9 December 2018: Port Chambers (Dunedin) New Zealand

Today we were docked in Port Chalmers in the beautiful harbour of Otago.The town is called Dunedin and I had the previlage to go on a excurtion today and join the train to visit the Taieri Gorge.We borded the train right in the habour area which was great and then we were on our way  to view this beautiful place with its sheer cliffs and dramatic ravines , spectacular and breathtaking scenery

unfolds before you.

First we were served with morning tea and a locally made ginger bread man which was very tasty.Then I was lucky to discover the open carriage where you could take the most beautiful photograghs while standing feet wide apart and hooking your elbow over the side to keep your balance while the train was rolling up the mountain,it was an balancing act for sure and I was very glad I had all my warm clothes on!!

We went through  many tunnels which were hand hewn and high wrought iron bridges,this historic railway line is 130 years old .The trip is all along the Taieri River and we turned around at Pukerangi.There we stopped for a quick break and could get off the train and do a toilet stop and buy special and uniue goodies from the locals

Moet eers se ,die toilette was soos ons ou long drops! Doer daar bo in die berge.Was amazing to see some farms along the way where farmers farm with sheep,very isolated , far from everything and rugged terrain but breathtaking beautiful.Felt like being on top of the world ,would not mind having a little farm here!!!

Then it was time to turn around,we first had to wait for another train that was behind us before we could make our journey back. It was time for our lunch and some New Zealand wine which was good, was very happy to have 2 glasses.

On arrival in Dunedin we stopped at the railway station and could get off to admire the most photographed building in New Zealand,the Dunedin Railway Station,really spectacular with lovely manicured gardens. On my train trip I met two lovely ladies from Canada who shared all there travel stories with me.

Another intresting fact about this part of the world is the older folk who are volunteers all over the city and towns , with different things,like driving a bus,serving us on the train,working at the docks when the cruiseships arrive ,the library,walking around and giving out pamphlets and information about the city or towns and so on,I think it is great.

Tomorrow we are at sea and  going to visit the Dusty Fjord, Doubtful Fjord and Milford Sound so will have to wait and see what we are in for,until next time bye.

8 Desember 2018: Akaroa New Zealand

Na ontbyt is ek met n tenderboot na die klein dorpie van Akaroa en wat n heerlike verassing,die mooiste mooiste plekkie.Ons is gelukkig met die weer en dis n pragtige dag,net reg vir rondloop en nie te warm kry nie want effens toegetrek.

Ek is sommer dadelik al langs die waterkant na die bekende lighuis wat wagstaan op die rotse.Daarna is ek in die Garden of Tame in,n stap roete so in n bebosde area wat weer uitkom in n woonbuurt en daar het ek afgekom op die mooiste huisies en tuine,kon nie genoeg fotos neem nie,dis prentjie mooi

Toe is ek weer in die teenoorgestelde rigting in ,al met die hoofstraat ,met die oulikdte kafeetjies en eetplekke,gee jou n Franse gevoel.Wil volgende keer vir liefie vat na n vis en chips plek genoem Myrphys on the Corner wat glo die heerlikste elephant vis bedien,nog nooit van dit gehoor nie maar een omie het nou omtrent gerave oor dit

Dis Saterdag en n boere mark was ook in volle swang so daarso het ek toe vir my n ou koekie gekoop wat heel lekker was,peach and raisen koekie! Daarna was dit tyd vir die winkeltjies en heel oulik met natuurlik baie nice goed Toe ek vra waar kan ek geld omruil toe se hulle nee madam die bank is toe en dis eers weer Maandag oop, so sal moet wag vir ons volgende besoek

Die tuine is regtig iets besonders en lyk my hierso groei alles,een ou het gese here you just drop a seed and it grows,just like that!!! My tipe wereld.

Die roos bome is vol blomme en tot die blare is gesond en geen  peste en plae nie.

Darem n hele paar bekende plante van die huis ook gesien.

