Dubai

Friday 15th May 2015

As expected it was a long and tiring flight. We arrived about an hour later than scheduled at 08:30 and already the ambient temperature a mere 30 degrees. It's a massive airport and we had to catch a train to get to the baggage reclaim. Once we had collected our bags we cleared immigration and customs and met with our transfer coach driver. It was a about a half hour drive to our hotel at the Jumeirah resort. Due to our early arrival we were able to check in but couldn't access our room. However as we are leaving at some ungodly hour on the day of departure before the restaurant opens it was agreed we could have that breakfast today so we located the restaurant and had a decent meal, far from the plastic stuff served on the plane. Our first impression was what a wonderful place with all the staff eager to help, to the point of, when approaching a lift a member of staff leaps forward and presses the call button. After breakfast we sat in the reception until we our room was ready. Our room was on the fifteenth floor of a forty three story hotel. We had a magnificent view of a marina in the close area but Dubai being Dubai the distant view was obscured by high rise buildings. We accessed our room we freshened up having been up and in the same clothes for over twenty four hours. Having exchanged the warm clothes needed for Melbourne for shorts, tee shirts and sandals we set out to explore the resort, we walked along the beach and the boulevard and appreciated how clean the place was. We were quite tired so we returned to the hotel and relaxed by the pool until it was time for dinner. We had a lovely meal in the hotel's Italian restaurant then walked it off around the resort for a short time. Although it was still quite early it was time to retire to bed.

Saturday 16th May 2015

After a good nights sleep we had breakfast and set off the the tour bus. The first part took us past the sail building to the Palm Island where the Atlantis hotel is located, both buildings synonymous with Dubai. The city is full of high rise buildings but there's something magical about the place, it is not an ugly concrete jungle. We drove past beautiful marinas and beaches. Also trams and the monorail. When we arrived at the Atlantis hotel we changed route and went to the Dubai mall. It was enormous and contained every designer name you could think of. It also contained an underwater zoo, aquarium by any other name. Our bus ticket gave us free admission so we spent time looking round and managed to see  the Australian croc we missed out on in Queensland. We also discovered the entrance to the entrance to the Burj Khalfa, the tallest building. It is timed ticket access and today was full so we purchased tickets for Sunday. We walked back through the Mall where we headed back home on the tour buses. We arrived at 17:00 got changed into our swim wear and went for a dip. After which we had dinner then accessed t'internet before turning in.

Sunday 17th May 2015

Here we are the last full day of this amazing holiday. We went to the restaurant and once again had a good breakfast, during which a member of staff asked if she could be photographed with us. We agreed to this request then as we left she presented us with a thank you card with the photo printed on it. Today we were visiting the Burj Khalfa so we caught the Orange route tour bus and changed at the Palm hotel to the Blue route which took us the the Dubai Mall where the Burj Khalfa tower is located. We made our way to the entrance and were shown into a reception room where we were offered a drink and canapés. Then as a sign of the times we had to go through security to get to the lifts. You have to go up in two stages for the tower is the highest in the world at 555.7 metres or if you prefer 1,823 feet. The first lift takes you up to the 124 floor at two floors per second, we then changed lifts and ascended to the 148th floor. We left the lift and again greeted by staff with refreshments. We then walked out onto the observation platform for a stunning panoramic view of Dubai. I managed to get some decent pictures despite the haze. We then descended to the 124th floor where there is another observation platform so more pictures needed to be taken, also a souvenir ship that needed exploring. Once done we went back to the ground floor for some lunch. After we'd eaten we walked through the mall, it is so large there are taxis within, similar to the vehicles that transfer the infirm at airports. We found the exit to the car park where the tour buses operate from. This time we caught the Red route which took us around the older part of Dubai where the souks are, and where the dhow boats operate. Unfortunately we didn't have time to get off and walk round. We stayed on the bus back to the mall changed to the Blue route then onto the Orange back to our resort. Walking back to the hotel we came across a steak house so it was here we had, what we call in the Butcher household, our end of course dinner. Then back to the hotel to get our luggage ready for an early start for our flight home.

