Milford Sound,
South Island
South Island
Dunedin,
South Island
South Island
Christchurch,
South Island
South Island
Wellington,
North Island
North Island
Napier,
North Island
North Island
Auckland,
aka Tamaki Makaurau (Maori),
North Island
aka Tamaki Makaurau (Maori),
North Island
Bay of Islands
Rotorua,
North Island
North Island
The Sun Princess - New Zealand Cruise
Aotearoa (Maori for NZ)
Aotearoa (Maori for NZ)
All aboard the Sun Princess - a
15-deck adventure departing from
Sydney bound for New Zealand!
15-deck adventure departing from
Sydney bound for New Zealand!
The boat is 857 feet in length and can
accommodate almost 2,000 passengers.
accommodate almost 2,000 passengers.
There were daily multiple performance
options - ranging from casual lounge
singers to formal Broadway musical
style events.
options - ranging from casual lounge
singers to formal Broadway musical
style events.
To honor the diversity of passengers,
the Princess flew flags from many
nations.
the Princess flew flags from many
nations.
On the upper deck are two large pools
and five hot tubs.
and five hot tubs.
Weather permitting, this is a great way
to relax and enjoy an "at sea" day!
to relax and enjoy an "at sea" day!
There is an outdoor bar and a grill
serving burgers and other fast food.
serving burgers and other fast food.
Passengers enjoying a deck view as
we depart from Sydney.
we depart from Sydney.
The pools and hot tubs are open 24/7
except during bad weather.
except during bad weather.
If you tired of the views, you could eat
24/7 as well. There were two formal
dining rooms, a steakhouse, multiple
cafes around the ship and the 24-hour
everchanging buffet!
24/7 as well. There were two formal
dining rooms, a steakhouse, multiple
cafes around the ship and the 24-hour
everchanging buffet!
Glass elevators at the mid-ship atrium
conveniently took you from floors 5-9.
conveniently took you from floors 5-9.
A sample of the dessert bar from the
24-hour buffet!
24-hour buffet!
This huge ship maneuvered through
the narrow fjords like a snake.
the narrow fjords like a snake.
It was really rather cold here but so
breathtakingly beautiful that most
people didn't seem to mind.
breathtakingly beautiful that most
people didn't seem to mind.
A brisk mist shrouded the sky that day,
which apparently is the norm. It rains
more than 200 days a year here and is
the rainiest spot in New Zealand.
which apparently is the norm. It rains
more than 200 days a year here and is
the rainiest spot in New Zealand.
There was a full narration throughout
the venture by one of the
Naturalists/Rangers from the area. He
also pointed out wildlife visible from our
boat.
the venture by one of the
Naturalists/Rangers from the area. He
also pointed out wildlife visible from our
boat.
Milford Sound is hemmed in by sheer
granite cliffs rising over 6,000 feet, with
waterfalls cascading from the mountain
ridges.
granite cliffs rising over 6,000 feet, with
waterfalls cascading from the mountain
ridges.
On shore are luxuriant rain forests and
abundant bird colonies. Fur seals are
easily spotted on the rocky cliffs as are
bottlenose dolphins. The little
penguins are a bit harder to spot.
abundant bird colonies. Fur seals are
easily spotted on the rocky cliffs as are
bottlenose dolphins. The little
penguins are a bit harder to spot.
These photos can't communicate the
awe-inspiring feeling of actually being
there. It was exceptionally beautiful!
awe-inspiring feeling of actually being
there. It was exceptionally beautiful!
Moody and dramatic, Rudyard Kipling
called Milford Sound the "Eighth
Wonder of the World".
called Milford Sound the "Eighth
Wonder of the World".
The Sound is about one and half miles
at its broadest point, but the entrance
is so concealed when viewed from the
sea that it is easily missed.
at its broadest point, but the entrance
is so concealed when viewed from the
sea that it is easily missed.
The skies cleared a bit in the
afternoon, providing a completely
different mood to the experience.
afternoon, providing a completely
different mood to the experience.
Back out to open sea to enjoy a
spectacular Southern Hemisphere
sunset!
spectacular Southern Hemisphere
sunset!
Dunedin got its name from the Scottish
with its name a blend of DUNdee and
EDINburgh. A walking tour through the
historic city centre showcases
numerous Edwardian and Victorian
stone buildings.
with its name a blend of DUNdee and
EDINburgh. A walking tour through the
historic city centre showcases
numerous Edwardian and Victorian
stone buildings.
Stained glass windows from the Gothic
St. Paul's Cathedral, in the city centre.
St. Paul's Cathedral, in the city centre.
More windows at St. Paul's
Platform at the Dunedin Train Station
The discovery of gold in the 1860's in
the windswept hills near Dunedin
ushered in golden era of architecture,
culture and industry that is well
preserved.
the windswept hills near Dunedin
ushered in golden era of architecture,
culture and industry that is well
preserved.
