New Zealand's Fjordland National Park.

We've been blessed with experiences in nature that can take your breath away. Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Cliffs of Moher, the Bens of the Scottish Highlands, the Na Pali coast of Kauai... the list is long, and God willing, will get longer.

Well, we added to our blessings several-fold yesterday with our cruise through the fiords of Southern New Zealand.  Mountains climbing more than a mile high straight up from sea level, fur seals, dolphins and sea birds of many descriptions all on display while ribbon streams of melting snow fall hundreds of feet from ledge to ledge and splash with a sparkle into the sea. We sat on our balcony most of the day just taking it all in. The decks, normally filled with music and the boisterous sound of people laughing and talking were near on silent as everyone stood in silent awe of the majesty around us  So quiet was it, that we could clearly hear the sound of forest birds singing their songs of Spring from the trees on shore. We'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story -  words are inadequate to the task...

Next morning... A quick update

The wind was cold and fierce in the Tasman Sea last night, but that didn't stop the both of us from sleeping well. The wind blew sea spray all the way up to our balcony on the 12th deck, and the public decks on 16 were closed last night as a precaution  but it really wasn't bad in our room at all.

Certainly the ship rolled a bit more than we were accustomed to from our previous days at sea, but it really wasn't anything we could not handle.

Off to a quick breakfast now after sleeping in this morning. We'll get back with some pics from our amazing sail through the Fiordlands National Park in a little bit.

Videos from the Fjords

Gee, Swell...

So, we had an amazing (!!) day cruising the Fjordlands National Park today.  More soon on that  including lots of pics. But in the meantime, the captain came on the ship-wide intercom to inform us of 60 knot winds (That's 69 mph) coming out of the south as we cross the Tasman Sea overnight and into tomorrow.  Current sea swells are around 10-12 ft and going up to around 20 ft tonight after midnight. No big deal, but we've been requested to take all loose items off of open shelves as a precaution. The port side decks and balconies are to remain closed until things settle down tomorrow afternoon. Gonna be an interesting night. 😏

Fjordlands National Park, South Island, NZ

Dunedin, New Zealand

Today was our last port of call in New Zealand.  We took a six hour train ride into the interior of the south island of New Zealand.  We rode the Taieri Gorge Railway which was the fabled route of pioneers and prospectors.  On board we were treated to tea and biscuits, wine, beer and lunch.  Besides the beauty of the country, we sat with a charming couple who were married 63 years.  He reminded me of my father with his telling of jokes, his manner of speaking (although with an Australian accent) and his funny, kind and gentle manner.  It was such an enjoyable trip made better by their company.  Today was the first day that it rained but it was only a short time and we were on the train, so it actually enhanced our trip with the dark clouds and rain against the windows.  We were so pleased with our first scheduled excursion.  The next two days are at sea but tomorrow we sail in and out of the fiords.

The train station in Dunedin was also historic, featuring an elaborate Victorian facade, 750,000 porcelain floor tiles and etched glass work.  It's nicknamed "Gingerbread Gorge" in honor of its architect, George Troup.

Akaroa, New Zealand

This was paradise found.  A small village of 600 people for most of the year, it has a small main street with shops, restaurants and hotels.   It has a unique french flair.  The harbour is the crater of a volcano with a small break in the mountain range that surrounds it.  This is where our ship sailed in and out of miraculously.

We slept in today and took a tender to go ashore which was fun.  It was 64 degrees today and felt quite warm by comparison to Connecticut.  We are told it is because there is a large hole in the ozone layer here which makes the sun feel more intense.

Akaroa looks like paradise with its rolling green hills dotted with an occasional house and cattle or sheep in the fields.  The township is small, clean, friendly and and an easy walk.  On the day we were there, they had a farmers market and a crafter's market much like any hometown market you would visit.  Its a place that you immediately think, "I could live here."

Upon our return we played backgammon and scrabble by the pool until dinner.  Then we saw a comedian, Simon McKinney which we saw a few days ago as well.  It was his second show.  He was good.  Then a cup of coffee on our private balcony while watching the dark night sky and the white cap waves from our ship.  What a perfect day for us.  We could get used to this.

Wellington, New Zealand

After a luxurious couples massage by two of the best masseuses we have ever had, we took the lift into the capital of New Zealand, Wellington.  There we took the Cable Car to the top of the a San Francisco type hill and made our way back down through the Wellington Botanical Gardens.  It was about 59 degrees and windy.  (It is called the Windy City here.)  The sun was out and it felt quite pleasant.

New Zealand Pohutukawa Trees

Peace Garden

Upon our return, we played backgammon and had coffee and dessert on board the ship overlooking the harbor.  Rob won every time.

Day at Sea

Tonight was our first formal night.
Peter and Mary, Rick and Lisa, Susan and Rob with Alex our server.

Tauranga, NZ

Today was a very busy and interesting day for us.  We spent most of the day hiking Mount Maunganui in Tauranga, New Zealand.  While a steep climb, it was well worth it.  It was about a five minute walk from the ship to the base of the mount.  Then over an hour (for us much more time because we stopped so often to take pictures and catch our breath) to the top.  There we had 360 degree views of the bay and Tauranga.

On the way to the top,we stopped and spent about 30 minutes sitting on a bench watching sheep and lambs graze and call to one another when separated.  It was the most peaceful place and we could have sat there all day.  We also saw a ring necked pheasant in the same place.

The peak was breathtaking and we spent time there as well just taking in the scenery.

After our hike down, we purchased some New Zealand Ice Cream (Tip Top) because even though it was only 74 degrees, the hike called for a treat.  Rob, of course got into a conversation with some grounds workers on the way down and they told us where to get the best ice cream, Copenhagen Cone.  We ate our treat at the beach and then walked along the waters edge barefoot (the water was freezing) to an outcropping of land to gain another vantage point of the mount.

Upon our return to the ship, we attended an interesting and entertaining show by a Maori troupe of folklore traditional performers.  As part of the show, they invite women to come on stage and learn a few moves.  They do the same for the men afterward.  Rob and I both went up on stage.  It did show how uncoordinated I am as I could not stamp my foot in rhythm, while catching a poi (ball on a string) with other hand movements.  Rob was more successful with his coordination of steps but did not look very fierce.

Tonight, we said goodbye to Tauranga under a moonlit sky from our balcony.  Tomorrow is at sea on our way to Wellington, NZ.