Australia, Wednesday Nov 28, 2012

Well this has been the longest day as a matter of fact it has been two days for us.  Hope that it slows down soon.  We started out Wednesday by having breakfast at Gloria Jean’s and tried to see off the rest of our crew but they had already left by 8 for the airport.  We then finished our packing and stored our luggage at the hotel in anticipation for our evening flight out of Sydney.  I had wanted to see the St. Mary’s cathedral so that was our goal before we left.  It was a beautiful cathedral built in the European style.  Unfortunately we could not take pictures inside of all the wonderful stained glass.  It had about four altars beside the main altar at the center of the church.  I lit two candles one for each of our parents and said my typical prayers as I do in all the old churches.  We even took a picture in front of the cathedral next to their Christmas tree.  After exploring the cathedral we went to the Australian museum which is a natural history museum and includes aboriginal artifacts and art.  That was a full day and we went back to the hotel to eat and wait for our shuttle which was arriving at 3:30.  Once we got to the airport we had several hours to wait so we ate dinner prior to boarding the plane and we did some internet chatting. 

Our second Wednesday began when we arrived at Honolulu airport early in the morning Wednesday again; It was a bit like grounds hog day.  We had another 8 hours to kill before flying to Dallas.  We rented a car and went for a drive to the north shore. We watched the turtles and the surfers at the Haleiwa Beach.  We then went to the Waimea valley and presumably the falls. We did a 60 minute walk to the falls and back unfortunately there were no falls today because there had been no rain for several days.  There was a trickle of water coming from the rocks and the pool was full but no swimming allowed because water was stagnant.  The river was also bone dry.  It seems that we have been following the travels of Captain Cook all trip because he was here in the Waimea valley as well as NZ and OZ.  We slowly made our way back to the airport following our Garmin guide.  She was quite good at pointing out points of interest and filling us in on the attraction of each sight.  Now we sit and wait for the plane and since there is no wifi I resort to finishing my blog which has gone undone for a few days, very busy days.

Austrlaia Nov 27, 2012

Today we planned to go to the Maritime museum.  This was a bigger undertaking than we had anticipated.  There were four naval vessels and the endeavor which is the ship Captain Cook brought over to explore and circumnavigate the globe.  It was actually a replica but it appeared very authentic.  Bob was in his glory looking at all the ships and wondering through them.  We barely made it through three ships when we stopped for lunch.  Then one ship more and on to the inside of the museum.  We met up with Michael and Gail just before lunch so we hung with them at the end.  The inside of the museum was awesome with three levels of maritime history and exhibits.  Boats hung everywhere.  It was four before we finished this outing to the museum.  We had said that we wanted to go up the tower to the Australia square and have a drink in the revolving bar and Michael and Gail made it happen.  I was almost ready to call it a day but we decided that it would be better to finish the trip with this overlook of Sydney.  What a wonderful view and good company.  We went around one and a half times.  Then back to the hotel to crash. 

Australia Nov 26, 2012

Today we all went on the train and went to the south coast of Australia to Kiama.  The purpose was to see the blowhole at Kiama.  We walked the beach and had lunch at a lovely restaurant with a view of the bay.  The blowhole was not functioning as we had hoped because we arrived at low tide and the seas were very calm.  We had Thai food at the restaurant next door to the hotel.  Then we began our task of packing for the long journey home.  It wasnt as difficult as we anticipated.  Just take everything in the room and put it in the bag not like making the choices before the trip.

 

Australia Nov 25, 2012
While eating dinner at Doyle's everyone agreed that if we could we should cancel our plans to drive to the south coast. Dave managed to cancel our reservation and the cars and we were free to sleep in Sunday everyone seemed to be very happy with that in the morning especially me. Bon and I went to the aquarium which was marvelous. We have found that they don't do much half way in oz At first we thought that it was going to be cheesy but we soon became surrounded with bigger and bigger rooms and tanks including a few walk through tunnels. They had more sharks and varieties that I have seen in one place. Even the regular fish tanks with many varieties of smaller fish and coral were exciting when the rank is taller and larger than anything I had seen before. After this adventure I went back to the room to crash and try to get well from yet another cold.

Australia Nov 24, 2012

 Saturday the 24 we went for a walking tour of Sydney with a young man giving a tour for tips only. We walked about 5 miles altogether out and about the city. He pointed out several historical museums and buildings including the Rocks which is the first inhabited district. He also pointed out many options for further exploration.

 

 We walked through Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens.  the gardens are quite extensive with a very pleasing and interesting layout.   We also went to the Anzac memorial which is a memorial to the servicemen who died in World War I.  The day was very exhausting.  We also went to eat at Doyles restaurant , which is supposed to be world famous for their fish and chips. 

Australia Nov 22, 2012

Today we finished our tour of the Blue Mountains.  We went to the skyview gondola, train and tram.  The views from above were magnificent of Katoomba falls and the valley.  We also got glimpses of the Three sisters.  We also took a walk in the rainforest below the tram ride and enjoyed the fragrance of the trees.  The birds were flitting about and we also tried to identify some. The coccatous were squawking and flying about also.  We took a gondola ride back to the beginning and then did another hike along the ridge and got some more magnificent views of the valley and the three sisters as well as waterfalls.  Now we are sitting on a train and making our way back to Sydney.  It was an enjoyable few days in the Blue Mountains. 

