Down Under - Day Seventeen, Saturday, February 22, 2014 - Tasman Sea (Second Day)

Day 2 of cruising'.

It's a little tough to come up with something to write about during our days at sea, but I'll give it a go.

Trying to sleep last night was quite interesting.  The gentle hypnotic feel of the boat's rocking was replaced with a weightless feel as the ship dropped into trough after trough and then the G force of her rise to the top of the swells kept me awake most of the night.  We're on the 7th floor of this ship and the waves were crashing over the balcony.  Not exactly "Rock a bye Baby" time.  More like some kind of macabre punk rock lullaby.  

Molly and Carroll practice their moves.

Dymetre doesn't have much to work with, but he tries.

Waltz class was so much fun.  I'm sure I looked every bit as graceful as Annabelle and Dymetre as I glided across the dance floor.  I'm talking "Dancing With The Starts" quality here, folks.  Molly took a video of Dymetre and I as we danced the Waltz together.  Wish I could figure out how to download a video to this blog.  I'll work on that.  In the meantime, please close your eyes and envision the 




grace, the poise, the style, the anguished scream as I stepped on Dymetre's toes!  

Poor Dymetre!  

We were handicapped by the movement of the ship.  Poor Dymetre's feet will never be the same.  Shortly after our dance, he changed into reinforced toe shoes.  I must have been tough on the poor kid.  

After lunch, I retired to my suite for a much needed nap. The seas have not calmed.  If anything, they are more fierce this afternoon.  One more day of this and we reach Melbourne.   The restaurants on board are quite empty.   It's comical to watch people walk down the halls, we all zig and zag together as if a well choreographed dance, bouncing off the walls in perfect uniformity.  As one woman said, "It's a wall banger day."

I'm not gonna lie to you.  Time doesn't exactly fly when at sea ... especially rough seas.  But dinner time arrived soon enough.  Traditionally, ladies are escorted to their tables.  Our table was so close to the maitre'd station that Carlos decided to escort me all the way around the main salon.  Since I'm so shy, I was frozen with fear.

So shy!  I make the rounds through the restaurant before being seated.

We had a lovely dinner at the main restaurant tonight.   We finally caught up with Melissa, a girl from Christchurch that I met on the first evening's sail away party.   Ironically, today is the third anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Christchurch.
 

Melissa, Molly, Carroll, Stevie and Julie 

Melissa is loads of fun and has offered lots of helpful information about our next port - Melbourne.  Paddy joined our table for dessert and then on to the show afterwards. 

 

Our new friend Meredith in the center.  

The kids performed a medley of songs from the 60's.  Meredith, our dinner host the first night on board, was fabulous tonight.  She is incredibly talented and so sweet.  

The seas are very rough tonight, which will make for a difficult sleep, but I'm wrapped up in my blankets with pillows on either side to keep from rolling off the bed.  Lots of swells from the side of the ship tonight.  So it's kind of like being on SheiKra, the roller coaster at Busch Gardens.  Cheerio!  

Down Under - Day Sixteen, Friday, February 21, 2014 - Tasman Sea

Cruisin'.

We're at sea today for the first of three days.  Seas are relatively calm on our way to Melbourne.  I have a multitude of activities to choose from to entertain me today.  Think I'll head on down to the ChaCha Dance Class.  More later, folks.

ChaCha class was so much fun.  I think I have it down, but need lots of practice.  Tomorrow is the Waltz.   Wish I had my Waltz dress.

After ChaCha class, I had some free time to catch a few rays.  Unfortunately the breeze on the deck was so chilly, I didn't last long.  I had a spa appointment for a massage and facial anyway.  The massage was world class.   And the facial was incredible, too.  First thing I did was book another massage.  

OK, so the waters were relatively calm this morning.  The Tasman is making up for it this afternoon and evening.  We're sailing in 10 foot seas right now.  Waves are crashing over the bow and this is not a baby boat.  We're not looking at white caps here, folks.  There is an endless barrage of waves slamming into us.  I still feel ok.  The champagne must be working.  Just ordered another bottle. Strictly for medicinal purposes, of course.  And I'm still looking forward to dinner ... so I must be just fine.  But I don't think Stevie is feeling all that great.  We just got some sea sickness medicine from the staff.  She took a  couple of pills and she's out like a light. Hopefully, tomorrow, she'll feel better.  She was certainly missed at dinner tonight.  

Cecile "Paddy" Millar and Julie at dinner.

Paddy joined Carol, Molly and I and entertained us with more of his fascinating stories.  He's such a charming man.  If I were 20 years older, and 10 inches shorter, I'd be after him like all the other widows in the down under and on this ship.

Molly finishes her chocolate from her Orange Sorbet Dessert

I've really enjoyed meeting and getting to know Carroll and Molly from Houston.  Carroll is a Chevy dealer in Houston.  Molly, a former Judge is now a funeral home director.  Just loads of laughs and more personality than one can imagine.  Like me, Molly loves chocolate.  

