2023-03-09 – Brisbane, to Sydney, Australia – Day 65

Thursday March 09, 2023

Unfortunately, once again there was a helicopter evacuation of ill guests. As we were taking the leisurely trip between Airlie Beach and Sydney, usually done in one sea day and we are taking two, we were meandering back and forth at slow speed, so the ship went in close to the shore in an inlet so the helicopter was able to make a short trip and take the patient back to the closest hospital. During these operations no-one is permitted access to the decks and it is strictly enforced for safety reasons. We hope that whoever was taken off will soon recover. 

We pursued our usual day with Mass and exercise for Anne, then we get together for breakfast and go to lectures, have lunch, relax in the afternoon or do some activities and then dinner and the show before retiring for the night. Today the lectures were Rod Preston, the amusing Postal Historian, telling tales of some of the strange things that have gone through the mail / post such as children, cats, dogs and even the story of Henry Brown, who posts himself to avoid slavery. He even told the story about Elvis Presley writing a 12 page letter to President Nixon, on how to fix the country, followed by a personal visit to be made a Marshall at large and get a badge. We heard this story last year when we were fortunate enough to have a private tour of the Secret Service Training Center in Washington D.C. where we saw his favorite gold and shell gun he was wearing as part of his “getting dressed up to meet the President”. The gun was loaded and he was nearly arrested for trying to get into see the President with a loaded gun. His assistant quickly resolved the situation by saying that it was a gift for the President. Presley was unhappy about the situation of loosing his favorite gun, but acceded begrudgingly. It was interesting to see the gun on the desk in the picture that Ron showed of the event with Nixon and Presley, particularly as we had seen and indeed photographed that gun which is in the armory of the Secret Service Training ground. 

The second lecture was the famous Australian TV Sports host – Ken Sutcliffe who spoke about his many interactions with famous individuals in the World of Sports and some amusing stories of these occasions. He has covered all major Golf, Cricket, Rugby, etc Olympics, World Cups, Tennis majors and spoke of his experience covering these sporting events over the decades. One of the many interesting stories was about the 6 months of sheer opulence surrounding the Yacht race – The Americas Cup in Australia.

We skipped the next lecture as we were involved with an important call, but did hear Sam Riley, the Australian Swimming champion. She recounted her path to success, from an asthmatic 4 year old to her Olympic medals, world records and being named in 1994 as “World Female Swimmer of the Year”.

It was a Gala Night so we got all dressed up but decided to skip the show after dinner as it was “Apassionata” by the Cunard Singers and Dancers, as we have seen the excellent show many times.