Disembarkation Day Sydney Australia

 No cruise to New Zealand is complete without spending time before and after the cruise in Sydney Australia.  In past posts, we looked at our pre-cruise stay.  Our post-cruise adventure begins here.

click images to enlarge

The sun was rising as Majestic Princess began the long process of disembarkation and turning around the ship with a new set of passengers.  These images from our balcony give you a glimpse of what we saw as this 13 day voyage to New Zealand drew to a close.

Since we were staying in Sydney for two more days, we were in no hurry to disembark the ship.  As elite members of  Princess Cruises, we had a lounge set aside for us to wait for our group to be called.

Post Cruise Hotel Stay

We couldn't fly all this way and only spend one day in Sydney, so we booked two more nights at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay.  

Once outside the terminal we hailed a taxi, since despite the short distance to our hotel, we weren't about to walk there with all our luggage.  Unfortunately, the taxi driver wasn't happy to be getting such a small fare, but we made it worth his while with an extra tip.

Stay tuned for details on our post-cruise activities.

Additional photos can be found on our Australia & New Zealand Shutterfly page

Sydney Marriott




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Where is Chris - Exploring by Trolley

In some destinations, public transportation still uses trolleys with overhead wires, which can be seen throughout the city center. Can you guess which part of the world Chris is exploring?

Explore the various modes of transportation with your kids. They may have never seen a trolley car before. These are slowly disappearing across the globe but they were an integral part of early public transportation.
#KeepTheKidsEngaged

We hope you are enjoying this series of  "Where is Chris" posts.  We'd love your feedback on our social media.

Where is Chris?

Where is Chris?

Here is today's post: See if you can guess where I am. 

As promised, we've updated yesterday's post, Where is Chris - Near Bike Path, with the answer to the puzzle.  Revisit that post and just scroll over the image to reveal the answer.  You can also click on the link below the picture to read more.    

Make sure to follow us on our social media, so you don't miss any destinations. 


If you can't wait for tomorrow for the answer, you can take my quiz in my Instagram story.

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Heading to the Gardens

click images to enlarge

Stopping at Changi Airport

After our swim we walked over to Terminal 2 in Changi Airport.  The airport is a virtual city with multiple levels of services offered to transiting passengers.  Our first stop was at a travel kiosk where we inquired about Hop on Hop Off Bus tickets.   There were several options and we weren't sure how their prices compared with what we were seeing online.  There are actually several different tour operators to select from.

They also advertised Gardens by the Bay admission tickets.  We walked away at first, but then decided to make that our destination for the day.  Purchasing tickets at the airport meant we'd not have to wait in line when we got there and we'd save a few dollars on the admission price.   They accepted credit cards which meant we could conserve our cash for places that didn't accept credit cards.

Lunch at Food Court

We started wandering around Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 almost in a daze.  It was overwhelming at first, with so many dining options to choose from.   Finally we noticed that Basement lever 2 had a food court.  So we took the escalator down and started to explore the various options. 

We both decided to order  chicken dumplings.  When we got the order, we realized that we could have ordered just one plate, but since we didn't know when we'd be eating again, too much food was better than not enough.  There were several tables nearby, so we found a place to sit and ate our lunch.  Looking around, we didn't see anyone drinking beverages with their meals.  Since we had our water bottles with us, we decided to just have that with our lunch.

MRT to Gardens

As with most mass transit systems, it is necessary for each passenger to have their own travel card.  We looked around the airport and found a long line waiting to purchase cards.  There were signs indicating that Singapore Tourist Passes were sold there.  Those offer unlimited train and bus transit for 24 hour period.

Since our plans had changed, we started to think that we probably didn't need an unlimited travel card. I stayed in line while my husband went to the transit booth to talk to someone about the best option for us to purchase.   The standard travel cards are sold in machines, but you need to have coins and small denomination bills.  He got change and then headed to purchase the tickets.  They were S$ 4.70 for the round trip  each which was cheaper than S$ 20  each for the Tourist Pass.

Tip:  If you are staying multiple days and planning to visit several locations in Singapore, then the Tourist Pass would be your best option.  Otherwise, purchase a Standard Travel Card for each trip.

We'd looked at the MRT website before heading to the airport, so we had an idea about how to get to Gardens by the Bay. Singapore's system is very similar to London or Washington DC systems.  The routes intersect making it possible to get anywhere on the system regardless of your origination point.  Changi Airport is on the East West (Green) line.

Getting on the train at the airport is confusing; we weren't quite sure if we were on the right train.  We must have looked puzzled, because a gentleman asked where we were going, and told us we would have to change trains in a couple stops because our train terminated at Tanah Merah.  We waited a few minutes there and were back on a Green Line train to our next stop.  The closest station to the Gardens is Baymont, which is on the Circle (Yellow) line. We would need to transfer to the Circle Line at Paya Lebar.

Once we got to Baymont, there were signs directing us to the Gardens by the Bay.   It was quite a walk before we got to the exit.  Once outside, we found that we were very close to the Gardens shuttle bus.  We purchased shuttle tickets for S$ 6 each and were on our way to the entrance.

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Singapore MRT

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Save Time and Money in Zurich

ZürichCARD
Your City Travel Pass

Tip: With the ZürichCARD, you can enjoy Zurich in all its diversity – and save time and money too. 

We arrived in Zurich, Switzerland one day before our Avalon Waterways river cruise so that we could be accustomed to the time change and have some time to explore the area.

Since we planned to use public transportation, including trams, trains, and boat, plus we wanted to see at least one museum, it made sense to purchase the ZürichCARD.  We purchased it at the airport tourist information counter.  It can also be purchased at train stations and online on their website.

