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Ahmet Erkun
Ahmet Erkun

Ahmet Erkun

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    One last glimpse of Regatta where it is docked at the Macquarie Wharf — Hobart, TAS.

    Hobart, TAS … Disembarking Regatta

    22 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    New-to-us-Port #13.

    Lucky 13 marks the end of our circumnavigation of Australia … and the beginning of our overland adventure Down Under.

    By disembarking in Hobart, we are adding a few zigs … a few zags … a few jigs to our circumnavigation. Eventually, we’ll make it back to Sydney to complete the circle.

    Captain Giulio brought Regatta alongside at the Macquarie Wharf around 11:00a.

    Having already enjoyed the yummy brunch goodies in the GDR, Mui and I were in the card room as instructed by the purser’s office … waiting to complete the early-disembarkation formalities.

    Australia has strict biosecurity laws. In fact, the first announcement at every Australian port we’ve called on has been a reminder not to take any food products ashore. To permanently disembark with our luggage, first our bags had to go through a check for any contraband. We were good … the food items in our possession were all purchased in Australia.

    The biosecurity check complete, next we had a quick face-to-face meeting with an Australian Border Forces agent. Easy peasy.

    Once the formalities were completed, we were required to disembark the ship … and not allowed to return. So, we bid our friends farewell, scanned out one last time, and made our way down the gangway.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Welcome to the brunch in the Grand Dining Room — Aboard Regatta.
    Brunch in the Grand Dining Room — Aboard Regatta.Brunch in the Grand Dining Room — Aboard Regatta.Brunch in the Grand Dining Room — Aboard Regatta.Food art ... brunch in the Grand Dining Room — Aboard Regatta.Yummmmm! Brunch in the Grand Dining Room — Aboard Regatta.

    Brunch at Sea

    22 de enero de 2024, Tasman Sea ⋅ 🌬 55 °F

    A jiggly night at sea from Burnie around the east side of the island … as predicted by Captain Giulio.

    With our arrival in Hobart scheduled for noon, this morning the culinary team put on a wonderful brunch … always a treat on Oceania ships. More so today as it was a nice farewell for us.Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Photo op with octopi on the foreshore — Burnie, TAS.
    The buildings in the distance belong to the University of Tasmania ... nice location — Burnie, TAS.Mui joins the penguin parade at the Little Penguin Observation Point — Burnie, TAS.Burnie Park — Burnie, TAS.Burnie Park — Burnie, TAS.Burnie Park — Burnie, TAS.The path up to Oldaker Falls — Burnie, TAS.On the way up to Oldaker Falls — Burnie, TAS.Oldaker Falls ... a mere trickle today — Burnie, TAS.Coffee break at the Secret Buddha — Burnie, TAS.Coffee break at the Secret Buddha — Burnie, TAS.Van Diemen's Land was the colonial name of Tasmania — Burnie Regional Museum.Federation Street at the Burnie Regional Museum.Federation Street at the Burnie Regional Museum.Federation Street at the Burnie Regional Museum.Bell's Livery Stabless on Federation Street at the Burnie Regional Museum.Oakleigh House on Federation Street at the Burnie Regional Museum.General Store on Federation Street at the Burnie Regional Museum.Federation House on Princes Street — Burnie, TAS.Federation Houses on Princes Street — Burnie, TAS.

    Burnie, TAS

    21 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 72 °F

    New-to-us-Port #12.

    A smooth overnight sailing across the Bass Strait brought us to Tasmania, an island state of Australia. Our port of call today … Burnie, on the north coast of the island.

    Though downtown Burnie is walking distance to where Regatta docked, walking inside the commercial port is prohibited. So, we hopped on the shuttle provided by the Port Authority to get into the town center.

    There isn’t much to see and do in Burnie. Add the fact that it was Sunday and … well, you get the idea … the town was pretty much dead. No matter. We made the best of the situation.

    With a walking map to guide us, we headed off for a stroll on the foreshore path, then walked up through Burnie Park to Oldaker Falls. I’d seen some impressive photos of the falls, but today they were just a mere trickle. I guess the best time to see them is after a good rain.

    The volunteer with whom we spoke at the shuttle drop off had recommended the Secret Buddha for a coffee break … a short ways up from the falls. The place was hopping, and all of the outdoor tables were reserved. But once we promised that we’d be done and gone by 11:00a, we were given our pick of the available tables on the patio. A pot of Earl Grey tea and a scone with jam and cream for me; a double-shot latte and pancakes served with ice cream for Mui. His was definitely the better choice as the scone was more like a bread roll than a scone … which, as I now understand it, is called a rock cake in Australia. Nonetheless, it was a nice break.

    Google wanted to route us uphill to get back to town to visit the Burnie Regional Museum. Having already climbed up from the foreshore to the falls, we nixed that idea and routed ourselves down through Burnie Park, choosing the path on the opposite side this time. Once we were back on the foreshore, it was just a matter of retracing our steps to find the museum on Little Alexander Street.

    The museum is set up to represent Federation Street as it would have looked around the beginning of the 20th century. The volunteer who greeted us explained “… the street is dark because it’s after 6:00p and the shopkeepers and the townspeople are all at home.” We laughed and said not much had obviously changed in the time since.

    The museum was opened in 1971 by a Peter Mercer who carefully researched and planned everything. The details and objects are all authentic to the Federation period … the buildings are constructed in the architectural styles common in Burnie in the late 19th century. Even the paint colours and sign-writing styles are those that would have been used during that period. It was a fun place to while away a bit of time.

    From the museum, we set off to find Princes Street … recommended by the volunteer at the museum as a place to see Federation-period houses. A lovely walk in a neighborhood with well-maintained, beautiful homes.

    Our sightseeing completed, we checked out a few logistics for when we return here at the end of our two-week driving trip in Tasmania. Namely, we were looking for the Ikon Hotel … where we will be staying … and wanted to find the post office most convenient to the hotel as we expect to ship a box or two back home before we leave Tasmania for the Australian mainland. Check and check.

    A quiet afternoon on the ship after our recent run of ports of calls was the perfect way to wrap up our day in Burnie.

    We set sail at 4:00p to Captain Giulio’s warning that he expects strong winds and six-foot swells once we turn the corner around the east end of Tasmania and begin heading south.

    Indeed, it’s getting on towards midnight now and there is a noticeable rolling to the ship’s motion on the ocean. We’ll be rocked to sleep tonight!    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.
    In the staircase going up to the La Trobe Reading Room ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne.La Trobe Reading Room ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.La Trobe Reading Room from the 6th floor ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.La Trobe Reading Room Dome ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.La Trobe Reading Room ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.La Trobe Reading Room ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.La Trobe Reading Room ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.The Shakespeare Window ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC."Grandma Poss & Hush" by S. Apponyi ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.Sculpture by T. Wallis in memory of the founders of Dromkeen ... State Library Victoria, Melbourne."Melbourne 1998-1999" by J. Senbergs ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC."Westgate Bridge Under Construction II" by F. Williams ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.J. Davila's depiction of the devastating bushfires of 2009 ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne."Waru 2009" by M. Tjami ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC."Royal Academy Summer Salon" by S. West ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.Ned Kelly's Armor (you can Google his story) ... State Library Victoria — Melbourne, VIC.

    Melbourne: State Library Victoria

    20 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Around noon, we took a break from wandering the Melbourne Museum and had lunch in the museum’s table-service restaurant … Mercury … delicious meat pie and salmon & dill cake.

