Cruising Melbourne

Hi Followers, i am Currently in Dunedin on the South Island of New Zealand, My family and i have been cruising on the Diamond Princess for the last 7 days from Sydney down to Melbourne and Tasmania before heading across to NZ. Here is a few pictures of what cruise life is like and a brief look at Melbourne!

The Diamond holds 2700 passengers and 1100 staff. She will be in Wellington on the 19th of Feb

The Sydney Harbor Bridge from the rear of the boat

One of the many spa pools overlooking the Opera House

Do you see the people on the top of the bridge waving us goodbye??

Sydney as we set sail for Melbourne

A blue party booze cruise doing the rounds on a Friday night

The lights of the SCG (Sydney cricket ground) where Australia were playing the West Indies

One of 5 pools on top deck

Movies under the stars........

An indoor pool and a few spas in the atrium

Another pool...

Some example of the entertainment

They have a gym!

Titanic much?

A couple getting their groove on

One of the two theaters where multiple shows are held every day

You can steer the boat if you want

A photo from one of the shows

Turbulent waters from the back of the ship

The food on board is all free, even room service at anytime, they have themed food days

More from top deck

The NYC style pizzeria

Looking forward

Sunbathers on a cloudy day

Looking down onto the many balcony cabins, we are cheap so our room is internal.

Life boats if and when we sink

The Ship was made in Japan in 2004 for a cost of $500 Million

So we made it to Melbourne! i had been to the airport in transit 8 times so it was great to finally see such a city. The transport network is made up of inner city trams

Even cruise passengers have to pass through customs in every port

Cycle city, the cycle-ways are everywhere, making Melbourne Australia's most cycle friendly city

The Yarra River along the banks of the CBD

Setting up for Chinese New Year Festival

Renta-bike scheme

The thing that struck me about Melbourne was how green it was, there were mature trees everywhere, along every road

I didnt know they had a Victoria Uni too......

A cool bar/cafe in the middle of the Yarra

The iconic Melbourne photo, rowers in front of the city

More and more green everywhere, a really beautiful city

Yarra river cruise

Rod Laver where the Australian Open was just held (Tennis grand slam)

AAIG stadium where the Melbourne Rebels play

Rod Laver tennis courts with the Mighty MCG in the background (Melbourne Cricket Ground)

 Its the 10th largest stadium in the world holding 100,018 people

Outside they have statues of Australian cricketing legends

The view from inside the MCG, the groundsmen were setting up for Australia v West Indies that afternoon

This bridge talked to you as you walked past sensors, it was the weirdest thing!

More examples of the cycle-ways and greenery

The whole city boasts free wifi - no time limit

Looking toward the city from the Yarra sports park

Inner city trams, they operate withing the streets and drive just like cars

Example of old England were everywhere

The tram stops are in the middle of the roads

I got excited about this!

The iconic train station

An alternate mode of transport

The great Shane Warne, who still plays at the ground for his domestic team

Ladies dressed up for Chinese New Year

More inner city green green green! It makes for such a lovely city.

Inside the famous Queen Victoria Market

These guys were for sale, i think as pets, its Australia after all... I'm too used to Asia

Sheep skin? try Kangaroo skins.

Our boat docked at St Kilda Beach next to a smaller cruise vessel in the same day

Looking down the never ending corridor of rooms on one of the 16 stories of our boat

That night it was formal night, everyone must dress up in suit and tie

Champagne tower

The cruise director welcoming us all formerly 

Well that's it from Melbourne, i cannot wait to make the bold move over to this special country with Jackie. Cruise life is very nice but its not for me, at least not for another 41 years but i am really enjoying the hospitality while i can. first day back on NZ soil today i will post from Tasmania, Fiordland and Dunedin in a few days. Off to Akaroa, Christchurch tomorrow. See you all very soon

Shout out to Adam, the guy with the smooth moves