Hawaii & down to New Zealand

Its been 3 years since we were on a cruise ship. We took the extra points and will be cruising with our friends, Rick and Darla plus Laura and Wayne. We'll travel from Hawaii to Fiji, Bora Bora then to Australia and back to New Zealand. Read more

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Hawaii & down to New Zealand
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Day 28
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 8:20 AM
⛅ 23 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Coral Sea -29.350324, 158.72439629°21’1” S 158°43’28” E
Rockin and A Rollin
December 21, 2022, Coral Sea ⋅ ⛅ 23 °F
For the past 24 hours, the ship has been going through some heavy seas. Swells up to 15 feet. The water is splashing out of the pool and even onto deck 7.

We’ve been eating breakfast recently in the private location of Onida and Santa Claus joined us.

We had lunch with Mary and then played LCR followed by a birthday dinner for Rick with Darla and Laura and Wayne.

Tomorrow we will arrive in Sydney, Australia.Read more
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Day 28
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 10:30 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Dawes Point -33.851855, 151.20684733°51’7” S 151°12’25” E
Arrivng into Sydney harbor
December 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
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Day 28
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 6:49 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
Australia Government House -33.861908, 151.21479733°51’43” S 151°12’53” E
Lunch at Watson Bay and boat taxi
December 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
A delicious fish and chips. We connected up with the internet.

And then as we were leaving, we had a pleasant conversation with Emma and her friend.

They were from Melbourne. I kiddingly said that we would be there on Christmas Day. “Can we join you for Christmas Day?” I gave them my card and said we would be expecting an email. Ha.

Then we walked to the Captain Cooks Hop On and Off ferry to take us back to the main bay.

Next we knew, Emma was running up to us asking if we wanted to go on their private VIP TAXI boat? We’ll Duh? Why not!

What a blessing! They gave us a private tour on water, cranking up the music and we sang along to tunes such as “Sweet Caroline and New York, New York”.

Lesson learned- just engage people and you can be a blessing to someone and they can be a blessing to you too.Read more
TravelerGreatest trip ever…dad Marr
12/21/22Reply
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Day 29
Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 11:23 AM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
Australia Susannah Place -33.860367, 151.20730633°51’37” S 151°12’26” E
President of NCL
December 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
So we’re setting breakfast in Onda up on deck 12.

I notice the president of NCL Walking thru. I asked for a selfie with him and his reply was “No, I want a selfie with you!”

We said goodbye to Darla and Rick. We’re continuing on to New Zealand with Laura and Wayne!Read more
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Day 29
Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 12:31 PM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 66 ft
Australia Susannah Place -33.86038, 151.20759833°51’37” S 151°12’27” E
I walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
December 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
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Day 30
Friday, December 23, 2022 at 9:06 PM
🌙 64 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tasman Sea -37.864164, 149.83519137°51’51” S 149°50’7” E
Garden of Eden
December 23, 2022, Tasman Sea ⋅ 🌙 64 °F
Just a short stop today. Glenn and I had a quick motorcycle ride.
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Day 31
Saturday, December 24, 2022 at 12:13 PM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 404 ft
Australia Romaine -41.099392, 145.90704341°5’58” S 145°54’25” E
Rhododendron Garden
December 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Got free internet by sitting on the library steps before catching the shuttle back the the NCL Spirit. Ran into Jane and Dennis and caught up on our day. Always good to meet up with new friends.Read more
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Day 32
Sunday, December 25, 2022 at 11:41 AM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 89 ft
Australia Melbourne City Centre -37.813358, 144.96557637°48’48” S 144°57’56” E
Melbourne Christmas Day
December 25, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
We had about 60 folks that attended the 12pm Christmas Eve service. Glenn led it. Laura read scripture and the piano bar guy, John, played the keyboard as we sang several traditional Christmas songs. Glenn gave a brief devotional and others stood up and shared.

We had dinner in Cagney with Laura and Wayne.

We’ve been handing out Christmas gifts (candy and Guatemala coaster) to staff.

We’re walking around the CBD (city business district). All stores are closed. Glenn texted with dad to get the score of the Cowboys game. Yes, we won!Read more
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Day 35
Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 9:10 AM
☀️ 64 °F
Altitude: 846 ft
New Zealand Cemetery Point -44.664228, 167.91201744°39’51” S 167°54’43” E
Milford Sound
December 28, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
Breathtaking
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Day 35
Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 2:31 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Surgeon Bay -45.282988, 167.00418145°16’59” S 167°0’15” E
Doubtful and Dusky Sound
December 28, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Breath taking, again!

We had a delightful surprise. Our stateroom was decorated in Happy Anniversary. And we had a special chocolate cake made for us. Yes, it was 44 years ago today, December 28,1978 and we had our very first date.Read more
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Day 36
Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 11:04 AM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 33 ft
New Zealand Dunedin -45.876762, 170.50486745°52’36” S 170°30’18” E
Dunedin, New Zealand
December 29, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
We took the shuttle to the city center. Walked to a garden then a historical museum. Very good.
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Day 37
Friday, December 30, 2022 at 10:28 AM
☁️ 57 °F
Altitude: 26 ft
New Zealand Takiritawai River -43.788227, 172.75822443°47’18” S 172°45’30” E
Sheep shearing
December 30, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
We took an excursion that took us to a sheep shearing demonstration.

And how the dogs chase the sheep. It takes 8 months to 2 years to train.

