Australia and NZ 2024

gennaio - aprile 2024

Round trip cruise from San Diego on HAL Leggi altro

Elenco dei paesi

Polinesia francese
Isole Cook
Tonga
Nuova Zelanda
Indonesia
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Nuova Caledonia
Vanuatu
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Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 71
- 13 mar 2024, 12:47
- ☁️ 73 °F
- Altitudine: 226 ft
- Nuova Zelanda Grafton -36.85972, 174.77618336°51’35” S 174°46’34” E
Auckland, NZ. Day one
13 marzo 2024, Nuova Zelanda ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
No tours today.
Walked out of the ship and we are in downtown of Auckland.
Today’s plan-just walk and explore the city.
We walked to Albert Park, which was set aside as a reserve in the 1870s, and developed as a park in the 1880s.
The steep paths were very challenging for a wheelchair, so Boris walked and I pushed the wheelchair. From the park we wend to adjacent Art Museum of Auckland.
One of the highlights of this museum was the Goa Pei exhibit, the extravagance and breath-taking fashion of globally renowned Chinese designer Guo Pei.
Finished with museum, we had coffee break and then walked to so called Auckland Domain. It’s a huge park consisting of 75 hectares (190 acres) of land, Auckland Domain is the oldest park in the city. Again path up and down (mostly up).
We finally reached War Memorial Museum,
which sits prominently on the crater rim.

We were debating to see museum or not. We decided not to see it. By now we were very tired from walking and the motor on the wheelchair was out of power.
We called Uber and in 15 min were back on the ship. Time to rest before evening.Leggi altro
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Two to TravelYou certainly did a lot of walking. We did most of what you wrote about last time we were in Auckland. Shame about the War Museum…really well done…something for next time.
15/03/24RispostaTradurre
Sonia GelmanCombination of walking and pushing the wheelchair with the motor did it.
15/03/24RispostaTradurre
4 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 71
- 13 mar 2024, 20:16
- 🌙 68 °F
- Altitudine: 36 ft
- Nuova Zelanda Freemans Bay -36.843058, 174.76289536°50’35” S 174°45’46” E
Auckland, NZ. Day One. Evening
13 marzo 2024, Nuova Zelanda ⋅ 🌙 68 °F
After some rest we left ship around 5:00PM for afternoon stroll. Then dinner by the water and beautiful evening. Came back on the ship by 9:00PM for local Māori show.
Tomorrow is another day in the city.Leggi altro
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7 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 72
- 14 mar 2024, 13:29
- ⛅ 72 °F
- Altitudine: 16 ft
- Nuova Zelanda Mission Bay -36.847492, 174.83064236°50’51” S 174°49’50” E
Auckland, NZ. Day 2
14 marzo 2024, Nuova Zelanda ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
For the second day in Auckland we decided to take it easy and get out of the city. The plan was to walk along the shore to Mission Bay. It is a resort town approximately 7-8km from the city centre.
The weather was perfect and the walk was very pleasant. We passed the Aquarium which we visited in 2017 and few nice beaches. By 12:30PM we were in Mission Bay. The place has laid back feeling with beach and street lined up with restaurants.
After great lunch in Italian restaurants, we spent time at the beach. No swimming, the water is only 72 degrees.
We took bus back to the city and after walking some more returned to the ship.
We had a pass to the spa and it was a wonderful relaxing end to this day.Leggi altro
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7 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 73
- 15 mar 2024, 14:11
- ☁️ 75 °F
- Altitudine: 984 ft
- Nuova Zelanda Manginangina -35.198849, 173.7992135°11’56” S 173°47’57” E
Waitangi (Bay of Islands), NZ
15 marzo 2024, Nuova Zelanda ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Today’s our last day of 9 days port marathon and we are tired.

Waitangi is the site of the signing of the first accord between the British Crown and the Maori people, but we are not going there. Instead we booked a Viator tour to other places.

Today was a tour to see glow worms and chocolate. What an odd combination. The glow worms were interesting. They lit up the ceiling of the cave in complete darkness.

We next stopped at a chocolate factory. They have very good chocolates. Then was lunch. It was at a bakery with about 20 varieties of savory pies. Both Australia and New Zealand do a lot of them. I had meat and cheese and it was delicious.

