Interesting, chaotic day. Lots of itinerary changes as we found some information out that is going to impact my (personally) trip out here for a couple days.
Photo Gallery: https://pics.mattichan.com/-uwc081
Community
Been meaning to go one of the small group bible studies onboard, but the first couple times I tried to go, it was too early for me and I didn’t wake up on time (of course). This time, it was late enough, and I was up early (for me), and made it to the bible study.
Really good to see people there, and I have lots of thoughts about community and bible study from the last 80(ish) days, but I’m saving those thoughts for another venue (stay tuned).
Egg Drop
After bible study, headed to the egg drop to find mom, and take some photos for her. I had ZERO faith in her design, and somehow, miraculously, her egg survived. Not sure why they insist on the awful pink led light in the centrum, but whatever.
More photos from the rest, including the one that didn’t make it into the actual contraption and fell straight down and landed on us at the bar.
Passport Pickup and New Changes
After Egg Drop, I went to go pick up my passport, and wanted to ask about my approved trips off ship. I was surprised to find that my previously approved trip getting back aboard in Cairns, was no longer possible (and they hadn’t told me yet).
I had two options.
Option 1: Get back on ship in Brisbane — and lose 4 of my tours that I had previously booked because of timing in the ports
Option 2: Get back on ship in Lombok
After a little probing, I was able to add two other options
Option 3: Get back on ship in Manilla
Option 4: Get back on ship in Hong Kong at the turn around for the next mini
Technically Option 5 is just to not go on my side trip and stay with the boat the whole time.
After doing a lot of crowd sourcing from lots of new friends I’ve made on the cruise, I ended up deciding to leave as originally planned and keep my tours, and get back on the ship in Hong Kong.
Came to this conclusion in several parts.
First, the flights to Indonesia or Philippines were all 40 hours of transit time, so I’d essentially spend all my time just laying over.
Second, I don’t really like being rushed when I’m wandering, so looked for something that was a little bit longer, and found a nice safari that I can go on for a longer spell.
Third, I knew that the Middle-Earth Halfling Marathon was happening two weeks after we were in Auckland, and I had previously looked at trying to make it happen and wasn’t able to get the timing to work. Now, it seemed like things were lining up, and when it feels like God’s making things work out, you just go with it.
Fourth, can spend a little more time in Hong Kong and explore (again) my roots.
It’ll be a little weird to be gone for so long, but I’ll basically be following the ship for the first half of my little side trip anyway, so not a huge deviation. Also SUUUPER excited to see more animals in an up close way.
It did take a lot of time to book flights and tours and lodging, etc. To make sure everything worked…but it’s all booked now, and approved.
Food
Connected back up with Nate and Mom after many hours of planning, and grabbed a quick dinner before going back to finish up some planning.
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE souffle…so got one as an appetizer and one as a dessert…cause why not. Chicken 65 was delish as well.
Headed back afterwards to watch a little bit of Taskmaster with Nate.
Vibe Check
5 parts joy – all joy, a little annoying, but now I get to go see more of this side of the world!
Feedback
Leave a comment or question if you have any thoughts! Anything you want to know about as we go around the world? Any things you want to share as feedback, or any images that particularly spoke to you. I’ll try to read all of them as time permits!
Matti 
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