This stop over has been remarkable, people had said things about Dubai that caused us to approach it with trepidation, how unfounded. The place is absolutely spotless and the people are so polite and friendly. All in all it was a perfect end to a perfect holiday.

Dubai blue dot shows our hotel location.

View fro hotel

View from Burj Khalifa 

Another view, note the man made island 

Val waiting to step outside

Our guide

World Record Certificate 

Melbourne

Melbourne 

Monday 11th May 2015

Up early to finish off the packing then after breakfast we were driven to Cambridge Square Hobart for elevenses. We were then taken to the airport where we said our goodbyes and after we had deposited our luggage we waited for our flight to be called. We boarded the plane at the appointed time and after about an hour and a half arrived in Melbourne. Our transfer was waiting and delivered us to our hotel. Once we'd checked in we took a walk round to familiarise ourselves of the area.

Tuesday 12th May 2015

Today it was time explore the city of Melbourne. Whilst the forecast wasn't for a heat wave it didn't seem too horrific so it was shorts again and it was a good decision despite a few little showers. It had been our intention to ride round the city on the double decker tourist bus that you get in most major cities so we headed off to where we thought the stop was but couldn't find it so we walked to where the free inner city tram starts and travelled to the information centre in Federation Square. Here we discovered that the city provide a shuttle bus for just five dollars, cheaper than the forty five dollars required by the commercial company yet supplied the  same service. So we caught the city shuttle bus and travelled around visiting a number of sites. We alighted at Queen Victoria market where we had lunch. We then rejoined the shuttle bus and drove sights such as Harbour Town, Docklands, Botanical Gardens and many more. We arrived back at Federation Square where I took some pictures of the locality including the Eurika building. This building has an interesting image on it as can be seen on the attached photograph, the gold represents the goldfields, the red represents the blood spilled at the Eurika uprising and the blue represents the flag raised by the gold miners. After this photo session and a bit of shopping we caught the free tram back to the hotel.

Wednesday 13th May 2015

The day started off very wet so we decided to visit an indoor venue. So donned our ponchos and walked to Melbourne Central Station our nearest point for the free tram service. We caught the circular tram to the Melbourne World Trade Centre  which houses the  Victoria Police Headquarters and police museum. We visited the museum and found the exhibits very interesting, particularly the armour worn by the Kelly Gang. After we finished our tour we purchased some souvenirs then had a snack in the canteen. Once refreshed we returned to the tram halt and discovered the rain had stopped and it become quite a bright day. We caught the tram to Parliament Square, where we alighted and I was able to photograph Parliament House and the Treasury Building before getting the tram back to Melbourne Central. Then a slow walk back to the hotel to start preparing our packing for tomorrow's journey to Dubai.

Thursday 14th May 2015

With the cases all packed we deposited them in the luggage locker and set about exploring the city for one final time. We caught the free tram to the Parliament Reserve where there was a magnificent water feature. We continued on along Albert Street where there were some quintessential Australian buildings then we walked through Fitzroy Gardens where there is a model Tudor village that was given by the London Borough of Lambeth in gratitude for the toys and food sent over from Melbourne during the Second World War. Also in the garden is a cottage the once belonged to Captain Cook's parents. It was originally in Yorkshire and was dismantled brick by brick and reassembled here. There is also a tree that has children's figures carved into it. Also an ancient post box or as it was known a Post Office receiving pillar. We left these gardens and caught the tram to Victoria Harbour where there is a shopping outlet. We had lunch here then returned to Federation Square and visited the Australian Museum of the Moving Image where we sat through Australian cinema during the First World War. This was really interesting bearing in mind cinema was in its infancy in those days. It included pieces of news reel , propaganda, feature films, cartoons and adverts, all silent. At five o'clock the museum closed so we caught our final tram back to the hotel for dinner and our luggage. On arrival at the hotel there were blue lights everywhere and roads closed, don't the police just love closing roads. We were concerned this could affect our pick up however our transfer arrived right on the button and delivered us to the airport. We checked in our luggage then queued for over half an hour to get through border control. It's worse getting out of Australia than getting back into Britain. Anyway they let us out and waited for the plane which was delayed half an hour.

