Today sees us over 200 nautical miles steaming south east towards New Zealand. Before we reach Dunedin, there will be one more day at sea and a day cruising by Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound. In clear weather, these will be as spectacular as anywhere on this voyage.
Yesterday, I posted a series of pictures taken during our day-long call at Sydney. Most of the images should be recognisable and therefore, self explanatory. But, this, being my first time in this part of the world, was all new to me, and despite my advanced years, very exciting! Stepping ashore, I found a forest of interesting futuristic high-rises as well as much evidence of Sydney’s historic past. I had set eyes, from an upper deck, on the famous Opera House. I must check my facts; which came first, the modernist but much smaller roof of Manchester Oxford Road railway station or, the Sydney Opera House whose well recognised roof is of similar shape. I took several photographs, the first being an image on my cabin TV! I had got up at the uncharacteristically early time of 6am, not only to witness the arrival (as I might arriving at New York), but to be ready in good time for the almost all day shore excursion to the Blue Mountains. I took advantage of a complimentary room service breakfast, and met the rest of the 31 participants of this excursion at the appointed place at 8am. We were guided to our coach. The tour started with a brief look at Sydney before the almost two hour ride along the Great Western Highway to Katoomba, from where we would be taken to Scenic World where outstanding views can be had from a cable car and funicular railway, as well as along boardwalk through the temparate rain forests. We had lunch nearby, along with passengers from P&O’s Arcadia, also docked at Sydney. Lunch served its purpose! However, the restaurant was set in small but attractive gardens with very far reaching views of the Blue Mountains. It was early in the tour that I figured this place could be reached by train, the railway running alongside the highway for much of the distance. All too soon, we were heading back to Sydney. I would dump my essentials back on board, and then explore. I didn’t venture far, but did manage some “rare” pictures of QM2 with the “Coat-hanger” and Opera House as backdrops. Sydney came accross as joyful, colourful, noisy but in a good way. But how all these great cities have evolved to what they are, is beyond me.
About an hour and a half ago, the ship’s clocks were advanced an hour, bringing us exactly 12 hours ahead of the UK. Outside, the seas are tempestuous (but with little effect on the ship), the skies like graphite, and the winds accross the open decks, powerful. I am seeing all this from the unsurpassed comfort of the Commodore Club, a kind of observation lounge which overlooks the bow of the ship and the seas beyond.
More news and pictures soon.
David
David's Cruise 