We woke to the calm seas of the fantastic harbors of Albany. There was light seeping around the curtains. Soon from the balcony window we could see the closeness of the heads of land at the Ataturk Entrance to Princess Royal Harbor. It is cool here. February is the warmest month and the average temperature then is in the 60s F. I think the high today may have been about 72F. It was sunny with a light breeze so we couldn't have asked for a prettier day.
This was our 2nd visit to Albany. Our first was in 2006 and there has been a lot of growth since then. They have an ANZAC Centre here that wasn't here before as well as a waterfront entertainment complex and a pedestrian bridge. What I most remember from our first visit was a museum on the waterfront (still there) that contained a 1-room school. On the wall was a world map with Australia not in the bottom right corner as we're used to seeing it, but Australia in the center of the map. I had a conversation with the museum woman there about it when she asked us if we'd visited before and she knew what I was talking about and replied that yes it was still there when I asked. But it was not in the schoolroom. A very similar map was part of a traveling exhibit upstairs about immigration to Australia. It was part of a televised display. Same idea. Australia, center of the world.
We took a complimentary shuttle into town shortly after 9 am. We went looking for Dog Rock a local landmark that we'd never heard of before. I don't know why we never heard of it before. It was cool. It was about a 15 minute walk uphill from where the shuttle bus dropped us in front of visitor info center. We walked back downhill via York Street sighting on the masts of the replica Brig Amity to revisit the local museum then to the back of the IGA at the base of York to catch a shuttle back. We had a quick early lunch at Trident Grill as we had a tour booked that met to leave at 12:45 pm.
An issue arose yesterday at lunch in Marketplace and it continued today. Based on the waiter's feedback today it will be ongoing. I asked for Coke Zero before we left LA over a month ago. No problem, I've had them in the cabin fridge and in every restaurant where I asked. Yesterday the cans started being in French from Belgium and in addition to Zero Sugar they are Zero Caffeine. The reason I drink them is for the caffeine. The coffee/cappuccino I drink in the morning just doesn't meet my daily dose of caffeine requirement. I had 4 cans of caffeinated Coke Zero in my fridge this morning, now I have 3. Time will tell if they are really no longer stocked onboard. If so, it's going to be a long 2 remaining months onboard!
Pasted below is a description of our tour. We paid $69 each.
EXCURSION
TORNDIRRUP NATIONAL PARK & ALBANY WIND FARM
Combining a look at the rugged granite formations of Torndirrup National Park and the strikingly located turbines of the Albany Wind Farm, this excursion highlights the eco-wonders of Western Australia, in every sense of the term.
DURATION
APPROXIMATELY 3½ HOURS
Aboard your motor coach, venture along Albany’s main street and past Dog Rock, a large granite formation shaped like a dog’s head that dominates Albany’s central business district
Soon you will reach Mt. Clarence Lookout for a stop to appreciate panoramas of Princess Royal Harbor, King George Sound and the Albany Wind Farm.
Continue to Torndirrup National Park, where you will have the chance to walk to a lookout for views of the dramatic land formations called The Gap and Natural Bridge. The Gap drops 78 feet to the raging sea below, while the Natural Bridge resembles a huge suspension bridge spanning the torrent. As you take in the vistas from this thrilling vantage point, be sure to remain on the marked paths for your safety.
Next, travel to the Albany Wind Farm. Situated on the edge of a cliff overlooking the coast, this spectacular farm consists of twelve 1,800-kilowatt wind turbines, each 213 feet tall and having enormous, 115-foot-long blades. The wind turbines are some of the largest in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, supplying as much as 80 percent of Albany’s energy.
Take the pathway along the cliff that leads to an outlook for a chance to marvel at breathtaking vistas of the turbines and coastline. Then it will be time to rejoin your motor coach and make the return transfer to the pier.
Important Notes:
It is recommended that guests dress in casual clothing and wear a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and flat, comfortable shoes. This excursion will operate in all weather conditions. The order of sights visited may vary.
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