3 September - Holiday cancelled

Sadly we received news on Wednesday that our daughter was in hospital following emergency surgery for a burst appendix. We decided to cancel the rest of our planned holiday and commenced the 2000 km drive home Thursday morning. We arrived today at noon and were able to reassure ourselves that her recovery is underway.

During this holiday I captured a number of aerial videos using my DJI Phantom 4 drone. As I finish editing them I will place them on YouTube, with links below.

Ballina and the Big Prawn
Sunrise over Surfers Paradise
Bridges and Lighthouses

30 August - Tewantin (Noosa) Qld

First priority this morning was to do our usual walk in the Noosa National Park. This is a hilly, 7km walk through beautiful forest and eventually along a stunning coastal route.

We have walked this many times and I was keen to see how I would fare after a couple of setbacks earlier in the year. We were lucky with the weather, sunny, mild and not too hot so all went well. The coffee and banana bread at the end was pretty good too. At the halfway mark the path reaches the coast line and the views are terrific. Out in the ocean it is easy to spot pods of dolphins and migrating whales.

This photo was taken looking down into a formation called Hell's Gate which is a natural cove worn into the cliff through wave action.

This afternoon we took a drive to Maroochydore for to the Sunshine Plaza. In the evening we had a bite to eat and then went to the 6:30 showing of Jason Bourne at the Event Cinema in the Plaza. Not a bad movie apart from a ridiculous car chase scene set in Las Vegas - I guess you have to have these to keep the US audiences happy. Back to our little home on wheels by 9:30 and just about to curl up into bed with a copy of Stephen Hawkings "A Brief History of Time" - an early Father's Day gift to myself.

29 August - Tewantin Qld

We left the Gold Coast last Thursday 25 August for our drive to Gympie to catch up with Saskia and Peter and Tilly. We had a great time with them and this included a visit to Poona to have a look at all the work Pete and Sas have done on their holiday house here. We arrived at lunch time on Saturday just as the plumber was finishing up installing the toilet and the hot water service. The place now looks absolutely spectacular. Also had a chance to fly the Phantom out over the water ad above the caravan park. Also did some aerial photography of the house in Gympie.

Yesterday, Saskia's neighbour Brendan offered us to take his MG two seater sports car for a spin so Rosa and I took the opportunity to experience the wind blowing through our hair as we cruised around Gympie in the brilliant sunshine. A bit scary taking someone's pride and joy out for a spin but we got back without any mishaps or dents.

This morning we said goodbye to Gympie to travel the short distance to Tewantin (Noosa) and we are now here for a week on a fantastic site. The weather continues to be brilliant and next Saturday Saskia and Peter, and Jake and Sally and the kids will join us for the weekend here, and we are really looking forward to that. We have quite a few activities planned including a walk in the Noosa National Park, and there are some spectacular locations for a drone flight too. Watch for updates here.

23 August - Gold Coast

We left Ballina and Jim and Irene mid morning on Sunday for the short drive to the Gold Coast. Here we are staying at the Gold Coast Tourist Park in Helensvale which, since we last visited it some 8 or 9 years ago has developed into one of the best caravan parks we have ever visited. We spent yesterday visiting Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach and scouted out some locations for a drone flight to capture the beach and the city skyline of Surfers. As the sun rises over the sea to the east, I decided that the best time to photograph was at dawn so I left this morning at about 4:30 and waited for the sun to rise. It was well worth it - the still photos and the videos are spectacular.

Later this morning we drove up into the Gold Coast hinterland and then had morning coffee at Sanctuary Cove where once again the drone came out for a fly over the spectacular boat harbour.

Tonight we will be attending the free "sausage sizzle" put on by the caravan park and then tomorrow is our last day here. On Thursday we drive to Gympie to spend a few days with Saskia, Peter and Tilly. So far we have enjoyed fantastic weather apart from a few minutes of drizzle yesterday.

19 August, Ballina, NSW

We enjoyed two beautiful sunny days in Moss Vale and made a day trip to Kangaroo Valley a spectacular drive. On Wednesday morning we set off for the trip through the Sydney suburbs via the M7, the M2 and the famous Pennant Hills Road and settled in for the long drive into northern NSW. By mid afternoon we decided to pull up in Kempsey which is Slim Dusty's birthplace. We found a great campsite in the Kempsey showgrounds - a beautiful grassy site with power and water for $20 for the night. Then on Thursday we continued north with the plan of meeting with our friends Jim and Irene in Ballina and spending a few days here. The sunny weather has continued here and this morning we woke again to a beautiful sunny day. Went out for a fantastic breakfast here in Ballina and then took a coastal drive to Byron Bay. On previous visits we have always enjoyed visiting the local French patisserie and after a few anxious moments thinking it was no longer there we located it and had fantastic coffees and Cherry Almandines - yum.

