Lou's Travels

Photoblogs of my worldly travels Current Blog Series: New Zealand Cruise 2023-2024 Next Adventure: Disney Cruise 2024

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Inagural season of Disney Cruise Line in Australia

2-night Magic at Sea cruise from February 3 2024 out of Sydney.

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In December 2023, my family and I embarked on a cruise around the south island of New Zealand. We celebrated both Christmas and New Year's Eve aboad the Royal Carribean ship 'Ovation of the Seas'.

Our fifth and final port of call was our only venture into the north island, Wellington. We only has a bit of a wander around the main street before making our way back to the ship, after which the ship made its way back to Sydney, Australia.

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In December 2023, my family and I embarked on a cruise around the south island of New Zealand. We celebrated both Christmas and New Year's Eve aboad the Royal Carribean ship 'Ovation of the Seas'.

Our fourth port of call was Picton (Marlborough), where we once again hopped on another small boat to cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound.

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In December 2023, my family and I embarked on a cruise around the south island of New Zealand. We celebrated both Christmas and New Year's Eve aboad the Royal Carribean ship 'Ovation of the Seas'.

Our third port of call was Christchurch. A lovely city, we went on a double-decker bus tour, including stops at Cashmere Hill Lookout, Mona Vale Garden Park and the City Centre.

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In December 2023, my family and I embarked on a cruise around the south island of New Zealand. We celebrated both Christmas and New Year's Eve aboad the Royal Carribean ship 'Ovation of the Seas'.

Our second port of call was Port Chalmers (Dunedin), where we went on a Wildlife Cruise through Otago Harbour. We got to see a variety of birds (including swans, shags and albatross), NZ Fur Seals and even a Blue Penguin!

[loustravels]

In December 2023, my family and I embarked on a cruise around the south island of New Zealand. We celebrated both Christmas and New Year's Eve aboad the Royal Carribean ship 'Ovation of the Seas'.

Our first NZ port of call was scenic cruising through the Fiordland National Park:

Milford Sound

Doubtful Sound

Dusky Sound

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Christmas on a Cruise Ship

In December 2023, my family and I embarked on a cruise around the south island of New Zealand. We celebrated both Christmas and New Year's Eve aboad the Royal Carribean ship 'Ovation of the Seas'.

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It's my 5 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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Epic USA Birthday Adventure

My birthday is in April. For the first time in a number of years, I wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday. So the decision was made - I was going to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.

From there, plans were made for an Epic Birthday Adventure....Four Australian girls taking on (select parts of) the USA.  Come along as I recap our adventure!

Part 54 – Goodbye America, I’m going home!

This was it… it was the end of my Epic USA Birthday Adventure.  Our bags were packed for the final time (gotta spread out the weight of all the souvenirs!) and time for the long journey back home.

For the final time our group split up. Charlotte and I had our flight from Orlando to Chicago delayed, which led to us hopping straight off that flight, rushing to the other side of the airport to get on our long haul flight to Auckland!  By the time we made it to Auckland, we were already up to 19 hours flight time, and our body clocks totally out of whack… I had Teriyaki Chicken for breakfast at 9am. Oh well.

Soon enough, it was time to board our final flight and I was now ready for it to be over! 7 hours later, we arrived back in Perth ahead of schedule. It was a relief to be back on home soil. Caught up with my mum who picked me up from the airport, and shared loads of stories on the drive home.

Later, when I unpacked my suitcases, it may have been a bit of a shock just how many souvenirs I brought home with me… I swear I only purchased half of the stuffed toys! (the other half were my birthday presents). I also traded more Disney pins than I purchased.

All in all, it was an unforgettable adventure, and now I just want to visit all the Disney parks around the world!

And so ends my Epic USA Birthday Adventure..

[loustravels]

Epic USA Birthday Adventure

My birthday is in April. For the first time in a number of years, I wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday. So the decision was made - I was going to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.

From there, plans were made for an Epic Birthday Adventure....Four Australian girls taking on (select parts of) the USA.  Come along as I recap our adventure!

Part 53 – Universal Studios Day 3, Part 2

I love my aesthetic photography. There was plenty of it to be had at Islands of Adventure! Once we had our fill of the parks, we made our way out for the final time.

But before we left Universal property, it was time for dinner… at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen. Well… it lives up to the name! My dessert was Jacques’ specialty Confetti Milkshake, which came topped with a slice of cake!

Once we’d stuffed ourselves, it was time to say goodbye to Universal as we head back to the hotel for the final time.

...to be continued...

[loustravels]

Epic USA Birthday Adventure

My birthday is in April. For the first time in a number of years, I wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday. So the decision was made - I was going to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.

From there, plans were made for an Epic Birthday Adventure....Four Australian girls taking on (select parts of) the USA.  Come along as I recap our adventure!

Part 52 – Universal Studios Day 3, Part 1

As quick as it began, we were onto our final day at Universal, and the final full day of our holiday. It started off much the same as the previous day – taking the Hogwarts Express from Kings Cross (Universal Studios) to Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure), where the other three girls rode Forbidden Journey again.

We then wandered around the parts of the park we hadn’t yet seen. In the Jurassic Park area, we found a couple more Squirrel friends, before continuing on our way around the park.

...to be continued...

[loustravels]

Epic USA Birthday Adventure

My birthday is in April. For the first time in a number of years, I wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday. So the decision was made - I was going to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.

From there, plans were made for an Epic Birthday Adventure....Four Australian girls taking on (select parts of) the USA.  Come along as I recap our adventure!

Part 51 – Universal Studios Day 2, Part 2

We spent time exploring the shops of Hogsmeade before we got in line and rode Flight of the Hippogriff. Fun but short!

Next up, the girls made their way into Hogwarts Castle to ride Forbidden Journey, while I waited in the shade and made a Squirrel friend. I also got to to see the Hogwarts Frog Choir perform.

...to be continued...

[loustravels]

Epic USA Birthday Adventure

My birthday is in April. For the first time in a number of years, I wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday. So the decision was made - I was going to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.

From there, plans were made for an Epic Birthday Adventure....Four Australian girls taking on (select parts of) the USA.  Come along as I recap our adventure!

Part 50 – Universal Studios Day 2, part 1

Day 2 at Universal, and we headed back to the original park. We didn’t actually spend a lot of time there – we watched the BeatBuilders performance, and then we made our way to Kings Cross Station… We were going to ride the Hogswarts Express to Hogsmeade! I loved the theming of the station.

After what seemed like a very short train ride from London, we exited the train into a snowy Hogsmeade. Our first stop there was at the Three Broomsticks for a lunch of traditional British fare. 

...to be continued...

[loustravels]

Epic USA Birthday Adventure

My birthday is in April. For the first time in a number of years, I wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday. So the decision was made - I was going to spend my birthday at Walt Disney World.

From there, plans were made for an Epic Birthday Adventure....Four Australian girls taking on (select parts of) the USA.  Come along as I recap our adventure!

Part 49 – Universal Studios Day 1, Part 2

After some rest, it was time to head back to Universal for a dinner date. This time we headed to Islands of Adventure where we met back up with Charlotte (who had stayed at the park), all set for a Marvel Character Dinner at Café 4. That was quite fun, with some interesting and amusing interactions with Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Storm and Rogue.

We finished dinner at the perfect time, as the sun set over the park’s lake. I always love me a pretty sunset!

...to be continued...