The height of tide is crucial for entering Cairns port; at low tide, there is not enough water in the long entrance channel and it is necessary to adjust one’s arrival so that there is sufficient to make the passage. Even so, when we do transit the channel at the earliest time we can do so, there is only 1.8 metres of water under our keel.
We embark 2 pilots here, one guides us in, while the other assists him by watching the leading lights and buoys, the channel is narrow and we have to stay in the centre of it, any variation and the mud awaits us. We also have to transit at slow speed; it’s that old subject of us displacing water and it’s got to come back in somehow. Too fast and the ‘Amsterdam’ will ‘squat’ or go lower in the water purely because the water will not be replaced fast enough; when one is playing with just 1.8 metres, one can’t afford to misjudge speed.
Anyway, here we are, on our way across the Coral Sea after a succesful call in Cairns, so you can presume correctly that we arrived there, without bouncing along the bottom 🙄
Cairns is, in one word, stupendous. It is a city to which thousands of tourists, backpackers and adventure-seekers throng to; it has something for everyone, young and old and one day there is not enough. Our guests did everything from swim on the Great Barrier Reef, ride a scenic railway, (built between 1882 and 1891) through the gorges and mountains outside Cairns, go crocodile watching, go on jet-boats, ride helicopters and take a ‘skyrail’ through Tropical rain forests, the list is endless.
Moi? I took a walk around the city. It was hot and humid however the sun was shining on a spectacular day. It is a wonderful eclectic mix of old and new, many original buildings from the 1890’s are still there, restored beautifully. Even when some modern building has been placed in the city, the citizens had the foresight to keep many of the older building’s facades, rather than knocking them down. So for instance, one finds a modern apartment block with the frontage of a 19th-century hotel, quite amazing.
Trees line the avenues, which reminds me of South Africa, where they were built wide enough to turn a wagon with a span of oxen; possibly the same reason here?
We had to wait for a high enough tide to depart, for the same reason as our arrival. However, this time we had to swing through 180º in a very ‘tight’ swinging area before heading out to sea.
Early tomorrow morning we transit the China Strait, a narrow passage off the south-east coast of Papua New Guinea, here the currents can rip through at 6 knots, about 7 mph and it’s only 1/2 mile wide, more Bridge time beckons……
I’ll leave you with photos of Cairns; this time I am not going to use the ‘slideshow’ feature and instead post them individually. Please let me know which you prefer!
On the berth
The city from the Bridge
Typical street
Esplanade walk
A section of the Esplanade walk
Tree-lined walkways
The public swimming pool
Old and new
Approaching the berth
Park area
Helicopter ride
Captain, love your commentary and photos. Whichever is easiest for you is fine with me. Thanks for taking your time to share.
Per your request,this photo posting method was ineffective. I get a ? On each photo and had to reload each and every photo and reload the email too…sounds like a great port there…hope another world tour stays longer and that they give you the input to suggest as much
My father was at Townsed and up the islands with MacArthur for three yeRs straight so will be watching for any signs of WWII
Hello Charlotte. I have tested the site and I believe your ? challenge may well be to do with your ‘Flash player’ which is installed on your PC/Mac, maybe it needs updating?? 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Indeed, my Ipad does not use Adobe Flash player which was the problem.
Normally, I look at your photos on a big screen. enjoying following your journey lots. Thinking about 2016. If Japan is included, count me in…
I so very much enjoy your pictures and Blog. Thank you so much for the virtual seat on the bridge.
I prefer the individual pictures. Intriguing to read a blog from the Captain’s view point.
I am new to HAL, our first cruise scheduled for late March but having found your blog, I am hooked! Thank you so much for doing this and I also vote for the individual photos with the captions. Great photos!
There was a Cairns webcam I came across which allowed me to see the Amsterdam proceed from a long way out to very close to berth near the yacht harbour.Not sure if we will get such good remote views at future ports though.
I also prefer the pictures shown individually. Thank you for your posts. The perspective from the bridge is enlightening, done with grace and wit. Most people cannot parallel park their car, so I am always in awe of maneuvering the behemoth in and out of port. With only a few short HAL cruises under my belt, I so want to circumnavigate the globe!
Like most of the other posters I like the individual pictures. We were in Cairns a few years ago and it was nice to study the pictures and remember out time there.
Thank you very much for this wonderful blog, we are following you everyday and enjoying your comments and photos. We also like the individual photh posting. We are a long time HAL fans and thinking of taking this cruise this year. hope we can meet then.
Thanks again and have a wonderful cruise !!!
I agree, individual photos are best. I look forward to each post regardless. Thanks for doing this!
Love Cairns Captain. Have been here many time both by air & on the Volendam. Outside the Casino in the park there are brass items with one a Gladstone bag. My wife thought someone had left it in the park so I told her to go pick it up & we will hand it into the police station…she tried, much to her embarrassment.
Like the pics any way and the video’s. They should be easier to attach to your blog, formatting them on a .flv file.
Safe sailing.
We USA expat’s look forward to the excitement from your planned visit here on Yap, next Monday 2/24.
I, too, prefer the individual pictures. I know all of us appreciate your blogging and taking the time for doing it but really, which ever way is easier for you. Can’t be depriving you of valuable sleep now, can we? ;>}
I also prefer the pictures shown individually. I am enjoying your blog as well as the other World Cruisers sailing with you. We sailed with you about 2 years ago on the two week Alaska itinerary. We enjoyed it and will be back on this June.
I prefer your pictures shown individually so that one can study them – thank you for taking the time to post them. I am having a wonderful time following your blog, as well as 4 other blogs of your trip. It’s been fascinating!