Monday - 19th December Still all at Sea

The crew change the mats in the elevators each day for the bewildered amongst us.

Another day at sea, a lot calmer last night, but we are still swaying around like drunks.

 

Today we started on a talk about Milford sound.

 

 Then other things we did today, spent lots of time chatting to other guests.  

 

Went to a coffee and chat with the Sandman who did last nights show. Marcus Winter is a Maori man and spoke about culture amongst other things. 

In the evening there was a comedy show and then a music quartet with Tunes from the British Isles which included Nimrod by Elgar (one of my favourites) and Bohemian Rhapsody, big smile here Dear Readers.

I also took some shots around the ship interior.

This is the main elevator lobby.

Below is the Atrium ceiling.

 

And some other interesting bits around the ship.

(taking photos of myself again....with my phone this time)

 

And this below is the glass ceiling of the main dining room. 

Early start tomorrow 5am for Milford Sound, plus the clocks go back (go forward! I'm confused!) another hour.

Then we've got to try to look glamorous for our studio portrait tomorrow afternoon.

 

Sunday - 18th December - At Sea

A quick post today.

At sea, and very rough and cold! The above pic is from our balcony.

Last night it was like sleeping on a roller coaster, one of those ones that tip sideways as well go up and down.

Lots of green faces around the ship this morning, but we were okay.

(Although I took some sea sickness tablets , just in case).

I spent the morning updating this blog, very slow internet on this ship..

We were up in the observation deck, which is also the games room. 

Note the obligatory tub of wipes on the table to wipe your chess pieces down. We are also required to wear masks in all indoor areas.

The observation deck has a art deco ceiling, there are a lot of art deco features on this ship, I'll take more photos of them over the coming days. 

 

 Later, we went to an art lecture.

Then in the evening it was the captains welcome.

Then the evenings entertainment was a sand artist which was wonderful.

 

Another day at sea tomorrow, lets hope that we get calmer seas from now on. 

Saturday - 17th December - Kim's 60th Birthday. Departing Sydney.

 Here we go,

 finally off on our 16 night New Zealand cruise that has been delayed for two years due to covid,

 

As most of you know today is also my birthday.

We left from the overseas passenger terminal at Circular Quay, 

on the Holland American Line Ship the Noordam.

We met up with Gail and Michael at the Rocks for lunch before our 3pm boarding time.

Above our cabin via the mirror.

Then, we were late leaving and it was drizzling rain so the on deck celebration was a bit of a fizzer!

But! 

Graham won the quiz by knowing that the original Zealand is in Holland. We have a $100 gift voucher for the portrait gallery, so there will be photos.

Then we had a special birthday dinner in the Pinnacles Restaurant, including birthday cake.

Here, above,  is our table from the mirror ceiling. 

 

We were entertained by watch the Pilot boat come alongside to collect the Pilot in the rough seas.

They are saying there will be 3 meter seas tonight, just as well I have the sea sickness tablets.

We also have to put the clocks back an hour.

At sea tomorrow, see you there.

Friday 16th December - Sydney on Cruise Eve

Today we spent most of the day at the Art Gallery of NSW, our first visit to their new extension.

Here are am colour coordinated with one of the exhibitions!

 

But, before this I had a visit to a GP here at Darling Square in Sydney.

The story is that we went on a picnic with the grand kids last Sunday at Dangar Falls.

The March flies had their own picnic on my ankles and the bites are now infected, so I am on cream and oral antibiotics. Great start to the holiday! But the good news is we had our required traveler PCR tests yesterday and they were negative.

Here are my feet, they look worse on the back...

Oh yuck! Sorry My Dear Readers!

 

Back to our visit to the new art gallery.

 

Here are some of my favourite exhibits and the stories.

 

Death zephyr

 

Nice that they let you take photos these days'.

clockwork for oracles

 

 

Can you spot us in these accidental selfies becoming one with the art?

tracing transcendence

This reminded me of Istanbul.

 Japan Supernatural etc

 

Also some very colourful artworks. 

From this place

This was fascinating as it was all made of cardboard and boxes.

Guts

That info cards a little fuzzy, but it was to do with intestines, with water, snakes and junk in layers.

I loved this one, it was an optical illusion, a small space with mirrors that looked like it was stacked into infinity.

Here I am below taking  pic over the railing. 

 

 The stars are our ancestors

As seen above with me posing, the kissing chairs.

So now we wait to onboard tomorrow.