Day 48 - Auckland, New Zealand

Friday 23rd February 2018

Fourth Sector Auckland New Zealand to Osaka, Japan

23rd Feb - Auckland, NZ

24th Feb - Bay of Islands, NZ

27th Feb - Sydney, Australia

1st Mar - Newcastle, Australia

3rd Mar - Brisbane, Australia

7th Mar - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

13th Mar - Okinawa, Japan

15th Mar - Osaka, Japan

Auckland is located in the north of North Island and is New Zealand’s largest metropolis containing a quarter of New Zealand’s population, about 1.42 million out of about 6 million.  Surrounded by water and volcanic hills.  Nicknamed the City of Sails    due to the number of yachts and yacht enthusiasts, pretty much everyone learns to sail as this is part of the school curriculum from an early age, starting as young as 8 years old.   Previously, from 1840 to 1865 Auckland was New Zealand’s capitol until it lost this to Wellington.

When we woke this morning already berthed in Auckland.  Luckily not too much rush for us to join the early starters who are either leaving the ship today or meeting to join their excursions.

Then off ashore to go just along to the next pier to buy our tickets for the Devonport Explorer Tour.  This included the ferry and a guided bus tour of the Devonport area.  Main purpose over and above a really nice ferry boat ride and a visit to a delightful suburb is to get great views back across the harbour to the skyline of Auckland.

Only a few minutes wait for the ferry and then just a nice time to enjoy a coffee in Devonport before the bus arrived.

The driver gave a running commentary as he drove along streets of  what appeared to be quite small but very expensive homes, supposedly the fourth most expensive real estate area in the world.  All very smart and mostly historic buildings. 

Made our first proper stop at North Head, an extinct volcano, like most of the land round here.  Old military installations, tunnels, etc and quite good views over the surroundings.

Rangitoto Volcanic Island

Next to Mount Victoria, the highest point around and another volcanic cone, thankfully extinct.  From here excellent views across the harbour back to Auckland.

Vehicular access to the Mount will soon be prohibited as it is native lands and is owned and controlled by the Maori, this will impact on the tour company.  Then back down the hill to the ferry terminal.  

Took ourselves off for a bit of a walk up a couple of the more interesting streets and through the “village centre”, stopping at  Ike’s Emporium for some bits and pieces, a real old cluttered shop selling all sorts.

Then to the ferry for the return trip.  Back onto the ship for a cold drink and a sit down before venturing out again into the city.  Sadly it’s just another city with busy streets, designer label shops and not much to commend it, so it was a short visit.

Back to the ship for a spell in the sun and a nice burger out on the back deck.

Entertainment today, a folkloric show by the local Maoris, lots of singing and dancing with a fair dose of chants and hakas.

Late sailaway tonight, well after dark, so city lights made for a different experience to most of our early leavings.

Days 44, 45,46 and 47 at Sea

Sunday 18th to 22nd February 2018

Sunday 18th

First of four days at sea on our way to Auckland, New Zealand.

Weather not too good so spent today catching up on notes and blog and trying to sort several thousand photos.

Managed to fit in a few quizzes and some time for food just to keep body and soul together.

Monday 19th

A cloudy start to this day at sea, luckily it soon cleared up and so out on deck to enjoy the sun.

Formal dinner tonight in the main dining room.

After dinner off to the theatre for tonight’s show.  Tonight it’s Ben Makesi, a Polynesian tenor from New Zealand.  He gave us a very entertaining show of classical opera and Polynesian songs.  His wife added some extra accompaniment and amusement to his performance.

Very clear sky tonight so we spent a while star spotting in the Southern Sky.  Ship’s lighting didn’t help but we made the most of the views, Southern Cross and the Milky Way.

Wednesday 21st

Last night, nominally at midnight, we crossed the International Dateline.  All the clock adjustments so far on our travels had taken us back 12 hours from UK time, at the crossing of the line we adjusted by loosing one whole day and jumped to 12 hours in front.

So Tuesday the 20th just didn’t happen, a day lost which we will never get back, not quite sure if we shouldn’t get compensation for shortening our cruise by one day?

Today the weather was just about perfect, so spent pretty much all day just enjoying it, especially now the humidity has dropped to more comfortable levels.

After dinner in the buffet enjoyed the show by the Cunard Singers and Dancers, “La Danza”.  Seen it before but still very good.

Another clear sky so again spent some time stargazing.

Thursday 22nd

Cloudy and showers this morning, our fourth day at sea on our way to New Zealand.

Went along to morning trivia and managed another win, quite a few “stamps” in our prize book now.

Weather soon cleared up so another day on deck enjoying the journey.  Still can’t quite believe we are actually on this journey, nor for that matter just how easily the days slip past with so little effort on our part and yet we don’t seem to have a spare minute.

