Montana

I met Paul and Barby on a cruise in 2013. They were from Montana, US of A. At some point Paul mentioned that he went hunting. Proper hunting. What he killed was used for its meat. I liked the fact that 'what was killed was eaten' and thought this would make a great photo story (at that time I was the photo editor with ABC News Online in Australia).

Photos from my trip to England and Scotland, March/April 2015

The reason for my trip was two-fold. I lived and worked as a freelance photographer in Edinburgh from 1992 - 1998 and, apart from a flying visit in 2005, I hadn't been back in 17 years and wanted to spend some 'quality' time in the old hometown, especially.

My First Class flight (Sydney to London) on a Qantas A380

When I lived in Scotland during the 1990s I twice flew Business Class (return) to Australia.

Voyager of the Seas revitalisation, November 2014

In November 2014 Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas went into dry dock for a month-long $80 million refurbishment that upgraded much of the ship.

Quantum of the Seas...a sneak peek inside cruising's new wonder ship!

Quantum of the Seas is the smartest cruise ship to ever set sail and she offers more in the way of innovation than any cruise ship before her. She is the wunderkind of world cruising right now.

Inside Regal Princess (fabulous photos...she looks stunning!)

Princess Cruises christened its newest ship, Regal Princess, in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, on November 5, 2014.

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At the start of 2011 I vowed I would never go on a cruise in my life.

Carnival Spirit cruise, August 2014 (Pt I)

This was my first cruise with Carnival and I knew very little about what to expect, so it was a little bit exciting discovering this new ship.

Carnival Spirit cruise (Pt II) - Ports of Call

PORTS OF CALL

The ship's three ports of call in New Caledonia were, in order, Noumea, Lifou and Mare.

Queen Victoria cruise, March 2014

From March 3-5 I embarked on a two night, mini-cruise aboard Cunard's Queen Victoria, departing from my home town/port of Brisbane to Sydney.

Rhapsody of the Seas cruise, November 2013 (Pt I)

I'd heard great things about Rhapsody of the Seas from fellow cruisers who had spent time on her, so I had been looking forward to this cruise. And I wasn't let down - Rhapsody is a splendid ship.

Rhapsody of the Seas cruise (Pt II) - Ports of Call

The ports-of-call on my 11-night Rhapsody of the Seas cruise (November 19-30, 2013) were, in order, Sydney-Newcastle-Cairns-Willis Island-Airlie Beach-Brisbane-Sydney.

Ocean Princess ship inspection

On November 2, myself and around 30 travel agents were invited aboard the Ocean Princess for a ship inspection - a walk-around - while she was docked at Portside in Brisbane.

Celebrity Solstice cruise, March 16 - 28, 2013 (Pt I)

Imagine walking into the lobby of a five-star hotel with sumptuous furnishings, fine dining and stylish bars. Now transport this onto the high seas and you have Celebrity Solstice.

Celebrity Solstice cruise (Pt II) - Ports of Call

The Ports of Call we visited on Celebrity Solstice were mixed and varied but all afforded

us a lifetime of memories and amazing images.

Voyager of the Seas cruise (Pt I), Oct 22 - Nov 5, 2012

This cruise on Voyager of the Seas was booked 198 days out and waiting for the boarding date was, at times, tortuous - like being a kid again, waiting for 'next Christmas' to arrive!

Voyager of the Seas cruise (Pt II) - Ports of Call

The ports of call during my Voyager of the Seas cruise were as follows -

Singapore (not a port of call but I boarded Voyager there)

Pattaya (Laemchabang port), Thailand

Vũng Tàu (Phu My port), Vietnam

Port Hedland, Western Australia

Fremantle, Western Australia (not a port of call but the ship disembarked there)

Pacific Dawn cruise, Feb 2012

This was my first P&O cruise and I didn't have to look far to find it, as the Pacific Dawn calls Brisbane's Portside Cruise Terminal its home.

Radiance of the Seas cruise - Honolulu to Sydney Sept/Oct 2011

The Radiance of the Seas at Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

This was my first cruise and I loved every moment of it! 

Cruise from the Gold Coast to Brisbane? It's possible...

In early 2011 I had a couple of weeks off and decided I wanted to play tourist in my hometown of Brisbane.

Ship Spotting

Mangroves, storm clouds, mosquitoes, fading light...the wait to photograph Rhapsody of the Seas
begins at low tide on the mudflats at Nudgee Beach, Brisbane.

If you love cruise ships, then have a look at this gallery of photos of the ones I've come across.

