Why?

 In thinking about where I wanted to spend my birthday this year, a conversation with a bushwalking friend led me to investigate Kimberley cruises.

Apart from her passing on her friend's preferred company, which would cost an arm and a leg, and a kidney if I wanted to secure a solo passage in a decent cabin, I did find that Kimberley cruises do not operate around my birthday.

Not to be deterred, I investigated further, with the specifications that I wanted small group, solo cabin and ensuite.

The agency provided a couple of options, one of which met all my specifications, so I looked at dates and flights and booked.

My flight specifications involved leaving Hobart at a civilized time and getting into Darwin at a civilized time.  This unfortunately involves Jetstar, but the Flight Centre managed to ticket it for me on the one ticket.

My flight specifications back from Broome involved minimal air time, and finding that there is a single direct flight from Broome to Melbourne each week, my booking dates revolved around this, allowing for 4 nights in Broome.

I managed to book some improvement to basic economy seating arrangements on all flights, so am hoping for a relatively comfortable journey.

Once again I managed to damage myself shortly before departure, but an x-ray cleared me of fractures and an ankle elastic is providing a degree of support and comfort.

A last minute chat with the cruise company ensured they were across my needs and I understood that itinerary might be varied due to tides and weather :)  Apparently some tourists don't get that!