    Thus energized, we were ready to resume our exploration. We were a little “museumed out” however. So, we decided to hop on the tram and go to the library instead. Not any old library, mind you.

    The State Library Victoria was established in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library. As such, it is Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. According to 2023 statistics, it also claims to be the third busiest library globally.

    Located in the same spot in the CBD since it was founded, the library has a large and varied collection … over five million items, which in addition to books includes manuscripts, paintings, maps, photographs and newspapers.

    We went in to see the much vaunted La Trobe Reading Room, which was initially occupied by the Great Hall and Rotunda. Octagonal in shape and a lofty six storeys high, the room is topped by a glass dome. It is described as a “prime example of Edwardian splendour, whose design was inspired by the British Museum in London and Washington’s Library of Congress.”

    After seeing the room from the ground level, we took the elevator up to the 6th floor balcony for an amazing top-down view. All I can say is that they don’t build libraries like this anymore.

    Our visit extended to a couple of exhibits at the library, including the one in the Cowen Gallery where some of the priceless art from the library’s collection is on display.

    From the library, we made our way to Collins Street, picked up some cash from an ATM, and then hopped on tram 109 back to the port … making sure to tap on with our MyKi cards after we left the free-zone.

    We are now leaving mainland Australia behind and heading to Tasmania. That means that our time on Regatta is quickly drawing to a close. But first … Burnie.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    The Royal Exhibition Building ... on the way to the Melbourne Museum.
    Australia's Coat of Arms — Melbourne Museum."Wrapped in Country" ... possum skin cloak — Melbourne, Museum.Diprotodon illustration (L) and jaw (top); and megafauna trackway — Melbourne Museum.Experiencing the Creation story in the Bunjil's nest — Melbourne Museum.Kangaroo tooth necklace — Melbourne Museum.Emu feather skirt made by E. Kirby — Melbourne Museum.One of several "Messenger" screens telling the story of the traditional owners of the land."Strangers from the Ocean" by T. McRae — Melbourne Museum.Symbol of the John Batman Treaty negotiating the sale of what is now Collins Street."Waa Totem" ... waa is the bringer of fire — Melbourne Museum.Australia is the only Commonwealth country that doesn't have a treaty with its original people.Shearing tools — Melbourne Museum.From the "Standing Strong" exhibit — Melbourne Museum.Aboriginal artifacts — Melbourne Museum."Keeping Places" — Melbourne Museum.Fur flowers — Melbourne Museum.Samban ... suspension hook ... from Papua New Guinea — Melbourne Museum.Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian sails & war canoe from the Solomon Islands.Teddy Auction Bears ... to raise funds for the AIDS pandemic.Blue Whale — Melbourne Museum.

    Melbourne: Melbourne Museum

    20 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Getting off tram 109 at the Town Hall station, we walked to the Visitor Center.

    First order of business was getting a couple of MyKi cards for the ride back to the port. After verifying our plan to stay within the free-zone until we were ready to return to the ship, the woman at the VC sold us our cards, topped them off with the appropriate fare amount, and cautioned us not to tap on until we left the free-zone.

    Next, with a map in hand, we hopped on another free-zone train and headed to the Melbourne Museum … walking through the Carlton Gardenss and passing by the Royal Exhibition Building. The museum is very extensive with varied exhibits. There was no way we could cover the entire museum, so we decided to focus on the exhibits telling the stories of the Aboriginal people.

    A wonderful museum!    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Hello Melbourne, VIC.
    Tram 109 ... our ride to the CBD — Melbourne, VIC.

    Welcome to Melbourne, VIC

    20 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    New-to-us-Port #11.

    Traveling a mere 28 NM from Phillip Island overnight, we are now in Melbourne … the coastal capital of the State of Victoria.

    With no shuttle from the port, the easiest way to get into the CBD is to take Tram 109. So, that’s what we are doing.

    Melbourne requires the MyKi card to ride public transportation. However, there was a really long line to buy cards at the one kiosk at the port station … the queue made all the longer by a foursome who were having a difficult time figuring it all out. The tram conductor took in the scene and waved a bunch of us on to the next departure … free of charge.

    The card is not necessary in the free zone within the CBD, but we will each need a card to return to the port at the end of the day.

    We’ll figure it out when we get to the Visitor Center … our planned first stop.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Bridge Connecting San Remo to Philip Island, VIC.
    Woolamai Beach — Philip Island, VIC.Cape Woolamai — Philip Island, VIC.Artwork at the Koala Conservation Reserve — Philip Island, VIC.Koala ... at the Koala Conservation Reserve — Philip Island, VIC.1Koala ... at the Koala Conservation Reserve — Philip Island, VIC.Koala ... at the Koala Conservation Reserve — Philip Island, VIC.Koala ... at the Koala Conservation Reserve — Philip Island, VIC.Wallaby ... at the Koala Conservation Reserve — Philip Island, VIC.Wine Tasting and dinner at Philip Island Winery — Philip Island, VIC.Flynn's Beach — Philip Island, VIC.Flynn's Beach — Philip Island, VIC.1Amazing view — Philip Island, VIC.Philip Island, VIC.Amazing view — Philip Island, VIC.Cape Barren Goose @ the Noobies — Philip Island, VIC.Penguin Parade site from above ... and where we sat (bottom) to view the parade — Philip Island.Little Blue Penguins ... photo not mine, but this is what we saw — Penguin Parade.Little Blue Penguins ... photo not mine, but this is what we saw — Penguin Parade.Little Blue Penguins ... photo not mine, but this is what we saw — Penguin Parade.Once the adults came ashore, we saw Little Blue Penguin chicks like these begging to be fed.

    Phillip Island: Tour Local

    19 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 64 °F

    Having wandered around Cowes, at 2:00p we returned to the shuttle drop off point where Ray, from Tour Local, was waiting to pick us up for our afternoon and evening adventure.

    Our small group tour set off to explore Phillip Island … but first, we crossed over to San Remo for a short stroll along the waterfront. Then, as promised in the tour description, we continued on to explore some of the places only the locals visit … as well as a few popular attractions visited by everyone.

    In addition to stops at surf beaches for phot ops, our tour took in two spots operated under the auspices of Phillip Island Nature Parks … both dedicated to conservation of species. Between those two sites, which I will write about below, we stopped at the Phillip Island Winery for a cellar door tasting and dinner. We had a marquee dedicated to our group, which was nice as it gave us a more private setting. This tasting was accompanied by food … and plenty of it … from a charcuterie board, to a salad, to a variety of pizzas. All served family style. We were stuffed by the time we left.

    After dinner, Ray took us on a scenic drive of the Nobbies, where not only did we see amazing scenery from an overlook, but we saw hundreds of wallabies browsing in the fields and a whole lot of grey geese (aka Cape Barren Geese) … all free roaming and not paying even the slightest attention to us. At the Nobbies, we had a brief opportunity to stroll the boardwalk as we awaited the sunset. No colors today … but we did get to have sparkling wine anyway to celebrate a great day of touring.

    OK … onto the conservation facilities I mentioned.

    The first was the Koala Conservation Reserve. Here we followed a path through Australian bushland to elevated boardwalks that take visitors to eucalyptus groves where koalas sleep, eat, and sleep some more … high in the trees. Surprisingly — for koalas — there were a couple of younger ones that were rather active, climbing up and down trees. That the koalas in the reserve are free-ranging, coming and going as they please, made the experience all the better.

