Melbourne

Sunday, February 25

Another day at sea but this one in glorious sunshine and warm temperatures.- feels like we are in the Caribbean – which , come to think of it, we sort of are.. : ) We worked out in the morning, spent the entire afternoon at the pool, dressed for dinner (the second formal night), and hit the sack early – it’s good to do nothing and rest afterwards : )

Monday, Feb 26
Melbourne (pronounced Melbun)

Well, Can’t say we are impressed – a city is a city is a …
We took a shore excursion which was a big disappointment – Billed as a Yarra River boat tour and wine tasting, with a stop at a wildlife sanctuary and lunch. In actuality, they bussed us to the center of the city, where they put us on a boat (admittedly on the Yarra River), drove us up river about 20 minutes, then back down about twenty minutes with nothing to see except the city skyline and a lot of cranes and warehouses : (
Then back on the bus for an hour to a Healesville Sanctuary– a really OK place but doesn’t hold a candle to the wonderful “ Something Wild” in Hobart.
We then stopped at the nearby Rochford Winery where we had a really excellent lunch, Don tasted (and bought) some wines that he really liked, then another two hour bus ride back to the boat.
Word to the wise NEVER take a cruise excursion….. This tour, which sounded like a boat ride up a river to a winery was in reality a four hour bus ride – and not a very interesting one. Cost? $119.00 each !!

Oh, well………..
That said… we have had a brilliant time and seen and done so much. The people here are lovely – welcoming and friendly and happy. Everywhere we went in New Zealand, the ship was serenaded at arrival and departure by choirs, singing groups, bands, and pipers.

Tomorrow is our last day on the ship – another sea day. We will arrive in Sydney early Wednesday morning and are looking forward to being on terra firma again and seeing the DeFrancescos. We also are expecting to love Sydney. The Sapphire will be berthed at Quay Wharf right next to the Opera House. A city is a city is……. I know … but there is so much to see and do in and around Sydney and we will have Antonio as our guide. We plan a day in the Blue Mountains and one in the Hunter Valley, too – both within striking distance of the city.

Hobart, Tasmania

Feb 24 Saturday

We had a brilliant day today in Hobart. Tasmania is an Australian island state and the natural beauty of the place is stunning.

We had a wonderful driver and guide today. They were professional, knowledgeable and friendly.

We went first this morning to a large farm and sheep station. We saw a sheep shearing demonstration, toured the 750 acre farm, and had morning tea and sweetheart cake with the owners.

Next we went to Mount Field National Park and hiked ( a short hike) to Russell Falls, which were particularly active and beautiful today as we had a HUGE storm last night. I woke about 2:00 am (we were still traveling across the Tasman Sea to Hobart) to a huge lightning and thunder storm. When it thundered, the ship made it sound metallic and echoing, like banging a rain barrel !! Don slept through the whole thing.

The Falls are beautiful, in the midst of a cool temperate rainforest – so different from the Caribbean rainforest that we have seen before. Huge tall eucalypt trees and many other varieties of non deciduous trees and ferns the size of houses – absolutely gorgeous!

Next we visited a small wildlife sanctuary that rescues orphan animals – wallabies, wombats, and kangaroos. We also saw koalas (not indigenous, but sooo cute). We also saw a platypus but I am afraid that he photos are going to look like nothing. They are so much smaller than I thought and they swim fast and dive out of sight.

We have met some great people on the ship and off. Yesterday we played bridge with a couple of people, Erik from Winnipeg and Peggy from Wyoming. We have run into Peggy several times on the ship and really like her. She is a retired nurse. We also have befriended a couple, Frank and Mary. Mary has suffered a stroke and Frank some sort of serious injury that has left him with a rough limp and using a cane. Mary needs to use a walker. But nothing stops them from experiencing everything. We run into them everywhere- shopping, touring, eating, at shows.

Today’s drive, David lives in the midlands but owns the tour bus company that we used today. Born and bred here, he is a delightful man, full of information and happy to share it. Sheila, our guide, today, lives on a small farm in the mountains.

Milford Sound and 2 days at sea

Milford Sound….

The ship sailed about four km up through the sound (which is 14 km long). The sun made an appearance and the place has an unearthly beauty. Mountains and mist and waterfalls and no sign of human invasion - truly one of the last wild places.

February 22, 23 asea
Lazy days aboard the ship. It is unfortunately quite cold and drizzly and misty so no sunbathing or swimming – but we still are using the hot tub and enjoy the spa.

We walked two miles in the morning on the promenade deck – three times around = 1 mile. The seas are rather wavy but the ship is pretty stable, Don says because we are traveling with the wind. Don went back up to the gym in the afternoon but I took a nap and watched a movie.

We went to play bridge today, too and had a nice game. We played social bridge because they had filled the duplicate tables when we arrived. We will try again on Sunday. Sunday is another day at sea. We will arrive in Melbourne on Monday morning.

