Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE) - hallanniem

End

hallanniem — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well I'm back at home. This journey is ended, but the blog needs to be ended. I will update and post more pics today or tomorrow. for now I am going to sleep.

It has been fun, I have enjoyed myself. Now it is time to pay the piper (better known as the credit card company), so I am back to work tomorrow night.

Take care and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Happy Holidays,

Ann

last day of cruise

hallanniem — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Have to pack, Have to pack, Have to pack. last day and I don't want to pack AGAIN!!

We have been cruising about today. We went by White Island and got an up close view of the vents from this active volcanic vent.
We also went cruising around the Mercury Islands.

have to pack

well a half a bottle of wine and I'm packed enough to go to dinner. Special dinner with the crew wearing Indonesian.

More pictures and some more time in the Crow's nest. WE are leaving the ship tomorrow.

arrival in Auckland

hallanniem — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well we are off the ship and have dropped luggage off at the hotel. Now we need to wail for the rooms to be ready and in the mean time explore Auckland. There is a hop on hop off bus for the city. so we can try that.

Took the bus and went to the Vicotria markets and then to the high poin of Auckland.

Visited the MOTAT the museum of transportation and technology.

at sea

hallanniem — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Entered Milford sound this morning. By the time we were up and dressed, it had become very rainy. Pictues are taken through windows or out side durning rain. By the time I got back to the cabin my pand were wet to the knees, just from being on deck to take pictures.

Dunedin

hallanniem — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

got here and went to the city center, found a tour bus to the Larnach castle. the only restored castle in New Zealand. beautiful gardens. We could no take pics of the restored interiors. but it was worth the trip out there.

DAy at sea

hallanniem — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

off the coast about half way to Melbourne from Sydney.

Our first formal night, and we spent some time going to programs and checking out hte ship and amenities. I did some shopping on board and found a few deals.

Sailing day

hallanniem — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Met Trina at the port. She was so happy just to get into Holland America's hands. Knew that once she did she could relax. Trina's trip over was fraught with delays and plane changes, not made any easier by the United rep in Chicago. But all is well and we are on our way.

Trina leaving port

leaving sydney

opera house

We took advantage of the spa special for first day. We each had a complimentary foot massage in addition to the spa treatment we booked for the day. AAAHHH!!

Koalas in the wild

hallanniem — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Off to see the Kangaroo, Emu and Koalas in their natural habitats.

Okay so it is raining a little. my coat leaks and it is a little chilly only abour 65 degree.
We still had a good time. Saw an amazing thing. ONe of the Koalas was very active, he (Merle) shook himself and cimbed higher, then he lept over 6 feet to another branch, and let out a mating call.

Went to a filled and empty billabong to see birds and other wildlife. BAck to the ship, and on into Melbourne CBD to find this internet spot and to do a little shoping. I have to be back at the ship in 2.5 hours.

koalas inthe wild

whale nonwatching

hallanniem — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I finally got to go whale watching. We saw Albatrosses dolphins and flying fish, but no large mamals (whales). Spent 4 hours out on the pontoon, but no luck.

Trina is on her way, she just won't be here until about 3 hours before boarding time.

went to the Opera House for a tour and I bought the last ticket for a drag revue show tonight. I am on my way ;there now. The tour was great, we got to see 4 venues, but Sleeping Beauty was showing at the same time in the dance theater.

Went over to the Sydney Aquarium. Way more than I expected. There were a couple of floating exhibits that you could walk down and under glass roofed. One was for the sea elephants and another was for the sharks and mantarays. it took about an hour to walk through it all. Crocodiles, penguins, sea turtles and live reefs.

Well i am off to my show and will be boardding the ship in the morning. Will be in touch soon.

Bondi Beach

hallanniem — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I took the Bondi Exporer bus to Bronte Beach and walked back to Bondi beech. Then i took the 333 bus to Bondi Junction.

