You cannot make that up!
Wednesday, 28 February 2018
Tuesday, 27 February 2018
Day 1 - Sydney - Visit to the Blue Mountains.
Arrived Sydney, New South Wales, Australia aboard Queen Elizabeth. I was last here in June 1972, having flown in 12 months earlier. The flight was Manchester, London, Frankfurt, Rome, Bahrain, Singapore then Sydney over 24 hours. It felt like it was permanent sunrise. The return journey to the UK was almost the reverse trip. So in 1971 I travelled East to Australia and the returned to the UK going West.
That was over 45 years ago, and I returned with Mo from across the Pacific, having entered the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal having crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Southampton.
We took a tour excursion from the ship today to visit the Blue Mountains ... We had three stops Echo Point, up close and personal with the Three Sisters, then Lunch at the Mountain Retreat a B&B Hotel, followed by a trip to the Blue Mountains "Scenic World" Discovery Centre where we we had an unlimited rides pass for the three rides, Sky Walk, Rail Track and Cable Ride each had stunning views of the amazing Scenery and Landscapes but we only had 1 and 1/4 hours there to Katoomba to fit in the rides, so it was a bit rushed at the end. Four to five hours on the coach to get there and back.
But glad we did it and Mo cannot believe we are in Australia! Neither can I to be fair.
Plus some photos of Sydney Harbour.
Saturday, 24 February 2018
A day in Bay of Islands - Waitangi, Paihia & Russell.
10:51 waiting for a tender to go ashore, GMT + 12!
The Map shows where the Queen Elizabeth is anchored and shows the tender route in red squares.
Plans are to go to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, then walk into Paihia and catch a Ferry to Russel.
The treaty grounds are where in 1840 where the Maori Chiefs and the British Crown signed the "Treaty of Waitangi" document the basis of life as it is known in New Zealand. Also the site of the Waitangi National Trust estate.
Paihia has been a holiday destination for over 300 years, and main industry is tourism still.
We arrived off the tender at Waitangi Wharfs, got a free shuttle bus to Piahia, where Mo had some retail time and I took a nature trail walk to Piahia Lookout.
Have no pics of Mo's shopping :)
Friday, 23 February 2018
Leaving Auckland at 21:30 last night arriving in Bay of Islands at 07:15am today
The night skyline in Auckland while the deck party way in full swing.
Then the awesome sunrise this morning as we sailed in to anchor off shore - long tender ride today.
We will get ashore at some point and stroll around.
Some Photos taken while at Hobbiton
These are just a few of the photos taken today - taken on my phone.
Updating the blog from the coach and resizing photos on the go.
I have over 200 photos on the Lumix camera of Hobbiton today the weather was perfect warm, no rain, not too windy.
It was picture book perfect.
We started outside and finished inside the Green Dragon .
If you want more info here is the Wikipedia link
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