Sunday, February 25
Another day at sea but this one in glorious sunshine and warm temperatures.- feels like we are in the Caribbean – which , come to think of it, we sort of are.. : ) We worked out in the morning, spent the entire afternoon at the pool, dressed for dinner (the second formal night), and hit the sack early – it’s good to do nothing and rest afterwards : )
Monday, Feb 26
Melbourne (pronounced Melbun)
Well, Can’t say we are impressed – a city is a city is a …
We took a shore excursion which was a big disappointment – Billed as a Yarra River boat tour and wine tasting, with a stop at a wildlife sanctuary and lunch. In actuality, they bussed us to the center of the city, where they put us on a boat (admittedly on the Yarra River), drove us up river about 20 minutes, then back down about twenty minutes with nothing to see except the city skyline and a lot of cranes and warehouses : (
Then back on the bus for an hour to a Healesville Sanctuary– a really OK place but doesn’t hold a candle to the wonderful “ Something Wild” in Hobart.
We then stopped at the nearby Rochford Winery where we had a really excellent lunch, Don tasted (and bought) some wines that he really liked, then another two hour bus ride back to the boat.
Word to the wise NEVER take a cruise excursion….. This tour, which sounded like a boat ride up a river to a winery was in reality a four hour bus ride – and not a very interesting one. Cost? $119.00 each !!
Oh, well………..
That said… we have had a brilliant time and seen and done so much. The people here are lovely – welcoming and friendly and happy. Everywhere we went in New Zealand, the ship was serenaded at arrival and departure by choirs, singing groups, bands, and pipers.
Tomorrow is our last day on the ship – another sea day. We will arrive in Sydney early Wednesday morning and are looking forward to being on terra firma again and seeing the DeFrancescos. We also are expecting to love Sydney. The Sapphire will be berthed at Quay Wharf right next to the Opera House. A city is a city is……. I know … but there is so much to see and do in and around Sydney and we will have Antonio as our guide. We plan a day in the Blue Mountains and one in the Hunter Valley, too – both within striking distance of the city.
Another day at sea but this one in glorious sunshine and warm temperatures.- feels like we are in the Caribbean – which , come to think of it, we sort of are.. : ) We worked out in the morning, spent the entire afternoon at the pool, dressed for dinner (the second formal night), and hit the sack early – it’s good to do nothing and rest afterwards : )
Monday, Feb 26
Melbourne (pronounced Melbun)
Well, Can’t say we are impressed – a city is a city is a …
We took a shore excursion which was a big disappointment – Billed as a Yarra River boat tour and wine tasting, with a stop at a wildlife sanctuary and lunch. In actuality, they bussed us to the center of the city, where they put us on a boat (admittedly on the Yarra River), drove us up river about 20 minutes, then back down about twenty minutes with nothing to see except the city skyline and a lot of cranes and warehouses : (
Then back on the bus for an hour to a Healesville Sanctuary– a really OK place but doesn’t hold a candle to the wonderful “ Something Wild” in Hobart.
We then stopped at the nearby Rochford Winery where we had a really excellent lunch, Don tasted (and bought) some wines that he really liked, then another two hour bus ride back to the boat.
Word to the wise NEVER take a cruise excursion….. This tour, which sounded like a boat ride up a river to a winery was in reality a four hour bus ride – and not a very interesting one. Cost? $119.00 each !!
Oh, well………..
That said… we have had a brilliant time and seen and done so much. The people here are lovely – welcoming and friendly and happy. Everywhere we went in New Zealand, the ship was serenaded at arrival and departure by choirs, singing groups, bands, and pipers.
Tomorrow is our last day on the ship – another sea day. We will arrive in Sydney early Wednesday morning and are looking forward to being on terra firma again and seeing the DeFrancescos. We also are expecting to love Sydney. The Sapphire will be berthed at Quay Wharf right next to the Opera House. A city is a city is……. I know … but there is so much to see and do in and around Sydney and we will have Antonio as our guide. We plan a day in the Blue Mountains and one in the Hunter Valley, too – both within striking distance of the city.
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