Oppad terug was dit weer tyd vir free wifi area soek en dit het ek toe by die bib gekry en eers al my goed afgelaai,moes ook maar geduldig wees want vreeslik stadig so dis n vasbyt storie maar kos niks so mens sit maar geduldig en is te dankbaar vir dit.

Die dorpie het nou n groot indruk op my gemaak ,dink ek sal hierso kan kom bly alles lyk net so rustig en skoon en prentjie mooi.Dink n toer deur die pragtige land met n kombi moet ook vreeslik lekker wees,sien nogal heelwat van hulle,jy stop net waar jy wil, haal jou kampstoele uit en drink eers jou tee of wyntjie met n uitsig to die for!!

6 Desember 2018: Napier New Zealand

Vanoggend het ons so 10.30  in Napier aangekom en gedok in die industriele gedeelte van die hawe so tussen die hoope en hoope hout,beslis n plek wat hout stompe uitvoer,duisende van hulle netjies gepak reg vir aanboord gaan.Die hele hawe gedeelte is vreeslik netjies en agter mekaar,tot die tugboat lyk skoon en netjies,die se naam Ahuriri.

Omdat ons in die deel dok word ons met busse aagery tot in die midde dorp,die plekkie noem homself die Art Deco capital of the world! Maar ook wereld bekend vir sy wyne.Die hele plek is in 1931 deur n aardbewing verwoes en toe herbou in die Art Deco styl.

The Marine Parade is a tree lined ocean boulevard with fountains and gardens en moet se in die kort tydtjie wat ek daar was kon ek n paar fotos neem van die pragtige tuine.So half pad met my rondloop in die dorpie toe besluit Mnr Donderstorm hy gaan laat waai en dit het behoorlik gedonderweer en geblits en gesous

Het eers skuiling geneem by die museum en toe daar n klein opening is toe het ek gou by die strand n draai gaan maak maar gesien nee ek dink dis tyd vir skip toe want hier kom nog baie reen! Ook net betyds op die bus geklim want oppad terug skip toe ,toe begin dit weer sous en ek is in die gietende reen terug skip toe,maar teen die tyd wat ek daar toe uitkom is my voete sop nat en ek lyk soos n natgereende hoender en kry koud.

Natuurlik eers op etensaal toe vir n lekker bordtjie sop voor ek my onder die komberse gaan tuis maak het vir n lekker middag slapie.

7 December 2018: Wellington New Zealand

This city is known as the capital of cool!! why I cant tell you ,anyway arrived here early morning on a lovely sunny day.Taken to town on local buses so no walking to town from the dockyard.

Our plan was to walk to the botanical gardens which was established in the 1860’s but then we missed the 1 st bus stop get off , so then decided to rather do it next time,so I was very disappointed for really want to see it

This botanical garden is known for its enormous water lilies, rare specimens of bogonias ,heritage roses and aromatic herbs.We were dropped off in down town and took a while to orientate ouselves but ended up at the waterfront  lying on the grass in the sun.

Then it was time to watch the locals lads jump from a high staircase into the sea below,some doing belly flops and others tricks and summersalts,also had some folks swimming in the water just off the walkway which I found intresting for normally ot is not aloud

On our way back we stopped to try out  a local cafe with a turkey sandwich and some latte.Was good and very tasty,could not resist to buy some sweet for tonight,they have to be hard so that they can last long,haaa haaa.

Had a bit of a wait in the line for our trip back to the cruiseterminal,so a good thing we left early for if the crew are late they can lose there job,not a nice thought.This afternoon it is time to hit the gym again and we leave for the deep sea at 17h00. I did get to the steam bath but have to tell you there were 2 Japenese ladies with me but they must  have stayed in for at least 25 min by which  time I would have been  faint and dilirious!!!

 Imagine pulling a faint stunt on hubby that would not go down very well!!Tomorrow we are tendering ashore which I always enjoy, so hopefuly no rough seas for that can be scary.Spoke to a passenger on deck 7 today and she told me that Wellinton had winds of  up to 90km per hour yesterday so no wonder we had such a rough sea last night,thank goodness all was calm by this morning.

