Brisbane Day 15 - Conflict Islands
Woke to a rocky ship and a pounding rainstorm. Not the best of omens to start the day. It rained until just after sunrise and then things sort of evened out. We are currently anchored off the coast of the Conflict Islands, waiting to see if we are going to be able to tender or not.
We have a snorkel excursion for this afternoon and I’m hoping that the sun will be out by then. These island are a biomarine reserve and home to more species of fish than anywhere else in this part of the world. They also have a sea turtle rescue/rehab center here.
From Wikipedia
The Conflict Islands are comprised of 21 untouched and, for the most part, uninhabited islands, located in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. They were named after the HMS naval survey ship The Conflict which discovered the islands in 1886, not because of warring tribes.
We came into the south east end of the island and their main docking area. Like Rangiroa, the bay here is deep enough for the cruise ships to come into the lagoon formed by the islands. While it was never as calm as it had been earlier in the trip, it was still calm enough for us to tender in.
I kept hoping for the sun to come out, but it never did. TGB was worried about me getting on and off the tender, but there was no issue at all. The ride in was a little rough, but not as bad as we’ve have before.
The islands, while a conservancy is geared towards tourists. There is a resort on the island that guests fly in and out of. The air strip is tiny and I wouldn’t want to be in that plane landing or taking off. The main dock had an information area and a small store (got a great tee shirt!) and a path which led to the tour area. There was a small restaurant and waiting area for the various tours going out. We checked in and we were all given a red rasher shirt to use (makes you easy to spot in the water) and then we waited for our turn.
Our boat took us to across the bay to a pontoon platform where we snorkeled from. It was a great location. Granted it was still cloudy and the tide was going out (so the water was cloudy), it was probably the best snorkeling I’ve ever had. Perhaps it’s because it’s been the first time in probably five years I’ve been in the ocean or that the area was just that rich in marine life, but we saw so many fish and the coral was incredible. It made me wish we’d spent two days here as oppose to Rabaul.
It was over much too quick and suddenly we were back on the tender heading back to the ship. I have to say that the shower felt pretty darn good. While TBG showered, I rinsed off our equipment (we have our own snorkels and masks with our eyeglass prescription put into them) and our booties and set them, along with the swimsuits out to dry. And now, the sun decided to put in an appearance, just as we were leaving the islands. Sigh.
Tonight we had dinner at the Bayou Steakhouse and I have to say I wasn’t impressed with the food or the atmosphere. The other restaurants, there’s a feeling of camaraderie among the staff, but not at the Bayou. We arrived to listen to the restaurant’s maître d accuse the couple in front of us of canceling their reservation and then trying to crash dinner. That was silly as there were more than enough empty tables. Then he accused one of the other captains of cancelling it. It didn’t matter, dude, seat the people.
We sat no far from them and for some reason, they were treated poorly all night. It made me a little sad. Anyhow, I started with French onion soup (they called it Black and Blue soup, as it had a splash of Jack Daniel’s black label in it and a crust of blue cheese), then king prawns in a rub over rice and followed by salted caramel cheesecake. I don’t usually order dessert, but the waiter explained it was now or never. I didn’t bother to argue with him. TBG had a crab cake, the soup and a fillet of flounder and herb crusted shrimp and a key lime pie. The food was okay, but not fabulous. Still, it was packed and as we went by Sabatini’s on our way back to the cabin, it was nearly empty. I must be missing something.
Back in the cabin, we watched some TV and read before calling it a day. With as much exercise as we’d gotten, it didn’t take long for either of us to nod off.
We have a snorkel excursion for this afternoon and I’m hoping that the sun will be out by then. These island are a biomarine reserve and home to more species of fish than anywhere else in this part of the world. They also have a sea turtle rescue/rehab center here.
From Wikipedia
The Conflict Islands are comprised of 21 untouched and, for the most part, uninhabited islands, located in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. They were named after the HMS naval survey ship The Conflict which discovered the islands in 1886, not because of warring tribes.
We came into the south east end of the island and their main docking area. Like Rangiroa, the bay here is deep enough for the cruise ships to come into the lagoon formed by the islands. While it was never as calm as it had been earlier in the trip, it was still calm enough for us to tender in.
I kept hoping for the sun to come out, but it never did. TGB was worried about me getting on and off the tender, but there was no issue at all. The ride in was a little rough, but not as bad as we’ve have before.
The islands, while a conservancy is geared towards tourists. There is a resort on the island that guests fly in and out of. The air strip is tiny and I wouldn’t want to be in that plane landing or taking off. The main dock had an information area and a small store (got a great tee shirt!) and a path which led to the tour area. There was a small restaurant and waiting area for the various tours going out. We checked in and we were all given a red rasher shirt to use (makes you easy to spot in the water) and then we waited for our turn.
Our boat took us to across the bay to a pontoon platform where we snorkeled from. It was a great location. Granted it was still cloudy and the tide was going out (so the water was cloudy), it was probably the best snorkeling I’ve ever had. Perhaps it’s because it’s been the first time in probably five years I’ve been in the ocean or that the area was just that rich in marine life, but we saw so many fish and the coral was incredible. It made me wish we’d spent two days here as oppose to Rabaul.
It was over much too quick and suddenly we were back on the tender heading back to the ship. I have to say that the shower felt pretty darn good. While TBG showered, I rinsed off our equipment (we have our own snorkels and masks with our eyeglass prescription put into them) and our booties and set them, along with the swimsuits out to dry. And now, the sun decided to put in an appearance, just as we were leaving the islands. Sigh.
Tonight we had dinner at the Bayou Steakhouse and I have to say I wasn’t impressed with the food or the atmosphere. The other restaurants, there’s a feeling of camaraderie among the staff, but not at the Bayou. We arrived to listen to the restaurant’s maître d accuse the couple in front of us of canceling their reservation and then trying to crash dinner. That was silly as there were more than enough empty tables. Then he accused one of the other captains of cancelling it. It didn’t matter, dude, seat the people.
We sat no far from them and for some reason, they were treated poorly all night. It made me a little sad. Anyhow, I started with French onion soup (they called it Black and Blue soup, as it had a splash of Jack Daniel’s black label in it and a crust of blue cheese), then king prawns in a rub over rice and followed by salted caramel cheesecake. I don’t usually order dessert, but the waiter explained it was now or never. I didn’t bother to argue with him. TBG had a crab cake, the soup and a fillet of flounder and herb crusted shrimp and a key lime pie. The food was okay, but not fabulous. Still, it was packed and as we went by Sabatini’s on our way back to the cabin, it was nearly empty. I must be missing something.
Back in the cabin, we watched some TV and read before calling it a day. With as much exercise as we’d gotten, it didn’t take long for either of us to nod off.