An observation we’ve made is that we need to factor in at least 1/2 hour after berthing to disembark…if at the front of the queue line.  This time we exited efficiently but then there was a hold up at Melb immigration, as they wanted to process international visitors first (so we patiently waited in a huge queue…and waited…until that occurred. Why didn’t Princess staff know of that expectation? Grrrr.

Got an Uber to our Forest Therapy session at the Botanical Gardens…but because of the Marathon being held and associated road closures, had to travel from Sth Melb along Queens Rd to Chapel St, turn left and then made our way along Punt Rd to Domain Rd to access the visitor centre. Gave the Uber driver some extra $ for his troubles. 

We needed the tree hugging and sensory enrichment experience to destress after all that. 

Couldn’t get an Uber to find us in the Gardens with all the road closures, so with ‘more front than Myers’, cheekily asked a driver close by, if they might be going along Punt Rd and could drop us off at Bridge Rd so we could catch a tram into the city? Yes, said Dean. Phew! Lynne was excited to sit in the back seat accompanying Ancho, a kelpie who has a fondness for and eagerly anticipates trains and stations apparently. Dropped us off at Jolimont station. 

Onwards to the Ritz Carlton for a high tea with spectacular views over Melb from the 80th floor. Beautiful presentation and moreish.

We could see our ship at Port Melb dwarfing the Spirit of Tasmania at the opposite dock. 

On the way back to the ship, lots of colorful characters in the city, attending the Pax (gamers) festival.

Scared Weird Little Guys entertained us again with a new show – loved their song about all the hits of the 90’s; and their impression of different artists’ singing Waltzing Matilda ( eg. in Coldplay, Em and Em, Elvis, Garfunkel, Katy Perry’s style).