Author: davidscruise

I woke up an hour earlier than I thought, and took the opportunity not only to write a brief blog, but to catch up with some pre-breakfast walking.

Auckland looked exciting as I took my first few looks from the Promenade Deck. Viking Orion was birthing alongside, and nearby was the 2016 built Seabourn Encore. The gloomy grey day was starting well. Breakfast was unusually slow in the Britannia Restaurant this morning, and I did worry about being late for my trip….and thus, “applauded” onto the coach! This didn’t happen. Only one gangway to shore was in operation making disembarkation crowded and slow; many were finishing their cruise today.

There were plenty of empty seats on one of New Zealand’s finest coaches. I was comfortable, and extremely content with yet another driver/guide whose commentary was interesting, informative and not intrusive. We journeyed into the loveliest of NZ countryside, to one of the most spectacular viewing points I can remember, overlooking rugged cliffs and seashore, where lived a huge gannet colony. This was an ornithologist’s paradise. The pictures to follow, should be self explanatory. We continued to a massive and idyllicly set self sustaining farm, complete with fallow deer, which is visited regularly by tourists and cruise ship passengers. But, it is far from “touristy”, and I enjoyed enormously a wonderful day out. I presume the superb lunch was from food produced at the farm.

The weather was grey and drizzly. However, not having had rain since December, this was most welcome for New Zealanders.

At the end of a “landmark day”, I am writing this blog in the cafe of Auckland’s Sky Tower on the 51st floor. Below me, clearly in sight, MV Queen Victoria, where the “All Aboard” time is 21.30hrs. However, seeing it there, I have that dreaded feeling I might see it slip its moorings. Now that would be embarrassing….not so much an applause, but a standing ovation! While I have never missed a cruise ship, a Holyhead ferry to Ireland sailed without me; rail chaos at the start of a summer timetable had me stranded at Crewe….I gave up and came home again! My “date” in Belfast (or was it Dublin?), abandoned!

Below are today’s pictures.

Yesterday, at Tauranga, weather-wise was a bit of a wash-out. Inclination to explore after a “typical” shore excursion was none existent. So, I retired to my stateroom for a while and watched episodes of Coronation Street, Tipping Point, and Celebrity Chase, which I can dull my brain with at home…. in Tauranga! I suppose there was a novelty there somewhere.

Dinner was slightly subdued last night, with one of our number exercising her right to dine elsewhere for the rest of the voyage. But, the whole ship seemed quiet. A number are finishing their voyage at Auckland and face the once-long-time-off prospect of possibly the world’s longest journey back home, very soon. Now, that day has arrived. Presumably, a similar number of passengers will commence their holiday here, and the ambience, thus invigorated.

In the meantime, I shall venture out on a coach trip “Muriwai Banners and Country Farm. The “blurb” sounded interesting, but perhaps, my time would have been spent more profitably exploring Auckland from the comfort and flexible convenience of a “Red Bus”. However, I do like the New Zealand countryside. And there should be time to do something afterwards, inclination permitting!

More later (07.45 hrs 23/2/19)

Just before I write about today’s shore excursion, here are some images of the interior of our ship, MV Queen Victoria, taken very early this morning.

1, 2, 3, and 4. Outside on the Promenade Deck (3)

5, 6, and 7. The Clarendon Art Gallery

8, and 9. The Queens Room from upper level (Deck 3)

10, and 11) The Royal Arcade (on board shops)

12) Towards my stateroom (Deck 5)

1, and 2, This morning’s Navigational Channel update

3) Mount Maunganui taken from the ship

4) Visiting cruise ship Viking Orion arriving at Tauranga after we had completed we had berthed. It would be tied immediately behind MV Queen Victoria.

I was one of only a small number on the coach who had not read Lord of the Rings, or seen any of the movies. I did know that it was filmed in some spectacular countryside, and I do like wonderful countryside. I would take this opportunity to create some interesting pictures. However, I don’t feel I have created anything outstanding, other than to record my visit to this enchanting film set. Our guide explained that areas in the set would appear for mere seconds. If you have seen the movies, you may be able to identify some of what I have captured on my ‘phone.

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The weather remained dull and a little wet throughout the day, although it was only ever cold on the air conditioned bus. Our tour guide/driver Brian, was excellent and informative without the need for constant commentary, as was Eli, our guide at the Hobbiton.

