Bit of a Blog : Solstice : Auckland – Fremantle – Sydney : February 14th 2016

[Beanb41]

You probably have read the different posts about getting OBC refunded through the Casino with a 5% fee for the priviledge. It seems that cancellation of this "perk" is being rolled out across the fleet and customers are being advised of same by a notice at the Casino cashiers desk advising that such a practice is no longer possible. Has such a notice appeared yet in the Solstice Casino

[phxbne]

Interesting to hear about the bread. We were on Celebrity Summit in December with my GF sister in law and the bread she got was great.

When we went on the galley tour, they said GF bread is one of only two things not made on board (I forget the other...) so I guess it is all a function of who the outside supplier is!

GF items are pretty common in cafes and coffee shops in Australia, so hope you will find some yummy treats off the ship.

[I'm from Oz]

Thanks for all the great photos. I was not well when we finally made it to WTG, so only saw a small part of it. No need to do the cultural thing as we had done all that at Rotorua, but we had to miss some of the grounds.

 

From one of your pics, looks like the new visitor centre was open too. They had said it was being opened on Waitangi Day (6 Feb) and they were putting the finishing touches to it when we were there.

 

We also had a conversation with a local Maori (from Paihia) who intimated that there is now a push to have the original of the Treaty moved to the new visitor centre and museum from Te Papa in Wellington. Essentially when she was talking about it, she ended up by saying - "Watch this space." So it is a very important sacred place for Maori.

 

It would be amazing to see those war canoes launched, but I think we were glad we weren't there on Waitangi Day, especially this year as there were lots of protests.

 

We were all ready to celebrate with locals on Waitangi Day (we were staying in Auckland) but then discovered that is is nothing like our Australia Day, which is huge.

 

Without getting political it was very interesting to talk to Maori and 'whites' alike about indigenous issues.

[Beanb41]

Thanks for all the great photos. I was not well when we finally made it to WTG' date=' so only saw a small part of it. No need to do the cultural thing as we had done all that at Rotorua, but we had to miss some of the grounds.

 

From one of your pics, looks like the new visitor centre was open too. They had said it was being opened on Waitangi Day (6 Feb) and they were putting the finishing touches to it when we were there.

 

We also had a conversation with a local Maori (from Paihia) who intimated that there is now a push to have the original of the Treaty moved to the new visitor centre and museum from Te Papa in Wellington. Essentially when she was talking about it, she ended up by saying - "Watch this space." So it is a very important sacred place for Maori.

 

It would be amazing to see those war canoes launched, but I think we were glad we weren't there on Waitangi Day, especially this year as there were lots of protests.

 

We were all ready to celebrate with locals on Waitangi Day (we were staying in Auckland) but then discovered that is is nothing like our Australia Day, which is huge.

 

Without getting political it was very interesting to talk to Maori and 'whites' alike about indigenous issues.[/quote']

 

Pigs will fly before the Treaty is moved to the Bay of Islands. The locals in the Far North have got to show a bit more respect before there is any hope of that happening. I think I can happily predict it wont happen in my lifetime or hers either. Waitangi was once a place of reverence but is anything but in the 21st Century. When the locals throw excrement over senior politicians, sex toys at them treat the Prime Minister with such disrespect that he refuses to go there any more as did his predecessor - Never going to happen.

[I'm from Oz]

Pigs will fly before the Treaty is moved to the Bay of Islands. The locals in the Far North have got to show a bit more respect before there is any hope of that happening. I think I can happily predict it wont happen in my lifetime or hers either. Waitangi was once a place of reverence but is anything but in the 21st Century. When the locals throw excrement over senior politicians, sex toys at them treat the Prime Minister with such disrespect that he refuses to go there any more as did his predecessor - Never going to happen.

Yes, we saw all that. :)

[NorbertsNiece]

Is the internet as slow as on Rhapsody?

 

Pretty much the same yes indeedy. And my room is 2 doors down from the Guest Services Foyer on deck 3 so you'd expect better..... well I did.....

 

You probably have read the different posts about getting OBC refunded through the Casino with a 5% fee for the priviledge. It seems that cancellation of this "perk" is being rolled out across the fleet and customers are being advised of same by a notice at the Casino cashiers desk advising that such a practice is no longer possible. Has such a notice appeared yet in the Solstice Casino

 

I'll go look tomorrow (sea day) and get back to you.

[NorbertsNiece]

Interesting to hear about the bread. We were on Celebrity Summit in December with my GF sister in law and the bread she got was great.

When we went on the galley tour, they said GF bread is one of only two things not made on board (I forget the other...) so I guess it is all a function of who the outside supplier is!

GF items are pretty common in cafes and coffee shops in Australia, so hope you will find some yummy treats off the ship.