One item on my bucket list for Byron Bay was to fly the Phantom 4 over the light house and the spectacular scenery at Cape Byron, so I quickly assembled my little airborne companion and had it flying high above some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable. The video footage looks amazing and I can't wait to get home to edit it. Got back to the caravan park after a very enjoyable day and sat in the fading sunlight enjoying a barbecue and a bottle of Pepperjack. More excitement planned for tomorrow - can't wait.

15 August - Moss Vale

We left Traralgon yesterday on our almost annual winter pilgrimage to Queensland. Each year the crappy Victorian winter weather gets a bit much to bear and if possible we hook up the van and head north. Yesterday we had an uneventful run to Bombala where we arrived early in the afternoon. The weather had been perfect and the skies were clear which promised a freezing night. When we woke this morning the car and the caravan and the ground were covered in ice and I had to pour hot water on to our water hose because it was frozen on to our caravan. We were on the road by 7:15 and all the way up the Monaro Highway the fields were covered in fog and frost - quite spectacular. Our first stop was the excellent bakery in Nimmatabel where we stopped for breakfast. Our next stop was for fuel in Cooma and then onward through the outskirts of Canberra and north up the Hume highway. As we approached the Moss Vale/Bowral region, the weather was perfect and we made a last minute decision to spend a couple of days in Moss Vale. We have stayed here on a number of occasions but never had much luck with the weather so this was an opportunity too good to pass up. By 3 pm we had the van all set up and headed into Bowral for a coffee at one of our all time favourite cafes - The Elephant Boy. This wonderful establishment serves excellent coffee and the decor of wall to wall bookshelves and comfortable seating  always makes it a great place to visit.

This was probably our third or fourth visit over the years and it is wonderful to see the place still thriving and still looking great. Next, after a walk around the town we visited one of our favourite restaurants called Briars. We had dinner here a few years ago and enjoyed great steaks and salad and exceptional red wines so it was great to find, when we walked in that once again nothing had changed. We immediately booked a table for dinner, and have just returned from what I would rate as one of the best meals I've ever had. Everything was simply superb.

So, after a very enjoyable day, we are holed up in our little mobile hide away reading and getting ready to snuggle into bed to experience what undoubtedly will be another chilly night.

2 April - Leaving Hong Kong

It is just after 7pm local time and we are in the departure lounge waiting for flight QF30 back to Melbourne, where we arrive at 8am. Then all that's left is a trip into the city and the 2.5 hour train ride home and will have come full circle after a great trip.

1 May - Hong Kong

This morning of our last full day in Hong Kong we were determined to take the tramway up Victoria Peak but it didn't look good. First of all we couldn't see the peak for cloud cover which meant we wouldn't see much when we got up there. Nevertheless we took a Star Ferry to the island and then the 15C bus to the lower tramway terminal. As we approached the terminal though we were confronted by enormous queues. When we checked it turned out that the queue equated to a 3 hour wait to board the peak tram and at that point we decided it wasn't to be. It turns out that not only was it the weekend but also a long weekend for the Labour Day celebration. So instead we walked into the CBD to get a look at the double decker trams which form the public transport system here.

The rest of the day was very quiet and this evening we started the process of repacking our suitcases to get ready for tomorrow. We have an 8:30pm flight which means we need to be at the airport by 5:30. Trying to fit in all the stuff we've bought in the last four weeks is a bit of challenge. We're all amazed at how quickly the time has past but we are also looking forward to being home and resting after the holiday.

30 April - Hong Kong

Another day in Hong Kong and still waiting for better conditions to visit Victoria Peak. This morning we all hopped on the MTR to travel to Mong Kok which is about 1.5 km from our hotel. John, Sandra and Rosa were off to the Ladies Market and I wanted to visit Sim City which is a three story building full of camera shops selling the latest and greatest as well as loads of second hand equipment. I've been looking for a longer telephoto lens for my Panasonic Lumix GH4 and this morning I found the Panasonic 100-300mm at a significantly lower price than what's available in Melbourne. After returning from the market I immediately took my new purchase to Kowloon Park to get some better shots of those magnificent flamingoes.

