I kept a hand written diary of my cruise from New York to Sydney. I have typed it as I wrote it, fixing any spelling mistakes or bad grammatical errors that 'word' nagged me about. It does seem repetitious at times, but it was just a quick journal to remind me of what we did and saw and to help with the labelling of my photos as I am a scrap booker.
Jennie B
Part 1 -- New York to Montevideo
Saturday 12th January 2008
We checked out of the Comfort Inn and a porter took our luggage over the road to “The Muses” Hotel. This hotel was quite sumptuous but it did not include tea making facilities, breakfast or free internet like the “Comfort Inn” and it costs an extra $100 a night. (It was part of our cruise package) We went by cab to visit “The Frick Collection” – an excellent collection of beautiful art, privately gathered by Henry Clay Frick (an industrialist) who specially built the house to showcase his collection. Afterwards we went by cab to Sak’s 5th Ave. where we met some other members of the QE2 World Cruise with whom I have been corresponding on the internet. They were nice, friendly people and we had a lovely lunch, well looked after by Sak’s Maître. We stayed chatting much longer than we thought we would, so only had time to walk the 12 blocks back to our hotel and dress for the opera. Charlie, who I met on Cruise Critic organised the tickets for Mum and I as well as Jo Ann from Cruise Critic. We went by cab again to the Lincoln Centre to see “The Barber of Seville”. It was an amusing opera with a donkey on the stage. The Met Opera House is a beautiful building. We arrived back at our hotel at 12.45 am.
Sunday 13th January
We went to McDonald’s for breakfast as it was very expensive at our hotel. It was a different menu to Australia. Bacon & egg McMuffins were a sweet concoction, with bacon between two sweet and fatty griddle cakes –NOT very nice.
We did a final pack and took a taxi to Pier 92 to embark on the QE2, to begin our cruise to Sydney. Our small cabin (5030) is very similar to the one we had on our Med cruise in 2005.We had a very large afternoon tea, and then unpacked everything which took us a couple of hours. We then managed to get a position right on the bow to watch the fireworks as the “3 Queens” QM2, QE2 & Q Vic met at the Statue of Liberty. Very exciting
Monday 14th January
Mum was very tired so she slept in, but I was hungry as we did not eat dinner last night, (due to the meeting of the “Queens”) so I went up for breakfast. We took part in the quiz at “The Golden Lion” then had a long lunch at our restaurant, The Mauritania. At 3pm we met quite a few members of the Cruise Critic group in the Yacht Club, where we all chatted for an hour and a half. We then went down to our cabin to dress for dinner (formal). We are at a table with 4 Americans – an elderly couple Dee and her friend Sol both from California, and 2 middle aged men. John is from Colorado and Bill is from Florida. They are not travelling together. All seem friendly. Our meal was very nice. In the evening we were entertained by Dave Evans, an impersonator and comic.
Tuesday 15th January
We had a leisurely breakfast with 2 cheery English women, then wrote and posted some postcards. At 12.15 we went to a lecture about the Bermuda Triangle (an area we are about to visit) and all the mysteries of disappearing Planes and ships. Very good. We then had a lovely lunch with Janet and Eric from New York State and Don from Sth Carolina. We then went to see a fantasy movie ”Stardust”. Quite a nice amusing show. This we followed with a light afternoon tea before dressing for dinner. Another very good meal. This evening’s entertainment was Dave Evans again as well as Billy Richards Coasters. Just so so.
Wednesday 16th January
We ate breakfast with Elaine from Hobart and Jo Ann from California. We then had an early lunch in the Lido before boarding the coach to Miami. We had arrived in Fort Lauderdale about 5.30 am but the dock is well out of town so we just did a short walk around, looking at the other cruise ships. We drove through an industrial looking area into Miami, then drove past a great many Art Deco hotels and apartments. Many of these have interesting histories. There are also a lot of new, tall apartments and hotels sitting cheek on jowl. We drove out to Vizcaya Mansion and Gardens. It is an Italian style villa built in 1916-17 to house a collection of Italian and Spanish Antiques collected by James Deering (International Harvester). The house is nicely planned but the rooms are a hotch potch of several different styles so not very attractive. Apparently it was designed to look like it had been in the same family for 400 years. The house is surrounded by gardens on three sides and a beautiful terrace leading to the sea on the other. We did not get enough time to properly look at the extensive garden. We had another nice meal for dinner in semi-formal dress. Tonight’s entertainment was an Irish comedian named Adrian Welsh. Very funny!!
