DUNEDIN, NZ
We had to get up early today--6:30 am--because we needed to catch the first shuttle bus into Dunedin from Port Chalmers. We went on a train into the Taieri Gorge, and it was fascinating. The river flows beside the train track most of the way. We went through 12 tunnels and over many bridges. Of course, there were many sheep grazing on the hillsides.
Dunedin has a Scottish influence. The Railway Station is very elaborate. The floor is tiled with thousands of Dresden tiles. There are stained glass windows and an art gallery.
Tomorrow will be a highlight day, but you'll need to read the blog to find out why! By the way, we'd love to hear feedback from you. If you can't figure out how to make a comment on the blog, just send us an email using our gmail address; we read gmail every day and will write you back!
g'day
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
AKAROA, NZ (substitute for Christchurch)
We ended this day in a wonderful way--a classical concert pianist with an hour of Chopin music and it was all memorized! This followed a wonderful Italian Dinner.
But this beautiful day began with a tender ride to shore (the ship cannot dock, so uses tenders--the life boats, to transfer people to shore.) Akarao is small; there are fewer than 600 permanent residents and we have 1900 on the ship. It is a charming town and we walked up into the hills, had a nice meal in a deli, took a harbour cruise out to the Pacific to see dolphins--these are rare species called Hector Dolphins, and they are the smallest ones. We also saw Blue Penguins, NZ Fur Seals, and several nice sea birds.
Just before returning to the ship we finally found a store that had NZ Sheepskin slippers, so we are very happy to have new ones again. We've been wearing these for 35 years now--not the same pair, however!
G'day
We ended this day in a wonderful way--a classical concert pianist with an hour of Chopin music and it was all memorized! This followed a wonderful Italian Dinner.
But this beautiful day began with a tender ride to shore (the ship cannot dock, so uses tenders--the life boats, to transfer people to shore.) Akarao is small; there are fewer than 600 permanent residents and we have 1900 on the ship. It is a charming town and we walked up into the hills, had a nice meal in a deli, took a harbour cruise out to the Pacific to see dolphins--these are rare species called Hector Dolphins, and they are the smallest ones. We also saw Blue Penguins, NZ Fur Seals, and several nice sea birds.
Just before returning to the ship we finally found a store that had NZ Sheepskin slippers, so we are very happy to have new ones again. We've been wearing these for 35 years now--not the same pair, however!
G'day
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
WELLINGTON, NZ'S CAPITAL
Today was a very good day--Wellington is known for two things; wind and hills! Both are extreme. Today we had near Gale Force winds, and the hills. We walked over 7 km.
We began by going to Te Papa, the National Museum. It is very similar to the Provincial Museum in Victoria; I don't know who made one first, but there are many similarities in design and displays. The exhibits are excellent and it is free!
We went to McDonalds for lunch, and it was the same quality as in North America. Senior Coffee is free! We walked to the Cable Car to go to the top of the large hill. It is really steep. At the top is a Botanical Garden which we skirted as we found our way to Victoria Bridge Club--we placed first and impressed them!
A lady at the club drove us to the Old St. Paul's Church (Anglican), which was constructed from 4 local woods. It is Gothic in style, and even the arches are wooden. It was very interesting. Then it was time to walk our last 2 km to the ship just in time for dinner--tonight was East Indian cuisine and really delicious (not too spicy). We listened again to a string quartet, and that's all for today!
g'day!
Today was a very good day--Wellington is known for two things; wind and hills! Both are extreme. Today we had near Gale Force winds, and the hills. We walked over 7 km.
We began by going to Te Papa, the National Museum. It is very similar to the Provincial Museum in Victoria; I don't know who made one first, but there are many similarities in design and displays. The exhibits are excellent and it is free!
We went to McDonalds for lunch, and it was the same quality as in North America. Senior Coffee is free! We walked to the Cable Car to go to the top of the large hill. It is really steep. At the top is a Botanical Garden which we skirted as we found our way to Victoria Bridge Club--we placed first and impressed them!
