2016 Sydney, Carnival Cruise Sth Pacific

• Disclaimer. There are photos here that are from my previous travel site virtualtourist. VT has shut down. Please ignore that VT flag, thongs, VA's and other paraphernalia that may appear here.**

FAVOURITE PHOTO

THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO THE LAST BIG VT MEET IN OCTOBER 2016.

SADLY VIRTUALTOURIST IS NO MORE.
THANKS TO TRIPADVISOR WHO BOUGHT US OUT
HAVING ALL INTENTIONS OF AXING US SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.
......... **SCUMBAGS!**

SO NOW I AM HAPPY TO BE A MEMBER OF TRAVELLERSPOINT.
I ACTUALLY LIKE BLOGGING MORE THAN DOING TIPS LIKE ON VT.
I USE GOOGLE AND VIATOR TO FIND INTERESTING THINGS TO DO
WHEN TRIP PLANNING AND BOOKING.COM FOR ACCOMMODATION.
..... (NOT TA).

IT WAS THE PERSONAL ASPECT OF VT THAT I LIKED. WE WERE
A WARM, CLOSE COMMUNITY THAT KNEW EACHOTHER PERSONALLY
THROUGH VT MEETS ALL OVER THE WORLD AND THE MISC FORUM.
EVEN IF WE COULD NOT ATTEND ONE OF THOSE MEETS
THERE WAS ALWAYS THE OPTION TO GO AS A BIT OF PLASTIC.....
A VA (VIRTUAL ATTENDEE) ....AND STILL SHARE IN ALL THE FUN STUFF.
EVEN PROMOTE THE FUN STUFF! ...... AS VA'S WERE SO OFTEN
WELL KNOWN FOR....... TOTAL TROUBLE MAKERS!! .... LOL

SO.... SYDNEY!

SYDNEY WAS TO BE THE LAST BIG DOWNUNDER VT MEET UP.
HELL... IT WAS THE LAST BIG VT MEET FULL STOP!!!

AUSTRALIA STARTED OUR MEET UPS IN 2006..... MELBOURNE BEING
THE FIRST ONE. I WILL RELATE THAT STORY ANOTHER TIME.

SO.... HERE WE ARE IN SYDNEY. THOSE THAT ATTENDED WERE

ANN AND HUBBY HOWARD - aussirose
ANN AND CHARLIE FROM FLORIDA USA - TheTravelSlut and The Boy Toy
GILLIAN FROM UK - Gillybob
COLIN FROM UK - Britannia2
SWEE LONG AND KAK WAN FROM PENANG MALAYSIA - DaHongHua
DAVE AND FRAN FROM VT HEADQUARTERS CALIFORNIA - Ecodave
BILLY FROM BRISBANE - bbunter
SUE AND ANDY FROM MELBOURNE - 2Cities1Love
ALBERT AND ANDY FROM CANBERRA - Albert and Andy
STEVE FROM SYDNEY - bungalow_bill
JO FROM SYDNEY - Josilver
BETTY FROM PT MACQUARIE AREA - Betska
DENNY FROM SYDNEY - DennyP

MACLEAY HOTEL, POTTS POINT

IN ORGANISING THESE EVENTS I FIND IT EASIER FOR EVERYONE
TO STAY AT THE SAME PLACE. WITH THAT IN MIND I HAD TO
SUGGEST SOMEWHERE THAT IS GOOD VALUE FOR THE PRICE
WHILST NOT BLOWING THE BUDGET. SYDNEY IS EXPENSIVE!!

THE MACLEAY HOTEL FIT THE BILL. GOOD PRICE FOR LOCATION,
NEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORT, POOL, BBQ AREA, VIEWS OVER THE
HARBOUR..... ESPECIALLY FROM THE ROOFTOP! COMMUNITY
LAUNDRY AND WOOLWORTHS ACROSS THE ROAD FOR
SUPPLIES. THE MACLEAY WAS CONSIDERED A GREAT CHOICE
BY ALL

THIS SERIES OF BLOGS WILL SHOW YOU THE BEST PLACES TO
VISIT IN SYDNEY AND ALSO A GOOD OFF THE BEATEN PATH
PLACE.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE EX VIRTUALTOURIST MEMBERS,
YOU WILL RECOGNISE A LOT OF THE ATTENDEES AND ALSO
A 'CULLED' SELECTION OF VA STORIES THROWN IN .....
TOTALLY FOR OUR AMUSEMENT

THIS MEET ALSO INCLUDED THE FIRST EVER VT CRUISE!! A BUNCH OF
CRAZY TRAVELLERS WITH A VT FLAG AND PLASTIC PICTURES...
MANAGED TO BOARD A CARNIVAL CRUISE OUT OF SYDNEY...
DESTINED FOR SOME FANTASTIC ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.