We are trying really hard to be careful eating but it is difficult. If you go to get a cup of tea or coffee, you are tempted with so many goodies –cakes, scones, guacamole and salsa, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, fruit etc. etc. etc. I am going to be living at Curves when I get home………

Dusky Sound Fiordland

Wednesday, Feb 21

Pouring rain, grey, misty, cold and sooo windy. We were in Dusky Sound this morning and in Thompson Sound this afternoon. This evening we will arrive in Milford Sound. Despite the weather, I have braved the elements for a few photos – it is all very Ansel Adams. It is a very beautiful place, even in the rain. Just a little light or sun would make the photos so awesome – still hoping…

Dunedin

Tuesday February 20
Off we went this morning to Dunedin and a visit to marine research center / aquarium associated with Osago University. We continued from there to a guided tour of a wild and gorgeous area where we saw fur seals and sea lions. Then we went on to an area called Penguin Beach. We rode on 8 wheel drive Argo vehicles to get to these remote areas. Great Fun !

We could only get within several hundred yards of the beach but saw a hald a dozen yellow-eyed penguins on the beach. These penguins are among the rarest and most endangered species on the planet – more rare than the white rhino. They exist only in Southern New Zealand and number only in the hundreds. We spent three hours on a bus today : ( - yes I complained mightily) but it was worth it in the end to have the privilege to have seen these beautiful creatures.

Back to the ship for tea and scones… (hee hee hee), hot tub and ready for dinner – at Sabitini’s again tonight.

The next two days we will be sailing through the area known as the Fiordlands and up Milford Sound. I am hoping for lots of good photo ops.

Christchurch

Sunday, Feb 18
Today was all relaxing. We worked out in the morning, and then swam, tubbed, sat on the deck and read. Tonight was a formal night. We had dinner at the Steakhouse and had our photo taken.


Monday February 19

Baby Sis Christine’s birthday Have a happy, Chris !!

This morning we arrived in Lyttelton, the port gateway to Christchurch. My friend Joanna from LaTavola (my Italian group) in Colorado Springs met us first thing this morning and drove us around and to visit her family in Christchurch.

Joanna is a professional bicyclist, racing this year for a Swiss team. She spent the last two years racing in Italy. She was home in Christchurch after being married in January and honeymooning in Figi. She was leaving today for training and a race in Melbourne but found the time to meet us and show us around. She drove us around the area to many “photo op” sites. Everyplace here is a photo op, actually. It is a very beautiful place. We went then to her home in Christchurch, and met her dad and brother. The family own and operate a family farm and have a fruit and vegetable market. They offered us some of their beautiful produce to take along but we are not allowed to take anything onor off the ship. After a fun morning of driving, having coffee, and seeing wedding photos, Jo dropped us off in the Center City. We spent the afternoon wandering around this vibrant, beautiful, and fun city – a bigger city than I had expected. We had lunch, visited the local Arts Center, and rode a punt through the town on the River Avon. The we grabbed a city bus for the short ride back to the ship. We got back to the ship just in time for tea and scones… : )
We worked out and tubbed and now are getting ready to eat (again)
Tonight we ate at the Steakhouse – not up to par. ?We just still love Sabatini’s so we’l make some reservations tomorrow.
Tomorrow Dunedin.

Tauranga

Feb 17

Another pretty day dawned as we drew near to Tauranga, on the North Island. We worked out in the morning, had a late breakfast and headed out to Tauranga to climb Mount Maungonui. For a girl who hasn’t had any exercise for six weeks it was plenty of work but worth it. Gorgeous views all around from the top. Afterwards we walked along the beach and then returned to the ship. Dinner tonight was pretty ordinary after Sabitini’s last night. : (
Tomorrow is day at sea and we are looking forward to working out in the morning and relaxing by the pool in the afternoon. Tomorrow night is the first of two formal dining nights.

Auckland Day 2 & to the ship

Friday Feb 16
We awoke this morning to light rain and chilly temps. The day turned out to be pleasant with a few light showers. We packed and organized ourselves, checked our luggage, checked out of the hotel and headed for Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Adventure and Sea World. We were uncertain about his choice as the reviews online are mixed. But the rain mad some other choices not so attractive so we decided to try it.

We loved it. It was the vision of one ocean and animal loving man. Kelly Tarlton started with an abandoned wastewater plant and created two aquariums (one for sharks and one for everything else), with a moving walkway in an acrylic tunnel under and through each. Also included is a snowcat ride through the Antarctic Encounter, where we saw an authentic penguin habitat – so authentic that the penguins actually reproduced there.

Elsewhere, there is a stingray pool and a life-size model of Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic camp from 1910.

We spent about a couple of hours there and when we emerged, the weather had cleared so we went for walk out onto the bay on a long pier. Extremely windy but beautiful.

Back in the city, we gathered our stuff and headed for the ship. The entire boarding process was quick and easy, even with the security requirements that we had not encountered before on previous cruises (our last was pre-911).

The Sapphire Princess is a beautiful vessel. Almost identical in layout to the Dawn Princess that we sailed many years ago with the Brady’s. But bigger – more passengers.

We have a nice stateroom on the Lido (14th) deck with a balcony. I have not felt very well today so I took a nap while Don scoped out the ship.

