Deedeelynn

Day 6 - Napier
Our progress so far...

Our first glimpse of the port.

Napier is a fairly technical port to sail into and it requires the use of tugs to complete the maneuver into the pier.  That little sliver of water to the left in this photo is where we need to navigate but the aft has to go in first.

It's like backing into an "F" where the ship will dock at the horizontal top of the "F".  The sharp turn requires the use of tugs. 

This is a shuttle port.  The port is industrial and meant for cargo ships so it's not a port you can walk off the ship and into town.  Free shuttle buses are used to go through the secure port area to reach town.  Like with tenders, tickets are used to manage crowds.  
Since I had a Royal excursion we met in the theater and left as a group not requiring a shuttle ticket.

You are truly a class act, @twangster. You are so appreciated, and not just for the amazing photos.

After a bite to eat it was back outside for sunset.


The moon was particularly bright tonight.

Back to the Tauranga port area we had a little bit of time to wander around the nearby beach.
Since it was Waitangi Day there were lots of people enjoying the beautiful day.


Jumping off piers and docks must be a New Zealand thing as it was popular here as well.

With a lot of walking over the past week my feet were sore so back to the ship.


Looking back down the entrance we came in.



Soon enough it was sail away time.




This was a really enjoyable stop with so much to do.

Our last stop was at a Redwood Grove.

Redwoods were imported roughly 100 years ago from California.  

The other species our driver wanted to show us were the Silver Ferns.   This type of fern is only found in New Zealand.  The Silver Fern is a symbol of national identity to New Zealanders and there are even some sports teams that use the name.


The Silver Ferns can grow quite tall as ferns go.






It's a popular spot and they have set up an elevated course through a section of the trees that carries an additional charge.

Lunch at a local hotel that had a central courtyard and garden with a restaurant.  I didn't take pictures at lunch as I was seated with a family from Australia and it seemed rude taking pictures with them in it.  Suffice it to say we all agreed it was a pretty good lunch.
After lunch we drove over to the Government Gardens.  


The main building is closed due to damage from earthquakes.





One of the first hot springs of Rotorua.


That's 212°F.

Back into the van for the drive to our next stop.

Then we were brought to an outdoor theater for some Māori cultural presentations.

One event was involved singing and throwing sticks with the goal of no stick hitting the ground.

Songs and dances were a way to remember and pass down items of cultural significance which ranged from love songs to war dances.









All very well done and well received by the crowds.

We were led to a viewing platform for two geysers, a small one on the left and a bigger one on the right.   



In places everywhere you look there is steam coming from the ground.

This small pool of water is at or near 100°C or 212°F.  It's bubbling like a pot of water on a cooktop. 





The geysers from a different view platform.

After leaving the farm we drove for an hour or so to the Rotorua area.  The entire Rotorua area is within the collapsed dome of a volcano.  This includes a recreational freshwater lake and the town.  It also includes a Māori living community where we went next.
This is home to many people who open it up to run tours during the day.

Known in short as Whaka the proper and full name is presented below on a sign.  

An old tradition will see children swimming and diving for money thrown by visitors from the bridge. 

Our guides tells us he used to do that as a child but now he has other duties to fulfil around the community including being a guide for tours.

Everywhere around us steam is coming out of the ground.

In some spots they've built a box on top of these natural steam vents that are used for cooking.




This one natural thermal pool is around 80° or 90°C so it's way too warm to swim in but works great for cooking corn very quickly.


The water is constantly bubbling being fed from underground sources that heat the water.


Since this is a living community we see a number of homes like this one which are naturally heated in the winter months.

We were offered some freshly cooked corn on the cob to sample.

Our driver toured us around town a little before getting on a highway and heading away from town.  Eventually we made our way through Kiwifruit Country.  
On each side of the road were tall natural barriers separated each parcel of farmland.

We had arrived in the land of Kiwi!






Samples of the Golden Kiwi (left) and the popular Green kiwi (right).

The store featured endless products made from kiwi.  Jams and chocolates to just about anything you can put fruit in was available including kiwi ice cream.  Yum.



Restrooms were also available.

My excursion today is booked through a 3rd party.  We were directed to meet outside the port exit.
There is a short walk down the pier to the exit.

Maps were handed out for anyone who wants to self explore.


The port entrance.

Immediately in front of the port entrance was a crowd of 3rd party vendors meeting their guests with sign boards.

My excursion today is the Deluxe Rotorua Geothermal Valley Geishers, Redwood Forest and lunch.  We were presented a menu to pick from and pre-order.

Kids menu:

Our driver had arrived early to secure a great parking spot right in front of the port entrance. 

Day 5 - Tauranga
Our beautiful weather continues for our day in Tauranga.





Today is February 6 which makes it Waitangi Day in New Zealand, a national day of celebration. 

The North Star Bar is a secret gem at dusk.  It's seems so few people are present when the sky offers some of the best views of the day.



A movie was playing on the outdoor pool TV screen.

I didn't think there was going to be much of a sunset but then in that space between the sky and the sea a hole opened up and the sun presented itself in the gap.


I spotted a small boat returning to land.




It's always pretty special watching the day end this way and tonight's wrap of our first day in New Zealand was no exception.  

