travel

Friday Fotos – Sydney sunset from the MS Noordam

July 26, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

About Sydney sunset from MS Noordam

Our sunset departure was almost behind us as we made our way out to sea. We’d caught a Sydney sunset from the deck of the Noordam, which gave us an amazing view of the Sydney Opera House at sunset. By the time we made it out of the Sydney Harbor, the sun was dropping below the horizon. This skyline photo was the last I could get. Almost in the middle of the photo is the Sydney Tower Eye, which is 1001’ tall and the tallest building in Sydney. At this point, we’d had a lovely few days in Sydney, but were ready to head back to New Zealand.

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

More photos from Sydney, Australia

The Harbor Bridge shot from the Sydney Opera House — One of the attractions in Sydney is the ability to climb over the Harbor Bridge. I heard the cost was $15, but we had no time to climb!

Ferry making its run in front of the Harbor Bridge — There are actually three ferries in this photo. Can you spot them all?

The Alexander, one of the ferrys in the harbor — Ferrys traverse the bay constantly during the day..

Approaching the Harbor Bridge — Aboard the MS Noordam, as we set sail and get ready to pass under the Harbor Bridge

People watching us approach the Harbor Bridge — Those little dots on top of the Harbor Bridge are people watching us prepare to pass under the bridge.

This one's gonna be a squeaker! — We did make it under the bridge and afterward the captain came on and gave us the numbers. It's always a close call, but there's room.

Underneath the Harbor Bridge — If you've ever wondered what the underside of a massive bridge looks like, here's one!

On the far side of the Harbor Bridge — After passing beneath the Harbor Bridge, we had a beautiful sunset!

Friday Fotos – Sydney Opera House sunset from the MS Noordam

July 19, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

Sunset behind Sydney Opera House — The Sydney Opera House is iconic enough, but as the MS Noordam sailed by at sunset, it took on a whole new beauty.

About Sydney Opera House sunset

The Sydney Opera House is one of those iconic structures that’s known around the world. We’d taken a tour of the Opera House during our stay in Sydney, but seeing this magnificent building at sunset from the water was incredible. I got this shot right after capturing a beautiful photo of the Anzac Bridge.

Did you know the Sydney Opera House was almost never built? During our tour, we learned it was originally funded in a public-private partnership. Designs were solicited as part of a contest, and the winning design was initially rejected by the selection committee. Once this design was chosen and construction had begun, things did not go according to plan. The project took far longer than expected and the funding partnership fell apart after a change in government. Finally, after numerous cost overruns and changes to the original design, the Sydney Opera House was completed eighteen years after the design had been selected.

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

More photos from Sydney, Australia

Friday Fotos – Anzac Bridge sunset during Sydney departure

July 12, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

Anzac Bridge in the background — Shot from the MS Noordam during our departure from Sydney, this shot shows part of Sydney’s business district backed by the Anzac Bridge

About Anzac Bridge sunset

The MS Noordam departed Sydney an hour early. (Take a look at last week’s photo, leaving Sydney during sunset. This photo captures part of the walking path along the waterway as well as the Anzac Bridge at sunset. Leaving Sydney at sunset was an amazing experience and we were fortunate, as you can see, to have clear skies. In the foreground of this photo is a resort, backed by some of Sydney’s business district, and then the Anzac Bridge. If you’re not familiar with what “Anzac” means, it’s an abbreviation for Australia – New Zealand Army Corp., and commemorates the Australians and New Zealanders who landed at Gallipoli in World War I. Over the years, it has taken on a broader meaning to honor those who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. We were awed at the reverence the Australians and New Zealanders give to their fellow countrymen who have fought in conflicts around the world.

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

More photos from Sydney, Australia

Friday Fotos – Sydney sunset off the rear of the MS Noordam

July 5, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

sunset MS Noodrem — Sunset off the rear of the MS Noordam in Sydney just after we passed the Harbor Bay Bridge .

This was the first sunset we had on our Sydney to Australia cruise. We had boarded the MS Noordam earlier in the day. Our scheduled departure time was 6 pm, but the ship actually set sail an hour early due to a rising tide that would have kept us from passing under the Harbor Bay Bridge. I must say everything worked out for the best because I never would have gotten this shot had we left on time!

