We woke up early, and had a shower, and then breakfast up in “The Trough”. We bumped in to Mum and Dad, and then saw Julie and Ethan a bit later.

We met just after 8 to get off the ship. Immigration, etc, got our bags, and the car took us back to our house. With a lot of unpacking to do.

A great holiday.

The clock went back an hour again today, so we woke up at 8.00 “new time” – which is now Australian time.

Breakfast

Trivia

Coffee with Dad. Kaoru and Mum went to a food demonstration.

We did some laps of deck 7. It was all open. We could see the smoke from the Mallacotta bush fires, which was quite scary to see. It was quite thick, even though we were a couple hundred km from the shore.

At 12.45 we watched the “High and Low” game. I got called up, and got the first question right, but didn’t do any good at picking the “high or low” card.

We had lunch, and then got our bags packed.

Usual trivia, and early dinner, followed by the magician again (Tim Ellis) who was amazing. Then a final Trivia hit which we went well in, but a team got 1 more than us. We then saw the crew show – some members of the crew are quite talented and performed for us.

Another “no diary” day (well, not in time anyway)

8.00 shower and breakfast. One of the couples from yesterday’s breakfast joined us again by coincidence. They were friendly so we were happy for the repeat.

9.15 we went “duty free alcohol” shopping, and had a tea.

10.00 trivia

11.00 we had a tour of the theatre. We got to go on stage and as the seas were rough, we could feel what it was like for the performers. Amazing that they can do what they do with that sort of movement underneath!

We wandered the ship for a while before lunch. Then had a sleep, and did some reading on the balcony.

4.30 it was trivia time.

Formal dinner night. I had my hawaii shirt on, with a suit – a good New Years Even compromise, in my mind. We had some photos and went to a show. Then passed the time until 11 when we celebrated NZ New Years. Then at midnight we did another New Years. Kaoru and I had our usual cuppa before bed, and went to bed at 1, just in time to say Happy New Year for Australia.

No diary – just notes.

Sleep in because clocks went back an hour.

Breakfast.

Trivia

Dad and I had a walk. Half of deck 7 was closed due to winds.

Coffee downstairs

Met up with Julie on Deck 14 in the sun.

Watched Princess Pyramids.

Had a bite to eat

2.00 Kaoru and I did a waltz class

Drink downstairs

4.15 Trivia

Mum and Dad’s room for Proseco

5.30 all 8 of us went for dinner

7.00 we did “Twisted Trivia”

7.45 we watched “The Drop” do “Guitar legends”

8.15 we went back to the restaurant for dessert and lemonchello.

8.45 we watch the Maori singer again.

9.45 we watched George Kapiniaris – a stand up comedian

Auckland

We woke about 7. We had left the curtain open and were hoping for a lovely view of Auckland. Instead, all we could see out our window was the Hilton hotel! A bit disappointing as we had booked our complimentary balcony breakfast for this morning. Oh well…

Food came in about 7.20. And oh so much food! Pastries, bacon, tomato and cheese, quiche, fruit, smoked salmon…we ate maybe just over half. We put the Proseco in the fridge for sharing later.

Mum is better and having breakfast so we went and said hi. Then we walked around Auckland. We bought some water from the supermarket, and found that they don’t sell spirits in the supermarkets (but you can buy wine).

After some wandering, we ended up at the Skytower. It was $32 each to go up. We had a great view from the 51st floor, and watch a couple of people do the Skyjump from the top (I did this back in 2007ish). We had a great view of our ship too. We then went up to the 60th floor, with much the same view, except we could watch the Skyjumpers from above. Then it was down to the cafe on the 50th. We met up with Dad, Julie and the kids there. Mum had nearly fainted back near the ship so Dad had taken her back and joined the others.

We walked around a bit more and found a bottle shop for a couple small Captain Morgan’s. I bought a glass V bottle and drank that, and trans-bottled the Captain Morgan’s. There was some left over so I put that in a water bottle.

Back on the ship we had a coffee/hot chocolate and then found Mum on deck 14 having lunch, so she was better. We went to their room to mix drinks and then Mum, Dad, Julie, Kaoru, Ethan and I watched the sailaway from above the bridge again. It wasn’t as windy as y esterday and gave a great view of Auckland.

Kaoru and I had a laydown and then off to Vista lounge for “High seas heist”. It required work over the next few days including watching the tv shows for clues, so we didn’t take part. Then trivia, early dinner and shows.

Tauronga / Rotarua

Tried to hire a car but no luck – they only had 3 and the were all gone (and only 1 that would have fit Kaoru, Julie, the kids and me). Another ship arrived too, after ours, so they would have no luck.