Australia Nov 21, 2012

We spent the day in Katoomba again today doing the hop on and hop off bus.  Five of us walked into town to have breakfast and wait for the bus at the first stop.  We had breakfast at Café Zuppa.  The remainder of the group rode into town later and we all paired up according to our interest Bob and I decided to take a walk along the ridge and we got some photos of the rock formations and walls of the Blue Mountains.  It was nice to get out in the open and smell the Eucalyptus trees.  We also walked down some steps to get to the first sister of the three sisters rock formation.  The day was a miserable looking day with rain and fog when we started out but soon it cleared and then clouded over again.  Just like in Michigan I guess.  Once we completed our hike we joined part of our group at the cultural center and watched some aboriginal music and dance and did some browsing at the local art.  Then we all caught the bus and went to have Tea at the local tea shop in Leura.  I enjoyed the shop because it was loaded with tea pots and tea paraphernalia.  After Tea we all went to a Cascades and did a hike down along the falls.  The only problem occurred when one of our group slipped and slid down the falls while taking a photo.  He was fortunate to keep his camera dry and only come away with minor scrapes.  Dinner was a Papa Dinos.  The owner was quite entertaining and enjoyed small pranks on his cutomers.

Australia Nov 21, 2012

Today we landed in Sydney and it is our first day off the ship.  We stored our suitcases in the hotel we will be returning to and then headed to the train station with minimal bags and left for the Blue Mountains.  It was a gorgeous day today with sunshine and cloudless skies temps in the 70s.  The train ride was very smooth and quiet because it is an electric train.  It is about a two hour ride from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.  Upon arriving in Katoomba we made arrangements with a hop on hop off bus to take us to the hotel and drive us around for two days to do some sightseeing.  We decided to travel the circuit at least once before planning our stops.  Since the bus service was ending by 5 we only got off at one stop which was echo point.  It was a beautiful overlook reminding me of the magnificence of the Grand Canyon.   The areas we saw were deep canyons but not as deep as the Grand Canyon.  The plan is to go into town and catch the bus again tomorrow morning and do the whole circuit. It is our first day to not have unlimited food and service all around so it has become a bit of an adjustment, both good and bad.  The blue comes from the haze of the Eucalyptus trees of which there is and abundance

Australia Nov 18, 2012

Today we docked in Noumea which is the capital of New Caledonia.  It was a typical large city.  It has mainly beach all around and lots of sailboats and other tour boats.  The city center was disappointing with litter and graffiti.  We just took a long bus trip around the city and then did some walking in the city.  We missed out on the glass bottom boat trip.  We were told that the reef was much healthier here in New Caledonia.  We will have to come back and do some diving.  There was some kind of regatta of decorated boats out in the harbor today. 

Australia Nov 17, 20012

Today we anchored off Ile des Pins or Isle of Pines.  It was a French colony originally discovered by the British.  The French used it to inter political prisoners.  Bob and I walked to the prison ruins which were about 1.5 miles from the pier.  When we arrived at the pier there were Melanesian dancers on the beach performing some Melanesian dances in their grass skirts.  Visitors were welcomed with flower headbands woven with palm fronds and flowers.  Several tables were set up along the beach with sarongs and jewelry.  Of course I had to buy something from them.  My own collection of sarongs. We also walked along the beach and I was sorry I didn’t bring my bathing suit ashore.  It was an idyllic place to swim in amongst the smaller rock islands and caves.  We are still sorry we did not bring our own snorkel.  While walking on this island it occurred to me that I could spend a vacation here.  The scuba is supposed to be very pristine.  The island had some of the most interesting looking trees that I have ever seen.  The roots of the trees appeared to be all tangled and all reaching for the same goal.

Saturday Nov 17

Well I haven’t written much lately so I need to catch you up.  We did see the eclipse on the 14^th of Nov.  It was questionable however whether we would.  The captain had a preordained spot that he was going to and and disregarded the fact that we had a cloudless sky just moments away.  When he finally decided to speed up and get in the clear we had missed half the the eclipse was already underway and it was just fortunate that we hit a sun size hole along the way.  We did make it to the clearing and were able to see the last phases of the eclipse going out of totality.  The night before the eclipse Judy and I slept on the deck.  The sky was beautiful.  The clouds went in and out but we got a wonderful view of them when they were out of the clouds.  We saw Orion, Southern Cross, Magellanic clouds, Pleides, Faux cross and many more.  We were anxious for the eclipse so could not sleep except for the occasional nod off.  Wish I could send pictures but the ship internet is so slow.

We had two days at sea and then we came to our port in Liffou, Easso. This is a small tropical island with an indigenous population of Melanesians.  We were surprised to have a group of singers come out to do some traditional songs in the square.  I bought a swim cover in the market.  Bob and I went to see two churches on the island, both catholic.  The one was very old and a bit run down but very much in the tradition of European churches.  There was a mix of native and European culture in the church.  The cross was made from logs which had been carved with Polynesian heads on it.  The base of the altar appeared to be a native sculpture.  I will have to include pictures of that also when able to get better internet. 

