Oh, to sail and travel easily and conveniently, without carrying suitcases, and almost without changing hotels, along with a dream of natural wonders and a fairy-tale cruise. More than ninety percent of the southern hemisphere is covered with water. In its eastern part lie two fascinating continents, Australia and New Zealand, and the best way to visit them is in on a cruise, an amazing pleasure cruise.
There is no need to change hotels; you can afford to indulge in the pleasures of life, as you sail on a ship whose only purpose is to provide you with relaxation and enjoyment at every moment. We are on board a luxury ship belonging to the fleet of one of the world’s leading companies, Holland America.
The Europeans discovered Australia in the seventeenth century. After the British lost their colonies in North America, it was only natural for them to accept, in return, as compensation, this new Crown Colony of the British Empire. From a barren land to which British prisoners were deported, it gradually became a thriving and flourishing country. Most of the population is of European origin, with a small Aboriginal minority.
Australia has a significant and active Jewish community. Also, Australian and New Zealand soldiers took an active part in the defeat of the Ottoman forces during World War I, in the Gaza, Beer Sheva and Jerusalem areas.
Australia’s wealth places it near the top of the world economy, especially in the commodities market. It is the the world’s largest exporter of iron ore, second largest producer of gold, the third largest producer of nickel and the fifth in copper. Australia has another fascinating treasure. The continent is the world’s main habitat for pouch mammals. After a brief pregnancy, tiny newborns immediately crawl into the mother’s pouch where they will continue to develop until they set out on their own.
Almost two thousand kilometers from Australia lies New Zealand, which, as a neighbor, is also a member of the British Commonwealth. A group of large and small islands containing the largest meadows and sheep in the world, New Zealand is known for its spectacular landscapes and nature, and has become a magnet for millions of tourists a year. It combines a wide range of natural landscapes: rainforests, sand dunes, hot springs and glaciers.