I had hoped to attempt to walk up Mt. Maunganui, but was deterred by the gentle rain and the effects of a poor night’s sleep. This is a great pity because I really don’t see myself coming this way again. (I hope I am wrong) Despite the grey weather and some low cloud, the countryside was fascinating, and contrary to what we are led to believe, very different to that in the UK. The spectacular countryside in the South Island does remind one of the Western Highlands of Scotland.

All the best, David.

After a difficult sleep last night, and being reminded what seemed like every half hour from around 6.15, sometimes in four or five languages, not to take a litany of food stuffs ashore, I am almost ready for my “Scenes of The Hobbit” tour, leaving at a respectable 12.15. It is still warm, probably 24 degrees Celsius, but cloudy with no evidence of sunshine right now. There is around 90 minutes being shown around where Lord of the Rings was filmed, around an hour’s scenic coach ride away. We return five hours later. Photo’s and write-up later in the day.

Thanks for reading and feedback,

David.

Day 20 All day yesterday, in and around Tonga, the sea seemed very still indeed. There was some activity which did make the bore holes worth visiting at the end of yesterday’s shore excursion. But, as we headed out to sea from Tonga, there was the occasional tell-tale nudge of the turbulence to come.

Today, there is a definate swell, with, once again, white foam as far as the eye can see, and a strong wind. Captain Connery, in his Noon address did hint at calmer conditions to come.

This morning, table companion Daphne assisted in arranging for me to have drinks invitations printed for my birthday celebrations. I was allowed into the hallowed area reserved exclusively for passengers taking the full world cruise. Also, I booked two shore excursions to enable me to make the most of my time in all three ports of call in New Zealand.

Outside, the wind which manifested itself so prominently last night and this morning, is now, less tempestuous. It is slightly cooler this afternoon, but still magnificently warm. Unfortunately, I seem to be a little under the weather. I shall seek something to settle my stomach.

I joined Ken and Eileen for lunch in the Britannia Restaurant. Soon we were joined by a couple from Southampton. There was some pessimistic speculation about the future of the Cunard Line. Apart from Q.E being deployed in Australia throughout 2020, the rest was mere speculation.

I had a coffee appointment in the Commodore Club with a couple I met on last year’s Queen Mary 2 World Voyage. Unfortunately, my upset stomach was too much to endure, and I had to make my excuses and head for bed. The rest in a darkened stateroom enabled me to feel much improved, albeit still a little “delicate” tonight. Probably, I shall show my face at dinner, but eat very carefully. I want a good day tomorrow.

Day 21 Feeling a little less worse for wear yesterday evening, I did change into formal (white tuxedo) attire for a South Pacific Gala evening. However, it would have been far better if I had stayed in my cabin and slept off my “protesting stomach”. Its grievance, I suspect, was being subjected to an unmanageable intake of fresh fruit over the last three weeks!

This morning, I am well rested and anticipate a more comfortable day as, for the time being, grapefruit joins, temporarily I hope, my “faddy” list of “can’t-have” foods.

This morning’s air temperature is given as 23 degrees Celsius, similar to yesterday. Gentle rumblings of the cabin floor indicate the calmer sea our Captain promised yesterday in his Noon address. (Written between 9 and 9.15 this morning, 21/02/19).

(9.25am) At 11am, Dickie Arbiter delivers his final lecture, promoting his insightful publication, “On Duty with the Queen”. He is an excellent and entertaining speaker; I look forward this “last episode.

This afternoon at 2pm in the Queens Room, the ship’s choir, which our table companion, Daphne, joined at the start of her world cruise, are giving a concert, which I look forward to with great eagerness. (9.35).

2436 steps to the mile, down from over 2900 at home. (10.24am)

12.32pm : Dickie Arbiter’s final presentation took the form of an interview with the cruise entertainments officer whose official title eludes me right now. This was mostly, if not all, about Dickie Arbiter himself, beginning with his lack of academic prowess in early life, which I identify with completely. However, his journey through life was far more illustrious than mine, and certainly more interesting! We have one thing in common, however, neither of us can complain! His book is one of a very few which I will read from cover to cover…I’m not an avid reader.

