Back to the cruise and today it's off to Wellington

The first thing each day is to work out which way to start walking as it all looks the same LOL. This is the view from outside our cabin.  When you get off the accommodation decks then they start the real onboard style of decoration, below is the foyer to the casino/art auction and library area. Lots of bling and things.

Wellington is the home of "Wellywood" and also where Peter Jackson lives and the home of some amazing studios - all built on the success of Lord of the Rings. 1 in 10 Kiwis had a direct involvement in the making of the film, either through roles as supporting casts or just the amazing assortment of poeple involved in the catering and non film activities.

Now as a LOTR tragic, having read the books 25 + times and all the other Tolkien books it was very exciting to visit the locations of the films so off we went. First stop was the special effects studio and waiting to greet us was Gollum.

The effects studio was very interesting but you were kept well away from anything that was creative and most of the time spent in a souvenir shop - shame.

From there it was off to the setting of "Rivendell" somewhere I have always wanted visit, even when it only existed in my imagination. On the bus and through Wellington to a park just on the outskirts of town. As it was the beginning of school holidays there were masses of children running around enjoying the park which totally destroyed the grace and beauty the Rivendell was meant to represent - oh well off to the park setting where Frodo crosses the river to get into Rivendell. A beautiful national park about 60 klm out of town and you could visualise the chase scene.

Last stop was the stone mountain of "Helms Deep" and the scene of the epic battle. Well it's a quarry just on the outskirts of town. Peter Jackson apparently bought the quarry for a year and with lots and lots of very clever tricks made it into Helms Deep, unfortunately now it looks like a quarry anywhere.

Off to Christchurch tomorrow.

Hello from the "Isle of Agnes"

Short break from the cruise, just thought you might like an update on what's happening here at the moment.

Agnes has been cut off from the mainland for the last 3 days with both access roads underwater. Bundy - Agnes 3 meters of water and the bridge has suffered massive damage and probably won't open for several weeks. Miriam Vale to Agnes under 2 meters of water and if it stops raining NOW "may " open in 4 - 5 days. Currently there are trees down over the roads between here and town, panic buying has started as people here on holiday realise that it will be here longer than planned and no new supplies can get through.

We have just been informed that 16 really stupid people tried to beat the floods and made a break for Miriam Vale. They got as far as the high ground between the two channels of Baffles creek (6ft over the road) and there they stay. At least most of them were towing vans so they have somewhere to sleep but if this keeps up they will go under and probably have vans and cars washed away.

Last night the deluge continued with 6 inches of rain and the forecast for the next 48 hours is more of the same so things are looking pretty grim for those in tents and living in low lying areas etc.

On a happier note our wine fridge is almost full so we can hang out for another month.

Day 5 and it's Napier

We woke to find that we were parked behind the Rhapsody of the Sea and having the two big ships nose to tail was quite impressive.

We didn't take a tour here as we had the Deco walking tour booklet courtesy of Lyn P so off we headed as soon as breakfast was finished.

This is a very pretty Art Deco city as it was destroyed by earthquake in 1934 (I think) and they had to totally rebuild almost all the central city area. Our first stop was the Napier theatre.

This is a good example of the city architecture. The foyer light fittings and carpets are all original or made to the exact same quality and design as the originals.

The light fitting in the main theatre is breathtaking. This light takes up almost the entire ceiling. The centre section changes colour very slowly so when you look up again it's like a whole new fitting. As with most of these great buildings the locals had to fight to save it from developers who wanted something "nice and new".

The lights in the foyer are a treat. Never seen anything like it in a deco building - so modern but original.
I can't possibly show you all the deco buildings as there are 93 in the CBD but if you ever get the chance to do Napier it is well worth a look.

In true sailing style Napier put on a 30's brass band to play us away. Complete with vintage cars and people in costume to wave us away. I was concerned that the band might just play "Nearer my god to thee" as we sailed away but thank god they didn't.

Room with a view

Everyone knows we are now back on terra firma and that all the cruise updates are running two weeks behind but I will do my best to cover most things that happened on the trip.

Day three

Still making our way across the "ditch" and the captain announces that there is a serious viral outbreak onboard and that the whole ship is going onto "Red Alert" to try and combat this outbreak. Of course when you have almost 2000 people with various ailments then you can only expect that hi-gene is easily compromised. Bingo, I came down with the lergy. Quarantine for 48 hours in my cabin. The advantages were that I had the cleanest cabin onboard which was cleaned 3 times a day by people in masks, goggles and large spray bottles. It did also mean that room serviced knew their way to C345 and that drinks and food (all except my dinner on night two which they totally forgot) were bought to me. They also very kindly did all my laundry FOC.

