Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Gisborne

Just been listening to some lovely gypsy-type strings music played by the on-board Rhapsody Trio.  The foyer where they are playing is all sparkling with Christmas lights on garlands swathing the staircases and there are two big Christmas trees adding extra atmosphere.  

We have left Gisborne now and are sailing ever so smoothly to Wellington where we will be tomorrow Wednesday morning.

For our visit to Gisborne this morning we had to get a tender into Eastland Port, as the ship is anchored out about half an hour out of the Harbour.  It is not deep enough for such a huge ship.  We were greeted by local guides in bright green t shirts and straw hats answering questions on where to go and what to see.  It was just a 10-15 minute walk into town following a route chalked on the footpath along the waterfront then over a bridge and there we were.

It was another warm day so made our way to the library to pick up emails and send off another one or two.

There was a craft market there in a local square for cruise passengers' benefit.  Am conscious of not accumulating more stuff so after duly admiring some  mosaic-framed mirrors and chatting to the Maori woman who made them, moved on to the museum  over the side of the river again.

There was an exhibition of old portraits and other photographs by W. Crawford, an early local Gisborne brewer turned photographer who recorded local family and social life.  Round the turn of the 19th century and later.

The local Maori history formed the greater part of the main exhibition area.   Te Kooti and the battles round Gisborne feature.  

Another collection of beautiful Lalique vases in the most beautiful colours were in another room along with other decorative arts collected by the same collector, Professor W Richards if I remember rightly.  


After all that walking  and culture we decided to walk back to the city centre and get a shuttle bus back to the port and get the tender back to the ship.    

Lots of other passengers had the same idea and we had to queue for a half an hour before it was our turn to ply the waves back to the ship.  

Had a very late lunch, a rest and read in the cabin, and now this lovely music to herald the evening. Will be dining round 7.00.

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