Category Archives: Travel

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Sydney – Day 4 – Walkabout in Sydney

Thursday, September 25th – Sydney – Day 4 – Walkabout in Sydney

Today is on our own, so we decided to skip breakfast and sleep in. Paul is so excited about having internet service again. He’s spent hours catching up his email. Me? I’m trying to post my travel blogs.

It’s been interesting keeping our electronic devices charged. The front desk loaned us one Adaptor plugpower converter (we use 110v while Australia uses 240v). You can’t power them up during the day because (like England) hotels require you to leave your room card in the slot by the door to keep the power on. (We tried leaving my card in during the Blue Mountain tour, but the maid removed it.) They’re very power conscious here, and try to conserve energy as much as possible. Kudos to them. All the outlets/switches have little on/off power buttons.

Today, we ate at an open-air French bistro. Latte is very popular here. You have to express very clearly when you order that you want “light” or “black” – because they blend the milk/coffee mixture in for you. The pastries are melt-in-your-mouth light.

We found the Hop On/Hop Off double-decker bus and took the two narrated tours – the Sydney Explorer which ran a very circuitous route through Sydney and its many harbors, and the other to Bondi (pronounced Bohn-Dye) and more shoreline. Incredible views of the Sydney skyline. And the water…. oooh! One of my favorite sights was a high rise with vines covering most of one windowed-wall. Spectacular.

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A funny little story we heard several times is about the meaning of the word Kangaroo. It’s an aboriginal word. Apparently, when one of the early explorers arrived, he asked an aborigine tribal leader what that strange jumping animal with the big tail and powerful hind legs was called. The tribal leader, not understanding English, responded, “Kangaroo?” Which in his language meant, “I don’t understand.” I have to admit I laughed every time I heard it.

Kangaroo means...

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Sydney – Day 3 – Blue Mountains Tour

Wednesday, September 24th – Sydney – Day 3 – Featherdale Wildlife Park, Three Sisters, and Scenic World

Activity Tours picked us up same place, same time on Wednesday. Our first stop—the Featherdale Wildlife ParkFeatherdale Wildlife Park. There, we took pictures of koalas, wombats (not a bat), kangaroos, emus, an Australian crocodile (his name was Dundee!), scads of birds/owls/flying predators, wallabys, Tasmanian devils, spiny echidnas (pronounce ih-KID-nuh), and on and on and on. Great time there!

Koala and Pal Betty

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Bird - Colorful

 

 

 

 

Dingo (Wild Dog)

Dundee the Croc

Tasmanian Devil Wombat - 2 Wallabys and Pal Betty Goannas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next we broke the ride up with a stop a small park for a quick 15-minute “bush walk” down to Leuraa local falls. After that, we stopped in the little town of Leura for lunch and shopping. Very nice.

Our next stop was at Scenic World. You take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain Gordon Fallsplateau, take one of the many raised walkways through the canopy, and descend again on a 52-degree incline railroad. Of course, you have the mandatory exit through the gift shop. The Three Sisters and Usviews are spectacular, overlooking a mini-Grand Canyon with their famous Three Sisters pedestal. The legend has it there were originally 7 “sisters,” but time and weather eroded four of them away. Today, the three monoliths stand side by side with a nub at the end. Locals affectionately call this their puppy.

We also made friends with a family from Malaysia — even exchanged emails. Our Tour Mates

The experience was marred (only slightly) by the influx of the “green jackets.” Good for Sydney, not so good for the smaller tours. Some 6,000 healthcare professionals from China descended on the city for a week-long conference. Of course this day, their final day in town, was dedicated to tourism. We managed to avoid them until Scenic World. In some eastern countries, there is no sense of what we call personal space. Contention for space, taxis, entrance – you name it – is based on who can get their toe in the door first. Even though that’s not the culture of Australia, it’s hard to overcome the onslaught of thousands of these green jackets letting their fellow green jackets break into the queues. Annoying. We never did get to take the cable car across the valley because of this.

Harbor bridge at sunsetRiver FerryThe tour was capped off with a quick visit to the site of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, and then a relaxing ferry taxi back to Sydney. Amazing views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge at sunset.

After our return to the city, we ate at another Thai restaurant (Siam House) the Meriton recommended. Can I say YUM?!

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Sydney – Day 2 – Hunter Valley Wineries

Tuesday, September 23rd – Sydney – Day 2

Sydney - Activity ToursActivity Tours is the name of the organization Paul booked our tours through online. Today, we visited three boutique wineries in the Hunter Valley region.

