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….
by Ron Largent | Feb 5, 2018 | Akaroa and Christchurch, Australia, Australia and the Rain, Burnie, Cairns, Christchurch, Dunedin, Dunedin, European Travel, Hobart, Holland America Cruise, Holland America Cruise Lines, Kuranda Classic Train in Cairns Australia, Melbourne, Milford Sound, Napier, New Zealand, Port Arthur, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, Tallin, Tasmania, The Fjords, The Rocks in Sydney, Travel the World, Wellington
Burnie was our first stop in Tasmania..and as we approached the island in the early morning we saw a very beautiful green colored area…and as we approached the port…we saw the evidence of a huge timber-lumber industry…..as we docked we were next to a huge wood chip pile….with huge conveyor belts and loading cranes….and even though it was a Sunday….obvious that this is a big port for lumber. We were told we could take a shuttle from the ship to the three stops downtown….and we got on one to the downtown area. Very beautiful small town of 20,000….that has some very impressive exports, such as opium for the medical industry. (Morphine)….largest poppy growing area in the Southern Hemisphere, etc….
the first stop was the Makers market, which, in essence, means an indoor museum where there is some artisans, etc…and a large visitors center….very impressive. From there to stop #2 is a 5 minute bus ride, or you can walk the boardwalk….about a 15 minute walk to stop #3 areas, which is in the downtown. Even on Sunday, some very nice small shops in the old town area…..very attractive area.
Stop #2 has a very fine museum, and we were fortunate to see the National Geographic photo display which the city of Burnie now owns. We had an hour there…very impressive.
So, in summary…
- A small town with some great leadership that has compensated for the loss of 3 main industries….by taking advantage of tourism.
- Great weather with a low temperatures of 40 degrees….lots of tropical growth….beautiful beach area.
- A good example of a small town that is very pleased to be part of the tourism industry…with about 35 cruise ships coming in during the year.
- Population has remained constant….replacing the 3 larger industries with small businesses.
- The three industries that left…Caterpillar to Indonesia; Chemical company that polluted the ocean beaches to a red color…..closed…. And the lumber mill, which is now a wood chip operation, in that 80% of the island is wooded.
- Shuttle bus service is excellent….very friendly and helpful and many around the port and the city to help with answers and tourist tips. The Makers Market info booth is outstanding, with some very nice displays.
- Tasmania is a very unique area that has survived as a thriving smaller city in a world wide industry…
by Ron Largent | Jan 31, 2018 | Australia and the Rain, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Travel
Today we took the train and bus out to Featherdale Wildlife Zoo….spent the day there…neat animal farm with a lot of hands on experience for the kids….they loved it….
got back late…dinner in the hotel….saw another Cruise Ship leave the harbor…..a fun day for all…..more on Sydney to come….
by Ron Largent | Jan 29, 2018 | Australia and the Rain, Manley Island in Australia, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Sydney Australia, Sydney Opera House, The Rocks in Sydney, Travel, Uncategorized, Vikinh Alta Cruise Ship.
This morning we awoke to a bright sunny morning in gorgeous Cairns and headed to a mid morning flight to Sydney. The Cairens Airport is almost like new…clean and neat as can be…very orderly and well organized….and a very simple security system….and after a short coffee break we were on Virgin Australia bound for Sydney. We were met at the airport by the transfer service and got to the Marriiott at the Quay by 4 PM….waited for Carrie and kids to arrive at 6…and then set off for the evening. After a quick dinner we headed down to the pier area which is about 3 blocks…and board the Manley Ferry…a 15 minute ferry ride to Manley Island…going right out past the Opera House while it was still light. We spent about an hour walking around the quaint island of Manley…down to the beach…then back on the Ferry…and back towards the sparkling lights of Sydney and the lit up Opera House. As it looks on my web page…really nothing like it in such a magnificent setting right on the water at Sydney Harbor. Breathtaking at night….and a beautiful building all the time. Literally a landmark for Sydney for decades.
Sydney is a beautiful city…the setting right on the water is beautiful….and Quay and the nearby Rocks area are both old and new….with high rise buildings looking down on history ….. Just a wonderful city, and we are just beginning to have 3 days here before we board the ship.
The plan is to have a “quiet day” here…as Carrie has been going strong….as have we…so we will stay in the downtown area and just enjoy the Rocks and the Quay…should be fun. More to come.
by Ron Largent | Jan 28, 2018 | Australia and the Rain, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Travel
It seems like all of my life since I started traveling in college, I have always heard of the Great Barrier Reef. It is like one of those “far away places” that they write songs about. Well, it is far away….but today we got to see if firsthand, and it is everything that I had hoped for….absolutely a world wonder. I can’t say nearly as much about the Reef as does Wikipedia….so will just go over our day…as it was a fantastic day.
1, We were picked up by the Quicksilver Coach-Bus at 8….and as we picked up others at other hotels…the driver started talking about facts about Cairns, etc….and that we would be traveling further north for about an hour to Port Douglas, where we would board the boat that would take us out to the Reef. So, as we left the City we followed the Espalade which runs right along the water. Many very nice apartment and residential areas…leading out past the airport….and then past the air terminal for the SkyRail….and then on to the highway that runs right along the water. This is like California highway #1 along by Big Sur…only much larger and more dramatic as the Rain Forest comes right down to the beach. Just a gorgeous15 mile stretch that takes us directly into Port Douglas, a city founded some 50 years ago by a man that saw what a perfect little town could be like…and to this day…it is just that…an absolutely beautiful town with small shopping areas…all greatly influenced by the tourist trade. It has become the main port city for the boats that go out to the Reef. We were dropped off literally at the entrance to the Port area…and proceeded to board the 400 passenger catamaran …..which was like a new boat….spotless and modern….and greeted by uniformed crew all welcoming us and offering coffee, sweets, etc. Just a great beginning.
