Once again, Kevin and I are embarking on a new adventure half way across the world. We are spending just under a month in Australia and New Zealand. Did you know that Western Australia is the furthest you can travel from the east coast? Yep! If you wanted to get as far away from someone as you possibly could, you would want to go to Western Australia.
Good to know right?
We left San Francisco on Monday, April 1 and arrived 15 1/2 hours later in Sydney, Australia on Wednesday, April 3.
The good news is the flight was relatively easy. It was only about a quarter full, non-stop and the largest plane we have ever been on. The seats were 3 on one side, 4 in the middle and another 3 on the other side. I was able to lay down on the row of 4 seats and sleep quite well.
The airlines, United, provided pillows, blankets and 3 meals. Mind you, they weren’t the best meals but at least they fed us. And they turned off the lights for us to sleep and right on cue everybody woke when the lights came on, ate and promptly fell back to sleep when the lights went out again.
Us humans are so easily trained.
The bad news is we lost Tuesday. I’m not sure where it went but it just never existed for those of us on this flight. I’m hoping we get it back again on the way home.
So unfortunately, we have no cell or internet service presently but I am preparing for whenever we do finally get some service so I can post this.
The reason we have no service? We are currently out in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and New Zealand.
We landed in Sydney, Australia Wednesday morning, took an uber over to the Sydney port and after a super yummy breakfast in Sydney, we boarded our cruise boat, Royal Carribean’s Ovation of the Seas and set sail that evening. The cruise is taking us around New Zealand for 10 days. Well actually, it took us 2 1/2 days to get to New Zealand from Sydney, we will travel around New Zealand for 5 days and then head back to Sydney.
Travel Companions
Traveling with us on this trip are our good friends, Debbie and David. I first met David when I was maybe 11? We grew up around the corner from each other and went to all the same schools. I became friends with Debbie when she moved to Newark and went to my high school. Her and David married right out of high school and will be celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary with us in Australia. We have taken several vacations together, however this one will be the longest stretch of time together yet.
Wish us luck!! LOL! We thought we should take this picture while we all still liked each other 🙂
Sydney Opera House on the shore of Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s most famous distinctive buildings. It really does look very cool, doesn’t it?
Vitality Spa
I spent the first day aboard ship in the Vitality Spa :).
It started with a mani/pedi, then an hour in the Relaxation Suite and ended with an hour and half deep tissue massage and a facial.
The Relaxation Suite has a steam room and a sauna and heated lounge chairs. Sounds heavenly right? Well, it should have been but it wasn’t on that day. It was the first day of the cruise and they were doing tours throughout the spa. Kind of hard to relax when people are traipsing through laughing with drinks in their hands. The passengers with unlimited drink packages were already getting started and determined to make the tours fun.
So I high tailed it out of there pretty quick.
Yoga with Mom
The next morning I took a yoga class in the fitness center. It kind of kicked my butt and was a good workout. Really tricky trying to balance on a boat that was rocking and rolling. But I hung in there and made it through the class.
At the end we did a little relaxation exercise which started out really nice and relaxing. He was telling us what to focus on, our eyes, our nose, our breath, our heart, our mother. WHAT?!
My mother? Nothing like ruining a good relaxation than to focus on your mother. I looked around to see how that affected everyone else and nobody seemed affected in the least. So I looked around for my mother and didn’t see her anywhere so I tried to relax again.
Once he ran through the list again, I realized he said your muscles. It must have been that Australian accent. I don’t know! Maybe my mom was trying to tell me something. I have to admit it did kind of freak me out a bit.
Along with the internet issue, we are having other technical difficulties so I am going to try to get this posted and hopefully do better with our next post.
Until then …….
G’day mate!
Love hearing from you! You started my morning off with a chuckle. Peace and Love and calm seas🙂
Thanks Trisha! The cruise was fun!
Sounds like quite the plane ride!!
Glad you made it safely!
We were just talking last night wondering if you were in Australia yet.
Safe adventures!!
Yep, the cruise was around New Zealand but we are in Australia now.
I am sososo geeked for you guys!! What an adventure….Again. Absolutely love your travelogue and pictures. Have a blast, keep your curious personality, write on and stay safe. Live you guys. XXOO
Thanks Barb! So far it’s been fun!
I am so geeked for you guys! I love your travelogue and the accompanying pictures. Keep writing. Stay curious, keep safe and have a blast. Love you XO.
So fun reading your bog! I love that you are traveling again! Bon voyage! ❤️❤️
On the road again! 🙂
So happy for you guys! Enjoy. Love you
Thanks Linda! Should be an adventure!
Good luck on your adventure Have a great day. Don’t get your nickers in a knot.
Don’t get my nickers in a knot? Not sure what that means but it sounds funny 🙂
Yay I’m so glad you’re blogging this new adventure! Love hearing your updates. “Focus on your mother and relax” LOL 😂 😂 😂. I think if that’s what he’d have actually said, a lot of people would be distressed!
Yay I’m so glad you’re blogging this new adventure! Love hearing your updates. “Focus on your mother and relax” LOL 😂 😂 😂. I think if that’s what he’d have actually said, a lot of people would be distressed!
That was freaky Pam!
Your travel blogs are a delight to read, Denise. You are a natural storyteller. Have fun!
Thanks Margie! Glad you could join us!
Agree!