Brilyn experiences

Tuesday

cmc45 — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:10:46 +0000

My last blog. As forecast rain today so we are at the big Sunshine Plaza. Took the rental car back and they dropped us off.

Hired a car yesterday and did the tourist Blackall range. This time we did different things. Walked an hour at Mapleton in the National Park. Stopped at a garden centre for lunch. Spent a couple of hours browsing the shops at Montville. Travelled a short distance to Mary Cairncross National Park and walked a loop track of about 45 minutes. On to Maleny another interesting town then back through Lansborough and home about 5.15pm.

It is expected to be rainy most of today then clear tomorrow morning. May go to the movies if it rains all day. Plan a quiet day around Mooloolaba tomorrow then our pick up for the airport is 2.30 Thursday. Have to check out of our apartment at 10am but they will store our luggage and there is an area to get changed in.

Sunday

cmc45 — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:53:10 +0000

Had a great day on Friday. Picked up the rental car at 8.00 am then drove to Tewantin, across the river on a ferry then to the end of the road to a wilderness camp to meet up with our friends. After a cuppa we went 4 wheel drivng along the beach to the end to Double Island Point. Stopped to collect pippis and long worms from the sand. Had a green another cuppa in a green area off the beach and went touring round Tewa settlement. The beach was busy. It was like a highway with people fishing and camping along the beach. We got back about 2.30 and they cooked a beautiful fish lunch. It was really early tea as we ate about 4pm. Went for a walk along the beach and set out for home about 6pm. They showed us a more straight forward way on the map so we were home by 7.30pm. They were so pleased to see us and so hospitable. We net them on the cruise in May.

Saturday Brian returned the rental car by 8 then we set out on the bus to Buderim. Cane back to Maroochy for lunch then walked along Cotton Tree and sat on the beach and read. Back home in time to watch the rugby at 5.30. The commenary was interesting and certainly very biased towards Australia.

Today Brian set off at 8.45 for an all day bowls tournament . There is Beachside team. I had a leisurely start and have been up to Coolom beach, went for a long walk and sat and read on the beach.

Thanks for all your texts and messages. It always good to get news from home. Hard to believe we only have a few days left. The time has gone so quickly. They are forcasting rain for Tues/Wed so have left some inside activities for then.

Thursday

cmc45 — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:40:27 +0000

At last our colds have gone away so we have a whole lot more energy.

Brian enjoyed bowls on Sunday and came home with some prizes.

Monday we caught the bus to Caloundra, went on a river cruise and walked along the coastline on a board walk.

Tuesday a couple we met on the cruise picked us up at 9.30 and took us to their home in Buderim for a cuppa then on a tiki tour around which was great. We were back to our apartment for a residents lunch to meet all the other guesta. It was BBQ prawns and swordfish. Late afternoon we walked to see a lottery show home not far from the beach.

Wednesday we caught the bus to Noosa and walked in the Natiuonal Park along the coastline to Hell’s gate – a point where the tide rushes in. We had lunch at the point and watched dolphins and whales in the distabce..

This morning we alked along the beach and watched them dredging sand off shore and pumping it on to the beach. Brian is paying bowls now at 3 pm and after we are all meeting at the bowls club for a roast meal. There are a number of people who are regulars here and stay for up to 3 months. They are all very friendly.

To morrow we have booked a rental car to visit our friends up North.

Sunday

cmc45 — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:06:34 +0000

Bumpy flight over the Tasman on Thursday but arrived early. Had to wait an hour for our shuttle so arrived at Beachside Apartments about 8.30pm.

Awake early on Friday. Had breakfast at Subway across the road – a bacon and omelette sub and mango fruit smoothie. Went shopping then for food at Coles which is just a ten minute walk. Food prices seemed much dearer and a very small selection of lite products eg no lite muesli. Walked to the beachfront and along the river. Relaxed at our apartment and went swimming in the pool. Out for dinner to the bowls club, a short 3 minute walk. Chose yummy macadamia coated scnapper.

Our apartment is great. It is on the first floor over looking the pool. We have a wrap around balcony with sliders opening from both the bedroom and living room. Tall palm trees give us privavcy. It is a lovely green oasis and handy to everything. Post office across the road. Bus stop about 2 minutes walk. Less than 5 minutes walk to either the beachfront or the river.