Although this lens has had some mixed reviews (hence the lower price) I'm very happy with my purchase particularly as the light was marginal and the shots were taken hand held at the full 300mm.

Later in the afternoon we walked down to the Ocean Terminal to check out the best spot to view the laser Light and Sound show which is performed on and by the high rise buildings of Hong Kong Island. 

By now the weather was quite overcast and turning somewhat chilly and we were glad we didn't venture on to Victoria Peak - maybe tomorrow.

After dinner in Harbour Town we returned to the foreshore to join thousands of other locals and tourist to wait for the 8pm light show. The harbour at night is a fascinating sight. The colourful cityscape provides a marvellous backdrop to the abundant water traffic of Star ferries, tour boats on dinner cruises and junks and the occasional cruise ship. Just as the light show was about to start the Star Cruise Line's Pisces sailed right past us.

The hazy conditions detracted a little from the experience of the laser lights but it was still a magnificent sight to behold. 

Just as the show finished the rain started and we joined the general rush to find cover and get out of the rain. Tomorrow is our last full day in Hong Kong and our activities will be dictated by the weather.

29 April - Hong Kong

We are now in the last few days of our holiday, and the toughest issue each day is deciding a program for the day - there is so much to see and do here. We decided today to visit Victoria Peak in the afternoon if the visibility was OK. John took Rosa and Sandra shopping while I chased down a few of the recommended camera stores here in Hong Kong to see if there were any bargains to be had. There weren't, most gear here is more expensive than in Australia even though they do not apply any sales tax. Sometimes you need to travel to find out how well off you are. We regrouped early in the afternoon and decided to defer the Peak visit to tomorrow. Instead we visited the wonderful Kowloon Park. It is an oasis of peace and beauty in the middle of the incredible hustle and bustle which is Hong Kong. The park is home to a large number of Greater Flamingoes and these are absolutely fabulous birds to watch. I'll go back tomorrow with a telephoto lens to get some better photos.

After our visit we carried on to Temple Street which turns into an incredible night market every day at 4pm, and continues until 10 pm.

This area, located about 1 km from our hotel is much more the authentic Hong Kong/Kowloon experience, far away from the endless expensive international brand name shops which I find quite boring. This market is for the locals and the occasional tourist and it features everything imaginable at quite competitive prices. 

By the time we had wandered up and down the market a few times it was time for a drink and we sat down in an open air local restaurant to enjoy a couple of large bottles of the local beer.

While food and alcohol is incredibly expensive in the more fashionable part of town, when you venture into the areas where the locals live and eat and drink prices are a lot more reasonable. Here, drinks for 4 came to HK$60 which is about AUD12. The local beer here which comes in large bottles is terrific. After all our wandering we decided to use the MTR (Subway) to get back to our hotel.

So altogether a busy, tiring but very enjoyable day. Hopefully we can do the Peak tomorrow.

28 April - Hong Kong

We woke this morning to a warm but very hazy Hong Kong. Air pollution, caused mainly by motor vehicles is a major problem in Hong Kong and this morning it was bad enough to postpone our plans to visit Victoria Peak to get some panoramic views of the area. Instead we caught the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island before catching a bus to Stanley which is a tourist area on the southern most point of Hong Kong.

This involved a 40 minute bus ride initially through some of the busiest city roads I've ever seen and then along the very steep and winding coastal road. Stanley is a great tourist attraction mainly because of its market, coastal scenery and restaurants.

After an extensive visit to the market by the ladies we then strolled along the waterfront. There were a few groups of school children who had been given the project of approaching tourists and asking them to participate in a short survey. John volunteered twice and everyone seemed to enjoy the experience.

By late afternoon we decided to take a break and have a drink and a meal at the Pickled Pelican. The meal consisted of Australian Black Angus steaks and a pint of draft Carlsberg. Very enjoyable.

Finally it was time to get back to the bus for the return trip to the ferry terminal and then back to The Prince hotel. Tomorrow we are hoping some of the pollution will clear so that we can go up Victoria Peak for a good view and photos of Hong Kong and Kowloon.

