On Sydney Harbor Cruise

On Sydney Harbor Cruise
On Sydney Harbor Cruise

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Day 9 The Journey Home

On December 15, 2010, our Ultimate Australian Adventure came to a close.  But there was even one more wonderful surprise in store for us as we waited at the gate to board our Qantas flight home. Oprah Winfrey came to the airport to say goodbye to each one of us individually!  What a humble and kind woman!
Thank you Oprah and the marvelous people of Australia and especially our cherished friends in Tasmania.

Day 8 The Oprah Winfrey Shows

After another delightful buffet breakfast at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney, Tuesday, December 14, 2010, our final day in Australia, began.  All 302 Ultimate Viewers walked a short distance down the hill to the Opera House. Along the way we were greeted very enthusiastically by lucky Aussies holding tickets to the morning Oprah Winfrey Show. The show was taped outside with 6,000 Aussies in the audience. This was the first of two Australian Oprah shows, her first ever filmed outside of the United States.

After the first show, we were treated to an elegant luncheon in the Northern Foyer of the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House overlooking the harbor.
An afternoon of trying to pack was cut short when the six "Road Trippers" had to get back down to the stage for "Hair and Make-up" and be escorted to our front row, center seats for the second and final Oprah show.

Along with footage of the many adventures of the 302 privileged American guests, four shows will be aired in mid January.  Many famous Australian entertainers as well as "everyday" Aussies will be featured.  The six "Road Trippers" are actually part of the final show.  Be sure to watch and join in on our excitement  and share our fantastic memories of this trip of a lifetime!
A beautiful farewell dinner was held for us in the Opera House after the show.  Many photo ops and tearful goodbyes were heard. What a fantastic bunch of new and wonderful friendships were made during this dream-filled journey.


 Then it was back to the hotel to finish packing up our many treasures and calling down for a 5:00am wake up call.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Day 7 The Regatta and U2 Concert

Monday, December 13, 2010,  It was time to go sailing on Sydney Harbor! Cathy, Deb and I ventured onto the "Anti-Money," an Eastsail sailing yacht for a three hour lesson and sail along with 21 other sailboats, one tall ship and two spectator boats.  Oprah and Russell Crowe were on one and Gayle King on another as we thoroughly enjoyed a picture perfect morning on the beautiful blue waters surrounding Sydney.  We sailed past the Opera House and under the Harbor Bridge before arriving at Darling Harbor and the Bungalow 8 restaurant at Sydney's King Street Wharf for a delicious brunch.  Oprah gave an inspiring speech that had us all in tears of gratitude for the opportunity to share in this wondrous trip.


Tonight was billed as "A Surprise Event."  All of us boarded buses with a boxed gourmet dinner in hand setting out for parts unknown.  After about 10 minutes in the bus our Event Architect guides showed us a DVD announcement by Oprah that we were on our way to the ANZ Stadium , the home of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney to see Jay Z open for U2!  Another OMG! What an amazing experience!

Day 6 Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb and the Historic Rocks Precinct

OMG, today, Sunday, December 12, 2010, we climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge! It all began about 7:30am when Ev, Deb and I suited up in secure jumpsuits and were tethered to the guardrails and began our ascent 134 meters (440 feet) high and 503 meters long (1650 feet). We joined Oprah and Gayle at the top and were able to enjoy the panoramic views for over an hour with about 250 of our group.  Wow, what an awesome experience.
Following the Bridge Climb, we all had a delicious luncheon at the Waterfront Restaurant at the pier in the Rocks section on Sydney Harbor were we watched the local residents enjoy the warm and sunny Sunday afternoon.  After lunch, Ev and I went on a Photography Tour where we learned digital photo tricks of the trade.
We even had a couple of hours to relax around the pool before getting ready for a "dine around" dinner in the Argyle Precinct in The Rocks. Here the 302 guests divided into three smaller groups  for dinner at three connected restaurants.  The "Road trippers" enjoyed a delicious dinner at The Argyle Bazaar. We all joined up after dinner for desserts and more cocktails in the courtyard.  Another wonderful day in Australia!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Day 5 (Part Two) Return to Sydney

After a two hour Qantas flight back to Sydney, we were off to The Rocks section of the city to explore their open air arts and crafts market on a glorious Saturday afternoon.  What a marvelous outdoor world this Sydney is located right on the waters with many beautiful parks and areas where many locals enjoy their weekends in the clean, fresh air. I spent most of the afternoon walking around the booths, admiring and shopping before heading back to the Intercontinental Hotel to change and get ready for dinner. 