Thursday 17th January
After breakfast we attended a lecture by Peter Crimes where we learnt the history of Barbados and saw many slides of the area. After that we went to the ART Auction to look at paintings that will be auctioned tomorrow, but mainly to get a couple of glasses of the free “bubbly” that is passed around. We had lunch again with Eric & Janet, then Mum went to our cabin for a rest and I went to the Yacht Club for another meeting of our Cruise Critic group. At 4pm I had afternoon tea, Mum and I then dressed for a formal dinner. Our entertainment was Kyle Esplin, an exceptionally talented pianist.
Friday 18th January
We had breakfast in time to get to the 10am lecture by Sabin Robbins about “Pirates of the Caribbean”. This was an interesting talk with slides about pirates in general. We then visited Marie’s Charity Table where we bought some brooches, before going to the Art Auction. Only 2 pieces were sold but it was interesting to watch and we had a “bubbly” before going with Janet and Eric for lunch. They seem to have become our lunchtime companions. After another lovely dinner we went to the Grand Lounge to see both Adrian Welsh and Kyle Esplin again. We then went to watch the dancers all dressed up for the “Buccaneers Ball”.
Saturday 19th January
Up earlier this morning as we leave the ship at 8.30am to go on a coach tour around Barbados. We drove along the West coast where there is housing nearly all the way, many luxury resorts and hotels. Some very expensive yachts were moored on the beautiful aqua water of the Caribbean Sea. We then went inland to visit a plantation homestead “Saint Nicholas Abbey” built in 1650 by British owner Col. Ben Berringer. We had a very interesting tour of the house, saw a film made in 1935 by the then owner Mr Cave from England. This showed how the sugar was cropped, turned into liquid, then lump sugar and molasses (used for rum). We were all given a glass of Rum Punch before driving to the Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill for a brief visit. We returned to Bridgetown via the more rugged but very picturesque South east coast which is the Atlantic Ocean. Barbados is a very pretty place and we could easily spend a week here. We had lunch aboard the ship with Bea Muller, a woman who has been living aboard the QE2 for some time- a few years I think. After lunch I shared a taxi with 2 crew members back into town and took myself on a self guided walking tour (out of Frommers). This took me into areas where I was the only white person about. The Barbadians are very friendly so I felt quite safe. Negro’s make up 90% of the population here. After another nice dinner we were entertained in the Grand Lounge by the QE2 Orchestra performing a Glenn Miller concert. This was followed by a “physical comedian” – a juggler really. Just OK.
Sunday 20th January
We slept in this morning, and then had breakfast at the Lido Buffet. Mum didn’t mind it but I much preferred the Mauritania Dining room. We then went to the laundrette to do our washing. This wasted the rest of the morning. At 12.15 I went to a lecture by Dr Peter Crimes about Salvador Da Bahia in Brazil. We were advised to take tours in this city due to a high crime rate, and not to carry much cash and no jewellery at all. It appears to be a pretty city – in his slides it looked much like Lisbon. WE had lunch on our own, then at 2pm I met other Cruise Critic Members and we did a cabin cavalcade. This involves walking all over the ship looking into each other’s cabins. The Princess Grill cabin was really lovely, also the Caronia single. I had afternoon tea, and then it was time to dress up for the Captain’s Cocktail Party. We managed to get a “Cosmopolitan” which was better than that cheap “bubbly”. After dinner we were entertained by a diva named Dorothy Bishop – very good!