2. We were first on so got a seat right up front in the covered area and proceeded to watch introductory videos…take a tour of the boat…and just get ready for the hour journey out to the Reef. We had our initial briefing on the Reef by a young Marine Biologist that was born in New Zealand and got her PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Florida. Very bright and informing as the boat picked up speed to about 35 knots….and we were “on our way”. As we approached the Reef….we could see the large permanently anchored docking area….and pulled right up to it to transfer from the boat to this dock area. A big 3 level dock, it serves as the point from which you can do the snorkel, the diving , the helicopter rides, etc the submersible “sub” that is their glass bottom boat, which we immediately got on and down we went to see the Reef. The coral is just amazing, and is everything that I had ever heard about it. It is massive, running about a thousand miles north and south along the line where the Pacific Ocean drops off dramatically. The Reef itself is only about 30 feet below the surface….and the sub moves in and out of a section of the Reef and you can see fish and coral very clearly right from the Windows. A great 25 minute underwater ride. We then went back up to the dock for a big buffet luncheon…then had the next 2 hours to look at the underwater viewing room….and just enjoy being literally “on top of the Reef”. A large number of the passengers went diving…and the Quicksilver company, the owner of all of this, including the buses…provided everything needed to go in the water. Very impressive.
3. At 3 PM, we headed back to Port Douglas….more videos…and more time for me to find out how the entire operation works, in terms of how they keep the dock out there, etc….a very impressive operation. We got back to the Port on time….then had a quick bus tour of the town…almost an unreal looking town and area…clean, neat, pretty, modern, quaint…..clearly one of the most beautiful town areas we have ever seen. Tropical magic in a storybook looking setting…..huge palms and trees and plants and all so orderly ,neat, an orderly. VERY IMPRESSIVE.
4. Got back at 6 and decided to go out for a walk along the water…found a great little restaurant right on the Esplanade …. Walked back to the hotel….a wonderful day…one never forgotten…seeing and being on THE GREAT BARRIER REEF.
OFF TO Sydney in the morning…Monday, for Day #4.
by Ron Largent | Jan 27, 2018 | Australia, Australia and the Rain, Cairns, Kuranda Classic Train in Cairns Australia, Rain Forest in Cairns Australia, Travel
The 2nd full day was remarkable, and a day to remember. After last night and the heavy rains and our finding a place to eat when we found that the Casino Restaurant was closed due to a power outage….that went back on an hour later…and we finally enjoyed our great sandwich. We got back to the hotel and early to bed in view of the early pick up for our Saturday day.
Saturday started off with a pickup at 7:20 AM…for the bus ride to the train station to take the Kuranda Classic Train up the mountain to the Rain Forest. To describe the details of the day…are just too many….and will summarize, but the essence is……”if you ever come to Australia and have the chance to go to Cairns……then today is a MUST.” What a day!
1. The train is an old vintage train completely updated….and is made up of about 10 cars. The trip up the mountain is on a one way rail….and within a few minutes the train starts through the tunnels and over the bridges as we climb into the Rain Forest. 2. The trip is filled with unbelievable photo shots, as this is land that is only accessible by the train. A lot of history in how they built the railroad…..years of amazing work and engineering. 3. The ride is about 2 hours with one photo stop over the river and falls….the views are unbelievable ….clearly a once in a lifetime experience
2. When you arrive in Kuranda Village…this is an original “hippie” kind of art town….but over the last few years has become a tourist center. It is a small village, with mainly tourist shops, etc….very fun to walk around and see the shops, especially the little “hippie” looking shops…very cute and unusual,…and the newer shops and the Kuranda Market is very nice….and quite “touristy”…….but well worth the time. A very attractive “village” in this gorgeous tropical setting.
3. We then boarded a bus and drove a few miles to the RainForest Nature Park for a delicious BBQ lunch. Very well done….a private facility that is extremely interesting and really designed to give visitors a good understanding of the Rain Forest…..and it is a real one…one of the largest in the World…and a first for us. After lunch, which was a full dinner, we went to the Army Duck area…and these are WW II Army ducks used by the Army in the war. We were able to get a seat up front…and for an hour, we drove through the Rain Forst…on land and into the water. Just a wonderful time with an outstanding driver and speaker and tour leader,,….originally from Canada with an art degree who had taught school before moving here. She was great….very knowledgeable and really able to drive the Duck…..kind of amazing. The Rain Forest has to be seen to really be appreciated….certainly nothing like we had ever seen.
4. The next part of the afternoon was a very amazing dance show…..and then a very well done Dreamtime walk….with exhibits, etc…..all done by the dancers. Really fun….and enjoyed by all. We then had a guided tour of their “zoo”…..first had look and touch area for kangaroos…and then real close up of Koala, a dingo, and a wambot. Very well done…fun, and most interesting. Very obvious that their employees really enjoy their jobs….extremely well informed and very communicative…..just a real enjoyment.
5. We then boarded the bus and headed to the Kuranda Skyrail. This is a huge lift that stretches up and down the mountain for about 10 miles….and takes you from the top of the mountain down to the bottom….very exciting as we rode in 6 seat enclosed cabins…and Audy got a bit nervous when the cable cars stopped for a few minutes, as we are literally hundreds of feet about the Rain Forest below….nothing like it and another first for us. The Cable Car has two stops where you can get off and see some exhibits….just a great and exciting ride down the mountain …a bit exciting but safe…going over the forest and rivers below that you can only see from the lift.
Back to the hotel by 6….an incredible day….enjoyed by all and a MUST for anyone traveling in or near Cairns. Too tired for dinner…but worth it all. Just a GREAT DAY.
Off to the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow…..what a place.
