February 27, 2017, Monday, En route to Brisbane, Australia
The day was a very quiet day at sea. Sandra did Chairobics with Laura after breakfast. We both went to Morning Trivia in the Golden Lion Pub. I don’t think we won. Sandra attended a lecture by Farrah Storr, editor of Cosmopolitan UK. Her topic was “Stepping into your (Dis)comfort Zone.” How to embrace (and waltz) through life’s toughest challenges and achieve incredible results alone the way.
At noon, I took in a lecture by Gordon Dedman, titled “Bushcraft Survival - Fire.” He covered the various ways to start a fire from using spark sticks, glass lens, flint and steel, to the more primitive methods of bow drills and hand drills to create a spark.
This was followed by lunch and later by afternoon Trivia. Dinner was in the Britannia Restaurant at 6:00 PM.
The evening entertainment was a couple “Soul Mystique” that did a quick change act that was unbelievable. Dancing to various music and then changing to a different costume in the blink of an eye. This was done at least ten times during one routine. Our daily program called it the world’s slickest and most innovative magical dance transformation act.
Friday, March 10, 2017
February 25 & 26, 2017, Saturday & Sunday, Sydney, Australia
February 25 & 26, 2017, Saturday & Sunday, Sydney, Australia
Saturday, We at anchor in Sydney Harbor a bit East of the Opera House. The Queen Mary 2 was tied up at the Overseas Passenger Terminal when we arrived. She was to leave at the end of the day, about 9:00 PM to continue her voyage. We are to raise anchor at 11:00 PM and tie up at the Overseas Passenger Terminal after midnight.
Not only do we have to tender ashore today, but it is a really ugly day weather wise with a lot of rain and fog. It is hard to make out the Sydney Bridge, the Opera House or the Queen Mary. Sandra and I did take the commercial tender, the port authorities were keeping the ship’s tenders out of the harbor. We disembarked just in front of the Opera House, walked to the Circular Quay and bought a couple of two-day tickets for the Hop On, Hop Off Bus. After lunch at an upscale burger spot, we got on the bus for a narrated ride around the city. We got as far as the Aquarium at Darling Harbor before we got off and walked into the center of the city. Sandra did some serious shopping, she was looking for something specific. She just did not find the perfect thing. The weather had gotten better so we walked back to the Circular Quay (by the way, this is the main ferry terminal for Sydney). From there, it was a short walk passed the Opera House and our tender to the ship.
Dinner in the Britannia and a show in the Royal Court Theatre. The night’s presentation
was The Australian Tango Academy, a part of the Sydney Youth Orchestras. The group is led the resident tango expert, Maggie Ferguson. The group played a number of different types of tango music while a pair of student dancers performed a number of different dance routines. I believe several of the performances can be found on Youtube by searching for Maggie Ferguson or the Australian Tango Academy.
Day two in Sydney was as beautiful as day one had been ugly. Today, we walked off the ship and onto the terminal. From there it was a short walk to St George Street where there is a open street market on the weekend. This is the part of Sydney known as “The Rocks”, a very rocky peninsula that juts into the harbor. It is also where the first town was constructed by the convict fleet. Sandra and I then walked out under the Harbor Bridge to see the sights, then back to our Hop On Hop Off bus stop. Took the bus back around Sydney again and got off at the Power Plant Museum.
From there we walked to Paddy’s Market, an enclosed warren of open booths with just about everything you might need. Sandra found some soap that she needed and I found some buttons to modify a pair of pants for braces (suspenders). After all that shopping, we walked to Darling Harbor, found a restaurant for lunch and had a very good meal of fish and chips. I wish we could spend a couple more days just in this part of Sydney. To return to the ship, we got back on the bus and off at the Circular Quay and then walked onto the ship.
The ship left the harbor at about 6:00 PM while we were having dinner.
The evening show was Australia’s best loved and most awarded a cappella group, “Idea of North”. A very talented group but I think that the “Pentatonics” are better.
Saturday, We at anchor in Sydney Harbor a bit East of the Opera House. The Queen Mary 2 was tied up at the Overseas Passenger Terminal when we arrived. She was to leave at the end of the day, about 9:00 PM to continue her voyage. We are to raise anchor at 11:00 PM and tie up at the Overseas Passenger Terminal after midnight.
