When deciding to start this voyage in Cairns, it is unlikely that any of us expected to spend quite so much time in Cairns. As pleasant as the city is, and the surrounding area has many attractions, our stay was somewhat enforced at the whim of Mother Nature. At the end of the last voyage, the National Geographic Orion arrived safely ahead of the Tropical Cyclone Ita. As the storm developed, it soon became clear that we would not be able to embark guests for this voyage and depart before the storm arrived. A plan was developed to stay onshore in a comfortable hotel while the storm blew through, and then board the National Geographic Orion and begin the voyage.
This morning the ship arrived back in Cairns after riding out the storm at a safe distance. Some of us were out walking and were able to watch her approach, while also enjoying looking for some of the wildlife to be found in the city. For the most part, the animals and birds seemed unaffected by the passage of the storm, and we found rufous night herons and spectacled fruit bats in their usual roosting spots. We were also able to see a few of the shorebirds for which the region is famous, although at this time of year many of them have already departed on the long northbound journeys to the Arctic where they will breed during the boreal summer.
There is of course disappointment that we were unable to begin the voyage as scheduled. And that now we have departed we are heading directly for Papua New Guinea and will not be visiting the Great Barrier Reef. After the passage of the cyclone the conditions on the reef will most likely not be good for small boat operations and watersports. Indeed, the eye of the Category 5 cyclone passed directly over Lizard Island, one of our intended destinations. We have not received any post-cyclone reports about the extent of the damage there, but it must have been significant.
As we departed from Cairns and headed out into the Coral Sea, the afternoon was spent settling into our home for the next two weeks, with introductions and drills. We will have a day at sea tomorrow before making landfall in Papua New Guinea. This evening we enjoyed the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party and a fine dinner. We are very happy to finally be aboard, safe and well.