CARNIVAL WAS ABOUT TO BE BOMBARDED BY A LOT OF
CRAZY TRAVEL ADDICTS AND PARTY ANIMALS... THOSE NAUGHTY VA'S!!
CARNIVAL WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.

THE FOLLOWING PAGES WILL DETAIL A LOT OF FUN STUFF
THAT WE DID AND GREAT PLACES THAT WE VISITED.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

MEET AND GREET DAY AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS.
I HIRED A SPOT FOR US AT THE HORSE AND FOAL.
MOST OF US HAD MET AT THE HOTEL. IT WAS LIKE A
BIG HAPPY FAMILY. HUGS ALL ROUND AND SHOPPING
FOR BREADS, MEAT, CHEESE, DIPS AND WINE AT
WOLLIES ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE HOTEL

OH BTW, THE ABOVE SHOPPING TROLLEY ISN'T JUST STUFF
FOR OUR PICNIC HAHA.
EVERYONE CHIPPED IN A SMALL AMOUNT FOR BBQ's AT THE
HOTEL FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT TO KEEP OUR
COSTS DOWN. SO GILLIAN, COLIN, HOWIE, CHARLIE, ANN AND
I DID SOME SHOPPING FOR THE BBQ's AND EVERYONE HELPED
OUT BY STORING THE FOOD IN THEIR LITTLE FRIDGES AT THE
HOTEL. GREAT BUNCH WE ARE

DIDN'T GET MANY PHOTOS OF OUR MEET AND GREET....
TOO BUSY CHATTING AND HAVING FUN

THEN A WALK AROUND TO THE OPERA HOUSE AND
CIRCULAR QUAY FOR SOME NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY.

STAY TUNED..... TOMORROW WE ARE HEADING OUT TO THE
FAMOUS BLUE MOUNTAINS AND THE FIRST LOT OF VA
MISBEHAVIOUR

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW ALREADY, VA's ARE
PLASTIC PEOPLE. VIRTUAL ATTENDEES AT OUR MEETS THAT
LIKE TO LEAD US ASTRAY....... LOL.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

I HIRED A LARGE LUXURY BUS AND SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR A DRIVER
WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR TO COPE WITH OUR CRAZY VT FRIENDS.

NUMBERS WERE DOWN THIS YEAR SO I HAD TO REDUCE THE BUS TO A
21 SEATER. IT WAS A NICE SURPRISE WHEN THE LUXURY BUS TURNED
UP TO TAKE US TO OUR FIRST DAY OUT TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

1ST STOP WAS THE CONSERVATION HUT FOR LUNCH INCLUDING
FABULOUS VIEWS OVER THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

WE THEN ENJOYED A WANDER AROUND THE FAMOUS 3 SISTERS -
3 UNIQUE ROCK FORMATIONS.

ALBERT, COLIN AND ANDY TRIED TO ENTICE FERGY TO HAVE A CUP OF
COFFEE HAHA!!

MEANWHILE DORISE WAS TELLING EVERYONE THAT THERE REALLY WERE
4 SISTERS .....

AND THEY DISCOVERED THE LOST VT TRIBE... HAHA.

VA'S (Virtual Attendees - the plastic people..) LOVE TO CAUSE TOTAL
DISRUPTION. BRIAN, THE BUS DRIVER THOUGHT WE HAD ALL GONE
MAD.... ALLOWING THE VA'S TO JUMP ALL OVER A STATUE OF ONE OF
THE FIRST PIONEERS TO THE AREA WHO WORKED ON THE EARLY
INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS ETC. SIGN POST SAID NOT TO TOUCH....
NAUGHTY VA'S!!

