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

[NorbertsNiece]

I've no problem at all with people going off topic.... I'm glad that people are following and if others can help with questions so much the better.

 

I'm currently sat at Cafe al Bacio with a hot chocolate, lashings of whipped cream and some GF goodies. Have had a super day......

 

This morning did not start well with poor weather forecast but it only got better. Headed to the Oceanview and discovered they had maybe 5 different GF breads on offer..... then I saw they had herring..... and kippers.... so that's me sorted. A couple of decaf cappuccinos later I'm good to go..... only the rain and wind outside look absolutely horrendous.

 

I head down to my room and change into my REI waterproof trousers, my Timberland waterproof boots and coat and my Tilley hat. I'm a label junkie what can I say!! ;)

 

Disembarking is delayed.... they can't get the ramp aligned in the wind..... finally the all ashore is sounded along with the bio security announcement...... the rain isn't falling down..... it's bucketing.... sideways. This isn't ordinary rain. It's New Zealand rain!!

 

My bag is checked on the pier..... I'd forgotten I'd put a tin of English tea in there for my hosts..... security wasn't bothered by it. Next I had to find my guide for the day.... Security tell me no vendors are allowed pierside so I head off....... in the driving rain..... to the nearest car park to look for a gold Murano..... none are to be seen on the pier itself......walk around 200 yards still no sign..... finally I get out the phone and log in to the network.... hate doing that..... but I locate him and he's waiting on the pier in the area where I had been security checked. Sigh. He drives to me and we head off.

 

We are headed to a city called Palmerston North. Am struggling to bring a map up right now. It's pretty much due north of Wellington. The drive is a couple of hours amongst rolling hills, coast road, sheep, cows and cyclists. When we cross the city limits Craig pops on the satnav. He stops at a supermarket where I buy a bunch of flowers for my hosts, a bunch of fake sunflowers for me to take home as a souvenir (my DDs will know the significance) and a couple of really long stem sunflowers to leave by the grave. We find our way there easily enough..... the rain has long since disappeared and the sun is out.

 

---------------

 

We head to my friend's home. Her parents come to meet me at the gate. We spend a delightful time reminiscing. They've prepared a lovely lunch for me.... with real NZ pavlova for dessert!! The visit is all too short. The dad remembers DD3 who'd have been about 6 at the time..... i show him a pic of her now!

 

We drive back on a different route with more lovely views. Through the mountains..... really lovely. We stop off at a pharmacy so I can buy blister plasters....

 

A lovely emotionally packed day. The sun came out and a promise I made 22 years ago has been fulfilled.

 

I can highly recommend Craig and his company : this is the direct link : http://coastaltours.publishpath.com/

 

Here's a pic of Solstice today from a webcam

 

 

Here's today's 'Daily'

02-18 - Wellington, New Zealand (1).pdf

[Beanb41]

Norbetsneice you have spent far too much time talking to Aucklanders who spend all day criticising our lovely weather, like they have nothing better to do. It was a bit ropeyt this morning and the wind hasn't died down either. Its going to make for an unpleasamt sailaway for anyone on the upper deck.

So pleased that your day went well. Have a good day in Akaroa tomorrow.

[MicCanberra]

Nice blog, and pics.:D

[NorbertsNiece]

Norbetsneice you have spent far too much time talking to Aucklanders who spend all day criticising our lovely weather, like they have nothing better to do. It was a bit ropeyt this morning and the wind hasn't died down either. Its going to make for an unpleasamt sailaway for anyone on the upper deck.

So pleased that your day went well. Have a good day in Akaroa tomorrow.

 

Spent sail away in the Sky lounge. Blowing a treat out there. Kayaking with penguins at Pohatu tomorrow so it had better calm down. Currently dining alone in MDR. Had a conversation with maître d' regarding yesterday. Did not appreciate her attitude with regards to my request to be seated with same waiter each night. She wanted me to commit to a time and I'm just not prepared to do that.

 

Nice blog, and pics.:D

 

Thank you and everyone who has made encouraging comments.

