 In 2016 we ended the year and started the New Year doing what we absolutely love - travelling! For the midnight countdown to welcome in the 2017 New Year we were sailing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean aboard the P&O Eden. If you have ever considered taking a cruise that includes New Years Eve, here are a list of Pros and Cons to consider. PROS Great Dinner To prepare for the evening we had the option of three restaurants for dinner. There was a special festive menu served in all restaurants and no surcharge for it being NYE. Lots of Options All the bars were in full swing on NYE so there was plenty to choose from. Jazz in the blue room, piano tunes in the Mix Bar, DJ on the pool deck, acoustics in Oceans Bar, band in the Dome - there was so much to choose from. If the crowd or the tunes were not taking your fancy at one venue you could simply walk to another! And best of all - no cover charge! Family Friendly As many locations now do - the cruise offered an option for families to celebrate NYE without having to wait for the official midnight countdown. The entertainment staff put on a great party from 7:30-9pm for all the junior cruisers (and their parents) to feel a part of the atmosphere with a rocking white-party on the pool deck. The kids got glow sticks, the parents joined in for the YMCA and a great time had by all. No Taxi Needed Wherever we needed to be on the night, whichever party we decided to attend - we were able to walk there! No-one had to be the designated driver. And at the end of the night we didn’t have to line up for hours to get a ride home, or pay a 10 x surcharge on Uber - we just walked back to the cabin! CONS  No Fireworks Fireworks and NYE go hand in hand - however in the middle of the ocean there was no such thing. If fireworks are a requirement for your celebration - a cruise may not be your thing. We did however get an awesome 2017 ice carving! No Live Television Coverage If you have ever celebrated NYE at home - or at a home party - live coverage of how people are celebrating around the world normally forms part of the occasion. When you are in the middle of the ocean you are in a bit of a bubble from what is going on in the world - that includes the coverage of the fireworks at iconic locations around the world. I have no idea who pressed the button to release the ball in New York this year! Celebrating with Strangers Unless you manage to convince your friends and family to join you on your NYE cruise, chances are you will be doing the countdown amongst mostly strangers. If you prefer to be surrounded by people you know, this is not the celebration for you. Limited Phone Coverage Unless you have your phone on International roaming, you will not be able to call/text your friends and family at NYE and clog up their inbox with obligatory Happy New Year texts! If you have ever cruise over New Year's Eve - how did you enjoy it? Leave us a comment. Penny - Itchy Feet Family Other blogs you may be interested in: - Christmas Cruising: Pros and Cons - Family Cruising: Five Helpful Tips - Y'All Come Back Soon - Trip to a Texas Ranch - Cycle London - Cruise Ship Thermal Suites
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A trip to Bali is a right of passage for Australian families. Once you have done the obligatory trip to the Gold Coast theme parks the next progression is a family holiday to Bali. Although not a regular destination on the Itchy Feet Family destination list, we have done a few trips and always like to try something different outside of the Kuta markets, Ubud day trip and visit to Waterbom Park. On our most recent trip we decided to see the countryside on two-wheels on a cycling tour. We chose Bali Hai Tours who collected us from our hotel in Kuta, the Hard Rock Hotel. Although we knew we were doing a tour, the one thing we forgot to prepare for was the almost two-hour car journey to Ubud to actually start the cycling tour! Whilst the kids were excited at the prospect of cycling, when our driver gave us an estimate drive time to our tour we nearly had a riot on our hands from the kids! So be prepared.  