The Great Ocean Road

Yesterday we travelled the Great Ocean Road (GOR).  The GOR is the largest war memorial in the world. It was built between 1919 and 1932 by the soldiers returning from WW1.  From Melbourne to Torquay where the Ocean Road commenced is 1.1/2 hrs driving. The entire route to Warrnambool is 358km return! 

It was to be a long day. As time didn’t permit, we had to do the journey in one day. It was not drivable in a day so we took train and bus with V line, the public transport operator for Victoria. It was a compromise but it avoided taking a tour! (you already had my thoughts on tours!)  

The train departed Southern Station for Geelong ( pronounced Gelong) at precisely 09.10 hrs. It took an hour. A V- line bus met us at the station and we travelled to Torquay, where the GOR officially begins. 

We travelled on to Apollo Bay. At times the road hugged the coast, at other times the road climbed above the ocean.

The scenery was breathtaking - sandy beaches (so many that most were unoccupied), 

or extensive wave cut platforms. 

Apollo Bay is one of the highlights of the route. It was once a forested area from which logs were exported. The seas around are treacherous and there have been many ship wrecks - less than half have been recovered. 

Today Apollo Bay is a resort with the usual water  sports. 

After a 40 minute break ( we had just enough time to picnic at a nearby site)  and we were off on another bus. 

From here the landscape changed and the road wound uphill towards Laver’s Hill.

Here were areas of rain forest intermingled with cattle and sheep ranches. The ground is irrigated to produce grass for silage. 

Eventually, we arrived at the most famous site along the route - the 12 Apostles. 

                   St Patrick never came here!

However, due to erosion some of the apostles (sea stacks) have been eroded. I counted 7 but it depends on whether one calls a sea stump an apostle. 

From here we travelled to another geological feature -an arch described as London Bridge.

We continued our journey now on the coast then in the mountains unto we reached Warrnambool, from whence we took the 3.1/2 hour journey back to Southern Station Melbourne., arriving c. 12 hours later at 21.20hrs - a very enjoyable stress free day. 

Christchurch- Wellington

Christchurch's Airport was beautifully laid out with its manicured lawns, supplied with garden seats to the front. 

 There in the lawn was a wondrous sculpture - a depiction of the clouds according to its sculptor. 

 Having checked on , we returned to the lawn to avail of the sunshine. It wa the first summer's day we had had for some days. 

The 35 minute flight to Wellington was a pleasure. Much easier than the ferry and bus trip on our outward journey - bit then. We wouldn't have seen the country side. The air journey was also less expensive ($60pp including a checked in bag).  

Arriving on time, we soon retrieved our bags. The bus just outside the door of the terminal , brought us within 50 metres of our hotel. We decided to return to the Ibis on Featherstone St . and we had arrived there within an hour of landing! I have to again compliment the Kiwis on their efficiency! 

We are staying here for two nights for a little R/R . Tomorrow at 0730 , we take the Northern Explorer to Auckland ($199pp) its cost dictates that it is a tourist train. We then adjourn to the airport where we begin the first leg of our journey home. 

We returned to Cuba st. where we had previously dined whilst in the city. 

The street was busier now than on our previous visit . All the restaurants were now open but frequented by few. The busiest venue was Murphy's Irish pub , established 1836!!!  The Murphys the blurb advised, hailed from Cork! 

It was warmer than on our previous visit and after a stroll down the street , we purchased a bottle of Pinot Noir at the Off Licence and adjourned to a Turkish restaurant for dinner The meal was excllent. . There were few diners and we are last to leave at 10pm !! We returned to the hotel via silent streets.  

NYC

We arrived at Jamaica Station, crossed the platform and took the train to Penn Station. As we exited the station the Hotel was a street away. 

The Radisson Martinique is one of the Historic hotels of America. 

It was built in the Beaux Arts tradition; the interior and exterior were designed by noted architect Hardenberg in the French Renaissance style. 

                  The Lobby

                 The vestibule

             The original staircase 

It was constructed in 1897 as Broadway became the centre of entertainment. It flourished in the Jazz age. Golfers take note that the PGA's charter was signed in this hotel in 1916. In the Roaring 20s, as the economy boomed,  the hotel prospered. It had two theatres and an opera houses until they were closed in the 60s.  Sylvester Stallone was among the many notables, who acted there. The cost was reasonable as NY hotels go €300 per night. The rooms are great - the only fault was a 15 minute queue to check in and out! 

It was now 10.30 am. We were unable to check in until 4pm so we left our luggage and took the nearby 'N' train to 59th and Lexington to visit Bloomingdales. It is a beautiful store but as we have so much luggage, as a result of crossing on the QM2, we had to be disciplined. 

We then adjourned to Saks off 5th but there was nothing of interest there. We continued on to 5th Ave and arrived at Central Park. 

It was a lovely sunny morning and there was great activity around the Park. We continued down 5th Ave taking in the vibrancy that is NYC. We passed Tiffany's,

The  Trump Tower (Clinton and Trump are neck and neck in the polls! Will it be another Brexit?). 

We visited Saks, 5th Ave - the shop appears to be stuck In a time warp,  when one compares it to Bloomingdales and Macys's but perhaps their clientele like it that way? On we walked passed St Patrick's cathedral and Rockefeller Centre. We diverted to Times Square 42nd and Broadway

with its multitudinous neon lights and from there continued back to the hotel to check in. 

Today is CCs birthday. He gets to celebrate his birthday in diverse locations as we are always on holidays at this time- Shanghai, Las Vegas and today NYC to name but a few!  We're off to celebrate tonight - more tomorrow!! 

Zanzibar- Paje / Bwejuu beaches

I awoke at dawn.

I observed the sun rising 

I went for a short walk on a beach of the whitest, finest sand I have ever walked on. 

Young boys are very deftly climbing the coconut trees to remove the dead leaves and ripe coconuts.

 

Staff were raking  the sand in front of each bungalow, removing the seaweed 

and all before most of the guests had surfaced!!

We breakfasted outdoors. 

The manager introduced herself. She is a Breton and manages the resort. It is really spectacular. I'd highly recommend it for a peaceful, relaxing holiday. She gave us her card. We returned to  the bungalow to pack. We are to be collected at 1100 hrs. 

So African, our transport arrived at 1130. Our bags were loaded by Maasai porters. They are very tall and slim but not as tall as their Kenyan brothers. The Maasai also work here in the Safari resort and are in Maasai dress with a sheathed sword by their sides. 

We arrived at the Safari resort and were met by the manager -  an Italian. All the hotel managers appear to be European. He apologised for the mix up, offered us complimentary dinner and when we asked if a washing service was available, he said that there was and for us it was also complimentary. 

This resort is very beautiful but hasn't the panache of the other. Though we have a sea view, the dining area deprives all rooms of a full sea view.

Its beach is a continuation of the latter resort but the attention to detail is not present here - seaweed is present on the beach. 

We have relaxed here this afternoon. I'm lying at present, as I complete today's contribution, on an outdoor day bed. I also have a choice of a swing, a hammock or a dip in the pool - 

                 Glorious!!