New Zealand 27/2/18

Entering Milford Sound shortly after 7am

Much of today is devoted to cruising in to and out of three fjords, known as “sounds :- 1) MILFORD SOUND 2) DOUBTFUL SOUND & 3) DUSKY SOUND. The sun rise had that salmon tint which I didn’t quite manage to capture on my phone or camera. Nevertheless, we were greeted by the most dramatic of backdrops.

Again, uncharacteristically for me, I took my first of several photographs at 07.00 hrs, having crawled out of bed just 10 minutes before. Needless to say, I was, by no means, the first outside; most of the decent vantage points being occupied by photographers with bulky camera gear.

Yesterday, the second sea day from Sydney, continued to be choppy and dull. I have caught the “Cunard cough” an inconvenient condition I am told is caused by the air conditioning. I visited the ship’s doctor who prescribed a course of antibiotics….The consultation costing a further $80 USD!

We shall be cruising by this wonderful scenery until around 5pm, during which time, I will keep taking photographs.

Time for breakfast!

With good wishes to those following this “blog”.

David

En route to New Zealand.

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

Pictures

Taken since 16th February

Adelaide Airport from where we would fly QANTAS to the capital, Canberra.

QM2 off Kangaroo Island

War Memorial, Canberra

Cleland Wildlife Park near Adelaide a

War Memorial, Canberra.

War Memorial, Canberra

View from Telstra Tower, Canberra

Parliament House, Canberra

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island.

Pennington Bay, Kangaroo Island.

Pennington Bay, Kangaroo Island.

QM2 off Kangaroo Island (view from Pennington Bay)

Pennington Bay, Kangaroo Island.

QM2, Seven Seas Voyage, and Spirit of Tasmania, taken from the Sky Deck, floor 88, Eureka Tower, Melbourne.

QM2 off “KI”

View from Eureka Tower, Melbourne. 22/2/18

These, of course, are not in order.

Today, we are at sea, en route for Sydney where further excitement, and exploration awaits.

More news soon.

David.