Feb 26th-Townsville, Australia

Poor Townsville had suffered from the Floods and then the Cyclone last month...They still put their best foot forward displaying their native wildlife up close!

Kualas sleep 23 hours a day mainly because they are picky eaters and choose a basically non-nutricious diet!
Baby Crocs are heavier and stronger than you imagine.

Feb 25th-Brisbane, Australia

I think the "Aussies" have living well under their belts...Brisbane is Australia's third largest city by population, located in Queensland in the north. It is getting a good deal warmer and a bit more humid as we move north(a reverse way of thinking that I'm getting used to.) Brisbane was such a pleasant surprise, as I pictured a depressed area due to the disastrous flooding and cyclone activity they sustained in January...not so...only some quay areas seemed visually askew...the population was upbeat and from the younger folks we engaged, we gathered they were very proud of their quick recovery. We had our closest encounter with the Aboriginal heritage here...a museum presentation and then a live cultural dance demonstration. There is a strong effort now to keep the Aboriginal culture alive, as it was almost obliterated by English colonization in the name of "civilization." The Aboriginal peoples only received recognized "citizen" status in....1962!! I don't even think they got 20 acres and a mule!

Brisbane's very modern city borders the winding Brisbane river. From the bustling river ferry activity, we surmised that many Brisbanians avoid rush hour in favor of a voyage to the suburbs. We had an extrordinary "schnitzel" lunch at a brauhaus along Eagle Street Pier. ***Having sampled their self-proclaimed "best,"  I think that you, Trey, could make a killing here with your meade varities...Christmas Stout too!

Good-Bye Sydney

The Mosman Ferry across Sydney Harbor to center city, a fifteen minute sail to a world away...one day is just not enough.

Feb 23rd-An Afternoon in Sydney

A ferry ride across the Bay.....

Then a view from a wonderful "Penthouse" apartment.........

A digeree Do-er not doing at the moment.......

Fish and chips "al fresco"(and the best coca-cola ever) by the bay with our nephew & niece. George will never forget pier-diving with Jonathan in Balmoral Bay....And....

Feb 23rd-Good Morning Sydney!

Sydney....Let me count the ways.....

warm welcoming hugs...         a home grown personal tour circumnavigating a wonderful winding marathon route out to Bondi Beach (dramatic, as the weather changes)

Sad Rememberings

Just 9 days ago I climbed the 147 steps up the old Church tower in the central square of Christchurch, New Zealand and  took these pix...It was a marvel that it remained unscathed after the 7.1 earthquake last September. The steps were narrow and steep, but something drew me to the tower despite my usual claustrophobia. As I ascended, I had a strange premonition about its destruction which I shared with George when we remet in the square. I hope that none of the wonderful people we talked with in Christchurch and Lyttleton that day were in harms way.

View from the Cathedral Tower...sadly, no longer there

Feb 20th-21st Memorable Melbourne

It has taken me time to approach this blog, there was just so much to admire about Melbourne. It calls itself Sydney's elder and more experienced sister. We were blown away by the pleasurable liveability of it. The well tended gardens and parks, the thought-provoking architecture, the pocket shopping malls that interconnect internally among the city blocks. We loved the variety of Palm trees interspersed with Eucalyptus, Ponderosa Pines, and many disciduous varieties...There are many brasseries along the river Yarra ("flowing" in Aboriginal language)...Southgate, dotted with pedestrain bridges. While we were there the weather changed about every 5 minutes, which was not normal, but despite the misty rain and gusty winds, this city presented itself as the perfect blend of the new(21st century) and old(19th century) worlds. There is a sense of respectful decorum that makes one feel safely welcome.

George and I slipped away to play some golf in Albert Park.....with some "Melbourne Mates"

Note to my "Golf-Girls".....It doesn't get much better than this!!!!