Ken and Eileen caught up with me at the lecture and were perhaps slightly miffed that I passed on their routine invitation to join them for early lunch. I still can’t face food right now, but feel perfectly fine. I don’t know if it was they who told me that I could register for a place on the new Cunard ship….somebody did, but I was assured by the voyage sales rep that this wasn’t the case. No doubt, a date for telephone enquiries will open up on due course, I won’t be able to get through, and it’ll be too late!

For the next three days, we shall be in New Zealand calling at Tauranga, Aukland and Bay of Islands. Auckland is a “maiden call” for me.

There are then just two more sea days before anchoring off Sydney. I shall make the best possible use of the limited time just a day in each place will allow by availing myself of a shore excursion at all three ports. Disembarking at Sydney on 28th February brings down the curtain on the first leg of my World Tour. But, there will be much to write about between now and then. (1.06pm.)

12.40am, Day 22.

It is now the next day. Having slept so well the previous night after the joys of indigestion, I find myself wide awake as if it’s mid-day rather than very late evening. I have taken some interesting pictures around a deserted ship where by now just about every passenger is fast asleep. I will post some of these as soon as I can get some decent Wi-Fi. The ship’s internet remains poor right now.

I shall be fast asleep when we dock at Tauranga at 5am later today. Perhaps I should be in the Land of Nod right now.

Pictures to follow.

David.

Another day, another Time zone, another Island tour.

Nuku Alofa, Tonga, was our port of call today, as we entered another Time zone, bringing us 13 hours ahead of GMT. At home, it is 3.20am!

Again, having not visited previously, I availed myself of one of the shore excursions on offer, in the correct assumption that I would see more of the island on one such excursion. I don’t think I was wrong. And the buses are “fantastic”, possibly late 60s and ‘held together’. No air-con and no P.A.- perfect! A photo opportunity was provided at the former Royal Palace. Soon, we were travelling through the flat rural palm tree clad countryside. A cultural demonstration of traditional dance, local custom and way of life was held in large barn type structure seating almost 200. This may have been somewhat “touristy” but nevertheless it was very interesting and informative, worthy of much video. We were at this cultural centre for almost an hour and three quarters. The grand finale after more journeying through this tropical countryside, were, the bore holes where the sea is funnelled into rock formations, creating intermittent “fountains”. We were given just five minutes, but I think a quarter of an hour elapsed before we were on our way back to the ship. Wave activity was, I guess, moderate, but I did manage to capture some spectacular “crashings of the tide” during this all too brief stay.

Back at the quayside, a taxi driver took me on a quick tour of the city, before I re-embarked our ship. We had rain this morning accompanied by a wonderful rainbow. But soon, I was enjoying temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius, according to the Captain in his departure address. Back on board, I caught up with a recently found friend in the Lido. Then on to the sail away party aft on Deck 9, I nearly joined those dancing!

Here are a few pictures which I took today. Hopefully, these should be reasonably self explanatory .

Thanks for reading, and for the feedback which is always welcome.

David.

WordPress, through whom I post my writings, have offered me, repeatedly, via e-mail, some kind of package which I imagine, may eliminate the annoying commercials, irrelevant nonsensical adverts which interrupt my blogs with increasing regularity.

I can only apologise for these inevitable irritations. Eventually, I may succumb to the irritations of social media, because, as you can see, I do enjoy writing.

These pictures illustrate 1) A reminder to retard all time pieces to GMT + 13.

2) Incomprehensible graphics; as far as I know, we are not yet entering Australia….

3) Air temperature at just after 09.45hrs. (This afternoon, a gentle breeze is most refreshing).

4) The mill-pond sea as enjoyed through a tinted window during breakfast in the Lido on Deck nine.

I have taken little excersise this afternoon. However there is plenty of time between now and sunset at just after 8pm.

I have just remembered….all at our table have opted for Alternative Dining an hour earlier, at 7.30, when part of the Lido is “morphed” into La Piazza, an upscale Italian eatery. All those ounces I have worked hard to shed are set to return! The relaxed atmosphere on board prevails as travellers bask in or take shelter away from a “magnificent sun”. I have met numerous people of fascinating background. Most are far more widely travelled than I will ever be; but what a splendid way to enjoy life, whether it be in retirement, as is most often the case, or enjoying long breaks from work, far less common. I loved my all too brief visit to Apia, and as when we left, the vast panoramic and prolonged view of the Island with an infinite amount of curiosity spilling out from the distant but prominent landscape. When I write more fully on these journeys, I shall do so with more detail already available, from which to draw.

