​The Norwegian Star cruised the Timor Sea as it made its way from Indonesia to our first port of call in Australia, Darwin.The city was named by his former shipmates on the H.M.S. Beagle for the famous naturalist Charles Darwin.

The city was named by his former shipmates on the H.M.S. Beagle for the famous naturalist Charles Darwin.It sits on the north coast a long way from anywhere.It is the capital of this part of Australia called the Northern Territories or the "Top End" to the Aussies. This part of Australia can have huge Cyclones, called Hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere.Darwin has had to be rebuilt three times due to the devastation from prior storms.

The weather for my visit was warm, humid, and partly cloudy.I took a bus tour around the city to get my bearings and saw wild wallabies grazing in a local field.The beaches were inviting but empty.This is due to the abundance of Crocodiles and stinging Jellyfish that inhabit the coastal waters of this tropical landscape. I decided to spend the afternoon at a local attraction called Crocodilus Park to see its namesake.

I was greeted by a young Aussie girl holding a young reptile who had his mouth conveniently tapped shut to protect the tourists. She gave me the expected greeting of "good day, mate!" I got my tickets and went into the entrance right in the center of Darwin's shopping zone.I wandered around and saw the Cage of Death where you can swim protected by a acrylic wall with some of the largest Crocodiles in the park.I did not see any brave souls try it while I was there.I went fishing for Crocodiles instead.

Here you are allowed to use a fishing pole without a hook and a tied on bait to see which of the dozens of small two and three foot reptiles will bite your offering.I caught three but it is catch and release.I watched a much larger Croc being served lunch by the keepers.He was both huge and hungry. After my reptilian encounter, I was hungry too.

I stopped at a local restaurant and while sipping a Fosters had a bucket of the largest Prawns I had ever eaten. After breaking the heads off and peeling the tail I was chomping away on my iced dozen.They were cooked but not on the "Barbie'

The ship sailed past the Northern most point in Australia called Horn Island as it entered the Coral Sea.These waters were the setting for the famous sea battle between aircraft carriers during WWII to protect Australia from the Japanese.The Coral Sea extends 1200 miles down the coast of Australia and contains the Great Barrier Reef.That was my next stop.

We anchored near the small port of Yorkey's Knob just north of Cairns.I was going snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. The large catamaran picked me up right at the ship and we motored out several miles then anchored in what appeared to be open ocean.No land in sight.I was surprised not to see small islets or other formations like the Whitsunday Islands but the sights were below the waterline. I had to put on a nylon full body suit including hood and feet to protect me from the stinging jellyfish that are found all over this part of the reef.I looked like a black whale or at least a seal as I got into the water and began my swim.The coral formations were abundant and colorful but I didn't think the fish were any more numerous or varied than what I had seen in Hawaii and Tahiti.I did see a small green leatherback turtle.Overall, I have to be honest and say I was disappointed in the Great Barrier Reef.

The next day we sailed further down the coast passing the city of Brisbane and the Gold Coast of Australia that is famous for its beaches.A beautiful sunset was my reward for a long day at sea. The next morning just before dawn the Star pulled into its berth in Sydney. I was up with my camera and tripod on the deck in the predawn darkness.Our berth was right near the Circular Quay with great views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, called the Coat Hanger. The skyline of the waterfront and its iconic structure, the Opera House.What a perfect vantage point to watch the largest city in Australia wake up as the sun rose.

My day in Sydney began with a tour of the Opera House and its unusual design.It was built to resemble the sails of a clipper ship.There are several different venues inside the overall structure so that different events can be held here.The acoustics of the main hall were impressive.This unusual and iconic building is the symbol of Sydney.

I stopped next at one of the most famous beaches in the world, Bondi Beach. It sits on one of the many bays and inlets that make up the huge harbor around Sydney. The sun was shining and the people were on the beach in droves.I stayed cool in a local restaurant while watching the Superbowl on local T.V.

I thought I would miss the game but who can say they watched the Superbowl in Australia. Atlanta was beating New England handily when I headed for my hotel in the downtown area.When I checked into the Sheraton overlooking Hyde Park and began to unpack I turned on the "Tele" and was amazed to see New England win the game in overtime.

The evening was spent wandering the promenade of Darling Harbor on Cockle Bay. The old wharves and warehouses have been redeveloped into alively shopping and entertainment district. This beautiful setting allows you to take in the skyline of Sydney while enjoying the outdoor eateries that dot the waterfront.

I could see the Westfield Tower which is the highest vantage point in the city. Nearby was the Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World that I would visit the next day to pose with a bear.

The Sealife Aquarium is a multi story adventure where you can see Sharks, Penguins, reef fish and even Dugongs, known as Manatees in North America. The different environments allow you to view all different kinds of local sea life in a friendly ad comfortable series of levels.

Wildlife Sydney is right next door and you can up close looks at the unusual Australian Big Five which include Kangaroos, Wombat, Crocodile, Platypus, and Koalas. There are Wallabies, Tasmanian Devils, and various birds like the Kookaburra. The Koala Rooftop isthe place to get your picture with a Koala Bear.

You don't get to hold the animal but the staff poses you very close.You get to see this cute and cuddly animal much on eucalyptus leaves and crawl through the branches of its environment.While the Taronga Zoo across the harbor is a much larger and has many more animals in more natural settings but you can't beat the amount of creatures you get to see at the Sealife Aquarium and Wildlife Sydney in Darling Harbor. It is a great place to get your Australian wildlife encounters in a limited amount of time/

Australia is a continent and I was able to see only a small portion of this unusual and fascinating country that is called The Land Down Under.

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