Saturday evening brought all 302 of us back together at the Royal Botanic Gardens for a cocktail party/dinner with Oprah. The six of us we asked to "walk the red carpet" (which meant chat with the media) with Gayle King prior to the festivities.  We were interviewed by the Australian Today Show. Neil Perry and Donna Hay, two very famous Australian "foodies" brought together the night's delicious goodies while Guy Sebastian (winner of Australian idol) performed for us.  In between the cocktail party and the "beach party" we were presented a magnificent fireworks display over the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge before the lighting of the "O" on the bridge in honor of Oprah's visit to Australia! What a wonderful welcome back!


Day 5 (Part One) Helicopter transfer to Hobart then fly back to Sydney

December 11, 2010, back on the Helicopters early this Saturday morning with a gourmet box "breakie" so that we could experience the Salamanca Markets in Hobart.  What a fun time we had shopping for unique Tasmanian crafts and gifts.



Our Fairy Tale trip to Tasmania ended with tearful goodbyes at the airport.  We had found cherished friends in this land down under that we will never forget.  They will always remain in our thoughts and prayers and to them we will be eternally grateful!  They are the dream makers that everyone should have in their lives.  Tasmania is a lush paradise that all should have the privilege to visit sometime in their life! Thank for sharing this piece of heaven with us!


(I just learned that the Tasmanian Tourism Bureau will be flying me up from Florida to Boston in late January to attend a Black Tie Gala to celebrate Australia Day! The surprises and gifts continue.  Thank you!) 

Monday, December 20, 2010

Day 4 (Part Two) Freycinet National Park and Saffire, The Jewel of Tasmania



Soon after the helicopters all hovered to safe ground we weredriven at the most luxourious of resorts, Saffire Freycinet Sanctuary, which overlooks the Great Oyster Bay and Hazards Mountains with their glimmering pink granite rocks.  The awesome views from the grand lobby are beyond description.
We were escoutrted to our suites through our private Zen gardens to the most specatcular setting.






Then it was quickly back to the lobby to change for our Quad trek.  We received  Blunnies, famous Australian traditional boot and were outfitted with jackets, helmets and goggles and whisked off for a lesson on another road trip vehicle!  What fun we had soaring through Tasmania's wilderness. I did almost bump into Gayle King a couple of times.  Our final destination on the ATV's was a pristine beach, Friendly Beaches and a private afternoon tea and champagne on the beach with white linen table cloth setting and a "Welcome" etched into the white sands. How Elegant!  On the ride back we even spotted kangaroo jumping along side the road.
On arrival back at the hotel we were greeted with plush robes and told to prepare for a luxury, Saffire Sanctuary Spa experience, where a relaxing and rejuvenating massage was enjoyed by all.
Dinner this evening followed drinks, canopes and entertainment by Dewayne Everettsmith.







Executive chef  Hugh Whitehouse prepared a exquisite gourmet six course meal that he served and explained to us along with the wines that accompanied each course.











Sunday, December 19, 2010

Day 4, (Part One) on route to Freycinet National Park, Tasmania



After a breakfast meeting with Tasmanian Senator, Carol Brown, in the beautiful atrium of the Henry Jones Art Hotel, we were off to the Meadowbank Estate Vineyard  for an awesome wine tasting with a delicious cheese and sweet assortment to go along with our wine.  While munching and sipping in walked Galye King to continue her surprise started on Stoughton, MA on September 5. After a quick driving lesson for Gayle (with no accidents) we drove through vineyards and gorgeous countryside to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.
This ia a natural refuge for some extraordinary Australian animals like the Tasmanian Devil, wombats, and kangaroos.  Greg Irons, the manager, showed us around the sanctuary and we had a chance to get up close and personal with the animals. We had a delicious lunch outside with the animals before leaving for our helicopters.


We were off to Freycinet National Park soaring over breathtaking scenery.  I sat next to Gayle and tried to console her as she is not fond of flying.   

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Day 3 (Part Two) Hobart, Tasmania