VT

WITH ALL THE HAVOC THE VA'S WERE CAUSING, WE FORGOT ABOUT
THE TIME AND BRIAN HAD TO DRAG US AWAY AS WE WERE RUNNING
OUT OF TIME AND STILL HAD THE FAMOUNS SCENIC WORLD TO VISIT.

AS IT WAS, WE ONLY JUST MADE IT IN TIME TO SCENIC WORLD BUT
RAN OUT OF TIME TO GO ON ANY OF THE RIDES WHICH WAS A SHAME.

SCENIC WORLD HAS THE STEEPEST RAILWAY IN THE SOUTHERN
HEMISPHERE, TRAVELLING DOWN THE HILL AT A 90D ANGLE.

THEN THERE'S THE CABLE CAR FOR STUNNING VIEWS OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

AND ANOTHER SKYCAB THAT RUNS BETWEEN MOUNTAINS.

IT WAS NICE TO COME BACK TO THE HOTEL AND ALL SHARE IN A GOOD
OLD AUSSIE BBQ.

TOMORROW WE PLAN TO HEAD OFF THE BEATEN PATH AND
EXPLORE SOME LOVELY COUNTRYSIDE AND A PICTURE PERFECT SURF BEACH
INCLUDING LOCAL BEER TASTINGS AT A SMALL MICRO BREWERY.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

WHEN PLANNING THE VT MEET, OBVIOUSLY THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
WAS FIRST ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO DO. HOWEVER I ALSO WANTED
TO INCORPORATE AN OFF THE BEATEN PATH PLACE. SOMETHING
DIFFERENT THAT OUR OVERSEAS VISITORS WOULD ENJOY.

CENTRAL COAST

HUBBY AND I BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOUSE MANY MOONS AGO IN
KINCUMBER ON THE CENTRAL COAST. SO IT WAS WITHOUT
HESITATION THAT I CHOSE THE CENTRAL COAST, 1 1/2HRS FROM
SYDNEY AS OUR OFF THE BEATEN PATH DESTINATION.

WE HAD A QUICK STRETCH THE LEGS STOP AT THE FABULOUS
HAWKESBURY RIVER. I NEVER TIRED OF THIS LOVELY SCENIC
PLACE WHEN TRAVELLING EVERY DAY ON THE TRAIN TO SYDNEY
TO AND FROM WORK.

Colin from UK and Albert from Canberra

HARDYS BAY CLUB

LUNCH WAS SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT. HARDYS BAY IS A PRETTY
LITTLE SPOT TUCKED AWAY ON THE SOUTHERN BEACHSIDE OF THE
CENTRAL COAST. IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE BAY YOU WILL SEE
SYDNEY NORTHERN BEACHES IN THE DISTANCE ACROSS FROM THE
MOUTH OF THE HAWKESBURY RIVER.

VA Jessika from Tongeren

VA Fergy from UK

THE LADY BEHIND THE BAR WAS HIGHLY AMUSED AT OUR VA'S
AND GLADLY ACCEPTED A PHOTO SHOOT WITH THEM

BUS DRIVER BRIAN COULDN'T RESIST A PHOTO TOO

VIEW OVER THE BRISBANE WATER HEADING OVER TO HARDYS BAY.
YOU CAN CATCH A FERRY FROM GOSFORD WHICH IS THE MAIN CITY
OF THE CENTRAL COAST TO ETTALONG BEACH HERE. A LOT OF
PEOPLE DO TO VISIT THE WEEKEND MARKETS.

AVOCA BEACH

NEXT STOP - AVOCA BEACH, A POPULAR SURF BEACH ON THE
CENTRAL COAST. OUR OVERSEAS GUESTS ENJOYED IT HERE

Andy and Sue from Melbourne

Steve from Sydney

HUBBY AND I REMINISCED ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS
LIVING IN KINCUMBER IN OUR FIRST HOUSE AS WE DROVE PAST.

OUR DAUGHTER KELLI IS NOW 10 YEARS MARRIED. HOW TIME FLIES.

SIX STRING BREWERY, ERINA

BY NOW WE HAD CERTAINLY BUILT UP A THIRST SO WELCOMED
THE LAST STOP OF THE DAY - 6 STRING MICRO BREWERY.

