AUSTRALIA: BACK ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Our president, Melita Wade Thorpe, was in Australia polishing our eclipse tour for next November.   Here is her blog.... AUSTRALIA - A Land with a Big Story Back again across the blue Pacific to Cairns and Green Island then north to Dundee country, Darwin.  The flight was made sleep  comfortable in Qantas' s Premium Economy with fluffy blankets and strong pillows and a courteous staff offering dinner with a great wine list, snacks and plenty of water.  Arriving early at LAX, was delighted that the Qantas Brisbane flight departed from American Airline's Terminal.  The Admiral's  Club was near the Qantas gate, which made waiting for a midnight flight a little easier. December 3 - 4, 2011 - Cairns Overnight at the historic Pacific International Hotel, Cairns, with its walls decorated with photos of era past.  From WWII to gala occasions with movie stars. With the Pacific International GM we enjoyed a Brazilian inspired Australia style BBQ at the hote's Bushfire Flame Grill.  The final was a favored cinnamon pineapple and Churros.    Visited the popular Cairns Night Market: Aboriginal prints, beachwear, even massages for $15 AUD.  Today the Sunday Market offers the same wares but has the fruit and vegetable stalls that bring the locals. This afternoon will be crossing over the turquoise sea from Cairns to Green Island. December 4 - 5, 2011 - Green Island - Romancing Totality  Green Island has the good fortune of being on the path for the 2012 total eclipse.  It is a secluded resort within a rain forest national park, long stretches of beach surrounded by the sea.   A perfect place for romancing totality.   Joined by the friendly and professional Green Island Resort staff we got up at 5am to be on the beach at sunrise and selected several viewing spots along the sandy stretch for the sunrise eclipse.  Matt, dive master, encourages that dive times are reserved prior to arrival due to others coming over for day trips. Enjoyed a swim with the turtles before breakfast. December 5 - 7, 2011 - Darwin - Dundee Country After arriving Darwin and checking in at the beautiful Crown Plaza Hotel, we set out to harbor and the Charles Darwin for a three hour dinner cruise.  Greeted with champagne we enjoyed the view of Darwin harbor passing sites of the 1942 bombing - lovely buffet of seafood and turkey main course and a variety of salads in the air conditioned dining room.     Up early for a 7am departure to the most pristine, wide expanse floodfields and bird, birds' birds at Kakadu National Park which holds some incredible Aboriginal Rock Art. Kakadu National Park - Wow Factor Kakadu is a living cultural landscape of billabongs, vast flood plains, monsoon forests, savanna woodlands, hills, ridges and escarpments. Kakadu has the wow factor at every turn.  In the word of Bundt  Clan, Natasha Nadji, "People need to come here and relax, sit on the country, feel the spirits of this country and go home and feel the same way."    A mesmerizing day with birds, crocodiles, rock art, flora and fauna. Each vista takes your breath away.  Truly this land has a big story to experience. Tomorrow we board the Ghan for an overnight to Alice Springs.

DAY AND NIGHT ON THE GHAN

DAY AND NIGHT ON THE GHAN December 7 and 8, 2011 A bright, blue sky hangs  over Darwin's Ghan Station, only open since 2004 when the Ghan had it's inaugural journey to Australia's most northern outpost.  Greeted by friendly Ghan staffers, our Gold Service boarding was swift and easy.  Delighted to find the roomy cabins  with newly renovated in-suite shower and toilet.  The cabins have electrical  units for recharging iPhone and laptop and a safety deposit box for security. For the Whistle Stop tour at Katherine we selected the Gorge Boat Cruise priced at $85AUD. From the Scenic Gorge Flight to a Katherine Town Shuttle, there are eleven other tours for guests to see more of Australia along the way. The train is moving and We're Off on the route the Afghan camel drivers trekked over 150 years ago in Outback Australia.  I'm excited. There's nothing like the magic and the romance of a relaxing ride on the rails with First Class service, gourmet dining and magical scenery.  Exploring the train from Gold Service cabin we found the Queen Adelaide Dining Room nearby where diners select Early or Late meal times.  Eager for lunch as the aroma from the galley is tempting.  Peeking in, the chef is busy at work. The linen set tables exhibit more cutlery than probably needed.  The newly refurbished Lounge Car has plenty of sofas, chairs and tables to enjoy a drink while the picture windows are flooded with the amazing Outback landscape of Eucalyptus, palms, and vast mystical horizon. At Katherine we boarded motor coaches to the Nitmiluk Gorge where we climbed into guided vessel for a float past sandstone cliffs that have been formed for thousands of years. On an occasional sandy bank we spotted crocs 'sleeping in the Sun'.  The second gorge, Katherine, afforded even more ageless rock walls and a variety of fauna used for centuries by the clans for medicine and food.  Back on board for a fresh shower and change for dinner.  Sonja, the Social Hostess, held a champagne reception in the Lounge and talked a bit about the Ghan and Indian Pacific.  Several of the guests had previously travelled on both and I can see why.  It's the magic.  Though The Ghan is gorgeous and comfortable, the Indian Pacific was just rated in the World's Top Ten Luxury Train Rides. Our dinner was the second seating at eight o'clock.  The menu choices looked delicious.  Selecting the Creamy Pumpkin Soup, Grain Fed Fillet of Beef with Truffle White Potatoes, Braised Red Capsicum and French Beans and a bottle of Pepper Jack Cabernet, we settled in for a wonderful five star dining experience with Presentation fitting the service.  Opting out on dessert we selected an Australian Cheese Plate of Jindi Brie and Blue, Maffra Cheddar served with a Glacé Fig and Lavosh.  Lingering over our fine dinner, we left the dinning car after ten in search of the night sky out the windows.   A dome car would be perfect for this ride.  Back at the cabin the comfy bed was fully made and ready for a night rolling through this magical land.  The gentle rocking of The Ghan made sleeping easy and restful.   Didn't want it to be sunrise as the pink started to peek through the window.  I grabbed a complimentary coffee always ready at the end of our Gold Card and headed for the lounge to enjoy more of the incredible views before breakfast and our arrival into Alice Springs.

