Sydney and the Blue Mountains

We had two days in Sydney.  One day I spent roaming the city with friends where we enjoyed the botanical gardens, museums and some shopping in the area known as The Rocks. The second day I did an excursion out to the Blue Mountains with a stop at a wildlife park along the way.

I tried for some different views of the opera house and bridge from what I posted last year.

 

We saw quite a few Asian couples doing wedding shoots in what appeared to be rented gowns (some pinned together in the back).  Must be ‘a thing’ to do.

 

A street musician playing the didgeridoo.

 

The Blue Mountains and the rock formation known as The Three Sisters.

 

 

A few shots from the wildlife park...

 

 

Tomorrow we stop in Brisbane, followed by Hamilton Island and the Great Barrier Reef.  I’ve been told not to have great expectations for the snorkeling on the reef as the location that we go to is the most frequented location and therefore the most destroyed.  Apparently you need to go much further out to see the truly pristine areas.  I’ll go anyway and hope for the best.  

 

Last of the South Pacific Islands

We have visited the last three South Pacific islands and are now apparently skirting a couple of typhoons as we make our way to Sydney.  We’ve had fabulous weather with only spot showers on occasion. 

Mystery Island, Vanuatu is a small uninhabited island.  Locals from surrounding islands have the island set up to offer various services so I took the opportunity to go for a ride on a homemade outrigger.  The sailor/owner told me that it took him 3 months and 5 days to dig out the log for the canoe section.  Our ship’s incredible crew set up a bar on the beach and were even delivering drinks to people in the water.  It was a fun day. 

 

 

 

The next up was Mare Island, New Caledonia and another pretty beach day.

 

The last island was Noumea, New Caledonia where I went on a fabulous snorkeling trip with the best fish and corals so far.  A couple of highlights were being in the middle of a school of small barracudas and swimming with sea turtles.  

 

 

 

 

Fiji Islands

The past two days have been in Fiji where I spent most of the time on beaches and snorkeling.  I know that it’s cold and snowy at home, so I feel a bit guilty (just a bit) as I post these photos.  I’m likely to bore you with snorkeling photos but it’s such fun!  The first stop was on the island of Yasawa-I-Rara where the movie The Blue Lagoon was filmed.  I think that the movie was a bust, but location certainly wasn’t.  I didn’t go over to the caves that apparently were shown in the movie, and chose to spend my time in the incredibly clear, warm water at this pretty beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s port was Lautoka on the island of Viti Levu.  I went to a very small island for the day and, you guessed it, did lots of snorkeling.

 

 

 

 Apparently these guys don’t sting, but I tried to keep clear anyway.  

 

 

These blue starfish were everywhere.

 

 

We have three more islands before getting to Sydney.  Oh boy, more snorkeling coming up!

 

 

Fanning & Apia Islands

Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati is the least developed of the Pacific Islands I’ve been to so far.  It’s an oval-shaped coral atoll with pretty beaches and swaying palm trees.  The locals were out selling their crafts and seemed to be a happy people who live a very simple life.  Sadly, this island is expected to be the first to disappear under the rising waters associated with global warming and will likely be uninhabitable within 15-20 years.

 

I loved the prices written on a leaf!

Some dressed up for photos to earn money.

And, more cute kids.

Next up was Apia, Western Samoa where a friend and I took a shuttle into town to check out a craft market.  Much of the market was made of new wood and more stalls were being added.  Turns out, the other market stalls had burn down only two days prior and they put this new one up in with lighting speed knowing that a cruise ship was coming to town.  

On the walk back to the ship we stepped into the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.  This church is amazing with many beautiful stain-glass windows, a mahogany ceiling and an interesting Christian-meets-Samoan motif painted in the dome. 

 

 

We also wandered into a cultural center where we watched a bit of native dance.

 

Trees with beautiful orange flowers were in bloom along the harbor walk.

 

Honolulu

We had a pretty short visit to Honolulu where the first of two shore-side events was held for those of us on the full world cruise.   We docked at noon in Honolulu Harbor, next to the Aloha Tower (seen in the background behind the hula gal) and set sail again at 1am.  Just enough time to party!    
 Amazing how much this city has grown since I was last here 10 or so years ago and a far cry from when I worked here in 1981.

The world cruise event was aboard the Battleship USS Missouri – aka ‘Mighty Mo’.   Now a museum, the ship is permanently docked next to the Arizona Memorial on Ford Island.  It was built in 1944 and was the site where MacArthur accepted Japan’s surrender.  In addition to WWII, she saw action in the Korean War and Dessert Storm.  Party aside, it was also a time to reflect and appreciate those who served. 

We were greeted by children presenting us with leis and Hawaiian dance.

 

The event was a take-off on a 40’s USO show with the typical big-band music and song.  The singers, wait staff and crew were all dressed in the clothing and hair styles befitting the time period.  A couple of the women told me how much fun the event was for them as well. 

We’re currently in route to Fanning Island.  Here’s to hoping for a great beach!