Down at Castle Rock

 Townsville, Australia with Castle Rock in the background.  We were prepared to hike up Castle Rock but the trails were closed due to landslides as a result of recent heavy rain.  Instead, we walked The Strand, a four kilometer shore walk with lots of trees, green space, playgrounds, restaurants and pubs.

We have seen many banyan trees in the Southern Hemisphere.  Here, we see Ruth Ann in front of a banyan tree.

  We stopped for lunch on The Strand and toured the Queensland Tropics Museum where there were displays about the Great Barrier Reef and short films covering James Cameron's undersea explorations.

                                                                Koala resting in a tree.

Maurice Lambert requested more food photographs.  We dine on local cuisine whenever possible when we're on land.  However, the food onboard the ship is quite good with professional presentations.  Here is a view of one of the dining rooms.

            Vegetarian options are always available.  Here is a sweet potato tart with cashew cream.

                                                        Crab and rice spring roll with melon.

Below is a partial view of another ship restaurant which was lucky enough to be included in the photo 

with this most beautiful woman.

John Mellencamp sang in Key West Intermezzo;

But I saw you first
I'm the first one tonight
Yes I saw you first
Don't that give me the right
To move around in your heart
Everyone was lookin
But I saw you first
I saw you first