Our Travel Adventures: 2015 - Southern Hemisphere Cruise Pt 2/4

7 Days Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne

30/11/2015 - 06/12/2015

Day 10 – 30 Nov 2015

Today we will be arriving at Albany at 1pm.

Albany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, 418 km SE of Perth, the state capital. Albany is the oldest permanently settled town in Western Australia, predating Perth and Fremantle by over two years.

This morning we had breakfast in two restaurants namely, the Pavilion and Genting Place.

We had our lunch at the Pavilion restaurant before we deport for Albany town by the free shuttle bus. We stopped near the City Hall and explore the town by walking to the few tourist attractions nearby.

An old fire fighting truck that is converted into a tourist bus to fetch tourists for a city tour.

A tourist big bike

Upon request by the city council the Sunday market was opened for the cruise ship passengers even though today is Monday.

The Albany Town Hall that was erected in 1887

St John the evangelist church, a small Anglican Church in Albany that has many colourful stained glass windows

One of many stained glass windows inside the church hall

The Albany Court House

A full size replica of the Brig Amity that arrived in Princess Royal Harbour on 25 Dec 1826 and anchored here.

The Brig Amity brought a military party and convicts to establish the first European Settlement in Western Australia.

The Uniting Church of Australia, Albany Chapter

"The Dog Rock". From far the big rock looks line a dog head

After spending a few hours in the town we took a taxi to the Middleton Beach.

Middleton Beach

Ellen Cove Board Walk

White sandy Middleton Beach

After spending an hour at the Middleton Beach we took the taxi back to Albany town for some photo taking while waiting for the shuttle bus to take us back to the cruise ship

Major Impact Band performing at the Galaxy of the Stars

The Singing Sensations for the Philippines and Australia performing at the Lido Theatre

Singing Bee with Goldie the Asst. Cruise Director.

After supper we retire to our cabin as the sea was rough throughout the night.

Day 11 – 1 Dec 2015

Today we are on high seas cruising to Adelaide. Most of my time were spent in the library, gym, taking part in the activities on board and watching the show Starstruck in Lido Theatre.

This morning breakfast was in the Genting Palace, which offers a wide Western buffet breakfast spread beside the main course.

Showtime: Starstruck

After the show we had our dinner at the Pavilion Chinese Restaurant. Tonight have my favourite Char Siew.

Pianist Raz and Alijah performing at the Galaxy of the Stars tonight. Usually they perform at the Grand Piazza

Day 12 – 2 Dec 2015

Today we continue to be at high seas until we reach Adelaide tomorrow morning. Subscribed for the 6 hr. Internet package (HKD35.00) and spent the whole morning in the library surfing the Internet and checking on emails

Tried the complementary 10 min. shoulder massage by the Chinese masseur

Dinner was at the Pavilion Restaurant today

Beautiful sunset. Seldom can see such beautiful sun set due to the dark clouds most of the time

Just in time to catch the sun setting in the horizon

The Major Impact Band at the Taverna

Showtime : Chan impersonating Cher

Sound Clippers Band at the Grand Piazza

Country and Western Party at the Aces Bar before the night is out

Day 13 – 3 Dec 2015

We arrived at Adelaide at 5:30am in the morning. After breakfast we took the train to the Adelaide Railway Station and explored the city on our own. We took the free shuttle bus for a brief city tour before taking another bus to Handorf, a small German Town.

Superstar Virgo at the Port of Adelaide

Hahndorf is classified as Australia's oldest surviving German settlement and each year thousands of people, young and old, enjoy its charm and the hospitality. A mere 20 minute drive from the Adelaide CBD, Hahndorf is immensely popular with visitors from all over the world as well as locals and many premium businesses have set up their shops in this iconic town.

In the bus we met two young students from HK who introduced us to the famous German Knuckle in the Hahndorf Inn restaurant.

The six of us can't finish these.

YB Yew (Ex MP for Wangsa Maju) gave us a lunch treat to celebrate his wife's birthday today.

After lunch we visited the Adelaide Central Market and China Town

Plenty of fresh fruits in Adelaide Central Market

Durians are sold at AUD25 per kg here. It was labelled as fresh Australian Durian!

Adelaide China Town

We then took the free tram to Rundle Mall.

Rundle Mall in the Adelaide city centre is the premier retail area of South Australia. It was opened as Australia's first pedestrian street mall in September 1976 by closing the section of Rundle Street between King William Street and Pulteney Street, to vehicular traffic

From Rundle Mall we walked along the Northern Terrance to the Adelaide Train Station to catch the train back to the cruise ship

The War Memorial

The Adelaide Parliament House

Inside Adelaide Train Station.

Dinner tonight was in Genting Palace

Sunset time at Adelaide before we sail away

Sound Clippers Band at the Galaxy of the Stars

Showtime again: Dance Music Awards

The dress changing was amazing. It is more difficult to perform compared to the Chinese face changing.

It's fun night with Goldie, the Asst. Cruise Director

The Tetrachords Trio at the Grand Piazza

Day 14 – 4 Dec 2015

Today we are at high seas sailing to Melbourne. Spent time in the library reading and exercise in the gym.

Lili joined the morning dance with the cruise staff Francis

Lili took part in the basic Origami class making jumping frog

Afternoon tea dance with Tetrachords Trio at the Galaxy of the Stars

Tonight is our second Gala Dinner on board Superstar Virgo. This time we have it at the Pavilion Chinese Restaurant during the first session

The Cruise Director introducing the Captain to the guests

The Captain introducing his senior staff

Our Gala Dinner menu

The Pavilion staff performing during the Gala Dinner

The evening sun and waves

We attended the Captain's Gala Dinner Cocktail Party during the second session

Photo taking with the Casino Manager and Executive Chef

Showtime: Terry Parade (Comedy and Juggling)

Farewell party with Tetrachords Trio and Hotel Team

Day 15 – 5 Dec 2015

We arrived Melbourne at 8am in the morning. After breakfast at Genting Palace we departed for our city tour at 9am by taking the train from the port to the CBD

The train at the port that departs for the CBD at regular intervals

Christmas decoration at the City Square

Federation Square

The Federation Square is a unique culture and events precinct featuring major art galleries, restaurants, and bars, specialty shops and the Melbourne Visitor Centre. It was at the Melbourne Visitor Centre that we found out about the buy one free one ticket for the Yarra River Cruise.

We joined the Yarra River cruise that took us upstream and downstream the river for an hour each trip. We enjoyed the beautify sceneries and buildings on both the journeys