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2023 Fall Adventure: 12/4/2023 to 12/7/2023

Two sea days ahead of us before sailing through the fjords and sounds of Fiordlands National Park then onto Dunedin, NZ.

Leaving Melbourne, we passed easterly between the Furneaux Group of Islands and Tasmania. The gap between the islands is called the Banks Strait and forms the lower section of the Bass Strait which separates Tasmania from the Australian mainland.

On our second sea day we continued south easterly across the Tasman Sea. Forming a marginal sea on the boarder of the Pacific Ocean the Tasman Sea is some 1200 miles wide and spans 1700 miles from north to south. The southern part of the sea to the south of New Zealand is well known for strong storms which form part of the Roaring Forties of the Southern Ocean.

Fiordland is the Largest National Park in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. It has been recognized as one of the world’s foremost natural landscapes through its inclusion in Te Wahipounamu – Southwest New Zealand world heritage area. Fiordland National Park, known as Te Rua-o-te-moko (Shadowland), stretches from Martins Bay in the north to Te Waewae Bay in the south, and from eastern lakes of Te Anau, Manapouri, Monowai and Hanuroko to the 14 spectacular Fiords of the West Coast. Fiordland stands apart as a region of distinct character, made up mainly of hard crystalline rocks which are as old as any in New Zealand.

We arrived at 8:30 and began our passage through Milford Sound, only two ships are allowed in the sound at one time since after about 24 km the ships need to retrace the trip back to the sounds entrance. This is a glacier formed fiord with banks rising 2100 ft mostly vertical with the tallest at 1750 meters and with a depth of 300 meters.

Leaving Milford, we travelled south along the South Island of New Zealand to Thompson and Doubtful Sounds – these were formed by the flow of rivers heading to the Southern Ocean. As we proceeded the weather continued to decline and upon reaching the ocean our captain informed us that we were going to skip entering Dusky Sound because swells were growing, and winds were approaching 50 knots – the roaring 40’s struck with its noted wind and rain – on to Dunedin.

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2023 Fall Adventure: 12/2/2023 to 12/3/2023

December 2^nd was a sea day heading south easterly passing various capes lining this section of the coastlines of the states of South Australia and Victoria. Particularly prominent along this coastline is Cape Nelson. Situated in southwest Victoria there is a large lighthouse which was constructed in 1885 and forms part of a state park. Fortunately, we were sailing close to the coastline since a medical emergency happened on board and a helicopter rescue was necessitated.

Melbourne: Originally part of New South Wales, Victoria became a colony in 1851. The discovery of gold and development of agriculture launched Melbourne’s rise to prominence and prosperity. Melbourne is a green and welcoming city – home to the Australian Open Tennis, the Melbourne Cup and numerous sporting occasions.

We decided to tour the city on our own today – having visited Melbourne several years ago. First, we headed to Fitz Roy Garden and its Conservatory, Captain Cooks cottage and River God Fountain. Then onto the Treasury Garden with its water spray fountain, past Parliament House, Parliament Garden, Princess Theater and St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Back to center city along Collins Street with its high-end shops and restaurants to Swanston Street past City Hall and up to the State Library (surrounded by pro Palestine protestors

slowing my access to an internet connection) then on to Queen Victoria Market passing the city baths and the huge intown campus of RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology).

Heading back to port we passed Flanders Street Station, Federation Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral over the Yarra River and to the Skydeck – We headed up 88 floors in 40 seconds to a 360-degree view of the city below.

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2023 Fall Adventure – 11/28/2023 to 12/1/2023

Today we begin a 3-day sail to Adelaide, Australia. Leaving Freemantle, we headed on a southerly course before altering to the south east and around Cape Leeuwin then towards the Great Australian Bight. The cape is one of the three “Great Capes” of the continents boarding the Southern Ocean. The others being Africa’s Cape of Good Hope and South America’s Cape Horn. On our second sea day we continued to head easterly across the Great Australian Bight. A bight is a geographical feature formed by concave bend in the coastline forming a large open bay. The Great Australian Bight stretches from the south of Western Australia to the South West Cape of Tasmania. First charted in 1802 the bight is known for its biodiversity and large population of whales along the coastline (none yet). On our third sea day we continue sailing easterly through the Bight. During our evening approach to Adelaide, we travel through the Spencer’s Gulf and into St Vincent Gulf. The gulfs form the two major inlets from the Bight into the coastline of Southern Australia. Today we experienced a first – a one half hour time change.

