Today we are in Brisbane, the first stop on our cruise around Australia. We took the City Cat Ferry from the ship to central Brisbane, about one hour. Downtown Brisbane is quite modern, like most western cities. However, just across the river is the South Bank Park, the recreational and cultural centre of Brisbane. In addition to its convention centre, performing ars centre, state museum, art gallery and state library, it contains a man-made beach (essentiall...

We will depart Sydney this evening for the first leg of our 34 day circumnavigation of Australia. Today was mainly spent checking out of the hotel and getting on the ship, Holland America's "Volendam", so no new pictures to post. Sydney was enjoyable but not overly exciting or spectacular. It seems a lot like Vancouver. The people are friendly, service for the most part is quite good and the city is clean. We noticed the absence of any noticeable exhaust fro...

Today was spent mostly on the water. We purchased an all-day pass on the ferry system and travelled up the Paramatta River to Paramatta (23 km.), to Manly Beach and finally did the circuit around central Sydney. It became obvious that Sydney is a water city and Sydneysiders live on the water. Most of the development is taking place around the harbour and inlets and up the Paramatta River. The 2000 Olympic site is the focus of a great deal of residential const...

Today involved a great deal of walking. We went to the top of the sky tower (on the elevator, not stairs) for a 360 degree panoramic view of Sydney. We then walked to Circular Quay, thru' the Royal Botanic Gardens and back to our hotel. The Jacaranda trees are coming into bloom (see photo). While prices appear high, we are beginning to realize that, with tax included and no tipping, meals are not quite as pricey as we first thought. A$17 burger is equivalent...

Took a trip to the famous Bondi Beach today. It probably has some of the finest sand we have ever experienced. The surf was not much. We returned to Sydney and toured the Australian Maritime Museum. The highlight was a replica of the Endeavour, the ship of Cook when he landed in Australia in 1770 and claimed it for Britain. Late afternoon featured a brilliant red sun, the result of the bush fires in the Blue Mountains, inland from Sydney. No other evidence ...