My wife and I had planned what we thought was a holiday of a lifetime a cruise which took in destinations in both Australia and New Zealand and I have to say from the outset that these countries which promised so much did not disappoint, I would thouroghly recommend these countries to anyone everything about them is just fantastic.
The only problem was Royal Caribbean International ship the Radiance of the Seas, I have cruised with five cruise lines and this was by far the worst experience I have ever encountered. The whole essence of this ship was to extract ever last penny that they could from a captive audience. On the plus side the cabin was spacious but not comfortable and the cabin and dining room staff were very good. The rest was so poor. The food was very average and as my wife said I cook better than some of the meals provided.
Breakfast was a disaster one morning I ordered shreaded wheat and I was brought grits, I explained this was wrong and both the waiter and the supervisor insisted this was shreaded wheat, I called the maitre d' and he sent back what I was given and I finally got the shreaded wheat. Two days later I ordered shreaded wheat and it arrived, I sat for 15 minutes and the waiter came to take my plate away and I stopped him and explained I was still waiting for the milk for the breakfast.
Cabin was spacious but my back is still recovering from the effects of the bed even though they said they had made some adjustments
Great tour visited many sites across Sydney the tour was humourous and informative, I learnt so much about Sydney its culture and history and would recommend this tour to anyone. It was also a fraction of the cost of that offered by the cruise company.
Great trip and Watson's Bay was a joy, we had agood walk followed by a seafood lunch at Doyles on the beach. If you do nothing else in Sydney do this.
It was 10c, pouring with rain and the wind cut through you. The highlight was a visit to Te Papa Tongarewa museum. This was the jewel in Wellington an absolutely fantastic place for all ages and backgrounds and a great place to learn about the history, culture and character of New Zealand.
We had a local guide who was very humourous and his local knowledge extended to local characters and some great anecdotes.
Do yourself a favour and go with the locals great fun and a fraction of the cruise line costs.
Loved Melbourne. You must visit Queen Victoria market it really is something else.
Also visit the gaol and the watchhouse it is both entertaining and informative particulary Seargent J Henderson who made being arrested a real experience.
We visited the war memorial the day before armistice day where they were practicing for the rememberance service. The memorial was something that Melbourne and Australia can be very proud of.
The wildlife park was really good but the guide on the coach spoke too softly and too quickly, so what she had to say was wasted.
The staff were excellent, the guide had a wicked sense of humour and the scenery was great. The history of the railway and the local area was fascinating.
The art gallery and the sports museum was also very interesting.
My memory of Esperance will always be of the flies, so many flies I learnt the Australian salute (to keep the flies away). I can honestly say I do not know how the locals live with flies, they drove me nuts!