Cruising Asia, Bali to Brisbane Asia on NCL's Norwegian Sun: 'Dragons to Down Under'

Story By Christene Meyers

Photos By Bruce Keller

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers pose in hats with fans at a Balinese temple, before heading to Australia

Some vacations are over too quickly. This one was was just right -- nearly a month on back-to-back Norwegian Sun cruises. After completing our first 12-day cruise from Singapore to Bali, we stayed aboard the lovely ship for the second leg of our adventure. We departed beautiful Bali and headed south toward Australia. It was the perfect way to continue exploring this fascinating part of the world without ever having to repack a suitcase.

The Komodo dragon attacks his victim through ambush with a venomous bite, then tracks the wounded animal until it collapses from blood loss. Here, he is using his forked tongue to "taste" and smell the air which helps him find food.

For two weeks, we visited remote Indonesian islands, photographed three Komodo dragons, explored tropical Australia and ended with five fun days in a favorite city, Brisbane.

Another Wonderful Voyage on Norwegian Sun

Returning to Norwegian Sun felt like coming home. Familiar crew greeted us, a favorite bartender remembered our drinks and new friends continued on the second sailing with us.

The ship impressed with fine dining, a good mix of entertainment, relaxing sea days and the friendly atmosphere NCL has perfected. We enjoyed leisurely breakfasts on our veranda, top entertainment revues, a terrific Ukrainian pianist and gorgeous sunsets.

Indoor market in Lombok features a colorful display of bright pink dragon fruit and melons.

A Relaxing Day at Sea

Our first full day was spent at sea, allowing everyone to unwind after departing Bali. Sea days are cruising's greatest luxury. With no alarm clock, no schedule to keep, no pressure to do anything except enjoy, we did just that. We exercised with a tai chi coach, participated in trivia, listened to a lecture, had a leisurely meal, relaxed on our balcony and admired the sea.

Lombok, Indonesia

Our first stop cruising Asia on our Bali to Brisbane odyssey was the beautiful island of Lombok, where we also enjoyed an overnight stay. The extra time allowed us to experience the island at a more relaxed pace, while a typical cruise stop is usually only for a day.

A helpful concierge tapes the red markings on Christene Meyers' hiking shoes before a trek to see Komodo dragons. The animals are attracted to red, so black tape had to cover the shoe's red stripes.

We discovered that Lombok is Bali's quieter neighbor with pristine beaches and landscapes, traditional villages and a slower pace Friendly people, spectacular fruit and lush scenery made it ideal for exploring beyond the port and appreciating Indonesia's natural beauty.

Komodo National Park

Then Komodo. For many of us, visiting Komodo National Park was the cruise highlight. We hiked to the famous Komodo dragons, largest living lizards on Earth. We spotted three on our trek -- one almost 10 feet long weighing more than 150 pounds. He flecked his frightening forked tongue to gasps from the group. This remarkable reptile exists on only a few Indonesian islands. Fewer than 4,000 remain in the wild, making our triple sighting special.

Watching these ancient-looking animals move through their natural habitat was impressive. They're powerful, have a keen sense of smell and a confidence reminding us they have survived for millions of years.

We had to tape the red on our shoes because they are attracted to the color.

Cruising Asia Bali to Brisbane --

Two More Sea Days then Darwin

Leaving Bali, we settled into shipboard life for two sea days as we sailed the 1,000 miles to Australia. Sea days are my favorite -- for reading, dining, evening theater and chats with fellow travelers from around the world. Fun to make new friends and plan to meet again.

A hungry crocodile lunges from muddy water with his jaws wide open, showing teeth and his rough scales at Darwin Crocodile Farm.

Darwin, Australia

Our first Australian port was Darwin, the tropical capital of Australia's Northern Territory, famous for its wild saltwater crocodiles. Darwin and the surrounding "Top End" region of Australia have one of the world's largest populations of these fascinating and frightening creatures which have caused numerous human casualties. They live in harbors, beaches, estuaries and rivers and are often relocated by park rangers who carefully trap and band them.

Darwin's history is shaped by its unique tropical location, by World War II action and its Indigenous culture. Our lively shore excursion introduced us to the city's pretty waterfront, beautiful parks and local attractions while offering a glimpse into life in Australia's far north. It's a relaxed culture with welcoming people and we viewed the "crocs" safely from a ramp.

Cooktown, Australia

Statue of Captain Cook in Cooktown stands among palm trees under a bright blue sky.

Cooktown may be small, but its history is enormous. Captain James Cook famously brought HMS Endeavour ashore here in 1770 for repairs after striking the Great Barrier Reef. Today, Cooktown offers a peaceful blend of history, tropical scenery, and friendly locals who are proud to share their unique corner of Queensland.

It felt like stepping back into an earlier chapter of Australian history.

Cairns, Australia

Cairns is known around the world as one of the primary gateways to the Great Barrier Reef. It's easy to understand why so many travelers fall in love with this tropical city. Palm-lined streets, waterfront parks, outdoor cafés and an easygoing atmosphere make Cairns an enjoyable destination even before we explored the famous reef. Friends snorkeled while we took a tour to an Aboriginal village to enjoy music and games. It's a gem of Australian cities.

An Aboriginal man plays a long didgeridoo in a lush tropical setting at Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda northwest of Cairns. We experienced a wonderful traditional didgeridoo performance and boomerang

Townsville, Australia

Townsville offered another introduction to Queensland's relaxed coastal lifestyle.

Smiling girl with a koala. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary near Brisbane offers close-up koala encounters

Beautiful waterfront promenades, nearby Magnetic Island, and warm tropical weather made this a delightful stop before our final sea day. Everywhere we went, Australians welcomed us with genuine friendliness and an easy smile that made us feel like old friends. That -- and koalas -- are the charm of Australia. We enjoyed a tour to the Koala Park with close-up wildlife tours and interactions with the endearing koalas, wombats, and reptiles.

One Final Day at Sea

Our last sea day offered time to reflect on our memorable back-to-back cruise adventure. We'd visited multiple countries and cultures and traveled thousands of miles. On that last night, suitcases appeared outside cabin doors and conversations turned toward memories, trading contact information and planning the trip's next phase. Some were heading for the airport early the next day, but we had other ideas.

Five Fun Days in Brisbane

While the cruise ended in Brisbane, our adventure didn't. We recommend staying on at least a couple days, wherever your cruise ends. We planned five days in a favorite city, Brisbane, for its irresistible charm. We love Brisbane River's water taxi and South Bank's parks and restaurants. "Brizzy," as it's called by locals, has wonderful food tours, excellent walking and bike paths and an exciting but laid back vibe. It's a varied and beautiful city.

Bribie Island Butterfly House near Brisbane, a city which offers culture, diversity and friendly people.

It also provides a fine base for exploring the surrounding area and soaking up the Australian lifestyle before making the long flight home. Aussies are friendy, helpful people. They eagerl offer directions and tips and their wry sense of humor made our fifth Down Under trip enjoyable.

Our back-to-back cruise on Norwegian Sun introduced us to fascinating cultures, breathtaking landscapes, remarkable wildlife and fun new friends. If you've dreamed of cruising Southeast Asia and Australia, put it on your wish list. Cruising offers multiple stops while unpacking only once.

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 The Patiala Necklace was an ultra-luxurious Art Deco ceremonial necklace designed by Cartier in 1928. Commissioned by Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, it featured 2,930 diamonds, including the 234.65-carat yellow De Beers diamond as its centerpiece. It is considered one of the most extravagant jewelry pieces ever created and was proudly worn by the Maharaja at various royal events.