Here's what's in store for us when we reach Sydney tomorrow, 2-9-08 when we meet up with our girlfriend, Lee, and her husband who are native Australians and live in Sydney:


"Briefly, what we're thinking of doing is picking you up, driving around past the Opera House so that you can get a closer look, driving over the Bridge to Kirribilli to look at the Opera House, City and Bridge from the other side and then on to the Zoo (we have free passes, so we'll just look at the Aussie animals), then driving up to Manly via the Spit Bridge to North Head, (Warringah Mall, chemist and hair cut fits in here), the Northern Beaches and around to West Head then looping around to our house,

Sunday will be Bondi, The Gap and Watsons Bay then back into the city to have a closer look at the Opera House and QVB building etc. You probably have no idea what I'm talking about but I hope it will give you some idea of Sydney. As you don't leave until 10pm, you could always hop on a ferry later on Sunday if you want to. There are ferries from Circular Quay around to Darling Harbour if it's wet or you don't feel like walking afterwards."
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Sounds super, doesn't it!

I have some very sad news to report....the death of my camcorder. I am crushed! However, am working with my daughter in Cleveland to buy me another one and ship it to the ship's agent who will get it to me. All the cameras we saw in Melbourne yesterday are in the European format of PAL vs. our NSTC. And, electronics are a whole lot more expensive over here.

Yesterday we took a 25" shuttle into Melbourne to look for a camcorder and after having no success, we turned to being a tourist. Took a free trolley car around the city and at interesting points along the way there would be an announcement of what we were seeing. After completing the ride we just walked around this bustling city with some interesting buildings and took photos. (Hmmm, a bird just landed on our balcony floor and took a dump. Well welcome aboard mate! Shoot, we're on the move and I'm surprised he landed here.

Last night was a winner. The cruise line sponsored a free excursion to Werribee Park, an outstanding cultural and heritage attraction. The magnificent mansion was built between 1974 and 1877 by Thomas and Andrew Chirnside, formerly of Scotland. It sure was fun to step into the past of extravagant opulence. The grounds surrounding the mansion were to die for. Beautiful trees, gardens and large groomed grassy areas. Just beautiful. I took lots of photos and when they reach the States you will be able to see what I'm talking about.

We were also entertained by a Gum Leaf Player, bush band, classical quartet and Aussie characters. There was also a performance by the Australian children's choir singing traditional and modern songs. What a memorable night!!! Oh yes, we had some of the most tastiest finger foods and little deserts that we have ever had. Seriously! Absolutely delicious and they were chased down the throat with wine and champagne.

We did our beginner's bridge thing again today. We have new partners since Auckland when Bill & Beth disembarked. Our new partners are Carl and Fran and we like them too. After bridge, I went to the Bridge and took photos. It was interesting to listen to the ship's officers explain their responsibilities while driving this ship.

Almost lunch time. We are trying to cut back on our voluminous consumption so I'm thinking a bowl of soup and a roll would be just the ticket. After each meal we have taken to walking a mile to wear off a few calories. Each morning I have been walking about 2.6 miles on Deck 11 where it is often windy at 6:30a.m.

It's a seaday today so Penny's trying to get the laundry done and other than that, nothing special planned.

Several days ago we had lunch with Stan and Ardis (McKeever)and they have been very helpful to us on some personal matters as well as suggestions on what to do at various ports. Thanks guys!

See you in the morning Lee!!!!!!!

Later.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Ye gads Ray: Sure hope your 'grand tour' turns out OK. Everyone please think 'sun' as we've had so much rain here, my back teeth are awash!

So sorry about the camcorder - I can imagine how devasted you must be. Lee

Have a G'day sightseeing mates! And Ray, don't forget to tip Lee :D

Know you'll have a fabulous day together....Lee is rolling out the red carpet!

Actually Marcie, it was a GOLD carpet. What hospitality!!!

Sat., Feb. 9, 2008 -- What a windy, cold, rainy reception we got entering Sydney Harbor. As we passed under the Harbor Bridge a chap on the bridge yelled out "Sorry about the weather!" The wind blew the rain so hard at times that it hurt the eyes. However, as the day wore on, the rain stopped it turned out to be an ok day. Sunday was sunny and very pleasant.

Our two days with Lee & Brian of Sydney, Australia was just wonderful. Having them take two days out of their schedule to show us around was very special indeed. I expected Sydney to be an interesting, nice city but I must say the scenery was even more pleasing than I thought it would be. We made many stops to take photos and just walk around and enjoy it all. Seeing the Opera House and Harbor Bridge up close and personal satisfied a long-standing desire. I obviously took loads of photos. The downtown area is truly a bustling area and the Queen Victoria Bldg. was awesome and so was the Arcade Bldg.. The Arcade appeared to be an almost duplicate of ours in Cleveland. Bondi Beach was a delight as well.

