Napier

We reached our destination, Napier early so disembarked in good time arriving in the centre of town as the bands were starting to play and the shops were opening. We just went with the flow, and made the most of the day imbibing the atmosphere with the locals . They and visitors were mainly dressed in deco clothing, men included in their natty hats and braces.  It was a warm day at over 20.  We were in town quite early so just walked round the streets until we found the library when it opened at 10 am. I picked up my emails and sent mine off.  

We walked  back into town and found the old museum, then the present one.  It is always good to while away time congenially in a museum and this one on 3 floors was no exception. We looked at the Maori section first with its local artefacts, including some serious looking portraits of the late 1800s. 

There was also a lovely Lalique glass exhibition.  There is a collector who lives round these parts who has donated or lent his collection for exhibitions. I think we saw one in Gisborne too in November.  

Then there was a collection of artworks by Dick Frizzell, the artists who popularised the 4 Square grocer in his prints. I tried to take a photo of the poster outside  on my iPhone but it didn't come out very well. Inside there was no photography permitted. 

The main exhibition for us was the 1931 earthquake one. There  was a film by 4 survivors being interviewed about what it was like and it must have been terrible with so much loss of life and destruction of buildings leading later on to the rebuilding of the city with all the deco buildings. One of the people interviewed was the author and poet Lauris Edmond, now dead.  She describes the impact on her and her family in her autobiography too which I read some years ago and must reread again.  It was her sister's first day of school.  

Watched the parade from upstairs in the museum as we found a good vantage point where we could sit. By the time it finished about 1.30 we decided to go back to the ship for lunch as it would have taken ages to find somewhere to eat without a long wait.

But first Dieter wanted to see the 6 Sisters  - 6 lovely old deco two storied houses on the Marine Parade. One of them had a cafe in it and we would have eaten there but there was a big group ordering their coffee, panini etc that we decided to go back rather than hang around hungrily.

As it was had a nice leisurely lunch, a short rest then got the shuttle back in to town to look at the  earthquake  exhibition and the remaining interview or two we had missed.   We enjoyed a Rush Monroe ice cream sitting outside in the sun, a gourmet feijoa icecream which was not as creamy and piquant as Giapo's version. 

There was still a bit of heat in the sun and a lot of weary looking fashionistas walking about when we hobbled back to our shuttle about 5.30 or so  and went back to the Pacific Pearl.

We dressed for dinner which was a Bianco  evening with everyone in white.  Although we asked for a table for 2 to save the effort of chit chat the tables for 2 are just a hand's width from the next one, so it would be churlish not to talk so once more into the breech it was with the small talk.

The two ladies were in their whites, one in a cream lacy creation which turned out to be her wedding dress of 28 years ago.  I had thought everybody looked so drab in black the first night and of course now I realise it was a Noir night.  We of course knew nothing about this not having opened or seen the email about the programme.   Not to worry.  I don't have a white outfit anyway and the first night I wore a black top and black floral skirt by chance.

The two ladies of the night before had been on a couple of 3 month world cruises which has got me thinking.  Not the P & O for us as the entertainment is not to my liking.  Too loud for a start and no classical or easy listening music, or talks on interesting topics. As they often say cheaper than a rest home.  

Today Sunday everybody is out on the deck in their bathing suits, sunning themselves.  I got up very early to get a cup of tea and tried a muffin and croissant with it and then didn't bother going back to bed.  Had breakfast proper with Dieter about 8.30 then prepared for the day after that.  

No churchy acknowledgment of the day of the week or anything, just a throng of sun worshippers on board.  Last cruise there was a non-denominational service of sorts for those who wanted to attend and we went as it was easy to do so.

Had a nice buffet lunch of beer-battered fish and thin chips, peas and carrots, preceded by salad. The fish was delicious, like orange roughy.

The dessert is always the same, fresh fruit, jelly, little tarts with creme patissiere and fruit on top and a small assortment of small pieces of cake. Not a lot of choice but enough.  

Have finished my book, another Irish one and very good.  The green road by Anne Enright.  Will get another of hers out next. In the meantime have a book on the Spanish mission architecture of Hastings which was on special at the Art Deco Centre. Dieter bought this year's Art Deco poster too which we will put up at home to remind us of a happy day and a cruise cruise.

Cruising on the Pacific Pearl to Napier

Have just enjoyed two days at sea as it were but I must say it has been most enjoyable and relaxing. Haven't missed the computer at all and haven't bothered to check email etc as will be doing so this morning when we get off the ship.