New Zealand's oldest university is in
Dunedin - along with some blustery
winds!
Dunedin - along with some blustery
winds!
Dunedin is the last port of call on the
East Coast of New Zealand and is the
region's commercial center.
East Coast of New Zealand and is the
region's commercial center.
The Maoris call NZ "the land of the long
white cloud". This translates as LOTS of
rain! Most of our day in Christchurch was
rather rainy and dreary, but a quick walk
through the Botanic Gardens gave us a
glimpse of Edwardian life - punting on the
Avon river.
white cloud". This translates as LOTS of
rain! Most of our day in Christchurch was
rather rainy and dreary, but a quick walk
through the Botanic Gardens gave us a
glimpse of Edwardian life - punting on the
Avon river.
NZ's only kiltmaker, a whiskey distillery
and bagpipe bands keep the ties with
Scotland alive.
and bagpipe bands keep the ties with
Scotland alive.
Te Papa celebrates the bicultural
heritage of New Zealand - Maori
and the British Empire.
heritage of New Zealand - Maori
and the British Empire.
"Windy Wellington" is at the tip of North
Island and its nickname is well
deserved. There is a playful, hip aspect
here - evidenced by this former
government building turned art gallery
decorated with polka dots!
Island and its nickname is well
deserved. There is a playful, hip aspect
here - evidenced by this former
government building turned art gallery
decorated with polka dots!
Joyful Maori children at play while on a
field trip to Te Papa, the National
Museum of New Zealand. Te Papa is
Maori for "flat land". Wellington is NZ's
capital city, yet Auckland is much, much
larger and the main city.
field trip to Te Papa, the National
Museum of New Zealand. Te Papa is
Maori for "flat land". Wellington is NZ's
capital city, yet Auckland is much, much
larger and the main city.
A rather pretentious public sign at
Wellington waterfront's The Lagoon:
"It's true you can't live here by chance.
You have to do and be, not simply watch
or even describe. This is the City of
Action, the World Headquarters of the
Verb."
Wellington waterfront's The Lagoon:
"It's true you can't live here by chance.
You have to do and be, not simply watch
or even describe. This is the City of
Action, the World Headquarters of the
Verb."
Napier was completely destroyed by a
7.8 earthquake and fire in 1931 and
the entire city centre was rebuilt in an
Art Deco style.
7.8 earthquake and fire in 1931 and
the entire city centre was rebuilt in an
Art Deco style.
With the lavish use of pastel colors,
decorative sunbursts, lightning bolts,
zigzags and stars, downtown Napier is
a charming place.
decorative sunbursts, lightning bolts,
zigzags and stars, downtown Napier is
a charming place.
(Originally) The Municipal Theatre. The
door lintels show an Egyptian influence
and the chrome door bars form a zigzag
when the doors are closed.
door lintels show an Egyptian influence
and the chrome door bars form a zigzag
when the doors are closed.
Halsbury Chambers. The arch above
the entrance is a traditional arch
keystone pattern, not a sunburst.
the entrance is a traditional arch
keystone pattern, not a sunburst.
The architects incorporated the best of
early 20th century design with hints of
Art Nouveau, the Chicago and Prairie
schools, and Spanish Mission and of
course, there are numerous Maori motifs
as well.
early 20th century design with hints of
Art Nouveau, the Chicago and Prairie
schools, and Spanish Mission and of
course, there are numerous Maori motifs
as well.
As new businesses occupy these Art
Deco buildings, new elements are
incorporated into the original theme
and design.
Deco buildings, new elements are
incorporated into the original theme
and design.
The largest city on South Island,
Christchurch was designed in 1850 as an
ordered Church of England enterprise and
has retained much of that aesthetic charm,
evidenced by this fountain in the Botanic
Garden. Adjacent to this fountain is the
excellent Canterbury Museum.
Christchurch was designed in 1850 as an
ordered Church of England enterprise and
has retained much of that aesthetic charm,
evidenced by this fountain in the Botanic
Garden. Adjacent to this fountain is the
excellent Canterbury Museum.
Members of the local Art Deco Trust
dress in period costumes and drive
vintage autos to the port to entertain the
cruise ship tourists, complete with jazz
band.
dress in period costumes and drive
vintage autos to the port to entertain the
cruise ship tourists, complete with jazz
band.
After the quake (from 1932-1940), 164
buildings were built in the Art Deco
style... 140 remain.
buildings were built in the Art Deco
style... 140 remain.
Napier works to preserve the mood of
this interwar time period when the whole
world was embracing the new, the
modern.
this interwar time period when the whole
world was embracing the new, the
modern.