THE OWNER WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING US.

Andy with VA's Shazz, Fergy and Victor

Beer tastings.... and wine?
Dorrise from Cairns does it easy with style

A few games of dominos kept us all amused.

AND FINALLY, A VT FLAG SHOOT WITH THE OWNER.

ANOTHER FUN DAY FINISHED WITH A BBQ SMORGASBOARD BACK
AT THE HOTEL AND HANDING OUT OF THE VT GOODIES FROM
HEADQUARTERS INCLUDING NEW KEY RING FLASHLIGHTS,
LUGGAGE HANDLE COVERS, PASSPORT AND PAPERWORK FOLDERS
AND PASSPORT AND CREDIT CARD PROTECTORS.

WE WERE NOT TO KNOW THAT VIRTUALTOURIST WOULD BE
CLOSING DOWN IN JUST 3 MONTHS TIME.

TOMORROW WE WERE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO A FERRY RIDE
FROM DOWNTOWN CIRCULAR QUAY TO MANLY BEACH.

FAVOURITE PHOTO.

AFTER 2 BIG DAYS ON THE BUS CHECKING OUT THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
AND THE CENTRAL COAST, WE NEEDED TO HAVE A NICE SLOW R&R
DAY OUT.

MANLY TO HUBBY AND I IS A BETTER CHOICE THAN THE OTHER
FAMOUS BEACH - BONDI.

MANLY HAS A MORE FRIENDLY, HOMELY FEEL THAN BONDI.
PLUS THE FERRY TRIP IS BETTER THAN A BORING TRAIN RIDE.

THE CORSO IN MANLY IS A PEDESTRIAN THOROUGHFARE,
EASY TO WALK DOWN WITH NO TRAFFIC TO DODGE.
WE TOOK A SLOW STROLL ALONG THE CORSO TOWARDS THE BEACH.
THE CORSO IS LINED WITH VARIOUS GIFT SHOPS AND HAS ALWAYS
HAD A FANTASTIC ICE-CREAM SHOP RIGHT AT THE END.

HUBBY AND I LIVED IN MANLY FOR 6 MONTHS WHILST OUR FIRST
HOUSE ON THE CENTRAL COAST WAS BEING BUILT. WE LIVED ABOVE
SAHIB'S INDIAN RESTAURANT WHICH BTW IS STILL HERE AFTER 3
DECADES OF TRADING.

SO AFTER HAVING SEEN AVOCA BEACH ON THE CENTRAL COAST,
OUR GUESTS WERE NOW GOING TO SEE THE OTHER FAMOUS
SURF BEACH MANLY. THE DAY WAS NICE AND SUNNY AND NOT
TOO WINDY. PERFECT FOR EATING OUR ICE-CREAMS WHILST
PEOPLE WATCHING ALONG THE BEACH.

Kak Wan and Swee Long from Penang

I HAD A BIT OF FUN PHOTOGRAPHING THE SMALL FOUNTAINS.

VA - Kathy from Florida

AND A FEW STREET SCENE PIX.

I found the beauty secret!!

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE KEBAB SHOP IS STILL HERE.
IT WAS MY FAVOURITE JUNK FOOD SHOP. KEBABS ARE STILL MY
FAVOURITE

THE NEW BRIGHTON HOTEL

I WAS NICELY SURPRISED THAT THE OWNER OF THE NEW
BRIGHTON HOTEL HAD RESERVED THE UPSTAIRS PART OF THE PUB
FOR OUR VT LUNCH PARTY.

AFTER WE HAD EATEN, HE THEN OPENED IT UP TO THE PUBLIC.
I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS SO IT WAS A NICE TOUCH AND OUR VT
GUESTS CERTAINLY APPRECIATED IT.

VA - Victor from Ukraine enjoying his drinks

BACK AT THE HOTEL A FEW OF US WANDERED UP THE STREET
TOWARDS KINGS CROSS AND FOUND THIS GREAT LITTLE
GERMAIN RESTAURANT FOR DINNER. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
SORRY, NO PHOTOS. THE FOOD AND BEERS WERE TOO GOOD

MAGGIES

TOMORROW WAS GOING TO BE THE LAST DAY OF THE BIG VT MEET.
WE WERE OFF TO WATSONS BAY FOR A NICE LONG GOODBYE LUNCH

FAVOURITE PHOTO

LAST DAY OF THE 2016 SYDNEY VT MEET WAS ALL ABOUT ENJOYING
EACHOTHERS COMPANY AT A STUNNING BEACHSIDE PUB IN
WATSONS BAY.

