My email said, "There's a nice cruise leaving from Boston you might be interested in".

I apologize for not using my own photos here, but

1) I didn't have time to take a helicopter ride to snap this great photo,

and I wanted you to know how beautiful Boston is.

(Black Falcon Cruise Ship Terminal is out of the photo on the left.)

(Photo by Braco.net)

and,

2) The limo driver didn't take us by this scenic view of the terminal.

(Photo by Bostonharborwalk.com)

and 

3) If you're standing right next to the ship, it is hard to get it all in a nice photo like this.

Holland America, NOORDAM.

(Photo by Wikimedia Commons)

Farewell to Australia

These are final scenes of SYDNEY.

Traveling to Australia can be a challenge (unless you live in that part of the world). One week after I had a serious upper arm/shoulder surgery, we left on a 30 hour journey to Australia. We spent two nights at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney before joining Princess ship Dawn Princess for a one month sailing counter clockwise around Australia (with a scenic side trip to Bali). The ship was carrying a large contingent of Aussies, most of whom had boarded in Melbourne. We had an opportunity to immediately immerse ourselves in the local culture. We did not venture into the OUTBACK, and a lot of our new Aussie friends told us this was an area that they typically avoided. This vast area of central Australia can be cruel and forbidding. We often hear horror stories of venomous snakes and spiders, box jelly fish, angry Magpies, and the like (thanks to National Geographic documentaries).

Our first admonition after we were aboard was to respect the intensity of the Australian sun. During the entire trip, there were constant reminders to protect oneself against the unusually strong rays of the sun. So many of our fellow travelers bore the results of a life of unprotected time spent in the sun. All skin types seemed to be affected. There were some who did seem to be mimicking the leather like skin qualities of the local crocodiles. I saw the results of the damage to those new to Australia who did not heed the sun warnings, and I must say that the color and patterns of the burnt skin  were unlike any I had seen before, and the coloring did not seem to fade for an extended period of time.  My point in saying this is -- please protect yourself from the sun anywhere in Australia!  One has to search diligently to find any information on this topic. Tourism literature seems to avoid the subject.

Interesting note:  An Australian ship's pilot was assigned to us from Sydney to the northern eastern topmost point of Australia, to guide us through the reef area without incurring any damage (particularly to the reef). I was surprised at the extensive nature of the reef.

Should I return to Australia, I would immerse myself in rail travel. There are several important rail itineraries, and I would like to experience them all!

Sailing vessels hold an interest for us.

In November we will be sailing across the Atlantic in a 5-masted schooner.

Wings Wildlife Center, Tasmania

This is the very last posting of a visit to an Australian wildlife rescue center.

I promise.

Thanks for putting up with my love of animals.

Young kangaroo mother with baby in her pouch.

A caretaker removed the young kangaroo so we could observe him

outside the pouch,

He was very unstable and felt very uncomfortable outside the pouch.

A symbol of Australia, the KOALA.

Tasmanian Devils 

My absolute favorite, the WOMBAT.

I apologize for the fuzzy image. (No pun intended.)

We were allowed to pet him, which made my day.

Coarse fur.

Durable armor on his derriere protects him from fast-moving predators.

The WOMBAT who came home with me.

TASMANIA -- Last Stop Before Sydney

A favorite stop for visitors to Australia is the island of TASMANIA, south of the big island.

BURNIE was our first stop.

Much cooler than the rest of Australia.

Rural

Green

I took these photos on the way to WINGS Wildlife Park.

I must admit that the tranquility of Tasmania makes it my favorite, too.

Melbourne, Australia. Another Animal Park.

Healesville Sanctuary is near Melbourne.

This impressive sculpture of their wedge-tailed eagle is near the entrance. 

 

 

I was able to get some nice KOALA photos.

 

Most of the KANGAROOS lounge about.

This one was more modest than most.

 

The Australian White Ibis is easy to spot, in and out of wildlife centers.

 

In the center of the compound was an impressive taxidermy display.

To view a list of marsupials native to Australia

click HERE.

 

I apologize for the delay in posting.

I have just finished my eye surgery, so now I can see better to do this.

Secondly, Picasa had an issue with posting the photos, an that is now resolved!

 

Vineyards of Southern Australia

After leaving Puffing Billy, we traveled to the extensive Yarra Valley Vineyard area.

 

A very nice lunch was provided in the winery.

Janet and Bob, good friends from the ship

 

The vineyard

At the end of each row, was a rose bush.

 

"One learns something new each day."

If the rose is healthy, the grapes vines will also be healthy.

The same bug which destroys the vines, also loves this rose.

They keep an eye on all the roses.

 

 

 

 



 
 

 

 



The 2013 New England Snowstorm

(Click on photos to enlarge)

 

The beginning.

Town plows are busy for 36 hours.

 

Taken in the middle of the night.

Fortunately, we didn't have any downed trees in the front of the house.

Local snowfall amounts ranged between 24 and 30 inches.

Thanks to Richard and his crew, help arrived. They had 3 hours of sleep in the last 3 days.

 

Other snow photos:

Applique on the Go

My Cat Mandu