Australia part 1

Hello Everyone,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful end of February and has now started March off…with a bang! Well, when I last left you, I had finished my time in New Zealand (which again…just a beautiful country…so clean and new looking….very nice) and I was about to make my way to Australia!!!

Saturday, February 19th and Sunday, February 20th were the WORST SEA DAYS….EVER!!!!!! I have NEVER experienced such rough sea…in the 6 months I have been on this ship. We were all warned by the captain that the Tasmanian Sea was known for this sort of stuff but I didn't think that it would be that bad. At night, it was impossible to sleep because you were thrown around SO bad and you were sick to your stomach. To get the feeling that I was feeling, lay in bed and have someone push down on your shoulders, chest, legs as far as they can and at the same time….move yourself in a circle…NOT a fun time. Thank the lord that we didn't have a show on those two days…I don't think that we would have been able to do them. Lesley and I one of the days went outside (which was SO windy…it was crazy) and saw how high the waves were. We were on the 5 deck and the waves were getting close to that level….we were told that they were about 10 feet swells, which I think that they were higher than that…but boy, did we ever feel them. 

Monday, February 21st we were finally on land at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia….the little island off the southern coast of Australia. The cast had decided to do the crew outing that the ship had scheduled for us…so we all went to this wildlife park. It took us about 40 minutes to get there but it was a great time…seeing all the sights and the beautiful mountains that took over the landscape…just great. Once we got to the wildlife park…we were given a bag of food and told all about the kangaroos, how to feed them and how to scratch their chests…they love it. We got a little guided tour at the beginning and we saw the Tasmanian Devils. They are cute little animals…really misunderstood by the world…haha. They aren't very quick apparently and the only way they can warn off predators is to make this HORRIBLE sound that they make…haha…but its cute at the same time. Then we walked over to where the Koala's were…it was so cool to see one that close. They are a lot bigger than I expected and apparently they can give you quite a bite if you make them upset. Eventually we finally made our way over to the open area where the kangaroos were all laying around. It was a little nerve racking at first…because they are big animals and you never know what they might do. I kept thinking about that show "Dangerous Animal Encounters" where the Kangaroo jumps and punches the guy in the chest….so I was a little nervous to say the least. Eventually, I thought to myself that they were so use to the people around the park all the time that they weren't going to do anything. It was so great to sit there and feed a Kangaroo….I bet I fed about 25 of them when I was there. Some were very nice but others were really greedy. One of them was so greedy, he ripped the food bag right out of my hands and started to eat the bag….he wasn't very nice…haha. I wanted to see what they would do if I scratched them on their chests like the guide said and it was the funniest thing. They would lean their bodies closer and closer to the ground and then put their heads back in the air, with their eyes closed…they must really like it. After we spent our time with the Kangaroos, it was time to head back to the ship area. Once we returned to the port, we all had a great lunch at a restaurant right next to the ship….what a great day!!! 

Tuesday, February 22nd…guess what…we were at sea…AGAIN!!!! Not as rough as the last sea days…but wasn't the calmest. The rough seas made everyone want to just lay in bed and close your eyes…thats all you can do on these days to make yourself feel better. It was a joke to get up and go to our normal duties of shuffleboard or golf because no one in their right mind would be playing these games on a rough sea day…so, back to bed we went…haha.

Wednesday, February 23rd, we had a great day off in Kingcote, Kangaroo Island, Australia. Today, Lesley, Greg, Jodie, Adam and myself got off the ship via a 45 minute tender ride (puke!). Today was a COLDER day than we were use to but the sun was shinning all day…so at least we had that. We all were starving so we headed to a pizza place up the street of this tiny little country town….looked like I was in an old west town…haha. The meal was great and we were all stuffed. We headed back up the street and did some shopping…bought a few presents for people back home and finally, after 6 months on the ship…bought myself a pair of sunglasses…haha. After we did our shopping, we headed back to catch the last tender that we could get to the ship. We had to wait quite a long time, so we sat there and threw rocks into the sea, we were that bored. We were trying to hit this buoy that was out in the middle of the bay….I almost got it a few times. OH…I almost forgot…there were the BIGGEST pelicans at this place. I have NEVER in my LIFE seen a bird that big and I'm sure that it would scare the crap out you if it landed near you. Once we got on the tender, we had another 45 minute tender ride back to the ship…to be greeted by one of the most beautiful sunsets. Good job southern hemisphere…you have pretty awesome sunsets so far. 

