1/13-15
We left with our usual car service guy at 1:45 PM for a 4:50 PM flight to Vancouver on Air Canada. We had a 4 hour layover before boarding another Air Canada flight, direct to Sydney. Fortunately flying business class we have access to the airline lounge. Prior to departing we tried to request meals to accommodate our food allergies. Did not happen on the first leg. The second leg didn’t have our food but knew we had allergies. They did have a vegan option. All in all a nice flight. Long: 4 movies and 15+ hours.
We now have the rest of Wednesday to catch up at our hotel by the wharf. We board the Silver Muse tomorrow afternoon.
We walked around The Rock area of Sydney. Boutique shops and restaurants.
1/16
Woke up early, like 5 AM. Lolled around, finally went to the gym in the hotel and did a little workout.
Checked out of the hotel after a very nice buffet breakfast. Lots of fresh summer fruits. Chatted with many friendly folks at breakfast and while transferring to the ship. Had lunch onboard and there is actually another couple from San Rafael on the cruise. We walked the decks of the ship, unpacked, booked massages and relaxed in our room until dinner.
Tried loin of kangaroo as an appetizer at dinner. Not to bad; Luanne did not care for it.
1/17
Another early rise morning, 5:45 AM. So we went to the gym and we worked out for a half hour. Had breakfast in the room and got ready to see Sydney. It is raining fairly hard and everyone here is so thankful. It’s is their first rain in about 6 months and is helping to control the fires and drought. While it is wet and very overcast, it is not cold.
Our excursion took us on a tour of the Sydney Opera House. A magnificent building inside and out, with an amazing story behind it. We also traveled through the numerous neighborhoods of Sydney and got a pretty good rain dampened view of the city. A brief stop at Bondi Beach (good lunch of roasted eggplant poke), famous for lifeguards and surfers.
1/18
Day at sea (fairly calm). Massage day.
1/19
Docked in Melbourne. We arranged to meet one of Luanne’s sponsees, Mark, who lives here. He picked us up in the morning and drove us around the coastal and city parts of part of Melbourne. Along the way he got a flat tire which I showed him how to change. He then took us to his house where we net his wife and two young girls. He prepared a wonderful abstinent (of course) meal. After lunch we hiked around a nature preserve that was a few blocks from their home. Afterwards he drove us on more sightseeing through the rest of Melbourne and back to the ship. A truly wonderful day.
1/20
Docked in Burnie, a small Tasmanian town whose principle industries are timber/wood chips, Cadbury chocolates, pyrethrum flowers (used on big spray and to kill lice) and opium poppies for medicinal purposes (who knew).
We also visited the Emu Valley Rhododendron Gardens. Although not in bloom, still very pretty.
1/21
Sea day, massage day.
1/22
Docked in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, this morning. We left early for a tour of the city. The city is divided by a river so that many homes have wonderful views of the water, either the ocean that leads to Antarctica or of the river. We drove the long-ish winding road up to the top of Mt. Wellington (4100 feet). Fantastic views but today 50 mph winds made it difficult to walk around. Afterwards we drove to the Hobart Botanical Gardens ands wandered around for the rest of the morning.
Tonight we had a special after hours excursion to the Bonorongo Wildlife Sanctuary. This privately run place takes wounded or orphaned animals and rehabilitates then to be released back into the wild. Because of some injuries, not all can be released. We were able to get very up close, even pet some, to all of the marsupials. We even were able to hand feed the kangaroos and scratch them where their short forelegs can’t reach (front of the neck). A very special experience all around.
1/23-24
The two day trip across the Tasmin Sea, the stretch between Australia and New Zealand. So far overcast and cool; a little rougher seas than before but not too bad.
We met two nice Jewish couples who live in Chicago (and part time in Palm Springs). We will probably see them again in Chicago.
1/25
Cruising the fjords of New Zealand.
We entered Milford Sound after a two day crossing of the Tasman Sea. The morning was foggy and rainy. The fjord’s rock walls were striped with waterfall after waterfall. Their spray often swept into the morning fog. By the time we enters Doubtful Sound the sun was burning through and green hills and mountains greeted us with an occasional waterfall. By late afternoon we entered Dusky Sound with it’s lush vegetation and craggy hills.