Not only do we have to tender ashore today, but it is a really ugly day weather wise with a lot of rain and fog. It is hard to make out the Sydney Bridge, the Opera House or the Queen Mary. Sandra and I did take the commercial tender, the port authorities were keeping the ship’s tenders out of the harbor. We disembarked just in front of the Opera House, walked to the Circular Quay and bought a couple of two-day tickets for the Hop On, Hop Off Bus. After lunch at an upscale burger spot, we got on the bus for a narrated ride around the city. We got as far as the Aquarium at Darling Harbor before we got off and walked into the center of the city. Sandra did some serious shopping, she was looking for something specific. She just did not find the perfect thing. The weather had gotten better so we walked back to the Circular Quay (by the way, this is the main ferry terminal for Sydney). From there, it was a short walk passed the Opera House and our tender to the ship.
Dinner in the Britannia and a show in the Royal Court Theatre. The night’s presentation
was The Australian Tango Academy, a part of the Sydney Youth Orchestras. The group is led the resident tango expert, Maggie Ferguson. The group played a number of different types of tango music while a pair of student dancers performed a number of different dance routines. I believe several of the performances can be found on Youtube by searching for Maggie Ferguson or the Australian Tango Academy.
Day two in Sydney was as beautiful as day one had been ugly. Today, we walked off the ship and onto the terminal. From there it was a short walk to St George Street where there is a open street market on the weekend. This is the part of Sydney known as “The Rocks”, a very rocky peninsula that juts into the harbor. It is also where the first town was constructed by the convict fleet. Sandra and I then walked out under the Harbor Bridge to see the sights, then back to our Hop On Hop Off bus stop. Took the bus back around Sydney again and got off at the Power Plant Museum.
From there we walked to Paddy’s Market, an enclosed warren of open booths with just about everything you might need. Sandra found some soap that she needed and I found some buttons to modify a pair of pants for braces (suspenders). After all that shopping, we walked to Darling Harbor, found a restaurant for lunch and had a very good meal of fish and chips. I wish we could spend a couple more days just in this part of Sydney. To return to the ship, we got back on the bus and off at the Circular Quay and then walked onto the ship.
The ship left the harbor at about 6:00 PM while we were having dinner.
The evening show was Australia’s best loved and most awarded a cappella group, “Idea of North”. A very talented group but I think that the “Pentatonics” are better.
 |
| Queen Mary 2 in Sydney on a rainy day |
 |
| A different view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge |
 |
| Queen Elizabeth from under the bridge |
 |
| One of the shops in The Rocks |
 |
| Darling Harbor |
 |
| Our view from our balcony |
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
February 23 & 24, 2017, En route to Sydney, Australia
February 22 & 23, 2017 En route to Sydney, Australia
Thursday was a full day at sea with way too many things to do. Breakfast in the morning, followed by Morning Trivia at 10:15. The first speaker at 11:00 was Dr Ravi Jayaram, a British doctor talking about “The MMR: How The Media Created A Public Health Disaster”. This was about the sequence of events that led to concerns about links between the MMR vaccine and autism, the subsequent drop off in vaccination rates and the rise in cases of measles and mumps. Dr Jayaram discussed the apparent rise in cases of autism, the facts behind the original scientific paper that sparked the scare and the role the media unwittingly played in fueling the concerns. This problem originally appeared in Britain but was quickly picked up by the American press with the same results.
The second lecture was by Gordon Dedman, a member of the Australian Army, speaking on “Bushcraft Survival: Survival Priorities and the 10-Piece Kit.” How to live off the land with topics about shelter, fire, acquisition of water and food, natural navigation, signaling, primitive skills, flora and fauna. All in three sessions.
There was a third lecture but we took too much time at lunch in the Britannia Restaurant and missed the session. However, we did make Afternoon Trivia. After dinner (Formal), the evening show was the Cunard Singers and Dancers doing various dances titled “La Danza”.