For reference here is the tender dock:

Back on board I hopped in the shower and enjoyed a beer on my balcony while the remaining hour wasted away before our departure..

The sail out is very pretty.


Up to the North Star Bar to watch us depart the area.


North Star was running.



It's a beautiful coastline.

Also known as a Waka.
Glad you had a Great day at the Bay of Islands. It is a beautiful place.
When we were there on Radiance we had a pod of dolphins swimming around the ship while she was anchored.

Many of my fellow lunch cruise guests immediately went back onto a tender.  I chose to walk the 25 minutes to that little town we passed by.  The free shuttle buses were nice looking, plentiful and waiting but I wanted to stretch my legs.  

Bridge jumping was a popular local youth activity today.


It's a very beautiful area.




This small park had many local artisans with booths set up.  I must confess I flexed my credit card a couple of times.   It's always nice when you can meet the artist that actually created an item and so I supported the local arts community on this day.  

With my backpack full of memories that will bring this day back to me it was getting quite warm so I hopped on a free shuttle bus back to the tender dock.

Approaching the end we passed by a nearby town that is a free shuttle bus ride from the tender dock.


The preparations for the Waitangi Day festivities were continuing.

A Māori longboat.

 

Back on the boat we continued down into the bay.  
Remember that rock formation from my earlier pictures?

Darryl explained there are 140 islands in the region.  To qualify as an island there must be something like 130 sq. meters of vegetation.  
It was getting to be that time...

Lunch preparations continued as we boated around sailboats and around some of the bays in the area.

The panoramic nature of this boat lended itself to the scenery. 

Lunch on the barbie.  Or is that only an Aussie thing? 

New Zealand Venison, medium rare.  Cooked to order so if you prefer charcoal they were willing to cook it that way. 

Salad and other fixings.  Beer and wine was around $7.50 NZD per glass or ~$5 USD at the moment.    They ran a tab and collected payment at the end.  I didn't have any NZD cash so just used my credit card that doesn't incur any foreign transaction fees.  A beer and a glass of wine came to just under $10 USD.

Picture intensive post.  
Mid-thread reminder...  please don't quote pictures.  Thanks!
We stopped in a quaint little village called Russell.  In the days of whaling Russell was known for two things.  Bars and brothels.  It's come a long way since then... 








Interesting note for pedestrians, the cars don't stop.  Fortunately there aren't very many.  Cars that is.







An hour was plenty of time to explore from one end of the beach to the other.  Russel is a pretty little area that is popular.

Our skipper Darryl introduced himself and the crew took turns introducing themselves.

Ovation in the distance as we boated across the bay.

Darryl called out the menu and we were given the choice of three mains.  New Zealand Venison, Lamb or Fish.  With orders taken the crew begins to season our lunch that we'll eat after our first stop.

This is our only tender port and they started giving out tender tickets just before the first tenders started.  The expectation for tenders is that you are ready to go when you collect your tickets.  Tickets were handed out near Vintages then guests were asked to wait until the ticket number were called. 
New Zealand is particularly strict about bringing food or beverages to shore.  Only commercially bottled water is allowed and there was a sniffer dog on the shore to inspect us.
Since I had booked a Royal excursion I didn't need a tender ticket, instead tours met in the Royal Theater and we were escorted down to a tender.
Quantum class of which Ovation is a member carry eight lifeboats that are designed to also function as tenders.  They are very comfortable and the Ovation crew has this down to a science as the largest cruise ship tender in operation. 
Two tenders before our group are just about to make it to shore.

The ride is about 10-12 minutes and we had a full size dolphin playing in the waves of our wake.  I didn't manage to get a picture of the dolphin but it was quite something to see up close just a few feet away.

Upon arrival to the dock a group of dignitaries greeted us.  Actually they weren't there for us but in honor of Waitangi Day festivities.  This national holiday is actually tomorrow but like any independence day like celebration events occurs over several days. 
This day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Waitangi treaty that is a founding document for New Zealand.

My excursion boarded another boat for a Bay of Islands lunch cruise.

Day 4 - Bay of Islands
Our first glimpse of New Zealand occurred just before the sun broke as we neared our first stop on this cruise.



Later today this is an area my excursion would be exploring.



First some breakfast...

Day 3 - continued
Conditions cleared up throughout the day and finally we were sailing under much nicer conditions as we crossed the top of the Tasman Sea.

While in the solarium I was surprised to see it empty at 8:15am on a sea day.  I think the time change last night escaped some people.  Regardless, I took advantage of the opportunity to grab some pictures. 
The Quantum class solarium is the nicest in the fleet and with the indoor family pool area it truly can be adult only.  Very similar to Anthem but different in subtle ways.

Cabin tour
Standard balcony cabin, port side, deck 9.
I've come to really appreciate the Quantum class balcony cabins.  Plenty of storage and great bathroom layout.  These are probably my favorite standard balcony cabins across the fleet.


The TV hinges outward for viewing from the sofa.

Desk power includes two 110v North American outlets, 2 USB outlets and a 220v Euro power port.

Bedside there is one 110v North American outlet.

It's not every day your balcony view has the Sydney Opera House perfectly framed.

I waited until we were at sea to take some balcony photos.


The view down:

This cabin is aft of the midship elevators on the indented sections.  The view forward:

The view aft.

Not bad at all.