Pacific Aria - Friday 31 August, Townsville

Our first port on this trip is Townsville. The Aria can dock here as she is a smaller ship but it did take a bit of manouvering from the captain.

Reversing into our spot at the dock

 
We were alongside the wharf at about 9.30am. Getting off the ship was a bit messy but we managed in the end. Quite a long slow process. not sure why they don't have this down pat by now, they do it so often. The gangway was a bit wibblywobbly so I'm sure quite a few people, especially ones with walkers, had a bit of difficulty getting off. It would be good if they had two gangways.

After a lovely breakfast sailing slowing into Townsville we relaxed some more before heading off as it was quite congested getting off, still was when we got off.

Brekky out the back of the Pantry

Gorgeous weather, I don't think we could have asked for a better day really. Sunny, not many clouds and a slight cooling breeze. Just what the doctor ordered after what feels like a very long winter!

Heading towards Townsville and Castle Hill

We had planned o walking up Castle Hill but that changed pretty quick once we got close to it and saw how big it was and how hot it was and how far we'd already walked! 

There's quite a bit of road works happening and lots of closed shops, not quite what I was expecting. I picture a very water centric place full of life and activity but it wasn't quite that. The Strand, which is based along the water, is lovely but no one was in the water. We didn't know if it was because of stingers (although the stinger season is meant to be from November to May) or if the water was too cold. The weather was perfect. We did lots of walking and sitting by the water before making our way back to the Aria.

The Variety Charity Car Bash finished in Townsville today, we didn't know this until millions of weird and wonderful cars came driving down the Strand making a huge racket. That added a bit of excitement to the place!

The Strand - one of the deserted beaches

Variety Charity - Geelong to Townsville

We slowly made our way back to the Aria passing some lovely old buildings and a giant spider.

Lovely old building

Watch out for the spiders!

Back to the Pacific Aria

Much easier to get back onto the ship. We had walked a lot and next stop was the Pantry for a cuppa, we thought we'd missed out on lunch as it was after 3pm by the time we got back to the ship but we were in luck and half of it was still open! We grabbed a quick bite and then went to the Dome to enjoy the view and a cocktail.

Fluffy duck for mum and a frozen margarita for me.

Every Saturday should end with a cocktail

Dinner was at Angelo's tonight but first drinkies on Deck 7 after a jooz and putting on our best frocks.

Cheers to Townsville

This became one of our go to spots, just off the Mix bar, quiet but still in amongst it. The shops were just behind along the side and then in the middle was a lounge bar and the otherside was the casino.

Our restaurant was on this level so we didn't have to stagger too far :-)

A delicious meal for both of us and a lovely evening. The desserts were the best we had the whole cruise. Out of the three restaurants this was the best, we thought anyway. The only problem was I had been dying for roast lamb and thought for sure I'd be able to have it on the cruise unfortunately the night they had the roast lamb in the Pantry was tonight, doh! I did say to mum that that must mean tomorrow's Indian dish will be lamb (it was and I had it, not quite a roast but still yummy). The trials we go through on a cruise, poor us!

Entree

Dessert

 Tomorrow is Airlie Beach!