This evening, we ate at Sabitini’s – a really nice Italian restaurant. The food was delicious and beautifully served. You choose soup or salad and entrée. Then they start you out with antipasti, first hot, then cold. It is reminiscent of a favorite restaurant in Rome, Orson 80! First we had lettuce, marinated artichoke hearts, and for Don, prosciutto and some kind of dried beef. Then came, marinated olives and mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, anchovies, chunks of parmesano-reggiano. Calamari e zucchini fritti followed with fried little crabs puffs with a remoulade sauce. There was also a little ricotta torte - sort of a cross between a crème brulee and a cheese cake, warm, with a savory seasoning. Awesome! All accompanied, of course by lovely breads and wine for Don. By now, I was stuffed ! Then they served our chosen soup/salad.
Don had an insalata mista and I had a tomato soup garnished with grilled shrimps. We neither of us very much liked these selections and since we were already losing our appetite, they were not worth eating.

Next arrived the pasta course. Hand made tagliatelle cooked in a light mushroom broth – gorgeous ! and also some perfect little baby ravioli filled with ricotta and served on a while cream sauce seasoned with herbs. Lovely.

Next came the entrée. Don had a lamb chop that he loved. I had a lobster tail and pumpkin risotto garnished with pumpkin seeds – delicious – different.

The table was cleared and when the waiter came to take our dessert order, he placed a plate of biscotti on the table. I ordered a fruit tart thing and Don had a coffee crème brulee (which was FABULOUS!) I was sooooo full by now, I ate a few berries off my tart and drank my coffee.

We chatted with a British couple at the next able for awhile. They have been on the North Island for a week and are so enamored of it that they looked at real estate and are thinking of maybe retiring here ! Yikes ! They have no children and grandchildren so I guess that could be option – not for me.

Back to our room and straight to bed for us. More drugs for me. I woke around 6:00 and considered for half a second heading for the gym, but then sat down to journal. I am committed to working out every day. The food is too darn good – I could easily gain ten pounds! We toured the fitness center yesterday and it is a really nice facility. Plus there is running track and a promenade deck to walk.

We will be entering the harbor at Tauranga momentarily. Don and I are still deciding what to do today – so many choices…

First, though breakfast…… : )

Thursday, Feb 15

A glorious summer today – 23 degrees C (73.4 F) (I love the internet !)

Don went on his ride on the 1995 America’s Cup Boat NZL40. He loved it.

We had a nice lunch at a cute little place on the Harbour. The sea food here is unbelievable. And tonight we are going to have Thai.

While Don sailed, I shopped for a few items because I didn’t pack as well as I could have. Am also having some laptop issues and may have to buy a laptop (definitely NOT in the budget !!)

Don bought Irish whiskey for $20. ($40. at home) but paid $20. for vermouth that would have cost $ 5 at home –oh well, he has his evening manhattan makins and he’s happy. Had to beg ice from the bartender though – no ice machine in the hotel for guests – Don told him I had a sprained ankle – ha ha !!

We headed back to the hotel to drop off a few things and change clothes. The plan was to climb the Sky Tower. But we hit the room and Don immediately went to sleep. So we chilled for a while and now are headed out to dinner – We’ll see the Tower first thing tomorrow.

Lamb is on all the menus here and Don loves lamb – roast lamb, butterflied lamb, lamb chops, etc. The only thing on the menus here is lamb rump. He doesn’t like the sound of it so hasn’t ordered it yet. Hee Hee all sound horrible to me. I didn’t eat lamb even when I ate meat. I never cook it (I absolutely cannot stand the smell of it) so he always orders it out when he can.

Tonight we ate at a fabulous Thai restaurant - Wangthai The food in Auckland has been consistently excellent. This restaurant is the only one where the service was good too.

Tomorrow we are doing city sights and then go to the ship at around 4:00. The Queen Mary 2 is arriving here on Saturday . We will miss her – too bad. Largest ship ever to dock in Auckland harbour.

Heard today from Karen that it is 19 degrees and snowing - again - in the Springs.
This is better...... : )

Feb 12 - 14

An inauspicious beginning to our journey was a two hour flight delay out of Denver. So the four hour layover in LA proved to be a good thing.

The 14 hour flight to Sydney was pleasant, comfortable and uneventful. We both slept well for several hours – well, OK – I took drugs, but whatever…

We landed in Sydney with anther four hours layover which we pretty much used up chasing our luggage around. It didn’t get routed to Auckland so we needed to find it and check back in - sounds easier than it was actually - took us two hours. People are really nice here, though – friendly and helpful.

Next was a three hour flight to Auckland and back two tiem zones. We arrived at rush hour in Auckland – took us an hour and $100 NZ (70 ish US) to get to the hotel from the airport.

Now we have had a shower and a brief rest and are headed out to look around the town a little before dark and then go to dinner.

We ended up at a nice place called the Harborside – great food but service a little slow and we are sooo tired.

We got to our room and fell into bed – the mattress is about as tired as I am. The pillow broke Don’s fall. I lay here a few minutes and decided to write a while.

First impression – pretty harbor – but you know, a city is a city is a city and this one is pretty much a tourist trap. Tomorrow Don is going to go sailing on an America’s Cup sailing ship. I am going to tramp around the harbor and take photos.