Auckland - Wednesday 29 Dec 2010

It’s coffee in the morning and Island party at night!

The Seaside town of Mt Maunganui - Monday

Napier

Completely rebuilt after a 1931 earthquake Napier is known for its Art Deco architecture and fine wines that emanate from this region – Hawkes Bay.  Deciding a stroll downtown was most likely healthier than the wine tasting tours we strolled about impressed by the towns layout and facilities ……. searching for a coffee stop we found the Boyz enjoying the Napier sites……. with Sir Ken now adding to the local attractions… 

Christmas Dinner

From the company to the wine – what an exceptional 2010 Christmas Dinner!

Christmas Day at Sea.....

Our Christmas Day at sea was very relaxing,  from brunch to dinner it was a fantastic day, even the dolphins came out to play on el Capitains bow wave!    Some photo’s to share with you all of our day.  Prettige Kerstdagen to all our Dutch friends out there!  Merry Christmas from Ken and Sheree.

I can explain…..

Hey Santa, Hey Santa,

What’s with the no presents under my Christmas tree?

I know I slept in this morning and only woke when the cabin steward banged loudly on my door as he held my freshly squeezed orange juice, early grey tea and croissant…..you know, my pre-breakfast, breakfast.   Was this the reason you left no prezzies in my spaciously elegant appointed stateroom with luxurious mariner’s dream bed and premium linen with extra fluffy Egyptian cotton pillows ?  Really, Santa – there was nothing at the end of my bed!

Hey Santa – what gives, have you been making judgements about “naughty and nice”…… was it because I didn’t leave you those chocolates on my pillow last night when my steward turned down my bed whilst I took a stroll on the promenade deck……. we’ll truly……I can explain…….. it was Sir Ken who ate the chocolates….. he was still hungry after his 5 course Christmas Eve dinner…

Hey Santa, It seems to me you’ve made an error in judgement not leaving any pressies for me, you’ve not afforded me the natural principals of justice to explain…….oh dear Santa, now who’s been naughty and not nice…….

You see Santa I tried being nice and well…….   

Oh dear the El Capitain has just announced there’s an unusual blip on the Volendams radar…… and he can tell that  it’s Santa by the shape of the reindeer sleigh…… Perhaps Santa you’ve heeded my call and want to avert a “Natural Principles of Justice” lawsuit ….  Truly and really I can explain…… but before I do make sure Nixen and Blixen are safe….. there’s a lot of passengers here that would love just a bit of venison deer……

Hey Steve and Alan....Merry Christmas

My bags are ready and packed for the next world voyage boyz….. I’ll have them sent to your balcony cabin shall I? …….

This blog is especially for my granddaughter Cayla Victoria

Omas und Opas Clem Abetenuer in Neuseeland

Meine GroBeltern sind die Besten.

Sie gehen oft auf Reisen und haven schon jede Menge tolle Sachen gesehen!

In diesem Jahr ging ihre Reise in ein Land, das Neuseeland heiBt.

Dort fuhren sie mit einem Boot und beobachteten Delfine beim Spielen in Wasser.

Neuseeland ist von einem riesigen Ozean umgeben, in dem viele verschiedene Meerestiere leben.

Sie sahen viele, viele Schafe!

Sie sahen eine Kolonie von suBen Pinguinen.  Einige von ihnen schwammen in Meer, andere watschelten uber die Felsen und manche schliefen einfach im Stehen.

Abert weiBt du, was am interessantesten war?

Obwohl Oma und Opa  Clem die tollsten Sachen gesehen haben, aben sie mich trotzdem vermisst Cayla!

Ta Papa

What a container of Treasures!  An incredible museum that New Zealanders should be very proud of.  An hour gave us an albeit overview of this museum of international reputation and the knowledge that our next visit to Wellington we will devote a whole day to the 6 floors of incredible artifacts. Interactive exhibitions demonstrating New Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage.

Street Scenes Wellington Christmas Eve…

Wellington is surrounded by a magnificent harbor, with picturesque buildings situated on the steep hills.  The harbour is formed by the flooding of a now extinct volcano crater.  You can certainly see this city is the center for culture and the arts with a plethora of restaurants, cafes, nightlife and activities.  

Wellington on land...

This morning we docked just before the Sun Princess – giving us the edge to all of today’s attractions!  First stop was Lambton Quay where we took the cable car (funicular railway car – similar to that of Hong Kong).  At the top the wind was such it proved difficult to stand upright!...... and no I hadn’t been to happy hour yet!