27 April - Hong Kong, Day 1

After 23 nights at sea our cruise finally came to an end this morning when we arrived at the Kai Tak Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong. As a sharp contrast to the near perfect weather we've enjoyed since we left Melbourne, the weather here, while still warm, was overcast, quite hazy with a light drizzle. We had opted for a late departure from the ship as hotel rooms are generally not ready till 2-3 pm, and so, after a leisurely and final breakfast we made ourselves comfortable in the Explorer's Bar, our designated holding area for disembarkation. At 10:20 it was our turn to walk off the Golden Princess for the last time, through HK Immigration to join the longest taxi queue any of us had ever seen. However the departure organisation was ultra efficient and 45 minutes later we were packed into a medium size taxi (all four of us + luggage) on our way to downtown Kowloon and the The Prince Marco Polo hotel. We had booked our rooms here more than 6 months ago through booking.com and it is always a bit surprising, and quite a relief, when you arrive and they are expecting you. This was certainly the case here - the staff were terrific and although we had to wait for our rooms to be ready, by 2pm we were settled into the biggest hotel rooms we've been in after a while. Certainly, after 23 nights in a very compact ship's stateroom it was nice to be able to spread out and settle in for the next five days. After unpacking and a bit of rest we walked down Canton Rd to find a liquor store to buy a few essentials and a bit to eat. Our hotel is located right in Harbour Town which is the largest shopping centre (3 levels) we've ever encountered. Tonight we opted for an early night so that we can be fresh and ready to explore Hong Kong tomorrow. It was also nice to find that our rooms provided free high speed internet access, which meant I could finally catch up on all the updates on all my devices and to finally download all my email.

25 April - Nha Trang - Vietnam

As we dined and slept last night the Golden Princess sailed to our next port in Vietnam - Nha Trang. This is one of Vietnam’s premier beach resort cities and the modern high rise hotels are springing up every where. This was another ‘tender’ port which meant we were ferried ashore using the ship’s lifeboats. Although this process takes a bit longer than simply walking down a gang plank, it is an interesting experience and provides a unique view of the Golden Princess close up.

Once ashore complimentary shuttle buses had been provided to take us into town.
Our main focus was the local market which is astounding in the sheer range of items for sale and the very low prices. At first the prices look high in the local currency (Dong) but once you divide them by 17,000 to convert to AUD (or 20,000 for USD) then things look remarkable cheap. Of course no one pays the asking price, and after some good natured haggling we generally arrived at half price - good fun. 

Tomorrow is our last full day at sea as we arrive in Hong Kong, and the end of our cruise on Wednesday. So, lots of paperwork to fill in and the process of packing will occupy some of the day.

24 April - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Vietnam

Once again we woke this morning to find the captain had quietly parked the Golden Princess in a busy port which serves as the main import/export hub for Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon. I was really looking forward to visiting this city for a couple of reasons. First I wanted to see the development that has taken place since the Vietnam War (called the American War here) ended in 1975, and second because of the long occupation of the area and the city of Saigon by the French, the city was renowned for its tree lined boulevards and elegant buildings. So, we signed up for a tour “The Best of Ho Chi Minh City” to see as much as possible as we could in a single day. And what an amazing day it was. HCM City is still an elegant and beautiful place and the new development going on is turning it quickly into a high rise citadel which will one day rival Hong Kong or Shanghai. It already has a population exceeding 10 million. For a nominally Communist country, capitalism appears to be rampant and I’m not sure it is benefiting the average Vietnamese very much. Our visit included the Presidential Palace which was the scene on 30 April, 1975, captured as an unforgettable image, of a lone North Vietnam tank driving up the boulevard and knocking down the iron gates. We also visited a lacquer work factory, the Opera House, Notre Dame cathedral and a beautiful Chinese temple.

Lunch was provided on the tour and accompanied by a fantastic performance of an ensemble of Vietnamese dancers and musicians. After the performance we were encouraged to join the performers on stage for photo opportunities and to play tambourines and castanets. Almost a party atmosphere and very enjoyable.

22 April - Laem Chabang - Thailand

 Overnight the Golden Princess moved up the coast of Thailand to berth at Laem Chabang which is the port for Bangkok. As Bangkok was a 2-3 hour bus ride away we decided instead to catch the shuttle bus to the holiday resort town of Pataya. Pattaya is best known for its fabulous beach and associated water activities such as SCUBA and parasailing, its shops and markets and it’s racy nightlife.
We spent most of our time shopping both in the air-conditioned departments stores as well as in the local markets. 

One obvious feature of these Asian cities is the overwhelming presence of motorcycles in all shapes and sized, particularly of the step through scooter variety. To see one these tiny machines loaded with a couple of adults and one or two children, mostly without protective equipment is an experience indeed. By 3pm we were worn down by the bargaining, the heat and the humidity and we caught the shuttle bus back to the ship. This gave us time for showers and a little snooze before dinner at 6pm, and then the daily show in the Princess Theatre, which featured a singer called Louis Hoover performing a tribute show to Frank Sinatra - very good show. 

