Masts of New Zealand
Did you know that New Zealand has more sailboats per capita than any other counrty in the world? It’s true!
Auckland
February 8, 2024
Another day, another Island in New Zealand. From where we anchored, we could see Auckland, so why did it take 13 hours for us to sail there? Kim went exploring and I made sure no one drowned in the pool. Today was our second day at anchor and I pleased to inform you that the earplugs did the trick and the tenders did not wake me as they were lowered. Great day, great weather, and great views.
February 9, 2024
Auckland New Zealand, today I had to set my alarm because a friend and fellow colleague from Kim’s Houston days, picked us up at 10 and gave us a bit of a tour around the city before taking us to her house. They had lots to talk about because the last time they saw each other was 27 years ago. I’m pleased to announce that this is one more of Kim’s friends that I’ve never met. We took her to lunch at this amazing café right on the harbor and boat basin. We had Fish and chips. We returned to the ship about 3 in the afternoon. Well, when Jan picked us up, she told Kim to sit in the back with her puppy and instructed me to sit up front. So, I went to the passenger door and opened it, when Jan said no no no, I’ll drive oops cars drive on the wrong side of the road here. It reminded both of us about the time 5 years ago when we rented an RV and toured around New Zealand, Kim was forever trying to climb into the wrong side of the motorhome. Auckland is our second 2-day port, so we have all day here tomorrow.
And now more from the Pool deck Chronicles, you just can’t make this shit up.
So, two ladies at the table behind me. The bar server asked them what they would like to drink. One said she would like a Margarita; he got it and served it to her. He soon came back around and asked how she liked it, she said it was a little too tart and wondered if could somehow be made a little sweeter. He immediately said let me have the bartender make you new margarita, she replied no no we can’t waste good tequila. He went and got her a shot of simple syrup (sugar water) and poured it into her drink and asked her to taste it which she did and said it was perfect. Not long after this, she ordered another one. When he brought it to her, she asked if he needed her cabin number of key card to pay for the drinks, of course he told her there was no charge. She thanked him and gave him a tip. I’ll look for you when I thirsty again. Well, there are two problems here. Everyone on this ship got on in Los Angeles a month ago. How could she not know that drinks are free? Two, tips are neither expected or desired by the crew, Seabourn takes very good care of its employees.
Tonight’s photo is our dinner on our veranda. It was 8 PM and the sun was just starting to set. 73 degrees, perfect!
More another day.
New Zeland
February 7, 2024
I keep forgetting to tell you that two days ago we crossed the Antemeridian. It is longitude 180, it splits the world in half. The Meridian goes thru England and is the 0 longitude. We also noticed it is where we dropped off the world map that we are charting our journey.
Kim went ashore and spent most of her time at the treaty grounds of Waitangi. She really enjoyed the experience and brought back many pictures to share with me and many stories. I again made sure the pool area was secure. By the way, the ship has a recumbent exercise bike, so I’m keeping up with my exercise routine.
Tonight we dined on the Patio, which is just a fancy name for the pool deck. I had the Nigerian shrimp, pictured above, they were fantastic and huge. It was almost like eating lobster. Sorry Kirby, but they were better than your spot prawns.
Today we finally got some weak cell service. I was able to complete 2 calls and had several failed attempts at others.
Tonight, I’m launching a new series within my blog called Pool Talk, you can’t make this shit up. I just can’t believe what I’m hearing around the pool, and it draws me into more time at the pool.so, here’s the first edition of Pool Talks.
Couple behind me: Her – why do all the big boats tow a little boat? (we were in a bay with lots of sail boats), His answer – it’s so if they want to go ashore it’s easier for the little boat than the big boat. Truth is that the big boat can’t go ashore because it has that hangi down part below its keel. I’m going to be generous here and give a point for the answer. Then the next question from her: what’s that twirly fan thing on the back of the boat? Answer –wait for it– that’s a solar energy collector! Then, her final question: doesn’t pulling that small boat use up all of the solar energy? Lady, it’s a SAIL boat! Stay tuned for more from the pool deck.
Sea day, Sea day, Just another Sea day
February 6, 2024
We’re back to sailing on a lake. Final sea day for a while. Several of our new friends will be leaving in two days when we reach Aukland. And we will gain some new cruisers. We met a couple today that are getting off in Aukland and rejoining us in Tiawan.
