Shirley's Friends PresentsSouth Pacific Wonderswith optional 2-Night Fiji Post Tour ExtensionDay 1: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 & Day 2: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Depart From Home Today you board your flight and begin the adventure of a lifetime. Crossing the International Dateline, you lose a full day. Day 3: Thursday, February 12, 2009 Arrive Cairns, Australia Your tour begins today in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Don't forget to look up at the Southern Hemisphere's stars this evening after you join your mates for a welcome dinner. Today dinner will be included. Day 4: Friday, February 13, 2009 Great Barrier Reef Board a high speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. This is an immense series of 2,800 coral reefs which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. From your base on Green Island, you are able to explore the reef in many ways. Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride*, a stroll on the walking trail to take in the rain forest, relax on the beaches, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, optional scuba diving, snorkeling and an outer reef tour are also available*. Whichever way you choose, you'll see some of the world's most fascinating marine and plant life. Today breakfast and lunch will be included. Day 5: Saturday, February 14, 2009 Cairns Today visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. You'll see traditional Aboriginal dances, learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle, and even throw a boomerang or play a didgeridoo, a traditional instrument. Browse the renowned art gallery and visit the interpretation center which houses a collection of interesting artifacts. This afternoon a great experience awaits as you search for crocodiles in their natural habitat during a visit to Hartley's Croc Farm! While visiting you also have the chance to meet some of the local koalas and kangaroos! Your evening is at leisure. Today breakfast will be included. Day 6: Sunday, February 15, 2009 Cairns - Sydney Fly today to the bustling city of Sydney. This evening, dine atop the city at Sydney's Revolving Restaurant enjoying the spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House at night! Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 7: Monday, February 16, 2009 Sydney Enjoy a city tour of Sydney where the English explorer James Cook first weighed anchor in 1770. Highlights of your exploration include Kings Cross, the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the fashionable Paddington suburb. Discover one of the world's most fascinating architectural wonders during a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. Later, enjoy a unique opportunity to learn first-hand how raw opals are transformed from the dark mine shafts to beautiful works of art. This evening you may enjoy Sydney at leisure or take an optional excursion. Today breakfast will be included. Day 8: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Sydney Tonight, experience the best of Sydney. Chat with new friends and take in the sights during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour during which you'll pass by two of Australia's most famous icons: the renowned Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. After the dinner cruise, return to the Opera House, acclaimed for its architecture and acoustics, to enjoy a spectacular performance! Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 9: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Sydney - Christchurch, NZ - Queenstown You leave Australia behind and fly to New Zealand en route to beautiful Queenstown. Enjoy a gondola ride to dinner at the Skyline Restaurant which overlooks Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. Today dinner will be included. Day 10: Thursday, February 19, 2009 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown En route to Milford Sound, enjoy the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. You'll travel through beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. During a cruise of the breathtakingly beautiful Milford Sound you'll see why this fjord is one of the most visited sites on the South Island. With rock faces that rise nearly 4,000 feet on either side, the scenery will take your breath away. Following your cruise, you return to Queenstown. You may choose to return via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Today breakfast and lunch will be included. Day 11: Friday, February 20, 2009 Queenstown A leisurely day in Queenstown offers several options to enhance your vacation. Shop or people watch in the village or perhaps take the optional "Safari of the Rings" which takes you through the majestic Remarkable Mountains and the breathtaking Queenstown countryside where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. Today breakfast will be included. Day 12: Saturday, February 21, 2009 Queenstown - Mt. Cook - Christchurch Traverse the spectacular countryside to New Zealand's most famous national park, Mt. Cook. En route, enjoy a stop at a local fruit stand to gain an inside look at the produce of New Zealand. Mt. Cook is one of the most impressive mountains in the world. You may choose to view the massive glaciers and extensive snow-covered mountain top terrain on an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting), or perhaps enjoy the park during a nature walk. This evening arrive in the historic city of Christchurch. Today breakfast will be included. Day 13: Sunday, February 22, 2009 Christchurch This morning enjoy a short sightseeing tour of "the most English city outside of England", Christchurch. Highlights include magnificent gardens, the Neo-Gothic Cathedral and the downtown park district. The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure. This evening you are invited to dine and make friends with a New Zealand family in their home. This is sure to be an unforgettable evening during which you will learn about the customs of the "Kiwi's" and enjoy a home cooked meal. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 14: Monday, February 23, 2009 Christchurch Visit a Canterbury farmyard to see the workings of the farm including a sheep shearing demonstration, herding, and learn first hand how this New Zealand family farm operates. This afternoon, you may choose to participate in an optional tour of the International Antarctic Center, the gateway for both American and New Zealand Antarctic expeditions. Tonight, dine inside the restored Riccarton House mansion and learn the history of the first family of Christchurch. Today breakfast and dinner will be included. Day 15: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Christchurch - Tour Ends Explore the city of Christchurch this morning. Your tour ends today. Today breakfast will be included. |
 
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