Down Under - Day Fifteen, Thursday, February 20, 2014 -Milford Sound, NZ

We have arrived at Milford Sound.  Stevie and I visited Milford Sound last week when we took a helicopter from Queenstown to the glacier and then landed here.  We'll have a different perspective of it today.  

Champagne and Caviar.  Perfect breakfast combo.

We invited some of the folks we've met on board to our suite for a cruising party this morning at 9:00 a.m..  Champagne, Caviar, Bloody Marys, cheeses, danish, etc.  Just the things one needs to have a successful cruising party.  Particularly when Seabourn is buying!!

Carol, Stevie, Bob, Ellen, Molly, Carroll, Ray, Joan and Julie enjoy the Milford Sound Cruise.

So the "breakfast drinking" began at 9:00 this morning.

The fiord cruise did not disappoint.  It was stunning.  Low lying clouds added to the mystique of the mountains rising out of the sea.  No question why Peter Jackson chose this area for his movie, Lord of the Rings.  

We cruised the Sound for a couple of hours and now we've set sail across the Tasman Sea toward Melbourne.  We'll be at sea for three days. 

A nasty storm is brewing in the southeast coming up from Antarctica so we're heading a little north to avoid rough seas.  The Tasman Sea's claim to fame - it's the roughest water on the planet ... on a good day.  

So, I'm grateful Captain David Bathgate is re-routing to Melbourne.  However, just in case,  our new friend, Ellen has shared some sea sickness prevention techniques.  She says to drink something sweet with bubbles and alcohol.  I'm no genius, but that sounds like Champagne to me.  Now I don't usually have a problem with sea sickness, but just in case ... I think I'll heed her advice.  I'm having another glass as I write.   I'll let you know how it works.  

Captain Bathgate waves in appreciation for my help.

The bridge overlooks part of our balcony.  so from time to time, when I feel like he needs a little help, I point the Captain in the right direction.  I know he appreciates the help, especially in those tight parallel parking spots.  

An afternoon of lounging poolside was exhausting.  So I'm heading back to the room for a short nap before dinner.

We had a lovely dinner tonight with Carol and Molly as well as Ellen and Bob in the Restaurant 2.  This is the only restaurant on the ship that requires a reservation.  It's quite nice.  Very cozy and elegant.  We had a very stimulating conversation ... mostly from Bob and Ellen.  Ellen shared her story of how she met her husband, Bob, through a professional match maker in California for a tidy sum of $50,000.00.  So for those of us who think money can't buy love ... well I guess we just don't know where to shop.  Ellen made it sound rather straightforward.  Ok folks!  Number one, I'd rather have the cash!!   And number two, after having met her husband, I'd ask for a refund!!  Actually, Bob is a very nice man, but I would expect a lot more for $50,000.00.  I guess some people have more dollars than sense.  Just sayin'.  

Nite nite.

Down Under, Day Fourteen - Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - Steward Island, New Zealand

Riding the Tender to Town

Seabourn Tender

Not much to report today.  It's cloudy and cool here in New Zealand.  Stevie and I took the tender to shore for a power walk to check out Half Moon Bay.  There is not much here.   Just a sleepy little fishing village,  BUT, they have the most spectacular walking trail carved out of the forest.  They call it a forest.  It looks more like a thick, lush jungle.  

Path to Half Moon Bay

Huge trees and lots of ferns, flowers and vegetation of all kinds.  Amazing.  Stevie and I walked about 2 miles together, then she hitch hiked back to the tender.  I continued on to the small town of Oban, where there is a small hotel, a general store, a bar and a huge chess set made of traffic cones.  

Giant Chess Board in Oban/Half Moon Bay

Checkmate!  Didn't take long to check out the town and then I walked the trail back to the tender.  Just listening to the birds was worth the walk.  Very interesting calls and whistles.  The trail was like walking through a tunnel of boscage most of the time letting very little light in, which added an element of Lord of the Rings and Avatar type scenery.  Every plant was oversized and perfectly situated into the hill side as if expertly placed by a  gardener.  Just lovely.  Well worth the trip to shore, especially since we'll be at sea for the next four days.  However, I don't know why it's a cruise ship destination.

Here's what I've decided about cruising.  It's like getting the "Cliff Notes" version of a vacation destination.  We visit lots of great places, but not long enough to get a true feel for the areas.   If looking to become immersed in the culture and the people, a cruise may not be for you.   However, a cruise is good for reconnaissance.  To check out lots of places to determine if a follow up visit is in order.  I must say, so far Queenstown is still a hands down winner.   But Stevie and I spent 5 days there and had time to really enjoy the area.  I'd go back there in a heartbeat.