    The second Phillips Island Nature Parks facility we visited was the Penguin Parade ... with the monies raised from the ticket sales going towards conservation and research. It was definitely the highlight of our day.

    The place is very much a tourist attraction. But it is also very carefully operated so as not to impact the Little Blue Penguins that are protected by the reserve established in 1955. Some of the safety measures are … terraced viewing stands that control access to the beach where the penguins come ashore at nightfall after a day of foraging at sea … special infrared lights to allow viewing of the penguins without impacting their activities … a photography ban (QR code available to download photos instead). Thanks to these measures, and a huge buy-back program in which the government purchased all the homes built in the area, the penguin population that was once decimated to only 300 individuals has rebounded to over 30,000.

    We arrived at the site around 8:00p, an hour before the penguins were expected to come ashore. I had upgraded our experience to Penguins Plus, which meant that we were at the stands closest to the beach … next to the “Penguin Highway” — the dirt path the little critters have naturally created as they travel to/from the sea and their burrows.

    Although the stand was already filling up when we walked down from the visitor center, we found seats in the very front row … with a perfect view of the “alley” through which the rafts of penguin waddle up from the beach on their short legs. It was really thrilling to see the cute penguins suddenly appear from behind the vegetation between the beach and the stands. Those with chicks waiting to be fed, kept going towards the “highway” … some deviating right up into the hills.

    In front of us was a wide area of beach sand where some of the penguins stopped to groom themselves, allowing us time for a closer look. The more curious younger penguins stayed in the open area awhile, giving us the impression that they were checking out the visitors standing inside the underground viewing platform below us. (I opted out of that upgrade as I had read that it was quite crowded and claustrophobic in there.)

    The penguins came up in “waves” of rafts. Because it is molting season, their numbers were smaller … maybe 10 to 30 at a time. I don’t know how many penguins came ashore tonight, but there were 1,382 of them returning from foraging last night.

    After 20 minutes or so, we left our seats to slowly wander back to the visitor center and meet up with our group. Along the way, we stopped to watch the penguins that were waddling up the “highway” in ones and twos … heading up to their burrows to feed their chicks. In a few instances, the impatient chicks had already made their way down to greet their parents … running after them, begging to be fed. It was funny, because still in their fluffy coats, they seemed much bigger than their parents.

    With the last tender back to the ship scheduled at 11:00p, we had set a meeting time for the wheels of the midi-bus to be rolling at exactly 10:00p. We wanted to beat the tour buses back to the tender pier. And we did. Our tender was just pulling away from the pier at 10:30p when the first of the five or six busloads of ship’s tours arrived at the pier.

    A great day on Phillips Island … lots of fun. I’m glad we were able to tender ashore.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    At the beach in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.
    At the beach in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.At the beach in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.At the beach in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.At the beach in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Little Blue Penguin mural at the Anglican Church in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Mural at the Anglican Church in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Mural at the Anglican Church in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Mural at the Anglican Church in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Hello Mr Einstein ... in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Mural in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Mural in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.Mosaic mural in Cowes — Philip Island, VIC.

    Phillip Island: Cowes … Murals & More

    19 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    The shuttle that picked us up from the tender pier in Rhyll, dropped us off in Cowes, the largest city on Phillip Island … and a popular vacation spot for many Melburnians.

    We had plenty of time to spare before our 2:00p tour … plenty of time to explore Cowes. We started out with a coffee break at the Phillip Island Bakery … then a stroll down to the beach and a wander around town in search of murals … followed by lunch at The Corner.

    Before we knew it, the time had come to meet our Tour Local group to explore the rest of the island … and see some wildlife 🤞🏻    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    "The Ferry Captain" ... by B. Kroon — Rhyll, Phillip Island ... VIC.

    Welcome to Rhyll, Phillip Island (VIC)

    19 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 61 °F

    New-to-us-Port #10.

    We made it!

    After a rough night at sea from Portland, we were able to tender to Rhyll … a slow 45-minute ride.

    We’ll be spending part of the day in Cowes … and then join a private tour this afternoon to explore the island … and hopefully see some 🐨 and 🐧Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Mary MacKillop window at the All Saints Catholic Church — Portland, VIC.
    Stained glass windows at the All Saints Catholic Church — Portland, VIC.Bay View House ... where Mary MacKillop established a seminary for young ladies — Portland.At the Bay View House — Portland.Walking a small section of the Great South West Trail — Portland, VIC.Tree with a bird of prey statue — Portland, VIC.Nuns Beach and the Lee Breakwater from the Great South West Trail — Portland, VIC.Nuns Beach and the Lee Breakwater from the Great South West Trail — Portland, VIC.Nuns Beach and the Lee Breakwater from the Great South West Trail — Portland, VIC.Distance Marker ... the Great South West Trail — Portland, VIC.Portland Lighthouse — Portland, VIC.2Koala in the wild ... Great South West Trail — Portland, VIC.Along the cliff top walk — Portland, VIC.Great South West Trail — Portland, VIC.WWII Museum and lookout ... in the old water tower — Portland, VIC.Anderson Point Stairs down to the beach ... our path back to the jetty — Portland, VIC.Anderson Point Beach ... have to get around Whaler's Point to reach the jetty — Portland, VIC.Looking back and forward ... Anderson Point Beach — Portland, VIC.On the way to Whaler's Point — Portland, VIC.Interesting boulders on the way to Whaler's Point — Portland, VIC.A breakwater of boulders protects us from the surf as we round Whaler's Point — Portland, VIC.Surf's up along Nuns Beach ... from the Lee Breakwater — Portland, VIC.

    Portland: A-wanderin’ in the Afternoon

    18 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 63 °F

    With Regatta scheduled to depart at 8:30p tonight, we had plenty of time to continue exploring Portland after lunch.

    For our afternoon meanderings, we decided to head to the Portland Lighthouse. Since our route took us by the All Saints Catholic Church, we popped in to take a look at the stained glass windows … charmed particularly by the one installed by the parishioners when Mary MacKillop was beatified in 1995. The window depicts her teaching children … as she did in real life when she lived in Portland with her family.

    From the church, we crossed over to the cliff top trail … part of the Great South West Walk, which is a bush walking trail that is about 155-mile long. We only did a couple of those miles! The cliff top views of the beaches below were beautiful and kept us going not just to the Portland Lighthouse, but to the WWII Museum and Lookout Tower, which is housed in an old water tower. Along the way, a local pointed us to a tree where we saw another koala. Three koalas on the same day. How lucky are we?

    At the WWII Museum, we skipped going inside. Instead, we took the Anderson Point Steps down to the beach, and from there we followed the path to Nuns Beach at the jetty … via Whaler’s Point. Thanks to the breakwater placed between the waves crashing ashore and the trail along the base of the cliff, we managed not to get wet. I can see why they have gates to lock down the trail when the weather is particularly bad.

    It was almost 4:00p when we returned to the ship. Mui was ready for a nap. Not me. Slightly chilled by the wind, afternoon tea in Horizons was beckoning me. A good time and place to write up the footprints for today.

