Day 35-36 Thursday and Friday sea days

Sea days, busy days, and the first day was also a gala/Formal night. And we gained an hour both days, so you would think we would be rested and relaxed. Himmmmm doing something wrong here. 

The under the seas Gala proved to be nice, but not all that special. We didn’t even get a pillow gift,,,, boy are we getting greedy or what? LOL the dining room was very subtle with blue/turquoise and black chair covers, and napkins and the waitstaff was decked out in turquoise vests. Dinner menu was lobster bisque, broiled lobster tail, chataubriand (I would have ordered, if they had barinase sauce instead of brown gravy, that they seem to serve on all beef) duck breast a’l orange, etc.  Any way we ate too much and went to bed early, which also was a mistake.  As both of us had indigestion most of the night, 

We did look right smashing, according to Ed who has seen the photos. 

Today, is busy again, but today is all the normal and booking tours, and figuring out tomorrow in Sydney. Making sure we have money to get a taxicab to the opera. And the always what to wear, and where will we eat, sence we found out we are too late to book reservations for dinner at the opera,,,, bummer. 

So stay tuned, and we’ll let you know all that happens. 

Day 34, Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Scenic Cruising, Fiordland National Park

Today we cruised through Dusky and Doubtful Sounds and we finished the day in Milford Sound. Milford Sound is considered the most remarkable of the sounds due to the high mountains surrounding it. The Fiordland National Park covers nearly 10% of New Zealand and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

We had great weather again, so you could go out on the bow, and Barbara gave commentary all day, it was a busy day, but a good one. They had the Panama rolls but called them New Zealand rolls and they were filled with a kie wee cream so I couldn’t eat them as I am allergic to kei wee. Not that I have to worry about having something to eat!

So here are some photos that don’t do the place any justice. 

Day 33, Tuesday February 6; 2018 Port Chalmers, New Zealand 🇳🇿 Waitangi Day

The weather today was cloudy and 58 F and boy was it ever windy, we went down to the Queens lounge to meet for our tour, on the RR. Well the ship arrived an hour late, so it will prove to make some things not work out, but all in all it was a great day. 

The train was to be waiting for us at the dock, but when they took us out, in the cold wind, it wasn’t there. Finally it came and it was a mad dash to get on, not well organized, as there were people who struggle with the steps, as the were a big climb up. We got on board, and then the trick was to find two seats together, as there are a lot of singles on this cruise and they think they have the right to sit in two seats alone. We finely were able to get two seats together albeit sitting backwards, oh well, you can’t have it all. 

So off we go, to, Dunedin, which, we were supposed to stop and see the famous old RR station, but alas, it was  not to be. Oh well 

So off we went up the mountain and back, they feed us lot of snacks and wine,,,, I guess so we would forget about what we missed. We saw some spectacular sights along the way. 

  

Where the All Blacks play 

Reforestation 

  


  

  

On top

We were piped out, how grand! And capt Johnathan answered with the three horn salute. 

  

Beautiful place, Dunedin

Day 32 Monday February 5, 2018 At Sea

We had a sea day today, and as usual it was busy, not as busy for Ed as he did not have tai chi, because they were reading the Queens Lounge for the Super Bowl later today. 

So I went to watercolor class, and we started painting a Kei wee bird,,,,, not sure about this one. 

Then we went to the Test Kitchen to see the new visiting chief Mitchell Tate, from New Zealand, he taught us to make Risotto with salmon, it looked like a good recipe. 

After we were in the area, so we went to see the new photos we have. We have a huge pile of photos, some are pretty good. 

So now we thought we would peek in and see what the big supper bowl party was like,,, we’ll it was really a party, there were snacks of all kinds, lobster roll, philly cheese and stake rolls, corn dogs,chips, popcorn, etc. 

so we went in and found good seats, and decided to stay, for the game. Ed played one of, actually the two games. He threw a blow up 🏈 though a blowup goal post, and won, some coupons to redeem later. Then he played the sports trivia and won a bottle of champagne, and we stayed through the whole game,,, it was a really good game, clean and that was good. 

  

(Backup) Day 31, Sunday February, 4, 2018 Napier, New Zealand

Wow what a day, we have had the most beautiful weather today, just like being in the Napa Vally, on the most perfect day. And wonderful wine to boot. In case you don’t know it New Zealand has wonderful wine, but the best they don’t export. 

We were on a private tour that took us all over, this valley, Napier, looked to be a really quaint small town, with very friendly people. And again sooooo clean, a beautiful  beach area, looked a little like it did in Southern California 50 years ago, and the people here, celabreat the 1930s our guide told us that next week there will be a big old car show, people from all over come in costume and rive old cars. There were a few in town all ready. 

 

   
We were dropped off at the information center, and our guide picked us up, and off we went, but not in this car. 

  

Very good wine

Olive groves

Vineyards and wine tasting area, it was just the most perfect day to be outside. 

This was our view from our balcony about twelve pm, as the ship headed south. 