Today we will be visiting another island in New Caledonia.  It will be a beach day.  The island have a French influence since the early settlers were French prisoners.

Diving Great Barrier Reef

Australia Nov 11, 2012

Today we took a 2 hour ride out to the reef on a catamaranmotor boat.  We landed on a platform withactivities which included a glass bottom boat an underwater viewing station,snorkeling and diving.  The platform hadtwo levels which were available for our use for the afternoon.  Bob and I decided to dive as one of ouractivities.  We suited up and went in asmall group out onto the reef.  I was alittle disappointed in the entire operation for the diving.  The reef did not appear to be as healthy aswe expected and the diving was very restricted by the two guides taking us outto the reef.  Strangely enough we had adiver in our group who was being dragged along by one of the guides.  So I think this was an outing that did nothave divers too experienced.  We alsowent on a short glass bottom boat ride which was nice but demonstrated again that visibility was poor and the whole reefworld outfit might have been overused making the experience less than ideal. Wealso observed in the underwater observation room and did a littlesnorkeling.  The snorkeling was the bestbecause the colors seemed more vibrant, since the sea life was closer to thesurface.  On the way back from the reef,the winds had picked up and the ride back was quite a bit rougher.  We did see a waterfall on the reef from thetide coming in.   It was quite an interesting phenomenon, and unfortunatelyno pictures. 

We made it back to the ship. The weather increased in strength overnight and our scheduled stop atMcKay was canceled because it was unsafe to take tenders ashore.  So we have an extra sea day on board.  Activities were quickly scheduled so therewere not too many disgruntled passengers. Bob and I attended lectures and acupcake tea.  We look forward to dinnertonight and a comic at the theatre onboard. 

Koala Sanctuary Brisbane Australia

Australia Nov 9, 2012

Today we did a shore excursion to the Koala sanctuary in BrisbaneAustralia.  We were able to hold a koalaand have pictures taken with it.  It wasabout a 45 minute ride from the ship to the sanctuary.  We were able to see dozens of koala sittingin branches of eucalyptus.  The fragranceof the eucalyptus was very soothing.  Wewere also able to see some exotic birds and kangaroos.  The kangaroos were especially tame and wewere able to walk amongst them.  Severalpeople had bought food for the kangaroos and were able to feed them.  Several of the females had joeys in theirpouches.  One joe was so large he had hisfeet hanging out and momma’s pouch was quite stretched.  During our stay we watched a sheep herding bysome dogs in the field.  Shearing wasalso demonstrated.  There were quite afew lizards such as monitors and iguana. After our short visit to the sanctuary we did a short drive around thecity and saw some more magnificent architecture both old and new.   Oncewe returned to the ship we swam in the pool and hot tub and then went for ournormal afternoon tea.  Now we lookforward to the sail away party and dinner later. 

Back in Sydney

Today we arrived back to Sydney after two relaxing days at sea.  Went to a computer class yesterday and learned how to make a movie with Microsoft program already included on my computer.  Worked on the first half of the trip then and it is ready for a prelim viewing.  I will try to keep up with daily photos adding them to the existing movie. 

Mauri canoe New Zeland

Australia Nov 4, 2012

Today was our last day at in New Zealand and we finally didsomething which informed us about the mauri culture.  Today we did a ride in a Waka which is aMauri canoe manned by about 20 people. We paddled up a river to a waterfall about the size of Tahquamenonfalls.  We were entertained by severalmauri men in their loin cloths and tattoos. They chanted to help us make way up to the falls.  (Actually they had a motor on the canoe forthe instance that we may need some help which we did.)  We also learned how to puke someone inanother boat or on shore by making gly faces and yelling.  It hat was our lunch and dinner.  Hoping that the cocktail party has some appetizers.  Lookig forward to chilling and doingsome classes in the next few days. 

Hobbiton in Tauranga NZ

Australia Nov 2, 2012

Today we arrived in Tauranga NZ early in the morning.  We bought a tour of Hobbiton. Apparently theset was supposed to be torn down after the filming of The Lord of the  Rings but poor weather and other conditions prevented it.  The farmer who owns the property thennegotiated to all the set to remain.  Itseemed like there were some 40 structures used in the movie the Hobbit. Wespent several hours walking through and photographing the individual Hobbitholes.  I have to go home and watch themovies again.  On the way to and from theHobbiton set we saw some of the most beautiful scenery in and around Tauranga.

Sailing in Aukland

Australia Nov 3, 2012

Today we arrived in Auckland early and went on a tour almostimmediately after breakfast.  We went onan America’s cup racing boat.  He boat wesailed on won the Americas cup in 1994. It was quite an adventure.  Bob andI manned the winches along with several others. Bob was able to  take the helm fora time.  It was pretty exciting for him.  As usual photos will follow.  When we arrive in Sidney I may by a 3g or 4g stickfor my computer so that I can get on line anywhere.  It just started raining here when we cameback to the boat.  It was pretty greywhile we were out on the boat but we dodged it.