Sydney Departure
December 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
Boarded HAL Noordam at 1pm for our Holiday Season cruise. Sailed away at 4pm.
It's a rainy day when we wake up and check the Circular Quay webcam. The Noordam is ready for us.
Our cabin is 5178 andRead more
Sydney Harbour Departure
December 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Leaving Circular Quay, we saw past all the harbour icons. Such a great harbour.
Thru the Sydney Heads
December 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
The tugs and pilot are still with us as we head for the Tasman Sea. It's pretty rocky, windy and the rain continues.
Lighting the Christmas Tree
December 20, 2023, Tasman Sea ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
It's a holiday cruise so the ship is decked out with all the Christmas decorations. Tonight they light the Christmas tree in the Atrium which is 3 decks high and there is carol singing as well. I wasRead more
Day at Sea and Specialty Dinner
December 21, 2023, Tasman Sea ⋅ 🌬 22 °C
Today has been a day at Sea as we continue the Tasman crossing. We spend the time exploring the ship, relaxing and enjoying a specialty dinner at Canaletto. Started with a limoncello margarita, endedRead more
Day 2 of the Tasman Crossing
December 22, 2023, Tasman Sea ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
The second sea day - there have been big swells to go with the wind, so it can be rocky at times. We spend the day reading and relaxing. Tonight there is another specialty dinner - this time at theRead more
Bay of Islands - Waitangi
December 23, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Today we have entered the Bay of Islands and anchored off Waitangi for the afternoon. The sail in would be amazing in the sunshine but it's rainy and windy. A small pod of dolphins play in the bowRead more
Waitangi
December 23, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Going ashore today means tendering to shore with misty rain and wind. We have nothing planned so have opted to stay on board today.
Fortunately from our balcony we are able to see the Waitangi TreatyRead more
Tendering to shore
December 23, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
It's raining and miserable as they launch the tenders for those going ashore in Waitangi. The weather worsens during the day and passengers come back onboard soaked.
Leaving Waitangi
December 23, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
A mishap today, Caught my thumb in the bathroom door - super ouch!!!
Just before that a fantastic cocktail - Minty Elf [vodka, crème de cacao, peppermint schnapps and cream]. Yummy but sneaks up onRead more
Entering Auckland Harbour
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Today is Auckland - grey skies [mostly] and some light showers again.
Auckland Sights
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Off on our shore excursion bright and early. Heading for the War Memorial Museum. The CBD is almost deserted this early as most people have left for the holiday season.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
A very interesting museum set in the centre of Auckland Domain, the crater of an extinct volcano close to the city's centre.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
The fauna of New Zealand. NZ broke away from Gondwana Land about 100 million years ago and drifted far away from what is now Australia and South America. It had no known mammals but many birds thatRead more
Auckland War Memorial Museum
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
The Maori Culture is alive and well in NZ.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
The first human inhabitants of NZ came from E Polynesia and Hawaii. They sailed here in canoes about 860 years ago.
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Pohutukawa Trees
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
The New Zealand Christmas Tree blooms vibrant red flowers in December and January. It is a hardy coastal tree found all around NZ.
Parnell Rose Gardens
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Home to the NZ Rose Society - every rose developed in NZ and authorised by the NZ Rose Society is planted in this garden.
Michael Joseph Savage Memorial
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Michael Savage was NZ's Labor prime minister in the early 1930's. He is considered to be the founder of the welfare state in NZ. This site is now the local Maori tribe's native land in the centre ofRead more
Good to see you both again... what an enjoyable, & vrry scenic trip you experienced! Lv Ny & Colette xo xo [Nyleta Pascoe]
Auckland - Okahu Beach
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
First landing of Polynesian people on this land at Okahu Beach, 860 years ago, Auckland. Currently under renovation, replacing water pipes.
Auckland Harbour Bridge & Sail Away
December 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
Auckland Harbour Bridge is an 8 lane motorway, the second longest in NZ. Originally built in 1959, it links both sides of the harbour. Auckland is a city that is boat-obsessed, check out just one ofRead more
Sounds of the Season
December 24, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Sounds of the Season on Noordam - a fantastic start to Christmas celebrations on board. The international choir, crew and officers are from all around the world. With drama! - 2 emergencies calledRead more
Approaching White Island
December 25, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌬 21 °C
Christmas Day onboard - sailing in the Bay of Plenty past White Island - shrouded in cloud but a distinct sulphur smell downwind of the volcano.
White Island
December 25, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 21 °C
Dec 9, 2019 at 14:11 NZDT, White Island erupted resulting in 22 deaths including 2 bodies never found. It was a popular tourist destination & 47 people were on the island at the time. The ash plumeRead more
