The ferries in Sydney are a cheap and fun way to see the harbor and some of the out lying areas. It was a beautiful Saturday and families were out visiting the Zoo and more remote islands. I was also fortunate to see a show in the Sydney Opera House. It was a rendition of Gatsby that was an interesting combination of Speak Easy, Cirque du Soleil, Burlesque and Vaudeville all combined. A great memory and my $15 flapper costume from Amazon fit right in.
Cruising out of Sydney at night was magical. After going under the Harbor Bridge the Opera House was lit up and what a special memory and view. One of the towns in the harbor had a fireworks display that seemed very fitting and gave us a colorful exit from Australia.
The cruise from Sydney Australia to Seattle Washington was a 36 day journey through the Pacific Islands. The ship was the Holland America Noordam, with about 1800 passengers. In this picture, the ship is anchored in French Polynesia, we went ashore with the boats tenders. In larger ports the ship tied up to the pier, but many of the stops in the Pacific were to smaller islands and some ATOLLS that were tiny and barely had a small dock suitable for the tenders. I was thrilled to stop at these small, almost uninhabited islands and snorkel the pristine waters.
Drinking FIJI water in FIJI was a first for me, and seemed appropriate for the occasion.
Just by chance, my Birthday was during the stop in Honolulu. I went to Waikiki Beach, the Surfrider Hotel, and had a Spa experience, and then the most lovely High Tea on the Veranda. I was joined by new friends, Kathy and Lesa from Texas. Sometimes you just connect with folks and with these ladies I felt as if we had been friends forever. We even have future trips planned together!
The trip from Sydney to Seattle included lots of sea days. Fortunately, I love sea days and filled my time with lectures, games and craft projects. Next stop Alaska.
WanderlustandWhimSea 