Bit of a Blog : Solstice : Auckland – Fremantle – Sydney : February 14th 2016

[NorbertsNiece]

 

Up as close as you like....

 

 

 

Right outside the entrance / exit to the enclosure there are hand washing facilities. A lady had put her bag of animal food down and this fella ran by me with it in his mouth.....

 

 

Cassowary

 

 

Edited March 18, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I have many, many koala pics. Finding one awake was a bonus.

 

 

Is this for me?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

All curled up fast asleep

 

 

 

I failed miserably at getting a pic of the cute swimmer. Really really incredibly bad pics. They looked like this.

 

Edited March 18, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I thought this dingo was playing with a ball on a wire..... I was later informed it's a rabbit....

 

 

 

 

 

 

These sleeping koalas have had their cover removed to wake them up...... they are only allowed 30 minutes a day photograph posing so a rota is set up.

 

 

Heading back to the city on the Mirimar. The Citycat water taxi can only go so far upstream and doesn't get up as far as Lone Pine.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Walkabout in Brisbane

 

 

 

 

A gigantic metal ball

 

 

 

We have these in London. Hate them

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We head back to the ship.

 

Another convoluted drive to get to it

 

 

 

 

 

 

So close....

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

There vessel that had been berthed in front of us has been replace by this vehicle transporter that is unloading

 

 

 

 

This is the first time I've seen this and I always use the stairs up from 2 to 3 when coming back......

 

 

Sorry about the light..... it's a Damien Hirst and what caught my attention initially was the thought that it reminded me of that spin art thing my children had where you dropped paint on a rotating card....

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Sailaway

 

 

All those unloaded cars...... blue tinge of Sky Lounge

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

See that little boat?

 

 

 

 

 

'Plane coming in to land

 

 

Lovely day then to top it all I get this..... how amazing!!!

 

[NorbertsNiece]

I head up to Oceanview to find someone to share my gift with.

 

St Patrick's Day is in full swing

 

 

There's food laid on in Cellar Masters but my pic did not pass quality control.

 

Silk Harvest

 

 

GF crackers, they were soooo good! Picture quality not good due to lighting in there

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

GF Tempura!!

 

 

Sashimi

 

 

Very blurred pic of half a duck......was delicious but way too much for 1 person

 

Bananas

 

 

I enjoyed the meal very much. Excellent server from Indonesia. Tipped him personally with Rupiah as he's going home for his holidays on Sunday.

 

This is what prompted me to go out on deck..... we were far beyond Brisbane.

 

[CRUISEBOY305]

Lemongrass Crème Brûlèe !!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

[NorbertsNiece]

Lemongrass Crème Brûlèe !!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

 

I only have one complaint about this meal Erik.... this is how they served the coffee afterwards..... I need a handle ;) (knew you'd appreciate the coffee reference)

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Phone conversation to Guest Services :

 

Me : "Do you by any chance sell postage stamps for postcards?"

Response : "No madam regrettably we don't but we can give your postcards to our port agent to post."

Me : "So I can bring my postcards to you to post for me?"

"Yes madam".

"But how much is that?"

"Nothing madam. The postcard must have a stamp on it."

 

There's a hole in my bucket......

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Preparing for the Egg Drop competition

 

 

The idea is to drop 3 raw eggs to land inside the hoops without breaking from Deck 7. This is a demo

 

 

That's a fail..... they mustn't break

 

 

The first contender

 

Edited March 18, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Innovative design

 

 

Others were less creative or successful

 

 

 

Umbrella assisted

 

 

That's a miss

 

 

that's another

 

[NorbertsNiece]

But they had a creative approach and the eggs were whole..... those are shower caps!!

 

 

I wandered into the MDR where lunch is being served..... Ceren is preparing Steak Diane

 

 

Had a super display of sheer joy this afternoon as we were chased by these guys and their friends

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Noooooooooooo It's not that time already........

 

 

The wonderful Maitre d' in the MDR has enticed me back into the MDR for 'Chic' night. Surf 'n Filet Mignon

 

 

And this is what an IGLU looks like as a take away.

 

Edited March 18, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[CRUISEBOY305]

I only have one complaint about this meal Erik.... this is how they served the coffee afterwards..... I need a handle ;) (knew you'd appreciate the coffee reference)

 

 

did you say coffee???? WHERE? :eek::eek::eek:

 

 

I know, I need a handle too. But think about, do you get a handle in Asia? Authenticity ;) lol

[CRUISEBOY305]

Linda, your cruise can't be over already. We just got on :eek::eek: :(

[NorbertsNiece]

did you say coffee???? WHERE? too many emojis for this post....tut

 

 

I know, I need a handle too. But think about, do you get a handle in Asia? Authenticity ;) lol

 

Do you get Decaf Cappuccino?..... ;)

 

Linda, your cruise can't be over already. We just got on :eek::eek: :(

 

Please stay with me.....

 

Cheap and cheerful restaurant / cafe suggestions if such things exist in Sydney will be very welcome.

 

Sunday 20th : Retail therapy in Sydney..... then the Opera House for some....wait for it...... Opera

 

Monday 21st : Blue Mountains Tour with ATS Pacific : Notice the words 'gondola' and 'lunch'.

 

 

 

Tuesday 22rd : Opera House Tour then being whisked away by friends on a Mystery Tour

Wednesday 23rd : Fly to Uluru / Ayers Rock

Saturday 26th : Fly back to Sydney

Sunday 27th : Fly back to UK

[Disco Duck]

I want to thank you so much for your wonderful postings. Every morning when I wake I look to see if you have posted something. Your pictures have been amazing and your writing "Outstanding". Thank you for the GF references. I am so looking forward to the meals on The Solstice. Safe travels back home.

 

 

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[Disco Duck]

I have just started my research into GF foods in Sydney. This restaurant, DARE, is GF. I don't know about pricing. http://www.darefood.com.au/

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[ozscot01]

I will miss this blog as I've been following along from the start. I have enjoyed every sea day and port along with you and I thank you so much for the enjoyment you have given. Have a fabulous end to your trip. I know you will

Love the Opera House tour, and please do take care at Uluru. It's hot out there!

Safe home Linda and thank you once more[emoji4]

[CRUISEBOY305]

Do you get Decaf Cappuccino?..... ;)

 

 

 

Please stay with me.....

 

Cheap and cheerful restaurant / cafe suggestions if such things exist in Sydney will be very welcome.

 

Sunday 20th : Retail therapy in Sydney..... then the Opera House for some....wait for it...... Opera

 

Monday 21st : Blue Mountains Tour with ATS Pacific : Notice the words 'gondola' and 'lunch'.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 22rd : Opera House Tour then being whisked away by friends on a Mystery Tour

Wednesday 23rd : Fly to Uluru / Ayers Rock

Saturday 26th : Fly back to Sydney

Sunday 27th : Fly back to UK

 

Decaf????? What is that? :eek::p