California/Australia/New Zealand/Carribean

28 December 2018 Friday Kangaroo Island Sunrise as we approach Kangaroo Island, South Australia Kangaroo Island, located in the State of South Australia, is the third-largest island in this country.      Not always an island, it was inhabited by Aborigines, who are thought to have mysteriously disappeared when sea levels rose and the island was formed more than 10,000 years ago.       Welcome to Kangaroo Island, South Australia   In 1802 Captain Matthew Flinders made the first recorded European sighting of the island -- naming it for the large numbers of roaming kangaroos -- giving his crew their first fresh food in many months.        By 1836 as the colony of South Australia was being established, whalers and sealers began to permanently settle on the island, which is 90 miles long, and between 1 and 34 miles wide from the narrowest to the widest points.      Agriculture has been and...

27 December 2018 Thursday Adelaide, South Australian Our port today is Adelaide known as the "City of Churches, Roses and Wine".    It is the capital of the state of South Australia with a population of 1.3 million equating to 75 % of this state's population. We dock in Port Adelaide -- at least forty minutes from the center of town-- no shuttle buses -- high temp in the 90's -- glad we are on a tour - "Historic Hahndorf and the Adelaide Hills". We are met by John, our Driver and Heidi, our Guide -- both chime-in with various facts about Adelaide as we drive through the city.    First -- Adelaide was "freely" settled in 1836 by the British -- no convicts -- they want that to be very clear.   Adelaide is surrounded by parkland as a buffer around the perimeter of the city -- but also a place for the homeless to gather which can be a problem. Pat and Phil at Mount Lofty in Adelaide Hills We continue on our...

24 December 2018 Monday Albany, Western Australia 7:00 am to 2:00 pm Our first port is Albany, the oldest colonial settlement in Western Australia, founded by the British in 1826 as a military outpost of New South Wales to inhibit French aggression in the region.    Shipping was a major industry since Albany was the colony's only deep-water port until Fremantle Inner Harbor opened in 1897. Phil at the Boat Shed - Albany, Western Australia Today Albany, with a population of about 35,000, depends on tourism since it is known for its natural environment and heritage buildings.     Pat on the Pedestrian Walkway into Albany, Western Australia  As Phil and I approach York Street (main drag) we encounter a volunteer greeter who provides us with a walking tour map and info about the town.     We continue our walk up York Street poking into a couple of shops.       Walking back ...

22 December 2018  Saturday Breakfast with Colette and Marc at the Fremantle Marketplace after which we separate to complete our last minute errands.   Phil and I are off to buy our suitcase.  Since we'll need two taxis --- we'll meet onboard the Quest mid-day.    By 11am Phil and I are in the lobby ordering a taxi to take us the very short distance to the ship.    Check-in is efficient -- we are welcomed onto Deck Five with a glass of champagne.  I sit with the carry-on luggage while Phil goes to see about dining reservations in the specialty restaurants. While I sit, Colette and Marc arrive -- Marc goes to join Phil  -- Colette and I find out about internet access.   We eventually head up to the Buffet on Deck Nine.   After lunch we decide to see if perhaps our rooms are ready on Deck Six  -- they are so we drop our stuff and Phil takes us on a tou...

20 December 2018 - Thursday Cervantes and The Pinnacles, Western Australia Gino's is our breakfast place today, an Italian Cafe discovered by Phil --- delicious. Today we hire a car and a driver, Sergio, who picks us up at 9:30am.    Sergio, a true international citizen, is of Italian descent, brought up in Brazil, lived in London where he met his wife who is of Irish descent -- they moved to Australia to raise their two boys.    Our itinerary includes a quick tour through Perth to Whiteman Park, where Colette and Marc visit the Caversham Wildlife Park and Phil and I wander around the village area.   In the village, I pop into the Village Art Gallery where I meet Ian and his wife, Sam -- artists volunteering in the gallery.  Sam grew up not in the area  -- they recently retired here after raising their family in Brisbane.  Sam is full of tips on things to see and do around Perth. Phil at ...