18 January 2019: Sydney

Today was my last visit to this beautiful city before flying home,so had lots to do and see! First stop was the money exchange so we ready for our last cruise and visit to New Zealand.

Then I went up town to go and buy my sheep skin slippers that I had seen on a previous walkabout,and thank goodness were still in stock and on a sale ,so that was a nice surprise.

After doing my shopping it was time to go on a walkabout and this time I ended up at the St Marys cathederal, Hyde city park and on my way back I decided to make a last trip to the beautiful botanical gardens.

Then it was a stop at the government house opposite the opera house with the most beautiful wood work and gardens overlooking the harbour area.Even could sit on the stoep with this lovely view and just take it all in for a moment.

Decided had to climb the steps of the Opera house and tough the building and have a close up look at this remarkeable place that I have seen on TV many a time.Got some really cool pics of the roof and tiles and one of the restaurants with reflections of the harbour area in the glass windows.

Had fun doing that and then decided it was time for a beer at our old watering  hole that we had lunch at a few weeks ago.I had been walking around for nearly 4/5 hours so by this time I was realy thirsty and the beer went down quickly,maybe toooo quickly! Vrek lekker gewees

Then it was time for a last minute stroll around the stalls and back to my cabin.Know the drill so before I get to the security check point off come all my bangles,rings,watch,belt the whole lot and have to empty my drinking bottle,no liquids  onto the ship.Was another perfect hot day in Sydney with no thunder storms brewing.We left late afternoon and I spent my time on the open decks while leaving this city for the big open sea crossing to New Zealand.

The ride on the first night was really rough and very rocky,spent the whole night rocking and rolling but I enjoy that for you get a good nights sleep.Two days at sea and the next day was a lot flatter and no choppy waves.First port to call will be Auckland and hubby off, so we can get off together and exsplore.

Hubby has not been on dry land for 12 days so amper iets soos cabin fever,haaa haaa en dis tyd vir voete op moeder aarde, neersit. Net so uitgewerk dat hy af is op see dae ,so hy sien baie uit.Wil in Auckland natuurlik n ou ietsie koop wat te doen het met n All Black momento en dan gaan ons hopelik in Napier na n skaap plaas en daar sal ons n ou skapie kry om saam te vat huis.

21 January 2019: Auckland New Zealand

We arrived in Auckland at  12  and were leaving at 18h00 so had more than enough time to do our rounds.Was so nice to be able to walk around together for a change.First we were off to the local library but that was a waste of time for wi-fi was slow and did not do the job,so that was a disappointment.

Daar het ons n koffie ,kaas muffin en n chicken en mushroom pie bestel wat toe vir liefie in n sooibrand toestand gelaat het!! Gelukkig kon ons toe langs die waterfront dinge regstel met n yskoue bier en net om n dag goed af te sluit n gelato roomys!!

Oppad terug skip toe het ons toe ons All Black magneet gekry en hy wragtig so sterk jy kan dalk magnetiese dinge in iemand anders se handsak aan trek,haa haaa.

22 Januarie 2019: Tauranga New Zealand

5 uur vanoggend toe trek ons skippie by die hawe in maar ons het tot 7uur geslaap en toe eers kop uitgesteek en aan die gang gekom. Liefie was aan diens vir die dag so dit was weer alleen rondloop vir my.Ek is net na ontbyt weg en besluit om aan die voet van berg Mt Maunganui om te loop.

Dit was heel mooi en gelukkig platterig net hier en daar so n ligte opdaands,nie baie krag vir berge aan pak nie en die dag toe ons die berg uitklim was dit omtrent n berg en nie vir sussies nie!! Dit was n geklim en baie styl op plekke maar die uitsig van bo af, was beslis al die harde bene kou werd.

Geen skape vandag gesien nie maar more gaan ons hopelik op die besoek na die skaap plaas in Napier.Vreeslik opgewonde want dit is n plaas wat al geslagte lank in die familie is en ons sal die skeer hokke besoek,skaapskeer sien en die skaaphonde in aksie.

Die toer noem hulle die Hawkes Bay Countryside en vat so 4 ure.Hulle noem dit n sheep station.Het ook n woolshed op die plaas met al hulle produkte wat jy ook kan koop maar kan net dink sal duur wees.Oppad terug besoek ons die Te Mata Peak met ongelooflike uitsigte oor die Tuki Tuki River Valley. So sal sien hoe dit gaan ,net lekke om in die platteland in te beweeg en te sien hoe dit lyk.