Cruising, Travelogues

2020 Half-World Voyage – Leg 4: Australia and Homeward

Leg 4:  Australia and homeward bound

We experienced some rough seas for the first of two sea days as we made our way west to Sydney, Australia. Fortunately for passengers, the worst of it was overnight while everyone was in their bunks asleep. Improved weather filled in by daybreak of day two.

Sydney, Australia – At dawn on March 7, the Amsterdam rounds The Heads, the imposing rock cliffs that guard the entrance from sea to harbor. As we continue up the channel, we pass the spectacular Sydney Opera House on our port side, and then beneath the iconic Harbor Bridge, with scant clearance above us. Morning walkers on the bridge wave and cheer our arrival as they look straight down the few feet onto our decks. A thrilling experience from either perspective! The rising sun peeks through the broken morning clouds, sending a ray of light upward seemingly from the bridge’s massive pylons. Quite a glorious ‘Down Under’ welcome. Continue reading “2020 Half-World Voyage – Leg 4: Australia and Homeward”

Cruising, Travelogues

2019 World Cruise – Chapter 2 of 4 South Pacific Islands, New Zealand & Australia

After leaving Pitcairn Island in our wake, we sailed to Tahiti, which is the largest island of French Polynesia and home to the capital city of Papeete, where we docked.   Papeete is a bustling large city, in contrast to the rest of the island which is fairly underdeveloped.  The tropical climate here makes everything grow like its on steroids.   Enormous flowers, vines, trees, fruits.  Leaves are the size of me!  The air is sweet-scented and briny all at the same time. Continue reading “2019 World Cruise – Chapter 2 of 4 South Pacific Islands, New Zealand & Australia”