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 12, 2018 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Dunedin, Milford Sound, New, New Zealand, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia
Dunedin is a remarkable little city in that it is about 100000 people and then there are about $25,000 in the university we went in in the morning for a walk around got to see the railroad station the beautiful church octagon square and it was her a worthwhile and including going to Cadbury the railroad station is one of the most famous photo spots definitely a requirement when you’re in Dunedin. We came back to the ship for lunch then. On our tour bus took is to the Olveston house which is an old 1850 home builtby at least businessman that came here and it is a remarkable house and gardens and of course and rolls Fiat 1921 Potter so well worth it to go through the house it so it one of a number of towards that are offered but the oldest in house and tour is great. We then came back by the Dunedin Botanic Garden and if it were in bloom would be spectacular but according to one of the workers the lake heavy it heavy eat that they have recently almost killed a lot of the flowers and they’re just now coming back for their second blooming … and should last through early April. We concluded the tour buy a nother drive thru to needing to see the downtown area and back to the ship the Scottish history of Dunedin is significant as easy as report childless and definitely a day when one of the two should be taking the railroad to repair it is quite good based on the brochures and is one of the options
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 | 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,