Thursday, February 24th…we had a GREAT day in Adelaide, Australia. What a beautiful day we had with the best weather we have had in quite some time. We all headed into the main town…where there was a HUGE shopping center. At first, I wasn't going to buy anything because for some reason, I haven't felt like spending my money. Some of the cast were like…Jason, come on…you don't buy yourself anything…you can do it. So, I bought myself a few things this day. I bought a great new audition outfit and I can't wait to get back to the city and wear it for auditions. Bought a shirt that was a yellow long sleeve shirt…never thought that I would buy a shirt this color…but I like it. I was in a weird shopping mood…I normally don't do shopping too much…but I did this day. I felt bad for the other guys…cause they weren't really buying anything anywhere, but I kept going into to places…the places that caught my eye. The girls were off this day, getting their hair done and stuff…so us guys just walked around all day. It was a GREAT day and I made some great choices…I was really happy. Once we got back to the ship, after our wonderful day, I went up to the top deck to watch the sunset…and holy crap, what a BEAUTIFUL sunset. Once again (I know that I keep repeating myself but) I can't get over the sunsets during this experience. I truly think that is going to be something that I miss once this contract is over…the sunsets. 

Friday, February 25th…once again…we were at sea…heading to Geelong, Australia and Melbourne, Australia. We have some funny people on the ship this cruise…one in particular from Australia, Merv. What a funny guy he was…he would come to a lot of our games that we would play and just make fun of us, himself and the other guests that take the games WAY to seriously. His wife was always smiling and laughing, so they were such a wonderful couple to have on board. They came to every show that we had and would always give us great praise. At one of the shuffleboards that I was hosting, they were all trying to decide what rules they wanted to play by and everything and he looked at me and said, "Do you have any idea how to play this game?" "I have NOT a clue..sorry". He said, "Good…me neither"…haha…what a great guy.

Saturday, February 26th…was my IPM day but we made it to Geelong, Australia in the morning. It looked like a lovely little coast town that had a beautiful park right on the river front. The weather was great and I sat outside for a while…enjoying the sun as much as I could. In the afternoon, it was time to head off to Melbourne…which was apparently 80 kn/m away. I sat outside for a while and watched us sail away from Geelong…heading to Melbourne. As we got closer and closer to the Melbourne…the weather got worse and worse. Finally arriving to the city, the city looked beautiful but the only problem was the rain…it was hard to see the city for what it was…apparently it was a nice view from the port. I felt bad for the cast this night because we were overnight here and they went out and tried to have a good time (which they did) but it just rained the entire time. I had an early night of watching a movie and then heading off to bed.

Sunday, February 27th we were in Melbourne for our second day. Lesley and I had a day off together and it was great fun. We took the above ground trolly into town and that was a lot of fun…haven't been on one of those since 2001 in San Francisco (remember Mom?). Something that has been screwing me up for the past couple places is the fact that they drive on the other side of the road…so I never look the correct way when I'm crossing the street…thank the lord that I have Lesley there with me. Its even worse walking down the street on the sidewalks…because everyone walks on the other side too…I may have caused a few collisions on the sidewalk…sorry!!! We had a great meal before walking around the shopping district. Lesley was in the shopping mood, so I helped her pick out a few things….which was fun. We stopped at a GREAT little cupcake place that was in this side alley. Had to be one of the best cupcakes that I have had…and reminded me of some of the places back home/NYC that I like so much. After awhile in the downtown shopping center, we made our way to another outlet mall that we were told about. There were shops EVERYWHERE and we were a little bummed that we didn't get to have more time in the outlet mall. Funny thing though, I found a place called, "Hungry Jacks" here in Australia…which is their version of Burger King….with the same logo and everything…haha…I thought that it was funny…I wonder if it tastes the same??? Once we left the outlet mall, we went to this little shop that was right outside our ship, to get the ship essentials. Lesley and I have made a GREAT meal on the ship now and we can't have a enough of it. We have to keep restocking our shelves with these items because we keep making our meals all the time…ummmm, so good. 

Monday, February 28th…our last sea day before we get to Sydney, Australia. I can't believe that this day has finally come…coming to Sydney. It holds so much meaning to me because of my Mom and Dad. When my father was alive, he and my Mom would talk about how they always would want to vacation to Australia when my brother and myself were older and moved away. So growing up, I became interested in this beautiful place too because my parents were so passionate about it. Unfortunately, my father passed away before they were able to visit Australia, which makes my coming here that much more special to myself but more to my Mom. This time in Australia has been quite emotional for many reasons but my Mom and Dad are finally getting to sea Australia….through my eyes. They are both with me EVERY DAY…everything that I experience…they will experience too. These are the times that I am even more grateful for this experience than I normally am. Going to a part of the world that holds a lot of meaning to my family. 