We found a bus that was going to Rotarua so caught that. We had time for 2 runs on the luge. Julie went with Ethan (separate luges), and I went with Izzy and David. Kaoru just watched and walked around.

We got a message from Dad. Mum was sick and had to go to the Doctors. He put her in quarantine as she was running a fever.

We got back to port, and stood on top of the bridge for the sail away. It was very windy, but gave us a spectacular view as we went out to sea.

The show was a singer, who happened to be Maori. He engaged the audience in a couple of the songs, and was fantastic.

After a drink in the Explorer bar, Julie came back to our room to have a tea on the balcony, and then we called it a night.

Sea day

Busy but not.

Wandered ship.

Load of washing.

I didn’t take any notes during the day so now have no recollection!

Wellington

We had left our curtains open last night to hopefully watch the sun rise, as we would be travelling North and we were on the right of the ship. At 6.00 it was already bright and we were well in the bay. I got up and watched 2 tugs hold us against the dock while we were being moored on the other side. We could see planes take off and many other ships in the bay. Then it was back to bed.

We got up a bit later and went to breakfast. We got sun cream on and were ready to start the day. We met about 9.25 in the casino for our tour. We got on our bus and drove around the bay to the lighthouse. They supposedly call this “Windy Wellington”. It’s windy 160 days of the year, but it was a lovely day for us in the sun. Our bus driver was a Maori and very entertaining.

At the end we had a light snack and drink, and were treated to a working dog demonstration. We watched a couple of dogs round up half a dozen sheep. It was great watching the dogs respond to different sounds of a whistle.

The bus then took us in to town, providing us more knowledge on the way. Mum was feeling a bit unwell so went back to the ship, and Ethan was tired so went with her. The rest of us went to the museum and saw an amazing ANZAC display, which was quite moving. We then wandered around town looking for a pharmacy to get Mum and Kaoru some medication (Kaoru wasn’t 100% either), and then we went to a pub for a couple of beers. Dad bought some more wine to take on board. David and Izzy left us to go back to the ship – this surprised us as they had Internet here in town but not back on the ship! So they left us and made their way back to the shuttle stop. We decided to walk back, which was a K or 2. Didn’t worry me (other than needing the dunny the whoel way) but Dad was glad to be back.

We went to check on Mum. We had a drink (mum didn’t) and then Kaoru and I rushed off to a clue game. We didn’t do too well in it, but we arrived late so missed the first half of the questions.

We went to “the trough” for dinner and ate outside. The weather was nice and we had a great view of Wellington. Kaoru decided to go to bed and rest, and I met Mum, Dad and Julie for a “Sherlock Holmes” mystery, which was quite enjoyable. It was music trivia wrapped up in a story and we got 17 out of 20, but another team got 18.

I checked on Kaoru and then wanted to go and see 80’s music in the nightclub. So up I went by myself at 10.00 expecting to hear some great tunes. It didn’t happen though. The DJ was playing some semi-techno version of an 80’s song, and then it went to crap, so I left. I got a chamomile tea and sat on the balcony writing my diary. Julie and I met back in the lounge at 11 to listen to The Drop, and then we called it a night.

Akaroa

Xmas morning. The ship was anchored quite a long way off shore. We all met for breakfast at 8.30 and then went to Mum and Dad’s room for presents. We got ready and met up to catch the ender to shore. It was about a 25 minute trip to shore.

We wandered around Akaroa for a while. Lots of places were closed. Kaoru and I split off and went to a bakery for something to eat. We then walked up to the Giant’s house, which is a garden filled with mosaic structures. The town is quite artsy fartsy so this was one persons contribution. It was interesting but over priced at $20 each.

We walked back to town and got an ice cream before boarding a tender back to the ship. We realised we had about an hour before trivia so had a customary xmas day nap.

I got ready and went to Mum and Dad’s room while Kaoru prepared. Dad and I decided against trivia with just the 2 of us so we sat outside and had a Kraken, as Mum and Julie eventually got ready and cracked bubbles. Kaoru came down once she was ready too. All 8 of us then went to the restaurant for our 5.15 dinner.

In the usual Christmas tradition, Mum had brought hats, name tags, her “Friends” (that sing the 12 days of xmas), chocolte Santa’s, and something new – serviettes with some special fold technique, which she had just gotten from Aunty Lynette.

Dinner was average – nothing compares to Mum’s xmas meal! But enjoyable nonetheless. After dessert we raced off to do a xmas song trivia (which we were dismal at), and then went to see “A Christmas Story”, put on by the crew, with an aussie theme. It was quite enjoyable, but only Mum, Dad, Kaoru and I went, and we had to stand as it was full.

