Australia In-Depth & Panama Canal

Sydney is a cosmopolitan, multicultural city surrounded by golden sand beaches, World Heritage areas, lush national parks and acclaimed wine regions. Sydney owes much of its splendor to its magnificent harbor. Arriving by ship provides an unequaled impression, showing off the city’s famous landmarks: the dramatic white sails of the iconic Opera House and the celebrated Harbor Bridge, looming over the skyline.

Sydney is a cosmopolitan, multicultural city surrounded by golden sand beaches, World Heritage areas, lush national parks and acclaimed wine regions. Sydney owes much of its splendor to its magnificent harbor. Arriving by ship provides an unequaled impression, showing off the city’s famous landmarks: the dramatic white sails of the iconic Opera House and the celebrated Harbor Bridge, looming over the skyline.

The city’s candid, friendly character today belies its history as a penal colony. It also enjoyed a heyday as a whaling center in the 1830s. Today the wharfside warehouses of Salamanca Place are filled with shops and restaurants, and the settlers’ cottages in battery park are lovingly restored by proud owners. Tasmania maintains a lot of agricultural heritage, and enjoys a slightly sedate pace of life. See the dazzling new Museum of Old and New Art, which opened in January of 2011.

The city’s candid, friendly character today belies its history as a penal colony. It also enjoyed a heyday as a whaling center in the 1830s. Today the wharfside warehouses of Salamanca Place are filled with shops and restaurants, and the settlers’ cottages in battery park are lovingly restored by proud owners. Tasmania maintains a lot of agricultural heritage, and enjoys a slightly sedate pace of life. See the dazzling new Museum of Old and New Art, which opened in January of 2011.

Burnie overlooks Emu Bay, on the north-west coast of Tasmania. This proudly industrial city is Australias fifth largest container port and a vibrant place to visit. Originally settled in 1827 as Emu Bay, the town was renamed for William Burnie, a director of the Van Diemens Land Company in the early 1840s. Burnie was once surrounded by dense rainforest, but this slowly disappeared as fortunes were made felling and milling timber. Burnie offers plenty of activities and sites.

Located at the mouth of the Yarra River, Melbourne was founded by free settlers in 1835, 47 years after the first European settlement in Australia. Transformed rapidly into a major metropolis by the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s, Melbourne became Australia’s largest and most important city, and by 1865 was the second largest city in the British Empire. Today, Melbourne is a major center of commerce, industry and cultural activity, and is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.

Southern Australia’s most graceful city lies nestled along the coastal plain between the Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. Unlike its eastern Australian city counterparts, convicts did not colonize Adelaide. Europeans, most of whom were British, first settled Adelaide in 1826. Other settlers to the region included German, Polish, Afghan, Chinese, Italian, Lebanese, Spanish and Scandinavians. The city was designed from the very beginning with wide streets and numerous town squares, marvelous Victorian and Edwardian architecture, parks and wide-open spaces. The city preserved many of its unique stone houses built by the original settlers, as well as the more grand historic public buildings constructed during the Gold Rush years.

A well-protected harbor in Boston Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, Port Lincoln is an important port for grain shipment, fishing for bluefin tuna and multi-species aquaculture. It is also proud to call itself Australia’s Seafood Capital. First charted in 1802, it was not truly established until a government subsidized settlement in the 1840s. There are a number of mill and settler’s cottages preserved today, and the eccentric Koppio Smithy Museum holds a centuries-spanning collection of everything from pioneer implements, barbed wire displays and carriages to vintage cars and bicycles. Another specialty museum with a particular focus on Port Lincoln is the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum highlighting the fishing and maritime history with displays and old wooden boats, including some built at the Stenross shipyard. Other attractions of the area range from natural features such as the Whaler’s Way limestone coast, and the Glen Forest Animal Park to snorkeling with sea lions or cage diving with great white sharks. The town also boasts a railway museum and a prominent statue of the graceful thoroughbred Makybe Diva, owned by a local tuna fisherman and the only horse to win the coveted Melbourne Cup three times.

Located at the southern tip of Western Australia, Albany was the first colonial settlement in the west, founded in 1826, when Major Edmund Lockyer claimed the western third of the continent for the British Crown. It was the only deep water port on the continent’s western third until the founding of Fremantle and was crucial to the gold rush era. Several decades later, it was also the last port from which Australian troops left to join World War I, and thus integral to the ANZAC legend. Architectural heritage in Albany includes the Old Farm, Strawberry Hill, which as founded in 1827 to feed the troops, and was later a gentleman’s residence. The picturesque St. John’s Church, Town Hall and the fanciful Old Post Office each represent different traditions which thrived here. The Princess Royal Sound area is rich with natural wonders preserved in national parks. Torndirrup National Park is a granite prominence assaulted by the swells of the Southern Sea, resulting in phenomena such as the blowholes and the picturesque granite Natural Bridge.

