Above Sydney, Australia’s iconic Opera House seen across Circle Quay from The Rocks.
It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon after an international design competition and opened in 1973 after a long and difficult construction process.
The idea for the Sydney Opera House dates back to the 1940s, when the New South Wales government decided to build a new performing arts center in Sydney. Eventually an international design competition was held in 1956 for its design, and Utzon was chosen as the winner.
Construction began in 1959 but was plagued by technical difficulties and cost overruns. Utzon resigned from the project in 1966, and the building was completed under the supervision of other architects.
Despite its troubled history, the Sydney Opera House has become one of the most recognizable buildings in the whole world and a symbol of Australia’s cultural identity. It hosts a wide range of performances, including opera, ballet, theater, and concerts, and attracts millions of visitors each year.
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Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent.
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Recently it seems that people in government along with media outlets have looked at cruising and have found it to be a modern frivolity that would be best eliminated or at the least discouraged. This isn’t a small thing and unfortunately it’s way too easy to find overwhelming evidence of a negative bias against cruising. Examples are everywhere if you take the time to look. Consider that there are regular outbreaks of the highly contagious stomach bug Norovirus occurring in schools, offices and factories, but the only time it seems to be widely reported is when an outbreak hits a cruise ship. The same exaggerated coverage was applied to Covid-19 and cruise ships along with reporting incidents of deaths at sea, cruise ship mishaps and financial issues regarding cruise corporations.
When we decided to explore the subject of cruise ship impact on the environment and by extension global warming, the first thing that became obvious was the overwhelming percentage of information was seriously negative. In almost every article the only data offered was isolated to cruise ships with very few attempts to do comparisons to other industries and experiences or to offer context. Even AI will demonstrate the same bias as AI is actually researching internet articles when it responds to an inquiry. When 17 out of 20 articles are negative why wouldn’t AI research reach the same negative conclusions?
The following is a quote from a typical article at the top of results from a search for “cruise ships and the environment”.
“While cruising is a very popular way to see the world, it also has a significant impact on the environment. In addition to burning vast amounts of fossil fuels, ships also produce a significant amounts of water pollution, including sewage, wastewater, and bilge water. These pollutants still contaminate the ocean and harm marine life. In addition, cruise ships can also disturb sensitive marine habitats, such as coral reefs. Cruise ships also produce a significant amount of solid waste, including food waste, paper waste, and plastic waste. This waste can end up in the ocean, where it can harm marine life and pollute the environment.“
Virtually none of the points in that article are accurate and with little research one can refute virtually every point made. Cruise ships have made remarkable progress in the past few decades reducing their environmental impact and a new generation of ships currently being planned will have near a net zero impact on the planet.
What follows is an attempt to put much of the internet available information into perspective by relating the data in a broader context.
The Cruise Industry And The Environment
Over the past few decades efforts are being made by cruise companies to make their ships more sustainable and eco-friendly. If you look at the total number of ships plying the seas and their reduction in emissions you’ll discover that 73% of the worlds cruise ships rate within the top 10% overall. While the cruise industry has historically faced criticism for its environmental impact, there are a majority of cruise companies that have made serious investments in green initiatives. These initiatives include reducing carbon emissions, exploring cleaner alternative fuels, and implementing greener infrastructure while in port. In 2023 six cruise lines have been recognized for deploying major eco-conscious initiatives. They are Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Disney Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line with seven more being recognized as making serious improvements. Major advances include using hybrid battery electric-powered ships, incorporating zero-emissions docking, and eliminating single-use plastics onboard.
Another major consideration to use when evaluating ocean going ships with their environmental impact is to examine the gross numbers. The energy consumption of cruise ships and cargo ships varies significantly due to several factors such as size, speed, and weight carrying capacity. Today on average, a large cruise ship can consume around 150-200 tons of fuel per day, while the majority of cargo ships and tankers consume around 300-400 tons of fuel per day. Cruise ships also represent just over 10% of the total number of ocean going ships. In 2022 the internationally registered number of cargo ships was 36,299, tankers, LNG and Chemical ships 16,560 and Cruise ships including Ocean Ferries are only 5,369.
