WE0325 - day 13 - NZ Sounds
The past 2 days, sea days in the Tasmanian Sea, were expected to have the roughest seas. It
was bumpy at times, but not rough at all. The last TransAtlantic I took (Jewel OTS) last
September was rougher than this and that wasn't rough either.
Today we have a "Sea Day" in the NZ sounds. We got up early and rushed up to the Viking
Crown Lounge to get good seats - right above the swimming pool, facing forward, with a good
view of both sides. Even though sunrise was not until after 8am, I was able to get a decent
picture as early as 6:15.
People are funny. Some came into the lounge saying we were surrounded by cliffs and they
claimed they didn't understand why the Captain wasn't entering the sound, why he was wasting
time just sitting there. They didn't understand that the viewing would be spectacular, once
there was light to see by! What did they expect the sounds to be? Just a canyon?
There was a shore excursion leaving from the ship by tender about 7am, with an overnight on
land to be sure to capture the full impact of the sounds. I don't know how many people were
on it. They'll rejoin the ship tomorrow in Dunedin. The cost is $495 per person double,
$595 single.
Narration began around 7am and continued intermittently until we left Milford Sound after 9.
The landscape, on the port side, could have been anywhere there are volcanic islands,
except so far (it is now almost 10:30) there are no signs of any settlements.
The commentator mentioned that we would go to 4 sounds - the itinerary only said 3. It
turns out that the 4th, Thompson Sound, is only the entrance to Doubtful Sound. By the time
we got to Doubtful, the weather had worsened. Glad we were in Viking Crown.
The weather continued to deteriorate - light rain, limited visibility both before and at
Dusky Sound. Milford Sound is the best, and, fortunately, that's where the weather and
viewing were the best.
Despite the weather, I managed to take almost 150 pictures. Maybe I could do that because
we kept our excellent seats for over 9 hours.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
SU - day 10 - Hobart, Tasmania
SU0322 - day 10 - Hobart, Tasmaia
Yesterday's bus driver said he lived about 150km from Burnie and 220 from Hobart and he was
scheduled to meet us again today. Well, he was my driver again.
Today's tour was Hobart Highlights. The morning was quite cloudy but you could see the top
of Mt. Wellington from the pier. Our bus went directly to the mountain because the fog
could have covered the top again. We got there in time to have a good view, but it was
quite windy and chilly.
The road up there was narrow and winding, but there was almost no traffic from the opposite
direction at that hour. On the way down, however, there were many tight squeezes. I don't
know how long it took to get up the mountain, but I timed the descent and it was about 25
minutes getting down.
While we were at the peak, a group of bicyclists arrived by van from the ship. They were
being dropped off to bike down the mountain. No thanks.
We spent some time at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Australians seem to love their
flowers. The vast majority of homes we've passed on all the excursions have meticulous
landscaping and gardens. Every city seems to have Botanical Gardens and they're very proud
of them. Frankly, I'm rather tired of the gardens. I won't say when you've seen one you've
seen them all, but enough already!
Because we were leavng port late, there was a show consisting of a local Police band. First
sitting dinner was earlier than usual and there was only one show, between sittings. We knew
the show was being taped for TV and the band would also be on the pier as we left, so we
went to dinner at the regular time and skipped the show.
Yesterday's bus driver said he lived about 150km from Burnie and 220 from Hobart and he was
scheduled to meet us again today. Well, he was my driver again.
Today's tour was Hobart Highlights. The morning was quite cloudy but you could see the top
of Mt. Wellington from the pier. Our bus went directly to the mountain because the fog
could have covered the top again. We got there in time to have a good view, but it was
quite windy and chilly.
The road up there was narrow and winding, but there was almost no traffic from the opposite
direction at that hour. On the way down, however, there were many tight squeezes. I don't
know how long it took to get up the mountain, but I timed the descent and it was about 25
minutes getting down.
While we were at the peak, a group of bicyclists arrived by van from the ship. They were
being dropped off to bike down the mountain. No thanks.
We spent some time at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Australians seem to love their
flowers. The vast majority of homes we've passed on all the excursions have meticulous
landscaping and gardens. Every city seems to have Botanical Gardens and they're very proud
of them. Frankly, I'm rather tired of the gardens. I won't say when you've seen one you've
seen them all, but enough already!