    With Regatta departing on time, we are now at sea … rocking and pitching in some heavy swells. When we checked the weather earlier, Mui and I saw a gale warning posted for the island where we will be tendering tomorrow. So far, however, Captain Giulio expects that we will be able to go ashore as planned. 🤞🏻    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Emu in the wild 🤪 — Portland, VIC.
    Mosaic shell on the foreshore reserve — Portland, VIC.Courthouse — Portland, VIC.Old Town Hall — Portland, VIC.Museum in the Old Town Hall — Portland, VIC.Portland's Bathing Boxes ... the Old Town Hall — Portland, VIC.Botanical Gardens — Portland, VIC.Botanical Gardens — Portland, VIC.Botanical Gardens — Portland, VIC.Community Water Mural by Portland North Primary School — Portland, VIC.Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum — Portland, VIC.Messerschmitt ... Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum — Portland, VIC.Swift Cycle Car ... Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum — Portland, VIC.1913 De Dion Bouton ... Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum — Portland, VIC.Barn Find Alley ... Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum — Portland, VIC.1958 MG Magnette ... Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum — Portland, VIC.Cable Tram Saloon Car #594 ... Powerhouse Motor & Car Museum — Portland, VIC.Mama and baby koala in the wild — Portland, VIC.Mui adding his bit at the Art Center — Portland, VIC.2Mui adding his bit at the Art Center — Portland, VIC.Mac's Hotel (1856) ... first three-storey building in Portland, VIC.

    Portland: A-wanderin’ in the Morning

    18 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 61 °F

    Woke up to overcast skies; rain spittin’; wind howlin’ … the high temp was forecasted to be in the low-60F range. Alrighty then … let’s pull out the cool weather layers we brought with us and go for a wander.

    Once again, we skipped the shuttle and walked the ½-mile from the ship to the top of the Lee Breakwater. And kept going. A quick detour to the Visitor Center and we had a walking tour map to guide us around Portland.

    Following the foreshore, we stopped at the Old Town Hall and went in to visit the small — tiny would be a better description — museum. Then, past the historic courthouse — dating back to 1845 … still in use today — to the Botanical Gardens. With plenty of colorful flowers in bloom, it was a delight to wander the paths as we made our way to a trail that follows the canal to Fawthrop Lagoon. The wind was blowing unchecked in the wetlands, so we skipped that part of the walking tour and turned inland.

    As we made our way back towards the CBD, we stopped at the Powerhouse, which provided electricity to Portland from the 1930s until 1959. Today, the building is used as a motor and car museum, with some fun vehicles … including cable tram cars similar to the ones that run along the foreshore today.

    It was near the museum that we saw our first koalas in the wild … a mom with her baby … napping in the “v” of a couple of branches. We’ve seen koalas before. Even held one at the Lone Pine Sanctuary in Brisbane when we went there in 2017. But nothing beats a chance encounter with wildlife.

    By the time we tore ourselves away from the koalas, it was past noon. Time to get some lunch. But when we passed by the Portland Art Center, we could not resist going in. Turns out that the place is more like a community center where adults and kids can paint, sketch, and do crafts. In one of the rooms was a “painting” on the wall … with the words, “Draw on me!” So, Mui did just that. After staring at it for a while, a yellow ball inspired him to paint the Colorado state flag on the t-shirt of one of the male figures someone else had sketched.

    Once we got to the CBD, Mui asked Google for nearby restaurants. We didn’t have to go far. Right behind us was the Clock by the Bay, a restaurant housed in the Old Post Office, which dates back to 1882. The food was delicious — the arancini crisp; the beef stroganoff pie filled with tender beef; the pearl couscous salad tasty and different. We washed it all down with homemade lemon squash … yummy!

    Energized by our meal, we decided to wander around a bit more. But I’ll leave that for the next footprint …    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    A couple of drops of light rain rewards us with a rainbow — Portland, VIC.
    "Spirit of the Albatross" ... by R.M. Gomboc — Portland, VIC.Fish and chips with a cold chaser ... Gordon Hotel — Portland, VIC.The setting sun bathes Regatta in a yellow glow — Portland, VIC.Panorama of Nuns Beach near the Lee Breakwater — Portland, VIC.Portland Lighthouse from the Lee Breakwater — Portland, VIC.

    Portland, VIC

    17 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 61 °F

    New-to-us-Port #9 … with an overnight.

    A quiet day at sea. Yes, as Captain Giulio predicted, the wind picked up in the afternoon. Whitecaps edged the tips of the swells. But the motion of the ocean seemed less. The sun broke through the overcast to make it all seem more cheery somehow.

    Around 7:00p, Regatta arrived at its berth on Portland’s Lee Breakwater … about a 15-20 minute walk from town. It wasn’t until 7:30p that the six passengers waiting near the gangway — us being two of them — were cleared to go ashore. Where was everyone else? Dining at one of the venues on the ship would be my guess.

    As we were leaving, we were told that there would be shuttles running into town … until 9:00p. We wanted to stretch our legs — and we were on a tight schedule — so we didn’t wait for the vans to show up.

    Why a tight schedule when the ship will be here overnight? There was only one restaurant we found on the internet that was open … a pub at the Gordon Hotel … and the kitchen there closed at 8:30p! Yes, as seems to be common everywhere we’ve been in Australia thus far — with the exception of Sydney — Portland rolls up the sidewalks soon after the workday ends.

    Anyway, we made it to the pub in time. Ordered fish and chips for dinner … and a Great Northern Crisp beer to wash it all down.

    Then we retraced our steps back to the ship. Really, there was nowhere else to go. Might as well take advantage of the empty launderette … our last load before we disembark in Hobart on the 22nd. Can’t believe we have to start thinking about packing already!

    We’ll explore Portland properly tomorrow.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Fifth itinerary change ... but only the second one since the ship set sail from Sydney.

    Itinerary Chg #5: Kangaroo Island Canc’d

    17 de enero de 2024, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌬 57 °F

    I must have had a premonition last night when I crossed my fingers for today’s tender port — Kangaroo Island — as it was canceled at some point overnight.

    In the wee hours of this morning I woke up to see ocean spray flying by our window. The ship seemed to be traveling at speed. A speed that I felt was much higher than necessary to reach Kangaroo Island … a mere 60 NM or so from Adelaide. The thought that we must be bypassing KI passed through my mind. But I dismissed it and snuggled back under the comforter. Perhaps if I had turned on the light, I would have seen the letter that was slipped in under the door … confirming my thinking.

    The letter stated the reason for the cancelation as being weather-related. Captain Giulio expanded on that in an announcement around 8:30a. The culprit is a cyclonic system bearing down on the region. We’re attempting to outrun the storm by canceling KI so that we have a better chance of keeping the rest of the itinerary intact 🤞🏻. If the current conditions are anything to go by, we may well be succeeding.

    That said, the captain did say that things will more than likely change later today. He expects the winds to grow stronger, the sea state to increase from the current 8-foot swells we’re experiencing, and the temps to drop. No surprise — especially with the latter — as there is nothing to stop the cold winds coming up from Antarctica to our south.

    Thus, we have a day at sea today and will arrive in Portland, Victoria tonight around 7:00p for an overnight stay and then pick up our regular schedule 🤞🏻

    The good news is that because we are going to return to KI for an extended stay during our overland, we had no plans to get up at o’dark thirty for what was to have been a scheduled 7:00a arrival today. In fact, having gotten to bed after midnight, we woke up later than usual to start our day.

    By the way, since we skipped KI, the 30-minute time change we would have made tonight happened automatically this morning, catching everyone unawares. No matter. Easier on the body to lose time during the day instead of overnight.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    "A Break Away!" by T. Roberts ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA.
    "Sitched Bark Canoe: Laden with Painted Snail Shells" by J. Bulunbulun ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA."The Company's Bridge" by J. Shaw ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA."Grande Marché, Tangier" by H.R. Nicholas ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA."The Three Shades" by A. Rodin ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA."The Bridge" by D. Black ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA."Noh Costume with autumn grasses design" from Japan ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA."Welcome to Indulkana" by V. Namatjira ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA.AGSA — Adelaide, SA."Dark Matter Collective" by O. Eliasson ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA."Emu Dreaming" (carved on an emu egg) by B. Roberts ... AGSA — Adelaide, SA.