We took an amphibious land and sea
tour of Hawkes Bay and viewed Napier
and its suburbs from a unique vantage
point - a "DUCK" boat.
tour of Hawkes Bay and viewed Napier
and its suburbs from a unique vantage
point - a "DUCK" boat.
An in-store display at Opossum World,
a shop featuring a great selection of
merino wool & opossum sweaters,
hats, scarves, gloves, socks, slippers,
etc. Gene bought some gloves.
a shop featuring a great selection of
merino wool & opossum sweaters,
hats, scarves, gloves, socks, slippers,
etc. Gene bought some gloves.
A plaque written by the Maori artist Para
Matchitt explaining his sculptures which
adorn the City to Sea Bridge along
Wellington's waterfront.
"These sculptures were created by Para
to reflect the bridge between the sea
and the city. The whales and birds also
are serving as barriers. "How we got
here" is the theme for the "gateway
poles". The celestial representations
and symbols of love illustrate how our
ancestors arrived in Aotearoa, as today
people arriving at the waterfront can
cross to the heart of the city."
Matchitt explaining his sculptures which
adorn the City to Sea Bridge along
Wellington's waterfront.
"These sculptures were created by Para
to reflect the bridge between the sea
and the city. The whales and birds also
are serving as barriers. "How we got
here" is the theme for the "gateway
poles". The celestial representations
and symbols of love illustrate how our
ancestors arrived in Aotearoa, as today
people arriving at the waterfront can
cross to the heart of the city."
At nearly every port, we saw huge
shipments of logs headed for - (we
assumed) - factories in China.
shipments of logs headed for - (we
assumed) - factories in China.
With over 1 million residents and more
boats per capita than any other city in
the world, Auckland's nickname is The
"City of Sails".
boats per capita than any other city in
the world, Auckland's nickname is The
"City of Sails".
The Auckland Museum was quite
enjoyable - especially the War Memorial
Section, where Dad found info on
McPeak "New Zealanders" in military
records! This is a 82 foot long
hand-carved Maori warrier canoe made
from a single Totara tree.
enjoyable - especially the War Memorial
Section, where Dad found info on
McPeak "New Zealanders" in military
records! This is a 82 foot long
hand-carved Maori warrier canoe made
from a single Totara tree.
Auckland Museum. Sample of Maori
carvings representing warriors and
gods. Abalone shells are used to
create the eyes.
carvings representing warriors and
gods. Abalone shells are used to
create the eyes.
The crew readies an historic sailing
ship for a day cruise around
Waitemata (Maori for "Sparkling
Waters") Harbor.
ship for a day cruise around
Waitemata (Maori for "Sparkling
Waters") Harbor.
A church proclaiming its all-inclusive
congregation in downtown Auckland -
although the wedding in progress
seemed of the traditional kind.
congregation in downtown Auckland -
although the wedding in progress
seemed of the traditional kind.
The Pohutukawa Tree, better known as
New Zealand's ChristmasTree. A member
of the myrtle family, the crimson flowers
blossom Nov-Jan. The oldtime Maori
believed that an ancient pohutukawa
growing on the northern extremity of New
Zealand was the last earthly hand-hold of
the spirit before leaping into the underworld.
New Zealand's ChristmasTree. A member
of the myrtle family, the crimson flowers
blossom Nov-Jan. The oldtime Maori
believed that an ancient pohutukawa
growing on the northern extremity of New
Zealand was the last earthly hand-hold of
the spirit before leaping into the underworld.
A tender boat used to transport
passengers from the cruise ship at
ports with shallow waters. Tenders
can hold about 100 people.
passengers from the cruise ship at
ports with shallow waters. Tenders
can hold about 100 people.
A look at the Sun Princess from our
tender boat.
tender boat.
Saying "so long" to the Sun Princess!
The 150+ islands that comprise the
Bay of Islands remain largely
undeveloped and retain a charm
punctuated by dozens of coves and
clear blue waters.
Bay of Islands remain largely
undeveloped and retain a charm
punctuated by dozens of coves and
clear blue waters.
Spring blossoms on the main street in
Russell, a small sleepy island town
accessible by car ferry from the
mainland.
Russell, a small sleepy island town
accessible by car ferry from the
mainland.
A gorgeous day, interesting rock
formations and wildflowers - a glimpse of
NZ countryside near the Waiomio Caves
with their spectacular glowworm grotto.
formations and wildflowers - a glimpse of
NZ countryside near the Waiomio Caves
with their spectacular glowworm grotto.
A re-creation of Maori warriors paddling
a waka (ancient war canoe) as they
settled in Rotorua in the 1400's.
a waka (ancient war canoe) as they
settled in Rotorua in the 1400's.