Friday was a bit less frantic, just Morning Trivia, another presentation by Dr. Jayaram titled “It Shouldn’t Happen To A Children’s Doctor”. Basically, his last 25 years as a children’s doctor, the highs and the lows. This was followed by lunch, afternoon Trivia and dinner (Informal). Evening entertainment was Simon McKinney, a New Zealand comedian and character impressionist. He was good with British, Australian and New Zealand accents, not so good with American accents.
Thursday was a full day at sea with way too many things to do. Breakfast in the morning, followed by Morning Trivia at 10:15. The first speaker at 11:00 was Dr Ravi Jayaram, a British doctor talking about “The MMR: How The Media Created A Public Health Disaster”. This was about the sequence of events that led to concerns about links between the MMR vaccine and autism, the subsequent drop off in vaccination rates and the rise in cases of measles and mumps. Dr Jayaram discussed the apparent rise in cases of autism, the facts behind the original scientific paper that sparked the scare and the role the media unwittingly played in fueling the concerns. This problem originally appeared in Britain but was quickly picked up by the American press with the same results.
The second lecture was by Gordon Dedman, a member of the Australian Army, speaking on “Bushcraft Survival: Survival Priorities and the 10-Piece Kit.” How to live off the land with topics about shelter, fire, acquisition of water and food, natural navigation, signaling, primitive skills, flora and fauna. All in three sessions.
There was a third lecture but we took too much time at lunch in the Britannia Restaurant and missed the session. However, we did make Afternoon Trivia. After dinner (Formal), the evening show was the Cunard Singers and Dancers doing various dances titled “La Danza”.
Friday was a bit less frantic, just Morning Trivia, another presentation by Dr. Jayaram titled “It Shouldn’t Happen To A Children’s Doctor”. Basically, his last 25 years as a children’s doctor, the highs and the lows. This was followed by lunch, afternoon Trivia and dinner (Informal). Evening entertainment was Simon McKinney, a New Zealand comedian and character impressionist. He was good with British, Australian and New Zealand accents, not so good with American accents.
February 22, 2017, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
February 22, 2017, Wednesday, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
This entry may be a bit cryptic. My first effort got lost in the great void that is my hard drive.
We are anchored in the Bay of Islands, one of the places that the great Captain Cook visited during his South Seas explorations. We booked a small high speed catamaran
tour of some of the islands in the bay. The catamaran picked us up right at the ship. Our first stop was to Motuarohia Island (Cook’s Island). This was the spot where Captain Cook first set foot in this part of the world. There is even a plaque installed on the spot. We then passed by a number of very expensive summer homes on a number of private islands.
The highlight of this trip was a visit to the Hole in the Rock feature at the tip of Cape Brett Peninsula. There is a natural hole where the sea surges through the island. On a calm day, our catamaran could sail through this opening. However, there were no calm seas, and we did not sail through this opening. Still very dramatic and a thrill to get as close as we did.
At the end of Cape Brett, there are a lighthouse and one lighthouse keeper’s house. There used to be five houses at the location, with five families and at one time, there were 22 children living on the site. The light has since been automated leaving the site unmanned.
Our catamaran took us past some very nice beaches with a lot of day picnics in progress. A lot of sailboats were in the area. It all looked like a lot of fun. Rather than taking us back to the ship, the catamaran took us to the Yacht Club pier near the Waitangi meeting site. Waitangi was the place where the British signed a treaty with the local Maori tribes which created the modern country of New Zealand. The Yacht Club ladies sell sandwiches and such to the visiting tourists while the gentlemen keep the bar open. All profits go to keeping the Yacht Club facilities in good repair. We saw several notable improvements since our last visit four years ago.
From the Yacht Club, there was a shuttle bus to the small town of Paihia. There were two cruise ships anchored in the bay, our ship and “The World,” which is like a condo at sea. The passengers purchase their cabins. With so many people in town, the central square was filled with vendors selling a little bit of everything. Even the local N.Z. VFW was filled with vendors. Sandra also found a Post Office, and sent off several post cards. After several hours of wandering around, we took the bus back to the Yacht Club, boarded our ship’s tender and went back to the ship.
The evening shows a tribute group sings the songs of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. It was a great way to finish a great day.
