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edoyle

59 Blog Entries
2 Trips
371 Photos

Trips:

World Cruise
World Cruise

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http://blogabond.com/edoyle




At sea on way to Melbourne

Hobart, Australia

The sea is rough today.The top two decks are closed.The captain is trying to get to Melbourne by midnight to get out of the storm.We'll be safe in the bay.

permalink written by  edoyle on February 19, 2011 from Hobart, Australia
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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Tasmania

Hobart, Australia

Fri.18th We arrived last evening at 7:30,earlier than expected.Immigration officials came on board and we all had to go to the main lounge for clearance and a stamp.Our table was lucky,we went between the main course and dessert.
Went on an oyster and wine tour.On the way we were driven up to view the city and our ship.
Went to Barilla Bay to an oyster farm.The water is pristine here.They begin with baby oysters the size of the tip of a pencil eraser,put them in mesh baskets and feed them special algae.As they grow they are moved to larger containers with larger holes and the water washing over them supplies food.During this time,about 18 mos. they are collected,mud washed off briefly,weighed and put back in the sea.Those that are not growing or are sick are kept out.We were given 2 oysters each with either a plum sauce or hot sauce.They were very good,I had one each of the sauces.

We then went to a winery where the upstairs floor was carved with the history of the winery and with faces and fruits.All of this made the floor uneven and we were warned to beware.Avery interesting visit.


permalink written by  edoyle on February 18, 2011 from Hobart, Australia
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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Milford Sound

Milford Sound, New Zealand


waterfall in Milford Sound

Milford Sound
Tue.15th At sea.We went around the tip of the South Island to Dusky Fjord,Doubtful Fjord and Milford Sound.In 1986 UNESCO bestowed World Heritage status on this region.
We saw Sheer cliffs,snow capped peaks in the distance and a Waterfall at each end of the Sound.Sightseeing boats ply the banks.
The wind was just strong enough to cover the water with whitecaps.I took pictures of the bigger Waterfall from my balcony and the ship was sending ribbons of white from its side.
Tomorrow is another day at sea and then Tasmania.

permalink written by  edoyle on February 15, 2011 from Milford Sound, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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Dunedin

Dunedin, New Zealand

Mon.14th Dunedin is considered to be the Scottish city of NZ.Somewhat hilly and clean as are all the cities we've seen in NZ.There is a very nice shopping area which I had seen before but didn't visit again,all prices are very high.Most edibles and clothes cost more than in the US.
I went on a wildlife safari which was quite rugged.It was a drive of 1 1/2hrs to Nature's Wonders.We were given green oilskin jackets and got into all wheel drive vehicles with 8 wheels,4in the back and 2 up front with the driver.The terrain was muddy from the recent rains,hence the jackets.
We went to a fur seal colony and saw adorable baby seals.We then drove to a yellow-eyed seal colony.They are extremely rare so no one is allowed near.I saw 2 blobs on the sand,one of which moved,so I assume it was a Penguin.
The drive back was lovely along the water.

permalink written by  edoyle on February 14, 2011 from Dunedin, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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Christchurch

Christchurch, New Zealand

Docked in Lyttelton for Christchurch,the most English city in NZ.The Canterbury Assoc.was formed in 1849 to found a Church of England colony in NZ.Space was limited by the sea and Mountain in Lyttelton so the settlers went over the Mountain and built Christchurch on the Canterbury Plain.It is a lovely city with the Avon river running through it.The river was not named for the well known river in England but for the one in Scotland.
Punters are common on the river.There is a beautiful botanical garden,in which I had spent hours some years ago,so I took en excursion to the Intl.Antarctic Ctr.
We saw injured penguins being cared for and rode on a Hagglund All-Terrain Snowmobile,a tracked 16 person vehicle used in the Antarctic by both the US and NZ
We went up and down hill simulating craters and finally through water.Quite a hairraising ride!
We were driven through the city again on our way back to the ship.
Many buildings were damaged by the Sept.eartquake. the magnificent cathedral with its impressive spire had scaffolding around it and was considered unsafe to visit.

permalink written by  edoyle on February 13, 2011 from Christchurch, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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The capital,Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand

Lovely city,many hills.Many houses are built on the side of the Mountain with lovely views of the bay.Access is by steep steps and appliances have to be brought in by helicopter.
Went on a pub tour,4 different pubs trying a different beer in each one.Had a very refreshing lemon-lime beer in one pub but could only manage a sip in the others.
A couple of us sat at a table with a man who looked like someone out of an old painting of a grizzled pioneer.He wore a knit cap,had missing teeth and had a huge bushy beard and we couldn't understand a word he said.He was happy to let me take his picture.He and his mate had the day off,Saturday,and his mate was outside smoking.

permalink written by  edoyle on February 12, 2011 from Wellington, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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Wellington,the capital

Wellington, New Zealand

Arrived in the capital,weather pleasant,able to wear short sleeves.Went on a pub tour,4 very different pubs.I tried a lemon-lime beer in one which was very pleasant.I could just have a sip in the other pubs,trying a different beer in each one.
A couple of us spoke to a man at a table where we sat.He was on his second pitcher.He wore a knit cap,missing teeth and a huge bushy beard.He looked like a picture of a grizzled pioneer.He was happy to let me take a picture of him.



permalink written by  edoyle on February 12, 2011 from Wellington, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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New Zealand

Tauranga, New Zealand

Beautiful drive to see a geyser which erupts every day at 10:15am with a little help from a friend.The geyser has 2 chambers,boiling water in the lower and cooler in the upper which acts as a lid.A park Ranger throws in an eco friendly detergent which decreases the surface tension of the cooler water allowing the boiling water to erupt,which it does to about 30m.The temp.is 300 degrees Celsius.
Rotorua has hot mud pools and we walked around.These are much larger than I expected.
Quite a smell of sulphur everywhere.It was all very impressive.
We then took a Gondola up a Mountain for a buffet lunch and a show by several Maoris

Hot pool

The ship then sailed to Milford Sound going between the North and South Islands.
This a beautiful area.We sailed up the fjiord and saw 2 waterfalls.Pleasure ships sail up and down.I took pictures which I'll try to get reduced and post.
One day at sea and then Wellington

permalink written by  edoyle on February 10, 2011 from Tauranga, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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North Island

Auckland, New Zealand

Docked in Auckland.Had a tour of the city.Lovely trees and flowers,great boating.The city is on a narrow peninsula where it is just a short distance from the Pacific to the Tasman Sea.There was talk of building a canal across but it would be too expensive so now if you want to bring a boat from one side of Auckland to the other you have have to sail around the top of the North Island.
We visited a Manuka honey factory and had a taste with some fruit.The honey is prized for its antibacterial effects,both internal and external.
Very hot,always glad to return to the ship for a shower.
Looking forward to seeing more of New Zealand which is such a beautiful country.

permalink written by  edoyle on February 8, 2011 from Auckland, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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Bay of Islands

Russell, New Zealand

Many small islands a great resort area.
I went kayaking in the Waitangi river in a 2-man kayak.I was in front,the heavier person is always in the back,and he was a man who has been sailing since childhood and who has done a lot of canoeing but not kayaking.There is a difference in the paddle.We rested every so often,I much more often.We went by mangroves and saw flocks of pied stilts,a bird similar to a cormorant.
We had our picture taken by our guide in front of a Waterfall.We pulled to shore and had some coffee and cake,after which some kayakers decided to return on the bus.Dave and I decided to paddle back.One shoulder was quite sore after that.

Kayaking in Bay of Islands

permalink written by  edoyle on February 7, 2011 from Russell, New Zealand
from the travel blog: World Cruise
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