All in all, a very nice welcome to New Zealand.
Early evening show—magician Andino. Really good!
1/26
Sea day, massage day.
1/27
Arrived in Dunedin this morning, via Port Chalmers. Shipping plantation grown timber is a major activity of the port. We drove through the town on our way to Olveston Historic House. This house was built by the Jewish family, Thoemin, in 1906. Even then it had electricity and flush toilets. The furnishings, down to the blue Delft kitchen storage containers, are the originals. Afterwards we drove through the upscale neighborhood of Waverly on our way to Larnach Castle. Built in the 1870’s, by a wealthy banker, the site saw many incarnations. One was as a sanitarium for post-war soldiers. It was bought in 1967 by a young couple who have worked ever since to restore it. Very impressive views from the tower. They also served “us” tea with scones, clotted cream and jam. Looked good.
1/28
Sailed into Christchurch today via Lyttleton port. Weather started clear but then some overcast skies. Temperature in high 60’s, low 70’s. People said that it was at least 10 degrees cooler than usual. We hopped on a tea tram—charmingly decorated interior with tea and cake service—and road through the downtown area. Lots of shops, many upscale. Saw many structures that were damaged in the 2013 earthquake. Then on to the botanical gardens, 500 amazing acres and begonias of indescribable beauty.
1/29
We docked in Wellington early, where we arranged to meet with Catherine, another of Luanne’s sponsees. She took us around Wellington. We went to the top of the Brooklyn wind generator. It was so foggy we could not see the top of the rotors, but still impressive to see. We went on to Zealandia, a reservoir that was filled in and is now a nature preserve. A wonderful abundance of birds that can be seen quite up close as we walked around the place. Afterwards we saw the city business district and then met with three other Fellows for a weighed and measured lunch. Later we spent a little time in the Te Papa Museum, an incredible repository of Maori history and culture (did not see the Gallipoli exhibit). It was a very sweet and special day with Catherine and it meant a lot to each to be able to see one another.
1/30
Docked in Napier, a charming city on Hawkes Bay. The town was completely rebuilt after a 7.8 earthquake in 1931 and fire. After the quake part of the bay receded and an additional 7000 acres of land became available for building. In keeping with the style and low costs of the time, Art Deco and some art nouveau predominate the architecture, giving the city a South Beach Miami feel. We traveled into and around town in a 1939 in-line 6 Packard. Very sheik. We also had an 1.5 hour guided architectural walking tour around the city center.
1/31
Docked in Tauranga. it is a beautiful coastal resort with miles of ultra modern, multimillion NZ dollar beachfront homes. After driving around town we headed about 50 miles out of town to Rotorua and the Te Pui Maori Cultural Center and geysers. On the way we passed acres of plantation trees, kiwi farms and cattle ranches. The countryside is beautiful and lush. Kiwi plants look a lot like grapevine trellises. They are fenced in by manicured 20 foot high trees for a very distinctive appearance.
Te Puia is also a training school for Maori to learn ancestral wood carving, stone work and weaving. It is a highly selective three year program, after which they return to their homes and pass on their skill. We also so a very moving and prideful dance and song presentation.
On the same site are geysers and hot mud springs. Like a small scale Yellowstone.
2/1
Docked in Auckland. We spend a few hours in the Crowne Plaza hotel reception area (with high speed Internet!!!!), then a 4.5 hour Auckland tour and a drop-off at the airport.
We had a wonderful long scenic ride all around Auckland. The guide was very knowledgeable and humorous. Beautiful beaches, multi-million NZ homes, including a NZ $40,000,000 home on the most expensive street in Auckland. Also saw many other interesting neighborhoods.
All that’s left to do is kill a few hours in the Air New Zealand lounge.
Arrived home safe and sound after a 3 movie, 12 hour flight. The seats on Air NZ make into a completely flat bed over which they put a futon-type mattress. Nice.