Well I left the ship over a week ago and it has been great since I left. I walked off the ship and felt a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I gazed upon the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge and was amazed that I had made it. I made the long trip to my hostel and checked in. I then spent the next several hours exploring the city. I ended up buying a ticket to a play called The Grenade at the Opera House. It was an amazing play. The next days I spent cruising around the city and enjoying everything Sydney had to offer.
I then went to Surf Camp. I got up early and went to where we were supposed to get picked up. We were greeted by an obvious surfer who told us there was a problem with one of the buses and 4 of us had to take the train. I volunteered and so did 3 other guys and we also got an extra free t shirt. I have to say the train ride was probably better than sitting in the bus for 2 hours cramped with a bunch of other people. We arrived at the camp at 7 mile beach in Gerroa. We dropped our stuff off in the room and suited up to go to the beach. We received a lesson and were off in the water. I have to say it took me a bit to get the hang of it. After the morning lesson we went back to camp for lunch and the returned later. It started to rain, but we kept surfing. Then thunder and lightning, which got closer and closer and we all bolted out of the water and into the bush. We waited for the storm to pass and watched as amazing bolts of purple lightning struck down. We eventually hid in a tunnel that was nearby until we made our way back to camp. The rest of our lessons were a little longer due to this cancellation.
Over the next couple of days we surfed twice a day and had a real good time. We surfed with the whales jumping out of the water way in the distance and dolphins just swimming by. I hiked out to this lookout point and saw some amazing views of the beach. Upon leaving the camp the same thing happened again and we had to take the train yet again. We all met up at Scubar in Sydney and had some free beer and pizza before some of us boarded a bus to continue our trip. After a 12 hour bus ride, which was god awful, we arrived in Byron Bay.
Byron Bay is an amazing place. A nice beach town with amazing waves. 5 of us traveled here and then surfed for little while, until we realized that the conditions were not in our favor. The winds were blowing on shore and the current was very strong pulling us way down the beach in a matter of minutes. We retreated to the hostel and hung out for a bit. And now I await the long trip home to San Diego.
Once I return home I will post pictures from my Australian adventure!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Nearing the End
Well I have 5 days left on board. We just finished up cruising the coast of New Zealand, and it was amazing. First we went to the Bay of Islands which was a tender port. We docked in Paihia, which was a nice little town. Then Tauranga was next and it was like a little surf town. I had a kebab and got some nice souvenirs. Auckland was quite a large city. I walked around the downtown area for a few hours. There was this one tower called Sky Tower and you could pay to bungee jump off of it. Watching people jump was quite amusing. One city was Napier, but we didn't have any time to go off as the city was far from the ship, and we had a lot of work to do. I have to say that Picton was one of my favorite cities. There was this park right on the water where I just sat down and took it all in. The view, the air, the sounds and it was great. I unfortunately did not make it into Christchurch, but did get into the small town of Lyttleton just outside of the ship. There wasn't much there. Finally our last stop was Dunedin, which I did go to. We walked around downtown and had a pretty good time. The bus driver was like a tour guide, pointing out interesting things along the way.
The last 6 months have been quite the experience. I am looking forward to getting off in Sydney and having a few days to relax a bit.
The last 6 months have been quite the experience. I am looking forward to getting off in Sydney and having a few days to relax a bit.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tropical Islands are Awesome
The islands of the South Pacific have been amazing so far. Our first stop was Fiji, and what a sight that was. Our first city was Suva, which is the main city of Fiji. I had the time to walk along the coastline and see the different areas of the island. The city itself was a little dirty, and we just happened to be there on their national holiday. Everything was closed except for a few places. The next day in Fiji was Dravuni Island. It is an amazing little island with the locals living in small houses on the beach. The water was crystal clear and bright blue. We walked the beach and went on a path to the native cemetery. Sitting on the beach drinking a Fiji beer looking out on the other islands was amazing.
Our next stop was Vanuatu. It is a small country comprised of many islands. The first was Luganville, which did not have much to offer. Much of the town was run down, but we took a taxi that brought us to the nearby blue hole. It is a natural spring that formed in the middle of the island. The water is crystal clear and deep blue. Then we went to Port Vila, which is their capital. We unfortunately weren't able to make it to the Mele Cascades waterfall. After the cab took us to it which took 20 minutes, and then they charged to see the fall and it was a 45 min walk to the top, we turned around. Disappointed we sat through traffic in the downtown area. But we did get to see local villages and the city. We also saw Hideaway Island that is just off the coast and has the world's only underwater post office. I heard from some of the crew that went there that it was a lot of fun.
We went to Kuto, Il de Pins next. I have to say this was the best island we have visited so far. The beaches had the smoothest, cleanest, and whitest sand I've ever seen. The water was cool and again crystal clear and blue. The beaches were lined with tree, which provided a decent amount of shade. A lot of small islands can be seen from all sides. I have to say that I would want to come back here of all of the other places we have been. It has been a great trip so far. The work on the ship has been a little lighter for this long cruise. It still restricts time ashore, but we make the best of it with the time we have.
