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I said I'd do a photo share so there are heaps below!!

As you can imagine I have hundreds of photo’s I took 147 just on new years eve so there are quite a few from the cruise I’ve picked up some of my favorite to share with you.

New Caledonia Isle of Pines, is such a striking island and I’d think it is one of the most picturesque areas of the South Pacific and has left a lasting impression on us. We spent the day walking along its 1.25km white sand beaches, swimming and relaxing it was nice to be off the boat after two days on board.

Noumea is heavily influenced by the French, Noumea’s tropical boulevards and European chic are unmistakable. Old-world values and continental culture combine with colonial architecture and vibrant markets. We hired a scotter car and spent the day driving around town checking out all the sights.

Then after dinner we boarded a little train and went on a put crawl although I’m not a huge fan of beer I did have a few and we ordered these amazing French deserts yum.

Loyalty Islands Ouvea is known as ‘the closest island to paradise’, Ouvea is one of the Pacific’s most exquisite coral atolls and boasts what is hailed as New Caledonia’s finest beach – a stunning 25km stretch of talcum-powder-like white sand fronting a turquoise lagoon. The water here was amazing mum and dad cam over with us and spent the day swimming and relaxing. The said here is like nothing I’ve scene anywhere. This beach I think tops Whitehaven in the Whitsundays.

Christmas eve onboard the ship they had a big christmas party and had some caroles too, all I can say is Josh and I were very merry and I think it was well after 4am when we left the night club.

Vanuatu Mystery Island, this tiny Mystery Island is picture perfect, with sandy pathways that lead to white beaches edged with coconut trees and crystal clear lagoons.

We had a lovely Christmas dinner and to top it all of Josh asked me to marry him, down on one knee and it was a very special moment both of us will treasure for ever. I only got my engagement ring back on Friday as it had to be re sized. Below is the pics from our christmas dinner with my parents.

This was our Christmas day little did I know what Josh had been planning for the night ahead. Below is the 'happy snap' minutes afer Josh proposed it was about 11pm in the evening.

Vila is where we spent boxing day and our last post before we sailed off into the sunset home. From the moment we stepped ashore we adored the friendly ni-Vanuatu people with their welcoming smiles and hospitable nature. Vila has a natural Harbour with a colorful blend of Melanesian, English, French and Asian influences. We spent the morning at Cascade waterfalls and the afternoon shopping for traditional souvenirs at the handicraft markets.


After leaving Villa the ship had a 'sail away party' The theme was of course everyting tropical!!


These pics were taken on our last nigh on board, I really miss watching the sun set over the water we miss that living on the east coast.

New Years Eve was so much fun Josh and I along with our good friend Shonel headed out in Gladstone and caught up with so many friends that had come home to see there familys for Christmas here are just two of the 147 that we took on the night.

In other exciting news, Josh and I think (fingers crossed) that miss Dazy is pregnate and will be delivering us a litter of healthy puppies in another 8.5 weeks. Here are some pics of our 'children' who were not impressed with being left at the dog spa at Christmas time and ignored us when we got them home. They have come round now but you could easly tell how un impressed they were with Josh and I. This is a picture of them taken a few hours after we picked them up.

On the craft front I've been scrapping a bit and sewing a bit, I'll take some pics this week some time and share next weekend. Australia Day!!! I love Australia day, I've got my T shirt already for the weekend ahead, and Josh has a few things arriving this week from ebay so we should look the part.

Lauren x