Celeste & Bill Circumnavigate the globe World Cruise 2015

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Tauranga, New Zealand

We had a whole day tour today but because of the World Cruise event this evening we cancelled. It was raining when we got up so we decided to have a leisurely breakfast and by that time it had stopped raining. We were docked within walking distance to town. It was a nice town with really nice shops. There was suppose to be free wifi but I could not get connected. We did get some in front of the Burger King but for some reason I am unable to update anything on my new IPAD. I will go to Apple when we reach Melbourne. I did buy a pair of white shoes as I did not have any with me and they were nice and different.

We returned to the ship and we were going to go to the movie as it was The Hobbit, keeping with the theme of WC shore side event, but decided to play some backgammon instead. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for our big night. Dress was casual and sneakers or comfortable shoes.

After my fiasco on the last tour (last seat in the van because some cow (British slang for Bitch) took my front seat and I got sick, Daniel reserved the front seat in Bus # 1 for me! Pat and Ray came with us. It was a little over an hour and as we were approaching Hobbiton I could see why They wanted to use this farm. 1200+ acres of rolling hills, beautiful. We had signed up for the pre-event tour of the whole grounds and even though I am probably the only person in the world who never read The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings or saw the movie I am so glad we did this. As we came down the hill into the main part that they tents set up with all kinds of food and drinks. They had a pig they were roasting over an open fire and had one they were cutting. There was every kind of sausage you could think of, cheeses, then the pork, lamb, salmon, shrimp, mussels, and my favorite Steak and Ale Pies. I had a piece of cheese and piece of sausage and a steak pie and I was full. Bill had a blast with the lamb chops as well as everything else. All over the town of Hobbiton there were performers a fire eater, kids running around. All dressed in e the costumes. All kinds of stuff going on and then on the lake There was Gandolf and he was on a barge coming across the lake and speaking and I recogonized the voice it was Gary the Cruise Director. Then the special effects man can’t remember his name made a speech and had Captain Giske do a toast. Then out of the water came the most magnificient show. It started with the Crystal Logo and then Julie Andrew’s who is the Godmother of the Serenity wishing Crystal a happy 25^th Anniversary, The Prime Minister of NZ spoke and welcomed us to his country and a few more speeches and then They all sang Happy Birthday to Crystal.

After that the show on the water was unbelievable it was scenes from the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies then a light show followed by fireworks.

There was Wine both red or white, beer, hard apple cider and alcohol free ginger beer. They came around with dessert and coffee and tea was set up. All the entertainers and shore excursion crew were dressed in costumes. Before you knew it the evening was over and it was time to head back to the Ship with memories that will last a lifetime!

This was a great shore side event and a great day in Tauranga. We sail at 5am and will be at sea tomorrow then on to Napier, New Zealand.

I absolutely love New Zealand, Australia is very pretty but I think New Zealand is much prettier and the people are so friendly! I have so many pictures from this event it will be a separate post!

Tomorrow is the first formal of this segment!

Good night and God bless.