G’Day Down Under

After logging 1,035 nautical miles along both North and South Islands of New Zealand it was time to leave Dunedin and head for Australia. 

Australia is the smallest continent, but one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. 90% of Australians live on the coast. It is home to 26 million people and has a land area comparable to the Continental USA with just 8% of its population.

Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and home to the world’s oldest continuing culture. They have a highly skilled workforce and a proud history of democracy and stable government. We recalled our last visit and were very much looking forward to this one.

To make our way to Australia, we travelled south to round South Island and then through Foveaux Strait passing between South Island and Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest Island. We spent 3.5 sea days and 1,150 nautical miles crossing the Tasman Sea or “The Ditch” to Sydney.

As promised, the “Ditch” offered a moderate to heavy sea and often, the need to hold on, as we travelled through the ship. We spent the time at sea mostly relaxing, enjoying selected activities and researching for this Post.

On Sunday, the Super Bowl was broadcast on the Large Outdoor Screen, in Ship Lounges and our staterooms. Since the temps were in the mid 50s, we elected an indoor venue. I’ve been a Chiefs fan since my time there in the late 60s. It was the Chiefs  in a nail-biter. . . WOW! 

Then we prepared for Formal Night in the Bordeaux Dining Room with new friends. Yet another fabulous dinner presented by the competent and caring kitchen and waitstaff. How do they do it? We were about to get the answer.

Another Sea Day brought more relaxation and conversation, but most notably another Enrichment Presentation: “Culinary Demonstration and Galley Tour”

Daniele Rosafio is the Director of Restaurant Operations from Puglia, Italy. He has been with Princess 30 yrs, has a staff of 100 and has 9 galleys under his charge. He is personable and omnipresent in the Dining Areas and a man who loves to entertain.

His presentation along with the ultra talented Executive Head Chef Nage Dinand  from Mauritius, was informative , but mostly hilarious! These two gentlemen interact as well on stage as they do in the dining venues.

After the Presentation, we toured the huge galley. . . it was so impressive in its sheer size and cleanliness. This particular galley services the  Bordeaux and Provence dining rooms on Deck 5 & 6 where they serve about 5,000 meals per day.

 

They even have an escalator between the galley decks for more efficient service. This may help to explain the extremely quick, efficient and tasty delivery of  your special order.

 

 

 

 

As we continued at sea, Jessica Potter our Destination Expert and a native of Sydney, continued with her enrichment series, but this time gushing about her home city. Australia’s oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the “First Fleet” transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.  A city of over 5 million there is a lot to like about – from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With 75º temperatures under partly cloudy skies, we arrived at Sydney Harbour at sunrise to capture the captivating views, thought by many to be the most beautiful harbor in the world.

 

Two prominent landmarks, the Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. Due to our ship’s size and lack of  dock space before the Bridge we had to anchor out in the Harbour.

Our tour of the city started with a 5 minute  tender trip to Sydney Man O’ War steps, just adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Gate of the Royal Botanic Garden. Gorgeous and well maintained, we ambled through the gardens and admired the pristine condition of the grounds.

The stroll through the Park adjacent to the City Center gave marvelous views of the stunning architecture of the nearby structures.

 

The sun appeared and in 75 to 80º temperatures we spent over an hour in park before walking 20 minutes to Town Hall Square. 

There, we met a group at St. Andrew’s cathedral  for a walking tour of the Central Business District and shopping areas.

 

 

 

Our guide, Leo, was knowledgeable and personable and guided us through some of the city’s famous sites, including the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), Pitt Street, Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral, Rum Hospital, Old General Post Office.

In addition to the quality, luxury shops, we admired the Mosaic floor detail in the Queen Victoria Building.

 

 

 

 

We stopped off at Australia square for a blond beer and heard the loud clamoring of a a special Chinese New Year celebration coming through the square.

We continued the tour with Leo as he showed us tucked-away restaurants and secret bars in the alleyways. . . apparently it’s a thing in Sydney, can’t imagine that happening on the South Side of Chicago!

After continuing our walk on Pitt Street then Center Quay we took one last glimpse of Sydney’s signature attractions.

 

 

We logged 6 miles on our Sydney walkabout and finally arrived  to pick up the tender at Man O’ War steps and who was there to greet us. . . . Super Mario!

 

 

Back on the ship we enjoyed yet another excellent dinner, this time with a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge before our departure.

It was after our visit to Sydney that we would experience the effects of the itinerary change due to the cancellation of the transit of the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The changes were significant, but due to geopolitics, understandable. . . blame it on the Houthis and weak international foreign policies.

 

Some have described the revised itinerary as a “Coddiwomple”: Traveling in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.

A total of 12 destinations were cancelled and 4 were added, the net result was an addition of 8 Sea Days. Of special note was the fact that the Port of Melbourne was added. . . one of our favorites.

When we first learned of this, we quickly booked a tour with Fred Garcarczyk, the larger than life guide extraordinaire of Oceania Tours. Five years ago, we enjoyed a 12 hour tour with him and have kept in touch via social media. We recalled the Great Ocean Tour we took with Fred a few years ago and looked forward to meeting him again.

 

 

Due to his intimate knowledge of “Melbs”, we booked a city tour with Fred on Messenger and included 6 of our cruise mates. In anticipation of our visit, we enjoyed another sea day before meeting our friend in Melbourne.

See you all soon,

Bobby Di