Feb 18th-Hobart, Tasmania

We got a little closer to the hole in the ozone layer as we ascended Mt. Wellington's almost 5,000 foot pinnacle....and then mountain-biked it, brakes squealing, back down to Hobart from the summit. It was exhilarating....We could hear waterfalls and we could smell eucalyptus along the way, but with braking the entire time, it was impossible to look at anything flying by at an abnormal amount of speed. Still we arrived in Hobart in one piece, glad we had undertaken the "un-sightseeing" experience. Here is a view from the top of Mt. Wellington.

We walked the afternoon away in the picturesque 18th century downtown  and the artsy, pub area near the port called Salamanca ( perfect for a  James Bond escape sequence). Before we left, we could not resist a bit of typical tourist clap-trap.....I give you.......

                                          The Tasmanian Devil with The Tasmanian Nevilles!

Feb 16th-Musings on the Tasman Sea!

We are approximately 12,450 miles from New Jersey, half way round the earth. The farthest point away before we actually get closer.
Guess who's emerging as the social butterflies of this little bobbing cork in the rolling sea? We seem to be young enough to add punch to the dinner conversations (we can still follow a single train of thought) for the 85-90 year old GGs (Globe-trotting Geezers) and we're the eldest of the boomers adding wisdom and decorum...NOT...The truth is that Dad remembers everyone's name and their tee shirt and hat logos. Whatever it is, our little phone is ringing and we finally feel like bonefide socialites! Go Figgur!
 On to Hobart and the Tasmanian Devils (Tazis, as they're known in Australia...drop the ending and add an "i" to make almost anything Australian)...we'll have a barbi tonight.

Fjords too!



To put it in perspective....this is a large tourist boat



Feb 15th-Fjordland, NZ

We were very lucky. This area has 335 days of rain each year.

Feb14th-Dunedin, NZ and Valentine's Day

Good-bye NZ....it's been a month aboard the Voyager already...time flies....Farewell Dunedin who boasts the second most photographed building in the southern hemisphere next to the opera house of Sydney.....You decide!   Maybe it's my picture-taking skills....but we loved Dunedin anyway! Fiordland next!

Feb 12th-13th Wellington & Christchurch, NZ

NZ  continues to impress. Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand was a great interactive experience for kids as well as adults who love hands-on learning. The "Storm Coast" running south of the Wellington city limits is spotted with steep hills with grazing sheep and goats. The harbor all along is graced with beautiful beaches. We were surprised to find housing quite expensive, considering that salaries are a bit depressed and the recession has been felt. NZ loses 7,000 people a week to emigration...mostly to Australia, whose wages are higher. The government here is putting in place new tax incentives and credits for employers to stem this population drain.

 Christchurch and its little neighbor Lyttelton where we docked, were charming. The gardens and parks in Christchurch were indescribably enjoyable. There's no grafitti, no rubbish lying around. Everyone seems like minded in maintaining the beauty. There was evidence here and there from the 7.1 earthquake last September...but as you can surmise, the intelligent design of the area prevented any loss of life....or really, quality of life.

Feb 11th - A Sight Not Seen From The Air!

I was going to give you a day off today, when I awoke to this amazing sight...an uninhabited volcanic island "White Island" given it's name by Captain Cooke. I couldn't resist sending on these pictures. You can see in the video the active thermal geysers actively spewing the steam that makes up the cloud surrounding the pinnacle of this atoll.

Feb 10th-Rotorua(Inland from Tauranga)

 The beautiful Lakes region of Rotorua was a historical Maori stronghold and the site of many sacred burial grounds. Only Maoris who are not cremated, but are buried above ground are able to have their spirits gather in the northern part of NZ and from there fly to join the ancestor spirits of the oceans in and around the Hawaiian Islands.




Also visited amazing Thermo Springs area. The most unstable geological area in the world. The earth's crust is only 2 meters thick in some places. Historically the site of busy volcanic and earthquake activity.

At 180 degrees F this mud would give you quite the face lift! It's an opportunity looking for a promoter.