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

More photos from Sydney Harbor

Friday Fotos – Waikiki lights from Ala Moana Park

May 10, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

Waikīkī at night — On our last night we walked over to Ala Moana Park, where the lights of Waikīkī were shining brightly.

For our last night in Waikiki, we decided to take a walk to Ala Moana Park from our condo and check out the Waikiki lights. To our surprise, the walk to Ala Moana Park and even Ala Moana Mall, was an easy one. The park is a vast green space on a peninsula that sports plenty of activities. We caught the outrigger canoe club coming in. Watching the crew members jump off the canoe into the water when it was time to take the canoe out of the water gave us a momentary chill, but then we remembered this was Waikiki and Hawai‘i where the water is about ten degrees warmer than in San Diego.

Even though it was dark, there were still plenty of people enjoying the evening. Even some of the tour busses come here to park for the night. They’re done for the day and the parking lot is gigantic, so there’s plenty of space to line them up. And then there were the Waikiki lights as a backdrop. All those skyscrapers lining the water create for a beautiful display of lights.

More photos from Honolulu

Ala Wai Harbor with sunset almost done. — As the sun sinks into the ocean, the views from shore become more and more colorful and, of course, spectacular.

Oahu sunset with the harbor in foreground — One evening, I became very industrious and started taking photos of the sunset. Mother Nature did a great job that night!

Sunrise looking back toward Waikīkī at Kahanamoku Beach — The sun was not yet over the horizon, but already there was activity down at Kahanamoku Beach.

Ala Wai Harbor with sunset past — Even after the sun goes down, Mother Nature's show continues with ever-changing colors.

Ariel rides the big bird at Bishop Museum! — Why shouldn't Ariel go for a ride? One of our lighter moments at Bishop Museum!

Waikiki sunrise — The sun rises behind the skyscrapers fronting the bay in Waikīkī

Getting ready for the morning surf — At Kahanamoku Beach, a surfer takes the long walk across the rocks shortly after first light.

Sunrise at Kahanamoku Lagoon — Only reflections happening this early in the morning at Kahanamoku Lagoon

Outrigger canoe along the shore of Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki — I couldn't resist the chance to get this shot. With the sun just up, the shadows were still long and the light just perfect!

Oahu sunset at the harbor — This is one of my favorite times of the day. When the sky is still blue, but the lights are coming on and there are a few stars twinkling.

Travel Journal – May 8 – We (almost) did Diamond Head

May 8, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

In all the trips we’ve made to Hawai‘i, we’ve never hiked Diamond Head. With four days in Honolulu after our cruise, we decided to get adventurous and make the hike up Diamond Head. We’d heard stories about the climb and read up on what to expect. I would have liked to have done this hike earlier in the day, but we took the Hop on, Hop off bus to get here and were limited by their schedule and our own laziness (we missed the first run of the bus).

Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone with an elevation of 761 feet. For someone who is in good shape, this isn’t that much elevation but, as the saying goes, my biological clock is ticking and this hike was a stark reminder that I am not twenty, or even thirty or forty.

Our hike began at 200 feet elevation, which is where the trailhead is. We made it up past the first set of stairs, 74 in all, and through the 225 foot tunnel. When we came out the other end of the tunnel, we looked up to the right. Ninety-nine steep concrete steps seemed to stretch on to the sky. Those steps take you to the lowest level of the Fire Control Station. At this point, you might ask how many more levels are there? The answer is four. Which means there are more stairs—I think it’s another 136 altogether, more trails, more heat, and more sun.

When we turned around, we were hot, tired, and felt like our skin was baking. The line of people going up Diamond Head resembles a row of ants. Some of the people were in good enough shape to make it to the top. Others, like us, not so much. If you’re thinking of hiking Diamond Head, do a few things first. Prepare by climbing stairs—lots of them. Second, go early in the day. After ten, there are a lot of people who show up to make this climb. And third, have lots of patience. This is a long, slow climb and because of all the other people who are there and the narrow width of the trail, your pace may be determined by someone else, not you.

Want to follow along on our journey? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.