Adelaide:

Home to beautiful 19^th century buildings, near famous Australian vineyards and set near the German village of Hahndorf and the Adelaide Hills. Our morning excursion traveled to Mount Lofty – the highest mountain overlooking Adelaide – a little hazy but a decent view of the one-mile square block that outlines the city.

Next was a trip to the village of Hahndorf with its old town German vibe and of course food. The wurst sample platter, pretzels and steins of beer hit the spot.

Back to the city center for our own walking tour. First to the library for internet service – my apologies for the long time it has taken me to respond to your comments, but it has been difficult to get reliable service. The city provides free access to most of its museums, libraries and public buildings. Many of the city sights are along North Terrace road only a block away from the famous Rundle Mall and it pedestrian walkway – home to a pig family; bee’s corner and the “Malls Balls” to name a few.

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2023 Fall Adventure – 11/24-27/2023

3 Days at sea – Leaving Bali we headed south and west towards Freemantle sailing through the Timor Sea and into the Indian Ocean. On our second day at sea, we passed just east of the Northwest Cape, a peninsula situated in the northwest of Western Australia. The area was first visited by western explores of the Dutch East India Company in 1618. The area was named in 1818 by Phillip Parker King, a royal navy officer responsible for early mapping of the Australian and Patagonian Coastlines. On our third day we headed on a more southernly course and then southeast as we continued to pass around the western coast of Australia (through the Tropic of Capricorn) and the state of Western Australia – the largest of Australia’s six states.

Freemantle: One of western Australia’s most historic cities. Many 19^th century buildings remain including those from its gold rush period. Founded in 1829, at the mouth of the Swan river, Freemantle was intended to be a port for the new colony, but was only used as such when an artificial harbor was dredged at the end of the 19^th century. It hosted the America’s Cup in 1987.

We started our day with an excursion to Perth about 45 minutes north of Freemantle driving through various neighborhoods along the Swan River stopping at Kings Park and Botanical Gardens. The park is dedicated to those who lost their lives fighting in World War one and beyond. The park provides an excellent view of downtown Perth. We continued our bus tour through the city and to Victoria Quay where we boarded a tour boat for a cruise back to Freemantle.

In Freemantle we left the tour and walked the city on our own. Highlights of this very walkable city included: numerous 19^th century and Victorian buildings; City Hall; St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church built in 1882; Freemantle Market; Freemantle Prison; Tourist Wheel; Wester Australia’s Shipwreck Museum; The Round House – a 12 sided building which was the city’s first jail and the schooner Leeuwin 2.

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2023 Fall Adventure – 11/22-23/2023

November 22: At Sea (traveling southeast through the Java Sea towards Bali); Pool, Sun, Entertainment and oh yes excellent dining.

November 23 – Happy Thanksgiving:

Arrived at Pot Benoa, Bali, Indonesia which has a very shallow and small harbor, we were required to anchor at sea and tender into port. Tender was a catamaran holding 250 passengers. Bali is a mixture of white sand and black sand beached, rice terraces and thousands of stone-carved temples. Bali is a popular retreat for surfers, stand-up paddle boarders and reef divers. Our day was a tour of the eastern part of the island – a two-hour coach ride to The Water Palace (Taman Ujung) -built by the last Hindu king of Arlapura beginning in 1919 and open to the public in the 1920’s -magnificent grounds with residences, gardens and temples.

Then onto Tenganan Historic Village – a living village where approximately 150 residents live in a manner of the past (lifestyle based on rules and customs of the ancestral heritage) – rice farming , woven cloth making and wood carving. Walking through a 3-tiered village we were able to see their housing, temples and shops as well as many caged chickens which supply eggs to the local egg cooperative.

A late lunch at a very modern resort right on the ocean what a juxta position to Tenganan.

