In side Queen Victoria building

Bindi beach view from monorail

The bridge walk was very exciting. The opera house was beautiful

Oct16 Tuesday-Christ Church New Zealand said to be more English than England. We begin with a buffet breakfast. We get a city tour bus ride. First we stop at the Antartic center www.iceberg.co.nz What an experience. A huge complex where we learn about the icy continent . We go into the polar room where we put on booties and a jacket before going onto a room of snow. They regulate the temperature and we feel what it is like to be in 18’c with a wind chill of(-2). They turn on giant fans. Next we get a Haggland adventure. A 15 min jaunt in a 5 ton tracked buggy, an genuine anartic all-terrain amphibious vehicle. Fun fun fun .We have time to view displays in different galleries on Antartic experiences before seeing live little blue penguins feeding at 10:30 . These are the smallest of 18 species of penguins in the world. We get back on the bus ang go to Mona Vale www.monavale.co.nz A great historic homestead, a charming Elizabethan style complex with ponds and fountains. Here we have afternoon tea with petit sandwiches and scones before walking around the most exquisite gardens including the Avon river with punting. City Center next. Here we stop at the square with Christ Church taking center stage. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz A fine example of English Victorian Gothic church architecture 1881. The square is converted into a pedestrian only area. We also see the 18m high metal chalice sculptured by Neil Dawson to acknowledge the millennium Also in the square is the Christ Church tramway, and the old post office, now a visitors center. We stop at the Botanical Gardens and the Canterbery museum. We needed more time for both of these. I spoke to some kids in black and white striped blazers from Christ Church college . It is the oldest independent school established in 1850. www.chtistchurchcollege.com www.govt.nz/parks www.canterburymuseum.com There new art gallery opened in 2003 is also very impressive. We pass Hagley Park comparative to Central Park in New York. We are back at 4pm to get our review of the RV’s and a quick briefing for tomorrows journey.

Oct 15 Monday-Our suitcases are outside our door by 5:10 am ,and we pick up our bag breakfast. At the airport I have time only to check e-mails Free not long enough to post the blog. We get another breakfast on the 3 hr flight to Christ Church. We loose 3hrs coming from Australia to New Zealand. We stay at Copthorne hotel. Our room is huge. 5 of us get a free bus pass and go to town. 3 of stay on and take the 1 hr. loop. We are back in time for our free wine or beer and hord’veuvres before our 7pm dinner. I am even too tired to post and write our daily log. $20.00 for 24 hr. for WIFI. Very expensive

Oct 14 Sunday Sydney- I have a heart in the mouth experience today as I conquered an Australian icon recognized the world over. About 16 of us walk to the Sydney bridge from the hotel. When we arrive we get a briefing, and breathalyzer test (yes). We get special jump suits to put on ,and have to remove watches and any thing in our pockets. No cameras allowed. We get a cap that clips on and a hankie that we attach to our wrist. Radios and head gear are also attached for communication. We do a stimulated walk with our cables attached. My adrenaline starts to spike and we are not even on the bridge. We head out and start the many stair climb. Trafic is moving underneath including 2 railroad tracks, a bike way, a footpath and 8 car lanes. www.bridgeclimb.com The climb along the arch was very rewarding and easier than the stairs as it was wider and you couldn’t see under your steps. We get 365’ view and feel like we are standing on top of the world. I get an amazing sense of accomplishment and get a heart pumping workout. It takes about 31/2 hours from start to finish. 11 people on our group. I recommend it to any one. It wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought. I take a cab back to the hotel. Bill is waiting. We get on the mono rail and head for Patties market. Bill buys a shirt. I am simply too exhausted to continue so we head back and I take a well deserved nap. Tonight we have a company farewell dinner.

Oct 13 Saturday Sydney -An all day bus tour after a buffet breakfast. Sydney the capital of New South Wales is known as the Emerald city. Sydney has a population of 6 million and is one of the exclusive club of world cities. Sydney is where Australia started, 1788-739 unfortunate soles (English convicts) arrived at the Rocks. Sydney’s darling harbour divides the city into North and South . 20 beaches are strung along the cities oceanfront and dozens more around the harbour. The stricking forms of the Harbour bridge and Opera house stand sentry to the city. We start our bus tour at the Opera house. One of the most recognized buildings in the world with it’s distinctive white tiled sails shimmering like pearls. The house has 5 major performing spaces. We view the Drama theater first. Here some of our people will be going to see a political satire-“Don’s Party” by David Williamson tonight. We get to see the set for the play. Next we see the huge concert hall with seating for 2027. It was built for sound. We also see the opera theather with seating for 1500. www.sydneyoperahouse.com.au Next we walk to the Quay Grand. We walk the Rocks , the birthplace of Sydney. We spend an hour soaking up the history where 11 ships of the first fleet dropped anchor in 1788. It is now a 19th century village chocked full of exquisite shops art galleries and restaurants. Being Saturday the craft fair is in full swing with streets closed for the affair. www.rockswalkingtour.com.au We return to the quay to board the Matilda a catamaran for a lunch cruise of Sydney harbour. We get off at Darling harbour to board the bus again. www.matilda.com.au We pass the famous Mrs Macquarries chair, the museum of contempory art,a maritime museum Sydney’s aquarium,an olimpic park Tarongo zoo, oceanworld ,Sydney’s wildlife world, the observatory and Luna Park a Coney island type amusement park .Hyde park and Sydney’s Royal Botanical gardens. www.rbgsyd.gov.au So much to see and so little time. We pass government sponsored “heroin shops”and Kings Crossing Sydneys red-light district. Paddington and Darlingburst a gay and lesbian area . We get out at Bondi beach with its legendary speedo clad lifesavers and surfboard riders. We return back exhausted but satisfied