The trip started brighSydney - Pie Face Eatery 2t and early with a pick-up at our doorstep at 7:40 a.m. That meant an early rising (not hard for us with all the time changes we’d made on the ship) and a visit to Pie Face, a local patisserie. A really neat concept, fresh baked goods made daily from local products and delivered to several franchised locations throughout the city. Most of the street-level shops along George Street are “open air.” We each chose a mini quiche and coffee. Delicious, but what a surprise! Food in Australia is expennnnnsive! Our little breakfast cost AUD 21. Ouch! We started drinking water after that.

Our ride to Hunter Valley (in a Caravan type minivan) with 12 other passengers took Sydney - Activity Tours - Ernest Hill Wineryapproximately 2 hours. Once we arrived at the Ernest Hill Winery (a small family-owned winery that sells only at the cellar door; no exports; no commercial sales in country), we were treated to a taste testing. One of the family members explained each of the wines we tasted which were named after deceased ancestors – (Cracklin’ Rosie Rose’). We bought two bottles there.

The next stop was at the Iron Gate Winery. This grower/distiller is fairly new to the region, but Sydney - Activity Tours - Iron Gate Winery rosebusheswith several awards under his belt. A retired industrial chemist, he uses science to create his product. Considered a “little bit off center,” he’s made a reputation for himself of producing creative combinations of the highest quality. They still continue the tradition of planting a rose bush at the head of each row — an ‘early warning’ system to alert them early of any potential blight problems that might affect the grapes. We bought a case of wine there and shipped it home since we’re restricted to 2 liters duty free to carry with us.

The next stop – lunch at a local café, followed by souvenir shopping at a small shopping area. We visited a third winery on our own and bought a loaf of fresh baked French  bread and a Sydney - Kangaroos by the roadlovely round of brie. That, plus the wine we  bought early made up our supper.  On the return drive, we saw kangaroos by the roadside. They prefer shade over open sun, so they’re usually found hiding in the trees and shadows.

After a long 10-hour day of touring, we were more than ready for bed. After all, we just spent the last three weeks lazing and grazing, hardly having to do more than take the elevator up or down to the feeding troughs!

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Sydney – Day 1

Monday, September 22nd  –  Sydney – Day 1

We woke to blue skies and a huge harbor ahead. The Legend came to Australia to replace the Carnival Spirit, which is being moved to Alaska. The Legend, which is significantly larger than the Spirit, is making quite a splash in the Sydney news media. We waited at the mouth of the harbor for the local news helicopter to show. Once they did, we made our slow, cumbersome Sydney - Arrival - Opera Houe 5way into dock.

In Noumea, the Australian Girls Choir joined the ship. Now, at 6:00 o’clock in the morning, 2,500 passengers (give or take a few) and most of the crew lined the top decks waving Australian flags while the choir sang Australian favorites and the flag team performed a dramatic presentation of flags. We  docked directly across from the Sydney Opera House — a spectacular view … and we were there for this historic moment. Even got to watch on local TV later that night.

Since our hotel check-in wasn’t until 2:00pm, we elected a relaxed debarkation and didn’t leave the ship until almost 10:00am. A short taxi drive later ($40.00 worth!) down George Street (Atlanta’s equivalent of Peachtree Street), we arrived at the Meriton Serviced Apartments. What a great bunch of people there!. Not only did they let us leave our bags, they made Sydney - George Streetseveral suggestions about changing US Dollars to Aussie Dollars, a free bus, and the best places to eat in the area.

We set off on foot back along George Street, which runs in a north/south direction. Along the way, we found several money exchange places and converted some currency. We also found the green and white 555 bus that runs from the Circular Quay (pronounced kee) where the ship docked to Chinatown (near our hotel). Funny, the locals call it Thainatown because of the proliferation of Thai restaurants.

We rode the bus for a full loop, and then got off and walked several blocks to the east. Sydney is a hodgepodge of modern eclectic, historical protected building, and a cultural diversity that is impossible to explain. You really need to experience it for yourself.

Thoroughly wowed, we found our way back to the Meriton and settled into our room. Serviced Sydney - Meriton 2apartments are similar to a hotel, but we think they’re better. Our quarters contained one small bedroom with king size bed, a closet (one side for hanging clothes, the other side with drawers for folded things), and a flat screen TV on the wall. We also had a living room Sydney - Meriton 3 Sydney - Meriton 4area with a 48” flat screen, sofa, chair, small table with 2 chairs, an offset full kitchen area (full size fridge, cook top, toaster oven, electric kettle, and full complement of dishes), a desk area, and lovely bathroom with walk-in shower. Oh yes, mirrors everywhere!