03 December 2018 : @SEA

I did get to the show last night and what a show it was,really amazing and my steam room buddy was the lead singer, after all!! Well what a night! Hubby was in and out all night long so at 4 o clock it was time to sleep and i only woke at 8.30 when he came in to check on me! Needless to say we made time to catch up met  n middag slapie.The sea has not been flat so that is perfect when you are rocked to sleep with the motion of the ship.

Hier sien mens ook snaakse dinge,on my way to the gym this morning an oldish man walked passed me with a black animal on his shoulder, I could not make out what it was but when I came closer, only to discover it is a toy animal that he controls with two leavers in his hands

This is a first for me ,why someone would want to walk around with this toy animal on his shoulder I cant get my head around but different strokes for different folks!!! Then I get to the gym and another older guy wraps a towl around his head as a sweat band, so I am seieng new and very different things,haa haaa

It was our second day at sea and tomorrow we are arriving in Auckland,so very excited to see this beautiful country.The shore excurtions are all so inviting and exciting so how to choose is an impossible task.We did our crossing from Syndey Australia to Auckland in New Zealand over  the Tasman sea.

04 December 2018 Auckland New Zealand

Docked in Auckland early morning and today I was going to go on an excurtion called Auckland Sights and Leisures.So that meant was going to be away for most of the day.Did not have time to exchange my Ausie $ for New Zealand $ so ,things would just have to wait until tomorrow

Our first  stop was the Auckland Museum which housed an amazing collection of Maori and Pacific artifacts that included a carved meeting house and 85 foot long war canoe made from a single log.Have never been into such a big museum with so many collections, really amazing, tot goed van die boere oorlog in Suid Afrika.

Then we went to Tacapuna which is on the north shore where we had time to visit the beach and shops,there I got time to visit another library,free wifi!!! Our last drive was to view the America’s Cup Yachting village and a drive over the Harbour Bridge which looks a lot like the famous Sydney bridge.

I really enjoyed the stop at the Bastion Point lookout with sweeping views of Waitemata Harbour and Auckland in the distance,,the gardens and flowers were just too beautiful,loved that and defnitely want to visit some more gardens,never get enough of them,love love love !

Only got back to ship at 6.45 and was pooped,gedaan van rondloop,skande but had a lovely day. Had dinner and then it was time for bed.

5 Desember 2018: Tauranga New Zealand

Hubby was off for the day so after breakfast we hit the steets of this beautiful place .First we went to the main street to look for a place to exchange our money.

 Then we decided to explore the famous Mount Maunganui n groot vulkaniese berg reg langs die hawe area but this little mountain takes you 40 min to reach the summit and is steep so had our exercise for the day.I huffed and puffed but we got to the top with the most beautiful views from the top,will post the pics tonight.

Na die gestappery was dit tyd vir n koffie en roomys by n kafeetjie langs die hoof strand , rus tyd, asem skep tyd.Wou ook by die Mount hot salt pools swem maar toe agter gekom dis net n gewone warm water bron en daarteen besluit maar dink dalk met volgende besoek of as ek alleen rondloop kan ek dalk daar gaan inval!

Locals se toe vir ons ,ons is baie gelukkig want hulle het die laaste 3 dae net reen gehad en vandag was n sonskyn dag maar met n fris windtjie.Darem nog krag gehad vir die gym na ons rondloop en n sessie in die steam room wat heerlik was die hele plek vir myself gehad.More is ons in ons volgende dorpie Napier en word ons aangery met shuttle bussies tot in die dorp.

1 December 2018: Sydney Australia

Ons is meer as n uur laat weg uit JHB maar het n goeie vlug gehad tot in Perth Australie,ek was baie bly vir my isle seat,so kon kom en gaan soos ek wil sonder om iemand te pla.

Moet erken die tydzone ding maak mens deurmekaar want my horlosie se dis 14h00  en die son moet nog hoog sit en land in Perth en dis  22h30 local time en donker!!!

