This is my last posting for the trip. For those of you who have not pressed the unsubscribe button your reward is coming – a break for a bit.

I was impressed with the Coral Adventurer. We went on a Bridge Tour. The second officer is a young woman called Alex who explained to us how the ship was organised and how she planned the voyage, introducing us to the panels which are now central to the Bridge, while gently reminding us not to press any of the buttons near us, however tempting. No ship’s wheels and no paper maps anymore. Everything is on big screens run separately to ensure they have access at all times. Alex left school at 16 but always loved the sea. She went to college and got through her exams and is now about to become a Ship’s Master. On this ship the Master was the lovely Captain Matt. Alex is on the right and Matt is the only bloke in the photo. He was so funny with his understated charm – and still young at 33, but so very able.

We also listened to a lecture about the engine room given by David the chief Engineer. He too left school at 16 with absolutely no idea what he wanted to be but eventually took his engineering degree and now runs all the machines on board. The Engineering deck was spectacular and spotless – we learnt how the ship had its own desalination plant which holds 120,000 litres with some 20,000 litres used per day. There is a biological sewage treatment plant which is super efficient. Cooler systems which pass 69,000 cubic metres of air through the ship every day in the A/C system. A food macerator so nothing gets wasted. 437,000 litres of fuel are stored on board to run the ship and the two Xplorer boats with some 13- 14,000 litres needed per day. Two stabilisers which come to balance the boat in heavy seas. And these are some of the facts I remember and understand – there was a lot more.

Best of all the All Aussie crew of young men and women who were an absolute delight. We got to know them and they us and they were charming and professional. The chefs served up food which was healthy and fresh and wonderfully varied. We certainly ate and drunk well.

Finally a heads up to the versatility of the Captain and his team. We literally had to turn round and head back up north to avoid Cyclone Jasper but they managed to rearrange everything at short notice and still organise impressive outings and events for us. We shall miss Cara’s voice over the tannoy organising our day …