This of course included our stay in Auckland. Pictured above is all I got to see of Auckland and the people that lived in the apartments on the dock were very very happy to see us sail as I spent all day sitting on the balcony watching them LOL.

Day four 
Off to Rotarua to see some old geysers. The boat moored approximately 100klms away at a placed called Tarasomething which is on the east coast and very pretty holiday destination for most north islanders. We bussed it down to the geyser national park and had lunch on top of a scenic hill overlooking the town.  This was our first real experience of a lot of very overweight people stampeding to the buffet, not a pretty picture. The lunch also included the compulsory Maori song and dance show.

Champagne pool, very pretty with lots of colour. Most of the colour is the result of the very high levels of arsenic. The water temp here is 200 degrees. Great for doing the dishes.

One ol' geyser with another.

Barry Manilow in concert AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHH

Just like the "Love Boat" Barry gets a free ride. We went up to the top deck where all the pools etc hang out and on the big screen was Barry in full swing, it took us nearly a week to go back up there LOL

Smooth sailing ahead LOL

Well this was the sight on leaving Melbourne, but it didn't last for long. The cruise up the bay was graceful but as soon as we got out of the heads on came the wind and waves. Day two and three was responsible for a lot of sickness on board. Walking frames, wheel chairs and walking sticks laying scattered all over the place and the smell of cleaning agents permeated everywhere - very romantic LOL.

The onboard entertainment was getting a beating as those of us that could walk were still in need of distractions so the lounges, library, games rooms nightclub and various bars all got a good work out.

More tomorrow...............

Oh this is so not a good look.

Welcome to the cruise and this is the first sight that greeted us at the dock. I guess it means we get new bedding lol. The departure day was a typical Melbourne day with gales and lashings of rain and just about everyone waiting in line to go through customs etc got totally drowned.

More pics etc when we get to Auckland tomorrow as the price of internet time here is piracy LOL

Finally

Everything is in flux LOL. Yesterday we packed off 75 packages with Allied Pickfords to be dropped at Agnes sometime in January. We kept back the clarice, glassware and Gleesons to take ourselves and even Febe hitched a ride with us. The ladies are all packed and travelling by truck so Febe should consider himself very special. Will look quiet funny driving up the highway with him in the back LOL.

Sail tomorrow and can't wait. I think we have both moved on from being Melbourians and will be very happy to be on the move or back home at Agnes.

Called into the hotel last night and it just seemed sad, no more bad feelings just sad. The tree is causing a lot of trouble in the back yard and it was hinted that it might meet a nasty fate sometime in the near future. As usual the floors, doors and fixtures are moving all over the place and the landlord is being less than helpful - sound familiar? - aaaah memories LOL.



Updates from the high seas

What a week,

Melbourne is working true to form. On Thursday we headed out to do some shopping and it was pelting rain so we madly ran to Woolies to get a brolly. Off to Myer for some bits and pieces and when we came out brilliant sunshine and cooking hot LOL. Off to DFO at South Wharf and a wonderful stroll along the river before heading in to get some clothes for the trip and when we came out it was the end of the world. Black clouds, raindrops the size of eggs and lots and lots of Thor and Zeus action.  Off for a late lunch with Tom at the Steak and Veg on Southbank and watched the weather change every half hour, oh we must be back in Melbourne.

Yesterday Agnes (Home) got slammed with 300ml of rain and is cut off from the world. Gladstone also got hammered and the airport is shut down and most roads apart from the highway are closed, glad we're down here.

Yesterday we started making plans for the trip home with the glassware and china only to find that Budget, Avis, Hertz etc are ALL on STOP sale for one way rentals anywhere let alone to Gladstone or Bundy. Even with our contacts at Budget we couldn't get anything. Panic starting to rumble just below the surface as I realised that we could very well be stranded here in Melbourne and we are hosting xmas day lunch up in Agnes.

Denise to the rescue, I told her our dilemma and being someone that won't be beaten she headed off on the web and found us a small 4wd at Europcar so now we can get home. Tks D.

Calendar of events is starting to fill with dinner tonight with Noddy and Paul, Lunch up at Warby tomorrow, Monday packing day with the removalists and us taking the extra stuff to the auction rooms, Tuesday Lunch with D and D, dinner with Mc B and Marie and finally Wednesday Lunch with Julie and Bailey and then we sail for a rest LOL.