I have been looking for a place to get my hair cut. Yesterday I asked at a few places in Manly and the cost wast $88 - $100 for a shampoo cut and blow dry. I only wanted a cut. I spoke with the reception desk and she told me there were places to get reasonably priced hair cuts, and that there were some in Bondi Junction. so I went in search. I tried Price attack, but it had moved - I found it but they were booked up, hair cuts $35. So I kept looking down this side lane from Oxford square was a listing for a beauty college - looked promising. I didn't find that, but I did find Bondi Haiport Hairdressers, I could wait for the next haircut and it would only cost me $20. (HURRAH). So an hour later and 2" shorter I was off again.

It was time to head back to the city to try to meet up with the lady from Sydney Water to talk about Biosolids. Unfortunately she was delayed in conference until almost 5 pm So we were unable to meet. We will have to do that by e-mail.

Went to town hall station to see Queen Vicoria Center. There was a swarkovski tree in the center 3 - 4 stories high. Lots of top end shops there. I got a Boost smoothie and headed back to the condo.

wildlife world

hallanniem — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Got up and went to Circle Quay to take a whale watching cruise. Got there and the man told me that it was cancelled for today (as of 3 minutes prior to my arrival) due to high seas.Now what to do?

I went back to the condo and did laundry. and watched a special about disappearing bees.

Then it is off to Darling Harbour. Will try the Chinese gardens. and then the Sydney fish market. Well the Chinese gardens were closing early due to a special event.

I walked down the harbour to the Aquarium and bought a combined ticket for it and Wildlife world. Went through wildlife world. I took lots of pictures of deadly snakes for the boys to enjoy (and I wrote down the names for later reference) I will not post those pictures so that my mom can look at this.

Off to the fish market. I ;am looking foreward to some fresh prawns!! Well I got my fresh prawns. I ordered 6 prawns in garlic butter. I cannot figure out why they breaded them when they cooked them whole (heads and all) I got to stare at a plate full of black eyes. I am no straanger to fresh prawns so I dug in beheaded and peeled away. Just lost all of the flavor in the peeling.

When I went to pay for some juice and some raspberries, I realized that I did not get my change from buying the passes to the aquarium and Wildlife world . So b ack to the aquarium to retrieve my change. No problem.

Caught the ferry bck to Circle Quay and then the 303 bus back to the condo ( I had caught the 302 earlier and it droped me off right in front). but this driver told me that that was a closed bus stop and dropped my off 3 blocks past. I called the transit service to check on the status of the stop. It is a stop and I should have been able to get off there!! Lot of good it does me to be right, I still had to walk in circles to find the condo. OH well

It looks like Trina may be delayed. I hope she gets here before Sunday morning.

Paddys market

hallanniem — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Okay,
]Well i had fun. went shopping at Paddys market. Like giant flea market. I spent about 3 hours walking around and getting stuff. they even had a vegetable market inside.
Trina should be on her way soon.
I don't know what i will be doing this afternoon.

blue mts

hallanniem — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Blue mountains

took a train to the blue mts and a hop on hop off bus around the area. Also bought tickets for scenic world. cable car train and another calbe way up the mt. I then took a walk through the rainforest.
After getting back on the bus, I took a hike along the cliff, and then another hike down to George falls lookout.
Did some shopping around both Leura and Katoomba, then headed back to Sydney.

movign cattle

hallanniem — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

cattle

Moved a bull cows and heiferstoday. Frome one paddock to another. Frank had to get a horse to help move the bull to where he wanted him.All of the cattle were a little frisky. had to put someinto a squeeze chute to treat them. The cows will mostly follow you if you yell 'come on' at them. Just don't get between them and where they want to go.

Went out at night to look for animals, saw a possum, red fox and some kagaroos. We had seen a lot of wambat burrows, but no wambats.

Did see a black cackatoo.

black cockatoo

emu

manly

hallanniem — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

opera house

Got a late start as i had to do laundry. Went to circle Quay (key) to do the harbor sights afternoon tour, but they stopped doing that last year. i decided to take the ferry over to Manly and do some sightseeing and some shopping.

