by Ron Largent | Feb 12, 2018 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Burnie, Cairns, Hobart, Holland America Cruise Lines, International Travel, Kuranda Classic Train in Cairns Australia, Manley Island in Australia, Melbourne, Milford Sound, New Zealand, Port Arthur, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, Tasmania, The Rocks in Sydney, Travel, Uncategorized
After a day at sea we are approaching Milford sound at 7 a.m. in the morning it is raining first impression is that Rihanna back and has appears of Norway with rapidly rising huge mountains and narrow waterways which would mean the same characteristic as the Fjords in Norway with very deep channels for the shipdto go up. We were also told last night that be yours in South America as you go towards and article are also very majestic like pigs the difference at this point with these years in Milford sound and Norway is no snow on the top of these at least that I can see now
by Ron Largent | Feb 9, 2018 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Melbourne, Milford Sound, New Zealand, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Tasmania, The Rocks in Sydney, Uncategorized
And the two day crossing from Hobart into New Zealand we had waves that rock the boat the first night second night was fine but depending on the weather this can be a fairly up two days or smooth as last due to the current at this end of Australia it can bury significantly and the captain kept making good reports on where we were with wind explain the dropping a weather boys explain how the crew sheep ships keep in touch with each other regarding weather very well done to inform one of the status of the ocean but so far these two days for the roughest see days we had otherwise very mild
by Ron Largent | Feb 8, 2018 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Burnie, Cairns, Hobart, Kuranda Classic Train in Cairns Australia, Manley Island in Australia, Port Arthur, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, Tasmania, The Rocks in Sydney, Travel the World, Uncategorized
We had a very interesting day in Hobart awaking in Port to see thousands of logs timber that are waiting to be unloaded onto shift bound for China Japan. We left the ship about 11 to go to the adjoining information building which was servicing both hardship and celebrity solstice that arrived earlier in the morning. From there we walked to the Information Center to get tickets for the hop on hop off bus which we didn’t road for about 2 hours as it was slow stop a lot and very hot up top. We went through the commercial area and along the marina and Bay and Harbor which is the second largest Harbor Bay in the southern hemisphere Rio de Janeiro being larger we saw the small businesses in the commercial areas of Hobart and it is a very beautiful quaint both old and new town with the foothills and mountains coming right down to the waters edge in locations mini very expensive homes both older and new on the hillside overlooking the bay and the Tasman see. We came back through the CBD known as the central business district and then got off and walked back to the ship for a late lunch. Then later in the afternoon all day and I walked to the Salamanca Salamanca which is a street full of restaurants and bars very very pretty very European looking and right past the park called Parliament Park very beautiful. Hobart is a city of 200000 and very interesting and that for many years has used the lumber industry as their basic source of economy it has since run to include a university and a large medical facility and serves as the capital city or the state have passed mania. I suggest and that visitors to a heart first go to the Information Center and look at the vendors and displays then take the 20 minute walk along the bay and along the marina to the Information Center and then if interested in more than just the immediate downtown area take the hop on hop off bus which is a reasonable fair of about $30 a day
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 7, 2018 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Burnie, Port Arthur, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Tasmania, Travel, Uncategorized
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.
- The Ship docked in the bay and we got on the 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 Vistors 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 Antartica. I am told the part of Antartica 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 I 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 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Melbourne, Port Arthur, Tasmania, Travel, Uncategorized
As we leave Melbourne…I thought I would make some comments regarding our day there.
- We were briefed the night before on the various excursions offered….and then we were told a bit about arrival. Etc. All of us were a bit confused as to the Shuttle taking us to the center of town….whether it was free…whether we would then connect to another bus, or whatever.
- A brief map was shown, but not clearly explained….so all we really knew was that we were going to be docking…and if we wanted to go to the center of town, a shuttle bus would be available. Poorly explained.
- We docked at 8 AM on the Melbourne day…..and there were a number of shuttle buses waiting for those the got off at that time. We were later getting off…but as we exited the ship we went into the terminal building, and there in the middle was a large Information (I) desk and area, and a number of red shirted folks were there to answer questions.
- We were then told that to get into the center of town we would have to buy a $15 pass…that would allow us to ride the shuttle into town….and then enable us to travel on the public transportation around the downtown area.
- We bought the pass and boarded the shuttle…and it was about a 20 minute drive to the center of town….where we were once again met by red shirted workers that helped all, answered questions, etc….they gave us maps, etc….and told us about some nearby attractions, etc….including walking across the river to Flinders Station and Federation Square, which is the center of downtown. This is about a 10 minute walk,…..across the river with all of the beautiful buildings in the area along the river…very beautiful. While we were in Federtion Square, we went into the Cathedral, which is right at the Square, where they were having a Deacon Ordination service to a full hous.
- From there we took a City Central tram heading towards the Melbourne Museum…..this was a crowded ride on the Central City tram…jammed into a car with about 50 Asians….and then getting off to walk about 30 minutes to the Museum. Through some beautiful gardens…..we got to the modern Museum…went in and ate…then met the girl from Redding, who’s mother was Liz, the sax player in the big band, etc…small world.
- We then walked about to the Melbourne Library, which is a huge historical library similar to our Library of Congress…very impressive….
- Then caught another tram back to the central point where we would get the shuttle back…..but decided to get on another tram to go to the Botanical Gardens and the War Memorial…..too much in one day….we made it there, but the kids and all were tired so decided to go back to the bus pick up point….which we did…waited for 10 minutes then the 20 minute ride back to the ship by 4 PM…a tiring and long day.
As a CLS…..in my Melbourne presentation, use maps and lots of photos …and make it very clear as to the Shuttle…the trams in town…the main things to see…and the overall size of Melbourne . It is a city of 4 million….not a small town at all….and very busy and congested, although one of the more beautiful cities due to the parks and trees and flowers….very attractive city, but not one that you can see in a day or two. The point should be made that in one day, all one can see are the main areas and main attractions. And the excursions, such as a Panorama Melbourne would be a good idea if you want to see a lot. For a couple, probably the hop on hop off might be the right way to go….
I should emphasize that one day in Melbourne should tell you whether you want to come back or not…..and I think 3 days would be a minimum…depending on how it is scheduled, etc….The museum is well done and well worth 2 or 3 or more hours….it reminded me of the Smithsonian….very modern and very well done. Impressive. We were told the big market is worth going to…..and certainly the Flinders Station area is worth time. It seems like, as in most big cities, there are certain areas where tourists gather, such as Federation Square…and the River at this point is beautiful. The city landscaping is beautiful and the many thousands of palm trees add to the majesty of this beautiful city.
In a presentation…the Top 10 would be good…but be sure and make simple and clear the arrival and the shuttle and the bus ticket…..where it takes you to, and where you can go from there. Use photo maps to show the areas, etc…..otherwise folks will not maximize their time. And allow time to get back to the Ship, as at the end of the afternoon…traffic can become a hassle….