Starting....

During the afternoon we watched the ice carving demonstration out on deck, only took about ten minutes to carve and all without anything but a mental image of the desired result, very skilled, and the chisels were dangerously sharp judging by the speed the ice flew.

.....Finished

Weather too nice to rush to dinner so it’s the buffet again tonight.

Day 43 Moorea, French Polynesia

Saturday 17th February 2018

Moorea a dream tropical destination.  With tranquil beaches and crystalline lagoons, the heart shaped island has been described as a ‘picture in a frame’ due to the reefs that encircle it.  Inviting shimmering waters, famous bays and spectacular views of Moorea’s jagged vistas. Tropical landscapes and glimpses of the fascinating Polynesian culture. 

Another ridiculously early start to be ready fore our tour of Moorea and it’s a tender port making for even more delays.  Weather looking very promising for the day.

Once we had managed to get there we set off on our circumnavigation of the island in a rather old but adequate bus, can’t expect too much in such a remote spot.

First stop up a very narrow and winding road to the Belvedere overlook.  Tricky hairpins where the coach needed to make 3 point turns to get round and only just room for 2 cars to pass without going onto the verge.  Views down over Opunotu and Cooks Bays.

Cooks Bay misnamed as he actually anchored in Oponotu Bay.  Lots of mountains all around including so called Bali Hi Mountain, it being a notable feature of the filming of “South Pacific”.  

Appearances in films such as South Pacific and Mutiny on the Bounty seem to be a claim to fame for all this group of islands.

Returning back down the hill made a stop at a Marae, an ancient sacred site of the native islanders, the site of ceremonies and sacrifice, now out of use but still venerated and protected.

Passing some pineapple fields we rejoined the coast road and made a further stop at a nice coastal spot with views across Cooks bay.

Being a weekend large numbers of fishermen out catching their lunch!

Continuing on we moved to an overlook above a five star hotel, proper picture postcard view of the overwater bungalows of the hotel, shallow clear blue waters of the lagoon and view back across to Tahiti, amazing.  Nice spot for a holiday, but at $1000 dollars a night and up without food a bit too steep for us!

As we continued to the other side of the island came across wet roads, bad sign, and by the time we reached our last stop, the obligatory shopping opportunity, the Black Pearl shop.  Here we entered a proper tropical heavy rain shower, luckily didn’t need to venture forth.

All too soon back at the tender port, here local craft stalls to peruse  and to enjoy a fresh pineapple juice before getting the tender back to the ship.  Weather remained rather cloudy for the rest of our visit and the sailaway was decidedly unspectacular.

Day 42 Papeete, French Polynesia

Friday 16th February 2018

Tahiti is the largest of the 118 islands of French Polynesia, it’s capital Papeete is the perfect gateway to a paradise of lush tropical valleys, idyllic sparking waterfalls, golden sandy beaches and azure waters. Papeete’s unspoilt way of life offers a perfect blend of interesting historical buildings and fertile lands to dazzle and to provide unique photo opportunities.

Very early start to get ready for our excursion, must give up these early trips, just too much like hard work on such a nice relaxing holiday.

As soon as berthed in town joined our group and boarded the bus, and off we go.  First stop at the colonial style home and museum of James Norman Hall, the author of “The Mutiny on the Bounty”, the later feature films being based on his book.  Not the most obvious stop on such a paradise island as this but someone must think it rates highly.  Sorry to say it was a bit tedious but some people did appreciate the visit, even if the weather outside was glorious and the natural delights of the island awaited us.

Eventually we set off to our next stop, Point Venus, the location of a lighthouse and a black sand beach, reputedly the landing place of the first European visitors.

The point named because the island was used by Captain James Cook to observe the transit of Venus, a very rare astronomical occurrence, I wouldn’t bother to wait for the next, apparently it’s not for over a hundred years from now.

Next stop at Arahoho blow hole.  An old lava tube on the coast where the waves roll in and explode out again.

Then on to the Taharaa overlook with views back over Papeete and in the distance Moorea with fluffy white cloud halo.  

Following this a return to the ship, through heavy traffic.  Time for a cold drink and a break, weather very hot and sunny.

While we were out on our tour Captain Hashmi handed over the keys to the ship to our new captain, Capatain Inger Thorhauge, she will be taking us the rest of the way around the world and back to Southampton.

Time in the afternoon to go into town for a walk round, a very busy spot, enjoyed the Chinese Dragons dancing in the market, celebrations for the start of the Chinese New Year, year of the Dog, many red Chinese lanterns all around, there being a sizeable Chinese population  here, brought in to the islands to work in the pineapple fields and such like.

Otherwise just another town with shops, and so back to the ship to wait for the promised evening arrival of local street food vans in the park near the ship.  Eventually they arrived and so we set off to see what was on offer.  Bit of a disappointment as not really very interesting, mostly just burgers and crepes on offer and only a few people around.