Came back to the city in time to catch the Sydney Explorer bus. So i had a two hour tour of Sydney and the sights. I stayed on the bus for the entire 2 hour tour, as it was raining and it was interesting.

made it to Sydney

hallanniem — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Got sto see some of the Capital. Frank took me to Parliment House for a tour and showed me where the Embassy are. We also went to the War Memorial. It was quite the exhibition, remined me of part of the Smithsonian Museums. (I will post some pics later).

Got to the Airport in plenty of time. but my plane was cancelled, I was on the next flight, I thought I was going to arrive after dark, but it was still light out. I did have to take my suitcase up two flights of stairs. I got off at museum station because it was only two blocks from where I am staying, but it is underground and no lift. Trina if you come into town by train Central station is better, you may have stairs but they are down not up.

Off to get groceries.

Plant visit

hallanniem — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Walked along the Swan river down to the Bell tower this morning. It is only 23 degrees so it is quite comfortable.

i booked a tour for tomorrow. Dolphins, Penguins, and sea lions. should keep me busy most of the day.

Went to the Water Corporation and me some very nice people. A frog is thier sybol for clean water. Was able to tour one of thier facilities (activated sludge shorter tanks with 4X recycle). This plant was originally built in the 1920's. it is completely enclosed for odor control, and waste products are moved off site several times a day. Million dollar homes have been built up around the plant.

After went to Kings Park to view some of the botanical gardens. Camera ran out of juice, so I went back to the hotel. Early day tomorrow, and I have to be packed up by 7:00.

perth day 15

hallanniem — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Went down the street and there is a medical clinic that gives travel vaccines. so I was able to get my H1N1 vaccination. today should be effective by cruise time.

Went to the Perth Mint to view thier collection of mining memoreblia and to see a pouring of a gold bar.

Walked downtown to find the Lush store ( I smelled it on Sunday when I went to Woolworths) Also found out about an art city tour that is free, so I will join that.

Met up with karen, one oth the people on my tour yesterday, she was on this walk and on her own.

We went to the Piccadilly Cinema to see 2012 and then walked back to the hotel to have dinner.

I was able to arrange a plant tour for tomorrow, so I am looking forward to that.

Margaret River

hallanniem — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tour today, much different from the previous tour - luxury bus. Sat next to a woman from near Rimini Italy, and had pleasant conversations with her. Also met a couple of people from Singapore.

Went to the Xanadu Winery for tastings of about 8 varieties of wines. Bought a Souvingnon Merlot 2005 ( medal winner) to have with lunch. I hope I can finish it before I leave.

On to a Raptor center where I find out it is Wedge Tailed Eagle not Witch TAiled.

wedge tailed eagle

We see and ge3t to hold a black kyte.This is a rescue and repoputlation center, they release the young out into the wild.

Next to Mammoth cave a limestone cave that is part of about 200 caves along the coast. outside of the cave are some of the Karri trees these trees grtow to be about 90 meters tall and 600 years old.

Karri tree

This one is only about 300 years old. Third largest tree ( redwoods are the largest).

Went to the lighthouse at the point where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. then off the the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. MY feet in the Indian Ocean/

my feet in the Indian Ocean

long walk

hallanniem — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

up early and out to Uluru to see Sunrise on the Rock. ON the drive out to the Rock there was a face in the sky that was watching our progress as the sun was coming up. Due to the cloouds there was not much to the Sunrise, but before we left, the sun came out and was shing off the rock. We went to the visitors center. and looked around. Then we went to the walk

The walk around was 10.4 km and it took me about 2 hours and 20 minutes.The walk was very peaceful and not too hot. I took a lot of pics, but some areas are off limits for pictue taking as they are sacred places. I had to pee sooooo badly, but it was another 250 meters to the Toilets. Just couldn't do it at the time. (wish I had because you know what a bus ride feels like on a full bladder) 20 minutes back to camp and relief.