Travelling Photographer

UK and Scotland Day 5

Today’s travels take us to Salisbury for a walking tour of the city and it’s cathedral which is home to one of the original copies of the Magna Carta. Then to the outskirts of the new city to see the remains of the original city – Old Sarum. Finally, today’s highlight a special tour of Stonehenge from inside the circle at sunset.

Salisbury Sttreet Views

Salisbury Cathedral

Old Sarum

Stonehenge – Stonehenge is perhaps the world’s most famous prehistoric monument. It was built in several stages: the first monument was an early henge monument, built about 5,000 years ago, and the unique stone circle was erected in the late Neolithic period about 2500 BC. In the early Bronze Age many burial mounds were built nearby.

July 16, 2024 5

2024 UK and Scotland – Day 4

Started our day with a 6:30 am train from Waterlou Station to Christchurch in southwestern UK where we caught up with friends with whom we will be travelling with for the next two weeks. We headed to the Purbeck peninsula and the town of Worth Matravers for some coastal hiking to St. Aldhelms Head and it’s Chapel at peninsulas end (a six-mile round trip). Before heading back to our hotel, we stopped for a visit to see the ruins of Corfe Castle in the village of the same name.

St. Aldhelms Head hike

Corfe Castle and Town

July 15, 2024 4

2024 UK and Scotland – Day 3

Continuing our London visit we headed to a 10:30 tour of Kensington Palace, the Sunken Garden (dedicated to princess Diana) and Kensington Gardens. The palace is divided into two halves – public rooms including the Queen’s and King’s state apartments and the private areas of the royal family. From there we headed to the Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall and the Victoria and Albert Museum (focusing on Sculpture, Silver and Stained-glass galleries). We concluded our day visiting St. Pauls’ Cathedral (where we climbed halfway up the dome 275 steps).

Kensington Palace & Gardens

Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall and the Victoria and Albert Museum

St. Paul’s

July 14, 2024 6

2024 UK and Scotland – Day 1 & 2

Well, our first day did not happen. After spending 5 hours at MCO British Air informed us that our flight was being cancelled. We rented a car and drove back to Plantation Bay for the night – since we were rescheduled for the same flight the next day.

On day 2 we finally flew British Air (overnight) to Gatwick Airport outside of London then took the Gatwick Express and the “tubes” to our hotel at Trafalgar Square. After depositing our luggage at the hotel, we began our walking tour of London (albeit modified for our lost day). Strolling along Whitehall Street past the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, government buildings. the Parliament and Big Ben to Westminster Abby. Much of the church as we see it today was built by Henery the 3rd between 1245 and 1272. Burial in the Abbey (a privilege confined to royalty and a few of the aristocracy in the Middle Ages) became much more common after the Reformation, and the side chapels in particular – stripped of their medieval alters and furnishing – began to fill with tombs. More the 3000 people are buried or commemorated in the church or cloisters. After. the Abby we crossed the Millennium Bridge getting views up and down the River Thames. Then into the Tate Modern Museum for a rapid run through, a quick look at the Globe Theater and a long walk back to our hotel in Traflagar Square but enjoying the views in. the Embankment Gardens.

July 13, 2024 9

2023 Fall Adventure: 12/13/2023

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

North of Auckland, along the narrow Northland peninsula, lies the Shady “cathedral” of some of the worlds larges trees. Some as tall as 170 feet and 1200 years old. Too bad we missed them. We did visit two towns out of the 150 islands in the Bay. We tendered into the port of Paihia, shunning the town shuttle we walked 1.5 miles along a bayfront boardwalk to the city center. A quaint town with little to do but shop. We walked back to the wharf where we boarded a lunch cruise around the bay and to the town of Russell, New Zealand’s first capital. This is the oldest town and maybe one of the prettiest.

We have 3 sea days ahead of us with a long flight from Melbourne to Dallas and finaly home on the 17th. What a trip!!!!!

December 15, 2023 3

2023 Fall Adventure: 12/12/2023

Auckland, New Zealand

Having visited Auckland in the early 90’s it was interesting to see the changes in the skyline. One of New Zealand’s fastest growing commercial hub the skyline is covered with new buildings with several more being constructed. We opted for our own walking tour of the city and walk we did – over 5 miles – and forgetting how hilly the city is. We started at the port and its Ferry Building walking along Queen and Customs Streets past the Old Customs House, City Baths and on to the Maritime Museum. We then headed to the Skydeck and its 60-floor elevator ride for an arial view of the city. Returning to earth we viewed the Old City Hall, walked Albert Park admiring its sculptures and fountain then through and upscale neighborhood and shopping back to the ship.

Our final port will be The Bay of Islands and the towns of Paihia (jumping off point for island tours and Russell the first Capital of New Zealand.

December 15, 2023 2

2023 Fall Adventure: 12/11/2023

Tauranga, New Zealand

Tauranga is the largest and most populated port in the Bay of Plenty region. This is an appropriate name due to the abundant beaches, rolling white water, mineral hot springs and even kiwi orchards. We passed on excursions offered by Cunard and decided to hike around Mount Maunganui and its beautiful water views (except we did it in the rain) , walk along the towns main beach and wandering through The Strand – the towns shopping and dining district. It turned into a 5-mile stroll and of course the sun came out as we returned to the ship. Not all lost – caught some rays and enjoyed the return to warmer weather in the afternoon.

December 11, 2023 3

2023 Fall Adventure: 12/9 & 10/2023

Wellington New Zealand

Perched in the hills surrounding a sparkling bay, Wellington’s beautiful setting and the crispy weather is akin to that of San Francisco. Charming Edwardian architecture complements an impressive and contemporary skyline of concrete and glass. Hidden laneways are full of street art and there is a sculpture walk along the waterfront. New Zealand’s capital has a reputation for being wet and windy on a regular basis.

We took a Friday morning highlight tour of the city driving the waterfront (the 7 sisters like the painted Lady’s) and climbing to the top of Mt. Victoria for an eagle eye view of the city, the rose garden at the Botanic Garden, passing public buildings (the Beehive and Parliament) and Edwardian architecture to Te Papa Tongarewa – Museum of New Zealand.

On Friday night we went to Lambton Quay for a walk down the towns upper end shopping and dining area (unbelievably the stores closed at 6:00) interestingly we saw the Old Government Building which was made of wood but clearly looks like stone.

On Saturday morning we took the Wellington Cable Car to the mountain suburbs overlooking downtown and it’s Cable Car Museum. Our final stop was a walk through Otati-Wilton Bush public botanic garden dedicated solely to New Zealand plants. The are 100 hectares of forest made up of old growth and regenerated forest which can be seen from a canopy walk and a nature trail. Its native botanic garden contains a plant collection of nearly 1200 species.

December 10, 2023 5

2023 Fall Adventure: 12/8/2023

Dunedin New Zealand

Dunedin is the second largest city on New Zealand’s South Island and principal of the Otago region. Its population boomed during 1865, with a steady stream of new settler arriving in search of gold. Surrounded by dramatic hills and the foot of a long, picturesque harbor. Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere. We did the must see – visiting the Dunedin Railway station on our ride on the Taieri Gorge Train.

Taieri Gorge Train