Friday 30th December - Bay of Islands

Coming to the end of the New Zealand 2022 -2023 cruise posts.

 This is our last on shore day at the Bay of Islands in northern NZ, Graham is above with one of the Noordam's bright orange tenders in the background.

When I took these photos we were very near the Waitangi Treaty Grounds,  which I would have liked to have visited,  but we only had a couple of hours and it was $60.00 per person (for a two day ticket), maybe another time....

Very pretty, with lots of people out on the water, in boats and para sailing.

This above is again one of the tender boats ferrying guests from the Noordam to the shore. Then there was a 'school bus' shuttle to the center of town with a singing bus driver. (who more than likely drives a school bus in his other life).

This below is the township of Paihia. I hope lots of other guests spent lots of money because we didn't, even the ferry to Russell was full.

In hindsight we should have booked a tour for this day, but oh well you live and learn.

Above: back on the tender boat and back to the ship. There's our cabin waiting for us!

Below is the view of the tender boats from our verandah.

So, we say farewell to New Zealand. 

Two more nights before we reach Sydney and I am pleased to say it was a much more gentle voyage on the return leg across the ditch.

It became very quiet in the dining room, we heard rumours that there were a number of people in isolation towards the end of the cruise. We never heard how many (and some had gastro and other things rather that covid, huh, maybe even streptococcus). We did hear from someone (gossiping at breakfast as you do on a cruise),  who told us that her husband was isolating with covid and that the support and medical help was excellent, they even got anti viral drugs. Also cruise credits.

New Years Eve next post!

At least the clocks are now going back an hour,  yes I've got it right this time an hours more sleep!