Celebrity Solstice March 30-April 11,
2018
Larry and I flew from Alice Springs, Australia around noon to Sydney
arriving around 3:30pm. We watched the latest Denzel Washington movie, Roman J. Israel, Esq. After gathering the luggage we caught the
train into Circular Quay where we stayed in the famous Mercantile Hotel, circa
1800's.
After a great dinner downstairs, we walked over to the pier, just a block away to see the Opera House and Sydney Bridge all lit up for the night. What a sight!
After a great dinner downstairs, we walked over to the pier, just a block away to see the Opera House and Sydney Bridge all lit up for the night. What a sight!
The next morning we headed over to the pier at Circular Quay to have the
smoothest ever check in to the Celebrity Solstice. In less than an hour we were
on board having a welcoming Samoa beverage. Very nice.
That night we had a scenic sunset sail away.
While leaving Sydney Harbor, we passed by some tall cliffs going into the Pacific.
The next morning we awoke in Newcastle,
Australia....the state of Queensland.
The ship docked in an industrial port at the mouth of the Hunter
River just outside of the city. The only way to exit the ship was to take a
bus directly off the ship for a 20 minute ride
into the city.
Upon arriving in Newcastle Larry and I enjoyed the walk down the
scenic esplanade to the beach.
Nine years ago we visited Newcastle which I quickly renamed
Nude Castle. In 2009 Topless sunbathers were soaking up the sun. Today an
embossed saying on the sidewalk called these 21st century sunbathers
to be foolhearty and that the beach was no longer accepting that behavior. HA!
On this busy Saturday before Easter, not one topless beach goer was
present, although there were lots of surfers and sun worshippers lying in the
sand.
We walked past the Australian Lagoons that were created for safe swimming areas that have
been engineered to take in the ocean waters and leave the crocodiles, sharks,
and jelly fish out in the open seas.
The ocean scenery was gorgeous...on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.
We trudged on up the hill to Fort
Scratchley, an Australian military fortification.
Many volunteers were dressed in authentic uniforms.
Canons were fired here to
ward off the Japanese during WW II. Is Larry aiming for me???
That evening we had a fabulous full moon.
The next morning was Easter Sunday...the ship was all decorated up so nice.
a carved bunny in a watermelon
Easter Sunday and Monday we sailed the Coral Sea. I love the sea
days!
Sea days are full of reading, watching movies, water color painting, going to informative talks and using the on board gym. Usually we walk the ship track but the Solstice does not have the normal walking deck that circles the ship’s circumference . The top of the ship has a jogging track, small that it may be, it doesn’t take long to make a lap.
The Solstice boasts two pools....one inside and one out.
The most unusual thing about the ship was that it had a grass lawn. It was used for outside lawn games and starlight evening movies.
Sea days are full of reading, watching movies, water color painting, going to informative talks and using the on board gym. Usually we walk the ship track but the Solstice does not have the normal walking deck that circles the ship’s circumference . The top of the ship has a jogging track, small that it may be, it doesn’t take long to make a lap.
Our next stop, Airlie Beach, Queensland was canceled due to
Cyclone Iris…so we got another lovely day at sea…even though
it rained.
The next morning we anchored in the Coral Sea outside of Cairns, our second
destination. A thirty minute tender boat ride to Yorkey’s Knob and then a 45
minute bus ride into the ‘Capitol of Tropical North Queensland’ took us into
the heart of Cairns.
It was a very spread out city banked between mountains, river and sea.The area had gorgeous rolling green mountains and was surrounded by lush tropical rainforests....What a contrast from the deserts of Uluru.
The Marina had a some really nice boats.
We spent the morning touring the esplanade, marina, and lagoon.
The lagoon was unique here. The sand lead the way into a chlorine filled body of water right beside the sea.
The sun
was quite hot here so we headed back to the ship after a nice lunch. The second
day of Cairns, Larry and I just enjoyed the ship amenities. It was fun having
the ship all to ourselves.
Our third stop was at Port Douglas, Queensland. What a
lovely place! Our favorite stop!