WE CAUGHT THE WATSONS BAY FERRY FROM CIRCULAR QUAY.

Ann and Charlie from Florida

THE WATSONS BAY HOTEL IS LITERALLY RIGHT AT THE END
OF THE FERRY WHARF.

MY FAVOURITE PHOTO ABOVE IS THE FAMOUS DOYLES RESTAURANT.
IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE. WATSONS BAY HOTEL HAS THE SAME VIEW AND
MEALS ARE A PORTION OF THE PRICE YOU WOULD PAY AT DOYLES.

I SPOTTED THE DOYLES BOAT.
MMMMM.... I COULD THINK UP A NUMBER OF SCENARIOS HERE... LOL
PHOTO SAYS IT ALL.

IT WAS NICE TO ENJOY A LEASURLY LUNCH WHILST RECOUNTING
THE FUN TIMES AND OTHER TRAVEL STORIES.

Gillian from UK with Albert and Andy from Canberra.

VA Treshi from Sri Lanka.

Billy from Brisbane with Treshi.
Put those sunnies on Treshi. It's very bright out here

SADLY OUR WONDERFUL DAY WAS ALMOST AT AN END

HOWEVER.... WE WERE ABOUT TO ENCOUNTER AN INCIDENT THAT
ALMOST RUINED OUR WHOLE TRIP. CHECK OUT THE LINK BELOW -

WATSONS BAY FERRY CRASH

UPON ARRIVAL BACK AT CIRCULAR QUAY, OUR FERRY DIDN'T SLOW DOWN.
INSTEAD IT CRASHED RIGHT INTO THE WHARF.
I WAS TAKING PHOTOS OVER THE SIDE 5 SECONDS BEFORE THE CRASH.
HUBBY AND I WERE THROWN FROM OUR SEATS IN THE BACK OF THE FERRY.
I SWORE LIKE A TROUPER BECAUSE MY KNEE HIT THE SEAT IN FRONT AND
HURT LIKE HELL.
BILLY SEVERELY BRUSED HIS HAND AND THUMB. HE WAS BADLY
SHAKEN AND IT FELT LIKE HIS THUMB WAS BROKEN. LUCKILY IT WASN'T.
OUR DEAR ANN FROM FLORIDA FELL FORWARD INTO THE SEAT IN FRONT
AND SEVERELY BRUSED HER CHEST. YOU CAN SEE HER IN THE VIDEO
BEING INTERVIEWED AS SHE WAS WHEELED OFF THE BOAT IN A STRETCHER.

ALL ANN COULD THINK OF IS NOT MAKING IT TO THE SECOND PART OF
OUR BIG TRIP..... GOD LOVE HER xx. EVEN IN EXTREME PAIN AND FINDING
IT HARD TO BREATHE.... ANN STILL SHOWED HER LOVELY WARM ANIMATED
PERSONALITY THAT WE ALL LOVE ABOUT ANN xx.

THANK GOODNESS SHE WAS GIVEN THE ALL CLEAR BUT NOT BEFORE SPENDING
A STRESSFUL 6 HOURS IN HOSPITAL HAVING XRAYS ETC.

THE SECOND HALF OF OUR BIG SYDNEY MEET WAS A FIRST EVER ..... AND
NOW LAST EVER VT CRUISE SINCE VT IS NO MORE.

BUT FIRST OF ALL, NEXT BLOG IS ALL ABOUT A WANDER AROUND SYDNEY
INCLUDING A FEW 'MUST SEE's.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

THE FIRST PART OF OUR MEETUP HERE IN SYDNEY CONSISTED OF
'MUST DO's'. BLUE MOUNTAINS, CENTRAL COAST, MANLY BEACH
AND A LONG LUNCH AT WATSONS BAY.

THE SECOND PART WAS A CRUISE TO ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC
ON CARNIVAL SPIRIT.