Because we were leavng port late, there was a show consisting of a local Police band. First
sitting dinner was earlier than usual and there was only one show, between sittings. We knew
the show was being taped for TV and the band would also be on the pier as we left, so we
went to dinner at the regular time and skipped the show.
SA0321 - day 9 - Burnie, Tasmania
SA0321 - day 9 - Burnie, Tasmania
The Burnie Highlights tour was scheduled for 7:30am with the usual meeting time of 7:15 in
the theater. Again, with a fairly long port call, with some of the other tours scheduled
for about 7 hours and leaving at about the same time, and with no afternoon tours, it makes
little sense to have this 3 hour tour leave so early.
Once again, breakfast was rushed due to the early hour of the tour. The dining room didn't
open until 7 and the WJ at 6:30.
To make matters somewhat worse, it took a long time for us to be cleared by the local
authorities. Why? We were still in the same country.
Our stay in Burnie was extended by an hour, although I understand that not all passengers
knew that and some ended up cutting their trips short.
The Highlights tour covered everything listed. I almost didn't take this tour because it
was described as strenuous, with approximately a mile of walking - that is, in my opinion, a
lot of walking in 3 hours in addition to the activities listsed. Even allowing for walking
the entire Pioneer Museum and the entire showroom at the Cheese Tasting Centre and the
showroom at the Creative Paper factory, I don't think the total walking was 1/4 mile. Glad
I didn't cancel!
When my bus came back to the pier, we were subjected to the most stringent security check I
had seen this trip. We were stopped twice, at two different gates, and security people got
on the bus and checked all Sea Passes. Also, at the first gate they searched the baggage
compartment and looked at the undercarriage of the bus with a mirror on a pole - picture a
large dentist's mirror!!
When we got to the dock, the Burnie Highland Pipe Band played for us. I watched them from
the open promenade later and they greeted all the busses. I happened to be outside as we
were preparing to leave. With a revised departure time of 3:30, at 3:29 a port security
car arrived with the pilot. I guess he's alllowed to cut it close!
The Burnie Highlights tour was scheduled for 7:30am with the usual meeting time of 7:15 in
the theater. Again, with a fairly long port call, with some of the other tours scheduled
for about 7 hours and leaving at about the same time, and with no afternoon tours, it makes
little sense to have this 3 hour tour leave so early.
Once again, breakfast was rushed due to the early hour of the tour. The dining room didn't
open until 7 and the WJ at 6:30.
To make matters somewhat worse, it took a long time for us to be cleared by the local
authorities. Why? We were still in the same country.
Our stay in Burnie was extended by an hour, although I understand that not all passengers
knew that and some ended up cutting their trips short.
The Highlights tour covered everything listed. I almost didn't take this tour because it
was described as strenuous, with approximately a mile of walking - that is, in my opinion, a
lot of walking in 3 hours in addition to the activities listsed. Even allowing for walking
the entire Pioneer Museum and the entire showroom at the Cheese Tasting Centre and the
showroom at the Creative Paper factory, I don't think the total walking was 1/4 mile. Glad
I didn't cancel!
When my bus came back to the pier, we were subjected to the most stringent security check I
had seen this trip. We were stopped twice, at two different gates, and security people got
on the bus and checked all Sea Passes. Also, at the first gate they searched the baggage
compartment and looked at the undercarriage of the bus with a mirror on a pole - picture a
large dentist's mirror!!
When we got to the dock, the Burnie Highland Pipe Band played for us. I watched them from
the open promenade later and they greeted all the busses. I happened to be outside as we
were preparing to leave. With a revised departure time of 3:30, at 3:29 a port security
car arrived with the pilot. I guess he's alllowed to cut it close!
FR0320 - day 8 - Melbourne
FR0320 - day 8 - Melbourne
I originally planned to take the City and River tour. On the first leg, however, we met a
couple from Melbourne who offered to pick us up and take us around the city. How could we
refuse?
During the drive we noticed a tourist bus which we learned is free and takes about an hour
and a half to make the circuit. I didn't take it, but it seems to be a good way to see the
essential sights, unless you're lucky, as we were. After complaining about the HOHO in
Sydney, a free one would have made up for it quite well, thank you very much!
From what I heard from other passengers, Melbourne was a very good port.
I originally planned to take the City and River tour. On the first leg, however, we met a
couple from Melbourne who offered to pick us up and take us around the city. How could we
refuse?
