Puffing Billy, Pork Bellies, Dandenongs, Koalas, Kangaroos and more!

Backing up a little, sharing last evening.  The Divas went to a fabulous cocktail party at the Melbourne Aquarium. Being the Divas that they are, they opted to make their exit early.  Upon return to the ship, the Divas once again found themselves at LaVeranda for even more food.  One Diva was a little too tired and her manners slipped, finding herself coated in puff pastry embarrassing all the other Divas.  She was not fit for polite society. 

Morning came and the Divas left the ship for yet another exciting excursion.  We boarded the bus headed toward the Dandenong Mountains.  Our first stop was to ride a steam engine train appropriately named Puffing Billy.  It wasn't long and all 4 Divas found themselves sitting on the window of the train with their legs hanging out over the side in true Diva style.  Puffing Billy took us through mountains and over the second most photographed trestle bridge in Australia. 

From Puffing Billy, the Divas headed to the beautiful and famous Rochford winery.  Divas enjoyed a relaxing wine tasting outdoors soaking up the sun looking out over fields of grapes.  We had a wonderful and exquisite lunch at the winery.  (Thank goodness even away from the ship the Divas can find food!)

The Divas were soon in heaven at the Healsville Reserve, a sanctuary for native Australian animals and reptiles.   Home to kangaroos, koalas, wallabys, wombats, and other native creatures.  We spent the afternoon walking amongst these wonderful animals, many of whom were rescued and rehabilitated. (I'm thinking the divas may need their own version of rehabilitation once they return to the States, perhaps a 12 step program for deserts.)

We ended the day in Kiki's master suite, being served dinner by  Butler Marcial,  while in our jammies, watching "Best in Show" and laughing our ever growing rear ends off.

As we finish this entry, the sea is beginning to pitch as we head for Bass Straight, north of  Tasmania, looking for our Meclizine.  The Captain made his announcement of just how rough the seas are going to be this evening, by 9 pm we realized his prediction came true as we are strongly shifting to and fro. Joyce says the room is spinning and she bids us farewell.  Barbara blushing over her emails, while Kiki and Donna cheat one another playing Yahtzee.  Let no calorie be wasted, Marcial also returned only to bring us trays of deserts. Divas now are seriously considering the benefits and necessity of a 12-step program. 

Tomorrow will be a day at sea, continuing toward Hobart, Tasmania.  Mid-day tomorrow the Divas have been invited to a private tour of the ship and its wine cellar.  Ahhh, the busy life of a Diva.

Also tomorrow we will try to post several flip videos from today.  Some very fun and entertaining clips of the animals.
(photos may have to come tomorrow as there appears to be a technical glitch)