Again, thank you Lee and Brian!!!!

Cheers! Ray & Penny
http://journals.aol.com/rschue8444/wc-2008/

Ray, I had a feeling Lee would show you a good time. Glad to hear the weather cleared up for you.

So happy you had a great time together!! I'm sorry about the lousy weather you've had for so much of this trip....! You're still having a great time and seeing so much for the first time, that's what counts.

Ray and Penny: So glad you enjoyed yourselves in spite of the rain. You are far too polite. I have a horrible feeling you are heading for more bad weather - the forecast isn't too good. I know you'll enjoy yourselves on that wonderful ship no matter what is thrown at you!

The zoo was a complete disaster - all the intelligent Aussie animals weren't silly enough to be out in the rain. We managed to see a few but most were hiding. We walked down to the bottom of the zoo only to find they had closed down the skyway and we had to hike back up to the top in the pouring rain. Wonderful!!!

We went to North Head (and I won't tell anyone who fell asleep) but couldn't even see back towards the city because of the rain.

Luckily the weather on Sunday was better and we caught up a bit. Ray and Penny are so easy to please! Lee

Loved the most recent photo of you with the natives.....only Penny looks her normal lovely self and the rest of you fellas.....well, let's just say the picture is a hoot and it's obvious that you are enjoying yourself Ray! I'm sorry that you missed the Great Barrier Reef. I'd be disappointed too but unfortunately we are always at the mercy of the weather when at sea. I hope you have better luck for the remainder of the cruise. Happy cruising guys!
Pat

Ray - just catching up with your reports now that we are home. Sounds like a fabulous tour. Lee, we know you're the hostess with the mostest in Sydney. Are you still planning a trip to the US Open this year?

Cheers, Anne

Hi Anne: Don't want to hijack this page but I'm going to miss the US Open because I don't leave here until 5 September as our cruise doesn't leave Venice until 27 September and it meant being away too long. I will be there to watch the semis and finals on TV! Nearly as good! Lee

I am really enjoying your whole trip and particularly now since I went to high school in Guam, and I am anxious to hear all about your day in Saipan. It has been 30 years since I was in the Northern Marianas, and every year, I so badly want to go back. We also lived in Midway Island for two years and so know a lot of the Pacific places (Dad was career Navy). How fabulous.

I wonder why the ship didn't go to Apra in Guam. Silversea's world cruise goes there this year, but the would not just sell that segment, as I tried to go, and it was sold out. Let me know what you think of the highlights of Saipan. I was curious when I read about it what they could do in those few hours to do the area justice.

The exotic meats and all of your locations sure sound to be adding more and more joy each day for you. And all the people you are seeing.

Continue to enjoy, and thanks so much for giving so much to us all here.

Hey:

Seaday- Tomorrow we'll do a 360 turn to view Iwo Jima

Daughter, Donna, posted some photos for me and if you click on "Our World Cruise Photos" under favorite sites you'll see photos and some video.

Some ports have more than one page of photos so be sure to look for videos once you have done a slideshow. Videos don't show up when using slideshow.

Anyway, one of my favorites is the chap driving our catamaran with his foot while singing and playing his ukelele while enroute to a motu on Bora Bora.

Then, too, the Moari people singing and dancing on the Bay Of Islands gallery.

Fair warning, though, there's a lot to see but hope you like it anyway. I can't do any editing because everything takes so long on the ship's poor bandwidth..

Additional ports will be posted soon. Everything is coming together and I should be getting my new videocamera in Osaka. Daughter bought it on Ebay and shipped it to me c/o the ship's agent.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

More later about Saipan. Gotta shower and off to bridge lessons.

Ooops, forgot the link.

http://journals.aol.com/rschue8444/wc-2008/

Shoot, Ray - forgot to tell you that you could have picked up a camcorder in Osaka while you were there. Japan is also on NTSC.

Masaki:

Fortunately, tracking system says camera has arrived and should meet up with me in Osaka.

We have arrived Iwo Jima, hallowed ground for this Marine. Was topside this
and said a prayer for all of those that suffered here in Feb. 1945.

Captain is going to get the ship as close as he safely can, vets are invited to parun!ticipate commemoration forward on Deck 6, prayer will be said and taps played.

Gotta run!

Cheers! Ray

Dear Ray, Please remember my Dad to Iwo Jima...just one of his 11 invasions in the S. Pacific. :hug:

Semper Fi Ray!