“The Lord is my Shepherd”

“All we like sheep have gone astray”Read more
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Day 38
Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 11:24 AM
⛅ 61 °F
Altitude: 354 ft
New Zealand Wellington Botanic Garden -41.283997, 174.7670941°17’2” S 174°46’2” E
Rose garden with Jane and Dennis
December 31, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
Day excursion with the Millers

Besides taking the gondola ride to. The top of the mountain, we leisurely walked down the hill through the rose garden.

Then the shuttle bus to the TePapa museum. Fascinating.

Good day in Wellington!Read more
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Day 39
Sunday, January 1, 2023 at 8:09 AM
⛅ 59 °F
Altitude: 72 ft
New Zealand Napier City -39.489456, 176.91970839°29’22” S 176°55’11” E
Onekawa Bible Church
January 1, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We connected with the Martin family from Onekawa Bible Church.

They picked us up in town and then showed us around. Now at church.

We met some lovely folks at church. However, I’m exhausted, so we’ve returned back to the boat to rest up for our evening activitiesRead more
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Day 40
Monday, January 2, 2023 at 10:49 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 82 ft
New Zealand Mount Maunganui -37.627132, 176.16838137°37’38” S 176°10’6” E
Tauranga, New Zealand
January 2, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Glenn and I trekked around the base of Mauao.

Stunning views as the Kiwi would say.

After the 90 min hike around the base of the mountain, we rewarded ourselves with a Copenhagen waffle cone.
TravelerThis is where my friends Brian and Melanie served for a while. I got to visit them there once as a surprise!
1/7/23Reply
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Day 41
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 11:14 AM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 167 ft
New Zealand Freemans Bay -36.847897, 174.76347436°50’52” S 174°45’49” E
Auckland Sky Tower
January 3, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
We helped Wayne and Laura off the sip. Thankfully their hotel was just several blocks away.

Then Glenn and I grabbed a coke and chips and watched people jump off the 51 story building!
TravelerThank you so much for your help. We couldn't have done it without you♥️
1/2/23Reply
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Day 43
Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 12:05 PM
🌧 70 °F
Altitude: 476 ft
New Zealand Mangakopikopiko Stream -39.343685, 176.762139°20’37” S 176°45’44” E
Farm in Napier
January 5, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 70 °F
Antoinette met us again in Napier to take us to her farm. We also had father-son join us too. Sterling and Randy from Arizona and South Carolina.

What a great way to see New Zealand, by a local family.

We got a tour of the Martin’s farm then returned home for a delightful lunch.Read more
TravelerGlad you were able to get into port!
1/4/23Reply
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Day 43
Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 1:39 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 371 ft
New Zealand Mangakopikopiko Stream -39.347561, 176.77140839°20’51” S 176°46’17” E
Sheep shearing
January 5, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Dean showed us how he sheers the sheep.
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Day 44
Friday, January 6, 2023 at 12:43 PM
🌧 66 °F
Altitude: 135 ft
New Zealand Wellington -41.283081, 174.77600141°16’59” S 174°46’34” E
Wellington
January 6, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 66 °F
We took a free tour of the New Zealand parliament. No photos allowed. Rich history.

We walked, purchased some postcards and enjoyed the light rain shower.
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Day 45
Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 10:29 AM
🌧 59 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
New Zealand Lyttelton Harbour -43.602493, 172.72076443°36’9” S 172°43’15” E
Lyttelton, New Zealand
January 7, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
A quaint little town. We strolled through the streets. A Rainey dreary day. We pulled out our winter jackets even though it’s summer here.
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Day 46
Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 11:42 AM
☀️ 59 °F
Altitude: 125 ft
New Zealand North East Valley -45.847904, 170.53257845°50’52” S 170°31’57” E
Steepest street - Dunedin, NZ
January 8, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
The pastor of Grace Bible Church picked us up for the service, then June and David took us back to the Octagon by way of the steepest street in the world.

Beautiful day. We walked around. Got a magnum ice cream bar and enjoyed this quaint little town.

We ran into Cheryl from the ship. I didn’t recognize her since she wasn’t wearing her uniform.Read more
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Day 47
Monday, January 9, 2023 at 12:25 PM
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Surgeon Bay -45.283713, 167.00517245°17’1” S 167°0’19” E
Dusky and Doubtful Sounds
January 9, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
The day was gorgeous. Blue sky. Mild temperatures.

We started off watching the views from the Spinnaker Lounge up front. And then we switched to the back of the boat to watch the 2nd Sound while eating lunch.

Yesterday during our evening meal, Mae, our concierge, and her co-worker came to our table. She said the hotel management wanted to let us know that there was a balcony room available and wanted us to move. We were surprised and delighted. 7 days left and we could watch the dramatic landscape going through the fiords.Read more
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Day 47
Monday, January 9, 2023 at 4:29 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Saint Anne Point -44.56041, 167.76820444°33’37” S 167°46’6” E
Milford Sound
January 9, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
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Day 49
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 5:29 AM UTC
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tasman Sea -41.282143, 151.18566941°16’56” S 151°11’8” E
Sea Day 1 and 2 Tasman Sea
January 11, 2023, Tasman Sea ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Sunset was gorgeous. Especially, enjoying it from our “New” balcony stateroom.

We got some photos with the Captain Ash, cruise director, Jun and other officers at the Latitude party!!

Knock knock. We keep getting complimentary cheese and crackers and today, chocolates.Read more
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Day 50
Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 10:23 AM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 157 ft
Australia Flinders Park -37.802948, 144.97232137°48’11” S 144°58’20” E
Melbourne “again”
January 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
We took a city tour which included the museum, gardens and the Eureka tower!

We drove past the sports complex that will host the Australian Open next week. Go Jocovic
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