How this family trip to Australia, New Zealand & Fiji created memories that will last a lifetime
Nick Moran, 5-time traveler & Vacation Ambassador, Tucson, Arizona
We’ve always been amazed at the wonderful experiences we have no matter where we travel. And Grand Circle makes that experience special with the “discovery” programs it ties to local communities through Grand Circle Foundation’s support of schools and its expert Program Directors everywhere we go.
Australia, New Zealand & Fiji was a “top of the list” experience for us. We have traveled many times over the years—and this was our third trip with Grand Circle. My wife, Karen, and I decided it would be a great chance to bring her 91-year-old father, Clayton, along with us on our trip “Down Under.” We knew that Grand Circle would do their best to make it a memorable experience.
From left: Clayton, Karen, and Nick enjoy the cosmopolitan flavor of Sydney.
When we initially called to reserve our trip, the Traveler Support representative inquired whether Clayton would be able to accomplish such a rigorous trip. I advised him that this was not your average 91-year-old; this man had already traveled solo to Buenos Aires, boarded a Russian icebreaker six years before, and traveled around the tip of South America. He skippered his own sailboat until he was 88, and continued to travel across the country by car. He had always dreamed of going to Australia and New Zealand, but never had the opportunity to do so. His wife, my mother-in-law, preceded him in death 14 years earlier, and he didn’t want to travel alone for some time after that.
So, when Karen and I retired, we suggested he come with us to the lands “Down Under.” At first, he was hesitant, but quickly couldn’t resist the urge to accomplish a life’s dream.
Karen and I are retired educators. She taught history and I taught English, and I eventually became a high school administrator. We’ve always been avid travelers and continue our life-long learning by going to far away places to learn more about the world and its people. Clayton was the same way—always inquisitive, always listening, and always learning.
From left: Nick, Karen, and Clayton rest in Sydney Harbor before trekking to dinner at Nick’s Seafood Restaurant at Cockle Bay Wharf.
He had been in the Pacific Theater during World War II and had sailed from Pearl Harbor just days before it was attacked. He covered much of the Pacific, but had never gotten to Australia or New Zealand. And as any good sailor knows, the stars are the highways on the ocean, in addition to the compass. As an “old salt,” he wanted to see the Southern Cross, which he saw in Fiji. It was like watching a young child making his first discovery on his own: Clayton was elated.
One of the reasons our trip was such a success was because of our great Program Director, Yvonne Lendrum, who was from Auckland, New Zealand. “Vonnie” was struck by Clayton’s spunk, humor, and ability to keep up with the rest of the crew. She compared Clayton to her mom, who was about seven years his junior, and hoped her mother would get out there to see the world just like Clayton.
Program Director Yvonne Lendrum and Clayton near the Southern Alps in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Australia is a vast continent. It’s hard to pick any one place that was a favorite, but we were impressed with Sydney and its cleanliness, friendly people, and metropolitan flavor. The visit to Sydney’s Opera House, the “Rocks” neighborhood, and our tour of the harbor were great as well.
New Zealand—located “across the ditch,” as the Aussies refer to the Tasman Sea—is a world of its own. From its very modern Christchurch to the wilds of the Southern Alps—the vistas were breathtaking. Our trip on Milford Sound was like sailing back in time, with waterfalls caressing the steep sides of the slopes and glaciers reaching downward from the heights of dramatic mountain ranges. We sailed in Auckland Harbor and were invited to take the helm. What a kick!
Nick and Karen enjoy a cold shower under a waterfall at Milford Sound, New Zealand—one of many in this fjord-like mountain retreat.
We enjoyed our trip to the land “Down Under” immensely as a family—along with our family of friends at Grand Circle. Sadly, Clayton can no longer travel with us. He passed away recently after battling cancer … but his memory will travel with us always.
Explore the majestic landscapes and bustling metropolitan city centers on our Australia, New Zealand & Fiji vacation.