This entry may be a bit cryptic. My first effort got lost in the great void that is my hard drive.
We are anchored in the Bay of Islands, one of the places that the great Captain Cook visited during his South Seas explorations. We booked a small high speed catamaran
tour of some of the islands in the bay. The catamaran picked us up right at the ship. Our first stop was to Motuarohia Island (Cook’s Island). This was the spot where Captain Cook first set foot in this part of the world. There is even a plaque installed on the spot. We then passed by a number of very expensive summer homes on a number of private islands.
The highlight of this trip was a visit to the Hole in the Rock feature at the tip of Cape Brett Peninsula. There is a natural hole where the sea surges through the island. On a calm day, our catamaran could sail through this opening. However, there were no calm seas, and we did not sail through this opening. Still very dramatic and a thrill to get as close as we did.
At the end of Cape Brett, there are a lighthouse and one lighthouse keeper’s house. There used to be five houses at the location, with five families and at one time, there were 22 children living on the site. The light has since been automated leaving the site unmanned.
Our catamaran took us past some very nice beaches with a lot of day picnics in progress. A lot of sailboats were in the area. It all looked like a lot of fun. Rather than taking us back to the ship, the catamaran took us to the Yacht Club pier near the Waitangi meeting site. Waitangi was the place where the British signed a treaty with the local Maori tribes which created the modern country of New Zealand. The Yacht Club ladies sell sandwiches and such to the visiting tourists while the gentlemen keep the bar open. All profits go to keeping the Yacht Club facilities in good repair. We saw several notable improvements since our last visit four years ago.
From the Yacht Club, there was a shuttle bus to the small town of Paihia. There were two cruise ships anchored in the bay, our ship and “The World,” which is like a condo at sea. The passengers purchase their cabins. With so many people in town, the central square was filled with vendors selling a little bit of everything. Even the local N.Z. VFW was filled with vendors. Sandra also found a Post Office, and sent off several post cards. After several hours of wandering around, we took the bus back to the Yacht Club, boarded our ship’s tender and went back to the ship.
The evening shows a tribute group sings the songs of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. It was a great way to finish a great day.
 |
| Captain Cook's Landing Site |
 |
| Cape Brett Light House |
 |
| Cape Brett Lighthouse |
 |
| Hole in the Rock |
 |
| Close up view |
 |
| A Beach in the area |
 |
| "The World" and a small square rigged yacht |
Thursday, March 2, 2017
February 20 - 21, 2017, Auckland, New Zealand
 |
| Auckland |
 |
| Auckland Harbor |
 |
| Agrodome |
 |
| Sheep Shearing |
 |
| Maori Meeting House |
 |
| Geyser |
 |
| Geyser |
 |
| Maori Dance |
 |
| Maori Warrior |
Feb 20, 2017 When we were forced to bypass Tonga, arrangements were made to arrive in Auckland a day early. We had a day at sea and arrived at 17:00 in the afternoon. After dinner, Sandra and I left the ship and walked a short distance into town. The walk gave us a chance to find an ATM and get some New Zealand dollars.
The events prior to our arrival included the last lecture by Pip Burley, “The Golden Age of Song - George Gershwin”, another great presentation. I also attended Professor George Losey’s talk on “Fishes of the Coral Reef”. The evening show was tenor Benjamin Makisi with songs from the South Pacific Islands.
Feb 21, 2017, Our first full day in Auckland. We have a ship’s tour booked today. We are taking a bus trip to the spa town of Rotorua. The city is located in an active volcanic area with hot springs, mud pots and geysers. The city is also a three and a half hour bus ride from Auckland.
Getting from the middle of Auckland to the outskirts of the city was the slow part of the journey. Once in the country, the ride became very pleasant, green rolling hills, wide valleys and some rugged hills. For a short period of time, we were driving through small hills that were really small volcanic eruptions. Five miles before reaching Rotorua, we stopped at the Agrodome, a sheep exhibit, farming display, show, tractor and wagon trip around the farm. The show included a live display of all 19 varieties of sheep found in New Zealand. Then there is the sheep shearing demonstration all done in about a minute and a half. Followed by the sheep dog demonstration. This was all done on a large enclosed stage. We then were given time to walk through the gift shop.
