On January 27, 2024, we boarded the Noordam Holland America ship for a two-week cruise. We cruised with longtime friends, Richard and Sue. Our port stops included:
Tauranga,
(Roturua), Napier, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hobart (Tasmania), and Melbourne, Australia
We were supposed to do some scenic cruising of Fiordland National Park, but the weather was so bad we cruised straight to Hobart through some rough seas. Even though it was summer we did have some rainy weather. Fortunately, one of our best weather days was to view Mt. Cook.
An example of Art Deco home in Napier.
We visited the oldest winery in New Zealand - Mission Winery
We toured the Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village in Rotura. And boy did it rain that day. Fortunately, the performance was undercover. Walking around the village was very wet. it was quite interesting how they use the thermal to do their cooking. Almost like having a slow cooker underground.
Lake Tekapu
View of Mt. Cook from Lake Pukaki
Hostel near Lake Tekapo
I loved how the scene was reflected in the glass
Holland America has orange night
Tawny Frogmouth at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Kangaroos waiting for dinner
Fairy tree at Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
Hand carved from 1931-1933 in a Gum tree stump.
Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
Melbourne had some very interesting buildings.
View of our ship from the Christchurch gondola
Bob and Richard goofing around on bus
Historic town Richmond, Tasmania
Bridge built by convicts
Yarra River cruise in Melbourne
Bob in front of train Dunedin. Still rocking the orange