    Adelaide, SA: AGSA

    16 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    New-to-us-Port #8

    There was a price to pay for the stormy seas we crossed to get to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Our arrival was delayed by three hours! Oh well.

    No shuttle provided here. So, as soon as the ship was cleared, we walked the short distance to the Outer Harbor Railway Station … the easiest way to get into the city … tickets purchased and validated on the train. The trains run every 30 minutes or so. Luck was with us, however. A minute-or-two after we got to the station at 12:30p, the train arrived at the platform. By 1:15p, we were in the CBD.

    First up was a visit to the Apple Store at Rundle Mall. Then, we had to make a decision. We had just enough time to visit one museum before closing time. Should we visit the South Australia Museum or the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA)? We settled on the latter, leaving the other one for when we return to Adelaide in early April.

    AGSA is described as having “… one of the largest art museum collections in Australia, comprising almost 47,000 works of art spanning 2000 years.” It is definitely one of Australia’s “WOW” museums. And to think … no admission … donations gratefully accepted.

    After the museum, we went to Borsa Cucina, an Italian restaurant, for dinner … delicious food … good wine. Then, wanting to take advantage of the remaining daylight hours, we walked to the only place that was shown as open in the CBD … the Botanic Gardens. Except that all we could do there was take a stroll on the public paths … all of the buildings were closed. So, stroll we did for a bit before making our way back to the Adelaide Railway Station for the train ride back to Regatta.

    We have just about 60 NM to go to our next destination … that means a late sailaway at 11:00p! The wind has picked up and it has grown quite chilly. Fingers crossed for tomorrow’s tender port.

    P.S. I processed more photos for this footprint, but for some reason it is not letting me add them. That’s internet at sea for you! C’est la vie!    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under

    Cruising the GAB on Mui’s B’day

    15 de enero de 2024, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌬 64 °F

    Day 2 of 2 days at sea … GAB being the Great Australian Bight.

    Captain Giulio’s expectation that conditions would improve by this morning was for naught. We had another rough night of sailing that continued well into the day. Not bothered by the motion of the ocean, but the pitching has been noticeable … no matter where one is on the ship.

    Today’s noon report by the Captain was similar to yesterday … almost verbatim. He gave the swells as 12-14 feet … with 30-knot winds. Outside decks were once again closed.

    Late in the day, things seemed to calm down a bit. But at this stage, that won’t make much of a difference to our now-delayed arrival into Adelaide tomorrow. How late will we be docking? That is still TBD. Captain Giulio mentioned between 11:00a and noon earlier today. But … well, we shall see how it all plays out when we get there, won’t we?

    For Mui’s birthday dinner we went up to the Polo Grill tonight. Our friend Sasa, who has been promoted to Food and Beverage Manager since sailing with him on Insignia last year, joined us for dinner … and to help Mui blow out the virtual candles on his birthday cake. How many? Well, there is a 6 and an 8 involved. You put them in the right order 🤣    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Great Australian Bight ... it looks like the Indian Ocean took a big bite out of the continent.
    The Great Australian Bight's shape reminds me of the Ross Ice Shelf (from heli ride in 2015).

    Cruising the Great Australian Bight

    14 de enero de 2024, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌬 63 °F

    Day 1 of 2 days at sea.

    And the jiggling continues! Pitching more so than rolling.

    Most definitely a rough night. It took me awhile to fall into a deep sleep since the ship was shuddering rather frequently as it plowed head-on into the swells.

    In his noon report today, Captain Giulio reported the swells at about 13 feet. That — to us — seemed like an improvement over last night when the surf and sea spray were flying high past our cabin window. My estimate for last night’s swells would be in the 15- to 20-foot range.

    I spent the day going through the pile of paperwork that had built up during our recent run of ports. Mui worked a bit on the RV road trip. We have decided not to drive to Perth via Albany, so we’re shifting our route . If the math is correct, we’ll be saving a bundle of miles with this new route. That’s a good thing!

    Turns out that there are 582 Oceania Club members on this segment. Too many to fit into the Regatta Lounge. So, tonight was the first of the two loyalty parties they will be having for this cruise. We were in attendance. Afterwards, we went to Toscana to wrap up our evening with a delicious Italian meal.

    Captain Giulio is still expecting an improvement in the weather for tomorrow 🤞🏻    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Welcome to the National ANZAC Center — Albany, WA.
    We follow in the footsteps of the soldiers whose ID cards we are given — NAC ... Albany, WA.Marching off to WWI — NAC ... Albany, WA.Why it all started — NAC ... Albany, WA.In the trenches of Gallipoli — NAC ... Albany, WA.Laying your card on a sensor opens up information about "your soldier" — NAC ... Albany, WA.Mui follows in the footsteps of a Turkish soldier — NAC ... Albany, WA.I follow in the footsteps of a captain of the Royal Navy — NAC ... Albany, WA.ANZAC Nurse — NAC ... Albany, WA.ANZAC Spirit ... sharing the last of the water ... deserves a drink as much as I before the charge.Sandy's hoof ... of the Australian horses sent overseas, the only one that returned.Ottoman/Turkish souvenirs from the war — NAC ... Albany, WA.Infinity Fountain ... the names continuously scroll up and through the water — NAC ... Albany, WA.Next-of-Kin Plaque ... given to the families of those whose death were attributed to WWI.So many ... so many — NAC ... Albany, WA."Longing, Memory, Sight" ... by Arif & Audrey Satar ... at the head of the Convoy Walk — NAC, AlbanyPrincess Royal Fortress Barracks — Albany, WA.Australian coastal defenses ... Princess Royal Fortress — Albany, WA.At the Heritage Rose Garden ... honoring women in wartime — Princess Royal Fortress ... Albany, WA."Atatürk Memorial" by Turkish sculptor B. Alkar — Albany, WA.Looking across Atatürk Channel to the tip of Vancouver Peninsula — Albany, WA.

    Albany, WA: National ANZAC Center

    13 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 68 °F

    New-to-us Port #7.

    It was indeed a rough night at sea from Busselton to Albany … just as Captain Giulio warned us it would be.

    Those conditions continued throughout the morning as Regatta made its way from the Indian Ocean into Princess Royal Harbor through the Atatürk Channel … a reciprocal naming of a geographical location in response to Türkiye naming the Gallipoli landing site ANZAC Cove.

    The morning was misty and overcast. Our hope that conditions would improve by the time we were cleared to go ashore was for naught. The skies remained gray … there was a light spitting of mist on and off … the wind never abated. And it was chilly enough that we donned our puffy jackets. Mind you, not complaining about that latter bit.

    Once the ship was cleared, we took the shuttle to the Visitor Center. We knew what we were going to do — visit the National ANZAC Center (NAC). But we didn’t know how we were going to get there. Walking was an option, but seeing first hand that it was sitting high atop a hill, it didn’t seem feasible to go it on foot in both directions. The volunteer at the VC had a solution … a R/T shuttle for $15pp. The problem was that while the return was at our discretion, the first outbound shuttle wasn’t until 11:30a. We’d have to wait an hour for it.