Pacific Dawn refurbishment, June 2012

In June 2012, I was invited on a tour of the recently refurbished Pacific Dawn at its home port of Portside in Brisbane.

Portside Cruise Terminal, Brisbane

The Black Watch docked at the Portside cruise terminal, Brisbane

Food, glorious food...cruising and your waistline!

For those of you reading this who are seasoned 'cruisers', you'll know all about the weight gain once on board (let's refer to it as WG from here on in, so it's not staring us in the face!). For those of you about to embark on your first cruise, listen up...

My flight in an Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter.

In my real-world life away from this blog I work as the photo editor with ABC News Online in Brisbane, Australia. It's primarily a desk job but every once in a while I get out and about. I don't always share my ABC escapades on the blog but I thought I would with this one.

Echidna Magic restaurant, Mt. Gravatt Lookout

I recently ducked up to the Echidna Magic restaurant at the Mt. Gravatt Lookout on the southside of Brisbane (not surprisingly, in the suburb of Mt. Gravatt).

USS George Washington vs Celebrity Solstice

The observant among you will realise this isn't a photo of a cruise ship. But, trust me, there is a cruising angle to this post...

Images of Scotland

I was going through my photos when I came across these photos I took while I was living in Scotland.

Brisbane to Cunnamulla road trip

In late May, 2013, I was sent to Cunnamulla in south-west Queensland on assignment in my 'real' job with ABC News Online.

Gallery of photos from south-west Queesland

A flock of galahs sit on powerlines at dusk in the town of St George.

Here's a small gallery of photos I took while on assignment near Cunnamulla in south-west Queensland in May, 2013. These were taken as part of my 'real' job as photo editor with ABC News Online.

Royal on the Park - "If only the walls could talk"

The Royal on the Park is the grand old lady of Brisbane hotels and is one of those places where you wish the walls could talk.

Australia Zoo - plenty of wildlife, plenty of croc's and 'gators!

If you like crocodiles and alligators, then Australia Zoo is for you!

The Brisbane Marriott Hotel - at the 'top end of town'

I continued my Christmas tradition of booking into a Brisbane CBD hotel and my 2012 choice was the Brisbane Marriott Hotel.

Citron - Modern Asian restaurant

I haven't tried every restaurant in Brisbane but, for me, I've found my favourite - Citron.

South Bank - an oasis in the middle of Brisbane

South Bank Parklands is one of Brisbane's most popular cultural and social locales, with around 11 million people visiting the precinct each year.

North Stradbroke Island - a fantastic getaway!

North Stradbroke Island is a great place to get away to for a day, a week, or more.

USA 2009 trip - Las Vegas, San Francisco, Santa Monica and more...

In July, 2009, I headed off to the US of A for three weeks.

TouristPads: rent an 'app-ed' up iPad in Singapore

TouristPads is an iPad rental service with over 70 apps to help you find your way around Singapore.

Brisbane's City Sights 'hop-on, hop-off' bus

Like most cities and tourist destinations, Brisbane has its own hop-on, hop-off buses - City Sights.

Life As We Know It

I was lucky enough to be invited to view Life As We Know It, the latest stage show to be unveiled on P&O's Pacific Dawn.

XXXX Brewery tour - 'look, listen, learn'...then have a beer!

Depending if you come from outside Queensland or outside Australia, the reason XXXX is called XXXX is because Queenslanders/Australians can't spell 'beer'.

Yatala drive-ins...a great night out!

I stepped back in time...and went to the drive-ins.

USA, Canada and Alaska Travel Expo - touring Australia

The USA, Canada and Alaska Travel Expo is touring Australia - and it's free!

The Hilton Sydney - five stars in the Harbour City

I recently had an overnight trip to Sydney and stayed at the Hilton hotel.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - a little haven

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary.

CityCycle: the quick and easy way to get around Brisbane

I've been wanting to investigate the Brisbane City Council's CityCycle scheme for some time.

Love 'boutique' hotels? I have a gem for you!

There's nothing better than walking into a hotel and feeling at home. That's what happened when I visited Chester's Boutique Hotel. 

Ramada Ballina - and Ballina township

I'd stayed at the Ramada Ballina in 2011 and loved it, so decided to go back for another visit.

Travel Expo - find the perfect holiday!

If you're a keen traveller and want to get a whole lot of information from some of the biggest and best names in the travel business, then this could be for you...

Sunset Bar and Grill, Gold Coast

The Sunset Bar and Grill inadvertently came to my rescue.

Sofitel Hotel, Brisbane

Over Christmas 2011 I stayed in a Luxury Club Room at Brisbane's Sofitel Hotel.