It has been pleasantly warn with temperatures between 22 – 26. It doesn,t cool much at night but gets dark around 5.20 m.

Saturday we were up early and caught the 7.35 bus to Emundi Markets. Althought we have been twice before we enjoyed browsing around the varied array of produce and products. There is a very pleasant relaxed atmosphere. Came back a different route and stopped off at Noosa for a couple of hours. We purchased a go card for our travel. The whole journey of about 4 hours in total with 5 changes cost about 12 dollars. Returned home late afternoon . Went for a swim and spa and had tea at our apartment then watched the rugby.

This morning we walked along the beachfront to Maroochydoore for about an hour. Brian returned to play bowls and I have been at the Sunshine Plaza, a huge shopping mall. I am shortly to walk home. It will take me about 2 hours but is very pleasant along the coastline. I can catch a bus if I want

Mooloolaba July/August 2010

cmc45 — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:15:29 +0000

We will be flying to Brisbane on Thursday 29th July to stay a fortnight at Beachside, Mooloolaba 2/35 Brisbane Road. We will return home on the evening of Thursday 12th August.

cmc45 — Thu, 20 May 2010 05:19:46 +0000

The days at sea have gone really fast. Having problems today so will be brief. Not been good connections to blog or text.

Found Apia extremely hot. Did a tour in an open bus to see the sights . Really enjoyed tyhe visit to R L Stevensons house on the hill overlooking the sea. They are constructing a 4 lane highway from the airport to the town.

We lost Monday and early Tuesday morning we circled Niuafo”ou a tongan island for dropping mail in a tincan which was picked up by the islanders.

Enjoyed the day at Suva. Our planned forest walk was cancelled so we chose to visit a village. We went on a bus for an hour into the country to a landing at a river where we were ferried by boat to Rewa Delta to a catholic missionary school and 100 year old church. The primary school children sang for us, we toured the school and had a kava ceremony in the assembly hall and more singing and dancing by the secondary pupils. The village is not accessible by road.

In the afternoon we walked ourselves close to the dock for an hour and saw food markets and the usual stalls.

Today we went by catamaran to South Seas Island and spent nost of the day there. Went on a submarine to view coral and colourfulfish, Brian had a sail in a hobby cat, snorlelled and I swam and relaxed on the beach. Have just returned now.

Tomorrow we tender to a small island and expect to swim and Brian to snorkel. Two more sea days after that then home. We are back to NZ time zone now.

Brian has enjoyed doing a daily quizz with the same team and they have won a couple of prizes. The weather continues to be fine with calm seas so we are very lucky.

French Polynesia

cmc45 — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:14:16 +0000

Very picturesque sailing into Papeete. Green areas along the sea with waving palms. Tahitians on the wharf to greet us with flowers and song and dance. Very humid. Explored on foot for a couple of hours then a tour late morning. Travelled along the Eastern Coast, stopped at a black sand beach at Point Venus then inland for a short walk to a waterful amongst lush bush. Retruned to ship for lunch and a rest. We set off late afternoon again on foot and walked along the lovely green areas along the waterfront below which are carparks. Traffic very busy – population of 175,000 with 195,000 cars on the island. The evening entertainment was a Tahitina group og singers and dancers which we enjoyed immensely. We set sail about 10.00pm.

Tenders ashore to Moorea. Very heavy rain on our Circle Island Tour. Saw the Bali Hai mountain from the movie South pacific. Too wet to go walking after our tour.

A beautiful morning to arrive in Bora Bora probably the most beautiful island we have ever visited. Were up early to watch us sail into the harbour.. Had a great tour round the island in an open truck with lots of photo stops. Stunning white sandy beached with clear vivid blue waters. Public Holiday today (Ascension Thursday) so lots of businesses closed. Had a short walk but the heat was very tiring.

All of the three island are suffering from the downturn in tourism and several resorts have closed down.

Two sea days ahead but always plenty of interesting things to do.

Rarotonga Sunday

cmc45 — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:25:32 +0000

Thanks for all your Mother’s Day messages and texts. We had 2 Fridays as we crossed the dateline but will loose a day in about a week.