Feb 10th-Tauranga

Fastest growing area in NZ. Home of the timber industry and the Kiwi Fruit. Te Puka is the Kiwi town. Kiwi growing is very serious business. There are the regular green kiwi and now the smooth skinned golden (pictured above ready for picking this April), and here in NZ there are 3-4 numbered varieties in the pipeline. There is only 1male vine, planted around 4-5 female vines. At flowering (males have flowers, but no fruit) several beehives are strategically placed among the vines to ensure pollenation. Extra sugar syrup is provided to keep the bees interested and well-fed. The hives are removed in a few weeks and the male vines are cut back severely to allow the females max room.

Pyramid lines are strung above the vines for the next year's fruit-bearing growth which will be let down after the current year's fruit is totally picked. Before picking can begin, a fruit inspector must chemically test in the orchard to ensure a certain sugar content...the okay is given and local new zealanders do the picking, by hand. Fruit is stored for 24 hours, then sorted by size, crated and can be stored in 1degree C for up to a year.....now you know!

Feb 9th- Leaving Aukland, NZ

Good-die and Good-bye Aukland!

Feb 9th- Aukland, NZ

Things I've learned about NZ....there are NO snakes...there are rugged individuals like Billy Black who has a one-man NZ "Heritage" show. He can neutralize a crazy sheep by flipping it on its back in 3.5 seconds and shear it in another 1.5 minutes. Kiwis are fruits AND "baminals"...birds that have mammalian characteristics like fur and no wings!
Go to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves...I was so fascinated I didn't even think of feeling claustraphobic more than 16 meters underground...unfortunately, no pix..they're shy little fellas.
A MUST have is a jar of native Manuka Honey. It's great for anything that ails you, and if by chance it doesn't work, you can take yourself to Urgicare and NOT be alarmed at the question: "Have you come here to die?"....it's just a New Zealander asking if you were admitted TODAY!
Aukland is a great little city of 1.4 million, clean, very safe with interesting architecture...I think almost everyone owns their own boat because there are a lot of marinas everywhere. When you go to the movies, you purchase reserved seats...courtesy and "good" behavior seemed in order even among the roving youth.

Speaking about youth, I couldn't resist including this picture of G really happy with his non-alcoholic green punch with "carrot-bird" at a super little Thai bistro.

Feb 7th Leaving Bay of Islands, NZ

Dolphins are closely following the bow's wake, jumping and playing...wish I could have captured them! This blog counts on your good imagination!

Feb 7th-Bay of Islands, NZ



Our Maori guide explaining his tribal tatoos



A roadsign not seen in "The States!"



Single Kayaks!!!! Our marriage is saved!

Feb 4th,2011 -Tonga

This is a little kingdom of approximately 120,000 people spread over one large island and many smaller isles. It is rich with its own history and culture, very different from French Polynesia. It has a religious backbone, Catholic, Methodist and Latter Day Saints. The churches run many private schools that seemed well attended. Their arranged marriage system seems to work fairly well. Traditional wedding celebrations stretch over a week and culminate with the couple leaving for a "honeymoon." The island doesn't have the breath-taking drama of volcanic mountains running into the sea, but beautiful beaches nonetheless with unusual rock formations, natural caves and some rocky coastlines with spectacular "blow-holes" that explode in high tide waves.  Guess who's building public relations by by sending workers and machinery and supplies to mend pot-holed roads and rebuild hospitals and "palaces?"...I'll give you a hint...the Tonganese are expecting to have a "Chinatown" soon! Very Interesting!

I have a video of a traditional Tonga Firedance performed in a coastal cave after a huge Pig-Roast Luau... Because it won't upload by ship's satellite, just imagine a really cool firedance done by some really fierce-looking, smiling Tonganese warriors and ask to see it when we get home! Amen!

February2nd,2011-A Very Happy UN-Birthday

Not being a seasoned world traveler, I never expected not to celebrate my Birthday...but get this....Today is Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 but tonight we'll cross the International Dateline, and tomorrow we'll wake up to Thursday, February 3rd, 2011. Adios February 2nd, 2011...No Groundhog's Day...no Puxataunee Phil....for me, no year older(It does have a nice ring to it!) We have decided, by popular opinion to celebrate tonight AND tomorrow night...If we could keep doing this do we get younger?