by Ron Largent | Feb 14, 2018 | Akaroa and Christchurch, Australia, Australia and the Rain, Christchurch, Dunedin, New Zealand, Travel
After the tram ride we walked around the Cathedral grounds and then back down to the museum and the museum was exceptional and definitely a must see. The Botanic Garden is adjacent and very beautiful and well maintained and in full-bloom today..The photos show that destruction and the work that has been done to repair but also shows the construction on the new library as well as other downtown areas that were hit by the earthquake.We met back at the bus at 3 for the 90 minutes ride back over the mountain into the port ..and into the tenders.
Christchurch should be a must see on any New Zealand trip and the drive is well worth it over them out as you get to see the real New Zealand farms keep cattle as well as the magnificent fields and varied agricultural programs going on in this part of the country.This part of the world is unknown many but in reflecting back this is one of the most beautiful areas we have ever seen the people are very friendly they have a great outlook on life are hard working and they’re very very proud to be a newsletter.I think my talk on this part of New Zealand should be very practical on what you should you do and see in the time that you have using a lot of photos.
by Ron Largent | Feb 14, 2018 | Akaroa and Christchurch, Australia, Australia and the Rain, New Zealand, Travel
The tender from the ship into Akaroa is about 15 minutes. Here then go directly to the bus and there were about 10 buses waiting at that time. To drive for about 10 minutes through the little town of a Akaroa then start the trip to Christ Church initially you go through some hills but then follow the bay around and great photo shots and then up the mountain
For many years I have heard that Christ Church and the South Island was the most beautiful area of New Zealand circling this trip over to Christ Church verified that it is a slow trip over the mountain but then when you start down you start seeing the beautiful filled with sheep and cows and trees
Christ Church was the epicenter of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 2011 followed by some major aftershock. The earthquake lasted 45 seconds and has cost billions of dollars to rebuild the downtown area. The area that was most damaged was in the center of town where the Cathedral was located. Immediately after the earthquake rebuilding and rehabilitation and reconstruction of the downtown area began. Except for the cathedral which got caught up in a political battle between the church and the city and probably the state l of Canterbury. The result is that it remains fenced and in the same condition as when it was damaged. The part of the cathedral that collapsed was the main bell tower or alter tower as some of the building maybe one half of it is still standing. There are various memorial for the 180 that were killed around the downtown area and those killed were primarily in one building. Did happen midday so many workers were downtown.
The two buses drop off right at either the art museum which is very very modern or the Christ Church Museum which is in one of the buildings of the original Canterbury University that moved to another location in 1974
The old University buildings were damaged and evidence of the repair and renovation work is very obvious
When the university moved to another location various other organizations took over the building mainly for government use. Some of these buildings are behind the fence and others are being used that as the Information Center. The city tram is adjacent to the bus stop and is a good 20 minute round trip but you can get on and off as at the stops.
When speaking about Christ Church prepare travelers for the 90 minute bus ride to and from. Prepare them for the new construction and the new modern building. Prepare them to see how they have repaired the old Canterbury University prepare them for the fences and the board fences that’s around the mini damage buildings
There are many cafes and bars especially along Victoria Street which is a tram stop and there are small cafes near the bus stop we went in one of the small restaurants across the street from the museum and we’re very pleased with their food and prices
If you do not take the tram there are some local private companies that will offer a city to ER and there is the hop on pop off but also the red double decker bus
by Ron Largent | Feb 7, 2018 | Akaroa and Christchurch, Burnie, Cairns, Christchurch, Cruise Line Deals, Dunedin, Dunedin, Fjords, Hobart, Holland America Cruise, Holland America Cruise Lines, International Travel, Kuranda Classic Train in Cairns Australia, Manley Island in Australia, Melbourne, Milford Sound, Napier, New Zealand, Port Arthur, Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, Tallin, Tasmania, The Fjords, The Rocks in Sydney, Travel, Travel the World, Uncategorized, Wellington
Port Arthur is a most historical town just to the north of Hobart, the
capital of Tasmania. As we approached the bay of Port Arthur it became very
obvious that this area was incredibly heavy wooded….which started to
verify that 90% of Tasmania is wooded…..