Melbourne

Flinders St station

Tram at Federation Square

Queen Victoria market

The five dollar shuttle bus

The circular tram

Inside the circular tram

Post Office receiving pillar

Tasmania

Tasmania

Wednesday 6th May 2015

Flew from Canberra to Hobart via Melbourne. Both flights were good and uneventful. We arrived  at Hobart  airport and after we collected our luggage our friend Roger came and collected us. While we waited the heavens opened. We drove to Austin's Ferry and on arrival the rain turned to hail. A lovely welcome to Tasmania. 

Thursday 7th May 2015

It had been our intention to visit Richmond, but the weather was so bad, pouring rain and high winds, in fact certain parts of the island not too far from where we were were covered in snow. So we decided to go to an indoor location and visit MONA, museum of old and new art (www.mona.net.au refers) the gallery has been excavated in the cliffs. We found some exhibits fascinating  but some were really bizarre nevertheless it was an interesting time. Whilst there we were able to see Mount Wellington covered with snow.

Friday 8th May 2015

Weather a little better today so we visited Hobart. After strolling around this very interesting town we decided to go on a harbour cruise. This little cruise took us around the harbour up to the Tasman Bridge providing some interesting facts about the place. After our trip we continued our exploration of the city before returning home. In the evening we returned to Hobart and went to the flicks to see "A Royal Night Out" really funny film ( spooky as this film is set on the night of 8th May) after which we had a meal and returned home. 

Saturday 9th May 2015

We drove back to Hobart where we breakfasted at one of the waterside cafes then took a wander around the renown Salamanca market. Set between graceful plane trees and the mellow sandstone facades of historic warehouses, Hobart's famous market at Salamanca Place attracts thousands of locals and visitors, every Saturday of the year. They come to visit more than 300 stalls for the food and music, fresh fruit, crisp organic vegetables, hot baked spuds, the warm aroma of a coffee and croissant, buskers singing the blues, stroking a harp or strumming a lively folk song. They come for breakfast, scrambled eggs and orange juice at a Salamanca cafe, then a stroll along the hundreds of stalls, meeting friendly people who make or grow what they sell. Salamanca Market highlights fine Tasmanian art & craft including hand-worked glass, innovative design in Tasmanian timbers, stylish clothing and bold ceramics.

Salamanca Market is close to historic St David’s Park on the fringe of Hobart's central business district. From the market, it's a short climb up Kelly's Steps to reach the Georgian cottages and the village atmosphere of Battery Point. Hobart's picturesque waterfront is also nearby – cross Salamanca lawns to the docks, where hard-working fishing boats are berthed close to cruising yachts and a square-rigger or two.

After we'd exhausted the market we drove to Richmond a beautiful village maintaining the heritage of the area. The bridge at Richmond spans the Coal River was built by convict labour between January 1823 and September 1825 and is said to be the oldest bridge in Australia. (www.richmondvillage.com.au refers). Whilst here we took advantage of having a drink in a typical Aussie pub called the Richmond Arm Hotel.

After Richmond we headed a few miles down the road to the Puddleduck winery, a beautiful setting where you can sample a wine sitting on the decking overlooking a duck pond and the magnificent rolling hills of Tasmania. (www.puddleduck.com.au refers)

Sunday 10th May 2015

We drove north out of Hobart heading towards Bothwell. On our journey we drove over the Bridgewater bridge which meant we had been over all of the Derwent River crossings, the other two being the Tasman and the Bowen bridges. As our journey continued we went through places called Bagdad (sic) Jericho and we crossed the Jordan River but we were not in the Middle East. In fact we thought how much the landscape reminded us of The English Lake District only to discover we were in a part of Tassie called, guess what, the Lake District. At Bothwell we had lunch then visited the distillery at Nant which is said to produce one of the best whiskies in the world. After a few tastings we drove to Brighton via Melton Mowbray to visit some friends of the Wolfes. Then back to Austin's Ferry for some family time as it was Mothers' Day and Roger & Laurie's family joined us for tea.