Back to the Explorer’s lounge to watch “The Drop” do a few songs, before “Battle of the Sexes Kaoaoke”, which both Dad and I (as well as Mum and Julie) joined in on. Then The Drop came back on to do some more tunes by which time we were getting tired so went to Deck 14 and had a chamomile tea on our balcony.

Xmas is done for another yer.

Picton

We arrived in port about 7.30 / 8.0. Looked out the window and we were in a working dock. Thousands of logs waiting for export.

Casual breakfast and relaxed for morning.

10.40 met in casino for day trip. We caught a bus through the dock. The tour was running late so we walked around Picton for half an hour and then got on our 2.5 hr catamaran tour.

Fantastic tour of the Queen Charlotte sounds. The guide was very knowledgable as well as entertaining, and made the trip even better. We stopped in a bay to feed some fish, and also in a peaceful little bay.

Back in town we walked around and did some shopping at the grocery store. A bottle of white wine, tonic water and something to eat. We bumped in to Mum and Dad inside and Julie and the kids as we left.

We walked back to the bus stop and caught a shuttle back to the ship. Trivia, champagne, dinner, a show and then back to Mum and Dad’s room to lay pillow cases. Kaoru nad I went to Explorer Bar to watch the band and then take part in a game show. We made jury’s of 12 and had to work out what the verdict woul dhave been on a number of cases. It was about midnight by the time we got to bed.

We had a slow start again. At about 8.30 there was an announcement shipwide for the medical response team to go to the restaurant. Hope that’s not a sign of food poisoning! After a quick shower we went down to eat.

After breakfast we watched a fruit and vegetable carving demonstration and had a coffee/hot chocolate. It was amazing to see them use skewers to stick bits of food together to create a bunny rabbit or bird. We then did our teeth and went up to deck 14 to watch the ice carving demonstration. Again, just mind blowing. We had no idea what they were making until the presented it to us. The level of detail was superb!

We wandered around to kill some time, and went to the gym to spend 15 minutes on the treadmill as we couldn’t walk deck 7. We then went to watch the game show “In it to win it”. I put my name down but didn’t get drawn out. But it entertained us for a bit. By the time it was over we were ready for a late lunch so got something light, and then back for a swing and jive class! Again the class was fun but they tried teaching too much so we could never get the hang of any steps.

We went back to the Piazza for some dessert and hot chocolate, and chilled a bit. Before we knew it, it was time for 4.00 trivia. So we got a seat for everybody and once again didn’t go too well. Then to our usual routine of a drink in Mum and Dad’s suite, and then dinner. We were sent to level 6 as the restaurant on level 5 didn’t have a table for 6 (David and Izzy were off with their friends). Dessert also entailed Baileys for Dad and I, and Lemonchello for the ladies. We then went to the music trivia to see if we could clean up again. We missed a couple this time though.

We had taken some wine which was empty by the end of the game. So I ordered Tokyo Iced Teas for Dad and I. Julie and Mum were dancing but by the time Julie was off she wanted one too.

We then went to see “The Juggler” – another performer. Kaoru was tired so missed out. Mum decided to get in on the Tokyo Iced Tea action. Julie had to go and get Ethan so she missed the first half. He was an amazing performer and we were all in stitches as he was comical as well as entertaining.

After the show I went and got a camomile tea and read a chapter of my book on the balcony.

We woke a bit earlier today. So after a shower we went down to breakfast. 5 other people were seated with us so we exchanged stories as we ate.

We went back to the room via Julies, and saw Mum and Dad, so Kaoru put on the first load of washing. Our room had been cleaned while we were eating. After teeth and some writing of my diary we put the washing in the dryer and went downstairs for a coffee and hot chocolate. It was quite crowded so we had to join a couple who were on their first cruise. We had a bit of a chat to them while enjoying our drinks and then went to get the washing out.

Mum and Kaoru folded washing and we talked about a Picton tour. We then passed time until 1.00 to do a salsa class. We learnt a few new moves which will have left our heads by the end of the trip (if not the day!)

We had a bit to eat on the 14th floor as a late lunch. We enjoyed it outside in the fresh air and relaxed a bit. But then decided to have a siesta, so went to our room for a nap.

We woke and met up at 4.15 trivia, which we crashed and burned at, but still enjoyable. Then we met in Mum and Dad’s room for champagne and cheese (from deck 14), and Dad and I moved to the Kraken. Then it was off to our rooms to prepare for the evening. Kaoru left earlier to make a start. I just put on a my suit and tie and was ready for the first formal night.