Historic Fremantle is the gateway port for Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Located 12 miles upriver from Fremantle on the banks of the Swan River, Perth was founded on June12, 1829 by Captain James Stirling, the political center of the free settler Swan River Colony. Perth is considered one of the most isolated metropolitan areas on Earth, with Adelaide in South Australia, the closest city with a population over one million. Perth is geographically closer to East Timor, Singapore and Jakarta than it is to Sydney or Melbourne. Today, Perth is a lively cosmopolitan city, and the Swan Valley Region is home to more that 40 vineyards, many of which are still run by their original families. Perth became known worldwide as the “City of Lights” when city residents lit their house and street lights as American astronaut John Glenn passed overhead while orbiting the earth on Friendship 7 in 1962.

Geraldton is the center of Western Australia’s Coral Coast, and a gateway to the agricultural Chapman Valley. City attractions include the Western Australia Museum and a stirring monument to the HMAS Sydney II, which was sunk with great loss of life off the coast here during WW II. See the red and white-striped Point Moore Lighthouse, and the lovingly preserved keeper’s cottage. Drive into the Moresby Ranges to visit a lavender farm, or visit the restored Oakabella homestead to see how the early settlers lived.

Just off shore is the Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing reef in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to an amazing variety of marine life throughout the year. The Cape Range National Park shows off land-based wildlife including emus and wallabies. Visit the rugged gorges of the Yardie Creek Station, or watch for nesting sea turtles on the nearby beaches. The Vlamingh Head Lighthouse is just over 100 years old.

Isolated on the farthest northwest corner of the continent, Broome thrived from its founding in 1883 based on the bounty of South Sea pearls found in offshore oyster beds. Even today, the pearling industry is active here, though most are now cultured. But Broome has grown into one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations, offering an amazing variety of attractions and activities for visitors. It boasts a splendid, 14-mile strand of soft white sand at Cable Beach, where people flock to enjoy sunset camel rides. And with 2,600 islands in the area and warm seas, it is a sportsman’s paradise. But the unique allure of the region is the unspoiled expanse of bizarre geological formations, waterways and ancient Aboriginal lands called the Kimberley. Corrugated with red-hued cliffs and escarpments, and laced with pristine waterways, swimming holes and waterfalls, the Kimberley is unlike any other landscape on earth. It invites visitors to cruise the coast, fly over the ranges, kayak the islands and explore the rugged terrain in 4WD vehicles. The only difficulty is deciding which adventure to partake of next.

Despite its small size, Darwin is a modern, multi-cultural city, and its proximity to Asia makes it ideal for travel. Named after the famous scientist, Charles Darwin, the area was originally settled by the Larrakia Aboriginals. The Dutch arrived and mapped the land in the 1600s, followed by the British in 1939, when the town was given its English name. Darwin has a beautiful coastline, as well as numerous parks and gardens, making the city a top spot for outdoor activities.

Despite its small size, Darwin is a modern, multi-cultural city, and its proximity to Asia makes it ideal for travel. Named after the famous scientist, Charles Darwin, the area was originally settled by the Larrakia Aboriginals. The Dutch arrived and mapped the land in the 1600s, followed by the British in 1939, when the town was given its English name. Darwin has a beautiful coastline, as well as numerous parks and gardens, making the city a top spot for outdoor activities.

Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Alotau is the capital of the Milne Bay province of Papua New Guinea, located on a peninsula in Milne Bay in the Coral Sea. The town and water comprise the site of the 1942 battle of Milne Bay, in which the invading Japanese army suffered its first decisive defeat in the Pacific Theater of World War II at the hands of Allied, mostly Australian forces. A War Memorial commemorates the battle. Today the area is largely given over the palm oil plantations. The local people keep their Tawala cultural traditions alive, with the exception of the long-past ritual cannibalism. In Bibiko Village, they will be pleased to show them off in displays of prowess with Kundu drum ceremonies and exhibitions of their impressive war canoes. At the Ahioma village of Dodobana, the many specialized skills of daily Melanesian life are demonstrated in a family-style setting, such as basket weaving, grass skirt making and gardening.

