Happy Valentine’s day! We arrive in port early today – way before our 7AM schedule, but again, since this is a brand new port for the Solstice, the captain docks us very slowly. We don’t care – we are just going out for a walk today. Albany is a cute little town – but without much to do and we are only here until 12 noon when we absolutely must leave so that we can make it to Perth/Fremantle on time in the morning. So important is our sailing time, that the CD, in his morning news program, tells everyone that they are more than welcome to just stay aboard if they don’t have definite plans for the port. That way they can relax, be treated in Celebrity style and and not be late or miss the ship entirely because “we must leave at precisely noon”. Okie dokie!
We of course, have no plans to stay aboard, nor to be late! We are off the ship at 7:15 and the town has very kindly provided shuttles into the center of the city. Not that we need it, but what the heck? So we hop on the first shuttle and are deposited into the center of town in about 5 minutes. It’s an adorable little place with lots of great old buildings dating back to the late 1800’s (a very young country! Even compared to the US!). They are putting on a little market – which of course isn’t completely set up yet – and seem to be very happy about our ship’s arrival.
We have a historical walking tour planned, so we head off down the main boulevard to the beginning of our walk at the old Gaol. Not very picturesque – but – it’s historical. originally used for the convict labor hiring depot, it was converted to a jail in 1872.
Onward we go – across the railway tracks to the replica of the Brig Amity – the ship that was used to carry the first settlers to Albany in 1826. Nice. Plus there’s a great view through the prow of our ship in the distance. More picturesque!
Back through the town we wander, passing an original cottage that was transplanted to its current location…
…The Wesley church with it’s Victorian touches…
…St. Johns which is just lovely hidden in the trees…
Then back on the main street to a fabulous Town Hall building where the foundation stone was laid by the “Mayoress” in 1886. Now that’s progressive!
One more stop at the London Hotel…
then more fun architecture in the town….
…and well, we’re done! We’ve covered the basics. Got our morning constitutional in – and we’re ready to go back to the ship! We walk back – more to burn time than exercise really – and board again around, oh, 8:45! We’re still in time for the Elite lounge and cappuccino. Now that’s what I call a port call!
Saw everything we wanted to see, had a great time, and now have tons of time to relax, read, blog and pack! Very lovely day!
Later in the day, it appears that when we left—a bit late actually—we have left a couple of pax in port. They paged for Mr. and Mrs. Soandso of cabin 72something to notify Guest Relations. Obviously they didn’t, weren’t back on the ship and were “abandoned” in Albany. The captain made it clear that we needed all the time we had—at full speed—to make Fremantle (our disembarkation port) on time. Normally they would have delayed departure to try to accommodate the latecomers but not this time. Luckily, it is only a 5+ hour drive from Albany to Fremantle, so it is possible that Mr. and Mrs. Soandso of cabin 72something will beat us there.
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