Brisbane, Australia

February 25, 2011

Brisbane is the state capital of the Australian state of Queensland with an estimated population of approx 2 million people.  Home to the Aboriginal people for 60,000 + years, the oldest surviving culture today.  Sub-tropical Brisbane is a mix of glittering high-rises, gardens, rain forests and historical and modern life.

It was quite amazing to see how the people of Australia pulled together to clean up after the devastating floods that occurred only 4 weeks ago.

 

The day began touring the Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens where a short jaunt through the grounds brought us to the Japanese area of the gardens.

The day concluded at Riverlife Mirrabooka, located on Kangaroo Point.  We were warmly greeted by the local  Brisbane Aboriginal Tribe and gained insight into the Aboriginal life, both past and present. 

 

Traditional song and dance, passed on for thousands of years were performed by descendants of the local Yuggera Tribe, using Aboriginal instruments, such as the didgeridoo and clap sticks.

Witness traditional fire starting techniques using only sticks and dry brush. 

Giving thanks to the Aboriginal people for their warm welcome

Sydney, Australia

February 23, 2011

One great way to view Sydney is from it's beautiful waters of the scenic Sydney Harbour.

Spectacular vistas and photo opportunities along the way of the stunning city skyline, magnificent harbor-front mansions, secluded beaches and lush National Parks

For a bird's eye view of beautiful Sydney Harbour and the city spread out below, we make our way over 4,900 feet of steel, weave through catwalks, up ladders and then to the most spectacular point of all ~ to the arched summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Saying good-bye to beautiful Sydney

Melbourne, Australia

February 20 & 21, 2011

Sailing into Melbourne, Australia's second most populous city after Sydney, it was great to see this "cultural capital"

Melbourne, loaded with lovely beaches, music venues, restaurants and vibrant cafe lifestyle

Hobart, Tasmania

February 17, 2011

With the cleanest air in the world and some of the purest rainwater, Tasmania, known as the "Jewel of the South", is the first stop in the land "Down Under".  


Founded in 1804 and as much of Australia was, Hobart city began as a penal colony in the state of Tasmania.  The first residents were prisoners, flushed out from overcrowded jails in England and sent halfway around the globe.


This island the size of the Republic of Ireland is of diverse beauty and topography and the only place where the Tasmanian devil is visible in the wild. 


Sailing into Hobart 

The highlight of this destination was the Bonorong Wildlife Park to view the famous Tasmanian devil along with a large array of Australian native animals that include kangaroos, emus, koala wombats, platypus and birds

Funny face platypus

The largest lavender farm in the world is located in Tasmania

Cruising Milford Sound, New Zealand

February 15, 2011

Fiordland, the name generally given to New Zealand's southwest coast, is a majestic wilderness of rocks, ice and beech forest, where glaciers have carved mile-deep notches into the coast

In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a godly figure who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations.  Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is without a doubt his finest sculpture

Come aboard the ship as we cruise Milford Sound 

  

 Leaving behind Mildford Sound, the ship will sail several days on the Tasmen Sea to Tasmania, the first stop of nearly a month touring Australia 

Dunedin, New Zealand

January 14, 2011

Dunedin, settled by Scottish forebears, has a strong Scottish influence.  

This video shot at Nature's Wonders Reserve is in honor of my Scottish family heritage and includes, yellow-eyed penguins, N.Z. fur seals and beautifully pastoral coastal scenery set to the Gay Gordon music, by Jim Macleod and His Band

One of the many Gordon clan tartan of Scotland with it's distinctive yellow stripe

Christchuch (& Wellington), New Zealand

February 12 & 13

******Thank you to those who are following my blog and who have given me such positive feedback.  Thank you!

******Please find below one more video of my ride on the Hagglund (not for the faint of heart!).  Finally I was able to obtain enough bandwidth to upload this video.

Wellington, but a footnote on this grand & fulfilling adventure

(not much to write about so I post a few cropped images of "signs")

Christchurch (Te whaka raupo)

The day at Christchurch was adventure packed.  First stop was:

International Antarctic Center 

Displays depicting life and work on the frozen continent where there is very little snowfall or precipitation and where dinosaurs once roamed

Specially-designed blizzard room

Penguin Encounter

Video of little blue penguins at play

Genuine Hagglund All-Terrain Snowmobile

We rode in this 16-seat vehicle, the same type used in Antarctica by the U.S. and New Zealand programs

Video of wild crazy ride on the Hagglund

Next we made our way to the Christchurch Cathedral Center where there a many delightful street performers and creative types who enjoy the small-town atmosphere

2 videos: street performers