HUNTER sea watchers could be forgiven for thinking they saw double yesterday after the Hunter hosted two cruise ships for the first time.
The Pacific Sun and Discovery berthed in Newcastle Harbour within hours of each other, delivering thousands of daytrippers into the region.
Among the 700 Discovery passengers were Bristol natives Barbara and Peter Jones, who had taken the cruise with Mr Jones’s mother Kathleen Jefferson.
The English group said they were enjoying the city’s sunshine yesterday.
The trio explored Newcastle on a tram tour, and received a pleasant surprise from the Hunter’s capital from the moment they entered its waters.
‘‘On the way in we were surprised because it’s so clean,’’ Mrs Jones said. ‘‘Newcastle in England is a dirty place.’’
The Pacific Sun left with a new load of passengers about 4pm for a South Pacific cruise, while the Discovery received a Fort Scratchley salute as it left for Sydney.
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