8/1 Awoke early and wrote my blog and enjoyed a breakfast buffet before leaving for the port. The Eurodam is the newest and largest vessel in the fleet. I was checked in and on board by 11:45 and directed to the dinning room for lunch. Met Alison from Toronto who is on CruiseCritic and Madelyn and Gerry from Michigan. All three were exhausted as they flow in last night and just arrived this AM. Just confirmed my decision to come across one day early. Sitting in the Crow’s Nest and enjoying the view of the harbor while all around me passengers are sacked out for a rest. Expect the cabin to be ready soon and found out that I was up-graded from an inside (NN) to an outside (C). A visit from the upgrade fairy is ... read more

Napier On February 3, 1931 at 10:43 am, the world shifted for the citizens of a sleepy little town on the hills of eastern New Zealand. An earthquake measuring 7.9 leveled the town and the broken gas lines ignited fires that roared across the rubble. More than 250 people were killed, crushed under the rubble or burned to death in the fire. The earth rose up 3 meters and what was once a harbor became in an instant a fertile plain. Once the shock was over the town with the help of the NZ government started to rebuild. Since it was at the start of a global depression, architects from all over descended on the town and rebuild using the latest technology and in the predominate style of art deco. Until the mid 80’s, when a ... read more

Christchurch Awoke to another blustery day, and off to the Botanic Gardens. The Flower Festival starts tomorrow. The gardens and the city were well prepared for the event decked out in flags and flowers. I wandered through the garden enjoying the sounds of birds and fragrance of beautiful plants and flowers. The river Avon meanders through the city and the gardens. Tourists were enjoying a “punt ride” on the river, poled by a fellow in suspenders and a boater. Very picturesque. I noticed something flying through the air and discovered the lads at the adjacent Christ College practicing either javelin throwing or spear chucking. It was quite disorderly but fun to watch. We boarded our coach for a ride into the mountains. The first half of the across the Canterbury Plains passed farming and grazing land. ... read more

The animals. I can truthfully report that I have seen all the major Australian creatures. In Melbourne, the zoo is home to a nice collection, and the duck-billed platypus was very, very active. Much smaller than I expected, about 12” long”, he (or she) was swimming back and forth, nibbling on river grasses and making a real spectacle of itself. I would have loved a picture but they ask us not to use a flash and it didn’t come out without one. Again it was the aviary that blew me away. There were so many birds in this gigantic structure that is like playing that children’s game “How many birds can you find in this tree”. The answer is dozens. One parrot greeted us all with “hello”. Everywhere I looked there were wonderful colorful strange birds. ... read more

The Blue Mountains and Featherdale Sunday was overcast at 7:30 a.m., when I set out for the Blue Mountains, but the sky gradually cleared until it was bright blue with brilliant sunshine, a perfect day for the tour. Lucked out and was seated next to John the driver, with a great view and the opportunity to chat and ask questions. First stop was the Olympic complex from the 2000 games. Not much to see here but had a much needed cup of coffee, then on to the Featherdale Wildlife Park. Our drive took us on the motorways and through suburban villages. Featherdale is a small preserve, started by a farmer and recently taken over by a corporation. My first impression was not good. That zoo smell we all remember from days past was there, but as ... read more