Looking at other forms of transportation you’ll discover that airplanes tend to consume more energy per person per mile traveled than cruise ships. This is because airplanes require a significant amount of energy to overcome air resistance and maintain altitude, while ocean going ships utilize water to move huge payloads more efficiently.
While the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), calculates the average cruise ship uses about 1,000 gallons of fuel per hour. In contrast, a family vacation in a car would typically use only a few hundred gallons of fuel. While that statement seems concerning consider a more direct comparison. A typical family driving vacation of 7 days uses an average of 35.7 gallons of fuel per person, a cruise ship holding 5,000 passengers sailing 7 days uses 33.6 gallons of fuel per person, while in the same 7 days will travel seven times further.
We Need To Be Objective
Every person has a specific set of interests and priorities and rarely are they universally accepted. It is what makes us individuals. For example huge numbers of people are sports fans and would it be reasonable to have another group of people, claiming that sports are a useless waste of resources and time, decide that for the good of the planet, sports should be eliminated? Unfortunately this is exactly what is happening today. Large numbers of people are being pushed around by vocal minorities based on only opinions.
When considering global warming and what to do about it, if anything, you need to consider that this is one of the hottest topics being discussed today. We need to understand that all arguments contain bias because everyone has a perspective that’s based on their life experiences, education and current issues of particular concern that catch their attention. Unfortunately media reporting tends to focus on the opinions of the most vocal individuals holding the strongest beliefs. Today too many arguments actually make the claim that human beings represent the biggest threat to life on Earth requiring immediate action. From their perspective every bit of energy consumed by people, every acre of land put into human use and every pound of waste we dispose of is a step towards destroying the planet.
In recent years major ports have been attacked by organized groups for allowing cruise ships to dock. They include Key West, Venice and now Barcelona and it isn’t difficult which position the main stream media is taking. Step back from the argument and go beyond the yelling and evaluate the topic with an open mind.
In the center of old Savannah sits the city’s largest park with its centerpiece a nineteenth century fountain. The city planners worked to emulate Parisian elements when designing this city. According to some historical accounts, the fountain is an exact replica of the Fontaine des Mers in Paris but that is only a legend. It is actually a design first shown in 1851 at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London, England that was ordered from the ironworks catalog of the company that created it named Janes & Kirtland. Regardless, it is one of America’s most famous fountains and the most visited attraction in Savannah.
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If you have indoor houseplants, they require care when you are away and extended trips can take a toll on your houseplants. Unlike cats and dogs, there is no kennel where you can take your houseplants and pay for someone to make sure they get the light and water they need. If you have good neighbors, you may be able to make arrangements for them to come in and do some watering once or twice while you are away. If you are going to be gone several weeks or a month or more, this may not be the best solution and experience has proved that over watering is common when others take care of your plants.
There are lots of gizmos on the market that claim they will keep your plants hydrated and some work and some are a waste of money and effort.
We’ve tried the spike tip for a liter bottle, the slow drip method and even a timer released watering (expensive if you have a number of plants).
The best solution we’ve found is a self watering pot with a bottom reservoir. Manufacturers claim these pots will keep your plants watered for up to two weeks but, the truth is, they may not work that long if you have the air conditioner running (more evaporation) or the pot is small.
Misco Self-Watering Flower Pot
The best solution is to fill the reservoir and then stand the plant in a plastic container, the larger the better. We use a plastic storage tub. Put enough water in the plastic container to go several inches above the top of the reservoir opening. This will keep the plant happy for a number of weeks and, if it is kept in a well lit environment, the plant will be alive, happy and maybe thriving when you get home.
There are lots of self watering planters on the market but one of the better choices is Misco (available at Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot and other stores). They offer several different sizes and colors so you can mix and match for all your plant needs.
Bondi Beach is one of the world’s most famous beaches, known for its stunning coastline, golden sands, and vibrant atmosphere. It is a popular spot for surfing, swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching. The beach is also known for its laid-back lifestyle and international surf culture.