Later, we ventured out again to sample one of the recommended Thai restaurants.

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Final Sea Day (Drat!)

Sunday, September 21st – Almost to Sydney

We booked this South Pacific cruise a year ago. A dream cruise. A vacation of a lifetime. How much fun it has been waiting for the departure date to arrive. Anticipation. Sometimes it can be more fun than the real thing. But not this time.

This trip—from the airplane ride Atlanta > Salt Lake City > Long Beach; boarding the ship in Long Beach; a stop at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico followed by 7 straight sea days (I think I love these the most); crossing the equator (Pollywog to Shellback); crossing the international date line and skipping September 15th; our stops at Tahiti, Moo’rea, and Bora Bora in French Polynesia; Fiji and New Caledonia; another 2 sea days and tomorrow–Sydney.

Every one of these destinations deserve a month spent exploring and learning about the different cultures, seeing all they have to offer, getting to know the people. Maybe a year. Alas, we take what we can get. It’s been special.

But enough of “over” talk. We’ve still got 5 days in Australia. For now, G’day Mate and bring it on!Towel -

Today’s cool towel creature … hmmmm … a dog?

(Amazing. Twenty-three days at sea and our cabin steward never repeated a single creature!)

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Next To Last Sea Day

Saturday, September 20th – Almost to Sydney

Today and tomorrow. Saturday and Sunday. I wanted to savor them. Enjoy them. Live my “sea day” routine again. Alas, not to be.

The Australian Immigration Department came aboard in Noumea. This afternoon will be spent standing in line, awaiting our turn to present our passports and customs declarations to these officials. Aaarrrgg. Our deck (Level 7) is scheduled from 1:00-2:00pm. In reality, we hung out in the nearby lounge, reading, until the line finally dissipated around 4:00pm. We joined the end of the line and breezed through. Not my first choice of reading locations, but not bad either.
My honey, of course, is … how do I say this … chatty. Doesn’t know a stranger. He met his match this afternoon, but I have to say it was very enlightening.

An Aussie sat down with us. He didn’t think much of standing in line for two hours either. We learned quite a few do’s and don’ts while visiting Australia. Very friendly chap. Most of the Aussies we’ve met tend to be a little on the acerbic side. Not really caustic, but with a very (very!) dry sense of humor. This gentleman had been with Americans too long, because he was mellow to the nth degree! Very enjoyable.

Today’s towel creature … a bathing beauty?

 

Towel - Bathing Beautyature …

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Noumea, New Caledonia

September 19th – Noumea, New Caledonia

New Caledonia. Modern. Big. And very, very French.

Noumea surprised us. I had visions of that old television series, McHale’s Navy, but this place is nothing like that. The island itself is the largest we’ve visited. The people here predominantly speak French, and yet they all have a good handle on English.

Crusing is not new to the South Pacific, but the supersized Carnival Legend is bigger than anything they’ve yet seen. Consequently, we wind up docking along with all the cargo ships. Not a pretty sight – kind of like an Angel Fish settling in among the catfish! In fact, the pier is like a maze of stacked containers waiting to be loaded. Pedestrian traffic is not allowed, so you get door-to-door shuttle service, straight from the ship’s debarkation points to the a shopping terminal or excursion departure point.

Once outside the unsightly pier area … wow! Stunning. The architecture is a curious New Caledonia - Catamaran - Paulmix of ultra modern, old French, and quaint native. Signs are in French, English, and the local dialect. Quite a melting pot.

Our excursion today was our favorite so far. We sailed the harbors of Noumea on a catamaran – only twelve of us. No swimming. No snorkeling. No diving. Just relaxing in sun. New Caledonia - Catamaran - PierreOnce we cleared the harbor area, the male passengers put their backs into helping the captain (Pierre)  raise the main sail. The other two sails went up by automatic hoist. And then Pierre cut the engines. Oh, the quiet. I lay on the netting between the two front skids, soaked up the rays, and listened to the gentle lapping as the skids sliced through the sea. Blue? Aquamarine? Turquoise? Azure? I don’t think a name has been invented for the color of these magnificent waters.New Caledonia - Catamaran - Betty

Our guide, David, gave us much of the history of the area, pointed out landmarks, and told a few tall tales. A painter (homes) by trade, he spends one or two days a week during the tourist New Caledonia - Catamaran - Davidseason running tours for the owner of this ocean-going catamaran. Ho-hum. Such a hard life. We learned it recently returned from a ocean trip to the Fiji Islands. I can’t imagine how wonderful that must have been.