Back on the bus, we drove the five miles to Rotorua and the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley and the Maori Heritage Center. We talked our guide into doing the buffet lunch first. A very good lunch, the equal to the lunch served in the Lido. After lunch, we visit the school where Maori young men were taught the wood carving techniques used by their forefathers. The young ladies were taught various weaving techniques using natural fibers. We walked down to the geothermal area with several active geysers, limestone terraces, and mud pots bubbling and boiling.
Walking from the geothermal valley, we stopped at the kiwi bird display. The kiwis are nocturnal only coming out at night. They fool the birds by keeping them in dark enclosures during the day, so they are active. At night, the lights are turned on and the birds go to sleep. However, seeing the birds in a darkened room is not easy. I am not sure if I saw a bird or not.
The last event was a welcome ceremony performed by the Maori men and then several dances performed by both men and women. All of this was done in a traditional Maori meeting house decorated with wood carvings and painted a deep red color.
Going back to the ship, we drove around the city of Rotorua, stopping at an old Victorian hotel with a large garden and bowling greens. An hour into our trip back to Auckland, we passed through a village that is about twenty miles from the sets of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. We did not see the movie sets. However, we did see the Library in town, built to resemble a Hobbit house.
Late in the evening, we left the city of Auckland and headed north to The Bay of Islands
Feb 17, 2017, Friday, at sea heading for Nuku ‘Alofa, Tonga
Feb 17, 2017, Friday, at sea heading for Nuku ‘Alofa, Tonga
A semi-slow sea day, speakers included Clare Balding doing a question and answer session in the theatre. Later in the day, Pip Burley did another “The Golden Age of Song” this time about Irving Berlin. The evening show was a New Zealand tenor by the name of Ben Makisi. He is of Polynesian heritage and a very large man. He is also a terrific singer.
Feb 18, 2017, Saturday, Nuku ‘Alofa, Tonga
At about 8:00 in the morning, the wind was brisk, and the captain was headed for the pier. We got close to the pier and then we pulled away. The Captain came on the speaker and said that with the wind, he could not keep the wind from blowing us into the pier. The bow thrusters and rear propeller were not strong enough to push us away from the pier upon departure. Also, I don’t think this port has any large tugs to help us if the wind got stronger. Long story short, we are skipping Tonga and heading for Auckland, New Zealand.
Sandra and I have been in a similar situation in Prince Edward Island, Canada. We missed that stop for the exact same reason.
The daily program was quickly rearranged and we had another quiet day at sea. Our evening show was a speciality act, Marcus Winter doing sand paintings. Telling stories with only sand and light. He sets up a glass sheet on a light table. Throws some sand on the glass and works a design, or picture using his hands. Light from below shines through the picture and onto a video camera which is fed to a projector and on to the ships movie screen. Some of his work is unbelievable.
Feb 19, 2017, Sunday, en route to Auckland, New Zealand
A quiet Sunday at sea. Our Captain, Aseem Hashmi did a question and answer session with our Entertainment Manager, Paul O’Loughlin. The Captain started off in the airline industry as a cadet pilot. During the next economic downturn, he was bumped back to cabin crew. The Captain then decided to change careers and moved to ships. All very interesting.
The Insight lecture was another presentation by Pip Burley, “The Golden Age of Song- Cole Porter”. Another very good story of his life.
Tomorrow we dock in Auckland, New Zealand
A semi-slow sea day, speakers included Clare Balding doing a question and answer session in the theatre. Later in the day, Pip Burley did another “The Golden Age of Song” this time about Irving Berlin. The evening show was a New Zealand tenor by the name of Ben Makisi. He is of Polynesian heritage and a very large man. He is also a terrific singer.
Feb 18, 2017, Saturday, Nuku ‘Alofa, Tonga
At about 8:00 in the morning, the wind was brisk, and the captain was headed for the pier. We got close to the pier and then we pulled away. The Captain came on the speaker and said that with the wind, he could not keep the wind from blowing us into the pier. The bow thrusters and rear propeller were not strong enough to push us away from the pier upon departure. Also, I don’t think this port has any large tugs to help us if the wind got stronger. Long story short, we are skipping Tonga and heading for Auckland, New Zealand.
