Holidays in the South Pacific

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Holidays in the South Pacific
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Day 38
Friday, December 30, 2022 at 1:00 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 38 m
New Zealand Lyttelton Harbour -43.601585, 172.717343°36’6” S 172°43’2” E
A Blustery Day-Lyttleton & Christchurch
December 30, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
We woke up to winds of 27 mph gusting to 32. Luckily it settled down during our tour, and didn't rain until we got back.

Nice bus tour. We were the first ship to visit Lyttleton since the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010. We saw an overview of the town, and got a lot of history of the area- including the earthquake, the aftermath, and the ongoing effects.

We went to Mona Vale Gardens, and saw lots of roses. A few were fragrant, but surprisingly, many had no scent.

The bus driver was kind enough to stop so that another lady and I could hit an ATM to get NZ dollars.

Lunch at Cagney's- dinner at Windows- The braised brisket was amazing.Read more
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Day 39
Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 7:00 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 8 m
New Zealand Kaiwharawhara -41.267176, 174.78426141°16’2” S 174°47’3” E
Wellington-TePapa Tongarewa Museum
December 31, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We had breakfast, then visited Onda for coffee while our room was being done. We were visited by the coffee and pastry squad.

The TePapa Museum has a wealth of info on nature, the Maori culture, and a great exhibit on New Zealanders in Gallipoli during WWI. There is a Colossal Squid!

We went to the lookout over the city, and saw many sites in Wellington.

We shall see what New Year's Eve brings😁Read more
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Day 39
Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 11:59 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: Sea level
South Pacific Ocean -41.80194, 175.125241°48’7” S 175°7’31” E
New Years' Celebration at Sea
December 31, 2022, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We experienced New Years before most of the rest of the world.

Festive!
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Day 40
Sunday, January 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 21 m
New Zealand Napier City -39.478471, 176.91482439°28’42” S 176°54’53” E
Napier- Art Deco and Wine Tasting
January 1, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Fun day.

We had a drive around Napier to see the Art Deco buildings. We visited a Honey producer (actually, the bees are the producers, but we visited the packagers.) Sadly, we can't take honey into Auckland, even if it originated in New Zealand.

We had wine tastings at two vineyards: Askerne and Mission. We also had an amazing port produced by our guide, Don.

Evening found us back on the ship for some preliminary packing, a worship service, and dinner in Le Bistro with Judy & GlennRead more
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Day 41
Monday, January 2, 2023 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 300 m
New Zealand Pohutu geyser -38.160255, 176.254138°9’37” S 176°15’15” E
Tauranga- The Rotorua Experience
January 2, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
We had a nearly 2 hour bus ride to Te Puia. On arrival we had a nice lunch.

We saw kiwis, geysers, and had a wonderful Maori welcome.

Back to the ship, wrote Hero cards, and Cagney's for The Last Supper, and "goodbye" to our crew members. And packing. Have I mentioned that I hate packing?Read more
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Day 42
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 10:00 AM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 44 m
New Zealand University of Auckland -36.849616, 174.76338136°50’59” S 174°45’48” E
The Saddest Day So Far...
January 3, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
...is the day we have to leave the ship.

We had our last breakfast in Cagney's, and said goodbye to the wonderful team that took such good care of us.

Checkout was smooth- until the part where they owed me money-- but that's a good thing!

Customs/Immigration was a breeze.

With sadness in my heart, I bade farewell to our home for the last month-plus.

Our dear friends Glenn and Judy helped us schlep our baggage to our hotel. It was a nice walk, and there's no way we could have done it without them. The taxi ride would have been only 3 minutes. Way for the Americans to piss off the Kiwi cab drivers!!! (Even if we tipped big, they'd lose their place in queue for a larger fare.)

The Holiday Inn looked like a reunion for Spirit cruisers- many familiar faces waiting to check in.Read more
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Day 43
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 12:00 PM
🌧 19 °C
Altitude: 46 m
New Zealand Ewelme Cottage -36.860126, 174.779736°51’36” S 174°46’47” E
Rainy Day in Auckland-HoHo & Weta
January 4, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
We hopped on and off at Sky Tower- then I headed to the Weta Experience. Weta studios produce special effects for NZ films, including the LOTR series, and the upcoming features Origins and a couple of others. Yes. I'm a nerd.

I also dropped a few bucks on the slots in the Casino. Less nerdy.Read more
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Day 44
Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 3:00 PM
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: 6 m
New Zealand Mechanics Bay -36.848176, 174.78139136°50’53” S 174°46’53” E
Auckland- Museum, Giapo Ice Cream
January 5, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
We took the HoHo to the Museum- leaving from in front of the Hush Hush Strip Club. The Museum had a great exhibit on Stonehenge, Maori culture, and a couple of T-Rex. It remains rainy and windy.

At Darla's recommendation, we went to Giapo for ice cream. Worth the visit!Read more
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Day 45
Friday, January 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: 5 m
New Zealand Duders Beach -36.832151, 174.79560436°49’56” S 174°47’44” E
Ferry Ride to Devonport
January 6, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
After breakfast at the hotel, we took the ferry to Devonport. It continued to be rainy and windy, but the ferry ride wasn't too choppy. We walked about, and had some fine fish & chips at Manuka- a pub in town. Then back to the hotel for a final pack.Read more
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Day 46
Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 AM
⛅ 5 °C
Altitude: 15 m
United States North Branch Little Hunting Creek 38.728804, -77.08278738°43’44” N 77°4’58” W
Homeward- The Longest Day
January 7, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
We got up and had breakfast, checked out of the hotel, and took our shuttle van to the airport. On the shuttle, we encountered an Australian family who had been in Spirit with us. They shared their positive experience- we all agreed it was a fine cruise.

The Auckland airport was uneventful, although there were long lines for immigration and security. I forgot that I had stowed sunblock in with the snorkel gear- my mistake, and $25 worth of sunblock down the hatch🙄.

We visited the Strata lounge, and arrived at the AA gate in time for boarding. Our gate was one of the furthest, and it felt like we walked halfway across New Zealand to get there. We were in Premium Economy- the best deal out there.

We departed on Saturday at 1:40 pm. After some 13-1/2 hours, we landed in Dallas the same day at 7:55 am. Our luggage was on the carousel, and with a couple of carts, we were on our way to re-check our bags. Then to Customs. We needed to do our Global Entry Interviews, so flew through, as there was only one person ahead of us.

Not to be outdone by the Auckland airport, we again had a distant gate. So after walking halfway across Dallas, we arrived at our gate, and had a short wait until we boarded. We had a window and aisle in the exit row. We were joined by a guy who took up every cubic centimeter of the center seat and then some. Would have been ok, but he fidgeted constantly and usually as I was falling asleep. I was pretty tired, so I guess it made me a bit grumpy.

We got home in one piece, and all was well. We are, of course, dealing with jetlag, so we're pretending these are sea days.Read more
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Trip end
January 7, 2023