Our next stop was a forest of kauri trees, their largest. It was a beautiful forest full of ferns and big trees. After we stopped at a waterfall, a lookout spot to take pics of our ship, then back to the ship. It was a long day. Now we have 2 sea days. I am looking forward to it.Leggi altro
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The lighting on the picture of Boris looked like he had a beard. I had to zoom in!! [Barbara]
16/03/24RispostaTradurre
6 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 76
- 18 mar 2024, 08:34
- ☁️ 81 °F
- Altitudine: Livello del mare
- Tonga Nuku'alofa -21.130553, -175.19679221°7’50” S 175°11’48” W
Kingdom of Tonga
18 marzo 2024, Tonga ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
This is our second time in Tonga. First time was in 2020 during Covid just before we were kicked off the ship in southern Australia.

Tonga is located in South Pacific. It is the only country that was never colonized. Consisting of 176 islands, Tonga has a history dating back over 3000 years and the monarchy was in place around 1000 years. Tonga was given the nickname " the Friendly Islands" after Captain James Cook arrived here in 1776.
In the 19th century missionaries arrived, converting local population to Christianity. Country's capital Nuku'alofa translates to "Abode of Love"

In 2020 we visited a stunning beach where Boris went for a short snorkeling swim. The waves were pretty big and did not feel safe. He saw corals, colorful fish and we hoped for some good snorkeling this time.

Today we decided to go on the beach again and try our luck in snorkelling. We found a taxi and upon arriving on the beach were surprised….no palms, no shade. The beach looked pretty ugly. We were told - in 2022 there was an offshore volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami. The effect of it still evident.
There was nothing in the water: no corals, very few fish.
We asked our driver to take us somewhere else and after checking another beach with what looked like a remains of the resort, we decided to see something else.
Our nice driver took us to see blowhole, then burial place of royalty, then three brunches coconut tree (usually only one brunch). Then we stop at the wood carving store and had an ice cream next to it. Finally we saw remaining of the church.

It was getting very hot so we went back on the ship.Leggi altro
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Two to TravelShame about the destruction in the wake of the volcanic eruption and tsunami.
19/03/24RispostaTradurre
6 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 78
- 20 mar 2024, 07:53
- ☁️ 81 °F
- Altitudine: 597 ft
- Isole Cook Areanu Tabpere -21.17783, -159.81549221°10’40” S 159°48’56” W
Rarotonga, Cooks Island
20 marzo 2024, Isole Cook ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F
After two March 19 days, we were looking forward to a great day of snorkelling. The weather is perfect. We got up at 6:00AM and by 7:00 I was in line for tender tickets.
Got ticket for the first tender boat. All looked good. It felt a little suspicious that the ship was changing orientations and then at 7:30 the captain announced the swell is too big and it’s not safe for tender operation. Bummer!
Two days at sea instead of one before Bora Bora.Leggi altro
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ViaggiatoreBummer indeed…
20/03/24RispostaTradurre
5 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 80
- 22 mar 2024
- ☁️ 84 °F
- Altitudine: Livello del mare
- Polinesia francese Mouillage de Rotoava -16.058396, -145.63084416°3’30” S 145°37’51” W
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
22 marzo 2024, Polinesia francese ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
We arrived at our not planned port at 8:00AM. Likely I managed to get a tour two days prior to the stop at this port. As this is a tender port, we had to get up early to be inline for tender tickets.
Got ticket for the first tender and by 8:20 we were on the shore. The tour started at 9:00AM. Our little boat had 12 people.
Our first stop was at the shallow location to basically pet stingrays and small sharks. That was fun. The water is blue and very clear.
The second location was normal snorkeling with corals and fish. No pictures since Boris lost his camera in Tonga and we did not want to pay $300 for the new one. That is what is available on the ship.
After that-delicious lunch on the Motu and music, dancing and performance.
We got back on the ship around 3:00PM.
After shower and a little rest, I met with another lady to go for a dinner ashore. Boris decided to stay on the ship.
Sarah and I walked 10 min to the restaurant and had a wonderful dinner in a beautiful setting.
We took last tender boat at 8:00PM. We were the only two on the tender boat and last ones to board the ship.
It was a great day in Bora Bora.Leggi altro
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Two to TravelSounds like a great day in Bora Bora.
28/03/24RispostaTradurre
Sonia GelmanIt is never a bad day in Bora Bora. How are you feeling?
28/03/24RispostaTradurre
Two to TravelSo so today. Resting.
28/03/24RispostaTradurre
Sonia GelmanIt is been a busy long travel for you. I am also very tired
28/03/24RispostaTradurre
Two to TravelTrue. I just wish I understood it more even though every doctor says the same thing. Need to see specialist when we get home. I tried before Australia, but couldn’t get an appointment between travels.
28/03/24RispostaTradurre
Sonia GelmanWish you full recovery
28/03/24RispostaTradurre
Two to Travel🙏🏻
28/03/24Risposta
6 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 81–82
- 23 mar 2024
- Pernottamenti: 1
- ☁️ 84 °F
- Altitudine: Livello del mare
- Polinesia francese Mouillage de Rotoava -16.058548, -145.63105916°3’31” S 145°37’52” W
Moorea, French Polynesia. Day 1.
24–25 mar 2024, Polinesia francese ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
No plans for today.
Our two friends from 2023 world cruise who are staying in Moorea suggested to visit Temae beach near Sofitel Hotel.
So another couple from Canada and us hired a taxi and in 30 min we were on the beach. It’s a long strip beach. The taxi dropped us at the north side of the beach.
Right away we went snorkeling. Not good. The coral reef was very far and there was some current.
We decided to walk south toward resort.
Much better…corals were very close to the shore and in good shape. Lots of colorful fish. No camera and no pictures.
We spent the rest of the time snorkeling. At 1:00PM the taxi picked us up and we were back on the ship in one hour.
We were too tired to go anywhere in the evening, so we rested before tomorrow’s whole day tour.Leggi altro
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5 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 82
- 24 mar 2024
- ☁️ 84 °F
- Altitudine: Livello del mare
- Polinesia francese Mouillage de Rotoava -16.058469, -145.63075616°3’30” S 145°37’51” W
Moorea, French Polynesia. Day 2
24 marzo 2024, Polinesia francese ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Today we scheduled a full day snorkeling tour departing from the tender pier at 9:00PM.
Since we stayed overnight, I thought we can take tender boat at 8:00AM and be on time for the tour.
Coming back to our cabin from breakfast at 6:55AM, I met another passenger who told me we have to be on tender boat at 7:00AM. After that only cruise ship tour passengers will get tender tickets.
We had 5 minutes together ready. Luckily we were packed, but I had to change to a swim suit and get to the tender boat. We made it!