SYDNEY

SYDNEY  The Art Gallery of NSW,  Royal Botanical Garden and Opera House Sydney - Friday, December 09, 2011 Back to cosmopolitan Sydney one notices the difference from the quiet of the Outback to the  sounds of the city.  My home for three nights is at the elegant, city center hotel, The Grace.  The beautiful art deco features are throughout with stained glass, wood paneled elevators and ornamental iron stair rails.  The Grace opened in 1930 and the Federal Government requisitioned it in 1939 for use as headquarters for the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in South - West Pacific, General MacArthur.  The Grace is elegantly refurbished.  All the hotels in Australia come complete with coffee makers, hair dryers, ironing boards and irons.  Sadly, though managements are still working on a complimentary Wi-Fi. It's a sunny day and we are heading a foot exploring:  The Art Gallery of NSW which has plenty to enjoy from the 19th c. Australian and 20th c. Aboriginal art, along with 19th c. and 20th c. European art.  The Aboriginal art is in high demand worldwide and there is a good selection of art galleries focusing on the indigenous fine art in Sydney as well as other parts of Australia.   Out from the Gallery we headed across the street to walk through the luxurious Royal Botanical Garden and Domain Trust.   The garden is a cool, green oasis of natural beauty, exotic plants, and aged, giant trees with far reaching branches shelter colorful birds.  It is a welcome, quiet beauty in the heart of Sydney and at the edge of the harbor. Working up an appetite we headed to a venue near the water's edge.  The most challenging aspect when hungry in Sydney is which one to select for a dining experience.  Today we selected a favorite local area at Woolloomooloo Bay, where eateries line side by side offering in or outside dinning.  Christmas parties underway and all were brimming with diners.   We found a spot at Manta and settled in with Oyster starters before making the main selection.  All mouthwatering.  And always followed with Australia's grand fruit of the vine. From the Grace Hotel it is only a five minute walk to the heritage building of the Queen Victoria Building where the giant GIANT Christmas tree sparkles with lights.   Tomorrow it's the House! Sydney Opera House -  Saturday, December 10, 2011 Saturday in Sydney we headed to the architecturally marvelous Sydney Opera House, dubbed the Edge of the Possible after sixteen years and 102 million dollars.  The Concert Hall, one of the largest in the world, readies for Handel's Messiah today.  The high, pleated patterned ceiling is lined with both soft and hardwood.  The high ceiling challenges the musicians so acoustic clouds were installed.  The vertical surface of the roofs holds over a million ceramic tiles.  Jorn Utzon, architect, noted for using natural materials along with cement, lived to see his masterpiece be tapped for the World Heritage Site. Harbor side is now teaming with attendees for one of several cultural offerings.  We headed for lunch before attending Harold Pinter's NO MAN'S LAND.  Selectinbg the Opera Cafe, specializing in Sushi.  With the million dollar view of the harbor bridge, we finished lunch and headed for the Drama Theatre's 2:00pm performance. One must always take in a performance at the SOH.  The last eclipse tour in 2002 we saw Charles Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS.  Today was the Nobel Prize winner, Harold Pinter's NO MAN'S LAND, a heady, semi-autobiographical Pinter at his best with patter and social comments.  The opera season closed in November and sadly for next year the last opera performance is November 3. Must depart this beautiful city tomorrow.  See you next year Down Under!  Blessings of the Season to you.