meeting the former Crystal Harmony

Marlyse has come and gone; from Auckland to Sydney

Unfortunately, the days have so many activities that there is little time to spend on the computer, and that means the blog is neglected. I have been busy taking pictures at all the land visits, so eventually those who are interested will be able to see them. However, too much time has elapsed for me to remember everything we saw and did. riefly, Marlyse arrived in Auckland, and we spent a really nice day with Trudy in Christchurch. This was followed by a visit to the Te Papa museum in Wellington, which was fascinating; really a MUST SEE for anyone who goes to Wellington. The weather was rather cool in New Zealand, adn is beginning to wrm up ow that we have passed through the Barrier Reef on our way to Cairns, Australia. The passages in Dusky and Doubtful Sound, as well as the National Park and Milford Sound were spectacular not only for the Fjiords, but for the high seas and rocking boat. We had to forego the landing before that, in Dunedin due to rough seas. Melbourne was all we hope it would be, Arlene came on board in the morning, and then showed us all around the center of town. That night, we were invited by the Coghlins for a wonderful dinner, although it turned out that John was in the hospital. Nwevertheless, it was a lovely evening with Marelyn, Daniel, and his wife. The next stop was Sydney, and that turned out to be a very stressful time before we arrived, due to a slip up in communication. Finally, everything turn out quite O.K., although not at all as we had anticipated. Thanks to Lynda Gaskell, we were able to transfer Marlyse's luggage to Lynda's car, and then the three of us took the Ferry to Manly. It was a beautiful day, and we did some shopping and had lunch at the water front, after watching some of the surfers, etc. Lynda was able to visit our ship on the way back, and Marlyse went home with her to wait for the limousine that took her to the airport. From Sydney, we went to Brisbane, where I went to the Crocodile Zoo, and I managed to get a picture of a kangaroo and a few other animals. Tomorrow we will be in Cairns, but I am seriously considering remaining on the boat in order to catch up with ironing, reading, emails, and now the latest, is that I am taking a course on writing Memoirs, and there is "homework" that needs doing. Today for the first time, I managed to walk the 498 meters around the deck. If I still remember how, I will attempt to attach some pictures. In the meantime, I shall be happy to receive your emails any time. Hasta luego! Vaya con Dios.

Relaxing in the sun in Auckland

Dear Reader,
We have had such a busy schedule, and so much has happened in the meantime, that I don't know what to write. As you see, Marlyse is here, and outside of the fact that both of us caught the respiratory infections that inhabit the passengers, we are taking advantage of everything that is offered. Marlyse is busy with golf,stone sculpting, all sorts of yoga, exercises, and walking the outside deck (500 meters each round) plus beginners bridge, and the lectures on improving one's memory. Today, we are at sea between Hobart and Melbourne, Ausstralia and my own program started with checking out my email, then going up to Deck 13 for both sauna and steam bath, plus shower and dress, followed by a very quick breakfast, before getting to my Yamaha music class (late) and from there to a bridge lesson, followed by my Spanish lesson. Then came a rather quick lunch together with Marlyse, and I was off to my writing class (a double sessioné). When that finished, I went back for an extra Spanish lesson, and from there some of us went up for afternoon tea. Finally, I got back here to the stateroom and took a nap . Neither one of us plan to go to the Captain's cocktail hour (which starts in 15 minutes) because we promised our dinner table mates that we would go to the evening show tonight, followed at 11 p.m. by Karaoke in one of the nightclubs. and so it goes! Every day is over crowded with interesting things to do.
The weather has not been very warm, and is quite windy today at sea.
In any case, I finally think I know how to upload pictures, and use the blog, so that is a big plus!
My regular email address works, and i am happy to hear from anyone who cares to write.

On Board

Marlyse and me having tea.

at Trudy's in Christchurch, NZ

Christchurch and Wellington (15th and 16th February)

Hallelujah! I think I have finally managed to post a real blog, instead of only making a comment! It has taken a whole month, which is about 1/3 of the trip, but better late than never. Marlyse has been here for 5 full days, already. My how the time is flying by, but she is enjoying it more each day. So far, she has been busy with all her physical activities: yoga, golf, stretch and relax, and hiking around the deck (which I should be doing, but still have not done). In addition, she is busy with skulpting something out of soapstone. On sea days, there is no time for anything, due to such a busy schedule, and on land days, we have been equally busy. In Christchurch, Trudy met us early in the morning, and took us on a fantastic sightseeing ride over the mountain that lies between Lyttleton, where the ship docked (an active port full of containers) and Christchurch. Unfortunately, it was a real rainy day, and we view was limited, but still spectacular and interesting. They are desperately in need of rain here, so everyone (except the visitors) was especially glad to have that wet stuff falling. Many of you will remember Trudy as a former president of ZIWA, and she took us shopping for the most wonderful New Zealand specialty... a mix of Merino wool and possum fur, which we really appreciated on such a cold day.
Andrew and her parents joined us for lunch in the fantastic modern house that Trudy and Andrew have designed. Hopefully, I will manage to include a picture. By the time we returned to the ship, it was time for Friday night services, and then we were too tired to go to the cocktail hour for "singles". After dinner, Marlyse attended a wonderful violin concert, but I had to retire for the night almost without supper, and certainly without any further entertainment.
Today, Marlyse started out with her jaunt around the deck, followed by pilates, and stretching while I deid a laundry. We met for breakfast, and then went into Wellington for the day. It's a beautiful modern city full of fabulous architecture, which we appreciated as we walked along the quai to Te Papa Museum, where we spent the next few hours, until we were really exhausted! It's a fantastic museum under any circumstances, but today was its 10th anniversary celebration, and there were all sorts of special programs, including the NZ symphony orchestra. We especially enjoyed the body painting demonstration, a movie of the histroy of NZ, etc. etc.
My only regret is that I forgot to take my camera with me.
Before the ship left the dock, we were "serenaded" by a Scottish group as part of the send-off to Dunedin, where we will spend the day tomorrow. While Christchurch is known to be typically English, Dunedin is typically Scottish. In the meantime, we have been wrned to expect seas up to 15 feet on the way, and to secure any loose items in the cabin, etc. It's supposed to be "rock and roll" exclusively. Before dinner tonight, we are invited to a Wizard of Oz party for cocktails and entertainment, and after dinner there is a sleight of hand artist who will perform, if we can stay awake that long.
That's it for now; I will try to attach a couple of pictures. Anyone reading this is welcome to write me at my usual email address: anngut8700@bluewin.ch (if you feel like it).
Fond regards to all. So far no one fromEnglish Conversation has been heard from!
Ann
P.S. I'll have to find out how to attach pictures; I couldn't do it this time. Sorry.

Testing

Just checking whether I can finally post information without using the comment section. I still have ot find out how to add a picture!