A lady at the club drove us to the Old St. Paul's Church (Anglican), which was constructed from 4 local woods. It is Gothic in style, and even the arches are wooden. It was very interesting. Then it was time to walk our last 2 km to the ship just in time for dinner--tonight was East Indian cuisine and really delicious (not too spicy). We listened again to a string quartet, and that's all for today!
g'day!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
NAPIER, NZ
Today was another warm, pleasant day. We were on a private tour that I'd found on the internet. There were only 4 of us, and we were treated royally! We learned about the 1931 earthquake that destroyed Napier by lifting it 2.5 m. It used to be a peninsula, but now there is only water on the Ocean side.
We drove through interesting countryside and saw a lot of fruit-growing farms and many vineyards. The highlight was driving up a mountain 399 m. It was a steep ascent, but the view from the top was really magnificent. We had a 360 degree view!
Later we had a very nice surprise--John, our driver, took us to a fruit stand and treated us to waffle cones. We picked our favorite fruit (blueberries, boysenberries or strawberries) and these were blended into the ice cream for a great result! Would that concept ever take off in Canada or the USA!
We ended the tour by driving through two towns adjacent to Napier. They are big on building with an art deco style, so we saw plenty of examples. We also went to the Mission Winery--a good view point and nice wine tasting. Before we went to the ship, we went up a hill to a good viewpoint over the coastline of Napier.
G'day!
Today was another warm, pleasant day. We were on a private tour that I'd found on the internet. There were only 4 of us, and we were treated royally! We learned about the 1931 earthquake that destroyed Napier by lifting it 2.5 m. It used to be a peninsula, but now there is only water on the Ocean side.
We drove through interesting countryside and saw a lot of fruit-growing farms and many vineyards. The highlight was driving up a mountain 399 m. It was a steep ascent, but the view from the top was really magnificent. We had a 360 degree view!
Later we had a very nice surprise--John, our driver, took us to a fruit stand and treated us to waffle cones. We picked our favorite fruit (blueberries, boysenberries or strawberries) and these were blended into the ice cream for a great result! Would that concept ever take off in Canada or the USA!
We ended the tour by driving through two towns adjacent to Napier. They are big on building with an art deco style, so we saw plenty of examples. We also went to the Mission Winery--a good view point and nice wine tasting. Before we went to the ship, we went up a hill to a good viewpoint over the coastline of Napier.
G'day!
TAURANGA, NZ
What a day! We were up at 6:30 am, as our tour commenced at 8:10. We went around the city, then headed up into the mountains to 900 m. Our first stop was at a wildlife park, Rainbow Springs. There were kiwi, and many other native birds. Without seeing them, the names won't mean much, but, of course, we have pictures!
Then we went to Rotorua Lake which is the caldera of a volcano. It is like Crater Lake in Oregon, although not nearly as large. We were on a paddle wheeler for a buffet lunch and entertainment by Maori performers.
The highlight of the day was our time at Wai-O-Tapu, which is a region of volcanic activity--geysers, mud pots, craters, and pools. It comes complete with the sulfur smell of hot springs. This area has very colorful pools and craters. It is small in comparison to Yellowstone, but still enjoyable. The weather was light overcast, so very pleasant for walking. We did all the trails for a total of 4 km and 400 stairs!
By 3:45 pm it was time to start back to the ship. It is 1.5 h on the bus to get back, so we arrived just in time to change for dinner. After another great meal, we went to a concert given by 3 NZ Tenors; it was delightful--they had a good mix of songs so there was something for everyone to enjoy.
What a day! We were up at 6:30 am, as our tour commenced at 8:10. We went around the city, then headed up into the mountains to 900 m. Our first stop was at a wildlife park, Rainbow Springs. There were kiwi, and many other native birds. Without seeing them, the names won't mean much, but, of course, we have pictures!
Then we went to Rotorua Lake which is the caldera of a volcano. It is like Crater Lake in Oregon, although not nearly as large. We were on a paddle wheeler for a buffet lunch and entertainment by Maori performers.
The highlight of the day was our time at Wai-O-Tapu, which is a region of volcanic activity--geysers, mud pots, craters, and pools. It comes complete with the sulfur smell of hot springs. This area has very colorful pools and craters. It is small in comparison to Yellowstone, but still enjoyable. The weather was light overcast, so very pleasant for walking. We did all the trails for a total of 4 km and 400 stairs!