We have an inside  cabin which was all that was left but it doesn't really matter as we are only in there off and on during the day  and of course with daylight saving and Autumn combined it is dark in the mornings anyway. I have slept better with no cares to distract me from the business of cruising. This morning it is a bit early  but I have been reading my book and doing a bit of thinking.  

There seem to be mainly Kiwis this trip many of them in Deco mode with their silvery headgear , jewellery, accessories and dresses.  There are lots of older women , many of them travelling in groups with friends or family. People  are friendly.  

Haven't located the gym yet and with the opulent meals I have ground to a halt which will require a bit of effort on our return.  I am looking forward to some exercise today but it will be 26 degrees so that will limit its duration.  

The first night the sea was a bit rough and it took a while to get to sleep with me on high alert for the occasional creak.   The rock and rolling didn't bother me and it wasn't as bad as the Waiheke ferry can feel in bad weather.

There is plenty on during the day but the music is quite loud. Last night we found a quieter  corner in one of the bars and enjoyed a kir royale and watched the world go by. The jazz has been very nice to listen to. 

Last night was the Gatsby evening with many of the passengers dressed to the nines all being photographed. There was a Gatsby party at 9.30pm which would have been very crowded anyway so we gave it a miss.  We were in the first sitting for dinner round 6 pm and most of the partygoers would have been in the second sitting at 7.45 so for them it would have been an evening and night of it and today another big day today in town.

There is a parade of  vintage cars etc at 12.30 which we will watch, otherwise just take in the ambience and architecture and indulge in some fresh stone fruit, have a nice coffee somewhere and lunch too somewhere else too.i don't think the ship is leaving till late at night but we will come back on board later in the day anyway. I think the port is about 45 minutes on foot but there are shuttle buses too. 

The buffet lunch is very good on board as you can pick and choose by what it looks like . In the evening it is a la carte and very filling if you have three courses as we have been having. Had a delicious salad as a starter  - spinach, caramelised fresh peach slices and blue cheese which I will try and replicate some time at home.

Waiheke on Anniversary Weekend

Arriving at Matiatia and looking back to Auckland.

Pt Chevalier Beach

This is a lovely long safe beach with some shade and seats where we went for a swim and picnic lunch during the week.

Sentinel Rd Beach in Herne Bay

This was our first and hopefully not our last visit to the small beach at the bottom of Sentinel Rd. The first photo was taken half way down the steps leading to it.   Coming up them afterwards is worse! It was lovely sitting under the shade of those trees gazing out across the harbour to the Harbour Bridge.

Had a swim before a picnic lunch of Turkish pide bread stuffed with ham and salad followed by plums.  By this time the beach had filled up with the afternoon bathers so I had one more quick dip before our arduous trip home by foot up Sentinel Rd, down Ardmore Rd to lower Islington St to Scott St and in through the back gate to home sweet home. 

Summer in the City

Means icecream and not just any old icecream. Giapo's  in Queen St falls into the gourmet category or as he puts it, haute ice cream.

  Yesterday was the day for it too and we both chose strawberries and cream for a quintessential summery experience.  

It was strawberry sorbet swirled with vanilla icecream covered in flaked almonds, dusted with icing sugar and decorated with a slice of strawberry.  It tasted just as good as it sounds.

Devonport

We went to Devonport with a few friends yesterday seeing the gym is in abeyance until the 18th of January. There were two big cruise ships in town as well so the ferry to Devonport was packed with holidaymakers, tourists and locals.

Went to the Stone Oven for lunch, always a spinach and mushroom pie for me, then a visit to the lovely new library and a walk along King Edward Parade as far as Art by the Sea gallery which was unfortunately closed. It was full tide so I enjoyed a refreshing paddle instead.  

Waiheke

Ostend gift shop.

Berry and white chocolate muffin from Solar, our favourite morning coffee venue in Oneroa.

New shop in Oneroa.

Baguette for lunch at Frenchot.

Christmas

The perfume from this beautiful Christmas lily pervaded the whole house.

Lovely to have the Christmas tree lit up in the evenings and ornaments from around the world.

Good friend Pamela shared the occasion.

Pictures

Gisborne on the walk into town from the port.

Christmas atmosphere on the Golden Princess

One of Gisborne's3 rivers

Afternoon tea on the boat

From an exhibition on protest in NZ.

A wake at Te Papa

The violinist whose music I enjoyed.

Akaroa 

Dunedin 

Aramoana 

Albatross colony 

Milford Sound

Melbourne and More

Had a short day in Melbourne, getting off to a hot and humid day after 10 or so.  By the time we got off  the ship,went through Customs, got our myki cards for public transport, walked to the tram stop it was already mid-morning.