    Instead, once we confirmed that we could walk from the NAC to the port, we decided to hop in a cab. That turned out to be a good idea as we actually had the NAC to ourselves for a bit before the tours and shuttles arrived. It also only cost us half as much to get there … crazy though our driver was!

    It was from Albany that over 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders left in late 1914. They were bound for the Great War. A third of them would never return. The center tells the story of those who left from here … highlighting the key phases and events of WWI, with a considerable amount of space dedicated to the Battle of Gallipoli.

    The visit is made “personal” through the soldier ID cards that are issued when you pay the admission. Mui asked for a Turkish soldier’s ID and followed in his footsteps. My ID took me in the footsteps of Captain Smith of the Royal Navy … responsible for organizing the first convoy of ANZAC soldiers who left from Albany.

    As well, we were given audio devices that we could activate at our leisure to learn more as we wandered around. It was all very well done … with more than enough to keep visitors occupied for hours on end. We focused on Gallipoli and scanned the rest of the information. Surprisingly, we found some Ottoman/Turkish artifacts on display … souvenirs brought back by ANZAC soldiers … including a WWI war medal, a belt buckle with the Turkish crescent and star, an Ottoman dagger, and a cigarette case … the latter a gift from Atatürk to the Australian Prime Minister, Stanley Bruce.

    After leaving the NAC, we walked around the former Princess Royal Fortress. Not much remains of the original buildings these days, but we went all the way to the lookout for a quick look-see before returning to have lunch at the Garrison Restaurant.

    Next up, we went off to find the Atatürk Memorial that overlooks the channel named for him. We knew there was a path down from the NAC, but the volunteer we spoke with said it was a bush walk … not well signed. Instead, we followed the alternate directions she provided. This led us to a paved path that runs along Albany Harbor retired gun emplacements to the ruins of a lighthouse … the memorial is at about the halfway point.

    The memorial sits in an alcove. It consists of a statue of Atatürk standing atop a half-globe pediment. On it are inscribed the words “Peace at Home / Peace in the World” … a slogan from one of Atatürk’s 1931 Anatolian tours. This stance was later integrated into the foreign policy of the Republic of Türkiye.

    After visiting the memorial, we reversed our direction, following the paved path to the end. From there, we walked through the industrial area back to the ship.

    We now have two days at sea along the southern coast of Australia. Captain Giulio has already warned us that the high winds, the big swells, and the ship’s pitching motion will be a constant once we leave the protection of Princess Royal Harbor. He is expects conditions to start improving by our second day at sea. We’ll have to wait and see how it goes!    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Western gray kangaroos in the wild — Margaret River Region, WA.
    Western gray kangaroos in the wild — Margaret River Region, WA.Canal Rocks — Margaret River Region, WA.Canal Rocks — Margaret River Region, WA.Canal Rocks — Margaret River Region, WA.Canal Rocks — Margaret River Region, WA.Rivendell Winery — Margaret River Region, WA.Rivendell Winery — Margaret River Region, WA.Woody Nook Winery — Margaret River Region, WA.Woody Nook Winery — Margaret River Region, WA.Time for a sweet treat — Margaret River Region, WA.Time for a sweet treat — Margaret River Region, WA.

    Busselton: A Taste of Margaret River

    12 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    After breakfast at The Goose on the Busselton foreshore, we went off to find Sharon, the owner of Southwest Charters … and our driver/guide for today’s quick dip into the Margaret River Region, known for its craft breweries, boutiques, and wineries.

    The plan was to visit Canal Rocks, have a private wine tasting at a winery that was once a fruit orchard, enjoy lunch and another tasting at one of the premiere wineries of the region, stop for sweet treats at a chocolate factory, and then go in search of kangaroos in the wild … time permitting.

    Once Sharon saw that all three couples were from the US, she switched things around a bit, putting the ‘roos up front. What a delight it was to find a mob of Australia’s iconic macropods lazing under the trees at an olive grove … specifically western gray kangaroos. We took our cues from the ‘roos, approaching quietly and with caution to ensure they weren’t stressed by our presence.

    Our next stop then became Canal Rocks … a striking headland along the coast. The rocks here are gneiss, changed from granite … formed some 750 million years ago from molten rock many miles below the surface. The canal itself was sculpted by the waves crashing ashore from the Indian Ocean. Fractures and faults in the gneiss allow the water to penetrate, eroding it to form linear canals. Here, we went for a short walk along a boardwalk for a closer look at the amazing work of Mother Nature.

    Rivendell is where we went for our private wine tasting. And private it was as we were the only ones there until shortly before we left. The setting was wonderful … the weather was terrific. Sitting at a table on the deck, we tried a bubbly, three different whites, two rosés, and three reds. A generous number of wines … more so than we’ve had at tastings elsewhere around the world.

    Woody Nook was the next winery on our itinerary. Here, we again tried a number of wines, including a sweet dessert wine called Nooky Delight ☺️ By the time we were done with the tasting, we were ready to get some food into our tummies. Sharon had arranged for charcuterie boards for each couple to share. The quantity of food was overwhelming … but it was all tasty and there wasn’t much left on anyone’s platter by the time we were ready to leave.

    We wrapped up our tour with a stop at the Margaret River Chocolate Company. OMG! We tasted some of the delicious chocolate, bought a bunch to take away with us, and purchased ice cream to eat in the van on the way back to Busselton. A sweet ending to our day.

    The ride back to Busselton was a quiet one. I didn’t look back, but I think the others were napping … all that wine and food, dont’cha know 🤪

    We were back at the Busselton Jetty with 45 minutes to spare before the last tender at 3:30p. It was well past our scheduled 4:00p departure when Regatta weighed anchor … Captain Giulio’s cautionary words about strong winds and heavy swells once we leave the protection of Geographe Harbor still ringing in our ears.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    From the jetty ... a nice long stretch of beach on the Busselton foreshore.
    As we walk down the jetty, we spot a net-enclosed stinger-free swimming area — Busselton, WA.Rail tracks on the jetty for the train that takes visitors to the underwater observatory.Taking a look back at the over a mile-long historic jetty — Busselton, WA.Enjoying the beach scene — Busselton, WA.2Norfolk pines add to the beauty of the scenery — Busselton, WA.Panoramic view of the foreshore beach — Busselton, WA.Mural consisting of historic scenes — Busselton, WA.Mural consisting of historic scenes — Busselton, WA.Mural consisting of historic scenes — Busselton, WA.Mural consisting of historic scenes — Busselton, WA.Breakfast break at The Goose — Busselton, WA.A "breakfast customer" at the neighboring table — Busselton, WA.A delicious brekky at The Goose — Busselton, WA.

    Busselton, WA: On the Foreshore

    12 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 72 °F

    New-to-us Port #6.

    Regatta arrived at its anchorage at 7:00a. Our tour wasn’t until 9:30a. Technically, that meant that we had plenty of time to go ashore. Checking the shore excursion departure list, however, it quickly became apparent that waiting until later was going to potentially be problematic. So, we made the decision to go ashore on an early tender. The bonus? Time to wander the foreshore and have a nice brekky.

    Turns out that our decision was a smart move … especially in light of the fact that the two other couples on the tour decided to wait until 8:00a to get their tender tickets. By then, between the tour disembarkations being in full swing and the rough seas slowing down the loading and unloading of the tenders, they didn’t make it to shore until well after 10:00a … thus delaying the start of our tour.

    Anyway, back to our story.

