Another One Gone?

Auckland April 22nd

After a day at sea we're now on the North Island of New Zealand in the city of Auckland. It's a very pretty, update sea side community of lots of skyscrapers.

Looking out from Auckland War Memorial Museum

 Huge Maori War Canoe, can you imagine seeing that coming at you filled with fierce warriors?
Both Maori and English are taught in the schools.

Guess who lost her first tooth today?

Day 6 Akaroa

We are still going around the coast of New Zealand. We've found the country clean and the people friendly and helpful. We anchored in French Bay and tendered into the small fishing community of Akaroa.This area has a strong French influence in food but is all New Zealand. Probably our favoirte spot. This is our last stop on South Island

Day 5 Port Chalmers and Dunedin

We docked at Port Chalmers which is a harbor formed when sea water filled a volcano crater. From there we took a bus into Dunedin which is a hilly town with a strong Scottish influence. Very pretty. Temperature was 56.

Days 2, 3, & 4 (Fiorland National Park)

Days 2 & 3 were sea days as we crossed the Tasman Sea. (Smooth sailing) On Wednesday we arrived at the Fiorland National Park and spent the day sailing into 7 of the fiords. Sunny and nice. I guess usually it rains therre and there are all sorts of waterfalls. You could tell it was Fall and the leaves were changing.Because of the narrowness of our room we had the bed changed from a queen to 2 twins. Quite a difference as we now had room to move around. Temperature was 60.

Sydney was nice (Day 1)

The economy downward spiral hasn't hit Australia. Things were happening all over including building and very high prices. A bus picked us up at the airport and then drove around Sydney for 4 or 5 hrs stopping various places for us to get out and walk around. The driver was from there and gave us a great history lesson. Best shore excursion we took and it wasn't even a "paid" one! 1st picture is of Bondi Beach

At Sail Away we went by the Opera House and went under the Harbour Bridge.

We're back Home after 30 days at sea

This is in Pago Pago, American Somoa. The water is so clear and the people so friendly

Bill in front of our bus. The drivers decorate their bus every morning. The decorations make up for how

 uncomfortable they were. College girls were our guides. They said on Sundays the public beaches are closed. They must wear traditional dress to Church. They never wear swimsuits as their bodies must be covered. They live in villages with a chief .

This is the jet we left on. We left LAX at 11:50 Friday night and got into Sydney, Australia after breakfast

Sunday morning

We wore knee high compression socks under our pants to prevent blood clots. Cute, huh?

In Suva, Fiji, The Police Band played at our Sail Away. They played and sang "Now is the Hour" when we left the dock. (In both Fiji and English) Really nice. I know the pictures are out of sequence.