Day 9 – Saturday 21 October 2017

Cruise Day 8

Honiara, Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands)

This was our first time back here in over 20 years, and it has expanded.

After breakfast, we joined up with David & Karen for a walk, first uphill to the Parliament building, where we were taken on a tour by Pattison.

We then continued our uphill walk to the US War Memorial, which remembers the major battles in the surrounding areas.

We then walked downhill, via the shops and markets, back to our ship, for lunch and a lazy afternoon.

This evening we had an enjoyable Chinese dinner at the “Dragon Lady” restaurant.

After tonight’s showtime, various crew members put on their own show, which was very entertaining.

Day 8 – Friday 20 October 2017

Cruise Day 7

Gizo, Ghizo Island (Solomon Islands)

After lunch, we boarded the ship’s tender for the trip to Gizo, where we visited the St. Peter The Apostle Catholic Church, and wandered up and down the main street and market.

Day 7 – Thursday 19 October 2017

Cruise Day 6

Our second sea day, as we sailed through the Solomon Sea.

Another lazy day, only “interrupted’’ by a wonderful lunch at Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill.

"The Waterfront" for a light dinner, before "White Nights".

Day 6 – Wednesday 18 October 2017

Cruise Day 5

Rabaul, New Britain (Papua New Guinea)

In the morning, we sailed into the picturesque Simpson Harbour, and berthed at the port.

We negotiated the hire of a taxi for a few hours, and were joined by David & Karen.

Our first stop was at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Next stop was at Admiral Yamamoto’s (who was in charge of the Japanese Imperial Navy in World War II) bunker, and the interesting New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum.

We then drove along the unsealed road, past where Rabaul airport was (before Mt Tavurvur erupted in 1994 and destroyed Rabaul), to the hot springs.

Our next stop was at the Japanese War Memorial, at Namanula Hill.

We then drove back through town, on our way up to the interesting Volcanological Observatory, and the panaromic views from there.

We then drove along the road to Kokopo, and stopped at one of the tunnels that formed over 300 miles of the underground tunnels used by the Japanese during World War II. These were designed to conceal munitions, stores, and hospitals.

We returned to our ship for lunch, followed by a lazy afternoon, then the ship departed in a south-easterly direction.

Showtime this evening was another excellent production – “Twice Upon A Time” – performed by the ship’s “Pacific Entertainers”.