Tuesday, March 1st was a early started day due to sailing into Sydney. I was told before I went to bed that I needed to get up early and see the sail into Sydney Harbor…that it was one of the most beautiful sail in's that you'll experience….and I couldn't agree more. I walked outside at 6:45am (by the way, it was already 80 degree out…wow) and was greeted by a beautiful sunrise…just stunning. I make my way to the front of the ship and EVERYONE else is there, waiting for this beautiful view. Once we passed this cliff, the city appeared and FINALLY I saw the famous Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. I got chills and started to get quite emotional…I just couldn't believe that I was finally here. Only 2 months ago, I watched the new years fireworks on the TV in my cabin and here I was. I kept thinking of the times that I would watch the Dick Clarks New Years Rockin' Eve (haha…Mom) and seeing that very place with my family, never really thinking that I would make it there, but there it was…right in front of me. One of the guest, that I told the story about my Dad and Mom wanting to come to Australia but never getting the chance to because of his passing came up to me and said, "This one's for your dad". WHOOSH…that made me just cry even more. I just can't explain the just "awed" feeling I felt seeing the Opera House…this beautifully, constructed masterpiece that is so iconic when you think of Sydney…and there it was…not on a Tv or a picture online…but right there in front of me…just an awesome, AWESOME experience and something that I'll hold on to for a long time. When we finally made it to our dock…I was so drained, I headed back to bed…haha. Slept for another two hours and then I decided I needed to eat some lunch before I started my embarkation duties. I headed off the ship alone, into Sydney (just so awesome). I headed to the Darling Harbor and had a great meal sitting on a park bench…just enjoying my day. I had a quick embarkation duty (I think that I was just excited to be there, so I wasn't thinking about the time) and then I headed off the ship with some of the cast to have a great night in Sydney. Once we got downtown, we walked around for a while…just enjoying our time in the city. We walked to this part where there were these things hanging in the trees….they were BATS!!! I haven't seen a bat that close and whoosh…they are ugly things but have a HUGE wingspan…just incredible. After we were creeped out by the bats, haha…we eventually made our way over to the Opera House. I walked there, up the steps, by myself because I really wanted to take it in and appreciate what I was experiencing….it was a great time. Eventually, everyone got really hungry, so we headed off to a bar and had a great meal…it was a great time. After our meal, we headed back to the opera house and then headed to a park that is right behind it and sat down. We all were quite tired and didn't feel like going out on the town…we just sat there and enjoyed our view. We all got a little tired, so we decided to head back to the ship but I wanted to walk back to the ship. So Lesley, Cody, Adam and I took the almost 50 minute walk back to the ship. I had an idea of how to get back but I liked the fact of getting lost in the city…just enjoying the weather, seeing places of the city that you don't get to see, just being there…in SYDNEY. 

Wednesday, March 2nd we again were in Sydney and had another great day. Lesley and I headed off the ship quite early so that we could get some stuff done before we met everyone else for our picnic in the Botanical Gardens later in the day. Lesley went off to the shopping area to find something that she was looking for and Adam and myself headed to the Apple store so I could upload some new pictures that I needed to put online (check them out if you haven't already). Eventually, it was time to head to our picnic and we had a great time. First, we had a wonderful surprise when we spotted some wild cockatoos in the park and we fed them and actually got them up on our arms and took pictures with them..what a great surprise. Then we headed a spot in the garden and started our lunch…unfortunately we were followed by this really odd looking birds and some annoying little birds that actually keep dive bombing Jodie's head….it was VERY funny, but Jodie didn't think so…haha. After our great lunch, we headed to the souvenirs store and got some stuff for our families. Wow, Sydney (or let me say, Australia) is not a cheap place…whoosh. After we did our shopping, we got some Starbucks and said our goodbyes to a great time in the wonderful city of Sydney. 

Sorry that his blog was so long but this time in Australia so far has just been so incredible and I have been enjoying myself so much. For the next blog, I'm going to talk about the following days of the next itinerary: At Sea on March 3rd / Brisbane, Australia on March 4th / At Sea on March 5th / Whitsunday Islands, Australia on March 6th / Cairns, Australia on March 7th / At Sea on March 8th / Thursday Island, Australia on March 9th / Sea Day on March 10th and end the blog with Darwin on March 11th the halfway mark to Hong Kong and marking my 7 months on the ship….wow.

Until Next Time, 

Jason