Vava”u. Really enjoyed the day there. Sailing in to anchor we passed numerous islands of all sizes. Our excursion was to botannical gardens which were very lush with species from all round the world. We then went to a conservation area by a beach where we saw coconut processed, vanilla, tapa cloth and kava. We then watched a concert performed by school children. The children had to go to school early as we used their school buses. Very friendly people, and stalls on the wharf. Sailing out there was a BBQ on the back deck with yummy salads, pork chops and spare ribs.

The 2 days at sea went very quickly. We have been to: fruit and vege carving, cooking demonstration, shopping fair, Liar’s Club (comedy) another classical piano recital, destination talk on R, buying pearls, musical murder mystery. Yesterday we saw the movie Mao’s Last Dance which we both enjoyed. We have been eating at all the restaurants depending on what we want to do and what fits best. Been to all the night shows.

Today tender ashore to Rarotonga but just a short trip this time. Went on a short bus ride to the beach where we went in glass bottom boats to Muri Lagoon. Brian did some snorkelling. There was not a lot of fish or coral to see. We then spent time at the beach swimming. Sea very war. Cloudy and windy agin today. We have had wind since getting to open sea from Vava”u. A moderate swell but I have my sealegs. We walked a little at R but being Sunday not much was open.

A 2 sided A4 sheet NZ Today is avaiolable at the Purser’s desk each morning so we are seeing some NZ news.

Nuku’alofa

cmc45 — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:50:55 +0000

Monday. Arrived at Prince’s wharf and embarked Pacific Sun around 12 noon. Had a buffet lunch then went on a tour of the ship. Our luggage was delivered to our cabin late afternoon so we unpacked. The cabin is spacious, good wardrobe spaceand storage,shower toilet are compact but good shower pressure. Went to dinner in Bordaux Restaurant. Had planned to go to 7.000 pm show but dinner slow so went to 8.30 sound and laser light show. Quite impressive.

Tuesday Leisurely start to day then a Port presentation at 10.00am. Brian hired snorkel gear.A Meet the Captain session at 3.00 pm. Good information and well presented. Attended a general quizz at 4.00 pm. Went to the early show – a singer Jackie Love a very versatile singer. Had dinner after at 8.00 pm. Weather quite chilly, no sun and a slight swell all day.

Wednesday. Lost an hour overnight. Had to put the clocks forward. Another late staert for us with breakfast at 8.30. Temperatures a lot warmer today. Plenty to do . 11.00 am Destination lecture. !2 noon Classical piano recital. 1.00 pm Lunch. 2.00 pm Art Auction. Sat in the sun and read for a while. Early tea at the buffet then to a session to meet the executive staff followed by and NZ singer Ash Puriri. He sang from modern to Opera.

The 2 days at sea went very quickly. All cabins full – 1600 passengers. Our cabin is in an excellent place. Tried out all the dining rooms. Buffet very crowded. Food excellent and staff very friendly and helpful. The ship does feel crowded as it is 25 years old with no flow on public areas and much less space for relaxing than previous chips we have been on. About half NZ’ers and Australians plus few others from around the world. Shared meals with lotrs of pleasant people.

Thursday Early breakfast to watch us dock at Nuku’alofa. A scramle to embark – not well organised at all. Went on a tour around the island and then a 2 hour stop at a beach not suitable for swimming. Saw the important places in the town – the King’s Palace, lots of churches, the blowholes, flying fox colony. Would have been difficult to do on our own so pleased we had booked an excursion. Had intended to explore our selves this afternoon but nothing to see close to the wharf.

Itinerary for Tahitian Treasures Cruise

cmc45 — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 04:25:22 +0000

We set off on Monday 3rd May on a P & O cruise on the Pacific Sun. We fly to Auckland in the morning then embark at lunchtime. Below is our itinerary.

03/05/10 Depart Auckland 4.00 pm

06/05/10 Nuku’alofa, Tonga

07/05/10 Vava’u, Tonga

09/05/10 Rarotonga, Cook Islands

11/05/10 Papeete, Tahiti

12/05/10 Moorea, French Polynesia

13/05/10 Bora Bora, French Polynesia

16/05/10 Apia, Western Samoa

18/05/10 Niuafo’ou, Tonga

19/05/10 Suva, Fiji

20/05/10 Port Denarau, Fiji

21/05/10 Dravuni Island, Fiji

24/05/10 Arrive Auckland 7.00 am Flight to Christchurch 12.30pm