At 9:00AM we got on the tour boat. We had two snorkeling stops and then the most delicious lunch on the Motu.

Again, some music, coconut breaking, cooking presentation, hat making lessons, plant medicine presentation and other useful stuff. Lots of fun. It was a fantastic day.Leggi altro
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6 mi piace
Sonia Gelman Australia and NZ 2024
- Mostra viaggio
- Aggiungi alla lista dei desideriRimuovi dalla lista dei desideri
- Condividi
- Giorno 84
- 26 mar 2024
- ⛅ 84 °F
- Altitudine: Livello del mare
- South Pacific Ocean -12.528822, -142.92622612°31’44” S 142°55’34” W
Huahine, French Polynesia.
26 marzo 2024, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Huahine is known as one of the most authentic islands in French Polynesia, where the ancestral culture is still very much alive in local traditions and customs.
The population of the island is 6000.
We took a tender boat to the island without any plans. All I knew there is a wonderful beach and a resort, but it’s required taxi or a car rental.
We start talking to another couple, they were going to rent a car and I offer them to split the cost. The rental for a day is pretty expensive. Also, all cars are manual transmission. I do not drive manual.
The island consist of two separate islands, connected by the bridge. First, we drove around bigger north island, stopping at view points, private shell museum, vanilla plantation and then we arrived at remains of the resort with good looking beach.
I decided to “test the water”. The current was extremely strong. After 30 minutes, we continue driving stopping at the place where we could see blue eyed eels.

They live near the village of Faie and are considered sacred and have been habituated to humans for hundreds of years. These are massive 1.5-2m long fish that live in small caves and holes under the bridge and come out to feed in the fresh waters of the river. Locals and tourists feed them with mackerel. The most amazing is that the eels have absolutely blue eyes, almost porcelain blue that nearly glow in the water. They live up to 80 years.
Finally we end up in Avea Beach with very nice resort. It was close to 1:00PM and we were hangry. The lunch at the resort restaurant was very good.
After lunch we still had few hours to enjoy beautiful beach and fantastic snorkelling.

Back to the tender pier by 4:00PM. Very nice day.Leggi altro
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5 mi piace

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