Tasmania 

Hobart and the area we stayed 

Mount Wellington with snow.

View from Wolfes' home

Salamanca Market

Richmond Bridge

Canberra

After our lovely few days in South New South Wales we returned to Canberra where we basically just chilled and spent time with the Souter family although we did some visiting. On Saturday 2nd May we went back to the Australian Mint and purchased a set of 2015 uncirculated coins as a christening present for our Grandson. I also treated myself to a two up set (Google it) for a bit of fun.

Sunday 3rd May 2015

A really warm day so we started the day sitting in the garden. We then went out for lunch on the way we stopped at the lookout in order to view Government House where the Governor General lives. This is as near as you can get to it. After lunch we went to the bush fire memorial. In 2003, when we were last here and we left just the week before, a bush fire devastated Canberra. Four people were killed and many injured. Much of the area was razed. This memorial is not only for the dead but for the devastation and the subsequent camaraderie these fires bought. Like many Australian memorials it isn't just a focal point it tells a story. There are two walls on which are inscribed comments from the community and there are metal columns between which are thousands of photographs taken by the public showing people with their burnt out homes, the fire crews in action and families holding a bag which was all they had left. Very humbling. In the afternoon we returned home and were joined by the Souter grandchildren who provided us with some music on their string instruments. They were very good.

Monday 4th May 2015

Another lovely day the first part of which was spent the garden then Duncan and I went for a spin in his 1971 MGB convertible. It was a different drive as it's been a few years since I'd driven a car with a manual gearbox and no power steering and the first time I'd ever driven an open top car.

After lunch we returned to the war memorial to witness the five o'clock closing ceremony. We had arrived a little early but it was good fortune for we were able to see the Federation Guard rehearse the catafalque party ceremony. This is held every first and third Wednesday in the month to augment the ceremony we were seeing this afternoon. The guard were in their fatigues but did not detract from the precision of the ceremony. At five o'clock the ceremony started. Each night a differently fallen Australian military person is chosen and a citation read out. This person can be from any conflict, be it First World War through to Afghanistan. Tonight's person was a private soldier, William Thomas LIBBIS, killed at Gallipoli. After the citation is read a piper plays a lament during which wreaths are laid. This evening the fire and ambulance services were represented. After this the last post is played and the ceremony closed. This happens every night and is relayed to every RSL branch in the country. (www.awm.gov.au refers). After this we drove up to the top of Mount Ainsley, dusk was falling so we couldn't get the full benefit of the view but nevertheless it was still good looking over the Canberra night skyline. There was still enough light to get a photograph or two. After Mount Ainsley we took a trip up Mount Pleasant by this time is was quite dark but it did make looking at the full moon rise over the mountain top ever more spectacular. Coming down from Mount Pleasant was a bit hairy for despite being in Australia's capital city it is bush like with a narrow road, steep decline with sharp bends, furthermore this is the time kangaroos come to life and appear out of nowhere. We had a few jump out in front of us but nothing to cause concern. 

Tuesday 5th May 2015

We visited the Museum of Australian Democracy which is located in the Old Parliament House. It still has the two chambers, House of Representatives and the Senate, which incidentally are based on the British two houses, Commons and Lords right down to the colour of the leather seats as applicable. Also in the building available for inspection are the Prime Minister's office, the cabinet room and ancillary offices. This building was vacated in 1988 when the Federal Government moved to its new premises. It was really an interesting building to walk around. (www.moadoph.gov.au refers) very different to the museum of the same name in Ballarat.

After lunch we returned to the billet to get ready for the next phase of the holiday in Tasmania.