We were entertained by a performance
of traditional Maori songs, chants and
stories and featuring the powerful haka
(war chant).
of traditional Maori songs, chants and
stories and featuring the powerful haka
(war chant).
A Maori cultural performance inside a
fully carved wharenui (meeting house).
One-third of the nation's Maori's live in
the Rotorua area.
fully carved wharenui (meeting house).
One-third of the nation's Maori's live in
the Rotorua area.
Why is it so consistent? The eruption is
induced by the placement of soap inside.
induced by the placement of soap inside.
The Lady Knox Geyser spouts plumes
which frequently reach heights over 60
feet of mineral-rich boiling water.
which frequently reach heights over 60
feet of mineral-rich boiling water.
It was formed over 700 years ago, has
a surface temperature of 165 degrees,
and the minerals include gold, silver,
mercury and the ubiquitous sulfur.
Champagne Pool is the size of a small
lake.
a surface temperature of 165 degrees,
and the minerals include gold, silver,
mercury and the ubiquitous sulfur.
Champagne Pool is the size of a small
lake.
And, the smell... ah, the smell! Many
liken it to rotten eggs. It's literally the
Earth letting out gas - hydrogen
sulfide. It permeates the entire area.
liken it to rotten eggs. It's literally the
Earth letting out gas - hydrogen
sulfide. It permeates the entire area.
Innumerable colors of every tint and
hue are a result of the complex blend
of minerals in the waters. Walking
your way through Wai-O-Tapu takes
about three hours.
hue are a result of the complex blend
of minerals in the waters. Walking
your way through Wai-O-Tapu takes
about three hours.
Devil's Bath. A large ruggedly-edged
crater adjoining the bush line. The color
reflects the amount of mineral and
ferrous salt contents & can shift from
green to yellow depending on reflected
light and cloud cover.
crater adjoining the bush line. The color
reflects the amount of mineral and
ferrous salt contents & can shift from
green to yellow depending on reflected
light and cloud cover.
Peering into a massive crater with
shallow horizontal ridges of alum
deposits on the rock walls.
shallow horizontal ridges of alum
deposits on the rock walls.
A dried mud pool... It could easily
become a boiling wet pool again at any
time. The land is quite unstable.
become a boiling wet pool again at any
time. The land is quite unstable.
The tropical rainforest climate of NZ's
North Island makes for some
impressive foliage.
North Island makes for some
impressive foliage.
A common scene as you drive through
the central volcanic plateau of the
North Island.
the central volcanic plateau of the
North Island.
The Pohutu geyser is part of the
Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
area. This geyser erupts up to 20
times each day.
Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
area. This geyser erupts up to 20
times each day.
Pohutu can shoot boiling water, gases
and steam to 100 feet in the air.
and steam to 100 feet in the air.
Each explosion averages 10-15
minutes, but the timing is natural and
unpredictable. Some eruptions can
last for hours.
minutes, but the timing is natural and
unpredictable. Some eruptions can
last for hours.
Bubbling & boiling mud pools plopping in
thick circles and making odd gurgling
sounds. A most primeval place!
thick circles and making odd gurgling
sounds. A most primeval place!
George Bernard Shaw called Rotorua
"the most hellish scene" he had ever
witnessed. We found it fascinating!
"the most hellish scene" he had ever
witnessed. We found it fascinating!
A Maori woman boiling grass reeds in
a steaming pool to soften them for use
in weaving.
a steaming pool to soften them for use
in weaving.
The Big Sheepdog ...
and the Big Sheep. They housed a
tourist visitor center and gift shop,
naturally.
tourist visitor center and gift shop,
naturally.
The Lady Knox Geyser at the
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
It erupts daily at 10:15 am.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
It erupts daily at 10:15 am.
Wai-O-Tapu bills itself as "volcanic
theater with geothermal artistry on a
grand scale." Not an understatement!
The entire area sits on the edge of a
huge, 160,000 year-old volcanic caldera.
theater with geothermal artistry on a
grand scale." Not an understatement!
The entire area sits on the edge of a
huge, 160,000 year-old volcanic caldera.
Wai-O-Tapu is Maori for "Sacred
Waters". This is the Champagne Pool,
an enormous hissing, bubbling, colorful
mass of water, with a beautiful
ochre-colored petrified edge.
Waters". This is the Champagne Pool,
an enormous hissing, bubbling, colorful
mass of water, with a beautiful
ochre-colored petrified edge.
An example of Rotorua's raw and
unspoiled beauty.
unspoiled beauty.
Throughout the park, this reddy-brown
to bright orange color (Trentepohlia) is
seen on vegetation. It is an algae that
hides the normally green pigment of
chlorophyll.
to bright orange color (Trentepohlia) is
seen on vegetation. It is an algae that
hides the normally green pigment of
chlorophyll.