G'Day from Wild Kiwi and Down Under - Part 1 of 3

Found in a window while walking down Queen's Street
in Auckland, New Zealand

How I LOVE travel and adventure!

I found both when Ken and I embarked on a trip long on my Bucket List--to New Zealand and Australia!!

The cruise that caught both my eye and imagination was on Holland America that began in Auckland, New Zealand and traveled down the western coast of New Zealand, including stops in Tauranga, Napier, Akaroa, Dunedin and through three sounds in Fiordland National Park.  

Departing Auckland Airport en route to the beautiful
Langham Hotel

From there, two days crossing the Tasman Sea to Tasmania with a stop at Hobart.  Another day at sea to reach Melbourne and another sea day to reach Sydney, the final destination. 

Realizing it was the first time either of us had traveled to this part of the world, we decided to fly in a day early to give us a chance to adjust to a new day and time and to stay an extra day to explore Sydney before flying home. 

As a photographer, I was in PARADISE.  Honestly, sometimes I felt a little guilty as it was so beautiful that all I had to do was point and shoot.  

For this posting, I'm promising to use all the willpower I can employ to ONLY include a FEW images from each location, realizing that I could get a little carried away!  Still, there's so much to share with you that it will take me 3 separate posts to cover it all!   So, let's enjoy the Wild Kiwi and Down Under--Part 1!

Auckland, New Zealand

Beautiful sprawling branches of the ancient Banyan Trees surround us
as we accidentally discover a magical park nestled at the end of Prince's Street.

Despite a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, it's remarkable how one revives in a new country!  Never underestimate the power of exploration!

After we arrived and got settled in our beautiful room in the Langham Hotel, we headed down the hill (and I mean DOWN--it is quite steep!) on Symonds Street, finding our way to the vibrant University of Auckland.

Students gather in an open-air common
space at the University of Auckland

 It was fun to wander around the urban campus, popping into the Student Center and the Bookstore, where, as people who love universities, we were enticed to purchase both a ball cap and a t-shirt from the University.

Down we continued, marveling at the mixture of historic and modern buildings.  

In all, we walked over 7 miles before returning to our hotel, enjoying a late dinner and falling into bed.

 The next morning, revived, off we departed on Queen's Street, heading once again down the hill taking our time to reach Queen's Wharf and embarking on the Noordam mid-afternoon.

Although sunny, there was a brisk breeze blowing in off the water that made us both glad we wore sweaters and jackets.

Once onboard the Noordam, we explored the ship and joined in a glass of champagne in the Crow's Nest prior to the mandatory lifeboat drill at 5 p.m.

I've often heard it said:

It's not only the journey--it's with whom you share the journey.

How true this echoed when we met our cabin neighbors, Rodney and Kate, at the lifeboat drill and became the best of friends during the next two weeks.

Kate, Rod and Ken at a pub in Hobart, Tasmania

Now living in Brisbane, Australia, both had lived in many places in the world and were quite comfortable with American customs and "accent"--or non-accent.

Through them, we learned a great deal about New Zealand and Australian life and tried to pick up as many flavorful words as we could.

In the dining room we managed to snag a table for four in front of a beautiful big window and each evening would share adventures of the day before strolling to the Vista Lounge for the evening's entertainment.  The joys of cruising are enhanced when shared with laughter and new friends.

TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND

Mount Maunganui looms in the background from where the
Noordam is berthed.

Our first port the next morning was supposedly Tauranga--but we berthed in Mount Maunganui and decided we would rather explore this beach resort community than take a shuttle to either Tauranga or Rotorua.

How delighted we were that we stayed right there!!

We decided to take the 45-minute hike around this lush mountain--although it took us far more than 45 minutes as I had to stop every 35 steps to take another photo!  We were also surprised at how crowded the steep and rough trail was with people of all ages, parents pushing strollers--all coming at each other from both directions!

Ken looks over the edge of the trail to the surf below.

It was a surprisingly hot sunny day and the trail was often quite shady which was greatly appreciated as we were unused to the additional humidity.

It was heavily shaded as we began our trek but soon the trees thinned to a rockier grassland.  It was stunning as the waves crashed into the rocks below but also much brighter and warmer.

Without the shade of the trees the trail grew warm as it wound
around Mount Maunganui.

Hooray!  We made it completely around to the Main Beach of Mount Maunganui! 

NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND

Flowers abound at the Sound Shell and Colonade
in Napier, New Zealand

Our next port, Napier, suffered great destruction during an earthquake in the late 1920s.  When it was rebuilt, it was in the style of the time--Art Deco.  

This is a charming community full of beautiful Art Deco architecture and we had several hours to wander down Emerson Street, turning onto Dickens and making our way along Marine Parade.

A man dressed in period costume passes visitors to Napier who seem
not to notice.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND

Sculpture meets modern city on the City to Sea Bridge,
Wellington, New Zealand

I fell in love with Wellington from the moment I saw the whimsical art as we walked along the harbor to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

As I darted in and out of the lovely arts and craft boutiques, Ken waited outside and watched a couple of guys seemingly on their lunch break dive into the cold waters of Wellington Harbour as a class of kayakers paddled by heading toward the wharf.

There is so much sculpture to see!  It abounds and proclaims this city to be rich in the arts.

At the Te Papa Art Museum we were moved by the powerful
exhibit, "Gallipoli, the Scale of War," which uses larger-than-life
creations of real people involved in this conflict.

Silk flags created by thousands of children flutter in the wind in a display
near the harbour.

Clearly, I could have spent days exploring Wellington. 

But, mates, I realize that it's time to give way and close Part 1.

I may sneak in a couple additional photos of Wellington when I start Part 2, but it's just a thought since I can't wait to share more of my dream trip with you!