In 1963 while a cadet at the USAF Academy, I was fortunate to visit Iwo Jima. The beaches on the south are so steep. The black vocanic sand is such that one takes three steps forward and falls two or three back. From the top of Mt. Surabachi, where you could still smell sulphur, the defenders had very clear shots at both the north and south beaches. The island was still riddled with abandoned tunnnels that had been sealed off because they were so dangerous. It is had to beleive that that small speck had 3-4 airfields and that its taking cost so many lives. My day-long vist is still an unforgettable experience some 45 years later.

Help! Really hate to show my ignorance, but have not been able to find Ray's reference to photos on "Favorites" or "World Cruise Journals" as cited above and today's AOL's journal alert. If anyone has been successful accessing, please advise. Thanks,,

Hi Kathy:

Click here:

http://journals.aol.com/rschue8444/wc-2008/

Then of left hand side of journal you will see "Favorite Sites" Click on "Our World Cruise Photos"

We're on our way to Osaka and the seas are the roughest we have had. No walking on Deck 12, Boot Camp workout cancelled because we are really being jostled about.

Iwo Jima was a heart-warming experience. We got quite close to the island and the ceremony consisted of a commemerative speech by Jamie, a minute of silence, taps, and over the loudspeaker, Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful and Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" Quite a few cruisers were singing along and it all made for some misty eyes.

We were blessed with beautiful, sunny, weather.

Wow, we're really getting hammered. I would imagine there are going to be some seasick people today. So glad this weather wasn't with us yesterday.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Ray, the winds have really picked up this afternoon in Tokyo. A pretty big front is moving through. There are Gale Warnings posted for your entire trip to Osaka. There are storm warnings for Tokyo and up the cost. We hope you have a wonderful time in Osaka and Kyoto even with the weather. Plan on lows around freezing and highs in the 30s and 40s. Kyoto is having snow and winds tonight and tomorrow; are you heading there on Sunday or Monday? If you had arrived a day earlier weather would have been fine....reached lower 60s today in Tokyo, low 50s in Kyoto. We sure wish it would have worked out for us to come to Osaka to meet you.

Ray and Penny. I am really enjoying your journal and photos - be sure to check out the Voyager photos someone posted on Cruise Critic. They are wonderful. I would have been one of the misty eyed persons for the Iwo Jima ceremony and also at Saipan. Hopefully your seas will calm, but while you wait, enjoy your Scotch and whatever. I heard Terry Waite speak here several years ago and agree, he does give a good talk. Continued good times and I'll continue to enjoy you blog each morning.

Thanks Ray. I'm not as blind as I feared; I had been reading the journal from the AOL alerts and that does NOT show Favorites, photos,etc., only the entries for the month (on the right side.) So will use this link and enjoy all the great photos as well. Keep enjoying your great adventure!

There is also a permanent link to Ray's journal here in the travelogue forum along with a link to Clay and Debbie's Circle South America cruise, which they are currently on.

Ray's photos have been updated with pics from Tahiti as well as Sydney. :)

Ray & Penny, was away on the Mariner and just got a chance today to view your email and photos......loved the one of Penny in her red Chinese dress....she look's like a red hot Mama and gorgeous. The one with the snakes crawling on your face Ray is scary and I don't care if they are babies. Just finished reading your blog and I'm so happy to see that it looks like you haven't skipped too many more ports and that the rains have stopped. I hear the anxiety starting to creep in and the reality that the cruise will end. Just enjoy dear friends and try not to think about that last day.
Hugs to you both,
Pat

Hi Pat & Al:

Awfully good to hear from you and did receive your card this Easter Day.

Today some of us are going to try to make Church service in Cochin if we get cleared in time. I'd sure like to do it.

Yes, anticipation is sttarting to set in and the round of parties, dinners, lectures, exercise classes, bridge playing .... the tempo is increasing. Lots of neat people on this cruise and we hope we can stay in touch with a number of them.

On Wed., we leave for an overnight trip to see the Taj for a sunrise/sunset viewing. A dream come true.

Lots of port photos should be hitting my Smugmug site next week and I do hope you like them.

Marcie: Dinner with Linda and Arnold last night and we sure enjoyed their company. They are looking forward to your arrival.

The other night we had dinner with our L.C.T. buddies Elaine & Stan and we were joined by Mark & Harry. It was a fun night.

Betty: I wore my Nebraska hat while on the Great Wall. You'll get to see that too ;>)

Another Kathy. I think you'll enjoy the upcoming photos and videos that should be posted next week. Exciting places.

Larry: So glad to get your note that all is well with Heather and that happy, healthy babies have joined the fold.

Masaki: What would I do without you. Thanks!

Have a blessed Easter.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Ray, loved the photos you sent of the Taj. Your hotel looks absolutely spectacular. Tell Penny that her set up framing the Taj was cute. Good to see the both of you looking sooooooo relaxed and I can tell Penny has been in that gym, she looks so svelte....she's looking good!
Pat