During the drive we noticed a tourist bus which we learned is free and takes about an hour
and a half to make the circuit. I didn't take it, but it seems to be a good way to see the
essential sights, unless you're lucky, as we were. After complaining about the HOHO in
Sydney, a free one would have made up for it quite well, thank you very much!
From what I heard from other passengers, Melbourne was a very good port.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
TH0319 - day 7 - sea day
TH0319 - day 7 - sea day
I haven't been writing about sea days, because there's been nothing to differentiate them from other cruises. But tonight's show was so unique it warrants discussion.
Danny Elliott was promoted as an instrumentalist. His picture, with multiple instruments surrounding him, made me think he was a puppeteer until I heard the promo information. Then, considering the picture and the promo, I thought one man band.
Instead, he was a very talented musician. He played ordinary brass, woodwinds, etc. He also played bagpipes, pan flute, harmonica, mouth organ, piano, etc. Plus, he sang very well. What a nice show.
I haven't been writing about sea days, because there's been nothing to differentiate them from other cruises. But tonight's show was so unique it warrants discussion.
Danny Elliott was promoted as an instrumentalist. His picture, with multiple instruments surrounding him, made me think he was a puppeteer until I heard the promo information. Then, considering the picture and the promo, I thought one man band.
Instead, he was a very talented musician. He played ordinary brass, woodwinds, etc. He also played bagpipes, pan flute, harmonica, mouth organ, piano, etc. Plus, he sang very well. What a nice show.
WE0318 - day 6 - Adelaide
WE0318 - day 6 - Adelaide
The City Wine and Aboriginal Culture tour was an interesting tour. We went to the Tandanya Aboriginal Insititute and the National Wine Centre. The latter was part of the (Adelaide?) University and featured interactive displays about wine making. There also was a nice Botanical Garden.
The museum featured a lot of the Aboriginal designs we had seen at so many shops throughout the trip. Normally they have a yidaki (didgeridoo for those who are uninformed) presentation at 12:30 but we were scheduled to leave the museum at 11:15. The gentleman who had been explaining the art work was also involved with the music, so he did a special presentation for us. I suspect he was the main part of the show anyway.
The City Wine and Aboriginal Culture tour was an interesting tour. We went to the Tandanya Aboriginal Insititute and the National Wine Centre. The latter was part of the (Adelaide?) University and featured interactive displays about wine making. There also was a nice Botanical Garden.
The museum featured a lot of the Aboriginal designs we had seen at so many shops throughout the trip. Normally they have a yidaki (didgeridoo for those who are uninformed) presentation at 12:30 but we were scheduled to leave the museum at 11:15. The gentleman who had been explaining the art work was also involved with the music, so he did a special presentation for us. I suspect he was the main part of the show anyway.
SU0314 - day 3 - Albany
SU0315 - day 3 - Albany
Albany ("Al" like Alan, not like all) is normally sleepy on Sunday. This time, they went all out to welcome us. There was one entertainer on the pier, John the Piper. The shuttle was free, supposedly sponsored by the town. The shops, which are usually closed on Sunday opened for our business. I heard about the owner of a shoe store who didn't think she'd have many sales, so she didn't open, but most of the other stores, including ordinary drug stores, were open to meet our needs.
I took the Southern Wineries and Albany Sights tour. It was a little early for wine tasting, but, hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere! We stopped at 2 local wineries which were nice - very hospitable, and the wine was quite nice. Considering we cannot really bring wine back on the ship, the owners really put themselves out for us. The wineries were small, with little or no exports, so even if you found something you liked, you wouldn't be able to get them at home.
A nice tour, but it would have been better appreciated later in the day.
Albany ("Al" like Alan, not like all) is normally sleepy on Sunday. This time, they went all out to welcome us. There was one entertainer on the pier, John the Piper. The shuttle was free, supposedly sponsored by the town. The shops, which are usually closed on Sunday opened for our business. I heard about the owner of a shoe store who didn't think she'd have many sales, so she didn't open, but most of the other stores, including ordinary drug stores, were open to meet our needs.
I took the Southern Wineries and Albany Sights tour. It was a little early for wine tasting, but, hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere! We stopped at 2 local wineries which were nice - very hospitable, and the wine was quite nice. Considering we cannot really bring wine back on the ship, the owners really put themselves out for us. The wineries were small, with little or no exports, so even if you found something you liked, you wouldn't be able to get them at home.
A nice tour, but it would have been better appreciated later in the day.
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