Ook maar goed ek was veronderstel om 4 ure layover tyd te he want met die 1.30 laat vertrek in JHB kom ek ook net betyds by my hek vir my vertrek in Perth. Ek land eers in Sydney 22.30 die nag en ons het n mediese noodgeval op die vliegtuig gehad so moes sit en wag vir die para mediese ouens om eers die pasient te kom haal voor ons kon afklim en so verpas ek die hotel shuttle se diens met 15 minute wat 23h00 ophou en moes ek n taxi tot by hotel neem,die trippie kos my $30 en met hotel shuttle sou dit $7 gekos het maar teen die tyd wil ek net by die hotel kom.

Wel want n verassing!! Nie n plek waar ek weer sal oorbly nie,die beddegoed het darem skoon gelyk maar verder nie baie skoon en netjies nie.Moes toe ook stywe nek le en slaap want geen haardroeer om die volgende oggend my hare mee droog te blaas nie,so dit vertel seker n storie of se alles van die verblyf.

Word wakker in Sydney en die TV programme in Amerika se dis 30 November,wel toe het ek weer vir n oomblik gedink,het ek my datums reg??

Baie bly om te weet vandag is dit skip toe,die rit kos my toe $50 met n baie aangename man wat oorspronklik van Egipte kom,hy se dis beslis n plek wat mens op jou bucketlist moet sit en moet bieg nog nooit daaraan gedink nie.

My liewe man se toe vir my ek moet by die cruiseterminal wees wat naaste aan die Opera huis in Sydney is en my bestuurder se ok met geen adres wat ek kan gee nie moet ek net nie vir hom kwaad wees as dit die verkeerde plek is nie.

Gelukkig toe ons die plek nader toe sien ek die skippie in die verte en weet nee ons is by die regte cruiseterminaal.Baie verlig !!Liefie af vir die dag so toe kon ons darem gaan rondloop vir n rukkie, voor dit tyd was om op te klim.Sit nog lekker met ons almond croussants en koffie drink toe n vrede kwaai Austaliaanse seemeeu op ons kos afpeil en wraggies met pakkie en al ons gedivebom het en ons pakkie by ons voete laat val.n Behoorlike verassings aanval,dit nie sien kom nie,van agter aangeval!!!

Gelukkig kon ons dit red maar ook net net,ek se nogal vir liefie nou moet ons versigtig wees maar was nie wakker genoeg nie, die klein bliksem kom terug en steel wraggies die laaste stukkie uit sy hand en die keer het hy ordentelik gevat en is weg met die croussants!! Het hoeka gedink in die land kan ons maar relax nie vir een oomblik gedink moet op ons hoede vir diertjies wees nie,haa haaaa.

2 December 2018 : @ SEA

Left Sydney on time enjoying a beautiful sunset while passing the famous Sydney Opera house and Sydney bridge in the backround.Just after we passed huge cliffs our pilot got us out to sea and he was picked up by the pilot boat in rough seas,then I realised I think this trip over the ocean towards New Zealand could be a bit rough,and we rocked and rolled all night long but just what I needed to sleep like a baby!!

Tried the gym this morning but must admit was not bright eyed and bushy tailed,so decided a visit to the steam room to wake me up and off I went.While in the steam room a lady came in telling me to not be worried for she was going to do heavy breathing but did not say anything else, so that is where the conversation ended.

Wel na n ordentelike sweet sessie besluit ek nee voor ek flou val laat ek gaan stort en terwyl ek stort hoor ek die vrou begin sing en sy kan sing sommer ordentelik.So when she comes out of the steam room I say wow, you have the most amazing voice,just to be told well I am warming up for tonight  show!!

Then I realised she must be the lead singer in the show and to make this worse I say, well this is like telling someone they should be in Hollywood and they are some or famous actress that I don’t know.She says well it is something like that and I wish her well for tonights show.

Needless to say late afternoon the guy who does the announcements  tells us about tonight show and main singer is Brenda Eduards from West end Story toe weet ek ,ok you did put your foot in it!!! Haa haaaa So tonight I will be going to the show to go and hear my steam room lady sing.Tomorrow we are at sea and then we arrive in Auckland on Tuesday the 4 December .