[NorbertsNiece]

Whakarewarewa : pronounced Faka - ray - wa - ray - wa : The Living Maori Village

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We are held outside the meeting house..... a 'Chief' is chosen from amongst us. No-one may enter until formalities have been completed.

 

 

A warrior from the tangata whenua challenges us, checking to see whether we are friend or foe. He lays down a leaf for our chief to pick up to show we come in peace.

 

 

 

 

A woman performs a call which is the signal for us to move forward really slowly.

 

 

Once inside there is the ceremonial touching of noses.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Assistance with the wording of the descriptions of my pics from the http://www.newzealand.com site

 

In a waiata-ā-ringa or action songs, the lyrics are supported by symbolic hand movements. The performers flutter their hands quickly, a movement called wiri, which can symbolise shimmering waters, heat waves or even a breeze moving the leaves of a tree. Waiata-ā-ringa are usually accompanied by a guitar and can be slow, fast, serious, or fun and flirtatious, depending on the context.

 

 

Haka are war dances with loud chanting, strong hand movements, foot stamping and thigh slapping. Performers may incorporate traditional weapons, such as taiaha (spear-like weapons) and patu (clubs) into their haka. The All Blacks rugby team famously performs their haka before every game.

 

 

Poi is a form of dance in which each performer skilfully twirls one or more poi (ball on a chord) in perfect unison with the others. Sudden direction changes are achieved by striking the ball on a hand or other part of the body, and the noise creates a percussive rhythm. Poi dancers are usually women and a skilled performance will strongly convey a sense of grace, beauty and charm.

 

 

Pūkana or facial expressions are an important facet of Māori performance. They help emphasise a point in a song or haka, and demonstrate the performer’s ferocity or passion. For women, pūkana involves opening the eyes wide and jutting out their tattood chin. For men, it means widening the eyes and stretching out their tongue or bearing their teeth. Though these expressions may be intimidating, they are not necessarily a sign of aggression, but may simply show strong and deep-felt emotions.

 

 

On the performance stage there was a painting of a man.

 

 

I asked about him and he was the master carver, John Taiapa, a student of the first Māori Carving School in 1927 and the grandfather of the performance' guitarist. Māori carvings are a record of tribal affairs and pay deep respect to ancestors, history and the people for whom they are prepared – although they cannot be read or interpreted in a Western sense.

 

Edited February 18, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The full name of where we are and no I'm not about to write that phonetically other than saying 'wh' is pronounced 'f'

 

 

 

Look for the steam

 

 

 

Mud, mud, glorious mud....

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

There are a couple of young kiwis living in a protected environment, photography prohibited of course...... I was able to see one charging around in the dark seemingly having a blast.

 

 

 

 

 

There she blows!!

 

[Beanb41]

Some extra history about Rotorua for you. The village at Whakarewarewa and what is now known as Te Puia were once all part of the same tourist area, but several years ago the gates were closed between them and now if one wants to visit both one has to pay two entry fees. Back in the day the kids who lived in the village used to jump off the bridge for a penny and keep their tally in their mouths. I guess they still jump off the bridge but for a bit more than a penny.

 

About 20 years ago the terraces that make up Whaka and Te Puia were in danger of disappearing because the geysers ( steam vents) were dying and not playing. This was because many of the locals had put down their own steam bores and the subsequent loss in pressure meant the geysers were dying. The local council in order to protect this important tourist attraction brought in a by law requiring all the private bores to be shut down thus increasing the steam pressure and preserving an important tourist attraction.

[MicCanberra]

Wonderful pictures, I am really enjoying seeing them.:D

[CRUISEBOY305]

Glad you got to see the Kiwi birds Linda. I didn't get to see them when I was there :(

[CRUISEBOY305]

Some extra history about Rotorua for you. The village at Whakarewarewa and what is now known as Te Puia were once all part of the same tourist area, but several years ago the gates were closed between them and now if one wants to visit both one has to pay two entry fees. Back in the day the kids who lived in the village used to jump off the bridge for a penny and keep their tally in their mouths. I guess they still jump off the bridge but for a bit more than a penny.