Monday 21st January
We were up by 7.30, had breakfast and then I went to a lecture by Peter Crimes about Rio de Janeiro. It seems that both tours we have booked will be worthwhile. Mum stayed in the cabin and tidied her cupboard and drawers while I went to a digital camera seminar, which I think I will find has been helpful. I then met Mum, Janet and Eric and we attended a lecture entitled “Laughter is the best tonic” but it was not what we expected. It was really just an intro into other lectures that Gill Garrett will be giving. I think I will enjoy them but the other three are not interested. We then all went for lunch in our restaurant. Afterwards Mum met Dee, Bill and John at the Lido to help Dee proofread her memoirs. I filled in this diary, had afternoon tea and then spent a bit of time on the Sun Deck. There was an Oriental menu at the Lido this evening, and dress code is not enforced there so we decided to try that. The meal was NOT very good! It was overcooked, but we sat with Sharon and Jerry from Florida, then later had coffee and chatted with Bill from our usual dining table. Mum and I went to the movies to see “Hairspray”. Quite funny. Today the sea was ink blue and the ship was leaving an aqua wake for 500 metres. Very pretty.
Tuesday 22nd January
After breakfast we went to a lecture called “Spirit has no age” – about positive thinking and longevity. We then went for a coffee on 1 deck and got a good position to watch the “Crossing the line” ceremony. This is where King Neptune (Captain McNaught) presides over the judgement of “Pollywogs” (people crossing the Equator for the first time) for minor misdemeanours. All are found guilty and they have to kiss a fish which is then draped over their head. Next they are covered in spaghetti, raw eggs and vegetables before being shoved into the pool. This makes them “Shellbacks”. The pool looked like vegetable soup by the time at least 50 people had been shoved in. I am pleased that I didn’t let on that I have only crossed the Equator by plane. We had lunch in the Mauritania with a fellow named George from New Jersey. I did some ironing then went for afternoon tea while Mum had a sleep. We dressed formal for dinner, and then afterwards went to the Grand Lounge to see a magician Jamie Allen. He was very good and although I was right at the side of the stage I couldn’t see how he did any of the tricks. We later went to the “Crystal Bar” for a cocktail and to meet Cruise Critic members as we had a “dress in cobalt blue night”. We had a good chat and took photos. When we arrived at our cabin it was 12.10. We had to put our clocks forward an hour -1.10am.
Wednesday 23rd January
After breakfast we went for a walk on deck. Weather is warm and the sea a deep cobalt blue. We then went to a lecture on “Are you born lucky or do you make your own luck?” After that we met Janet and Eric at the Art Auction for a “bubbly” and I “won” a print. I have yet to choose which I would like. We had lunch with Janet and Eric then we did some shopping on board. We tidied our cabin and again dressed for a formal dinner. We were tired and both seem to have hay-fever so we didn’t attend the concert, but went to bed early.
Thursday 24th January
Up at 6am to be ready for our 8am tour of Salvador in Brazil. The coaches weren’t ready so we were 45 minutes late leaving. We went for a drive around the city which appears to be very poor and rundown. The once nice Portuguese style buildings were in very poor repair and some actually rotting. The residents were generally slovenly and most women very overweight. We did not see any modern shops from the bus though there may be modern stock inside. At the main square we got caught next to what appeared to be a protest march which was so noisy with a loud speaker that we were unable to hear our guide. We visited the Jesuit Cathedral which is lavishly carved and gilded, but in need of much repair. Across the square we visited the famous Cathedral of San Francisco (St Francis) which is richly carved and coated with 80 kilos of gold. Our guide took us for a walk along the cobbled streets towards the “Our Lady of the Rosaries of the Blacks” Church, built for the black African residents. Here we got caught behind a large band of drummers, possibly practising for Carnival which begins next weekend. The noise was deafening and my brain was vibrating. I got a severe headache which turned into a migraine when we returned two hours late to our ship. I spent the rest of the day in bed. We had room service for dinner. It was poor food!!
Friday 25th January
Today I attended three lectures. The first one was an account of a trip up a Brazilian river in an inflatable boat by a couple in 1983. Quite interesting and scary at the time. The 2nd was Peter crimes talking and showing slides on Montevideo. He spoke to a packed house and it was an interesting talk. We then heard from Gill Garrett about depression – causes, how to recognise and treatment. We had a lovely lunch with Carl & Sue from Bowling Green, Kentucky. After lunch I wrote up my diary and wrote out some postcards. Late afternoon we attended an Australia Day ‘get together’ in the Yacht Club. We had a cocktail and heard a Sydneysider recite some poems by Banjo Patterson .He was excellent. We dressed formal for dinner and as it was Robbie Burns Day haggis was on the menu. It was very tasty so I had a second helping. Afterwards we saw Duo Yalba, a duo who played over 20 musical instruments very well. The son is only 21 years of age. We then went to the Ballroom to watch the Carnival Ball. Very good.
