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Australia’s Top End Delivers Humid Charm All Its Own

Posted on February 26, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 49-52, 2025 Grand World Voyage Saturday to Tuesday, Feb. 22-25, 2025; Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Indonesia; and At Sea. Once again, an early forecast of rain proved to be wrong, and we enjoyed a mostly sunny day in Darwin. A few clouds might have brought some relief from the

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Australia
One comment

No Shortage of Activity While Sailing Great Barrier Reef

Posted on February 21, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 45-48, 2025 Grand World Voyage Tuesday to Friday, Feb. 18-21, 2025; Cairns, Queensland, Australia, and At Sea. Three consecutive sea days! What a welcome – and lazy – break. It’s not that we have been overly busy with a long string of port days. But the ship atmosphere changes

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Australia
12 comments

Feels Like 108º? Time to Shop at Favorite Aussie Dress Boutique

Posted on February 17, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 43, 2025 Grand World Voyage Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025; Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia. Airlie Beach is a small resort town in Australia’s Whitsundays, a tropical island group that not only is a beautiful vacation spot, but also one of the gateways to the Great Barrier Reef. We are here

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Australia
3 comments

Easy Familiarity of Repeat Sydney Visits Adds to the Delight

Posted on February 13, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 38-39, 2025 Grand World Voyage Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 11-12, 2025; Sydney, NSW, Australia. As the bug slowly made its way across the floor of the mall bathroom stall, all I could think as I lifted my feet was the passage from one of my favorite authors writing in

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Australia
5 comments

World-Class Architecture Surprise in South Pacific Islands

Posted on February 9, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 35, 2025 Grand World Voyage Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025; Nouméa, New Caledonia. The Shard in London. The Pompidou Centre in Paris. The Nemo Science Centre in Amsterdam. The Regal Princess cruise ship. And the Tjibaou Cultural Center in Nouméa. What do they all have in common? Each was designed

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2025 Grand World Voyage, New Caledonia
5 comments

Rainy Day in Tonga Can’t Compete With 2020’s Magical Visit

Posted on February 8, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 32, 2025 Grand World Voyage Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025; Nuku’alofa, Tonga. The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” I’ve learned the truth of this philosophy applies to port experiences.

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Tonga
8 comments

Rarotonga Return Offers New Opportunity to Sketch Tropical Beauty

Posted on February 6, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 29, 2025 Grand World Voyage Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025; Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The elements came together today for a lovely opportunity to paint ashore. I found a stone seat in the shade of the visitor’s gazebo to sketch, ink and paint a view of Avarua on the island of

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Cook Islands
3 comments

Soaking Up Tropical Beauty of Tahiti, Moorea and Raiatea

Posted on February 2, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 25- 27, 2025 Grand World Voyage Tuesday-Thursday, Jan. 28-30, 2025; Tahiti, Moorea and Raiatea, Society Islands, French Polynesia. Not much can top the beauty of South Pacific islands. Sandy beaches, breaking waves on reefs, lush vegetation, tall palm trees and soaring peaks. And the water – every blue in

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2025 Grand World Voyage, French Polynesia
6 comments

Country or Not, Pitcairn Offers Opportunity for Shopping Frenzy

Posted on January 27, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Day 22, 2025 Grand World Voyage Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025; Pitcairn Island. I’ve been to 94 countries, according to my count. I track them on the app Been, which creates a neat map. Obviously, a stop in Canada, Russia, China or even Greenland makes the map more impressive. Tiny island

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Pitcairn Islands
14 comments

Tendering Challenges Add to Thrill of Seeing Easter Island Moai

Posted on January 25, 2025July 7, 2026 by Jo Johnston

Days 18-19, 2025 Grand World Voyage Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 21-22, 2025; Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island). There might be more remote spots on earth, but not many, and not with the mystery and magic of Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it is known elsewhere. Even Britannica (as

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2025 Grand World Voyage, Chile
12 comments

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I’m a writer in love with the sea, sailing, travel and sketching.

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