 

About 20 years ago the terraces that make up Whaka and Te Puia were in danger of disappearing because the geysers ( steam vents) were dying and not playing. This was because many of the locals had put down their own steam bores and the subsequent loss in pressure meant the geysers were dying. The local council in order to protect this important tourist attraction brought in a by law requiring all the private bores to be shut down thus increasing the steam pressure and preserving an important tourist attraction.

 

I did not know this. Thank you for sharing. :)

[FloatSomeMore]

Linda, enjoying your posts and pictures so much! Thank you for taking the time to do this. We board Solstice in Sydney in April and I have a question regarding the products offered in the Solstice stores. Do they still offer L'Occitane products. I am allergic to Celebrity's bath products and will bring my own if necessary; however, if I can purchase on board it would help with weight restrictions when packing.

 

BTW, we have friends on board with you but they are not Cruise Critic members. So glad to enjoy your itinerary on-line so we can discuss it when they return!

[chermilo]

Enjoying your pictures since I have been to some of the same places on an RC cruise years ago.

 

My morning ritual after I have had my cereal and fed the dogs is to sit at my computer, have coffee and see where you have been today!

 

Thanks again!

Edited February 18, 2016 by chermilo

[AntjeG]

Linda, thank you so much for your wonderful blog. I enjoy especially the pictures and information on the Te Puia/Whaka... part. When I was in NZ on board Solstice we wheren´t able to dock in Tauranga so I had to miss out on my planned excursion to this attraction. I guess I have to go back some day.

[NorbertsNiece]

Some extra history about Rotorua for you. The village at Whakarewarewa and what is now known as Te Puia were once all part of the same tourist area, but several years ago the gates were closed between them and now if one wants to visit both one has to pay two entry fees. Back in the day the kids who lived in the village used to jump off the bridge for a penny and keep their tally in their mouths. I guess they still jump off the bridge but for a bit more than a penny.

 

About 20 years ago the terraces that make up Whaka and Te Puia were in danger of disappearing because the geysers ( steam vents) were dying and not playing. This was because many of the locals had put down their own steam bores and the subsequent loss in pressure meant the geysers were dying. The local council in order to protect this important tourist attraction brought in a by law requiring all the private bores to be shut down thus increasing the steam pressure and preserving an important tourist attraction.

 

We went there too!! Thank you for providing the explanation and I'll be posting the pics later x

[NorbertsNiece]

This is what I am doing today..... will tender ashore later as tour leaves at 12.

 

(from their website)

 

SEA KAYAKING

 

This trip can be mind blowing in the right sea conditions. The outer coast of Pohatu Marine Reserve is spectacular with towering sea cliffs sculpted through the ages by the sea into rock stacks, reefs, and deep sea caves. Flea Bay Island and the impressive island arch make an added exciting attraction in settled sea conditions.

 

Pohatu Marine Reserve also has divers wildlife with many marine species such as Penguins, several seal colonies and is often visited by Hectors Dolphins and a great range of sea bird species.

 

Kayaking is open when at least the sheltered bay can be kayaked.

 

Experience is not necessary, trips are only run in settled safe conditions and fully guided by experienced guides.

 

Option one includes pick-up at Akaroa with a spectacular Scenic 4WD safari to Pohatu with photo stop opportunities and guided sea-kayaking of Pohatu Marine Reserve.

 

Please note: If the weather is unsuitable on the day a refund is offered or an opportunity to come on the Full Scenic Nature Safari to explore the same beautiful area.

 

Sooooo excited!!

Edited February 18, 2016 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Sitting in Tuscan Grill having breakfast.....GF bagels, smoked salmon and a mimosa ;)

 

Paid closer attention to the Bio-security message and she states ships stores are specifically prohibited from being taken ashore.

 

Shops are shut so couldn't check on the Occitane question and I'm aware that I need to check the casino for any OBC signage.

 

The Hotel Director, John Paul, came by..........addresses me by name.... his fiancee lives with celiac disease so he empathises with my tale of dinner the other night....apparently I missed a galley tour on the first sea day.... penny has just dropped..... it would have been at the same time as the Connections Party which means it's more than likely going to clash on the next leg..... will see if Brenda has got the timings of that yet..... If you're on the 'Over The Top' with me it's called 'Heartbeat of the Operation'...... I was playing trivia at the time.... will definitely go next cruise.