Saturday 26th January
We were up at 5am to get ready and go up on deck to watch the QE2 sail into the bay of Rio de Janeiro. It was lovely to watch the sky gradually become light and the scenery is very striking. We had a continental breakfast in the Pavilion and were ready for the first bus to go to see the Christ the Redeemer statue. We had a train ride through very lush rain forest up to the mountain top. The weather was pleasant and clear as we arrived, but thick cloud came over about 10 minutes later. Luckily we had taken most of the photos needed by then. The statue is huge close up and beautifully carved. The area was very crowded with people. We visited a small chapel at the base of the statue. After our descent we were taken for a drive along the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Both beautiful beaches and crowded with people playing volley ball and soccer, or just walking or sunbathing. Large waves crashed onto the shore even though the Atlantic has been as calm as a duck pond whilst we have been sailing upon it. There are a lot of very green parks which also have many people playing sport or picnicking. The people here are more attractive than in Salvador, though the women often have large stomachs. We arrived back at the ship by noon. After another good lunch at the Mauritania restaurant Mum went for a “Nanny Nap” and I went on another tour. This time I went for a drive through the city of Rio. A lot of lovely buildings- some very modern; art deco; 19th century Portuguese and copies of famous French buildings which were much admired by the Portuguese Royalty that lived in Rio for the 19th and some of the 20th century. We then drove to get the cable car up to Sugar Loaf Mountain. These cars take 60 people at a time and there was quite a queue. The weather was cloudy with passing showers so the views were not as good as they could be. After our descent we drove to the Cathedral of Sao Sebastion, a conical shaped building that was built in 1976. Plain on the outside, it has 4 huge stained glass windows, a couple of nice modern statues and very good ‘stations of the cross’ made of beaten metal. We did drive through some poor areas and the city had been spoilt a little by homeless sleeping in parks and doorways as well as the graffiti. I used the internet at the port and also rang Warren. We were late to get ready for our restaurant so ate at the Lido. At 9.45 a local folk show was on board. The music was loud and awful but the dancers looked very pretty.
Sunday 27th January
We slept until 8.45 after such a long day yesterday. Had breakfast in the Lido then wrote up my diary and wrote out some post cards. The sea is choppy today so there is a little bit more rolling of the ship. After lunch we went to the theatre to see “Chicago” which I quite enjoyed. We then had afternoon tea with Janet before dressing for a formal dinner. It was a French menu tonight and we had a wonderful soufflé. Our waitress Jessica from Taree in NSW cut a heart shaped lid into which she poured yummy custard. At the Grand showroom we were entertained by Kev Orkian, a comedian pianist.
Monday 28th January
Today we did the Cunard Heritage Trail with Thomas Quinone who very passionately describes the history of the Cunard/White Star ships. This went for 2 hours and involved extensive walking around the ship. We had lunch, wrote postcards and then spent a good hour or more reclining on the Sundeck, reading. We dressed for a formal dinner which was followed by entertainment from a good vocalist named Mark O’Malley. He sang a love song to me, down on bended knee. I was VERY embarrassed.
Tuesday 29th January
We arrived at Montevideo in Uruguay at 7.30am. After breakfast Mum, Dee, Sol, Beth and I took a shuttle car into town where the driver took us to a good hairdresser. Dee and I had a colour and cut, while the others did some shopping. This took over two hours, but they did a good job and it was very inexpensive-$55US. Dee, Sol, Mum and I then hired the driver to take us on a 2 hour sight-seeing trip around Montevideo. We enjoyed this very much. We visited some lovely areas with beautiful homes and clean sandy beaches. The people here are slim and attractive, so much different from their neighbours in Brazil. We also looked at the usual Government buildings and Churches etc. which are neat and clean in the city. The residents seem very proud of their city. We arrived back at the QE2 at 3.30pm, just in time for afternoon tea. After a wash and change into elegant casual?? clothes we had dinner in our restaurant, and then waited in the Grand Lounge for a tango performance by a local dance troupe. It was quite good.