Luckily there was a Folkloric Polynesian Show organised for us on the ship.  An excellent display by the locals of drumming, singing and dancing.

Sailaway tonight very, very late as only a very short passage to our next island (local ferries only take 30mins to make the crossing)

Day 41 Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Thursday 15th February 2018

Our first stop here in the South Pacific, the Tahitian islands, also known as the Society Islands. Bora Bora is well known as the pearl of the South Seas.  Discovered by the Dutch in 1722, visited by Captain James Cook in 1777 and now part of the overseas French territory of Polynesia.  After the attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, the US set up bases on the island to help prevent further Japanese moves.  The island has been used as the inspiration and locations for novels and films such as South Pacific, Hurricane and Mutiny on the Bounty.  A verdant interior peppered with ancient temples, stunning views from hilly vantage points and fascinating marine life.

Early morning sail-in through the coral reef surrounding the island of Bora Bora.  Weather rather cloudy, but temperatures already high.

View from the ship of Bora Bora

Vaitape village our tender port today, organised tours go first and independents wait for tickets for the tender.

We decided to forego our planned excursion to the beach today,  the strength of the sun, when it’s out, quite extreme and the humidity well north of pleasant and the day looks likely to remain cloudy. So, got on with some jobs until the crowds cleared and the tenders were quieter.  Then we went ashore for a look around the town, checked out the souvenir and craft shops, settled on a shave ice instead, we had missed out on a shave ice in Honolulu so glad to get one here.

Really not much here so back to ship for the afternoon, still cloudy.

Still rather cloudy at sailaway time, even so colours of the sea really quite good, most interesting seeing the classic south sea island with a high central mountain, a shallow lagoon surrounding and white breakers at the edge of the reef.

Tonight off to the theatre for the second show by “Hollywood and the Kings”,  one of the trio unwell so a reduced show, though very good anyway, the Cunard Singers and Dancers filled in for the other half, also very good.

Days 36, 37, 38 and 40 at Sea

Sunday 11th February to Wednesday 14th February

Sunday 11th

First of four days at sea on our way to the French Polynesian Islands.  The weather absolutely glorious, if anything too good, having to be very careful of the sun in these latitudes.

I’m glad to say there is very little to mention today coz the demands on our time are minimal, perfect!

Monday 12th

Another perfect day, only drawback is the lack of wildlife to spot, nothing but literally a couple of seabirds and a few flying fish.

Because of tomorrow’s other celebrations the pancake races are being held today instead.  Teams from the various departments of the crew running relay races whilst tossing pancakes, all very amusing for the watching passengers, but obviously taken very seriously by the participants.  Last years champions, the chefs, won again, there must be some advantage of having frying pans available for practice!

One of the winning team in action

Tonight went to the theatre for a show by “Hollywood and the Kings”.  A trio of singers performing jazz and swing numbers, including some more modern songs adjusted to a swing rhythm.  Very good and some nice harmonies.

Tuesday 13th

This morning, at 06.33 we crossed the equator to enter the southern hemisphere.  

Weather remains glorious, kept ourselves entertained until an early lunch of crepes, well it is Shrove Tuesday.

The afternoon’s frivolities was the crossing the equator ceremonies.  The court was held by the judge with King Neptune and his lovely (?) wife.

All those passengers, well those who wished to be involved, who had not previously crossed the equator, known as Pollywogs, were paraded around the pool and had to kiss the fish, a rather large salmon, yes a real one from the galley.  Those even more open to embarrassment were then ceremonially and liberally applied with multicoloured gunk and pasta before being plunged into the pool, they then became Shellbacks.

Members of the crew followed being even more liberally gunked and the last three senior crew came in for extra treatment with all the remaining gunk.

The Captain, though already a Shellback, joined in with several other senior officers for a ceremonial swim, and all this was to please and appease Neptune to allow us to pass into the Southern Oceans.

You wont be surprised to know we didn’t go for a swim today, the pool had gone a very strange colour, with floating bits!

Wednesday 14th, Valentines Day

Overcast and tropical showers today, looks like it’s just the edge of the tropical cyclone Gita.

Not much achieved again today, just a most enjoyable day of cruising the Pacific.

Formal night tonight and the Captain’s World Cruise Cocktail Party to follow.  An impressive collection of ice sculptures presented  amongst the delicious offerings on the buffet plus the beautifully iced and decorated World Cruise Cake, such a shame the cake is just a fake, I guess it wouldn’t last if it was real, hopefully a real one will appear before the end of the cruise.

One of the most appropriate ice carvings

Today our World Cruise gift for this segment arrived, a nice leather bound notebook for a cruise diary, perhaps a bit late?