Government House

The Bush Fire Memorial (these pillars contain photos)

Bush Fire Memorial (Comments from Community)

Bush Fire Memorial 

ANZAC Parade

Catafalque party rehearsal 

War Memorial closing ceremony piper and bugler 

War Memorial closing ceremony 

Panoramic view of Canberra from Mount Ainsley 

View from Mount Ainsley 

New South Wales (South Coast)

Monday 27th April 2015

We left Canberra and headed south and were soon in New South Wales. We stopped at the village of Bungendore where we visited the wood work gallery. This gallery exhibits and promotes Australian wood art, sculpture,giftware and contemporary furniture by the country's foremost designer/makers. The gallery was designed to create the ideal environment exhibiting wood and other media. It was built in 1994 entirely from Australian materials including jarrah for the post, beams and staircase. Tasmanian oak for the floors, ebonised Victorian ash for the window and door frames and NSW flooded gum wall paneling. (www.bungendorewoodworks.com.au refers). We continued our journey and had a short stop in the historical town of Braidwood.

Braidwood is a really typical Australian town with lovely architecture. It's church was started in 1865 which is old by Australian standards. We continued our journey through the Clyde mountain range and over the Clyde river to an area called the Eurobodalla region. We stopped for lunch of fish and chips which we ate whilst sitting on a deck. At the same time watching the pelicans eat the scraps being discarded by the fishermen. After lunch we headed for Tuross where we had rented a holiday apartment known in Australia as a unit. This unit was on a headland overlooking the ocean. We sat on the lawn imbibing the wonderful view when we were joined by a couple of kookaburras, the first we have seen since our arrival in Australia.

Tuesday 28th April 2015

Sometimes you can wake up and wonder where you are. Today there was no mistaking we were in Australia for we were woken by a chorus of kookaburras. Furthermore it was a clear blue sky and a warm day. This enabled to wear our shorts, tee shirt and sandals for the first time since we'd left Sydney. 

Suitably attired we drove out to witness the beautiful coastline we were visiting. First stop was Potato Point then to Duesbury Head with a magnificent view across to Montague Island. Then we drove to Narooma where we stopped for tea and ANZAC biscuits. We then drove off crossing the lift bridge that goes over Wagonga Inlet and arrived at Tilba a historic village managed by the National Trust. This whole village has shops and pubs with 19th century architecture. It also has a traditional cheese factory. Interestingly the cemetery for this area is right out of the village on the top of a headland. A strange place but an uninterrupted view out to see. Might seem macabre but worth a visit. Having left this village we headed for Bermagui. Again a lovely place worth the visit. The whole day was outstanding. (www.eurobodalla.com.au refers)

Wednesday 29th April 2015

No kookaburra dawn chorus this morning but a lovely morning for exploring the points of the Batemans Bay. Our first stop was Bingie Bingie which you can see by the photo below is awesome. Bingi Bingi means full stomach and gets its Aboriginal name from the abundance of food and medicine available from the flora in the area. We moved onto Mullimburra and saw the coastline from a different perspective. It was now time for elevenses so we drove off road into the bush to where it met the beach and had a beverage. We had been recommended to view a place called Congo. We found a lovely caravan park which would have been right up our street had it been in the UK but apart from that Congo had nothing to offer. So we moved onto Moruya beach where the waves hitting the rocks provided brilliant sound effects.malso at this point was another small cemetery overlooking the sea. This cemetery was old with the graves dating from the 19th century. The residents of this region obviously like their departed to look out to sea. We then moved to the golf club for lunch, like all the clubs we've visited provided excellent value. After lunch we went to downtown Moruya where there are some fascinating buildings and scattered along the the main street are some magnificently carved wooden statues. We then drove to off to Narooma to get some provisions the go to the inlet and watch the massive stingrays swimming about. With the day drawing to a close we returned to the billet. As we drove past the Tuross golf course we saw the largest mob of kangaroos in the wild since we've arrived in Australia. Just aside from the main group was a massive great roo, obviously the alpha male. He was certainly a big un.