Sandra and I have been in a similar situation in Prince Edward Island, Canada. We missed that stop for the exact same reason.
The daily program was quickly rearranged and we had another quiet day at sea. Our evening show was a speciality act, Marcus Winter doing sand paintings. Telling stories with only sand and light. He sets up a glass sheet on a light table. Throws some sand on the glass and works a design, or picture using his hands. Light from below shines through the picture and onto a video camera which is fed to a projector and on to the ships movie screen. Some of his work is unbelievable.
Feb 19, 2017, Sunday, en route to Auckland, New Zealand
A quiet Sunday at sea. Our Captain, Aseem Hashmi did a question and answer session with our Entertainment Manager, Paul O’Loughlin. The Captain started off in the airline industry as a cadet pilot. During the next economic downturn, he was bumped back to cabin crew. The Captain then decided to change careers and moved to ships. All very interesting.
The Insight lecture was another presentation by Pip Burley, “The Golden Age of Song- Cole Porter”. Another very good story of his life.
Tomorrow we dock in Auckland, New Zealand
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Feburary 16, Apia, Samoa
February 16, 2017, Apia, Samoa
We docked at Apia, Samoa this morning and almost immediately folks were getting off the ship. We had a ship’s tour booked, so after breakfast, we checked in at the Queens Room, got our tour sticker and after a short wait, moved off the ship. After a short bus ride through town, we stopped at a small beach area, it was a photo stop to take some pictures of our ship. The next stop was at the main outdoor market for some major shopping. We had about twenty minutes to help Samoa’s economy. Sandra did her part by purchasing a lovely dress.
The next stop was to the main Catholic Church on the island. It has a beautiful interior with a lot of stained glass and wood paneling. It is amazing that a small country such as Samoa could support such a large church.
The last stop of the tour was Villa Vailima, the home of the writer, Robert Louis Stevenson. He lived there for the last four years of his life. The house is furnished much as it was furnished when Stevenson was alive. His wife and mother continued living there after his death. After the tour, we were served a light snack of local fruits and coconut meat. Everything was very tasty. Stevenson is buried on Mt. Vaea, overlooking both the city and the home he built. Sandra and I found the path to the grave site, however, it is a high hill and a sign at the trail head said it takes 45 minutes to an hour. We saved this walk for another visit.
We headed back to the bus and were soon back on board the ship. By 6:00 in the evening, we were back on the high seas headed for Tonga.
We docked at Apia, Samoa this morning and almost immediately folks were getting off the ship. We had a ship’s tour booked, so after breakfast, we checked in at the Queens Room, got our tour sticker and after a short wait, moved off the ship. After a short bus ride through town, we stopped at a small beach area, it was a photo stop to take some pictures of our ship. The next stop was at the main outdoor market for some major shopping. We had about twenty minutes to help Samoa’s economy. Sandra did her part by purchasing a lovely dress.
The next stop was to the main Catholic Church on the island. It has a beautiful interior with a lot of stained glass and wood paneling. It is amazing that a small country such as Samoa could support such a large church.
The last stop of the tour was Villa Vailima, the home of the writer, Robert Louis Stevenson. He lived there for the last four years of his life. The house is furnished much as it was furnished when Stevenson was alive. His wife and mother continued living there after his death. After the tour, we were served a light snack of local fruits and coconut meat. Everything was very tasty. Stevenson is buried on Mt. Vaea, overlooking both the city and the home he built. Sandra and I found the path to the grave site, however, it is a high hill and a sign at the trail head said it takes 45 minutes to an hour. We saved this walk for another visit.
We headed back to the bus and were soon back on board the ship. By 6:00 in the evening, we were back on the high seas headed for Tonga.
 |
| Pier side during docking |
 |
| Queen Elizabeth |
 |
| The Cathedral |
 |
| Bedroom of Mrs. Stevenson |
 |
| Downstairs Music Area |
 |
| Villa Vailima |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)