I went to Mum and Dad’s room to grab a Kraken and then we went down to the music trivia. By the time the trivia was over we had all congregated together. And we were much better at the music one, getting 20 out of 20! Of course that was because it was easy and several teams had a perfect score, so there was an extra question that we had to write down the answer for. The people next to us (who weren’t playing) gave us the answer and Julie ran up with it. So we won! Izzy was given a Princess magnet and we were given a bottle of champagne (we later found out it was a pretty crap bottle of “french” champagne – not really a prize!)

We then went to the Crown Grill for our formal evening, compliments of Geelong Travel. Dad brought along a bottle of Pepperjack which went great with my fillet mignon. It was a fantastic meal and we were too full for dessert. Luckily we had to leave to catch the show – Born To Dance. So we asked them to send dessert to Mum and Dad’s room and we rushed off.

We had seen this show before. We think on the Tasmania cruise 2 years ago. But this was a different cast and still enjoyable. Once the show was over we went back to Mum and Dad’s room and ate desert. Then we realized it was nearly 11.30! So we went downstairs for a specialty tea (which wasn’t really any different to getting it from upstairs, except it was larger) and took that back to our room. We got ready for bed and called it a night.

We woke and realized it was almost 9.00 and breakfast closes at 9.30. So we threw on some clothes and went down to deck 6. David found us on the way so the 3 of us went to the restaurant and our table was eventually filled with other people so we could order. I had all bran and an omelette.

Not long after food arrived Kaoru wasn’t feeling too good. She had a headache and hadn’t slept well so she went back to the room. David and I finished our breakfast and then I went back to clean my teeth. I told Kaoru to stay in bed, while I went down to meet the others.

David got some sea sickness bands for Kaoru in case that’s what was affecting her, so I took them to the room. She was fast asleep so I quietly dropped them off and went for a wander around the ship.

12.00 we all met at the Crown Grill for a British lunch. Kaoru didn’t each much; Dad and I enjoyed the steak and kidney pie, Mum and Kaoru tried a ploughmans, and Julie went for the Fish and Chips. David and Izzy had bangers and mash, while Ethan had Mum and Kaoru’s break.

Kaoru and I did a few laps of the ship to pass the time and then went to watch the destination presentation for Picton and Akaroa. There was a strong perfume so Kaoru had to leave it and go lay down. I had trouble staying awake for the presentation so once it was over I went and joined Kaoru for a lay down.

We all met again at 4.15 for trivia and then just after 5 in Mum and Dad’s room after changing for dinner, to crack a champagne (followed by a cheeky dark and stormy for Dad and I). We then went to Bernini’s for dinner with a bottle of white.

We had to skip dessert and rush off to the auditorium to watch the stand up comedian. He was just telling old one liners, although there were a couple of new ones in there. Not anything fantastic though. Then Julie, Kaoru and I went to the Yes/No game (Kaoru and I got dessert first). Julie put us both down but only she got called up. She had to go 3 minutes without saying “Yes” or “No”. 2.5 minutes in she starts laughing and tells the quiz master that he missed it because she said no already! So she dobbed herself in and missed out on the bottle of champagne.

We then saw the 10.15 presentation of Motor City – the nights performance. Some good songs but I didn’t think it was too special. By the time it was over Kaoru and I were getting tired so we called it a night.

We were packing until about midnight and were mostly done. We woke up, Kaoru did last washing and cleaning and I worked. We got everything done by 12 and had a 30 minute sit down before the bus arrived to pick us up, with mum and dad, Julie, Izzy, David and Ethan. We loaded the bus with our 3 suitcases and were on our way.

The line for dropping us off was long due to the number of passengers. Luckily we were in an air conditioned car as it was 40 degrees outside. Check in was the fastest we were ever in. We went straight to the check in desk with no wait. Then through customs and on to the boat.

It was the same boat as our Tasmania trip 2 years ago. And our balcony room was almost identical, however looks aged over the last 2 years. We walked around and got our bearings.

We weren’t made aware of our departure. I looked out the window at one point and we were moving!  We wouldn’t have wanted to be up the top deck for it though as it was too hot outside. As we were near land we were able to keep in touch with what’s app which kept us going until we all set up on the internal network.

We met in mum and dads suite at 6 for champagne. At times it was cool outside and then it would get stinking hot again. We waved goodbye to port Philip bay and watched the pilot get on the boat to take him home. Then we all went to dinner in Berninis.

After a few laps of deck 7 (2.5 laps is 1 mile), Julie, Izzy, Kaoru and i went to see the band play for a bit. David came with his mates and asked to leave Ethan behind, which made him a bit grumpy, especially as he was already over tired. A long island ice tea for me and espresso martinis for the girls took us to karaoke time but it was getting late, and clocks had to go forward an hour so we called it a night.