Another dress that had to be worn early in the cruise.  

Stevie and I had a nice dinner with Stevie's friends from Houston, Carol and Molly - the newly weds.  We're under way to Milford Sound and expected to arrive there tomorrow morning at 9:00.  We've invited several people to our suite for cocktails and viewing of the sound in the morning.  I'll take lots of photos and send them tomorrow.

Hey, I just got a text from my sister, Kay.   A special shout out to my niece, Ashley, who just gave birth to a precious baby girl, Stella on February 19th.  Congratulations to Ash and Aisha.  Welcome Stella.  Your Great Aunt Julie is called "Great" for a reason!  Can't wait to meet you.

Down Under - Day Thirteen - Tuesday, February 18, 2014 - Dunedin, NZ

We sailed in to Port Chalmers (Dunedin) New Zealand early this morning.  It was smooth sailing into port and a beautiful sunrise.  No more fog.  

Dunedin Railway Station.  Most photographed building on the South Island of New Zealand.

Dunedin, the first permanent European settlement in NZ, was founded in 1848.  Not long afterwards, gold was discovered and the province quickly became the richest and most influential in the colony.  

Julie, Paddy and Stevie outside the Dunedin Railway Station.

Dunedin, which in Gaelic, means Edinburgh, is New Zealand's most Scottish town which is evident through the architecture as in the Dunedin Train Station, the most photographed building on the south island.  

Baldwin Street.  World's Steepest

The sign says it all.

Our driver, Martin, also showed us what is touted to be the steepest street in the world.  Unlike most of Dunedin's roads, it's paved of concrete, otherwise the asphalt would melt and run down hill on hot summer days.  That's his story, and he's sticking to it.

I caught this Albatross soaring by the observatory.  The photo doesn't allow one to appreciate just how big these birds are.

Today's adventure finds us at the Royal Albatross Center in Pukekura,  (Taiaroa Head) just out of Dunedin.   New Zealand's Albatross Colony has been a Nature Reserve and studied for over 70 years.  

This is a ceramic mold shows the actual size of an Albatross egg.

If you look closely, you'll see the tags on this Albatross foot.

With a wing span of 9'6", the Albatross can fly at speeds of around 75 miles per hour.  The birds arrive here to re-establish their pair bonds in September.  In October they mate, November, they build their nests, lay their eggs and begin the incubation period. Eggs hatch in February.  Parents take 
turns sitting on the chick for the first 30 - 40 days until April when the chicks are left on their own and the parents return separately to feed them every 2 - 4 days.   In September, the chicks fledge (leave the nest) and don't touch ground again for 4 - 6 years, at which time, they return to begin the cycle themselves.  When the chicks fledge, the parents leave for a one year holiday.  Sounds like a good plan to me.

This "to scale" display shows the wing span of a typical Albatross.  Even larger than ME!

The birds are truly magnificent.  We stayed in the observatory for about 15 minutes, seeing birds sitting on the nest and young juveniles flying around.  They are huge birds, yet incredibly graceful riding the thermals, rarely flapping their wings.  It was a great way to spend the day.

Stevie, Paddy and I arrive back to the ship.

We had a wonderful driver and a very comfortable Jaguar.  Remember the Irish/South African/Australian, gent, Paddy, I wrote about a few days ago?  Paddy came with us on our Albatross tour.  He was delightful company and at nearly 90 years old, had no trouble keeping  up with Stevie and I.

We're back on board and have set sail for Oban (Halfmoon Bay).  We're planning a quiet dinner at the Patio Bar and turning in early.  I'll let you know if that actually happens.

Yep!  Even though we were begged to attend tonight's show in the main salon, we persevered in our plan to call it quits after dinner.  The singing chair show will have to wait for another evening.  We're tired.  Good night to all.

Down Under - Day Twelve, Monday, February 17, 2014 - Timaru, New Zealand

The beauty of Timaru is captured behind us.

Fog Delay

For the first time this trip, we awoke to fog.  Totally socked in, cut with a knife kind of fog.  We were anchored off shore waiting for the fog to clear so we could get into the port at Timaru.  We were finally cleared to sail in at noon.  

Two happy faces

All full day tours were cancelled.  We didn't have a tour scheduled as they were mostly 7 or 8 hours on a bus to a sheep sheering farm.  No thanks.  

Lighthouse moved behind the trees

So Stevie and I opted to hike around the small village and see the local sights.  There was a beautiful rose garden and park beside the port.  We were back on board within an hour and I went to the gym to work off some of the wine and food with which I've overindulged.  Gotta stop that.  

Observation Lounge with Carol, Molly, Meredith and Stevie.