Thursday 30th April 2015

No kookaburra today either but we did witness a seal frolicking in the lagoon opposite. He was there to be seen but very camera shy so alas no pictures. We were off to the bush today but on the way we stopped at the beautiful All Saints church in Bodalla which was built in 1881. After this visit we left the main highway taking the Kianga road into the bush. We drove along the track to the Harold Buckeridge lookout. We stopped and admired the view then drove deeper into the bush stopping for some tucker at a clearing. We continued our journey through the bush and rejoined the highway near Narooma where we went to the golf club for lunch. We'll miss these clubs when we get home to the U.K. After lunch around the Wagonga Inlet where there is rock formation amongst which is the Australian Rock. This rock has a hole in it,which with a bit of imagination resembles the outline of Australia. See below and draw you own conclusion. We then drove back to Tuross Head and as it was such a lovely warm day we called at the cafe where we sat on its jetty drinking our afternoon tea. Back at the billet our seal was still visible. We sat on our patio where we were joined by a kookaburra who was so tame allowed Val to feed it. Made her day. 

Friday 1st May 2015

Our last day at Tuross Head. After doing the chores in the billet we returned the key and had one final look at the sea at an aptly named place called One Tree point part of the McWilliam park. Having taken some pictures we moved on stopping at Bermagui for elevenses. We continued our journey and stopped at Tathra to see and photograph its famous wharf. Once done we headed for Bega where we found another country club where we were able to get a superb lunch very cheaply. We left Bega and climbed Brown mountain, part of the Great Divide range stopping at the Fred Piper lookout for a view across the bush and the mountains. We drove along the winding road to Nimmitabel where we stopped for afternoon tea. We reached the summit and drove through Cooma and what was interesting this town is near the winter sports centre so there were shops offering snow boards and skis for hire. Of course the snow isn't here yet but it still felt strange as we were in shorts.  We then continued along the road with sweeping bends admiring the countryside around us there was so much of it, it could only be Australia. After day's drive we arrive back in the ACT and the Souter home. It was a brilliant week with fantastic weather and a great experience seeing places off the conventional Pomm itinerary.

The area we covered 

Batemans Bay

The view from the billet 

Our friendly Kookaburras 

Wind shaped tree at Bingie Bingie

Australian Rock Narooma 

Golden beach at Bingie Bingie

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

ANZAC 

The Following our cruise we stayed overnight in Sydney. On Sunday morning we got up and dressed but didn't bother looking out of the window so dressed in shorts, summer shirts and sandals because we're Poms on holiday in Australia. We were going for breakfast at a restaurant over the road so when we exited the hotel we discovered it was raining. We had breakfast and returned to the hotel to check out but decided not to change as the rain won't last, we thought. We hailed a taxi which took us to the main station to get our train to Canberra. We arrived at the station about 11:00 am but the train didn't depart until 12:15 pm. So after we exchanged our voucher for the ticket we went and sat on the platform still in our summer attire. The wind picked up and the rain got heavy. It was typical weather of an English bank holiday Monday. The train arrived and we boarded. It wasn't what we expected. The train was connecting two major Australian cities but it wasn't like our inter city trains more like the suburban trains we have. Nevertheless it was comfortable,clean and had a buffet car. It took us through amazing countryside and stopped at places with unpronounceable names. We arrived in Canberra right on time and we were amazed by the number of kangaroos hoping all over the sidings. We were met by our friends, the Souter family, and driven to their home. The rain had stopped and it was bait righter so our attire was less incongruous.

Having reached their home we heard the news and discovered just how lucky we had been and how our timing had been just right. The rain we left in Sydney had turned torrential. The city's major dam was overflowing, a cruise ship couldn't dock, the airport was closed and the route we had driven a week earlier was littered with fallen trees. Fortunately it was no where near Canberra although it was said to be unseasonably cold and windy.

