Blog 0036. “Someone left the Cake out in the Rain; I don’t think I can Take it…for it took so long to bake it, and I’ll never have the Recipe Again…”

BALI Cancelled

Day 47 of 102

Dear Staysure,

It is with deep regret that I find it appropriate to claim for the missed or altered ports of call already listed, but now, including Bali, Indonesia. I presume my correctly completed claim form and documents will not be mailed to a subcontractor or organisation not now dealing with Staysure, as previously. I would like to think that my legitimate claim is not questioned and settled speedily with the professionalism and efficiency trumpeted in continual promotions in the Buxton Advertiser, and presumably nationwide, as well as on the T.V. You might be thankful to know that I leave the QM2 for 9 days in Sydney, to rejoin the ship at Fremantle, having chosen to travel there independently. Cruise Cover will not apply for that brief duration. I will do my very best not to incur medical expenses between 12th and 21st March, the period in question

Yours sincerely, and in optimistic expectation,

The author of this Blog.

I was awake this morning at silly (six) o’clock, almost in readiness for today’s exciting adventure, off the beaten track in a Land-rover. Several had signed up for this 4 x 4 exploration, and I presume the convoy of these iconic vehicles would have made quite a spectacular sight. This would have been a full eight hour day out, including lunch. It was not to be.

All participants of all of today’s shore experiences had assembled, as instructed, at their various agreed meeting places. Badge stickers (mine Green 14) were attached to our upper garments, and wherever we all were, we waited for instructions to proceed to the tenders.

The dulcet tones of Captain Hall echoed throughout the ship, eventually advising those going ashore that the tender service had been cancelled due to obviously inclement sea conditions. I didn’t time his announcement, but it seemed to go on forever! Jo’s third attempt to reach Bali by ship, and my second, thus ended in abject disappointment. Again, I can not add Bali to my list of countries visited. All I could do was take photographs from the ship. And still, the camera on this phone performed well.