    With the first tour not scheduled to meet until 7:45a, the first tender to leave from the ship around 7:30a had maybe 20 of us independents on it. The ride was incredibly rough until we got into the protection of the historic jetty, which is just over a mile-long. It was slow going, but we got safely ashore. We couldn’t help but note that had Captain Brajcic — the Master of Insignia — been at the helm, we more than likely would not have had a port of call today.

    Once land side, we strolled along the waterfront for a bit, enjoying the beach scene — quiet at that early hour — and the views of Geographe Bay. The Norfolk pines dotting the foreshore added to the scenic nature of what our eyes beheld. We later learned from our driver/guide that in the olden days, Norfolk pines had a specific use. Seamen would cut a tree down and strip the branches off to make a temporary mast should they need it. Now, these trees serve a more or less decorative purpose.

    After our walk, at the suggestion of a local, we went to The Goose, a café overlooking the waterfront. An iced latte for Mui + a pot of Earl Grey tea for me + a bacon & cheese scone and a peanut butter & oatmeal cookie to share = a great brekky. Add comfy temps and scenery to entertain us … well, perfect just about covers it.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Fremantle Prison ... a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Fremantle, WA.
    Outside Fremantle Prison.The inner courtyard of Fremantle Prison.Inside the South Wing of Fremantle Prison.A regular cell at Fremantle Prison.Fremantle PrisonRemnants of a painting on the wall at Fremantle Prison.Sketches recently uncovered at Fremantle Prison.Communal sleeping would be in hammocks like these at Fremantle Prison.The Anglican (top) and Roman Catholic chapels at Fremantle Prison.The inescapable cell at Fremantle Prison.Looking up through the suicide net at Fremantle Prison.The solitary confinement block at Fremantle Prison.Solitary confinement cell ... double doors to stop prisoners from communicating amongst themselves.The security bar on the inner door of a solitary confinement cell at Fremont Prison.Barbed wire ... a later addition that post dates the convict period at Fremantle Prison.At the museum — Fremantle Prison.Punishment garb (left) and convict uniform at Fremantle Prison."Sunset Over the Hill & Water" ... by an inmate @ Roebourne Regional Prison.Another inmate painting — my favorite from the Gallery at Freemantle Prison.

    Freo Day 2: In Prison!

    11 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 82 °F

    Our tummies sated after our meandering walk around town, next we headed to prison! Literally. The good news? This prison was no longer an active facility!

    Inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage Site, the Fremantle Prison is the largest convict-built structure in Western Australia. It also carries the distinction of being the most intact convict establishment in all of Australia.

    Construction of the prison, which had a capacity of 1,000 inmates, began in 1850 … with the arrival of the first 10,000 male convicts … requested by the authorities as a labor force to help build the Swan River Colony. Once it became a functioning facility, it was used as a place of incarceration until it was decommissioned in 1991.

    One can enter the outer yard of the prison for free … visit the small museum and the exhibit of paintings by prisoners currently serving their sentences in Western Australian prisons.

    For a more in depth experience of the site — one that takes visitors beyond the tall gate and into the prison yard and buildings — one must join a tour. Options include going back to convict times … to the period between the 1850s and 1888; going behind the bars to do time and explore the prison’s history as a maximum security gaol … from 1887 to 1991; or getting inside the criminal mind … through stories about some of the more notorious inmates of the prison.

    We were most interested in the convict history of Fremantle History … our timing working out perfectly as the tour was about to leave when we arrived. Our guide was great … bringing alive with words the happenings of the time.

    We checked out the regular cells; the communal sleeping areas; the two chapels — Anglican, built at the expense of the government, and Roman Catholic, built by the people when the government refused to pay for it; the “inescapable cell” … built solely due to a prisoner who made a mockery of the prison by escaping repeatedly; the solitary confinement cells; and more. Our guide pointed out details that might have escaped our attention … such as the suicide nets; the holes for ventilation; the hidden art that came to light only a few years ago; the use of buckets as “necessaries”; and more.

    It was a fascinating look back to Australia as a penal colony … one that gave us many thoughts to ponder. The stories were interesting … and enlightening.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Freo Streetscape — Fremantle, WA.
    Freo Streetscape — Fremantle, WA.Freo Streetscape — Fremantle, WA.Dating back from 1831, Round House is WA's oldest public building — Fremantle, WA.Round House — Fremantle, WA.Round House was originally built as a gaol (jail) — Fremantle, WA.His past finally caught up to Mui ... 🫣🤣 — Fremantle, WA.Seascape from Round House — Fremantle, WA."Ship of Stories — ANZAC" by S. Codee & T. Pankiw — Fremantle, WA.Gigantic Cook pines at the Esplanade Reserve — Fremantle, WA."Too Much Colour" ... at the Esplanade Reserve — Fremantle, WA."Sunflowers" by H. Ogden — Fremantle, WA.Town Hall — Fremantle, WA.St John the Evangelist Anglican Church — Fremantle, WA."Chinese Lanterns" — Fremantle, WA.A Memorial in the Esplanade Reserve — Fremantle, WA."Dame Dorothy Tangney" ... by Vhils ... depicting first woman member of the Australian Parliament.Thinking Inside the Box — Fremantle, WA.Nothing wrong with preserving history while expressing one's objections to it — Fremantle, WA.

    Freo Day 2: Exploring the City

    11 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    After a good night’s rest, we were up and at ‘em early to explore Fremantle — Freo … as the locals refer to the city.

    Regatta wasn’t scheduled to depart until 8:00p, so we had plenty of time to go a-wanderin’. But we knew the heat would eventually get to us … hence the early start. As it is, we lasted longer than I thought we would … thanks to a breeze that we were especially glad to have where no shade was available.

    Settled in 1829, Fremantle was not proclaimed a city until 1929. The city is known for its maritime history, Victorian architecture, and remnants from when Australia was a British penal colony, including the Fremantle Prison, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    There are many ways to explore Freo. We decided to follow the “Street Art” for a meandering walk that took us to many of the landmarks, and along streets lined with well-maintained Victorian-era buildings … many of them repurposed to house shops and restaurants.. Mui even managed to get a haircut along the way.

    We had lunch at Bella Roma … recommended by the barber. She did not steer us wrong. Thus re-energized, we set off to explore the Fremantle Prison. But I’ll leave that for the next footprint.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Welcome to Rottnest Island — Western Australia.
    From the bus ... Marjorie Bay is a popular anchorage — Rottnest Island, WA.From the bus ... Geordie Bay — Rottnest Island, WA.Quokka at Parker Point — Rottnest Island, WA.Parker Point — Rottnest Island, WA.Parker Point — Rottnest Island, WA.Jeannie's Lookout — Rottnest Island, WA.Scenery during our walk from Parker Point ... Little Salmon Bay in the distance — Rottnest Island.Little Salmon Bay — Rottnest Island, WA.Little Salmon Bay — Rottnest Island, WA.Rottnest Island, WA.Rottnest Island, WA.Rottnest Island, WA.Peregrine Falcons — Rottnest Island, WA.Rottnest Island, WA.Panorama of Salmon Bay — Rottnest Island, WA.Salmon Bay — Rottnest Island, WA.Salmon Bay — Rottnest Island, WA.Taking a dip at Salmon Bay — Rottnest Island, WA.Rottnest Island, WA.Another quokka — Rottnest Island, WA.Another quokka — Rottnest Island, WA.

    Fremantle, WA: A Day on Wadjemup

    10 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 73 °F

    New-to-us Port #5 … with an overnight.

