Two full busses left for the Mardi Gras parade at four. The parade starts at seven thirty. Got a spot where we could be right in front. We took the stools we bought in Eden and they were very useful. The crowd was about four or five deep behind us by parade time. People watching was fantastic. Lots of people got into the spirit and dressed up. Colinda and I had on our shiny hats and stuck on jewels we got at the dollar store in Eden. The parade is a gay pride parade and the floats were pulled by cars. The groups walking had wonderful costumes and routines that they had practiced. I am not sure why it is called the Mardi Gras parade. It started in 1978. Maybe the first one was during Mardi Gras. Many organizations were represented including a girl guide troop, a pre school and an animal rescue group. Churches and synagogues also. We stayed until nine thirty and the parade was still going on. We were told it is traditional to stay up all night and party. I am glad I got to see the parade and experience all the love and support shown there. My camera does not take clear pictures of things in motion. Here are a few of them.

Day two in Sydney. Cloudy and humid. Colinda and Janice had a down day and I went to the Sydney Art Museum. Wandered around all day and looked at everything in their two buildings. They have a new modern art museum right next to the original one. My favorites were the aboriginal art done with reddish brown, white, and yellow ochre on tree bark. Saw some old ones in the old museum and new ones in the modern museum. Each tribe has their own symbols. Other favorites were the oriental collections. Very special. Got back to ship in time to eat and attend a show in our lounge. So much beauty and fun. Sydney is a beautiful and busy place.

Day one of three. Perfect sunny weather. Took a city tour and heard a lot of history. Lots of stops to see various sites. Sydney is the second large town started by convicts from England. Very English names on streets. Many Victorian buildings right next to very modern ones. Had a little New York feeling when passing the various upscale stores on King Street . Saw beautiful beaches! Honestly it looked like a Hollywood set. Sydney has many large public parks that are full of trees. We rested in the afternoon to get ready for seeing The Magic Flute at the Sydney Opera House. The opera was so good! Beautiful singing and orchestra as you might expect. Very responsive audience. The director did a great job staging the show. I was impressed by the set, the costumes and the acting. In short, it was a PERFECT experience.

Such a beautiful small seaside town. Looked like New England must have looked like back a while ago. This was a whaling town and still is known for its fish. They have a big seafood plant. We were there six hours. Colinda found a great dress shop and bought two tops, two pair of pants, and a dress. I bought a suitcase at the local dollar store. Sorry to tell you Laurie, but the wonky wheel on the suitcase you lent me broke off getting to the ship. Now you have a shocking pink one. We are going to Sydney tomorrow. There is a gay pride parade there o n Saturday that we are going to attend. It is the biggest in Australia and will be in national television. We need to bring stools to sit on. We bought some folding step stools at the dollar store and rolled them home in the suitcase. Also got some sparkly hats and face glitter things. We are ready for fun!

Colinda woke up and went down to see the doctor. They took X-rays and she has a bad sprain in her right wrist from her fall yesterday. They put her in a splint and she has to wear it two weeks during the day. We spent the day doing our usual fun activities. We played World Cumulative Trivia. This is our usual thing to do when we are at sea. This leg of the voyage we were joined by an Irishman , a couple from the UK, and a history professor from Canada. We got our final scores for this leg and we are now in fourth place!!! We have been in last place plenty of times before. Went to a lecture by two aboriginal fellas who make and play the didgeridoo. Fascinating!!. Short stop in Eden, Australia tomorrow. It is our first stop on the continent of Australia.

What a fabulous program last night. We were in the civic auditorium and the string section of the symphony orchestra played a varied and interesting classical concert. Their lead violinist played the solo parts. Everyone had a good time. This is our second day in Hobart. The three of us all went to have our hair repaired first thing in the morning. I just had mine cut. It is not as short as when I was in Lima! They have a Target store in Hobart! So we had to go look at that. It sure enough was a Target store. Janice kept shopping and Colinda and I went to the Museum there. Really interesting. Modern building inside. They had indigenous exhibits, natural history displays, glass and dishes displays , and a fabulous exhibit of Antarctica. Hobart is the jumping off spot for Antarctic scientists. As we were leaving, Colinda fell down on the sidewalk. Two people jumped out of their car and helped her up right away. We have met soooo many nice people in every stop. Had a special dinner at the Italian Restaurant on board. Scallops and lobster anyone. How about limoncello soufflé?

Three newly done up ladies

Hobart is the capital of Australia’s island state of Tasmania. Sort of a Hawaii thing. We woke up to a nice sunrise. Spotted another huge cruise ship a little behind us. It just got bigger and bigger. Australia does not mess around with immigration. As we were getting off to go on a morning tour, ten or so agents were inspecting every room. Had their sniffing dog with them. Our tour took up to the highest point of the mountain overlooking the port and city. Awe inspiring and freezing. Seems Hobart is the last stop before Antarctica. The oldest part of the city was built with stone blocks by convicts. Sydney and Hobart were sent most of the convicts. The town itself is very quaint. Lots of Victorian touches to the houses and beautiful view of the harbor. Second part of the tour was the botanical garden. It is Sunday here and there were a lot of people there. The park was amazing. Speaking of amazing……tonight all the passengers are being treated to a symphony evening. We are going to be taken in buses. We have done this before in Cozumel, Mexico. They have an amazing evening once each leg of the voyage. The other times the entertainment came aboard for the evening.

Harbor View

Twenty foot waves! Foggy skies! Three of the four elevators not running! By the end of the day, blue skies, and calmer ocean. Tonight going to hear a harp concert. Tomorrow =Land Ho! Tasmania!!!!We will be going around visiting Australia for the next 13 days. Lots of chatter around and rumors that the Suez Canal will be scratched and we will go around Africa to the Mediterranean. Rumor also says they will tell us at the end of this segment. So. Wait and see!

Off the veranda pm

This is eating fancy day. The round the world folks were invited to a special lunch in the dining room. Best salmon I have had so far. Tonight we have reservations to a special dinner at one of the two speciality restaurants. This one specializes in steaks. Captain says the high waves we are experiencing will really get high (up to 18 feet)tonight from eleven pm until four pm tomorrow. He is planning to stop the elevators. Colinda was playing bridge on the tenth floor this afternoon and a wave came up and washed the windows. Walking is weird! And we have not hit the bad part yet! Probably will. It much to report tomorrow. No pictures today.

Nature at its best. This sound or fiord was made by the last ice age. We had a cold windy day but but bundled up again and enjoyed the scenery. Hope you like it too!

We saw there three long waterfalls but no dolphins. At four we reached the end of the sound and turned around The captain did a 360 degree turn so everyone could see the whole view. This is where the biggest waterfall was. At this point we were attending a party on deck with a variety of kiwi drinks. A way for the round the round the worlders to say goodby to New Zealand. This company never misses a beat. Captain then announced we would be facing rough seas the next three days with seas up to six meters(18feet). So do not expect much in the way of exciting news. I did notice the throw up bags are positioned around again. We are n Tasmania, Australia next time we stop. A whole new continent!