Brisbane, Australia - February 28, 2017

Brisbane is the state capital of Queensland and in the middle of Australia's eastern coastline.  There are a variety of big office buildings in its skyline with lots of retail and dining places with an active recreational nightlife.  Brisbane also a Koala Sanctuary which houses a variety of indigenous animals including Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats Tasmanian Devils, Raptors, Dingoes, Platypus and of course Koala Bears.   The sanctuary is a big open space where the Koala and Kangaroo's love to have their pictures taken and be fed.

On to Yorkeys Knob, Australia on Friday ... the port near Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef.

Still having a great time!

Regards to all.

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Sydney, Australia – February 25 - 26, 2017

The Sydney Harbor is a natural deep water harbor that can accommodate large cruise ships, tenders, yachts and many sailboats.  The very active harbor a is a focal point because of the world famous Sydney Opera House.  There are many museums, beaches, galleries, parks and gardens.  Sydney is the oldest and largest city in Australia with a population of 4.3 million people.  It has a blend of many cultures and down one of the main streets there is virtually a league of nations of different type restaurants.  About 75 years ago, the government opened all immigration doors and people came from all over the world.

Unfortunately, when we arrive it was dark and rainy.  Touring around was not pleasant and famous Bondi Beach had great waves for surfers but with wind and sand in the face for a tourist.  The second day was more pleasant being able to walk around see some of sights even though it was overcast.

The Harbor Bridge is a famous icon of the harbor.  If you are really adventurous you can walk to the top of the bridge and get a view of the harbor.  I didn’t ... instead a highlight for me was to see La Traviata at the Opera House on Saturday night in the Joan Sutherland Theater.

There were about 1000 passengers getting off in Sydney and another 1000 boarding.  Each time there is a major shift in passengers the ships environment changes too.  Some people sailed to Sydney on the Queen Elizabeth and are returning to North America on the Queen Mary.

We are sailing to Brisbane tonight … arriving Tuesday morning.

Still having a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Sydney Opera House

Harbor Bridge with Queen Mary  going under.

Fresh Food Deliveries in Sydney

Bondi Beach

Still having a great time!

Bay of Islands, New Zealand – February 22, 2017

The Bay of Islands is in the Northern region of the North Island of New Zealand.  It is known for beautiful rolling hills, landscape, beautiful beaches and a coastline of bays and inlets.  It is 150 miles north of Auckland.  Paihia is the major island which is known as a popular holiday destination.  Very small “town” and they open a craft market when the cruise ships arrive.  There are about 45 cruise ships that come to Paihia over the year.

The port is shallow so we tender in on small boats. To leave the harbor there are maritime boats the escort the ships out.

We sail for the next two days heading for Sydney, Australia.

Still having a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Auckland, New Zealand – February 20 - 21, 2017

As we were not able to dock in Tonga, we were able to arrive in Auckland the evening before we were scheduled. Having an extra night, we had an opportunity to see the nightlights and skyline of Auckland.

New Zealand is make up of primarily of the north and the south islands surrounded with many smaller islands.  Auckland is located on the north end of the north island and is the largest urban area in New Zealand with a population of 1.4 million people.  The city is surrounded by water and volcanic hills.  Auckland is known as the City of Sails and is home of the America’s Cup.

Auckland is the biggest Polynesian city in the world as many of the residents are originally from the Polynesian islands of the South Pacific, and more recently many from Asia.  The earliest inhabitants are the Maori people.  The city has a long history.

There are a variety of museums, thermal springs, clusters of limestone caves and one of the tallest towers in the southern hemisphere with a fantastic observation deck.

Still having a great time!

Love to all,

Bruce

Nuku Alofa, Tonga – February 18, 2017

Well, we never made it to Tonga.  The wind was high and waters were rough so the Captain made the decision after 2 attempts to skip the port of Nuku Alofa. 

From what we heard … (and could see from the ship) Nuku Alofa is similar to Samoa … except a bit smaller and poorer.

We left Tonga and are heading to Auckland, New Zealand.  The weather has been rainy so we have been sailing in a storm and so far we are “rocking and rolling.”

Extra time in Auckland is a bonus.  I’ve been there before and it’s a great place to explore.

Still having a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Apia, Samoa – February 16, 2017

Apia is the capital of Samoa.  The city is located on the northern coast of the island of Upola which is Samoa’s second largest island.  As a tropical island, it is hot and very humid.  You also see many of the Polynesian type handicrafts and island designs.  It was also the home of writer Robert Louis Stevenson for the last 4 years of his life.

Samoa is really in the middle of nowhere.  It is near the Cook Islands, Tonga and Fiji.  About 2300 miles SSW of Honolulu and about 2700 miles NE of Sydney.

Still having a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Robert Louis Stevenson's Home

Sunrise

The Equator – February 14, 2017

Besides the International Date Line, we also crossed the Equator on February 14^th.  There is always a big ceremony on the ship with “King Neptune” when you cross for the first time …. which includes kissing a cold dead fish.

