Cruise Singapore to Sydney (2018)

Dramatic view of Singapore from the aft deck of the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel while still docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore, Asia. It was truly fascinating to see how fast the dark clouds were coming in and hovered over the city.

All the while we were in Singapore during the day we had fabulous weather. After we embarked on the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel we saw the dark clouds coming in fast. While the cruise ship sailed away we were fascinated by this awesome thunderstorm over Singapore. We remained dry having a cocktail admiring this phenomenon.

Walking around the massive temple complex Borobudur in the Magelang Regency district of Java in Indonesia, Asia. The slight advantage of it being a rainy day was that there were much less tourists.

Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist temple, located roughly 40 kilometeres northwest of Yogyakarta. Built in the 8th and 9th centuries under the Shailendra Dynasty, this magnificent monument is constructed as a massive step pyramid made from over two million volcanic stone blocks interlocking without any mortar.

The moment the cruise ship docked in Semarang, Java we already knew it was going to be a challenge to take the excursion to the Borobudur complex. First of all it was going to be a very long bus ride and secondly, the weather did not look promising. So we eneded up at a very wet Borobudur temple in the Magelang Regency district of Java in Indonesia, Asia. Despite the rain we were able to enjoy the huge complex and the countless stupas.

View of the active volcano Mount Batur near Batur Tengah on the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia.

It is a highly popular active stratovuelcano, standing 1.717 metres above sea level. It sits inside a giant, 10-by-13-kilometre concentric caldera formed thousands of years ago. Striking dried black lava fields from a major 1968 eruption cut across its base.

Even though clouds were hanging over the mountains we had an awesome view over Lake Batur near Batur Tengah on the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia.

Lake Batur is the largest volcanic crater lake in Bali. Nestled in the northeast highlands of the Kintamani region, this crescent-shaped lake sits in the massive caldera of Mount Batur, an active volcano.

Looking down on the rice fields at the Jatiluwih rice terraces on the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia.

The Jatiluwih rice terraces are the largest and most scenic rice fields in Bali, spanning over 600 hectares along the slopes of the Batukaru mountain range. This breathtaking landscape is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. It is celebrated for its centuries-old Subak irrigation system.

We were amazed by the insanely green rice fields at the Jatiluwih rice terraces on the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia. We could hardly believe it ourselves but it is really that green.

We loved that we could get this close to the rice field terraces at Jatiluwih on the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia. It's really fun and educational to see how rice grows and how the irrigation systems work.

Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most iconic and spiritually significant sea temples, famous for its unique offshore setting perched on a wave-swept rock formation. The temple itself cannot be reached but is a joy to watch and experience. We can definitely recommend visiting this place when visiting the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia.

After spending quite some time around the temple complex of Tanah Lot we were looking for a restaurant to relax and have a drink. The sunset looked really promising and we didn't want to miss it. Tanah Lot is an absolute must visit place for anyone visiting the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia.

We had found ourselves a perfect spot to witness the sunset while visiting the Tanah Lot temple on the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia. While sipping some cocktails we enjoyed this temple silhouette.

We were so lucky to have an amazing sunset while we visited the Tanah Lot temple on the island of Bali in Indonesia, Asia. Tanah Lot after sunset looked even more beautiful after the sky turned incredibly red.

A young Komodo dragon looking relatively harmless on the island of Komodo in Indonesia, Asia. Our guided tour inside the Komodo National Park brought us to some of the plces the dragons would hang out. People with any kind of blood exposure were not allowed to come ashore as dragons can smell blood very easily.

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living species of lizard on Earth. Males can reach up to three meters in length and weigh up to 135–150 kilograms.

We got to see such a cute Komodo dragon on the island of Komodo in Indonesia, Asia. However, looks deceive as they are extremely dangerous and can smell prey from eight to twelve kilometres away. If it weren't for the guides it would not be possible to get this close to them. Weird fact was that visitors who had any kind of blood exposure would not be allowed to be on the island.

After spending an exciting day in Komodo National Park we were getting further away from the island on the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel near the island of Komodo, Indonesia, Asia. Onwards towards the next destination.

Passing Nusa Donge, one of the thousands of islands in Indonesia, Asia. We got to enjoy all these spectacular views while sailing on the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel and sipping a cocktail or two.

Pure tranquility sitting on the balcony overlooking a calm sea. Sunset is near while sailing on the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel in the waters of Indonesia, Asia.

We do not get to see too many blood red sunset skies, but were happy to experience this one. A perfect round sun against a red sky while sailing on the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel in the Savu Sea near Indonesia, Asia.

It always amazes me how very different sunsets can be. It all depends on clouds being present or not, what particles are in the air, temperature and so much more. We truly loved this mesmerising sunset while sailing on the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel in the Savu Sea near Indonesia, Asia.

As a result of some engine troubles on board the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel we suffered some delay in getting to Australia. However, we made it and finally docked around sunset in the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It gave us the possibility to explore the city by night.

While on a trip ashore, we got a good view of the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel just before sunset in the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It's always a magnificent sight to behold.

The sky turning orange in the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. It is not often that a sunset can be witnessed while in port, but since our cruise ship, the Norwegian Jewel had an overnight stay this was a nice side-effect.

After having been ashore for a couple of hours we came back to this view of our fabulous floating hotel in the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Built in 2005 and frequently refurbished, this medium-sized cruise ship accommodates roughly 2.360 guests and 1.069 crew members.