The name Bondi Beach has become synonymous with the Australian beach lifestyle and the pursuit of outdoor adventure and leisure. It represents the carefree spirit and love for the ocean that many people associate with Bondi Beach. This beach has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and advertisements. It has also been used as a symbol of Australian tourism and the country’s natural beauty.
Bondi Beach And Sculptures By The Sea
On a recent trip to Australia we spent a day at Bondi Beach very near Sydney. It turns out that besides being a nearby beach resort and a great surfing venue, Bondi is famous for the largest free sculpture exhibition in the world. A sculpture event known as Sculptures By The Sea is featured each year in October-November.
Bondi Beach, in addition to surfing, is famous for the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk. The walk is an iconic 3-km. paved trail along the coast between two well-known Sydney beaches. The walk offers sweeping ocean vistas of the coastline and sea from a paved trail beautifully fit into the cliffs between the two beaches. From mid October into early November the walk becomes an outdoor sculpture exhibit featuring works of art from all over Australia and beyond.
Anyone visiting Sydney, especially during this time of year, should really try to fit in a visit to Bondi Beach. The town is easy to reach via a Sydney T4 train from central station to Bondi Junction where you switch to a Beach bus. It’s highly recommended to get an Opal card to make the best use of the area transportation (See our post on the Opal Card).
The beach itself is a sweeping two kilometer crescent of sand and the bars and eating venues across the street from the beach have a resort boardwalk vibe. The real draw though is the surf and in the world of surfers the waves at Bondi are legendary. Even without the art it is one of Sydney’s “must see” destinations and don’t forget to pick up a “Surf Bondi” Tee shirt before you leave.
International Travel And Finding Refuge In McDonalds
Love it or hate it, McDonalds has a huge international presence. There are few places internationally where you cannot find the “Golden Arches” and regionally some McDonalds have improved on the brand beyond what you find in the United States.
As you travel there are a number of good reasons to search out McDonalds near you:
Amsterdam
Easy access to clean restrooms is one important reason. In many places around the globe finding public restrooms can be a challenge and often there is a fee involved in gaining entrance. After visiting hundreds of the Golden Arches all around the world we’ve never found one without public restrooms. At times you might need to pay a small fee but often they are still free.
Cusco’s historic center, Peru
Finding decaf coffee internationally is often nearly impossible. In my case, for medical reasons, I’m supposed to avoid caffein and there are many countries and cities where there just isn’t any, except at McDonalds and Starbucks.
A place where you can expect a good value and a familiar menu. While there are regional and ethnic food differences on the menu, usually you know what to expect when you walk into a McDonalds. While you probably shouldn’t get in the habit of eating mostly fast food hamburgers there are times when a quarter pounder with cheese just feels like comfort food.
Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City
At times you’ll find some really pleasant surprises. While it never seemed to catch on in the United States there are places where McCafe is a huge success. Image walking into a McDonalds and discovering overstuffed chairs, sofas and out-of-the-way seating areas next to a fancy coffee counter and pastry cases that would rival any bakery. From the Azores to Germany to Hungary you’ll find MacCafe is an amazing experience and none in America even come close.
Left- The Azores, Center- Germany, Right- Budapest
The Worlds Most Beautiful McDonalds (Click photo to read the story)
If you frequently travel internationally in addition to McDonalds you’ll find a number of locations of American food and culture dotted around the world with names like Starbucks, Burger King, Five Guys, KFC and even Krispy Creme. Also there are brands emerging outside of America that are learning from the American franchises like Jollibee. This is a fast-food chain that was founded in the Philippines. Today Jollibee has expanded globally that now has 39 restaurants in the United States along with outlets in Canada, Saudi Arabia, Europe (Spain, Italy, UK) with about 1,500 outlets worldwide and still growing. Its menu typically features a variety of items such as fried chicken, burgers, spaghetti, and depending on location Filipino dishes.
The Intentional Travelers 