After the show we went to the top of the ship to watch our departure from Laem Chabang. This was made especially interesting because our sister ship the Sapphire Pprincess was departing at the same time and the evening was beautifully lit by a full moon. 

Tomorrow is another sea day before we get to Vietnam.

21 April - Koh Samui - Thailand

After another couple of relaxing sea days we arrived this morning at the island of Koh Samui a small island off the coast of Thailand. Once again the ship lay at anchor while we were ferried across to the island by the ship’s tenders. The town where we anchored was called Nathon and it became quickly obvious that were at the wrong end of the island for shopping and sightseeing. We avoided the crush of drivers offering us transport to the other side of the island where the resorts and the shopping are located and instead negotiated a ride with a driver in town. UA$100 gets you an air-conditioned taxi and a drive who will take you wherever you want to go, stay with you all day and then get you back to the dock in time to board the ship. We spent some time browsing through the markets and departments stores, absolutely amazed at the range of goods available and the much reduced prices. The normal protocol for bargaining at the markets is to offer one third of what they are asking and then gradually work towards one half. It is a national sport enjoyed by the locals and the tourists alike. The local currency is the Baht and and Australia dollar will get you 28 Baht.

19 April - Singapore

After a couple of very relaxing sea days we woke this morning to find we had berthed in Singapore. Getting off the ship was somewhat of an ordeal as the Singapore authorities, unlike most other ports subject every passenger to the full immigration procedure, so that by the time we reached the city there was little time to do anything other than wander along Orchard Rd for a while and to take a look at the famous Raffles Hotel. The girls did a little shopping at H&M and by 3:30 we were back on board. Here at the ocean terminal we were alongside another Princess Line ship, the Sea Princess. One of the highlights of the day was to watch the Sea Princess depart immediately in front of our ship.

Next it was our turn and once again we had a quite spectacular departure from one of the busiest ports in the world. There were hundreds of ships in all directions and as dusk set in on a warm evening we spent quite a bit of time on deck watching the departure. Then we were off to the Bernini Dining Room for dinner. 

Tomorrow is another sea day before we arrive in Koh Samui in Thailand.

16 April, Bali, Indonesia

After a further two days at sea across the top of Australia, we arrived early this morning in Benoa, Bali in Indonesia. This little port does not have a dock large enough for the Princess, which meant we had to be taken ashore using some of the ship’s lifeboats as tenders.

Today was another beautiful warm day and when we arrived at the Benoa terminal we were immediately beset by dozens of taxi drivers offering to show us the island. We finally struck an all day deal with a very nice Balinese man called Rico who took us through the incredible hustle and bustle of Balinese towns into the foothills where we could get glimpses of the ancient rice terraces of Bali which are thousands of years old.

After that we went back down to Kuta for a bit of shopping and a Bintang beer. We finally boarded a tender back to the Princess with more than an hour to spare after a very interesting and enjoyable day in Bali.

13 April - A Day in Darwin, Australia

After leaving Brisbane we enjoyed 4 days at sea. Quite a spectacular part of the cruise as we travelled through various channels in the Great Barrier Reef, and lots of islands as we passed the northern coast of Queensland. Then after a couple of days we reached Cape York Peninsula the most Northern part of Australia. The ship then turned on to a westerly heading and into the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

 

In the strait we passed many of the Torres Strait islands in perfect weather. Blue skies and crystal clear water everywhere. The highlight of this part of this trip was passing Thursday Island. To pass through this channel requires the use of a reef pilot as in some places there is only 3m under the keel, and the channels can be quite narrow.

During this four day sea passage we experienced perfect weather and we spent most afternoons in a hot tub and just relaxing in a deckchair watching this magnificent scenery glide by.
Then, when we woke this morning we were berthed in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. Darwin was almost totally wiped out by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Day 1974. We had been there shortly before the cyclone and in 1976 when we moved back to Victoria and so there was not a single feature of the new Darwin that we recognised. In the past 42 years Darwin has re-emerged as a large modern city complete with high rise buildings. We had a pleasant walk (35ºC) through the CBD and then took a bus out to Casuarina to visit a large new shopping centre where I managed to buy my Apple Watch which I had been looking for.

We then walked from the city back to the port to see the magnificent view of the Golden Princess berthed in the harbour, and waiting to receive us back for afternoon tea. Tomorrow is another sea day before we arrive in Bali the following day.