Don’t let the name scare you. This idyllic archipelago of 21 coral atolls off the coast of New Guinea was named after the British ship HMS Conflict by its discoverer, a most patriotic captain. You could hardly ask for a more conflict-free paradise. The island group is privately owned by a passionate conservationist, who insists on sustainable methods for any activity within his tropical domain. Activities are therefore tailored for enjoying the exceptionally beautiful beaches, the supremely biodiverse coral reefs and the clear, warm waters. Kayaking, snorkeling and paddle-boarding are the more strenuous varieties. Simply relaxing mindfully on the sugary fringes of the lagoon are also acceptable. The area is under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

A cosmopolitan city flanked by pristine rainforests and golden beaches, Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, and the Daintree rainforest, a World Heritage protected area. The city was recently renovated to enhance its image and provide a relaxing place for visitors and locals to congregate and have fun. Cairns Esplanade, once a huge grassy park, now features an excellent facility incorporating an outdoor amphitheatre, a sandy swimming lagoon, walking tracks, shops and restaurants, and an environmental interpretation center.

The unofficial capital of North Queensland, Townsville is tucked inside the Great Barrier Reef in the northern tropics. Its municipal beach, The Strand, is consistently rated among Australia’s cleanest. Take a ferry to Magnetic Island, an unspoiled UNESCO World Heritage Site just offshore, or visit the Billabong Sanctuary wildlife reserve.

The 74 Whitsunday Islands are Australia’s tropical marine playground, scattered along the Queensland coast inshore from the Great Barrier Reef. Airlie Beach is the resort hub for exploration of the islands, the reef and the tropical forests of the region. Activities abound, from snorkeling on the reef, spectacular flight tours, fishing excursions to treks along the coastal cliffs with breathtaking views. Whitehaven Beach, a picturesque five-mile strand of pure white silica sand, is among the world’s most beautiful and famous beaches, its swirling offshore sandbars shining through the clear, aquamarine waters. Airlie Beach is a town dedicated to leisure and relaxation, with abundant boutiques, restaurants and cafes offering alfresco dining. It is a place in which to enjoy Australia’s tropical pleasures in the same casual, fun-loving style the Aussies employ.

Once a harsh penal settlement, Brisbane is now Queensland’s dynamic capital city. A blend of steel and glass defines the skyline, while riverside delights – botanical gardens, promenades, cafes and markets – mesmerize at eye level. Sample shore excursions: Brisbane Sights & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, is both cosmopolitan and French, a thriving seaport as well as a commercial and industrial center. Enjoy your day here on Noumea, a tropical paradise with a distinctive geography and charm all its own.

A major seaport, Fiji’s second-largest city, Lautoka is the main center of the sugar and timber industries. Towering royal palms march in a long, orderly row from the main street to the harbor and into the heart of the city. Although Lautoka grew up around the Fijan village of Namoli, it is a very Indian town today.

Suva is the capital of the South Pacific island nation of Fiji. It’s a city of broad avenues, lush parks and grand British colonial buildings, such as the Suva City Library. Suva’s colorful, lively Municipal Market offers a range of local fruit and vegetables. Fiji Museum, set within the Victorian-era Thurston Gardens, contains examples of traditional canoes, war clubs and tattooing tools.

Welcome to the Friendly Isles! Vanua Levu, where you are, is Fiji’s second largest island, and still largely immune to the outside world. The local economy is based on copra, and tall coconut palms are everywhere. Tourism is growing, though, with popular marine activities including snorkeling and diving in the clear seas, kayaking or stand-up paddling. The island is blessed with rivers and waterfalls that invite hiking, tubing or swimming. There are also hot springs and mineral mud baths. For a treasured souvenir, consider one of the island’s varicolored cultured pearls. Otherwise, find a perfect beach, lie back and breathe the scent of tropical blooms. Perhaps you’ll hear a lovely song from somewhere. It’s true, Fijians love to sing.

A total of sixteen islands comprise the Samoas, considered to be the heart of Polynesia. It was from these islands that early Polynesians sailed to populate other Pacific Islands. Today this chain of islands is divided into two political units – the U.S. Territory of American Samoa and the independent country of Western Samoa. Much of the charm of the Samoas lies in the simple village life and the friendly people, combined with a striking landscape of soaring mountain peaks, rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches and tropical rainforests rich in flowering plants. Western Samoa consists of a total of nine islands with the two main ones, Savi’i and Upolo, separated by a narrow strait. The country’s capital Apia, resembling an old South Seas port during the early trading days, perches on the north coast of Upolo. Colonial-style wooden buildings and churches line the tree-shaded main street that curves around the harbor. The primary attractions include Parliament House, the village green, Independence Monument and the former home of Robert Louis Stevenson, now the residence of Western Samoa’s head of state. A trip around the island passes mile after mile of stunning landscape, interspersed with tumbling waterfalls, breathtaking views, tiny villages, and coconut and cocoa plantations.