- The Bay is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and was
discovered in the early 1800’s for its timber…and in 1930 became a timber
outpost for Australia , 2. Needing workers, the Australian government in
cooperation with the local business people in the lumber business, decided
to bring convicts to the area as laborers…and in 1833 created a
Penitentiary for convicts that then became the labor force. It grew from
there for the next 40 years….thus the current ruins and remains of the
original town as well as the small current town, Carnarveron,Tasmania, Australia.
- The Ship docked in the bay and we got on the Ship Tenders to go ashore…and
this entire procedure was orderly and well done…with about a 12-15 minute
ride in to the dock. From the dock it is easy to go to the Visitors Center
and from there take a leisurely 2 or 3 hour walk around all of the buildings
which have been renovated and modernized as much as possible, still making
it a kind of museum…
- The detailed history of Port Arthur is well documented, and info on the
prison, the prisoners, and their work and activity is well presented. Very
well done.
- Included in the Ship package was the 25 minute boat tours around the
Bay…where you can see where the Boys prison was, as well as the Island of
the Dead, which was their cemetery.
- This is a great one day stop…..just enough time to see this beautiful
area.
- In summary, so far Tasmania has been a must see spot if you enjoy natural
beauty with mountains, beaches, wooded areas, and little towns right down
to the waters edge….one of those best kept secrets.
- Another factor about Tasmania is that it is one of the southern most
points before you get to Antarctica. I am told the part of Antarctica that is
easiest to reach is from South America….but if you look at the world map
you can see that Tasmania is almost as far south. One of the slogans in
Burney was “welcome to the edge of the World”…..and seems to be true. But,
also one of the most beautiful that we have seen in that you have the
feeling of the tropical areas along with the mountains and the trees…
We are in Hobart now….which is about a 2 hour ship journey south from Port
Arthur. Gorgeous wooded mountains coming right down to the city of Hobart,
which has 200,000 people….and as I write I am looking out on acres of
labeled logs ready to go on ships for export. Probably 500 containers here
either filled or empty but extremely well organized and all seem to be in
order. We will spend 2 days here…should be interesting.
All for now,
by Ron Largent | Feb 5, 2018 | Akaroa and Christchurch, Australia, Australia and the Rain, Burnie, Cairns, Christchurch, Dunedin, Dunedin, European Travel, Hobart, Holland America Cruise, Holland America Cruise Lines, Kuranda Classic Train in Cairns Australia, Melbourne, Milford Sound, Napier, New Zealand, Port Arthur, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, Tallin, Tasmania, The Fjords, The Rocks in Sydney, Travel the World, Wellington
Burnie was our first stop in Tasmania..and as we approached the island in the early morning we saw a very beautiful green colored area…and as we approached the port…we saw the evidence of a huge timber-lumber industry…..as we docked we were next to a huge wood chip pile….with huge conveyor belts and loading cranes….and even though it was a Sunday….obvious that this is a big port for lumber. We were told we could take a shuttle from the ship to the three stops downtown….and we got on one to the downtown area. Very beautiful small town of 20,000….that has some very impressive exports, such as opium for the medical industry. (Morphine)….largest poppy growing area in the Southern Hemisphere, etc….
the first stop was the Makers market, which, in essence, means an indoor museum where there is some artisans, etc…and a large visitors center….very impressive. From there to stop #2 is a 5 minute bus ride, or you can walk the boardwalk….about a 15 minute walk to stop #3 areas, which is in the downtown. Even on Sunday, some very nice small shops in the old town area…..very attractive area.
Stop #2 has a very fine museum, and we were fortunate to see the National Geographic photo display which the city of Burnie now owns. We had an hour there…very impressive.
So, in summary…
- A small town with some great leadership that has compensated for the loss of 3 main industries….by taking advantage of tourism.
- Great weather with a low temperatures of 40 degrees….lots of tropical growth….beautiful beach area.
- A good example of a small town that is very pleased to be part of the tourism industry…with about 35 cruise ships coming in during the year.
- Population has remained constant….replacing the 3 larger industries with small businesses.
- The three industries that left…Caterpillar to Indonesia; Chemical company that polluted the ocean beaches to a red color…..closed…. And the lumber mill, which is now a wood chip operation, in that 80% of the island is wooded.
- Shuttle bus service is excellent….very friendly and helpful and many around the port and the city to help with answers and tourist tips. The Makers Market info booth is outstanding, with some very nice displays.
- Tasmania is a very unique area that has survived as a thriving smaller city in a world wide industry…