After our spectacular picnic lunch and a little more exploring of Port Arthur, our road trip continued along an incredibly scenic route towards Hobart, Tasmania's capitol city.  With the background of a an incredible ocean view, it was my turn to be interviewed for our road trip section.
As usual, Rob shared a delightful tour of the countryside as we passed by poppy fields. sheep pastures, and many other rural sights all the while learning many Aussie sayings like "She'll be apples" or "tall poppies."
In Hobart, the second oldest city in Australia after Sydney, we checked into our own suites at the Henry Jones Art Hotel , a dedicated five-star art hotel showcasing the work of Tasmania's finest local artists. The one-time jam factory has been transformed into a waterfront, suite hotel. What a fascinating place!
Dinner this evening was a feast for all our senses at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
After our private tour of an Aboriginal Exhibit Area we headed upstairs to the Antarctic Hall where we were greeted with champagne and appetizers served on plates designed based on ice floes while we listened to the director of this exhibit talk on Tasmania's expeditions to the Antarctic. After touring more of the museum we arrived at our private setting with the most exquisite table setting surrounded by tapestries and our own private string quartet playing for us while the chef served a  4-course scrumptious entree accompanied by wines from local vineyards. At one point, six gentlemen from our entourage joined us in a dance to the music of the quartet.  How elegant!  After a private tour of the vaults where the DNA of the extinct Tasmanian Tiger are stored, we were led to another of the art galleries for a three-course dessert.  Here was another exquisite table setting for the six of us with a harpist playing and signing for us while we marveled about our magical day.

Day 3 (Part One) Tasmanian Road Trip Continues

On Thursday, December 9, 2010, we awoke very early to the beautiful sounds of birds signing and a fantastic view of the bay and mountains. The girls came over to join Ev and I on our balcony porch at about 5:00 am.  We didn't want to waste one minute of this amazing resort in the Tasmania's World Heritage wilderness.  I enjoyed a spa bath with an awesome view of this serene bush setting before a lavish buffet breakfast where we were treated, thanks to Leslie,  to Vegimite served "the right way" on toast with lots of butter - and it wasn't that bad! We were very sad to leave our hosts Ken, Rosemary and Jorgie, but the grand southern ocean was beckoning.
So off we drove to Eagleneck dock to board Robert Pennicott's boat (see Robert Pennicott Cruises) to see an abundance of marine wildlife (Albatross, humpback whale, Gannets, dolphins,seals and more) and towering sea cliffs (some 1,000 feet high and the highest in the southern hemisphere)!  This cruise was totally awesome!
We landed at Port Arthur Historic Site http://www.portarthur.org.au/.  Port Arthur was a penal colony in 1804 as the first settlers in Australia were convicts from Great Britain  Jake led us on a guide tour of the refurbished grounds and 30 buildings and ruins to a hillside picnic catered by one of Tasmania's renowned chefs, Rodney Dunn, Agrarian Kitchen were we feasted on lobster rolls, snapper, abalone and fresh salads and of course champagne and wines to accompany our delightful lunch.
More on this second day of our Tasmanian adventure tomorrow.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day 2 Our Road Trip in Tasmania Begins

On Wednesday, December 8, 2010, after a scrumptious buffet breakfast at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sidney, we were off to the airport for our 2 hour flight to Hobart, Tasmania.  We waited in the Qanta's VIP lounge with three of our guides, Rick Cosgrove from Event Architects in Chicago, and Matthew Cameron-Smith and Leslie Neil from Tourism Australia and ID Australia.  As we deplaned, there on the tarmac were two cars awaiting to surprise  us on our own private road trip of Tasmania.  We were also met by Ruth Dowty, the wonderful representative from Tourism Australia who had arranged this incredible tour for us, who had "fought" for us to come there on a road trip after seeing the original show! Wow!



We then split into two cars with our drivers Rosemary for Cathy, Mary and Peggy's car and Rob for Deb, Ev and me. We drove to a remote beach parking lot for our driving lesson as the Aussies drive on the other side of the street.  Here we met up with our Harpo producer, Veronica Votypka and our camera and audio crew. Andrew, Adam, Mike, Paul and Peter. As Cathy was having her driving lesson, she bumped into a log while trying to navigate a sharp turn and missing slightly. After we all checked out the damage and finished up our lessons we were off to Port Arthur along the magnificent, scenic roads of the Tasmania Paradise - only the beginning of our grand exploration of this land of natural beauty and diversity. We drove along the beautiful shores of the Tasman peninsula to Stewart's Bay Lodge Stewart's Bay Lodge, First night in Tasmania . From the web site you can see how truly picturesque this piece of heaven was. In this tranquil bush setting, at Taylor's Restaurant, we had a delicious dinner prepared for us by the countries best regional chef, Steve Cumper after a cocktail party by the fires where a rainbow appeared for us. We were entertained by Cary Lewincamp and his wonderfully reflective compostions.  I cannot put into words the flavors of Rock Oysters, Abalone, two kinds of lamb and the wines and much more! delicious beyond description. What a marvelous gourmet dinner.
Then it was back to our luxurious  2 bedroom deluxe spa cabins with a fully stocked kitchen, living room and balcony overlooking the bay.  What a magnificent day.