Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Starbucks!
Starbucks is across the street from the Marriott Sydney Harbour and they charge $4.50 USD for 24 hours on their WiFi network!
SA0328 - day 16 - Wellington
SA0328 - day 16 - Wellington
I took the 8 hour "Best of Wellington" tour. I was a little concerned about the walking because there would be 1.5 miles but I figured that it would be ok if spread out over the 8 hours. The tour was shown as "mild" and it was just that.
One stop was at the Wellington Cable Car. With 3 of our busses, the boarding was chaotic with much jostling for space. We all seem to have survived.
Another stop was at the Southward auto museum where we were allowed an hour and a half. That was too much time by far. Probably half that would have satisfied most people.
There was a stop at a working farm which is also quite a commercial operation. We saw a sheep shearing demonstration as well as cow milking. There was an informative talk about wool - the types, the animals and the procedures. All 3 busses had lunch, well organized at staggered times. And, of course, there was time for shopping.
The last stop was at a wonderful lookout point with 72 steps to get to the top. I went because I knew I could stop at any point - the steps were not all at once, there was plenty of room to stop or turn around, the goal was always in sight. Well worth the effort.
We returned to the ship a few minutes after the all-aboard time. When I went through the ship's security, I heard a radio transmission from the Captain asking Security for a count. At that time there were still over 80 passengers who had not returned as well as 5 crew members. Perhaps they are now former crew members.
I took the 8 hour "Best of Wellington" tour. I was a little concerned about the walking because there would be 1.5 miles but I figured that it would be ok if spread out over the 8 hours. The tour was shown as "mild" and it was just that.
One stop was at the Wellington Cable Car. With 3 of our busses, the boarding was chaotic with much jostling for space. We all seem to have survived.
Another stop was at the Southward auto museum where we were allowed an hour and a half. That was too much time by far. Probably half that would have satisfied most people.
There was a stop at a working farm which is also quite a commercial operation. We saw a sheep shearing demonstration as well as cow milking. There was an informative talk about wool - the types, the animals and the procedures. All 3 busses had lunch, well organized at staggered times. And, of course, there was time for shopping.
The last stop was at a wonderful lookout point with 72 steps to get to the top. I went because I knew I could stop at any point - the steps were not all at once, there was plenty of room to stop or turn around, the goal was always in sight. Well worth the effort.
We returned to the ship a few minutes after the all-aboard time. When I went through the ship's security, I heard a radio transmission from the Captain asking Security for a count. At that time there were still over 80 passengers who had not returned as well as 5 crew members. Perhaps they are now former crew members.
FR0327 - day 15 - Christchurch
FR0327 - day 15 - Christchurch
I wasn't happy with the description of "Christchurch Highlights," but it was the best choice for me.
It listed a stop at the Arts Centre with 15 minutes for shopping. It also listed (groan!) another Botanical Garden. It turns out that the bus stopped at one place for both venues, so I was able to spend all the time at the Arts Centre.
This was the only time where I did not like the bus driver. He stopped at the edge of the property at Dean's Bush but another bus driver knew he could drive right up to the building. The extra walking represents a waste of time when time is so limited.
The driver missed several turns and had to double back. Many of us were just not happy with his driving. The tour itself was ok, but the driver made us uncomfortable.
I wasn't happy with the description of "Christchurch Highlights," but it was the best choice for me.
It listed a stop at the Arts Centre with 15 minutes for shopping. It also listed (groan!) another Botanical Garden. It turns out that the bus stopped at one place for both venues, so I was able to spend all the time at the Arts Centre.
This was the only time where I did not like the bus driver. He stopped at the edge of the property at Dean's Bush but another bus driver knew he could drive right up to the building. The extra walking represents a waste of time when time is so limited.
The driver missed several turns and had to double back. Many of us were just not happy with his driving. The tour itself was ok, but the driver made us uncomfortable.
TH0326 - day 14 - dunedin NZ
TH0326 - day 14 - Dunedin NZ
Today's tour was "Dunedin Highlights" for 4 1/2 hours.
The first stop, not specifically listed in the tour description, was at the Railroad station, and it was probably the best stop. Just an interesting building worth visiting.
The longest stop was at the Otago Museum, where we had a guided tour. Since our time was limited, many of us broke away from the group to concentrate on the areas we were most interested in.
The tour also included yet another Botanical Garden. I DID NOT GO THERE!!!
NZ security is actually stricter than Australia. Bags were inspected for the same quarantine items, but we also needed picture id's which were compared to our sea pass info.
Today's tour was "Dunedin Highlights" for 4 1/2 hours.
The first stop, not specifically listed in the tour description, was at the Railroad station, and it was probably the best stop. Just an interesting building worth visiting.
The longest stop was at the Otago Museum, where we had a guided tour. Since our time was limited, many of us broke away from the group to concentrate on the areas we were most interested in.
The tour also included yet another Botanical Garden. I DID NOT GO THERE!!!
NZ security is actually stricter than Australia. Bags were inspected for the same quarantine items, but we also needed picture id's which were compared to our sea pass info.
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