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2023 Fall Adventure – 11/20-21/2023

November 20 was a sea day (travelling southeast through the Java Sea towards Jakarta) which gave us the opportunity to check out the ship’s amenities including travel lectures, bridge, sun on our private top deck of the ship and evening show.

November 21 – Jakarta

We boarded a full day excursion which took us to see an overview of Jakarta (heavy traffic, slums and smog) not my favorite city in this world. Our first stop was the original port of the city – looking at the cargo operations and the ships I think they are original to the 1800’s.

Next stop the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Jakarta (The Church of Our Lady of Assumption). The current neo-gothic building was finished in 1901 after the original building collapsed in 1890.

Across the street is Badan Pengelola Masjid Istiqlal a mosque. The mosque was designed in 1954 by Frederich Silaban, a Christian architect from Northern Sumatra. It was officially opened in 1978. The structure is so large it can accommodate up to 120,000 people. The mosque covers 22 acres and has five levels.

Finally, a walk through Chinatown and its wet market.

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2023 Fall Adventure 11/17/2023

Singapore — Gardens by the Bay:

Set in the heart of Singapore’s downtown, Gardens by the Bay is home to a
diverse collection of over 1.5 million plants that hail from every continent
except Antarctica.

The Flower Dome: You are awed by the Flower Dome’s beauty
and its sheer size — this cavernous, cooled conservatory holds the Guinness
World Record for the largest glass greenhouse! The Flower Dome is covered with
3,332 glass panels. Its not only the flowers that make it so impressive – but
the sculptures are also fantastic.

The Cloud Forest: Home to one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls and a lush mountain clad with plants from around the world, Cloud Forest rewards the curious and adventurous. It’s a fascinating journey of discovery and get up close with some of the world’s most exotic plant species as you stroll along its unique aerial walkways.

Supertree Observatory: Located at the tallest Supertree’s canopy, the Supertree Observatory offers unparalleled views of Gardens by the Bay’s lush surrounds and the Marina Bay area. The tallest Supertree is about the height of a 16-storey building. The Supertrees are sustainable vertical gardens housing over 162,900 plants of over 200 species. 7 of the Supertrees are designed to harvest solar energy. Views from the observatory:

The Super Trees:

Other Garden Views:

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2023 Fall Adventure 11/16/2023

Singapore — Chinatown

Morning stroll through the streets and pathways of Chinatown and stopping to see Sri Mariamman Temple covered with vividly painted Hindu dieties. BTW we lost the 15th crossing the international date line.

While walking we noticed that we weren’t the only ones looking around.

Continuing our tour, we headed to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple (supposably contains one of Buddhas sacred teeth – shown only twice a year — not today – BTW it is stored in a chest made of 930 pounds of gold).

Street Scenes …

For a change of pace, we took the subway to the civic district – the colonial hub of the city. We tried visiting St. Andrews Church, but it was closed and cordoned off for reconstruction. Our stroll continued past The Old Parliament building, National Gallery, Victoria Theater and Concert Hall, Asian Civilizations Museum, The Raffles Landing site (where Stamford Raffles founded the city) and past some of the rivers famous bridges.

Heading away from the river we passed the central fire house, the Ministry of Communications and Information with its multi-colored window, several churches and then to the highlight of the day lunch at the lengendary Raffles Hotel and drinks (Singapore Sling) at the famous Long Bar.

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2023 Fall Adventure 11/13/2023 & 11/14/2023

Correction: Since it is about 2 am here in Japan I’ve been up for about 17 hours I am brain dead – so here are the Pearl Harbor pictures I left off the previous days post.

Exploring Oahu’s Southeast Coast: We drove along the coast road and enjoyed the ocean and beach views on our way to Halona Blowhole and a hike to see the Makapuu Lighthouse – a 2 mile hike to the eastern most tip of Oahu – great views of the coast, lighthouse and rabbit island.

Diamond Head Crater Hike: A must do on Oahu – A mile up then 99 steps – through a tunnel and to a pillbox overlooking the Ocean, Diamond Head Light, Waikiki and the interior of the crater.