Found Target and had a browse but didn't see anything wearable for myself.  Dieter got himself a dashing new short sleeved shirt, navy with Australian wildflowers in red and white, and another dark blue t-shirt. 

Couldn't get my bearings for some reason and as we had to be back on board by 3pm we didn't have enough time for the art gallery which I had been looking forward to.  Another time, another trip hopefully.  Did make time for a good cup of coffee at a trendy cafe.  By this time it was lunchtime and the streets and trams were packed with people out and about for lunch.  

Found the right tram and the right direction to get back to the port, then a warm walk back to the ship and the long queues of people waiting to get on. In-transit passengers had their own shorter queue, thank goodness.  Now there are 2000 new passengers on board, milling around familiarising themselves with the different venues and restaurants.

This is the second of three days at sea, so a lot of sleeping, eating and reading are our main occupations. The Christmas decorations are up and I heard Christmas carols being played in the background at breakfast this morning.  The patisserie buffet even has a delicious stollen which we have been indulging in.  

Haven't found the aerobic studio yet but it sounds a bit energetic to me.  The decks are also a bit windy for promenading.  It is warmer than it was in NZ waters and the larger number of children and teens are enjoying the pools.  Don't think my bathing suit will get wet somehow.  I will be going to the gym next Monday to get fit again once I am home.  

There are more family groups aboard now, and quite a few Asian travellers.  Have not come across many of the Kiwis aboard. We blend in like our feathered counterparts.

Today I went to a technology session, making the most of your Smartphone, all about apps.  Unfortunately my iPad was out of action for a couple of days and wasn't loading but it has come back to life again and I will be busy answering and reading my emails.  

Tonight is a formal night and I will be dressing up in my finery for the occasion.  The Rhapsody Trio is playing at 6 pm so better get a move on now. 

Dunedin and Fiordland

We  spent Saturday cruising round the sounds.  Doubtful Sound was cancelled as it was too windy, rough and cloudy but later in the morning we went up another sound, Thompson Sound, Thompson being an early surveyor, and then on to Milford Sound.  The weather improved a bit but was windy out on the deck where you had to go to hear a commentary. There  is a man from DOC on board commentating as we go and he also gave a presentation in the cinema on the fauna and flora of the area. It is certainly an easy way to travel and to see the essence of a place. Now  on our way out of the sound heading to the open seas en route to Melbourne.  

Listening to some lovely Gypsy-style violin music, easy listening I suppose you would call it. Puts me in a good frame of mind for the evening.  There is a full programme each day and night. Last night we went to a programme Dancing through the Decades  and I managed to get Dieter up to dance when it got to the 70s.  YMCA and the ilk. Anyway I enjoyed it all and we hadn't had a dance like that for quite some time.  There was an even older lady than me up dancing.

The food continues to impress. Last  night it was lightly pan fried orange roughy that I enjoyed for my main.  For dessert I had a stack of 3 meringues filled with cream and garnished with strawberry and a coulis. I usually manage an entree and salad as well as main and dessert. 

Friday  was Dunedin. My friend Pat came and picked us up at 10.30 and we drove straight to Olveston, a lovely home which had belonged to a well-to do family, the Theomins .  It was crammed full of beautiful china, clocks, oriental antiques, lovely artworks. We went on a an hour long conducted tour which was the only way of seeing the place anyway and was well worth it. There was a lovely garden as well. I took quite a few photos outside but unfortunately there was no taking photographs inside.

We then drove out to St Clair for lunch. St Clair is where I grew up and we went along the beach where we spent a lot of time as children, past our old family home which looks like a very small villa.  The sunporch down one side has been demolished and a carport put in its place.

Had lunch at a lovely cafe overlooking the water with the sun streaming in the window. Sampled the famous South Island cheese rolls.

From there we went to my sister Mary's grave. I always try to visit it when in Dunedin. She died in September 1966.  Last time I was there I arranged for a lovely china red rose to be put on her grave and it looks very nice.

After that it was time to drive back to Port  Chalmers and get on the boat again. They  had a highland pipe band playing on the wharf which added to the atmosphere. We had very good weather up and until including Dunedin and now that we are on the ship for a couple more days until we get to Melbourne it doesn't really matter that it is a bit overcast.

The days pass very agreeably with a lot of eating  and resting on our part. One meal blends in with the next. The range of food and delicacies from around the world are amazing.