The Legend sailed away with the sunset. Now that was an awe-inspiring sight – a lava red sphere sinking inch-by-slow-inch into a watery sleep. Fingers of purple, gold, red, all in blazing glory, clinging to the rapidly darkening sky until they too slip into the depths. Nouvelle Caledonie also has a coral reef buffering it from the open ocean. We watched the waves break on the reef for a long time … until that too, disappeared into the night.

 

 

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Sea Day and Gourmet Cuisine

Thursday, September 18th – Sea Day

Well, we’re on our way to our last island stop before Australia — Noumea, New Caledonia.

Tonight, for dinner, I finally broke down and had the Chocolate Melting Cake. CMC is Chocolate Melting Cakea daily fixture on the menu and when my sister-in-law, Brenda, cruises with us, she has it EVERY night. Quite the chocoholic!

Knowing you can have the CMC anytime frees you to enjoy all the other delectable specialty desserts, several different ones each night – cherries jubilee, cream cakes, brulees, pies, and a million different ways to prepare all the fresh tropical fruits. Yum!

Dessert is an experience, but for me it doesn’t hold a candle to the appetizers, salads, soups, and entrees offered—probably because I’m stuffed by the time the sweets course rolls Dinner Menuaround. The meals Carnival offers are fabulous—gourmet every one. From Chateaubriand, prime rib, filet mignon, seafood Newburgh, shrimp fettuccine, pork, beef, veal, chicken, ribs, fish—continental breakfast, omelets, to-order grills, buffets, a coffee bar, lunch buffets, lunch in the dining room, afternoon tea, evening buffets, dinner buffets, midnight buffets, pizza-24-hours, ice cream 24-hours, not to mention room service. There’s also a specialty steakhouse (it costs extra) you can enjoy for surf ‘n turf. Oh yeah, there’s also the “DIDJA” treats – as in did you ever try this? Escargot, alligator fritters, frog legs, and on and on.

It’s no wonder the cruise administrators claim the average passenger gains a pound a day! You could literally eat non-stop for the entire cruise!

Not me. I learned long ago to control hedonism like this … or it will control you.

I’m an early riser, but then who wouldn’t be when you set your clock back every other day? It’s oatmeal and fruit for me, and maybe one cup of coffee. (Their coffee is so strong I swear it will take the hair right off your chest, or maybe put hair on it.) Lunch might be a sandwich from the Pillow Chocolatesdeli, a hot dog from the grill, or a slice of pizza. Dinner is where I spend my calories (refer to the incredible menu I mention above!). Wine with dinner and water. Lots of water. No sodas and no tea. Even the chocolates they place on your pillow when turning down the bed each evening is off limits, at least until we get back home. We’ll have a whole bagful from this trip.

Can’t wait to see what gastronomic delights we get to try in Sydney!

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Suva, Fiji Islands

Wednesday, September 17th – Suva, Fiji

Coincidence? Happenstance? Chance? What are the odds of random circumstances coming together in a confluence of time and space?

My mom and dad were married in November 1941, one month before Pearl Harbor was bombed. He joined the Army and served as a First Sergeant during World War II, stationed for most of his service time in the Fiji Islands. Later, toward the end of the war, he was sent to Germany. Dad seldom talked about his time in Europe, but he often spoke of the beauty of the South Pacific islands. My sister, brother, and I used to spend hours digging through Mama’s Hope Chest, oohing and aahing over the things he brought back for her—handcrafted jewelry made from coral, shell, and different woods, sea shells he’d polished himself, strange coins, photos of him and his buddies fishing and climbing coconut trees, and postcards. He sent Mama postcards—lots of postcards—over the three long years he spent in Fiji because a soldier’s correspondence was often redacted to maintain secrecy.

