Auckland, Tauranga and Napier NEW ZEALAND

Took a beautiful walk around the Auckland harbor at night; similar to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, it is filled with boats and restaurants and a fun time for all is just about guaranteed.

Great Haka legend Maori folkloric show with the chants, songs and dances of the Maori people, the NZ native culture. See it live when you watch the 2011 world rugby match this year!

CRUISE LOG: As of today, we have logged 9,975 nautical miles; have used 140 tons of fuel per day traveling 21 knots (39,500 gallons); have consumed 1,400 tons per day of water (370,000 gallons). The ship is 62,735 gross tons with 1,442 guests with a crew of 597. Our maximum speed has been 24.5 knots.

“In the hopes of reaching the moon, men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.” - Albert Schweitzer

Monday, February 7, 2011 – Auckland, New Zealand
We took the free bus (with the touristy shark-jaws on the top of the bus) to Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Experience. It was fantastic! A great introduction to the Antarctic as you walk through a replica of Scott’s 1911 hut, walk under tubes of plexi-glass seeing the fish and shark swimming above you, learn about stingrays , fish and penguins, and ride in the sno-cat through the live penguin area.

Where the ship docks in Auckland just cannot be beat – except perhaps in Sydney! You are in the center of town. Restaurants, transportation, boats, water, islands, beaches, museums, mountains, shops…they are all at your fingertips. And with the perfect summer weather…definitely a port to remember.

“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” - Tom Brokaw

Tuesday, February 8 – Tauranga, New Zealand
Located in the Bay of Plenty, it enjoys one of the highest proportions of sunny days in the country. It was a hot and humid day and we had a free shuttle the short distance to the main street, which was lined with cafes and shops. Prices have certainly escalated since our last visit. 100% wool or combination wool and possum (yes, possum!) sweaters are over $200. Bracelets of the paua shell which were previously about $10 are now $25. Gorgeous products but the prices make you think twice…

This is a large port for exports of logs, wood chips and timber products. The beaches are wonderful, Mount Maunganui is across the harbor and there are steam/thermal baths in the town.

Most of the passengers took the full day excursion to Rotorua to view the Maori cultural center and thermal mud baths for which the region is famous. Nearly everything is steaming or gurgling. This is the true home of the Maori culture. Geysers, bubbling pools of therapeutic mud, excellent restaurants and luxury accommodations make this area a popular vacation spot.

We did work and I had a fabulous swim in the cool water; fantastic sunshine and nice people at the beach made me not want to leave! We sailed past Mt. Maunganui, which rises 761 feet above sea level.

Sarah Jessica was the cellist and she played a variety of music for a very nice evening.

Wednesday, February 9 – Napier, north island, New Zealand
As this port was only for the afternoon, I did my morning exercises and worked. Rented a Sunny Nissan brand car with a friend and drove to Clifton to the sheep and dog ranch, Wool World. Saw the dogs round up the sheep, sheep shearing with hand-wound shears and the possums.

Drove to the TukiTuki valley and had a great view from the top of the mountain of the valleys and water below. Many, many vineyards in the area. Back to Napier, the art deco city of the country. When the city was leveled by an 7.8 earthquake in 1931, it was rebuilt in Art Deco style of the time. They are now protected and restored; Napier and South Beach Florida are considered the two best preserved Art Deco towns in the world; Napier has been nominated as a World Heritage Site. As we departed, the vintage car association and ragtime band members were at the dock for our send-off. They were fabulous! All dressed in costume and the music was great; so appropriate for this port.
Other sites: Prison tour, National aquarium, wine center, sheepskin factory tour, Cape Kidnappers and gannet colony.

Leo Ward was the entertainer, a magician/comedian, from Sydney, AUS. They are showing the Lord of the Rings trilogy since they were filmed in NZ.

“I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.” – Lillian Smith

Thursday, February 10 – Wellington, NZ – the southern-most capitol in the world
Today, I felt like I was on a cruise in beautiful port with the most glorious weather. Everything went smoothly with our touring, there was no rush in seeing the sites, we enjoyed a sail-away on the back deck with the live band and friends, ate dinner while viewing the green hills and small islands as we cruised past the light houses. The sun was warm, the breeze was brisk and it was just the kind of day I wanted every day to be.

Took the free shuttle in to the city center (not every cruise line gives you a free shuttle to and from the center) and went over to Parliament. Once you have experienced it “live” in your own state, it is fascinating to see the differences, or similarities, around the world.

Took the hour-long tour and then returned to listen to them in the “debating chamber” when they went in to session at 2PM. (Just as we do in the Delaware legislature, they also meet on Tues, Wed and Thursday.) But here, when the “Honorable Member” is speaking in the microphone, other members holler their comments at him/her but only one microphone is turned “on”. The Speaker calls your name and grants you permission to speak, so the other’s comments are not clearly understood but you can certainly hear the rumblings. The first parliament met in Auckland but they began to meet here in 1865 as the south islanders (there are two main islands) took almost two months to travel from their homes to Auckland – some had to sail via Sydney (Australia) to get to Auckland!! Parliament House (an Edwardian neo-classical building replaced the wooden building destroyed fire in 1907), Parliamentary Library (built in 1899, survived a fire in 1907 and badly damaged by another fire in 1992 but since restored) and the Executive Wing (known as the Beehive and looks like one) are next to a beautiful rose garden.

Kate Sheppard is on their currency – the champion of women’s right to vote in 1893. The Supreme Court is their highest court and was established in 2004!!! National Library, Backbencher pub, St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral and the rail station are all within walking distance of Parliament. We also visited the Museum of Wellington City and Sea. They did a fabulous job of chronicling the city’s history in a captivating 3-D display and told the story of the sinking of the Wahine, a ferry that sunk, very close to shore, in 1968 due to 100 mph winds.

Others activities: cable car, botanical gardens, Te Papa museum (wonderful!), great shopping.

“Great lives are the culmination of great thoughts followed by great actions.” - Peter Sinclair