[hppytrvlr]

Love your blog Linda. I'm reliving our last trip to New Zealand in 2012. Look forward to meeting you on your next leg of your trip.

[MicCanberra]

Enjoy Akaroa today, hope the seas are smooth.:D

[CRUISEBOY305]

This is what I am doing today..... will tender ashore later as tour leaves at 12.

 

(from their website)

 

SEA KAYAKING

 

This trip can be mind blowing in the right sea conditions. The outer coast of Pohatu Marine Reserve is spectacular with towering sea cliffs sculpted through the ages by the sea into rock stacks, reefs, and deep sea caves. Flea Bay Island and the impressive island arch make an added exciting attraction in settled sea conditions.

 

Pohatu Marine Reserve also has divers wildlife with many marine species such as Penguins, several seal colonies and is often visited by Hectors Dolphins and a great range of sea bird species.

 

Kayaking is open when at least the sheltered bay can be kayaked.

 

Experience is not necessary, trips are only run in settled safe conditions and fully guided by experienced guides.

 

Option one includes pick-up at Akaroa with a spectacular Scenic 4WD safari to Pohatu with photo stop opportunities and guided sea-kayaking of Pohatu Marine Reserve.

 

Please note: If the weather is unsuitable on the day a refund is offered or an opportunity to come on the Full Scenic Nature Safari to explore the same beautiful area.

 

Sooooo excited!!

 

Enjoy your day. Look forward to hearing about it.

[I'm from Oz]

Some extra history about Rotorua for you. The village at Whakarewarewa and what is now known as Te Puia were once all part of the same tourist area, but several years ago the gates were closed between them and now if one wants to visit both one has to pay two entry fees. Back in the day the kids who lived in the village used to jump off the bridge for a penny and keep their tally in their mouths. I guess they still jump off the bridge but for a bit more than a penny.

 

About 20 years ago the terraces that make up Whaka and Te Puia were in danger of disappearing because the geysers ( steam vents) were dying and not playing. This was because many of the locals had put down their own steam bores and the subsequent loss in pressure meant the geysers were dying. The local council in order to protect this important tourist attraction brought in a by law requiring all the private bores to be shut down thus increasing the steam pressure and preserving an important tourist attraction.

We really enjoyed our tour from Tauranga to Rotorua and we were told about the situation with the geysers and the effect domestic use of the resource was having. Great they were able to compromise. Unfortunately when we were there - for the whole tour and Maori experience - the Pohutu Geyser did not go off at all. Our guides would split up to keep an eye on it to make sure we were able to go there straight away if it started firing. It was one thing I was hoping to see.

 

Happily I can say we had a wonderful visit to Orakei Korako on our land visit and we really loved this thermal area with lots of steam and mud pools feeding my love for everything volcanic. I also captured lots of lovely pics of Tongariro steam vents too :D

[I'm from Oz]

Linda

 

What a great job you are doing bringing this wonderful trip to life with your live blog. Well done.

 

The explanation of your visit to Whakarewarewa (etc :rolleyes:) was excellent. It is a very complicated culture. I love the language. Our guide was 1/4 Maori and he really immersed us in the language and culture without any hard core opinion.

 

I would have liked to spend more time talking with some of our Maori guides throughout the North Island as the same experience is not as available in the South.

 

Thanks also for the link for the company you used for Wellington. We hired a car for the day last time we were there to visit the Wairarapapa it sounds like you returned via the Rimutaka pass. What a gorgeous road that is.

 

Keep up the good work and I look forward to hearing about your Akaroa trip. Something we could do another time as we've done just about everything else :)

[PCWalton1]

Linda, I just found this today and I am so excited that I will be able to ride along with you for the next few weeks. Thank you so much for taking the time to do all the postings.

I had a question, you have been attaching daily pdf from the ship. How are you getting them in pdf format?

thanks