Even better is the fact that I sprained my ankle and couldn't walk on it for a day. I was declared unfit for duty by the infirmary. I couldn't go out in New Caledonia yesterday, but it's okay I guess. It was raining and everything was closed because it was a Sunday. Soon we will be in New Zealand, and then Sydney! Only 18 more days here.
Me on Dravuni Island in Fiji
Kuto, Il de PinsThe islands of the South Pacific have been amazing so far. Our first stop was Fiji, and what a sight that was. Our first city was Suva, which is the main city of Fiji. I had the time to walk along the coastline and see the different areas of the island. The city itself was a little dirty, and we just happened to be there on their national holiday. Everything was closed except for a few places. The next day in Fiji was Dravuni Island. It is an amazing little island with the locals living in small houses on the beach. The water was crystal clear and bright blue. We walked the beach and went on a path to the native cemetery. Sitting on the beach drinking a Fiji beer looking out on the other islands was amazing.
Our next stop was Vanuatu. It is a small country comprised of many islands. The first was Luganville, which did not have much to offer. Much of the town was run down, but we took a taxi that brought us to the nearby blue hole. It is a natural spring that formed in the middle of the island. The water is crystal clear and deep blue. Then we went to Port Vila, which is their capital. We unfortunately weren't able to make it to the Mele Cascades waterfall. After the cab took us to it which took 20 minutes, and then they charged to see the fall and it was a 45 min walk to the top, we turned around. Disappointed we sat through traffic in the downtown area. But we did get to see local villages and the city. We also saw Hideaway Island that is just off the coast and has the world's only underwater post office. I heard from some of the crew that went there that it was a lot of fun.
We went to Kuto, Il de Pins next. I have to say this was the best island we have visited so far. The beaches had the smoothest, cleanest, and whitest sand I've ever seen. The water was cool and again crystal clear and blue. The beaches were lined with tree, which provided a decent amount of shade. A lot of small islands can be seen from all sides. I have to say that I would want to come back here of all of the other places we have been. It has been a great trip so far. The work on the ship has been a little lighter for this long cruise. It still restricts time ashore, but we make the best of it with the time we have.
Even better is the fact that I sprained my ankle and couldn't walk on it for a day. I was declared unfit for duty by the infirmary. I couldn't go out in New Caledonia yesterday, but it's okay I guess. It was raining and everything was closed because it was a Sunday. Soon we will be in New Zealand, and then Sydney! Only 18 more days here.
Me on Dravuni Island in Fiji
Kuto, Il de PinsSaturday, October 9, 2010
Here are some pics of what i've seen so far
Wailua Falls
Me and a few other Pollywogs at the Neptune ceremony
Pago Pago
Me on a walk along the streets of Pago Pago
What a week it has been. First of all in Hawaii we had an overnight stay in Nawiliwili on the island of Kauai. It was fun because we were able to actually go out at night and have a bite to eat. WE wen to this place called Duke's with the rest of the crew and enjoyed a few beers an the ocean breeze. We went to Wailua Falls and then had Saimin at a local noodle place.
In Honolulu it rained, but I still managed to make my way to the beach. I then met up with some crew at the local Hooters, yes I know, but it was right next to the dock. We also went back there after dinner service on the ship as we didn't leave the port until 11 pm. The day we were in Kona the crew was denied shore leave on tender boats by the Captain. It was unfortunate that none of us could go off. I had really wanted to go the Kona Brewery, oh well. That night we had 0 people for dinner because there was a luau dinner on the upper deck.
The day after we left Hawaii we had a huge crew luau party near the pool on the sky deck. It was a good time with music, drinks, and good company. Then on the day we crossed the Equator there was a big celebration. It involved a guy dressed like King Neptune who came on board to judge the Pollywogs of the ship. Now this occurred by the pool and all of the guests surrounded the area to watch the show. The Pollywogs were various new crew members from different departments who had been volunteered by others to be a part of this. I was one of them. We were mustered into a luggage crate and awaited our department to be called. Then we were told what we supposedly had done, which for us was operating by the 5 second rule and adding extra fat to the food. Then cast members dressed like pirates pulled us over to a big fish that we had to bite. Kind of gross, but then they shoved us to a line of tables where more cast members were dressed up in nurse uniforms and dumped various colored meringue and spaghetti on us. Then we knelt in front of the senior staff of the ship where they could let us sit out and bake in the sun or jump in the pool. We got to jump, and hurled ourselves in. Swimming in the pool was a great place to view the rest of the show.
