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Blogs from Pacific, Oceans and Seas - page 6
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April 7th 2012
Hi everyone, well what a night, we rode thru a storm with Gale force winds and large waves shaking us all around. We have just come back on board after going into Burnie, I was hoping to get a sim card (Vodafone) but they not have access or a shop here so it will have to wait until tomorrow in Melbourne and with it being Easter Sunday I am not sure what is open will have to wait and see. Last night again Maureen and I went to the theatre for the show, it was 50's and 60's music and the show was called "Unforgetable" it was beautiful. They do an amazing job all the artists. We have been nearly every night to one. After that we went to the Finals of the competition in the ... read more
April 5th 2012
Hi everyone, we are out in the middle of the ocean between NZ and Tasmania. Cruising at 20knots. A little rough, my chair keeps rolling away from the desk and the desk keeps tilting. Yesterday was amazing, Dusky Sounds, Doubtful Sounds and the Milford sounds, some of the landscape we could have almost touched from the side of the ships. The two beautiful waterfalls were spectacular, the Capt turned the ship in a 360deg circle so all sides could see everything. The tops of the mountains still had snow on them and no doubt by the time we get back there will be more snow on them. Met an amazing Canadian couple at lunch today and they have cruised many times over the past 20 years, love NZ so much they rented a house for 2months ... read more
April 2nd 2012
Hi everyone, we arrived into Dunedin at Port Chambers this morning it was overcast and gloomy, since catching the shuttle into the Library the sun has come out and it is beautiful. Yesterday was spent walking around Akaroa, couldnt find Vici's brother David but well worth making the effort. Posted off birthday presents to Michaela & McKenzie. Today we will do a 1/2 day tour and then head back to the boat, the depart we get to see the amazing Albatross nests and birds, perched high in the hills. Ask Bill he can tell you why, where etc. Computer telling me going to cut me off. We are all having a fantastic trip on the Volendam and recommend this form of holiday to everyone. Love from Gail & the Gang... read more
March 28th 2012
Hi everyone, 27th March : We got on board the Volendam at 3pm and promptly met the bar staff. We had dinner together late then Maureen and I went back to the Crows Nest Bar to watch as we sailed from the beautiful Waitemata Harbour at midnight. Leone and Bill headed to bed. Maureen and I were asked to head to bed as we were last in the bar at 1.45am and they were about to close up for the night. (They make a mean Vodka Martini) 28th March : Slow start to yesterday but very enjoyable as we cruised around the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty,Mercury Bay and White Island which of course was putting on a show for us. Lots of photos already on Note Book J9 sent us to use but I have not ... read more
March 11th 2012
After 3 months on Palmyra Atoll, it was time to pass the island and the work to another crew. Its been an amazing experience to live on an idylic tropical isle with only 4 other people, at least for a while. Undeveloped and now protected, Palmyra is an example of what nature can do after man has done his worst. Nearly leveled, contaminated and almost treeless during WW2, the Atoll is now covered in thick lush jungle, and many thousands of coconut palms. Birds nest by the thousands and marine life is in recovery. Still, if you look around, the war relics are ever present, jutting from the lagoon or embedded in the jungle, covered with vines. Its a reminder of a violent past history, and what could happen again if we are not carefull. Palmyra ... read more
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February 23rd 2012
Thursday, 23rd February 2012: We had never heard of Dunedin until Cunard decided to take us there but it proved to be the gateway to an amazing journey along the (famous!!) Taieri Gorge. And what made the journey great was the fact it was done on a wonderful old railway. 14 carriages were hauled by 3 old diesel engines and the return journey took us nearly 6 hours. Talk about rugged! There is almost no wildlife here: a few birds, some wild deer and goats and that's about your lot. We only saw 7 houses in all those hours and it's hardly surprising. The gorge makes Cheddar look like toy town. Its steep sides are covered in trees at the bottom of the gorge but it turns to large rocks and then just scree. You travel ... read more
February 22nd 2012
Wednesday 22nd February: For the first time in 6 weeks, our trip ashore today was affected by rain to the point where our plastic ponchos had to be wheeled into service. The clouds covered all the mountain peaks - and there are a lot of them - and our 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser took us straight up into them. So what should have been amazing panoramic views over both the north and south islands, was a misty view of not very much. We had an 'interesting' group in our vehicle. Just 6 guests but two of them were huge. They managed to make me feel positively skinny! At the first viewing point the rest of us got out but those two just wedged themselves into the front and stayed there. And began moaning. Kept on moaning. ... read more
February 21st 2012
Tuesday 21st February: Today we did our usual day at sea after a day ashore: we over-slept, missed breakfast in the main restaurant and had to drag ourselves kicking, screaming and bleary-eyed to the gym. But it was worth it because while we were there another mega pod of dolphins danced towards the ship. Hardly anyone kept going with their exercise as it's such a wonderful sight to see so many dolphins leaping out of the water. I wonder why they do that? Maybe it's just because they can. The other bit of news from the ship - and it's pretty mega - is that both Tilsons chose to skip lunch today. Never in the history of this trip has either of us chosen to go without a meal. Mind you it's really only reflective of ... read more
February 20th 2012
Monday 20th February: We've just got back on the ship as it's 7 pm and we sail in 30 minutes time and our feet throb, my hips are screaming and we've had a really excellent day here in Auckland. We had an early breakfast on board and then headed straight for the hop on/hop off bus and did the full 1-hour circuit of the city just so that we could orient ourselves. We then hopped off in time for the highlight of our day: a sail on one of New Zealand's America's Cup yachts. And it was brilliant. There weren't too many people on board so we had space to move around and anyone that wanted to join in with the actual sailing had plenty of opportunity. Richard helped man the grinders, hoist the mainsail, dragged ... read more
February 19th 2012
Sunday 20th February: Bad news this morning: for the first time since we left England the clocks had to move forward an hour. Every time we've had a time change until now we've gained an extra hour in bed but today we lost an hour. Which meant we woke up late so went to breakfast late so only just made the lecture at 10.00 (all about the air fight in the Falklands War). Notice anything missing from the list? This all meant we went to the gym late - just before lunch. And it was horrid having to dredge up motivation on top of a full stomach. Boy did it hurt today. Thank goodness the afternoon was dedicated to a classical guitar concert, swimming, reading, drinking tea and snoozing. Tonight we ate from a wonderful Chinese ... read more
