Victory at Milne Bay – Then and Now
Day 28, South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand Cruise
Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022; Alotau, Papua New Guinea, Coral Sea.
There I was, dreamily sitting under the bright blue canopy of a boat, enjoying the stiff breeze as we swept along through the whitecaps past sandy beaches under swaying palms. Children yelled and waved as they ran along, trying to keep up with our progress.
But it wasn’t a dream! It was my reality this morning, as I finally tested negative for covid and burst free from isolation in my stateroom.
Today’s port is Alotau, the main town on Milne Bay, in far southeast Papua New Guinea. Before I got covid I had booked a boat tour to see the area in which the Australians, aided by Americans and the local residents, delivered Japan its first World War II land loss, in mid 1942.
There is not much evidence left of the battles, but our guide painted an interesting picture of the jungle warfare. “You were not only fighting the enemy, but the terrain, the elements and the unknown,” he said. The forces were thigh deep in mud. It rained continually, so the troops from Australia could never use the tents they brought. Many suffered from malaria, and they encountered crocodiles, snakes and leeches.
With its victory, the win at Milne Bay delivered “a spark of hope” that led the troops through the following years, our guide said.
Having missed the two Fiji ports of Dravuni Island and Lautoka, as well as an overnight with two days at Noumea, New Calidonia, I had my fingers crossed that I could finally go ashore. And even though I was feeling fine physically for the last few days, the cruise line’s medical protocol required that I have a negative covid test in order to leave isolation.
I had used one of the covid tests I brought from home last night and tested negative. I just needed the test administered by the medical department to agree. And I needed to be one of the first people tested, and to receive the results quickly. (Yesterday, it took more than two hours to get the results of the 20-minute test. I don’t think the medical team understands how stressful it is to wait.)
So with the help of the medical staff, today I was tested at 9 a.m., received my negative result by 9:15, and was ready to join my tour at 10.
The last few days of isolation weren’t easy. I no longer had any symptoms and felt fine. There was nothing on the room service or dining room menus that appealed. HGTV was repeating episodes, and I could only take so much of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network. I was sulking and tired of trying to entertain myself. In my somewhat “dark mood of despair,” as I named it, I had no interest in painting, reading or writing.
The highlights of my days were getting my morning latte and the two buckets of ice my room steward Mara delivered morning and night. And especially reading all the comments and well wishes on this blog and on social media.
When I returned to my stateroom this afternoon, I found in my mailbox my golden “Certificate of Recovery,” which declares me free of covid despite a potential positive test.
One more piece of good news. I lost two pounds during my nine days of isolation! Tonight I will celebrate with a special Rudi’s Sel de Mar meal in the Pinnacle Grill. It requires a $49 upcharge, but I will get a 25 percent discount.
Wonderful news, you’re free! Been hoping for that. Loving your blog.
Yay!! So happy you are out of jail and can enjoy the upcoming ports. Looking forward to your review of Sel 🙂
So glad you are not positive any longer! And will be able to enjoy the rest of the trip!
I am happy you are out of isolation? I know it must have been tough, especially you indicated you were not very i’ll. Hope the rest of your cruise goes well
Congratulations 🍾!!! So glad you are free. After a number of separate isolation events during our 2017 Grand Asia cruise, I understand all your frustrations!!! What a mess it was!!!
Enjoy your new ports and newfound freedom. Hope the dark days are over, and your cruise becomes fun and enjoyable once again. Hape you can get back to painting—-your sketches are so delightful. Please share!!!
Yay! So glad you’re back out in the world!!
You deserve that meal!
Glad to hear you are free.
Welcome back to the World! How many days were you in solitary?
Eight days.
Jo, Peter forwarded your post and I’m so glad that you came through your isolation. The pictures are lovely. Hope the rest of the cruise is better.
I’m so happy to hear you can resume your wonderful cruise and are finally freed from quarantined hell. So sorry it was such long process. Enjoy your freedom and thank you for allowing us to travel along with you!
So happy that you have been released! Enjoy
So glad you were sprung and had a good day out and about.
Love your writings, the menu looks fabulous! Thank you
Congratulations on being released from Covid Jail. I have really been enjoying tour blog on this cruise.
Glad you recovered quickly and are free to play again! 🙏🏻👍🏻🙏🏻👍🏻
Enjoy every second!
Woot! Woot! Woot! I reviewed the menu and chose my own celebratory meal. I wonder what you chose.
You’ll have to find out on my next post!
So good to hear you are free at last! I am enjoying your blog so much. This one was very interesting, I have wanted to go to Papua New Guinea ever since I met a young man on a cruise long ago who had been born there (as I recall his parents were missionaries). Looks like you had a very nice day out followed by what looked to be a very good dinner.