We enjoyed cocktails at the Observation Lounge for sunset with Stevie's friends from Houston, newly weds, Carol and Molly and singer, Meredith.   We were having so much fun, laughing and giggling about the "woopie cushion" sounding chairs, that we made new friends, Ellen and Bob from Laguna Niguel, who just couldn't wait to join the fun.   We put together a video of the "singing" chairs and had the whole bar laughing out loud.  They've asked us to come back for an encore performance.  Sorry, but I can't seem to get the video to download.  Trust me, it's funny.

After dinner, Stevie and I were playing with facial products.  Stevie used a little too much face wash ... but she certainly glowed afterwards.

Tonight we sailed away for our next port of Dunedin NZ. 

Down Under - Day Eleven, Sunday, February 16, 2014 - Akaroa/Christchurch New Zealand

Akaroa, a popular resort village located 50 miles from Christchurch is one of Canterbury region's first settlements.   Cruise ships cannot dock at this port, so this was our first tendered ride to shore.  Lifeboats with a 90 person capacity were used for the 20 minute ride to shore.  I would definitely NOT want to have to spend an extended period of time aboard this vessel.  So I spoke to the captain about keeping the ship properly afloat.

We went ashore planning to spend a leisurely morning exploring the small village's restaurants and shops.  But when we reached the dock, we were pleasantly surprised by an awaiting car and driver that Stevie had totally forgotten about booking.  Nirvana!!  So we hopped in the car and asked Peter to take us to see Christchurch. 

 

Silo Homes for Sale.  

Along the way, we passed the local "mobile home dealer" of sorts.  They sell "silos" for homes.  Craziest thing I've ever seen.  But they are quite popular here.  It would be like living in a beer can!!  Definitely NOT for me.  Scruffy would get dizzy running in circles. 

Here is what the Catholic Church looked like before the quake

After the quake of 2011.  

You may remember that Christchurch was stricken by an earthquake on February 22, 2011.  Measuring only 6.6 magnitude, the real damage was caused by the duration of the quake ... 37 seconds.  To imagine how devastating that was, take a shoe box of Leggo buildings and shake it for 37 seconds and check out the inside.  The architecture in Christchurch was not built to earthquake standards as they had no history of earthquakes.  I was not prepared at all for what we found in Christchurch.   The town is decimated.  Not only are buildings crumbled, but the underground infrastructure such as storm and sewage drains were destroyed.
  

This clock stopped at the time of the quake.

Building awaiting destruction.

There are still many, many large buildings with fences built around them that have been slated for destruction.  They attempted imploding one building as a quick way to get the buildings down, which caused a shock wave throughout the city as the ground is still unsettled.  So the empty remains of these structures still continue to exist.  Three years after the fact, not much has been done in the way of rebuilding.  Obtaining building permits from the government, lack of building materials and workers and insurance companies refusal to pay off claims has thwarted the rebuilding of Christchurch.  There is a beautiful clock in the town square built to commemorate a visit from the Queen.  The clock stopped at the exact moment of the quake and has never worked since.  

The Pallet Bar is a temporary structure for the young people to gather.  No roof, strictly temporary but very effective.

Several temporary structures have been erected, one a "Palet" bar.  Palets have been painted blue and stacked and used for outside walls with chairs and umbrellas inside the bar.  As Peter said, "It's a place for our young people to go for entertainment.  Not much left here to keep the young people in town."
  

These white chairs represent people who were killed 

People are living and working out of ship containers.  Ship containers are also being used to stack against historical buildings to preserve what's left of the facade in hopes of rebuilding the structures.  On the ground where a building once stood, a memorial of white chairs have been assembled to represent each person killed in the building.  

Ship Containers are used to hold up the facade of buildings.

If you own a construction business and need work ... you may want to check out Christchurch. 

Aboard Seabourn's Tender returning to the ship

Our abode - Seabourn Odyssey 

We tendered back to the ship and had time to get ready for dinner.  We were invited to join, Heidi, the cruise director, for dinner this evening.  I wore my purple dress tonight because I know I'll never be able to zip it up after another few days of eating and drinking.  I sat next to Paddy Millar from Ireland, South Africa and now living in Australia.  I wanted to hear all about Paddy, so I asked him to tell me his story.  He said, "What do you want to hear?"  I said, "Well, you were born and then what happened?"  So he proceeded to tell me his story.  What an interesting guy.  He moved from Ireland to South Africa in his 20's, rented a farm and became a farmer.  Six years later, he married the love of his life.  He changed career paths several times but eventually ended up in the farming industry again.   He was a member of Parliament and was later appointed by President Robert Mugabi to be the President of the Farming industry.  When Paddy was 72 years old, he successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.   He now lives in Australia near his children and grand children.  I just loved hearing his story.  He could and should write a movie script.  The adventures of the dashing young Irishman goes to South Africa and completely transformed the farming industry.  

Tomorrow, we're off to Timaru.  

Had to wear this dress for fear I couldn't zip it up after another day or two.