We were surprised to see so many termite mounds in Litchfield National Park, roughly 120 kilometers south of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Turned out that there were many pretty huge termite mounds all over the place. Termite mounds are built out of saliva, soil, and grass by millions of tiny insects.

This here is a truly impressive termite mound which can be found in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Some of these are larger than a human being and look other-wordly in between the lush green.

Litchfield National Park, located near Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia, is host to numerous termite mounds. This is a rather large termite mound looking especially beautiful in between palm trees.

Walking along the soothing water of Florence Creek in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. It feeds the park's iconic Florence Falls and serves as the lush, monsoonal backdrop for some of the region's most popular short hikes and natural swimming holes.

We did the Shady Creek Walk, a moderate 1.6 km loop track winding through savannah woodland and cool monsoon forest. It allowed us to get a better view on Florence Falls, located in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Florence Falls (traditionally known as Karrimurra) is a spectacular double waterfall and features a year-round flow cascading into a crystal-clear, deep plunge pool surrounded by a dense monsoon forest pocket.

It took 160 sturdy metal steps to a high viewing platform with sweeping views of the gorge overlooking Florence Falls, located in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. It gave us an excellent overview of the creek leading up to the double waterfall dropping into the gorge below.

Great view of the 42m high Tolmer Falls, located in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. It drops roughly 35 to 40 meters over a towering double escarpment into a deep, hidden plunge pool.

Even though the waterfall cannot be visited up close we got an excellent view of the lower part of Tolmer Falls, located in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. We used the Tolmer Falls Lookout Walk which was a short, 400m sealed pathway (800m return) leading directly to two shaded viewing platforms over the gorge.

The main waterfall at Wangi Falls, located in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Wangi Falls is a segmented, 52-meter double waterfall located on the western edge of the park. It is one of the region's most famous and accessible natural swimming holes, featuring a massive plunge pool.

We truly enjoyed the red rocks at Wangi Falls, part of Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. The area around this exquisite waterfall is amazing. We walked the moderate circuit trail that climbs up through monsoon rainforest to the top of the stone escarpment.

Mesmerising views at Wangi Falls, located in Litchfield National Park, close to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. The two separate waterfalls drop into the plunge pool below and create some nice reflections.

While sailing from Darwin towards Cairns on the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel we passed some of the most beautiful scenic views. We loved this little lighthouse on the Moody Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia.

From our cruise ship we took an excursion by boat to the Arlington Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. Here we are boarding a glass-bottom boat to have a look at the amazing underwater world out here.

The helicopter we departed in from Airlie Beach took us over South Molle Island, one of the many Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. The views were truly magnificent and we enjoyed every second of it.

The helicopter that flew us from Airlie Beach took us straight over the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, part of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. This area is known as Hill Inlet and consists of a spectacular pattern of sandbanks surrounded by turquoise waters.

After a sensational helicopter flight from Airlie Beach we were approaching our destination: Whitehaven Beach, part of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. Absolutely one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and we would be the only ones there for a couple of hours.

All boat tours were cancelled so I managed to book a helicopter to take us to Whitehaven Beach, part of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. Because of all the boat tours being cancelled we were the only ones on this most iconic beach. This is the helicopter that took us to Whitehaven Beach.

Had an amazing time on Whitehaven Beach, part of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. After having been dropped on the beach by helicopter and discovered we were the only ones there I decided to take a stroll along the beach and see if I could reach the Hill Inlet in the distance. Turned out it was way further than I expected, but at least I made it to this sandbank.

I was feeling much like Robinson Crusoe, all alone on a deserted island. Had my swim shirts hanging out to dry on Whitehaven Beach, part of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia.

We had an amazing time while spending a decent amount of time on Whitehaven Beach, part of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. But everything comes to an end and the helicopter took us back to Airlie Beach. However, before leaving Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach we got to have another spectacular aerial view of the turquoise waters and sandbanks.

Loved visiting Anzac Square and the memorial galleries in the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The majestic, circular sandstone monument features 18 columns, representing the year 1918 when World War I ended. Anzac Square is Queensland's premier state war memorial and a heritage-listed public park. It is located in the heart of the Brisbane Central Business District (CBD).

Glass skyscrapers have always fascinated me. Mainly because I like the architecture of them but also because of the way they can reflect their surroundings. I loved these city reflections in the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

I always had a thing for city signs, like this Brisbane sign on the South Bank in the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The iconic, giant BRISBANE letters are located on the grassy lawns at South Bank Parklands, directly opposite the Queensland Performing Arts Complex.

Spending some time at Nobbys Beach while our cruise ship, the Norwegian Jewel, was docked in the city of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. I really loved the beach reflections at this beach.

While sailing away from the city of Newcastle we passed Nobbys Lighthouse. This lighthouse is an active, historic 19th-century maritime beacon guarding the entrance to Newcastle Harbour in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

When our cruise ship, the Norwegian Jewel, had to leave the city of Newcastle it sailed through the Stockton Passage. The Stockton Passage is the shipping channel and water crossing between the Newcastle city mainland and the peninsula suburb of Stockton in New South Wales, Australia.

Approaching the magnificent Sydney Opera House while sailing into the city of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. This iconic and world famous building looks extremely pretty in the early morning light. A view I can never get enough of.

Smooth sailing towards the city of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. Sydney is one of those cities where arriving by cruise ship is an adventure by itself. The only disadvantage is that it's usually very early in the morning which means it's quite cold. On the other hand, the light is fabulous.

Close to docking at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the city of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. It's the most exciting place to dock with a cruise ship, given the views of the skyline and being next to the Sydney Opera House as well as the Sydney Harbour Bridge.