If you are a “pollywog,” who has never crossed the line at sea, you will be expected to undergo a mock trial by King Neptune and his court for the entertainment of the “shellbacks” who have already done so. Mild but hilarious indignities will be conjured, and in the end a good time will be had by most, if not all.

Home to the state capitol and the majority of Hawaii’s population, the island of Oahu is a vibrant mix of natural, cultural and historic wonders. In Honolulu, an array of cultures blends harmoniously, allowing each to retain its distinct flavor. The downtown sector combines Hawaii’s royal history with the modern-day action of a major metropolitan center. Waikiki Beach, with its impressive hotels and glittering atmosphere, is a famous tourist hub and resort destination of international renown. Honolulu is also the location of Diamond Head, Oahu’s famous volcanic landmark, and Pearl Harbor, the largest natural harbor in Hawaii and the only naval base in the United States to be designated a National Historical Landmark.

The island of Hawaii, called the Big Island, is the largest, youngest and most changeable of the Hawaiian Islands. It was the last in the chain to be formed and is still creating and re-creating itself. Lava flowing to the ocean in a sustained, years-long eruption of Kilauea, the world’s most continuously active volcano, has added 300 new acres of topography, while it has demolished some of the island’s most treasured landmarks, including a 200 year old black sand beach. It was on this island that the Polynesian voyagers are believed to have first set foot in Hawaii about 500-750 CE, and it was here that Kamehameha the Great was born and died, and Captain James Cook was killed.

“PV” takes to its glamorous role as the Cannes of the Mexican Riviera with gusto. With clear warm waters, movie-star beaches and a host of nearby sporting activities, it is definitely ready for a close-up!

The nine glistening bays of Huatulco were virtually unknown outside the state of Oaxaca until the first coastal highway was completed in 1982. Now part of Mexico’s ‘Master Plan’ to develop certain coastal areas into premium resorts, Huatulco may one day rival Acapulco and Cancun in the competition to attract tourists from around the world. The pleasing subtropical climate, fine golden sand beaches and warm waters certainly won’t disappoint.

Puerto Chiapas is located in the southern Soconusco region of the Mexican state of Chiapas, close by the Guatemalan border. The region produces both coffee and cacao for chocolate, and so provides opportunities to see how these commodities are grown, processed and used worldwide. Bananas and tropical blooms are two other regional agricultural mainstays. If you have never tasted a truly tree-ripened banana, the experience can be revelatory. There are some pre-Columbian ruins at Izapa, although nothing on the scale of other, more famous Mayan ruins in Mexico and Guatemala. Favorite activities that have been developed for visitors include people-to-people opportunities in some of the nearby rural (and very friendly) communities.

Once the site of an impressive ancient Mayan civilization, Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistadors in 1524. Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala’s largest Pacific Ocean port, offering access to the natural and historic wonders of Guatemala. Beyond the black-sand beaches that surround Puerto Quetzal, a narrow ribbon of lowland runs the length of the Pacific shore, where local farmers raise cotton, sugar, bananas and maize. Bordering the fertile lowlands, the Guatemalan highlands suddenly emerge, rising to heights of 2500 to 3000 feet. Jutting boldly from the southern highlands is a string of volcanoes, adding even more drama to this diverse land of ancient Maya ruins, Spanish Colonial heritage and breathtaking scenery.

Red roofs and smoking chimneys decorate the gently sloping hillsides of Punta Arenas (Sandy Point), the bustling center of one of the world’s largest sheep farming areas. This pleasant community welcomes you with attractive parks and delightful Victorian architecture.

The Spanish founded Cartagena, officially known as Cartagena de Indias, in 1533. The city rapidly became a thriving commercial port, where precious stones and minerals from the New World awaited shipment back to Spain. Situated in a bay on the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena had the most extensive fortifications in South America, once guarded by 29 stone forts and a high wall of coral-stone measuring 16-miles long, 40-feet high and 50-feet wide. Completed in 1657, the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas is said to be the most grandiose work of military architecture erected by Spain in the Americas. Today, Cartagena’s riches are found in the Boca Grande, an area of the city with beautiful waterfront hotels, trendy restaurants, casinos and boutiques.

Miami is the busiest cruise port in the world, hosting a myriad of ships year-round from all over the globe. Although it is technically not on the Caribbean Sea, no other American city exudes more of the diverse tropical appeal of the Caribbean. The city is home to a large and vibrant immigrant population that blends snowbird refugees from more northern climes with emigres from all Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as sizable groups from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. From the hot-blooded Art Deco haunts of South Beach to the natural wonders of the UNESCO-inscribed Everglades and the laid-back charms of the Keys, South Florida offers a bounty of appealing attractions that make an extended stay in the region nearly mandatory for those either embarking or disembarking here.