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.