New Zealand continued

Our next port was Akaroa. This is a lovely place and we chose to wander around first and then did a local bus tour on amazing windy roads and steep drops into the countryside. There is quite a french influence here due to early settlers to the area.

We then headed to Dunedin. We had booked a train trip here. It was the Seaside train to Waitati. It was just there and back and the scenery was lovely. The train station is just beautiful in Dunedin.

We then headed back and had lunch at Emersons Brewery which was recommended but our tour guide on the train. Very delicious.

We then went into town for a spot of shopping and then went back to the ship. The next day was scenic cruising in the fjords. What a gorgeous place this is and the day was perfect.

New Zealand

We returned on Wednesday from our lovely cruise. It was so relaxing and we were so lucky with the calm seas and the weather. I did some stitching and crochet, read books and just had a relaxing time. Our first port was Auckland. We caught the local bus and checked out the Mt Eden crater and the great views.

Our second port was Mt Manganui and Taurunga. We hired a car and headed out to Te Aroha. Lovely scenery on the drive out and then we wandered around the town as this is where Bruce's grandfather was born. It was a gold rush town for a while and then became a spa town due to the hot springs.

In Wellington we hired a car again and headed to the Wairapa. Amazing scenery on the windy road!

 After we returned the car we walked over to the Te Papa museum. This Anzac display was so moving. These statues are twice the size of a normal person and they are real people that fought in the war. Absolutely amazing.

We also went to see the terracotta warriers (only 9 of them) but well worth the visit! 

Will continue with Akaroa next time.

The Sounds, classes and desserts

The next day we had a misty day sailing through the fjords. The scenery was spectacular. I have seen it before in sunshine so it was quite lovely to see it all misty and mysterious.

 Here is Fiona teaching her class. These ladies were doing the canvas work.

 These are some of my lovely students. We had a very relaxing time stitching and chatting.

 Alison came along on the second day and had added sequins and beads to her cushion. Looks wonderful!

 One of Fiona's ladies finished her lid for her sewing box. It was beautifully done.

 My last day of classes didn't go ahead so I helped Kim teach her class in the conference centre. I was so glad she was able to come to the class (she had been really sea sick) as the methods and equipment for this project was way out of my comfort zone. I had never even heard about special Angelina fibres you iron to make shiny fabric and hadn't ever used shiva sticks (oil paint in a crayon kind of stick). The ladies had a lovely time playing with these different mediums as well as paint and pencils to colour in.

 We didn't make it to many of the performances on board but made sure we went to the ice skating show. It was amazing!

 Must just finish off this post with 2 more of the delicious desserts!