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.