Tuesday 21st April 2015

This year is the centenary of Gallipoli so there is a special two dollar coin being minted so in order to try and get one we drove to the Australian mint. Unfortunately the coins are not available there, would you believe it, they are only being put into circulation so we have to wait and see if we get one in our change. We then drove out to the National Arboretum, a beautiful location. It is still in its infancy the trees having been planted on land desecrated by the large bush fires of 2003. The arboretum offers magnificent views across the city. After this we drove to the National Police Memorial. Again a remarkable structure into which a lot of thought has gone into its design.

Wednesday 22nd April 2015

We visited the Australian War Memorial which also incorporates the war museum. Here lies the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior being the inscription "he is all of them and he is one of us." The tomb lies within a shrine and the pictures tell a story and is very moving. We took a look at the wall on which are hundreds of poppies placed. We then spent time looking around the First World War artefacts.

Thursday 23rd April 2015

Took a drive out to Tridbinilla national  Park. We drove around taking it all in then stopped at a static barbecue where we had a cook out. After this I went for a bush walk with Nicki, one of the Souter grand children. Unfortunately it started to rain so we couldn't go looking for Koalas so we headed out of the park and witnessed a strange phenomenon where to our left it was raining and to tour right it was sunshine. So we turned right heading towards the city stopping at the Lambrigg lookout at the edge of the Murrumbidgee river. We continued our journey stopping at the ancient village of Tharwa where we bought ice creams from the general store and post office that hasn't changed since the early 1900s. We then exited the village via the Allan truss bridge, the oldest of its kind in Australia.

Friday 24th April 2015

This day we went our separate ways. Val did girlie things like shopping and hairdressers I visited the railway museum. Amongst the exhibits were sleeper cars, one observation having traveled on the Spirit of Queensland is that overnight travel on trains has improved immensely. In the afternoon I visited the Australian High Court. I could believe that such a building was open to the public and that you could walk around it with impunity. There were attendants but only a few. This is the highest court in the land where constitutional and appeal cases are held. Prior to 1980 some case were sent to the Privvy Council in London. A lot of thought has gone into this building's design too, so as to indicate transparency, history and independence.

Saturday 25th April 2015

ANZAC day. We were up early in order to attend the ceremony and parade of Remembrance commemorating the centenary of ANZAC being held at the War Memorial. There is a dawn service but we opted for the later one. The ceremony started at 10:15 when the Royal Military College band and the Federation Guard comprising of contingents of the three services marched on. The formed the guard of honour for the Governor General and othe dignitaries including the Duke of Kent. The Federation Guard then marched off and the general parade of over seventy contingents marched onto the parade ground. These contingents included a WW1 gun carriage, a symbolic riderless horse, veterans , scouts, guides and other veteran organisations. As a former police officer and a card carrying member of NARPO I was invited to take part but I declined as I felt this event needed witnessing and if I were to march all I would remember would remember is the back of the head of the person in front and the profiles of those either side. When the final contingent had marched through the Federation Guard returned, then two soldiers, one sailor and one airman formed a catafalque party with reversed arms around the stone of remembrance. The wreaths were then laid. This was followed by the minute's silence then there was a fly past. It was a magnificent day and we are proud to have been part of it. Whilst at the service I had another special moment, I met and had a photograph taken with Sam Armytage. (Those outside Oz won't know Sam so have a look at Google.) After this official visit we went to an old peoples home where Duncan officiated a simple service for the residents where his grand children played the Last Post and raised the flag. We went the the Southern Cross club (similar to a RSL) where,because Duncan was ex National Service he and his guests were given a free meal. It was a long day but really worth it.

Sunday 26th April 2015

A quite day with a visit to the Hall museum which is a picturesque village and a special local tribute to the ANZACs.

The War Memorial 

The National Police Memorial 

The view view from the Arboretum 

ANZAC parade.

