Author: davidscruise

Thankfully, the seas today are far calmer than the tempestuous waters of yesterday, which resulted in staying in my cabin for most of the afternoon and early evening. I passed on the Captain’s cocktail party and only just made dinner. I finished off the evening with a brief second play on the fruit machines and the evening performance by the Cunard Singers and Dancers, “Rhythm of the Night”. This might sound like “same old, same old”, but each show IS different for most of the time. Each performer is a virtuoso, as is the lighting technition whose sound and light show is spectacular and most imaginative. I enjoyed the “Spanish” themed performance and, hopefully will again before the end of the voyage.

I ought, really, to write some postcards before arrival at Sydney tomorrow morning…and to get some walking in today.

Again, thanks for reading.

David.

Pictures taken on this phone.

I have to confess, I thought I had taken many more. I believe it may be possible to transfer pictures from my main camera on to my blog pages. If there appears to be some interest, I will rewrite all this on my return to the UK.

Again, thanks for reading. Best wishes, David.

This has to be by way of a grand finale to our few days in New Zealand. Once again, I rose early to meet those participating in the Cape Brett cruise, at 08.10hrs, as usual, in the Royal Court Theatre. Queen Mary 2 anchored a short distance from the port where we would board a sleek catamaran and head out eventually to Cape Brett where the highlight of the trip is to go through the hole in the rocks at Cape Brett, conditions permitting, which they didn’t today! Sea mist had obscured much of what we eventually would see, and QM2 bathed in this mist created a ghostly sight, captured on my main camera. We passed several islands which the tour guide pointed out. I did take some photographs, but I cannot identify what these pictures represent. However, they should illustrate the outstanding beauty of the Bay of Islands. Our tour guide (sensibly) was not prepared to risk severe damage to the boat by attempting to navigate “the hole” at Cape Brett; the seas had become turbulent. For once, nobody complained. Much wildlife was pointed out at Cape Brett and on the return journey. I doubt, very much, whether I will come this way again, although a brief visit to New Zealand is on the cards early next year. Subject to medical reassurance, I shall fly to San Francisco to join the Queen Victoria for a short section of her world cruise.

The next blog consists of images taken during this morning’s Cape Brett/Bay of Islands cruise.

Thanks for reading,

David.

QM2 and Seven Seas Voyager at Tauranga.

Mud pool, Rotorua.

Mt. Maunganui as QM2 sails for Bay of Islands.

On board QM2

Sunset…..around 8pm

Mount Maunganui, Tauranga.

New Zealand’s (now) largest port, Tauranga.

Views from the port side of QM2 at Tauranga, to illustrate blog I have just posted.

Today, our second docked in Tauranga is glorious, hot and with very few white fluffy clouds in the distance. I feel a return to the 30s Centigrade coming on! This afternoon, I am on a “Highlights of Tauranga” shore excursion which will ensure I will see as much as possible before we are “all aboard” by 5.30pm. It’s a pity we have to leave so soon. Tauranga is a city of around 105,000 inhabitants, industrial to one side, and elsewhere, a most attractive town with fabulous beaches, and a great big hill, Mount Maunganui to run up. Accross the water, the silhouette of a mountain range, backdrop to small towns and villages on the opposite shoreline create a fine opportunity for panoramic photography. Two container vessels have passed by the window near which I enjoyed a disgustingly late breakfast in the King’s Court. It would seem that these blogs are an alternative to keeping a journal. I plan to make the most of my last two days in New Zealand, but hope to write a more detailed and illustrated account of all of my time in NZ during the two sea days back to Sydney.

All the best, and Thank you for reading!

David.

Akaroa is a small but prosperous residential and resort area outside which Queen Mary 2 and Seven Seas Voyager were anchored. Going ashore by tender created rare photographic opportunities to take uninterrupted views of both ships resting peacefully in the still waters of the bay. Once ashore, we were heading by coach through more unbelievable countryside eventually to Arthur’s Pass. This is still part of the New Zealand railway system. From there, we would travel by a specially chartered two coach loco hauled train to Rolleston, a journey lasting about 2 hours. Food and beverages were once again included in the hefty charge for this excursion. However, I do feel this unique opportunity represented reasonable value for money. The train, as far as I understand, only operates when cruise ships call at Akaroa with their potential hundreds of passengers. There are modern station buildings at both Arthur’s Pass and Rolleston, evidence of other passenger traffic. But, I did get the impression this rail trip was an infrequent occurrence.

Pictures (hopefully) to follow.

Dunedin

Railway Station

City centre.

My last blog described, all too briefly, the most incredible cruise through the fjords, referred to as “sounds” of South West New Zealand, South Island. Although not blisteringly hot, we were lucky with the weather; at NO time did cloud or mist obscure this most dramatic of backdrops. A gorgeous salmon tinted sunrise was the prelude to yet another amazing day; and the sunset, a glorious finale.

The quaint city of Dunedin would be the place where I would set foot in New Zealand for the very first time. Once again, I was excited and still finding it hard to grasp how far away I was from home. As I write this retrospective blog, we are as far away from the UK as we shall be on this cruise. (12.35hrs Saturday)

Looking back, since cruising by Milford and the other Sounds, we have made three calls in New Zealand, Dunedin, Akaroa and Wellington. Being at bit of a railway enthusiast, I considered myself extremely fortunate to have, at the last minute, secured a place on the long since sold out Taieri Gorge Railway excursion which would occupy much of the day. I didn’t really expect the cruise through the Sounds to be upstaged in terms of “being thrilled”. The two excursions are of course, completely different. However, to find our special train of interesting coaching stock stabled almost alongside the ship created the sense of occasion akin to a boat train alongside a Cunarder in Southampton. Another train would pick up passengers from the Seven Seas Voyager which seems to be on a similar itinerary around here. That train would follow ours up the mainly single line to Pukerangi 58km from Dunedin. These days, the line continues to Middlemarch, a further 19km, which I would have preferred to travel over if that option was available. However, the locos on our train changed ends, and after arrival of the following train, we were on our way back to Dunedin through, once again astonishing spectacular scenery. A substantial picnic lunch with copious servings of wine was served. At Dunedin, I left the train with friends from the ship and took a stroll around the city with its sort of Scottish ambience. We looked around St. Paul’s Cathedral until advised to leave at 4pm when the place was locked up

I shall write more later. All photos I took during the journey are on my other camera.

David.

A series of pictures taken between 7am and Sunset, when QM2 ventured into the fjords of South Island, New Zealand. The map gives a good idea of the ship’s movements between 7am and late afternoon, yesterday 27/2/18.

sunrise: Milford Sound

Milford Sound

After Milford Sound, we returned out to sea, re-entered at Thompson Sound, continued through Doubtful and then Dusky Sound. The blue dots on the map mark the path of QM2, giving a better description than I can at the moment.

QM2 en route for its maiden port of call, DUNEDIN. (Sunset)

Railway Station

Late afternoon, Dunedin. 28/2/18.

All the best,

David.