"The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard on earth. “When you see oe for the first time it is as if you are looking back to the age of the dinosaur. The male of the species can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. The female is usually a bit smaller. They live from between 20 and 40 years. They are a truly amazing species with a sense of smell that can detect their next meal from up to five miles away. Extremely strong, with huge hooked claws and a forked tongue that they use in much the same manner as a snake, the Komodo dragon is both fast on land and able to swim as easily as it can climb a tree.

The great danger from a Komodo dragon I the deadly bacteria found in its mouth. If an unlucky prey is lucky enough to escape from the powerful jaws of this dragon it will soon succumb to the bacteria (and an anti-coagulant that makes the victim keep bleeding)."

from my Oceania newsletter for May 5

It’s now May 8 and I’m behind in my blogs. I did too much too soon after my indisposition, carried away (not literally) by the Komodo dragons., so I was very weak and tired.

I couldn't mail that yesterday because I couldn't get online. So here it is now, my catchup report for May 8; It was a busy morning. I caught up with my New York Times (the new Baby, the British election, Broadway theatre news, and so on) and then attended a talk about the Great Barrier Reef by a long-time pilot. who will be guiding us through – tomorrow, I think. I probably won’t finish this now because I have Trivial Pursuit at 4:30. I know I know. I said no macramé or ballroom dancing but TP is different. I also took a Sit Fit class this morning. So busy!!!

We're heading for Cairns now, not docking until tomorrow (Sunday?) late afternoon. I still have to write m report for Wednesday, I think. I will describe beautiful Darwin, the goal of my excursion that day. Such a lovely day and such a darling city!

So much better than better, and just in time.

I was quarantined in my cabin for 24 hours - not much hardship for me, but hard on my room-mate, who was not sick. Room service was ordered for us, with prescribed mild food, served on plastic dishes with plastic utensils, with red plastic haz-mat bags for disposal. I have not mentioned our relationship. We had accepted each other as companions sight unseen to save the $50,000 it would have cost to be alone. We couldn't be more unlike and we have worked out a kind of détente that has worked out quite well. We are civil and co-operative and we don't live in each other's pocket, so it has been okay. I think it must have been as hard on her to be in my constant company for 24 hours as it was for me, and it was my fault, after all; she wasn't the one who was sick. I may have to write something about it: a play, maybe., it was quite funny.

Anyway, 24 hours after diagnosis by the doctor, he made a house/cabin call and pronounced us fit to leave. I had a ticket for the first departure to see the Komodo Dragons (pron. like kimono) but I was a bit leery, sort of weak, maybe a bit dizzy? I exchanged my early exit for a later one, only an hour later, but it gave me time to have a cup of coffee, assess my health and decide whether I was up to it.

Well, I went and it was fabulous. I'll include a description of the "dragons" later. They are quite dangerous and we had to be careful and obey our guides, with no guarantee, BTW, that we would even see them. They are an endangered species and they have been given a park all to themselves. They are carnivorous and forage/hunt for their food. We saw a couple of deer and I didn't see but believed that others saw a wild pig, all prey for the lizards, for that is what they are. I actually took a picture of one, and I'll try to send it. (I'll get help.)

It was very hot and we walked for about 2 hours but on a groomed (rough, but groomed) trail through a jungle that has been trimmed to a park in the environs. We arrived at a water-hole where the dragons hang out and we saw about six of them altogether! Wow!

I had a shower and shampoo when I returned to the ship in time to have a beer (2, actually) and real food, and I was just fine. Big nap after before I went to Trivial Pursuit - a daily, also nightly pastime, and I'm in a team that wins (often) or, places or shows; we are given Big-O (for Oceania) points and apparently we can cash them in when the cruise is finished for "prizes". We'll see. In the meantime, it is fun and very humbling as I keep being reminded of how much I don't know. (I think I have to take Geography 101 when I return.)

I can't give you more information about the dragons right now because I have to get ready for the 4th wine-tasting. Each session is more expensive than the last and I'm enjoying it and learning a lot-- how much I'll retain I'm not sure. I'm going into detail like this because my daughter Kate was getting the impression that I wasn't having fun. I am. I am having fun. Also enjoying it all.

More to come....