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Mariner Review II
Our ports of call were Eden, AU; Hobart; Port Chalmers, NA; Picton, NZ;
Christchurch, NZ; Wellngton, NZ; Napier, NZ; Tauranga, NZ and Auckland where we disembarked. In every case except Eden we were pierside. Eden saw us tendered in over glassy smooth bay waters. We took excursions in every port but Auckland. No matter where you go the countryside is beautiful. It is early Spring there and everything is lush. We decided that every Kiwi is a gardener - never saw so many roses in my life. Vineyard fence lines were lined with roses and the support posts at the end of vine rows had roses growing on them. We learned that he roses served two purposes, beautification and as an early warning system for any fungus which could hurt the vines. The fungus would attack the roses first thus giving the vintner time to protect his vines. Clever. Each of our excursions was memorable in its own way. The Taieri (pronounced Tyree) Gorge Railway, for example, starts at sea level in Christchurch and follows the river up to an elevation of around 1,800 feet. As you rise you are looking further and further down to the river, probably about 300' down by the time we hit the turnaround point. At the turnaround point several locals offer their home made crafts and items, most of excellent quality and at reasonable prices. We made a couple of purchases for our son and dil there. The railway is run by volunteers. We had two gentlemen in our car explaining what we were seeing and serving coffee, tea, beer, wine and sandwiches. Both were entertaining. In Wellington we were bussed through the city with stops at places of interest - the museum is fabulous - then through the countryside with miles of vineyards on either side and ended up in a remote little cove where a catamaran picked us up and gave us a water view tour of the sound and harbor. The catamaran skipper nosed it right into the shore at several spots so we could get a closeup look at the flora. In the crystal clear water we could see mussels by the thousands. We were dropped off about two blocks from the ship and walked back in a horizontal rain. On that excursion we had all four seasons in one day. In Tauranga we took the Rotorua - Geysers & Maori Culture excursion. I wasn't sure what to expect on this one and almost cancelled but didn't. It turned out to be one of the best days of the cruise. A 90 minute drive through beautiful countryside - did you know that Kiwi fruit trees are trained on wires just like grapes are - took us to Rainbow Park, a nature preserve, for an hourlong visit. Then a short drive to a gondola car station where we boarded gondolas destined for an elegant brunch atop the mountain. After brunch we were entertained by a troop of Maori singers and dancers - very, very good singers - love their harmonies. Then it was on to the Maori Cultural Site and geysers for a couple of hours. I was sort of expecting a tourist trap type thing; it was anything but that. The Maori are serious about protecting and preserving their culture and history and it shows at the site although it has, of course, the obligatory gift shop at the exit. Good stuff there but pricey. Picture Yellowstone NP squeezed into a smaller space and you get and idea of the geysers and hot springs area. They also had the biggest rainbow trout I've ever seen! They are free ranging fish coming in and out of Lake Rotorua. On the way back to the ship we passed a couple of well groomed golf courses with kangaroos and wallabies hopping around all over them. Gail and I decided that if we could go back to NZ for an extended visit we would go to Rotorua and rent a cottage there for a couple of weeks and hire a car and driver to take us around as we desired. No way am I getting behind the wheel of a right hand drive automobile and learn to drive on the left side of the road. |
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Mariner Review II
On Dec 5, 9:47*am, (Kenn Smith) wrote:
Our ports of call were Eden, AU; Hobart; Port Chalmers, NA; Picton, NZ; Christchurch, NZ; Wellngton, NZ; Napier, NZ; Tauranga, NZ and Auckland where we disembarked. *In every case except Eden we were pierside. *Eden saw us tendered in over glassy smooth bay waters. *We took excursions in every port but Auckland. Hi, neighbor, We got home last night, so I am just now reading about your trip--it sounds like you had a wonderful time! I have enjoyed reading every word. Thanks for all of the details about both shipboard life and the ports. Your vivid descriptions certainly whet the travel appetite. And the bonus sailboat rescue tale was fascinating! So, how do you feel about cruising now? Diana Ball Austin, TX |
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Mariner Review IIDiana
How do I feel about cruising now? Well, I emailed my TA and told her
she was fired! She turned my hesitant wife into cruising junkie. How is one supposed to deal with that? We're looking at next cruise options now. It might be a short o Carib one or a longer Med one - Regent has a good looking 10 day Med in September which hits several ports I hit while teaching classes aboard USN ships. |
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Mariner Review IIDiana
On Dec 7, 3:11*pm, (Kenn Smith) wrote:
How do I feel about cruising now? *Well, I emailed my TA and told her she was fired! She turned my hesitant wife into cruising junkie. *How is one supposed to deal with that? We're looking at next cruise options now. *It might be a short o Carib one or a longer Med one - Regent has a good looking 10 day Med in September which hits several ports I hit while teaching classes aboard USN ships. You are in trouble now! I'm betting you'll book that 10-day Med, and then between now and then, when you least expect it, a deal too good to pass up will come along...and just like that, you'll be at sea again! Diana |
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