Thursday, February 10, 2011

Tauranga, New Zealand – to Christchurch

Day 34 at Sea; February 8, 2011

Tauranga is located in the western part of the Bay of Plenty and is an absolutely wonderful island.  One entire side—the ocean side is a surf beach—lovely cream-colored sand with shells.  I wish we could have stayed longer, but for the next few ports, it’s in and out the same day.  Maunganui is a Maori phrase meaning big hill and Mt. Maunganui is a large hill—an extinct volcano.   They’d had slides recently, so it was closed to the public.   

The shuttle took us into a nice downtown area with a lot of shops.  However, the prices are fairly steep.  There are a lot of little clothing shops featuring garments made by the designers.  Interesting.  Most things were not exactly tailored for my shape and style.  Naturally, I stopped at a Starbucks for my venti mocha frapaccino light. J 

The island is known for its Kiwi (bird and fruit). They also have items made out of Merino wool. 


Next Stop Napier
Day 35 at sea; February 9, 2011

Thin Art Deco. Napier is located in Hawk’s Bay; it’s a tourist town with lovely parks and shopping.  An earthquake not only leveled it back in 1931, it raised some 40 square km of land from below sea level. There are many art deco buildings that have been restored and renewed.  Wine is one of New Zealand’s most popular exports and some of their wines are considered the best in the world. The earthquake also took away their sandy beaches and left black rock.  Well, I suppose you can’t have it all.

Napier is compared to South Beach, Miami, Florida as two best art deco towns in the world.  The town was named for Sir Charles Napier, a British war hero.

Welcome to Wellington
Day 36 at sea; February 10, 2011

Oh, my, what a gorgeous town. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand.  It is the southernmost capital city in the world.  It’s known as windy Wellington and today was no different, but we were blessed with unseasonably warm weather—it was perfect.  The city has more hills than San Francisco.  Many of the homes build on the side of the hills have their own cable cars to transport then from the lower roads. 

I went on tour after lunch.   We drove along the waterfront and then made out way up to the highest point in Wellington and had a great panoramic view.  Had to climb several flights to the top, but well worth it. We went by one of the sites where Lord of the Rings was filmed.  Fascinating.

We then took a cable car from downtown up a very steep him to the botanical gardens.  Wish we’d had more time there, but the bus met us at the top and we went into the gardens to the Rose gardens and Begonia house.  Gorgeous.  Probably as spectacular as our Portland Rose Gardens, but the begonia house was awesome.  I bought a 6 ounce coke for $4.00  ($2.80) our money.  

Wellington is one place I’d like to spend more time exploring.  Our bus got us back to the pier four minutes before we had to be back aboard.  I changed for dinner and managed to get to the dining room just in time.  Gotta eat.

The Amazing Christchurch, New Zealand
Day 37; February 11, 2011

We docked in Lyttelton.  Ron had a tour today to the Antarctic  Expedition.  They had a fantastic trip (virtual) to Antarctica and even felt the water from the penguins shaking off the water.  They created wind and fog and snow and weather about like my family experience in North Dakota, but not as cold.

I took the 30 minute shuttle into town to Cathedral Square.  Every city should have one of these. The cathedral is very old and very beautiful.  The Avon River runs through the town and there are a number of lovely parks and walks. I went to the art museum and the art center with all New Zealand artists.  There was even a quilt shop. J  I totally enjoyed the outing.

It’s definitely getting colder.  The topography has changed a lot—sort of like traveling from Portland/Vancouver to The Dalles.  Here in Christchurch it’s been in the 60s with a rather cool wind.  I’m on Lido deck having to use a blanket.

Tomorrow we head further south to the southernmost part of New Zealand to Stewart Island and Oben at Halfmoon Bay.  It will be like the temp in Alaska.  I may stay on the boat.  J 

No comments: