometimes it was a piano man and sometimes a duet playing the violin and cello. The wait staff were fantastic.
This bar is located in the centre of the ship on deck 7, our restaurant (Florentine) was on deck 5 so not far to walk. :-) or catch the glass lifts which we never managed to do. We'd be half way down the stairs and think 'we should catch the glass lift!' one day but we ran out of one days!
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| Mum enjoying her dinner! |
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