BUT BEFORE THAT, HERE ARE SOME 'MUST SEE's' AROUND SYDNEY
THAT YOU CANNOT MISS IF VISITING.

A WANDER AROUND SYDNEY WITH AUSSIROSE

THE STRAND ARCADE

MY FAVOURITE PHOTO ABOVE WAS TAKEN IN THE STRAND ARCADE.
THIS ARCADE HAS QUITE A HISTORY. THE LINK ABOVE EXPLAINS.
TODAY IT IS THE MOST RITZY ARCADE IN SYDNEY WITH A TON OF
ENGLISH HERITAGE.

HUBBY DECIDED THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE A HAIR CUT AT
PROBABLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE BARBER SHOP IN SYDNEY
SO I SAT OUTSIDE AND ENJOYED PEOPLE WATCHING WHILST ALSO
TAKING SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO QUICKLY SNAP A FEW GREAT
PHOTOS.

Shoe Shiners with Red Bow Ties still exist.

QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING

THE QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING IS A FLASH SHOPPING MUST DO
THAT RUNS UNDERGROUND BETWEEN TOWN HALL RAILWAY STATION
AND TO THE CENTRAL SHOPPING DISTRICT OF SYDNEY.
FOR ME IT WAS A NICE STROLL WINDOW SHOPPING.

WINDOW SHOPPING IS GOOD BECAUSE YOU GET TO ENJOY WITHOUT
SPENDING ANY MONEY.

SAVINGS CAN BE USED FOR A BEER OR TWO TO CELEBRATE
TOTAL SELF CONTROL.....

AND MAYBE SOME OYSTERS AS WELL......

CIRCULAR QUAY

CIRCULAR QUAY IS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY. BUSKERS ON EVERY CORNER,
NICE COFFEE SHOPS, PLENTY OF GIFT SHOPS AND SURROUNDED BY THE
OPERA HOUSE AND BOTANICAL GARDENS TO THE RIGHT
AND HARBOUR BRIDGE AND THE ROCKS TO THE LEFT.

YOU CAN EASILY SPEND A WHOLE DAY OR 2 JUST EXPLORING THIS AREA.

A WANDER TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE HARBOUR BRIDGE AFFORDS
SOME NICE PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES.

AND ACROSS THE HARBOUR IS LUNA PARK WHICH HAS BEEN IN
OPERATION EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER.... A LONG TIME.

IF YOU HAVE FOLLOWED ALONG MY BLOGS HERE, YOU ALREADY
KNOW THAT CIRCULAR QUAY IS THE PLACE TO CATCH A FERRY GOING TO
MANLY BEACH OR WATSONS BAY ETC.

TARONGA ZOO

IT IS HERE THAT YOU CAN CATCH A FERRY GOING TO TARONGA ZOO.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO THIS BUT IF YOU CAN FIT IT IN,
TARONGA ZOO IS WELL WORTH THE VISIT.

TIP - CATCH THE BUS UP THE HILL AND ENTER FROM THE TOP -
THEN WORK YOUR WAY DOWN TO CATCH THE FERRY BACK.

Old Photo...sorry.

SOME BIG CITIES WE HAVE VISITED, THE HOP ON HOP OFF BUS
HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL AND A GOOD MEANS FOR TRANSPORT
TOO.

HERE IN SYDNEY THEY ALSO HAVE A HOP ON HOP OFF FERRY.

CHINA TOWN

CHINA TOWN IS A BIG PART OF SYDNEY. DINNER IN CHINA TOWN
IS ANOTHER 'MUST DO'.

HUBBY AND I CAUGHT UP WITH HIS DAD AND SISTER IN
CHINA TOWN. TOM, OUR SON-IN-LAW MARRIED TO ELDEST
DAUGHTER KELLI ALSO CAME ALONG.
TOM WAS WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION IN SYDNEY AT THE
SAME TIME WE VISITED

LASTLY, A MIXTURE OF RANDOM NIGHT SHOTS.

TOMORROW, 10 OF US WERE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON THE FIRST
AND LAST EVER VT CRUISE.