A couple I joined for tea, from Yorkshire, now residing in the USA, have warned me not to expect too much from my Australian travels. “You will enjoy it, of course”, but I get the impression the trains are a bit “rattly” and cramped. That is roughly what I have always expected. I spend six nights on overnight trains!

A most pleasant afternoon gives way to an imminent dusk and the real possibility of an “explosive”sunset.

Thanks, again, for reading. David.

Once again, I am not sure if a previous blog written this morning has “vanished into thin air”. It has shown up in my e-mails, so it may still be around. The air temperature on the Navigational Channel was given at 32 degrees Celsius. Today, the sea is like a mill pond as we steam at around 14 knots towards our final island destination. The temperature remains “unspectacular” at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit! One could get used to this!

I first came accross the name, Tonga, during my early days as a train spotter. (I am sure Google will explain exactly what “train spotting” is). Tonga was the name bestowed on a steam locomotive, one of around 190 “Silver Jubilee class” built in the 1930s for mainly passenger services on trains running north out of London Euston and St. Pancras, and intermediate services between the Capital and Scotland.

I would learn sometime later that Tonga was a remote Island on the other side of the World, and never imagined for one moment that I would ever get see the place. We arrive just after 8am. These two briefest of visits to both Samoa and Tonga already have whetted the appetite for coming back…and SOON!!

I have come accross the first signs of discontent, while in the company of my new found friends from southern California. Apparently, the Britannia Restaurant “can’t get it right”.

I came on the Queen Victoria with “well, it’s not the Queen Mary 2” train of thought, but more than happy with where it was going. When I did come on board, I found in fact, that it was very hard to find fault, and there were/are aspects which are even better than my beloved QM2. That means I can enjoy counting the days to a 78 night circumnavigation of all of South America next year. So pleased am I with being here, I have invested in a balcony stateroom on the starboard (scenery) side to make the very most of that voyage.

Two things however, are not as good as on board QM2, just little things. The graphics on the Navigational Channel, unless you can interpret them, are confusing, and the ‘next destination’ is not listed, nor the weather forecast in any detail. My stateroom phone has no facilities, as far as I can see, for sending or receiving voice mail. All other aspects of this ship are “spot-on”. I usually manage to exceed my walking target, and I stray rarely from my diet. There is an abundance of suitable cuisine.

I remain reluctant to sit in the sun for too long; I am delighted to read that the UK is about to enjoy temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius as a result of a weather front from the south west. For the rest of the day, walking, rest and relaxation.

Thanks for reading, David.

The tour guide on our 20 seater mini coach introduced herself by saying that a good day in Samoa is 29 degrees. A bad day is 42 degrees! I am told it got up to 42 degrees Celsius today. Yet, I was comfortable for most of the time. Contrary to Cunard’s warnings, Samoa’ s fleet of mini coaches are modern and air conditioned. I think around 6 were used on our tour, “Coastal Villages and Tropical Gardens”.

Unfortunately, it was Sunday; Samoa is what the UK should be, closed in most places with church hugely important. There are many branches of Christianity practiced there, and the churches are full. Females attend, traditionally, their services dressed in white.

The little I saw of this spectacular island was lovely beyond compare. Away from the shore, the land rose into vegetation covered hills and mountains. Rainfall is frequent and plentiful, but we dodged a good soaking all day. From the ship, one could see distant rainfall on the hillsides, as seen in the pictures which come with this blog. A photo stop was made at Plum Pudding Rock, and then at the church of St. Peter, and school at Falefa Village.

We were later served a selection of fresh tropical fruit at Gina’s Tropical Garden, a paradise setting of an acre or two of trees, plants, flowers and shrubs, “straight out of a National Geographic Magazine”. It’s hard to recall having ever been in a lovelier place.

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I am told (I may be wrong), that the harbour we used in Samoa will be the last time it is used by a Cunard ship. A new cruise terminal is being constructed on the other side of the island. These images should be self explanatory.

I visited the temporary market stall set up by the locals. We were prohibited from acquiring bone, wood, shells and many other local crafts; this sort of negating much of a one-off business opportunity.

I hope you enjoyed this brief account of my day in Samoa.

All the best, David.