After a 30 minute catamaran took us into the Reef Marina, Larry and I walked ten minutes into the town.
The clean streets
were lined with lots of chic coffee shops and restaurants.
We walked through the town to Jalun
Park and then up to the lookout!
What a fantastic hike with views of
the Coral Sea.
The sun was very hot today so we looked for all the shaded areas that we could find.
We spotted our ship sitting out in the sea.
Afterwards we slipped into our bathing suits and took a dip in the town lagoon that was netted and protected from crocks and stinging nettles. It was a refreshing way to spend the midmorning in the heat of the day.
As we sailed north we came closer to the equator and some of the hottest areas on our planet. After our refreshing swim we walked back through the town to have lunch and ice cream. It was nice to get back to the air conditioned ship upon returning.
After a 30 minute catamaran took us into the Reef Marina, Larry and I walked ten minutes into the town.
Afterwards we slipped into our bathing suits and took a dip in the town lagoon that was netted and protected from crocks and stinging nettles. It was a refreshing way to spend the midmorning in the heat of the day.
As we sailed north we came closer to the equator and some of the hottest areas on our planet. After our refreshing swim we walked back through the town to have lunch and ice cream. It was nice to get back to the air conditioned ship upon returning.
Saturday we cruised by Willis Island. One of the three
resident Australian Meteorolgist from
Willis Island spoke to us about his job, studying the cyclones and other
weather condition that pass through
Australia.
While cruising the area we enjoyed spotting the hundreds of the masked, Brown and Red Footed Boobies that flew around the ship! They actually had blue bills. Unusual birds!
While cruising the area we enjoyed spotting the hundreds of the masked, Brown and Red Footed Boobies that flew around the ship! They actually had blue bills. Unusual birds!
We enjoyed another sea day before stopping in the Port of
Brisbane to explore the River City, Brisbane.
We took a 30 minute bus into the
city to Anzac Square. From there we walked into Queens Plaza, a mall of high
end shops.
We walked across this bridge to the South Bank
area, a scenic river walk passing by a lagoon, rainforest, and lots of pubs and
restaurants.
Brisbane built the South Bank park during the 2000 Olympics and the sandy lagoon is still being used today.
This area was delightful!
We met our Tasmanian, friends, Max and
Liz, for a great lunch at the Plough’s Inn.
Max and Liz visited us in Florida during May last year, so we had a great time catching
up.
This area was delightful!
After lunch we took the Hop on Water taxi riding up the
river to our drop off point for the Anzac Square.
The evening ended with the best Motown Show staring the Oz
Boyz from Australia. What a great day! We had a final day at sea before
returning to Sydney.
We had a wonderful time on the Solstice exploring North Eastern Australia
Larry and I spent Wednesday and Thursday touring Sydney.
The first day we met a guide at Hyde Park to take a 3 and half hour walking tour of the city . We saw so many sights.
Modern fountains
as well as old fountains....Archibald Fountain
The Palace Garden
My Leo the Lion
The Sydney Customs House
An Aboriginal Didjeridu, musical instrument
Some cool streets in the Rocks area
The Clock Tower...with two times
The Sydney Icon.....The Opera House
Larry and I spent Wednesday and Thursday touring Sydney.
The first day we met a guide at Hyde Park to take a 3 and half hour walking tour of the city . We saw so many sights.
St Mary's Cathedral
Lots of statues....This one of Queen Victoria
A colorful rainbow lorikeet
The second day we took a bus tour of the area.
Leaving Archibald Fountain we viewed
Fort Denison in Sydney Harbor
We stopped off at Don Ritchie Grove. This area had high cliffs that lead to the Pacific Ocean.
Sydney's first Light House
It was a great day for the beach....91 degrees.
Bondi Beach
Kings Cross Fountain
During the evening we walked to Darlington Harbor for dinner.
We feasted on crocodile and sword fish while taking in all the boats, ferries, and water taxis coming and going. What a fantastic way to spend our last night in this wonderful country.
