Day 45  Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sound      

Today we cruised through these three sounds.  Dusky and Doubtful are the two largest of South Islands 14 major sounds.  Milford in my opinion is the prettiest.  It has the best waterfalls.  Today was overcast and cloudy and even a little sprinkles.  We were last here in 2008 and It was sunny but today was just as nice.  The cloud cover gave it a different look and at one point the fjord had a blue tint to it.  We passed Long Island, Anchor Island, Cooper Island and the Gilbert Island!  I didn't know we owned an island!  

The sun actually came out later in the day.  The photographer was in a helicopter taking pictures of us out on deck.  Unlike 2008 when we were 4-5 deep there were not many of us out there so I am sure that he got a good photo of us!

We spent the day in Palm Court which is the front of the ship and all windows and decks you can go out on.  We sat with Ilene and Andy and for a couple of hours there was no scenery so we played some rummycube.  Crystal not wanting anyone to go more than 1 hour without food had coffee, tea and juices, pastries, movies and donuts set up from 7am-10am.  Then they did a soup and sandwich buffet from 12-1:30pm and a tea from 3:30-4:30pm This was in addition to  all the other venues for breakfast and lunch.  It was such a great day.  We were showered and changed for dinner early so we asked Leo if he could seat us early and we were only 1 table away from our regular table.  We had a great dinner and Ilene and I hit the casino for a little while, Andy went to the movies and Bill went for his cigar.  We have not gone to the show the last two nights.  With all these port days we needed some down time.

Tomorrow (or today when you read this) I am in a another fashion show for the jeweler on board.  Last time was diamonds and rubies this time it is sapphire and diamond ring, diamond necklace and earrings and bracelet!

The next day I am in another fashion show for Joseph Ribkoff clothes (which I have bought a lot of on this trip)  We also have our computer courses and knitting so busy busy busy.  We are headed into the Tasman sea where it could get quite rough.  We might lose internet and tv again.  No problem for the TV we are too busy to watch it. 

Life is good!

Kayakers

Ships Photographer Neil

Day 44  Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Penquin Place

Today we were docked in Port Chalmers which is 15 minutes by shuttle bus to Dunedin.  I took a few pictures from the deck of the ship.  On the side of the port there were like all the other ports in NZ log upon log, waiting to be shipped out.  I only hope that they don’t use all their forest.

We signed up for a volunteer program that Crystal offers now and then. They took us for a bus tour of Dunedin.  There were so many universities here.  Neat town,and then we went on to visit  the Penquin Place reserve where we planted trees.  It is home to the world’s only yellow eye penquins and they are endangered with only 3000 left in the world.  The problem is that the farmers before us cleared all the land for their farms and did away with the yellow eye penquins trees.  they are a shy penquin and require trees for shade and privacy.  The ones that are still here are being taken care of in the wild.  they even have a hospital to take care of injured ones.    We walked all over the preserve and stopped and planted a tree each.  My tree loves the wind so it went in front of the others.  Hopefully they will grow after we were all finished the head tree keeper put tires around each one we planted.  it works as a green house effect keeping them warm and straight.

We walked some more and saw seals sunny themselves on the beach and then got to see some of the yellow eye penquins in the wild.  We even saw one who is moulten.  It was a great tour and a great day.  Tomorrow we will be in Dusky, Doubtful sound and Milford sound which are both spectacular scenery.  Tomorrow is our last day in New Zealand and we have loved every minute of our time here.  The people are so friendly and the country is one of the prettiest countries I have ever seen.  Truly enjoy it here.  As I said tomorrow is dusky, doubtful sound and milford sound and then 2 sea days after before we get to Sydney.  I am going to be in Hubert’s jewelry fashion show on March 1 and yesterday Adam and Grace from the shop asked me to be in a Joseph Rippnicoff fashion show they are holding on March 2nd.  I bought 2 of his dresses and a jacket since I got on board.  Anyway wow I was never asked to be in a fashion show before and I will have been in 3 so far!  We are having a wonderful time and looking forward to tomorrow and then 2 sea days to relax oh no I can’t relax we have computer class and I have 2 fashion shows!   I am going to need a vacation from my vacation!

