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Hobbiton is a working farm with sheep and cows etc. Peter Jackson found the location with its lush green rolling hills and pastures while flying over in a helicopter. He noticed how it looked like JRR Tolkiens descriptions of Hobbiton in his books. The New Zealand army helped build the temporary set including bridges. WhenContinue reading “A Day at Hobbiton and Tauranga”

On our second day in Auckland we met our tour group to head out via boat to Waiheke Island and wine tasting. We had to walk from the ship to the next pier. Easy right? NO! Auckland has tons of construction so we had to cross a major intersection and cross over one pier andContinue reading “Waiheke Island, New Zealand”

Mexican Food!!! Woo hoo! Rain greeted us at Auckland as we sailed into the port. They had not had rain in over a month. were celebrating!We have not had rain in California for a month either or so we hear. We have now been on the road – well really on the high seas forContinue reading “New Zealand’s Delight begins with Lord of the Rings”

We have now been a day ahead of most of you. We are sailing toward New Zealand after our two stops in Fiji. Laukota was on our itinerary but we arrived a day early. Our magician after being asked what is the largest item he has made disappear stated, “two islands in Samoa” which alwaysContinue reading “Glorious Southern/Eastern Hemisphere”

Even though the first segment ended at Papeete, I have included Bora Bora as part of this segment. Michael, Larkin and I didn’t want to do the usual climb on climb off a Le Truck on the island which I hear was more like an open air bus in this century versus the 1980’s whenContinue reading “A day around Bora Bora”

Michael and I have always enjoyed finding local markets. Larkin wasn’t quite as thrilled but enjoyed the walk through while I took photos. We often wish we could just rent a cabin and cook to eat like the locals do, whether it is Venice, Rome, Mexico City or Saigon! This market made me smile! TheContinue reading “Papeete and a Jeep Safari Tour”

What fun to take a ship of 590 or so and give 100 of them the opportunity to take a “jeep” tour of NUKU HIVA. What a hoot. It really meant about 24 local folks with four door Ford, Honda and Toyota etc. trucks divided up in groups of 12 all following each other upContinue reading “The beauty of Polynesia”

The three of us enjoyed, albeit feeling rushed, a bus trip on Maui starting with the IAO valley, then visions of whales breaching as we continued the bus ride to Lahaina for exactly two hours of shopping. We wanted Frida’s Mexican which we adore and fabulous exotic margaritas knowing Mexican food would not be inContinue reading “More of Polynesia awaits after crossing the equator!”

On one of our nights at Sea, we joined two other couples from the west coast who are on the full world cruise for a special meal in the Compass Rose (main dining room). It was Larkin’s favorite – INDIAN. We hoped for something different but we weren’t expecting delicious. We are ready to tryContinue reading “OMG Food”

We enjoyed dinner with Captain Aivo Palm and another couple from Southern California January 27 and I wrote this blog…it drafted and didn’t send. It was delightful. Tammy the social host from Kansas also joined our table. Needless to say she is a Chiefs fan as is her husband the Cruise Director. Michael should enjoyContinue reading “Day Three at Sea”