The South Pacific

12 - 19 April 2015 

This is our cruise and because we are cruise virgins we approached it with much trepidation. The information provided by the cruise company, Royal Caribbean, which arrived just before we left the UK was of little comfort. We managed, with difficulty to check in on line just before we left. We had also managed to print off the special luggage labels. Everything else, according to the bumph had to be done on line seven days before departure. Doing things like booking packages and tours was impossible when relying on hotel wi fi with a limited amount of mega whatsits. So we tried doing it by phone and even visited the port early. Both to no avail. Needed we worry? Of course not. We arrived at the port terminal at Circular Quay, Sydney quite early as we we only ten minutes up the road and we had to be out the hotel by ten. The taxi pulled into the terminal, we removed our luggage from the boot and handed it to a porter. We went into the terminal and was greeted by Royal Caribbean staff who on accepting our on line boarding pass gave us our Sea Pass. We explained our concerns and they immediately put us at ease stating everything can be done on board. We realised then all our concerns were without foundation. We then had to wait an hour or so until the Australian immigration people got themselves set up before we were allowed on board. Once they were in position the procedure was very efficient and we boarded the Radience of the Seas. We'd never experienced anything like it, the largest boat we'd been on before was across channel ferry. We wanderered around and soon found the people we needed to speak to regarding drinks and trips ashore. Our concerns over in seconds. 

We then found the restaurant and had lunch. Not long after that we were told our cabins, or state rooms as they prefer to call them, we're ready. We found ours and deposited what we had brought onas hand luggage, our main case had yet to arrive. We then took the opportunity to explore the ship and arrange a time to have dinner. Also we had to participate in an excise so that we knew what to do in the event of an emergency and where our muster station was.

The ship finally departed at 18:30, I had hoped to get some pictures of Sydney harbour as we left, alas that wasn't possible as darkness had fallen. After dinner we wandered around the ship to familiarise ourselves. We were then advised to put our clocks on as we were about to go into New Caledonia  time zone.

The first two days were spent entirely at sea. There was a talk especially designed for first time cruisers so needless to say we attended this. One of the nights was a formal night which meant wearing a jacket and tie. After the meal we were introduced to the captain and his officers.

Wednesday 15th April.

This day the ship docked at Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. Because of the size of the ship she couldn't berth at the passenger terminal and had to go to the commercial part of the port. The outlook didn't look very appetising, containers everywhere looked like something out of a Bruce Willis film. As a result of this no one could walk to the town and a relay of shuttle buses were laid on. We however had booked a trip that departed from the docks and the mode of transport was a road train. We boarded the train and had an interesting couple of hours riding around the town being pointed out places of interest. The up into the hills for some magnificent views across the lagoon. With our trip around the town over we returned to the ship.

Thursday 16th April

Day five of the cruise and some more shore leave onto the Isle of Pines. This time the ship was too large to get to the island so she anchored off and we took our run ashore in a Liberty boat. Like everything else on board embarkation onto the tender was extremely well organised. One on this little boat you realise just how choppy there waters were. The trip to the shore was about ten to fifteen minutes. We arrived at the pier and disembarked and were greeted, apart from the ship's photographer, by native dancers. We had a tour booked but were a little early so we wandered around the stalls where souvenirs were being sold and locals demonstrating their skills in handycraft Erving hats and baskets from leaves. During the wait we were caught in a shower, only the second since we've been on holiday. It was short lived and our coach arrived and took us around the island. Again some beautiful scenery and architecture to be seen. We paid a visit to a derelict prison for the Isle of Pines was the French penal colony. After the tour we took a walk along the beautiful white sandy beach to the pier where we boarded the liberty boat back to the ship.

We then spent the next two days cruising at sea wandering around this remarkable vessel, finding something new every day. We enjoyed the sunshine, the meals and the entertainment. The sailing was very smooth although occasionally it rolled slightly just enough to remind you that you were on board a ship.

Sunday 19th April was an early start. The ship had docked during the night. After breakfast we assembled in one of the bars and when our number was called we disembarked, collected our luggage, cleared customs and got a taxi to our hotel in Sydney.

All in all it was a remarkable experience and we loved it. The crew were amazing, the ship spotless and the food remarkable. I don't think this will be our last cruise.