I think I’ll try to paint this.   

Day 30, Saturday, February 3, 2018 - Tauranga, New Zealand

Taurange, was not what I had expected at all, what a pretty place. I don’t know what it looked like 40 or 50 years ago, but today it is CLEEN and very westernized. Any westerner would be able to live here, I think. 

We arrived on time and woke to cooler temps, I had the alarm set for 7:00, but didn’t need too, as when the ship stopped rocking I knew we were docked.  It was about 6:30 am.  Our tour was to leave about nine so we had time to make ourselves ready to go and see the Maori, and some of the island.  It is cooler the high was only 73 F and a bit breeze. So Ed went up and got coffee in our cups, makes me more human,,, and after a bit of breakfast we then proceeded to the Queens lounge to wait for tour to be called. 

They finely called us and we got our seats on the bus and then found out our driver was taken ill,,, I saw them helping some one to a car out my window, she appeared to be distressed. But they found a substitute that was very competent. Paul, he did a great job all day. 

And we were off. It was quite a drive out to Bethlehem where the Maori tripe was, but pretty. On the way Michele  our guid who was also Maori, gave us lessons in the protocol we were to follow. 

There was a real ceremonial way we were to enter the grounds and Great the chief.  First we had to get a man to agree to be our chief,,, Ed wasn’t volunteering, to long in the military, you don’t volunteer LOL. but we  had a chief, now all the women were to enter first, men following, with the our chief in front. Then their chief came out and tried to intimidate our chief, then we were allowed to come in. Now the women, went to the back to sit down and the men set in front. There was some confusion on this step, have a bunch of 60+ people and you will soon see how many have paired attention.  One little lady way over 80, took off in her scooter, and was going to sit with the Maori. LOL 

So is we were going to be officially welcome and you needed to go through a type of receiving line and touch  noses and foreheads, looking in the eyes as you do it. Then we saw a demonstration of the warriors and introduction of one of the oldest members 90+ but he didn’t remember, just how old, but he got around well! 

Coming in to Tauranga 

Entering the grounds

The meeting house

Kids from the collage 

Feather blanket used in weddings and ther was a small one for baptism 

Then we left, and had a tour of the island and here are some pictures of that. 

This doesn’t look as high as it was, our ship was behind the tree. 

 

Day 29, Friday,February 2, 2018 - Auckland, New Zealand

Well here we are in Auckland, it is sunny, about 74*F, we arrived about 7AM and it is now about 8:30 AM and we are about to leave on our privet tour of the city. So I will be back with a report. 

We got back after walking around, after our tour. Ed left his backpack on the van and is right now down meeting the driver, to hopefully get it back. 

The tour was wonderful we have some wonderful pictures. Auckland is a beautiful city, and I can see why my parents loved so much, it is wonderful now, and in the 70s it must have been really something. So I will try to post some pictures of it. 

 

Supper bowl is here too

  

Botanical garden

Day 28, Thursday, February 1, 2018 At Sea, our third sea day

Well here it is the first day of February and our last sea day for a bit, we arrive in Auckland tomorrow and we will have three Port days in a row. So I felt I better get this post out today. And catch up again. You would think sea days were not very busy, but just the opposite, they are so busy it is hard to keep up with it all. 

The first two and a half sea days we really rocked and rolled, and we’re rocking today but not as bad.  We another formal/Galla night last night it was called “ Bollers and Bumper Stick” the dining room was all decked out with hanging umbrellas and sparkly Boller hats. It was fun, and they had a production show after. Surf And Turf was on the menu..

Inbetween  I had watercolor class, that was a real challenge and a difficult craft class, we did a necklace thay was a bear, lots of loops! Ed did tai chi, and went to the test kitchen to see our favorite chef, it seemed we were running all day. 

So now we are to land for our first stop in New Zealand tomorrow, and this sea day has been very busy again. Sea days are not rest days, but they are fun. 

Art project 

Update to our Alofi Niue post

We just left Alofi Niue, and the captain came on and informed us our good weather was over for a couple days. We are going to be going through a gale and he said to button down the hatches. We will experience in excess of 40 miles an hour winds. So I am letting you know that we may not have internet until we get to Auckland on Friday. Bearing in mind we are going over the dateline so when we wake tomorrow, Monday for you will be Tuesday for us. 

I will keep you posted if I can. 

(Backup) Day 25, Sunday, January 28, 2018 Alofi, Niue 🇳🇺

Well here we are in Alofi Niue a New Zealand island, and when they said there wasn’t much here especially on a Sunday, they weren’t kidding. It was again a tender port, and a bit tricky, I don’t think they really want visitors LOL.  We landed and started the long track up the hill to see what we could see. 

This was just a quarter of the way up, thank God it was a cloudy day!

It got some fame during WWI

Since nothing was open we walked back down the hill to the tender,and it started to rain, I always get a kick out of people dressed in swim attire and they want an umbrella!  Oh well, it didn’t bother us, we went back to the ship for lunch.