Pago Pago was our first stop in the islands of the South Pacific. American Samoa is a very interesting place, but I feel they are still recovering from the tsunami of last year. The mountains were amazing and so were the beaches. Crystal clear blue water and tropical greenery surrounded me. I went to a local market and saw a lot of coconuts, plantains, bananas, and the largest papayas I've every seen. It was quite warm out, and I made the mistake of not wearing sunscreen. I have to say the sun is strong near the Equator. I will know better for next time in Fiji.
In Honolulu it rained, but I still managed to make my way to the beach. I then met up with some crew at the local Hooters, yes I know, but it was right next to the dock. We also went back there after dinner service on the ship as we didn't leave the port until 11 pm. The day we were in Kona the crew was denied shore leave on tender boats by the Captain. It was unfortunate that none of us could go off. I had really wanted to go the Kona Brewery, oh well. That night we had 0 people for dinner because there was a luau dinner on the upper deck.
The day after we left Hawaii we had a huge crew luau party near the pool on the sky deck. It was a good time with music, drinks, and good company. Then on the day we crossed the Equator there was a big celebration. It involved a guy dressed like King Neptune who came on board to judge the Pollywogs of the ship. Now this occurred by the pool and all of the guests surrounded the area to watch the show. The Pollywogs were various new crew members from different departments who had been volunteered by others to be a part of this. I was one of them. We were mustered into a luggage crate and awaited our department to be called. Then we were told what we supposedly had done, which for us was operating by the 5 second rule and adding extra fat to the food. Then cast members dressed like pirates pulled us over to a big fish that we had to bite. Kind of gross, but then they shoved us to a line of tables where more cast members were dressed up in nurse uniforms and dumped various colored meringue and spaghetti on us. Then we knelt in front of the senior staff of the ship where they could let us sit out and bake in the sun or jump in the pool. We got to jump, and hurled ourselves in. Swimming in the pool was a great place to view the rest of the show.
Pago Pago was our first stop in the islands of the South Pacific. American Samoa is a very interesting place, but I feel they are still recovering from the tsunami of last year. The mountains were amazing and so were the beaches. Crystal clear blue water and tropical greenery surrounded me. I went to a local market and saw a lot of coconuts, plantains, bananas, and the largest papayas I've every seen. It was quite warm out, and I made the mistake of not wearing sunscreen. I have to say the sun is strong near the Equator. I will know better for next time in Fiji.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
An Overnight in Nawiliwili
Well after 5 days of rough sea we have finally made it to Hawaii. Well almost. During the first day the seas were pretty rough, and unfortunately a passenger fell and hurt himself severely. After turning around for 5 hours so a helicopter could land on the ship and pick him up we resumed our course. This affected our arrival in Maui, so much that we have skipped that port all together. We now are headed to Nawiliwili, Kauai. We do get to stay overnight as we arrive at 5pm. This means I can go off at night for the first time in 5 months.
On this journey to Australia there are a lot of time changes. We have enjoyed the constant hour set backs coming to Hawaii. There are a total of 6 set backs, 1 date change forward, and 2 set forwards. That’s a lot of clock changing in 40 days.
After over 150 days on board already and 36 to go, I have to say I am excited to get off. A nice little vacation in Sydney awaits me, and it should be a real good time. I will get to be home for the holidays, which is also a plus.
Once we leave Hawaii in 4 days we will sail to Pago Pago, crossing the Equator in the process. I wonder if there is a big line in the middle of the ocean, just kidding. It’s is quite the celebration on the ship I am told. From there we hit a few other islands in the South Pacific until we reach New Zealand. It’s a very exciting itinerary; I just hope I get to see as much as I can.
The seas have calmed down as we move closer to Hawaii, and the weather is much warmer than Alaska, of course. The ship however cannot keep up with the heat outside, and much of the crew areas are now saunas. But it’s not all bad. Soon I will disembark and chill out on the beach in Kauai.
On this journey to Australia there are a lot of time changes. We have enjoyed the constant hour set backs coming to Hawaii. There are a total of 6 set backs, 1 date change forward, and 2 set forwards. That’s a lot of clock changing in 40 days.
After over 150 days on board already and 36 to go, I have to say I am excited to get off. A nice little vacation in Sydney awaits me, and it should be a real good time. I will get to be home for the holidays, which is also a plus.
Once we leave Hawaii in 4 days we will sail to Pago Pago, crossing the Equator in the process. I wonder if there is a big line in the middle of the ocean, just kidding. It’s is quite the celebration on the ship I am told. From there we hit a few other islands in the South Pacific until we reach New Zealand. It’s a very exciting itinerary; I just hope I get to see as much as I can.
The seas have calmed down as we move closer to Hawaii, and the weather is much warmer than Alaska, of course. The ship however cannot keep up with the heat outside, and much of the crew areas are now saunas. But it’s not all bad. Soon I will disembark and chill out on the beach in Kauai.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)