We start by flying into Perth, Western Australia, before catching the famous India-Pacific post-train that litterally crosses Australia. This three-day journey passes through ghost (or nearly) towns and barren country as well as stopping for a morning in Adelaide on it’s incredible route to Sydney.
After a few days we board Holland America Line’s Nordam and take a wonderful round-trip of New Zealand, before innocently flying back from Sydney into the maelstrom of a Covid infected world.
- Antipodes 2020 day 0
Feeling guilty about the climate crisis? We probably all should be, it’s not just for the young ones you know! Are we… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 0 - Antipodes 2020 day 1 & 2
Travelling halfway around the world is going to pretty much consume a Friday. We’ll start out flights on the a Thursday evening… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 1 & 2 - Antipodes 2020 day 3 – Perth
It’s not bothered me since school, so I’m not really conscious that we belong to a minority group, but in the wee… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 3 – Perth - Antipodes 2020 day 4 – First Embarkation
We would have liked more time in Perth, but work schedules prevented us from departing home earlier, and train schedules prevent us… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 4 – First Embarkation - Antipodes 2020 day 5 – Nullabor Plane
As previously mentioned, the train’s timetable dictates everything so we’re up at 05:45 and we pull into Rawlinna, a town that closed… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 5 – Nullabor Plane - Antipodes 2020 day 6 – Adelaide and Broken Hill
A more leisurely start today, we don’t get up until 06:40 what a lie.in! Except we accidentally set it an hour earlier… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 6 – Adelaide and Broken Hill - Antipodes 2020 day 7 – An Agatha moment
Oh what a night! Waking suddenly around 02:00 my first thought is the lighting has gone faulty, but the night-light is a… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 7 – An Agatha moment - Antipodes 2020 day 8 – Beaches, Bays and Carmen
After a good night we’re raring to go, but having had nothing beyond a dreadful to nonexistent signal for the best part… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 8 – Beaches, Bays and Carmen - Antipodes 2020 day 9 – SOH and Bridge
Yet another hideously early start! So far this holiday has been noteworthy for some curious reasons, and three out of seven pre six AMs… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 9 – SOH and Bridge - Antipodes 2020 day 10 – Second Embarkation
After breakfast we pack, leave our bags with the concierge and head off to nearer sites. These are mostly around the World… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 10 – Second Embarkation - Antipodes 2020 day 11 – At sea
A day at sea, crossing the Tasman, mixed cloud but early twenties / seventies so very pleasant. Normally we’d be out doing… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 11 – At sea - Antipodes 2020 day 12 – At sea 2
We awake to a mill-pond sea today. Captain said swells would be about 2m but in fact they are barely discernible. Although… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 12 – At sea 2 - Antipodes 2020 day 13 – scenic cruising
Scenic cruising is a euphemism for no ports today. Instead we’re wandering around the fjord lands of South Island New Zealand. It’s… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 13 – scenic cruising - Antipodes 2020 day 14 – Dunedin wandering
“Road’s closed for pedestrians” the workman said, “not possible to pass and no alternative.” We’re on mile 12 of a one-way walk… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 14 – Dunedin wandering - Antipodes 2020 day 15 – Akaroa Curry
Akaroa is an unknown destination, in the “olden days” ships for Christchurch sailed into Lyttelton which is just over the nearest mountain,… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 15 – Akaroa Curry - Antipodes 2020 day 16 – Wellington wowser
Last time we we were in Wellington we were underwhelmed, possibly because the weather wasn’t so good, and possibly because the previous… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 16 – Wellington wowser - Antipodes 2020 day 17 – Napier
Out of the ashes, a Phoenix has risen. Not literally ashes in this case, but volcanic nevertheless. In 1931 an horrendous earthquake… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 17 – Napier - Antipodes 2020 day 18 – Tauranga – RotoruaOK, it helps having the right kind of friends! However everything described today could be done by hiring a car or a car and… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 18 – Tauranga – Rotorua
- Antipodes 2020 day 19 – Auckland 1 – WaihekeWe got sunstroke the first time. Straight off the red-eye from LA we arrived at the Hilton, coincidentally not even a stone’s… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 19 – Auckland 1 – Waiheke
- Antipodes 2020 day 20 – Auckland 2 – CBDIt’s quite funny that we’re moored right against the Hilton Hotel on pier 1 – when we arrived in NZ for the… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 20 – Auckland 2 – CBD
- Antipodes 2020 day 21 – WaitangiWe’re parked up in the Bay of Islands. This is an important place in history as the Treaty Grounds overlook this beautiful… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 21 – Waitangi
- Antipodes 2020 day 22 – At sea 3Our sea days always start with breakfast in the Pinnacle. There’s just not enough time on port-days to enjoy the experience so… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 22 – At sea 3
- Antipodes 2020 day 23 – At sea 4Ordinarily this last day would be a slow news day, but of course it’s anything but as we (as a country) jump… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 23 – At sea 4
- Antipodes 2020 day 24 – Bridge DayLeaving a ship is so sad. I can’t understand those who make “looking forward to my own bed” comments – that’s never… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 24 – Bridge Day
- Antipodes 2020 day 25 – Palindrome dayOK so the title is tenuous but this day has so many facets I can’t single one out, so let’s focus on… Read more: Antipodes 2020 day 25 – Palindrome day