 

Joy of joys..... at dinner tonight I was served really nice toast; with the addition of some humous really not bad at all..... THEN..... the waiter came out with some cut up pieces of what they called focaccia, with veggies on top.... again not bad at all. Wrote a little note of appreciation for the chef. That brought the Maitre d' who couldn't have been nicer. She's arranging for GF pancakes for breakfast in the MDR tomorrow morning.

 

Oooooh I just remembered (am really tired after an early start this a.m) They had GF egg mayo sandwiches at the Te Puia cafeteria today. I was ridiculously excited as I thought I'd have to make do with fresh fruit there.... the bread was better than any bread I've eaten on board so far and that includes tonight.

 

AND

 

I had an amazing day. Thank you so much 'Crocksoverthehill' for organising an amazing day. I can highly recommend the tour company and here is their link. Ask for Simon to guide you. Can't imagine anyone doing a better job.

Edited February 16, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[ally_d]

Joy of joys..... at dinner tonight I was served really nice toast; with the addition of some humous really not bad at all..... THEN..... the waiter came out with some cut up pieces of what they called focaccia, with veggies on top.... again not bad at all. Wrote a little note of appreciation for the chef. That brought the Maitre d' who couldn't have been nicer. She's arranging for GF pancakes for breakfast in the MDR tomorrow morning.

 

Oooooh I just remembered (am really tired after an early start this a.m) They had GF egg mayo sandwiches at the Te Puia cafeteria today. I was ridiculously excited as I thought I'd have to make do with fresh fruit there.... the bread was better than any bread I've eaten on board so far and that includes tonight.

 

AND

 

I had an amazing day. Thank you so much 'Crocksoverthehill' for organising an amazing day. I can highly recommend the tour company and here is their link. Ask for Simon to guide you. Can't imagine anyone doing a better job.

 

Loving your blog Linda and all the amazing photos. Look for ward to reading more before we head to Perth, pre the 2nd half of this B2B cruise

[zalusky]

I did the Solstice run from Jan 5 to Jan 19 and I found the internet was much better in the wee hours. I woke up a few times around 4AM and tried it and I was able to read my hometown newspaper which has graphics much faster than during the day.

[Gsy21]

Just loving your blog, can't wait until we are on board on the 3rd.

[NorbertsNiece]

I did the Solstice run from Jan 5 to Jan 19 and I found the internet was much better in the wee hours. I woke up a few times around 4AM and tried it and I was able to read my hometown newspaper which has graphics much faster than during the day.

 

I agree to a degree..... it's 0645 and it is definitely nominally quicker.... but still well below how I would define 'pervasive'..... similarly around 4am yesterday..... if I knew how to run a speed test / ping I'd do one for you..... maybe someone could point me in that direction.

[NorbertsNiece]

Good morning...... we've had the Connections Party which I think went well. I'd organised a Gift Exchange..... I'd gifted tea....and received tea..... lol :D

 

Mark..... played Trivia this morning!! Did not know squid had 10 tentacles.... :p

 

Many of the pics I uploaded yesterday corrupted so am reloading.... slowly.... will resume sharing Bay of Islands imminently.

[NorbertsNiece]

Shuttles to Paihia are close to where the tenders come in

 

 

 

There is a market.... I buy some Kawakawa balm..... I have blisters on the back of my heels /ankles

 

 

 

 

There are vendors with tours.....

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Paihia

 

 

Which one did I take?

 

 

 

The fast one

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Walkabout in Russell

 

 

There is a heritage trail

 

 

 

From the memorial

 

 

 

The evidence of missionaries is strong..... the French were here

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

The Russell Museum

 

 

 

 

The oldest church in New Zealand

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

The sea front

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Back in Paihia (took the slow boat back) I notice other tours available.

 

 

Trying to upload pics...... one needs sustenance.....

 

 

So..... more informative pics..... Elite coupons.....

 

 

The Gelateria...... going walkabout on board

 

 

Had never seen one of these before.....

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

The salon

 

 

The fitness centre

 

 

 

 

Solarium

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

The Library

 

 

Newspapers

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Loving all the music on board.

 

This is in the Foyer..... playing Beatles..... currently still in Sky Lounge where am loving the sounds right now and coupled with a sea view...... happy girl.

 

 

Raising the tenders

 

 

Dinner menu

 

 

Blurry escargots.....

 

 

 

GF pasta

 

[bigeck]

Just found this. Great pics as usual.

First time for us away from Royal. Looks good so far. Menu and food looks good as well.

[NorbertsNiece]

 

I am offered a compote and a creme brulee..... worked well together.....

 

[CRUISEBOY305]

Yum !!!!!!!!!!!

[WAGER4me]

Really enjoying your blog. Thanks especially for all the photos and info about Bay of Islands. We'll be on the Solstice April 9 for the long Tahitian Treasures cruise out of Sydney and Bay of Islands is one of the stops. You have really helped us with ideas on what to do and where to go.