Still having a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

The International Date Line - February 12, 2017 - February 14, 2017

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the 180^th Meridian is identified as the International Date Line.  It marks the difference in time between East and West.  The date is put forward a day when crossing the line heading West and back a day when heading East.  So, sailing the International Date Line we lost February 13^th. 

Therefore, when we crossed … my today, is your tomorrow.  I thought just changing the clock +/- one hour for time zones was confusing!

Still have a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Maui, Hawaii - February 10, 2017

The Maui Harbor is too shallow for a large ship so we “tendered” into the port.  Tenders are small boats that accommodate about 150 people at a time.

The primary city in Maui is Lahaina. a former whaling port … so there are many shops with fishing and whaling artistry ... some very nice.  On the other had it is a resort type community.  Reminds me of Key West.  It has the flavor of a quaint village.  

Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii and is the 50^th state of the US. It’s on the same latitude as Mexico City and Hong Kong.  It’s 2000 miles from any continent.

Still having a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

Honolulu, Hawaii - February 9, 2017

Aloha!

Hawaii is made up of a 1,600-mile chain of islands that were created 25-40 million years ago as a result of a series of volcanic eruptions.  Each of the islands has different terrain and their own personality.  The city of Oahu is the most visited and probably the most commercial, but with much to see.  Waikiki Beach, Honolulu’s most famous beach is a steady 78F degrees (24C) year round and very popular with hotels and the beach crowd.  Other sights include Pearl Harbor, Queen Emma Museum, Honolulu Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

As I’ve been to Hawaii before I spent most of the day walking around and seeing local sights on foot.  Wifi on the ship is very expensive (their best package is 25 cents a minute) … so you will understand why for a $2.20 cup of coffee I am sitting in Starbucks!

The cruise is still going well.  Taking time to settle in with a good table in the dining room.  I have changed tables and am meeting nice people.  Since Cunard has a British registry, many are from all parts of the United Kingdom.  Food is plain and simple, nothing fancy.  Room adequate and shower is made for midgets.

The first several days we had lots of rain and the water was very choppy.  (More pictures below.)

Will write more.  Hope all is well.

Still having a great time!

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

 

Choppy Waters of  the Pacific Ocean
Looking out my cabin!

First Days at Sea

The Queen Elizabeth is a magnificent ship.  It has lot of the old-world charm with many similarities to the decor on the Titanic. (OK …. maybe that’s a bad example, but you get the picture!)  Lots of wood and polished and brass throughout.  Cunard is a British cruise line and of course you’d expect to see statues and portraits of Queen Elizabeth and the royal family.

The first days crossing the Pacific have been a little rough. We have had 4 feet swells and we are sailing through rainstorms.  These big ships however, have amazing stabilizer systems which greatly reduces the motion.   This is not a fishing boat!

In order to cross the Pacific, we need to cruise through some Artic currents that run down the west coast of the Americas.  I wonder if these Artic/Alaskan currents are the ones that cause the waters of the Pacific to be cold.  I know swimming in the Pacific along the Chilean coast is quite cold. 

Rough seas are a little like being in an earthquake.  It happens, you hold on, wait for it to stop and then continue with what you are doing.  If the waters are choppy you rock along with the ship.  Frankly I find the rocking of the ship quite soothing at night

So far, I have met lots of Australians and New Zealanders, Brits and Scots, some Americans and Germans and a few from Spain.  People are generally friendly, proper and well behaved.  Afternoon tea daily at 4:00 PM.

Programming is diverse. So far, I am enjoying an unsolved murder mystery series of lectures given by a former detective from Scotland Yard.  There are evening performances after dinner.  And if you get bored there are always boutiques to shop in … and lots of food to eat. 

We did get to watch the Super Bowl via satellite.  The Falcons were robbed!!!!

The internet is very slow and expensive so I am writing off line … cutting and pasting onto the blog.  Don’t be offended if any of my e-mails are short.

Hope all is well!

Am having a fantastic time.

Bruce

BRK55305@yahoo.com

San Francisco .... etc.

In San Francisco's Chinatown they are celebrating the Chinese New Year.  Lot's of decorations and very festive.

Have you seen the cable cars?

When you walk to a specific location, you need the directions as well as the easiest way to get there. The hills of San Francisco are can be pretty steep.  This is fairly flat compared to some of the others!

Still having a great time!

Bruce
BRK55305@yahoo.com

San Francisco 2/3/17

Flew into San Francisco a day early taking no chances I would be delayed due to weather or mechanical difficulties.  Spent the day walking around all the typical tourist places.  Walked through Chinatown and Little Italy on the way to Fisherman's Wharf.

Had some really good NY style pizza and found an authentic cannoli.

Is this not the face of a happy man?

Having a great time!

Bruce
BRK55305@yahoo.com