Crossing the Tasman Sea

The Tasman Sea is very rough. Every day the ship's Captain suggested those "susceptible" to rough seas (that would be me!)should take the appropriate precautions. Thank goodness for drugs!

Our itinerary will take us into Milford Sound in Fjordland Nat'l Park in New Zealand's deep south rainforest, up the eastern coast of both the South and North Islands, around the volcano--White Island, into the Bay of Islands, around the North Cape and back to Sydney--nine ports in 14-days.

New Zealand is breathtakingly beautiful, the people are incredibly hospitable, there are more sheep than people, and NO snakes live there! The economy, I would describe as conservative. Wood is exported to Japan, but one must search to buy something imported. Outside of the few large cities, it feels like one has stepped back in time to the 70's. Not necessarily a bad thing.

We traveled via train west across the countryside from Christchurch to see stunning scenery in Arthur's Pass Nat'l Park in the Southern Alps, we biked through the vineyards of Napier--dodging the sheep and tasting the wine along the way, we climbed a mountain (albeit small) on the coast of Tauranga, and we saw the Christmas Trees in glorious bloom. We watched Albatross soar through the sky. We saw penguins, Kaka birds (bush parrots), Tui and a rare baby Tuatara (dinosaur lizard). The elusive kiwi bird, we found out at the end of our visit...is nocturnal.

NZ is overrun with non-native oppossum which are industriously harvested and turned into sweaters, hats, gloves... They pose a great threat to the numerous non-flying birds--like the kiwi. Sheep sacrifice their wool to make all manner of wonderfully luxurious and expensive rugs, slippers, pillows etc.

Christchurch, on the South Island, was my favorite. The beautiful Cathedral in the center of town with the huge angels suspended from the high ceilings, destroyed by a recent earthquake, is now tragically gone. Al,I suspect, would choose to return to Arthur's Pass, also on the South Island, where many tramping trails meander through the beautiful mountains.

After the long sea voyage back to Sydney, I think we are all feeling a bit tired and dazed. The sensory overload, the unfamiliar and vast quantity of food, and the unnatural lifestyle of awakening to a daily shore excursion, all unique to a cruise vacation, is exciting and exotic but overwhelming as well.

We miss the kitties! It is time to go home--such as it is. Bev and Jim have a very long trip ahead of them.

What an incredible adventure we all had!!! So many places to see, so little time...