I have to tell you about some very special friends we have. Tim sent me an email this morning explaining that he and David did a security check on our house yesterdY, and everything looked great, WOW, thanks. He went on to tell me that Kim had given David a key to our house, and he thought it would be a good idea to walk through the house and make sure we didn’t leave anything on. WOW another great idea, I thought. Well, they ended their security tour at my bourbon closet. They poured themselves a healthy pour of one of my top shelf bourbons and sat down to devise a plan for future security checks. After a couple more pours, they settled on a schedule of at least once a week on an afternoon, always a different day and time in case anyone was “casing the Joint”. They also said that it shouldn’t be just them each time, that they should bring others with them each time to do these security checks because they might see something Tim and David missed. David also checked our mailbox and brought in the mail for us. With the plan in place, they locked up our house and left. I responded and asked if they washed the glasses, to which the reply was no, we kept them as mementos. I am so lucky; most people don’t ever get great friends like I do. (the names have been changed to protect their real identities).
As you all know, we are coming home early because of the unrest in the Red Sea. A couple of days ago, we got an email that Seabourn had booked our return flights. We couldn’t open it. So yesterday we went to see Rosa who is in charge of the logistics. She pulled up our flights and we were booked on KLM. We were flying from Singapore to Amsterdam, then to PORTLAND. Kim immediately objected, saying why are they flying us all the way around the world to get home. And on top of that we weren’t flying until the third, but we get off the ship on the second and they made no hotel reservations stating that we would have to make our own reservations and pay for it. We showed Rosa that there was a Singapore Airlines flight that left Singapore at 9 AM on the second and flew straight to Seattle. That’s what we wanted booked on. When we got back to the room, I told Kim that they were never going to do that flight because it was twice as expensive as the one they chose. I sent an email to Bonnie at Great Escapes Travel explaining all of this to her. She called the Seattle Headquarters of Seabourn Monday morning and was somehow able to convince them to put us on that Singapore flight. We got the last two business class seats, so we are not sitting together, but it really doesn’t matter as once you get into your little “cocoon”, you are isolated from other passengers. BOOM, ZAP, WOW. We are very happy now.
I have pretty much established a daily routine (Kim calls it a habit). I get up at, oh I guess that doesn’t matter to you. Check my emails and respond to the ones that need a response, then sit out on our veranda. At noon, Kim heads for Trivia and I head to the pool. It’s always great people watching, and again, truth is always better than comedy. At the table next to me were 4 retired gay doctors. Two were Psychologists and I didn’t catch what the others were. Their stories from their careers were hilarious! One said he had a colleague that was a gynecologist and a psychiatrist. What an interesting combination. As one said he’s a comprehensive Doctor, he deals with your head and your tail. Funny guys for sure.
Tomorrow we are in Waitangi Warf, Bay of Islands , New Zealand. Today February 6 was celebrated as the signing of the Treaty of Waingi, between the Maori people and the British Crown in 1840, it’s their Independence Day, a national holiday.
We are tendering tomorrow, so ear plugs are a must.
Tonight’s photo was taken by me sitting on my bed looking out to the veranda and beyond.
Hope you enjoyed, more later.
The Lake isn’t under us anymore
Motion in the ocean.
February 5, 2024
Yep, we are rocking gently today. I can’t believe how many people are complaining. Really? It’s the Ocean, I love it.
I’m concerned that when we dock in Darwin, many of our guest may just disappear. If I need to explain, Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution and survival of the fittest. I’m afraid that some of the guests may lose what little intelligence they have. I’m not being negative, but I really can’t believe what I am hearing from other passengers.
Bullseye! We went to the Thomas (not Helen) Keller grill tonight and I told the waiter that the only thing I wanted was to not have to send my steak back. When my steak came the entire restaurant staff gathered round as I cut into my steak. Drumroll please. It was perfect! Finally, a perfect steak. I asked the host for a pen and paper and wrote the Chef a thank you note. When my note was delivered, we heard a cheer from the kitchen. Simple things make life so much better. We don’t need to get all complicated when it comes to pleasing ourselves and others. It’s not complicated, It’s just a series of simple things that makes a happy world.
Today’s picture? The Captain asked if I would take a picture of us.
Dinner with a view
Our table last night