NEXT FEW BLOGS WILL RELIVE MANY HAPPY MEMORIES

STAY TUNED.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

Sydney Harbour - Circular Quay - View from Carnival Spirit Cruising out.

THIS WAS OUR FIRST AND LAST VT CRUISE.... BUT AT THE TIME WE DID NOT KNOW
THAT TRIP ADVISOR WOULD SHUT DOWN VIRTUALTOURIST IN JUST 3 MONTHS.

20 VT MEMBERS HAD JUST ENJOYED 5 FUN LOVING, ACTION PACKED DAYS IN AND
AROUND SYDNEY INCLUDING BEING INVOLVED IN A MAJOR FERRY CRASH THE DAY
BEFORE THIS CRUISE. THANK GOODNESS NONE OF US WERE SEVERELY INJURED,
ALTHOUGH WE WERE A LITTLE SORE AND BRUISED.

HERE IS OUR BIG BOAT

WE BOARDED AROUND LUNCH SO HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO GET SETTLED IN AND
ORDER THAT MUCH DESIRED COCKTAIL.

VA Treshi was up for a Cocktail too.

RIGHT ON SUNSET THE SHIP HORN SOUNDED AND WE SLOWLY DEPARTED.
THIS WAS HUBBY AND MY 2ND CRUISE. FIRST ONE WAS FROM SINGAPORE IN
2006. BLOG ON THAT COMING LATER.

THERE WERE 10 VT'ERS AND PROBABLY DOUBLE IN VA'S ON THIS CRUISE.

4 WERE VETEREN CRUISERS - ANN, CHARLIE FROM FLORIDA AND SUE AND ANDY FROM MELBOURNE.
4 - FIRST TIME CRUISERS - GILLIAN AND COLLIN FROM UK AND ALBERT AND ANDY FROM CANBERRA.
2 - 2ND TIME CRUISERS - US - HOWIE AND I.

IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME HOWEVER HAVING A VERANDAH.... THANKS TO ANN.
ANN ORGANISED EVERYTHING FOR US WHICH WAS SO NICE AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED
THANKS MATE!!

CRUISING OUT OF SYDNEY

HUBBY AND I LIKE ALL SORTS OF HOLIDAYS FROM CAMPING THROUGH TO 5 STAR LUXURY,
BEACH HOLIDAYS, WINING AND DINING HOLIDAYS, WILDFLOWER SPOTTING, COUNTRYSIDE
DRIVING, MOUNTAINS, DESERT, ANYTHING OFF THE BEATEN PATH AND ESPECIALLY MIXING WITH
PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

WE OFTEN HEAR OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIKE CRUISING. MOST OF THEM HAVE NEVER BEEN ON
A CRUISE, SO THAT TO ME IS NOT A REAL INFORMED DECISION. YES, ON A CRUISE YOU ARE
CONFINED TO THE SHIP, BUT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR BEING BORED. THERE ARE SO MANY
ACTIVITIES TO CHOOSE FROM TO FILL YOUR DAY - TRIVIA, BEER PONG, COMPETITIONS, MINI
GOLF, WATER SLIDES, A CASINO, SHOPPING, PROFESSIONAL PICTURES, DANCING,
NIGHTLY SHOWS, KAREOKE ETC.

PLUS ALL OF YOUR ACCOMMODATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND FOOD IS INCLUDED. THE ONLY
THING YOU PAY FOR IS ALCOHOL..... MIND YOU IT IS EASY TO SPEND ALOT ON GROG

BOTH OF US ANN's RECOMMEND CRUISING. CHEERS!!

FIRST STOP - ISLE OF PINES IN NEW CALEDONIA, SOUTH PACIFIC.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

FIRST STOP AFTER 2 FUN DAYS OF CRUISING - ISLE OF PINES.

WE TENDERED HERE - WHICH MEANS THAT THE CRUISE SHIP ANCHORED
OFF SHORE AND WE CAUGHT BOATS TO THE ISLAND.

HUBBY AND I WATCHED THE TENDER BOATS COME IN FROM OUR
SHIP BALCONY.

ANN, CHARLIE, HUBBY AND I FOUND NO.1 BEER!!

VA Victor was thirsty!!