Validate Your Card

Prior to using your card for the first time, you must validate it at a machine in a train station. Since our hotel had a shuttle, we didn't need to use the card for transportation right away, but we decided to do the validation at the airport's train station. You can find an orange machine, like the one pictured, in the lower level of the train station across from the baggage claim (and tourist information counter).

 Purchasing at Train Station

We met another couple, who were also going on our cruise, when we checked in at the hotel.   We talked about sight-seeing together and we explained the benefits of purchasing the ZürichCARD.

They purchased the cards, using a credit card, from an automated touch-screen terminal by the train tracks.   The validation rule still applied - either insert in the orange validation machine (which might be on the opposite side of the tracks) or in the slot to the left of the screen.
(click on images above to enlarge)

Benefits of the ZürichCARD

• Unlimited 2nd class travel on all forms of public transportation in the city of Zurich and surrounding region
• Free or reduced admission to the majority of Zurich’s museums 
• 10 to 20% discount in various local stores 
• Culinary surprise in selected restaurants 
• 50% discount on public city tours organized by Zurich Tourism
• Many more discounts on a variety of cultural and leisure activities

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You can purchase the card for 24 hour or 72 hour periods.  As of this writing, the price for Adults was CHF 24 (EUR 24) and CHF 48 (EUR 48) respectively.  We only needed 24 hour period in our case.

We'll tell you more about how we used the card in additional posts. 

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Not Only Weather Impacting Port of Tampa

More Woes for Cruise Travelers This Week in Tampa

If you've been following our blog, you know that the Tampa Port Authority closed the port in anticipation of the approach of Tropical Storm Isaac.   That isn't the only thing impacting cruise line schedules this week.  Give yourself plenty of extra time to arrive at the port.

The 2012 Republican National Convention is in town from Monday through Thursday.

Important Update - Carnival Paradise 8/25/12, Carnival Legend 8/26/12, Carnival Paradise 8/30/12

Important Update for all guests sailing on the Carnival Paradise 8/30/12:

The 2012 Republican National Convention (RNC) will be held in Tampa the week of your sailing. Local authorities have advised us road closures and parking restrictions are expected.  There will also be intermittent traffic delays and temporary closures on interstate roads and throughout the downtown area beginning Saturday, August, 25, through Thursday, August 30.  A map indicating road closures is available at www.tampagov.net/rnc.

We suggest you avoid routes that take you through downtown Tampa. Cruise ship passengers are asked to use the following detour:

– Take I-4 Exit 1
– Go south on 21st Street and turn west onto Adamo Drive
– Turn south onto Channelside Drive
– Passengers may utilize the Port of Tampa parking garage

Given traffic restrictions planned for this week, check-in for your cruise is now scheduled from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and we will sail shortly thereafter. It is essential you allow ample time to arrive at the terminal early enough to ensure you are not left behind.

We’d like to apologize in advance for any congestion you may experience at the terminal as a result of the new check-in times. To expedite the boarding process, please ensure you have completed your online check-in prior to arriving.

To stay up to date on any changes that may affect our departure, we encourage you to sign up for text alerts by texting the following number for your specific sailing:

Carnival Paradise 8/30/12 - text CCL3 to CRUISE (278473)

If you have already signed up for text during your online check-in, you will automatically receive updates. 

Tower of London

Things to Do Around London - Tower of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill.

Founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England, the Tower had many uses including that of a grand palace and royal residency. For many centuries it served as a prison, although that wasn't its primary purpose. Other roles included serving as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom (still housed there to this day).

Planning Your Visit

Allow 2-3 hours for your visit. Roam on your own or join a guided tour led by one of the Yeoman Warders (pictured above).   Looking at his picture, doesn't he look like he's just full of information and loves to talk?   If you think so, you are correct.   At some point in time, you might want to deviate from the tour if you've had your fill of history.

Your ticket includes access to the Tower and the Crown Jewels display plus Yeoman Warder guided tour and talk, live historical re-enactments, White Tower tour, children's activity trails, entry to the Fit for a King and Prisoners of the Tower exhibitions and much more!

Visit Traitors' Gate where prisoners accused
of treason are supposed to have passed through,
including Queen Elizabeth

Must See Sights

The White Tower
Crown Jewels
Yeoman Warder tours
Ravens
Medieval Palace
Royal Beasts
Torture at the Tower
Tower Green
Family fun activities

 Are you enjoying this special series on London?  We'd love to hear from you.  Our Facebook Fans are getting a treat to some additional images, so be sure to Like us.

How to Get There 

By London Underground  

Nearest station: Tower Hill underground station

Directions: Use District or Circle lines to Tower Hill station. Follow directional signage to the Tower. The main entrance is a five minute walk from the station.

By train  

Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street or London Bridge stations

From Fenchurch Street: Exit on to Mark Lane. Turn left on to Byward Street, which will lead you to Tower Hill and the Tower of London.

From London Bridge: Cross the bridge over the River Thames and turn right on to Lower Thames Street. After a 15-minute walk the Tower is located on your right.

By Docklands Light Railway (DLR) 

Tower Gateway Station is located adjacent to Tower Hill station.

Follow directional signage to the main entrance of the Tower.

By bus 

Bus routes: 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1

The Tower is also served by all major sightseeing bus tours.

By riverboat 

Nearest river access: Tower Pier

Directions: Riverboats for Tower Pier depart from Charing Cross, Westminster and Greenwich.

Thames Clippers' fleet of hi-speed catamarans operate daily with departures every 20 minutes from both London Bridge Pier and Tower Pier.

Additional Information (consult official website)

Special Series on London 

 Here and on our Facebook Page