 Starting with breakfast there are delicious pastries, breads and cold cuts plus all the usual cereals fruit and eggs done every which way. Lunchtime there an array of salad ingredients, hot and cold dishes, cakes and desserts to tempt the palate,

Dinner in the dining room is a selection of 5 or 6 gourmet choices for 5 or 6 gourmet courses.

There is entertainment right through the day and night at a number of different venues something for everybody I would say.  I am happy doing nothing but have been enjoying the Rhapsody Trio with the Hungarian violinist every evening - if we can get a seat.

I could very soon get accustomed to this shipboard life.

Breakdown at Sea

Today Sunday the 6 December the Golden Princess broke down for a couple of hours or more.  

Suddenly there we were no lights, then very dim lighting and the ship bobbing around going nowhere fast.  The automatic system for getting the generators going had failed and the engineers were using  a manual system.  In the meantime the NZ Coastguard had been informed!

Rushed to the cabin to have a drink of water and use the toilet before neither was available.  There were updates fro the Captain which stressed how the engineers were making progress.  The finally after a long couple of hours we started moving again.  The loos are flushing again, water is flowing through the taps and hopefully I will get that cup of tea my tongue is hanging out for, now that the lifts are running again.

Don't know how the NZ Coastguard would have coped with 2938 stranded passengers and 1000 crew stuck out in the Tasman somewhere!

Wellington and Akaroa

With 2938 passengers and over 1000 crew it takes a while to disembark each day with queues for shuttles and sometimes at the buffet at breakfast time.  We were bringing some bound volumes of coin magazines that Dieter was bringing to get to a collector in Upper Hutt saving about $10 in postage by doing so. I was nearly foiled by an officious woman from the boat's crew who informed us we couldn't "offload" anything without getting a clearance from Customs who arrived on board at 7 am and had been and gone 3 hours previously.  Nothing would move her.

Struggled back to the cabin with this carton all done up with string, Sellotape and stamps and disembarked for the day and with the aim to get that carton off by hook or by crook.  Anyway helpful NZ security people,  who couldn't have been more helpful contacted Customs who came back to the boat,  looked at the parcel from the outside, xrayed it to make sure it had no drugs in it and off we went off the ship with it to a Post Office downtown and it is  now on its way to Upper Hutt, freeing up a shelf in one of Dieter's bookcases at home.  What a kerfuffle.  We got a shuttle to town and back as the wharf was some distance from town. 

Went to the public library for some respite after that episode to pick up and send emails, then went to Te Papa to look at the NZ  art, then a collection of Modernist decorative arts collected by Walter Cook, who in a moment of confusion I thought they were referring to Captain Cook but no, this latter day adventurer and collector acquired  stuff from Wellington design shops and antique shops  from the 1960s onwards.  My kind of stuff too.  

Looked at another permanent exhibition of refugees' sobering stories of what they escaped from to settle in New Zealand over the decades.

Dieter wanted to look up an old friend  who worked at the NZ Film Archive near the Cuba Mall which we did and spent a half an hour catching up. He and his wife had a cute little cottage in Thorndon, a bit like our first Clarence St house filled with collectibles and treasures.  When their 2 kids got older they shifted to a bungalow which looks just as beautiful, and much tidier than our place ever will be with their collections of this and that all displayed beautifully. 

We then got the shuttle back to the boat by which time we had missed lunch and it was just refreshments and afternoon tea.  I had nachos, a scone and a piece of delectable pecan slice.  

We have been dining a bit later as there is some very nice gypsy type music  being played by a trio in one of the foyers every evening from about 5 to 7 with a couple of intervals between.

Today was Akaroa, a very  picturesque place with it very old wooden cottages, roses and plentiful cafes.   Once again we had to get a tender in to shore because the ship was anchored about 18 nautical miles out.

We walked  from one end of the village to the other and back again, stopping to look in shop windows.  Everything was crowded with us passengers  everywhere.  Some went on daytrips further afield as far as Arthur's Pass but we were content with the local scenery.  

This is the view from our cabin window when  we got up this morning.  

There was a very warm norwester blowing  by about 1 pm so we queued up to get a tender back and lunched back on the ship at 2pm.  Met a couple of nice women from Melbourne at lunch today and had a good chat.  At breakfast time where we usually join others at a table people  are not so talkative. At night we could join others but it is quite nice being together being waited on like in a restaurant.  Well it is a restaurant.  Today they had turkey at lunch time so a foretaste of Christmas.  And cherry pie for dessert.  It was a buffet with lots of choices.  My clothing is getting rather tight.  Will need that last week's exercise at the gym before Christmas.

Tomorrow is Dunedin and another story.

 

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.