By 3:45 pm it was time to start back to the ship. It is 1.5 h on the bus to get back, so we arrived just in time to change for dinner. After another great meal, we went to a concert given by 3 NZ Tenors; it was delightful--they had a good mix of songs so there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Our rough seas are over; once we came into the Pacific Ocean, it became calm. This morning we arrived in Auckland at 10:00 am. We had an early lunch and went on tour. NZ is also very strange about quarantine and showing proof of who you are, much as Australia is.
Anyway, we had a ship's tour to Devenport on the North Shore. It was a beautiful day--clear sky and 21 or 22 degrees with no wind. We drove around Auckland, crossed the Harbour Bridge, toured Devenport and went to the top of Mt. Victoria for a good view (It is not as high as Mt. Tolmie in Victoria). We were given chocolate samples in a local shop, walked around a bit and then took a ferry across the bay (15 minutes).
Back on the ship we were entertained by Maori dancers and singers. It was a good show and well presented.
We've finished dinner and this evening we'll skip the entertainment and get an early sleep, as tomorrow is a 9 h tour to the geyser area.
g'day
Our rough seas are over; once we came into the Pacific Ocean, it became calm. This morning we arrived in Auckland at 10:00 am. We had an early lunch and went on tour. NZ is also very strange about quarantine and showing proof of who you are, much as Australia is.
Anyway, we had a ship's tour to Devenport on the North Shore. It was a beautiful day--clear sky and 21 or 22 degrees with no wind. We drove around Auckland, crossed the Harbour Bridge, toured Devenport and went to the top of Mt. Victoria for a good view (It is not as high as Mt. Tolmie in Victoria). We were given chocolate samples in a local shop, walked around a bit and then took a ferry across the bay (15 minutes).
Back on the ship we were entertained by Maori dancers and singers. It was a good show and well presented.
We've finished dinner and this evening we'll skip the entertainment and get an early sleep, as tomorrow is a 9 h tour to the geyser area.
g'day
Thursday, March 1, 2012
OUR SEVENTH CONTINENT
Well, the 11 days went quickly, and the flight was excellent. We were able to sleep for 5+ hours, so our time in Sydney was useful time. We walked 2 km to the harbour area by a route through the Botanical Gardens. Then we went on an hour Harbour Cruise, which would have been really nice except that it was foggy and it rained throughout.
When we walked back it was a tropical downpour and we were both soaked even with my Gortex coat! It rained all night, and there was a lot of flooding in NSW. Today was dry when we left.
We've found Australia very expensive--like $4.50 for a cup of coffee; $39.00 for 2 dinner entrees, without side plates at an additional $6.00 for green beans, or carrots, etc. We bought 2 pastries and 2 yogurts for breakfast and paid $16.50.
Oh, well, we are on our way to NZ, where it should be more reasonable. Today the seas are a bit rough, but we don't need sea-sick pills yet. We'll be at sea 3 days before we reach Auckland. It is nice to be settled in one place for 43 days; our inside cabin is an unusual layout, and quite cramped. We've found a place for everything, so we'll manage just fine.
G'day!
Well, the 11 days went quickly, and the flight was excellent. We were able to sleep for 5+ hours, so our time in Sydney was useful time. We walked 2 km to the harbour area by a route through the Botanical Gardens. Then we went on an hour Harbour Cruise, which would have been really nice except that it was foggy and it rained throughout.
When we walked back it was a tropical downpour and we were both soaked even with my Gortex coat! It rained all night, and there was a lot of flooding in NSW. Today was dry when we left.
We've found Australia very expensive--like $4.50 for a cup of coffee; $39.00 for 2 dinner entrees, without side plates at an additional $6.00 for green beans, or carrots, etc. We bought 2 pastries and 2 yogurts for breakfast and paid $16.50.
Oh, well, we are on our way to NZ, where it should be more reasonable. Today the seas are a bit rough, but we don't need sea-sick pills yet. We'll be at sea 3 days before we reach Auckland. It is nice to be settled in one place for 43 days; our inside cabin is an unusual layout, and quite cramped. We've found a place for everything, so we'll manage just fine.
G'day!
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