Cycling tours are best when all family members are able to cycle, however even if your youngest is not quite at a stage to handle their own wheels, bikes with child seats are available. Our 5 year old could ride but not confidently enough so we opted for the child seat for her. Master 8 on the other hand was rearing to go. The clever part of this tour is that the transportation takes you to the highest part of the journey and the route takes you downhill and along flats. So even for someone with only modest levels of fitness, there are no mountains to scale! The challenge is not so much in activating your quads to cycle through terrain, but rather keeping cramp in your hand at bay as the steep descents require excessive usage of your hand break. The route took us through rural villages, bamboo forests, rice fields and to the doorsteps of temples. Children waved and laughed at us as we cycled by and we saw a lovely side to this beautiful country away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta.  Not for the faint hearted, there were a number of stretches that took us along main roads and I must admit that as a mother with an 8 yo on a cycle I did have a few nervous moments when trucks and cars were passing. We had a number of stops along the way where our guide would share with us stories and facts of the area and we were able to stretch our legs, rehydrate and take in the surrounds. Master 8 was fascinated by the Durian and at a local village stop he was shown how to cut the fruit open. He was also offered a taste - however the smell was not one he (nor I) could quite handle. An acquired taste for sure! So if you have done the obligatory tours in Bali and are after something a little different, a cycling tour is a fun family day out if you can drag yourself away from the pool, cocktails and massages! Other blogs you may be interested in: Christmas Cruising: The Pros and Cons Y’All Come Back Soon: Visit to a Texas Ranch Getting Dirty in Vietnam: Nha Trang Mud Baths  If you are taking a South Pacific cruise through Vanuatu, you may just be fortunate enough to have the amazing Mystery Island as part of your itinerary. So to demystify the location, here is what you can expect from a cruise day stop here. Mystery Island is a tiny uninhabited island that is an absolute paradise for cruise passengers. If you wake early enough head out on deck and watch the convoy of small boats filled with Islanders and supplies that make their way to Mystery Island in preparation for your arrival. The Island is small enough to circumnavigate by foot, yet large enough for an airstrip, and it is completed with some of the best beach and crystal clear water you will find anywhere in the world. This is a tender port so you will need to take the small boats to arrive on the island where a jetty awaits. Snorkelling There is an abundance of coral and sea life in the shallows here. The trick is knowing where to go. Many cruise passengers arrive by tender and hit the beach in front of them. Which is fine for swimming, however if you are after some snorkelling cross to the far side of the Island and walk to your right until you nearly reach the tip/end of the beach. It is a bit of a walk to start, but you will be rewarded with an awesome snorkelling experience. The sands here are beautiful and the coral is a far enough distance out that reef shoes are not essential. Hair Braiding In my opinion, this is the best island for hair braiding. In the centre of the island there is a market set up with huts selling various fares. A collection of women await you in the central hut with beads and combs ready to go for the best and tightest braids going. They take their time for a great result that will set you back AUD$12 for kids and AUD$20 for Adults. MassageMystery Island has a great set-up for massages. Dedicated huts with warmed and limber hands ready to take away the knots and stress from your body. Priced at AUD$30 per hour - you will be hard pressed to find a better price on any of the other Islands. Watch Out For Planes Believe it or not, Mystery Island has an airstrip. I don’t think I would ever want to have to utilise it, however on one visit we did actually see a plane land. So it is an operational strip believe it or not! Watch out over head for light aircrafts if you cut across the Island and cross the strip. Eat ShellfishThe locals will have an array of shell fish cooked and ready to display on a banana leave for you to enjoy. Prices vary depending on the size however average AUD$50. You know it is fresh and caught that day, so if you like your lobster this is a great place to indulge. You need to get in early as once they are gone they are gone! Sit in the Cannibal Pot Apparently cannibalism is a part of the history in this area - why when there is an abundance of fish and shell fish I am not sure why you would need to eat human. A trip to Mystery Island is not complete unless you have stood in the pot and had the photo! Of course you don’t actually get in any water and boil away - but it is a fun photo to take.