AND THE OTHER LOCAL BEER

Birgit from Berlin enjoying New Caledonia

A SWIM AND A FEW BEERS INCLUDING STUNNING BEACH VIEWS....
AHHHH...... PARADISE

NEXT STOP TOMORROW - MARE ISLAND.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

MARE ISLAND WAS MY FAVOURITE.

WE ARRIVED TO A DISPLAY OF LOCAL MUSIC AND DANCING.

THE STUNNING BEACH HERE WAS A 20MIN BUS DRIVE.
SOME OF THE BUSES REMINDED ME OF OLD BUSES WE USED TO
GO TO SCHOOL IN A LONG TIME AGO.

YOU WOULDN'T THINK THAT 1 BEACH WOULD HOLD ALL OF US
FROM A BIG CRUISE SHIP, BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND A COSY SPOT
UP THE END NEAR THE ROCKS.

HERE IN MARE, THE LOCALS WERE SO FRIENDLY AND WELCOMED
US. YOU COULD BUY FOOD COOKED FRESH IN LITTLE STALLS
ALONG THE BEACH FRONT.

BACK AT THE TENDER SPOT, THERE WERE MARKETS AND A LITTLE
CAFE WHERE WE ALL MET AND HAD A NO.1 WHILST WAITING FOR
OUR BOAT. THE BEERS ON MARE ARE MUCH CHEAPER THAN ON
THE ISLE OF PINES.

THEN WATCHED SOME ROCK JUMPING.

TOMORROW, WE SET DOWN AT PORT IN NOUMEA, CAPITAL OF
NEW CALEDONIA.

FAVOURITE PHOTO

aussirose and HunterV

WE WERE NOT FUSSED WITH CHECKING OUT NOUMEA SO
HAD BOOKED A NEARBY ISLAND TRIP. UNFORTUNATELY
THE SEA WAS A BIT ROUGH SO THE TRIP WAS CANCELLED

WHAT TO DO ON NOUMEA?.....

WE HAD ARRIVED EARLY MORNING AT PORT. BUSES MET
OUR CRUISE SHIP TO TAKE US INTO TOWN.

THERE WERE LOADS OF DAY TRIP TOUTERS. WE DECIDED
TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE HOP ON HOP OFF BUS
WHICH WAS MUCH MORE REASONABLY PRICED THAN THE
DAY TRIPS.

FIRST STOP.... SOME BEER TASTING WAS IN ORDER TO HELP
US PLAN OUR DAY

FOLLOWING A FEW BEER TASTINGS AND SNACK, WE SPLIT
UP. HUBBY AND I CAUGHT THE BUS TO THE NEXT BEACH
AND HAD A QUICK SWIM FOLLOWED BY A LEASURLY STROLL
ALONG THE SHOPS LOOKING FOR A NICE RESTAURANT FOR
LUNCH.

FOOD HERE WAS GOOD. SERVICE NOT IN YOUR FACE AND
WE ENJOYED A RELAXED LUNCH AND PEOPLE WATCHING.

HUBBY AND I HEADED BACK EARLY GIVING OURSELVES
PLENTY OF TIME TO BOARD THE SHIP.

WE HEARD THAT SOME DIDN'T LEAVE ENOUGH TIME AND
HAD TO CATCH TAXIS WHO CHARGED OVER DOUBLE THE
PRICE FOR THE TRIP WHICH HAD TO BE PAID OTHERWISE
THE OTHER OPTION WAS TO MISS THE BOAT.

NOUMEA WAS OK.... BUT MARE AND THE ISLE OF PINES
WERE MUCH BETTER. IN FACT, IF PLANNING A CRUISE TO
THE ISLANDS OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, I THINK THAT FIJI AND
VANUATU WOULD PROBABLY BE A BETTER OPTION.

JUST 2 MORE DAYS OF CRUISING AND OUR BIG VT MEET
WAS SADLY COMING TO AN END.

THE FOLLOWING ARE A FEW HAPPY MEMORIES OF SOME
OF THE FUN TIMES.

LAST MORNING WE WOKE UP TO FIND THE SHIP ALREADY IN PORT IN SYDNEY.

I FOUND THIS GORGEOUS MORNING VIEW OF THE OPERA HOUSE A FITTING
END TO OUR BIG ADVENTURE