One of the photos he sent was photo of a local chieftain’s daughter. She was a beautiful woman … with a stunning likeness to my mother–the hair, her smile, even her eyes. Mom didn’t care much for it, though. I didn’t understand why back then, but I figured it out as I got older. The woman in the picture, the curvy dead ringer, was topless! <smile>

My sister, brother and I LOVED plundering through Mama’s Hope Chest. We marveled over those trinkets for hours. Fiji was a strange, exhilarating, thrilling land, the stuff of fantasy for three kids growing up in Mobile, Alabama. We had no perception of the world back then, no idea how far away the islands were from us. But we carried those memories all our life. I wish I had a dollar for each time one of us said, “Wouldn’t it great to see Fiji…”

Today, we docked in the main city of Suva. Fiji, as it turns out, is comprised of 332 islands. It saddens me to think how much history has been lost as I have no way of knowing which island Fiji - Dancer 2he was stationed on for all those years. Fiji is lush and tropical with one foot firmly entrenched in the present while the other clings to their heritage. Outside the main city, there are only villages, each led by a chieftain. Some of their laws seem almost prim—like how women must wear tops that cover their shoulders and bottoms (skirts or pants) that reach below the knee; how men in the village must also cover their torso and shoulders, but can’t wear pants—instead they wear traditional sari-type wraps; and how no one walking through the village can come within ten meters of the chief’s house without calling out for permission. Our guide assured us the times are changing. I can’t help but feel a little sad about it.

Our visit here was a bittersweet experience for me. The mystique is gone. I have real images in my head now—but I hope I never forget those wonderful, fantastical childhood memories.
Today is September 17th – my father’s birthday. He would have been 97.

Coincidence. I don’t think so. One of my favorite sayings is, “Things don’t just happen. They come to pass.”

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Sea Day – From French Polynesia to Fiji

Sunday, September 14th – Sea Day – On Our Way To Fiji

We are in “sea-clusion.” In Sea-clusion

The first of two sea days before we reach Fiji. After the seven straight days between Puerto Vallarta and Tahiti, times and dates began to run together, however, a daily routine finally emerged. I discovered my writing muse wakes with the dawn. With all the ‘set your clocks back’ (and yes, we had another time change Friday night), it’s become too easy to rise before the sun breaches the horizon.

Something about lazing on the Lido deck (the chow hall for you non-cruisers), drinking coffee, and typing with a very few other early risers is liberating. I hear the pounding steps of runners above us as those zealous about their exercise mete out their daily punishment. Yeah, I’m not one of them.

The kitchen crew sets out morning pastries for those who can’t wait for the hot buffet to open at 6:30. Passengers shuffle in by ones and twos, their bodies still waking up. And quiet – for the most part. I mean, it’s difficult to be alone on a cruise ship transporting 3,000 passengers plus a crew of 1,800. It’s difficult to find quiet.

I do have a few favorite niches to hide in, though. As the rattle of pots and pans ratchets up, more people arrive, sleep is banished, and conversations begin. It’s the whiny crying of children too young to appreciate a cruise like this and too cranky for an early morning that usually signals me that it’s time to change venues.

I see one young couple almost every morning, in their late twenties or maybe early thirties with FOUR—count them, 1 -2 – 3 -4!—children under six. There are so many why’s I want to ask them, that I can’t begin to capture them all. For one, on a cruise with less than twenty children under age 18 total, children’s activities are almost nonexistent … which means nanny duties belong to the parent or parents 24/7. We met one young mother on our snorkeling safari that left her husband behind on the ship with their two toddlers. On our return to the boat, her comment was, “Guess freedom is over.” Turns out, they have to take turns seeing the ports. That makes me sad — one of our greatest delights is sharing in all the new sights and reliving them.

Not a knock against kids – I miss my kids and grandkids terribly. I just can’t imagine being cooped up in a room not as big as your bedroom at home with a mom, dad, and FOUR kids under age 6! (Shudder!) Why would they do that to themselves?

It did surprise us to see any kids as long as this cruise lasts. Turns out that in Australia, where most of these kids hail from, the schools are on hiatus (our equivalent of spring break) for a month. Many Aussies and Kiwis are heading home after a brief stay in the U.S.

I think one of the most surprising aspects of the voyage so far, though, has been the balmy temperatures. I think “hot” when you talk about the equator and south sea islands, but not so. Pacific ocean - foreverBora Bora temps were steady in the low 80s with heavy humidity, at least until you get out on the water; otherwise, the entire voyage has been mid-high 70s. Sitting out on our balcony is one of my favorite things to do, especially watching the sun rise or set. It’s quiet, with only the sound of the ship cutting through the waves, an occasional squawk from one of the upper decks, or my own delighted sighs.

Cruising is not for everyone. Over the years I’ve learned that people either love it, or hate it. Me and my honey? We love it.