The Island will accept Australian dollars, but be sure to have small notes with you. Your cruise ship may also set up a drinks bar in the market stool area where you can take advantage of your drinks package or simply charge to your account if you do not have any cash. Mystery Island is a paradise to simply unplug and relax. I am sure there are a myriad of other activities to do, however on each visit we have been so mesmerised by the clear water and snorkelling that we have simply stuck with that. Feel free to leave other activities for this port in the comments below. Penny - Itchy Feet Family Other blogs you may be interested in  Lifou Island, New Caledonia, is a popular location for cruise’s sailing through the South Pacific. If you are thinking of, or have booked, a South Pacific cruise and are wondering what to expect from this island port, here are a few tips and ideas of things to see. The island is quite small so a tender is required at this port, the view as you are anchored out at sea is that of a picturesque and quaint island that calls you from the ship. We have been fortunate enough to visit on three occasions, each time we managed something new. So for a small island there is plenty to see and do. Here is our guide of things to do and see at Lifou Island.  Notre Dame de Lourdes Upon arrival you will notice a small white church perched up on a hillside to the left. This is Notre Dame de Lourdes. Once off the tender walk straight up the hill through the markets and take the main road and head to the left. You will walk past a few village houses and, if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time, a plethora of butterflies just begging to be chased and photographed by your youngsters. Ours had their water cups provided by the ship upon arrival that they used to catch and release. At the end of the road you will come to a path of stairs which will take you up to the summit of the hill to where the quaint church is perched. It is a bit of a hike, but well worth the effort. Visit the church and then take in the amazing scenery.  Secret Grotto For those with a sense of adventure the local grotto is a must when at Lifou. Ship tours will not take you here, probably due to OH&S, but for those with a sense of adventure - it is worth a visit. When you arrive at the island walk straight through the markets, past the transport and up to the main road. This time take a right turn and follow the road. It is a good 8-10 minute walk past village houses until you reach a church on the right. Just past the church you will see a clearing and entry into jungle like terrain. A local will be standing near the entrance ready to take your entry fee. The price is $10 AUD per person, however I have negotiated that down when doing a subsequent visit with a number of children. Follow the path through the trees and down into the cave until you reach the grotto. When you reach it, you will not be disappointed. Crystal clear, beautiful water just begging you to take the plunge into. The locals have set up some lighting inside the cave and one or two hang around to spectate the cruise passengers experience - but you are essentially on a self-tour at your own risk. Snorkel Jinek Bay There is some amazing coral and sea life to be seen at Jinek Bay - but you can only enter the water if you have a ticket. Just a short walk up the road from where your tender arrives, I can't tell you how many people I have seen turned away and disappointed as they didn't pre-arrange entry. Tickets are $15 per person and must be pre-purchased from the ship in order to snorkel in the Bay. The locals will collect your timed ticket (although it is a loose timing - we went about 30 minutes early and it was ok), give you a piece of wool around your wrist as entry and away you go. Take your own snorkel set from home (you can pick up a cheap set from Kmart for around $10) and enjoy the fascinating sea life in this Bay.  Melanesian Discovery Tour On our most recent visit to the island we decided to do a P&O ship tour - Melanesian Discovery Tour. The tour took us via van to a local church - John the Baptist, where we were given a history of the island and invited to view the church. Stop number two was a visit to a local parliament house. A large thatched roof hut we were invited to remove our shoes and take a seat on the floor whilst our guide explained the ins and outs of the government structure on the island. Stop three was a walk to a local village where we watched a cooking demonstration of chicken and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves and buried in the ground. A previously prepared meal was then shared amongst the group. The tour was interesting, we got a good understanding of the make-up of the island, however priced at about $200AUD for the family, I was a bit disappointed that our only interactions with the locals was primarily one guide. I personally was hoping for a greeting from the villagers, a dance, ritual or the likes.  Snorkelling The far side of the island is the location for snorkelling. If you have packed your own snorkelling gear simply walk straight through the markets, take the main road to the left until you see the road veer off to the right. We have not personally snorkelled here, the weather has not been great on our visits and the sea a bit too choppy. But if you get a clear day, the beach is within walking distance. Turtle Spotting Even for those that don’t venture into the water, there is still opportunity to spot the sea turtles that frequent the waters here. The tender jetty is the perfect spot to get a glimpse of these beautiful and large creatures. The water on Lifou is crystal clear so instead of just being mesmerised by the views as you arrive and depart, take some time to scan the waters and you may just be rewarded for it.  Hair Braiding As with all the islands, you will have an opportunity to shop at local markets and have your hair braided. However a word of warning, this stop is one of the most expensive of the islands I have visited to get your hair braided. If your itinerary includes Mystery Island - wait until you are there if you are after some tropical braids. Massage Massages on Lifou are available upon arrival. Priced at AUD$10 per 10 minutes I found this to again be one of the more expensive islands to indulge. If you are heading to Mystery Island as part of your itinerary they have a much better set up and it is much cheaper. Have you been to Lifou? Leave a comment on what you experienced on your visit. Or if you are heading here and have questions, feel free to ask. Other blogs you may be interested in reading: Family Cruise Holidays - 5 Helpful Tips Look Out Zimmer Frame, Zip Lines Coming Through - Adventures at Sea Magical Moreton Island Santo Blue Lagoon Penny - Itchy Feet Family |
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