    Fremantle is the port for Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Since we will be in Perth for a few days before our Indian Pacific rail journey, we won’t be going there during this overnight visit.

    Leaving exploring Fremantle to tomorrow, today we focused our attention on Rottnest Island … known as Wadjemup by the traditional custodians of the land. It is a 30-minute ferry ride on the Rottnest Express, which leaves from B Shed … a 20-minute walk from where Regatta docked at the Victoria Quay Passenger Terminal. I had booked us on the 9:30a ferry … which we had plenty of time to catch.

    Private vehicles are not allowed on Rottnest. The popular way to explore is by bicycle. But I can’t keep my balance on a two-wheel bike. So, I looked at alternatives and settled on the Rottnest Explorer, a shuttle service that takes visitors around the island … operating as a HoHo.

    Once we disembarked the ferry and got our bearings, we hopped on the bus and stayed on for the entire loop — about an hour’s drive — checking out where we might want to get off and walk later … and where Mui might want to swim.

    Once we began the loop over again, we hopped off at Parker Point to check out the views. As luck would have it, we got to see our first quokka there. What is a quokka? It is a small macropod … about the size of a domestic cat. This mainly nocturnal animal is only found on Rottnest, so we were lucky in our sighting of one in the wild … though we did later see others wandering around the Settlement where they go in search of crumbs dropped by visitors.

    Our beach break for Mui was at Salmon Bay, the longest stretch of sugar-white sand on the island. But that’s not why Mui picked it. No, he opted for Salmon Bay because it was mostly deserted.

    I’m going to let the images do the talking as words won’t do justice to the beautiful scenery our eyes beheld around every corner. The bonus of this great day was that we had a fairly strong breeze to keep the temperature — a high of 85F — quite comfy … even in the sun.

    We had a fantastic time on Rottnest. We returned to Fremantle on the 4:30p ferry. Gage Roads, a brewery/pub, was conveniently nearby once we got off the boat. It served as the perfect spot to grab a bite for dinner before returning to Regatta to rest up for tomorrow.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    "Haley's Comet as it Passed Over the Land of My Ancestors" by S. Comeagain — Geraldton Art Museum.
    "Returning Home" by L. Howitt — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Rhône Glacier #7" by B. Rimmer — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."A Little Village of Red Brick Pots" by P. Giorgi — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."This Glass Capsule" by L. McKnight — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Augenstein (Eyestone)" by R. Mulks — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Roll Reversal, Karijini" by R. Dickinson — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Whispering Rocks" by C. Le Cerf — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Lacrime" by S.P. Winn — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Alternative Pantry - Snacks for Salty Sea Dogs" by P. Riley — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Coastal Love" by T. Amaral — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Perspective" by T. Isaacs — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."Old Man Emu" by H. Ansell — Geraldton Regional Art Museum."The Keeper" by C. Bolton — Geraldton Regional Art Museum.The Regional Art Museum — Geraldton, WA.

    Geraldton: Regional Art Museum

    9 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 77 °F

    From the Museum of Geraldton, we followed the waterfront trail for a bit before cutting inland a few streets to the art museum, which is housed in the same building as the Visitor Center.

    The current exhibit at the museum is the “Mid West Art Prize.” This is a biennial exhibit that is in its eight year. It’s not unlike the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Art Award exhibit that we caught in Darwin not long ago. On a smaller scale, however, and the focus is on the Western Australian Arts Culture, highlighting the contemporary work of artists from across the state.

    My favorite turned out not to be a painting, but a pottery piece entitled “A Little Village of Red Brick Pots” by Pascale Giorgi. Before leaving the museum, I made sure to register my vote for it.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.
    Flora of Western Australia ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.Glass panels depicting the peoples of the region ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.Exhibit for the HMAS Sydney II sinking ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.HSK Kormoran's "kill list" of ships it sunk ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.Images from the wreck of HMAS Sydney II ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA."The Ghostly Woman" ... stern piece from the wreck of Zuytdorp — Museum of Geraldton.Castle Gateway ... sandstone blocks raised from the Batavia wreck ... likely used as ballast.Silver coins from the Batavia wreck ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.Beardman jug from the Batavia wreck ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.The ship's bell from the Batavia ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.Grey kangaroo ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.Honey Possum ... Museum of Geraldton — Geraldton, WA.

    Geraldton: Museum of Geraldton

    9 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 77 °F

    Having taken a lunch break following our visit to the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, we were ready to tackle the first museum on our list for today … the Museum of Geraldton.

    The museum is described as celebrating “the rich heritage of the land, sea and people of the Mid West region.” Exhibits cover topics ranging from ancient landforms, to Yamaji culture, to the unique landscapes and marine environment of the region.

    On display in the Shipwrecks Gallery are finds from Dutch vessels that went down in nearby waters — Batavia, Gilt Dragon, Zuytdorp, and Zeewijk. A popular exhibit covers the sinking and wrecks of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran … both of which lie some 8,200 feet below the surface of the ocean. A screen displays images of the wrecks.

    The museum is not very big … but it is well done. We enjoyed wandering around the various exhibits, but freely admit that we did so in a hurry as there was one more museum we wanted to check out before returning to Regatta.    Leer más

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  • Adventuring Down Under
    HMAS Sydney II Memorial — Geraldton, WA.
    The Dome consists of stainless steel gulls representing the men lost on HMAS Sydney II.The propeller serves as a wreath-laying altar ... HMAS Sydney II Memorial — Geraldton, WA.Wall of Remembrance ... HMAS Sydney II Memorial — Geraldton, WA.Pool of Remembrance ... HMAS Sydney II Memorial — Geraldton, WA.On the floor of the Pool of Remembrance are the coordinates where the wreck was found.The Stele is shaped like the prow of the ship ... HMAS Sydney II Memorial — Geraldton, WA.The Stele ... HMAS Sydney II Memorial — Geraldton, WA.HMAS Sydney II Memorial — Geraldton, WA.

    Geraldton: HMAS Sydney II Memorial

    9 de enero de 2024, Australia ⋅ 🌬 77 °F

    From the cathedral, we slogged uphill to visit one of the iconic sites of Geraldton … stopping for a quick few minutes to buy some mangos from a supermarket along the way.

    The keel of HMAS Sydney II was laid in 1933. Its name then was HMS Phaeton … and she was intended for the British Navy. The name was changed when she was purchased by the Commonwealth of Australia. After serving in the European Theater, she returned to Australia, where she continued her escort duties in Western Australia, calling on Geraldton three times during that time.

    On the evening of 19 November 1941, on her way back from the Sundra Straits, she encountered the German Raider, HSK Kormoran. The two ships engaged … resulting in the loss of both. No trace was found of HMAS Sydney and her crew of 645 men following the encounter. In March 2008, the wreck of HMAS Sydney II was found in position 26 14 45 S / 111 12 55 E.

    The memorial, which was dedicated on the 60th anniversary of the sinking, has several symbolic elements — the Wall of Remembrance, etched with the names of the lost and the poignant words … “The Rest is Silence;” the Sanctuary … with its dome made of 645 stainless steel seagulls representing the souls lost when the ship sank; the Podium … at the center of which is a ship’s propeller, which serves as an altar for wreath laying; the Pool of Remembrance, into the floor of which the coordinates of the wreck position are etched; the Stele … shaped like the prow of HMAS Sydney II; and the Waiting Woman Sculpture … representing the women grieving for their men.

    The memorial is exceptionally well done … visiting it is a moving experience, and one not to be missed.    Leer más

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