Dunedin Train Station

Church in Port Chalmer taken from deck of ship

Port Chalmer taken from ship

Also Port Chalmer taken from ship

Tile in the train station

Train Station other side

Court house

Brass Band getting ready to play in Dunedin

Chinese Garden

Yellow Eye Penguin

Tree that Bill planted

My tree

Day 43 Akaroa/Christchurch

Since the massive earthquake in 2011 the port (Lyttelton) for Christchurch has not recovered so the ships are sent to Akaroa.  Christchurch is a 90 minute ride.  Since we had been there in 2008 we decided to forgo that long bus ride and we did a Sheep Farm tour right in Akaroa.  This town was a hidden gem.  It was quite cool this am 52 degrees.  Now I know those of you back east are probably cursing me right now but 52 was cold.  We did wear our WC jackets and I had long sleeves on.

We were the first guests on the first tender this morning as we had an 8am tour.  There were 3 vans going on this and it was another windy road up the mountain. The owner of the farm explained all about his great-grandparents down and gave us the history of the farm.  Bill is in love with New  Zealand and would love to move here and be a sheep farmer.  Me I love New Zealand but I am not going to be a farmer’s wife at this stage of my life.  The farmer whose name is John was explaining that farmers are sick people he has a degree and chose farming.  He explained his least favorite part is having to clean the rears of all the sheep.  He said some mornings and I get up and say “Shit” that’s what I have to deal with today!  This was great because Bill turned to me and said “I’ve changed my mind” LOL.  Anyway his daughter-in-law came in and sheared the sheep.  First we were able to hold them and talk to them.  I might never eat lamb again.  After the shearing we went outside to watch the Border Collies herd the sheep in.  It is amazing she gave a few commands and the dog was up the steep mountain before I got the lens cap off the camera.  The sheep started running down the mountain towards us.  She gave one of the other dogs a command and he started to bark and the sheep stopped in their tracks.  It was impressive to say the least.  Needless to say we were all frozen as it was colder up on the mtn.  I should have brought my gloves and fleece.  After the show we were invited into the prettiest rose garden and we were served, tea, coffee and homemade scones with homemade jam and Devonshire cream.  I loved just holding the tea cup warming my hands, it tasted really good and the scones were delicious.  We walked all around the property and we headed back to our vans.  Down the mountain we came.  when we got to the town which is walking distance to the tender another couple and us out of the 6 of us decided to stay in town and walk around. First store we went into had fleece jackets on sale so I got one and tried to warm up.  The one I brought with me is actually quite big on me so this was good. We got to see a cricket game and walked all over the town.  I did read where Akaroa New Zealand has blue pearls so I had to go into the shop and see for myself and they explained how they are formed and of course I had to have a souvenir so I picked a really nice one. 

We thought about having lunch shoreside and when we past a Fish and Chips place and Daniel (shore excursion manager) and Josef (Hotel Director and the engineer that just got on having lunch we figured it must be a good place so we went in.  Now you all know that I am not a fish person but I said what the hell when in Rome.  Bill came out with a huge bundle wrapped in white paper.  the fish had a thin breading on it and was the local New Zealand fish and was wonderful.  I truly enjoyed it. 
We headed back to the ship stopping in all the stores. 

Tonight we are having dinner in Tastes which is just like the name you get a few different tastes of things and we were invited by Helen and Allan.  Lovely people we met in 08 and then again in 12 who live in Princeton NJ.

After dinner we will go to the show. 

Tomorrow we will be in Dunedin and we are doing a Crystal Voluntourism.  Crystal does a lot for different places we go to and I decided since we are so fortunate to be able to do this trip we should give back so tomorrow we are planting trees in the Penquin Place.  This is the home of the unique and endangered  Yellow Eyed Penquins only found in NZ.  As most of you know I just love penquins.  Probably since I have had a hip problem all my life and I waddle like them.  When we were in Antarctica and went to see them they were following me they thought I was their grandmother.  these poor guys are dying off so they need native trees planted so this is our tour for tomorrow.  I will write all about that tomorrow!

Good night and God Bless.

View from Van

View from house

Farm House

St. Patrick's Catholic Church

This artist was painting and it was so life like it was scary

Kids in the water cold did not bother them it was 54 degrees

Our lunch