Auckland/Waiheke, New Zealand – 1 December 2008
Beyond the uninhabited Rangaroto Island but still within sight of downtown Auckland is Waiheke. The 26 km long island is said to be home of Auckland’s rich and famous, many of whom commute to town on the hourly passenger and car ferries. A 35 minute jet cat ferry ride in rain showers arrived in a lovely harbor surrounded by large modern houses. The rain had resumed but not until I took a nice mile or so hike in the forest preserve near the harbor. So the Waiheke Explorer Tour at $NZ 18.00 ($US 10) tour seemed appropriate as it promised to “show off the beautiful beaches, stately homes, and the vineyards and olive trees.” The tour guide/driver, Mike, did the best he could to do so in 1¼ hours. As a long time resident of Waiheke, Mike shared his personal view of island life. This consisted mostly explaining how boring it was to live there. He said that owning a boat is essential since “there’s nothing else to do”, disclosed that homes can cost as much as $NZ 350,000 (about $US 190,000), and that the owners of “these mansions walk around town in shorts and gum shoes, just like regular blokes.” I was impressed as I was wearing shots and gum shoes (sneakers) myself. I was surprised that 30 or so of us comprised the 11 am tour group, although at least one of the group felt the need to check out the bus’s registration documentation rather than the lovely island sea views.
The island tour was fine however overpromised but a nice way to spend a few hours waiting for the light rain showers to pass through the area. The island did seem to have more to offer, perhaps a more interesting place to rent a bike on day with nicer weather. I returned to Auckland and had a gourmet Thai meal in an exclusive boutique out of the way bistro. Actually it was at a food court in the basement of a shopping center near my hotel. Stayed up almost to 10 pm.
Auckland, New Zealand – 2 December 2008 - Morning
The early view from my 24th floor (25th floor in the US) hotel room afforded a glimpse of the m/s Seven Seas Mariner seeming to want to navigate up Albert Street which would have saved me a cab ride later in the day. After a moment’s reflection that it was not going to come to me, I ran down to watch the ship complete the docking process at Princes Wharf and for me to take its picture. I’m sure I’ll take more. At 709 feet long and 50,000 tons, Mariner more than twice as big as Silver Shadow and looks it. I will attempt to embark about noon and explore the ship. I will be very surprised if I know any crew members from the Song of Flower days, now more than 15 years ago. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, formerly Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, formerly Seven Seas Cruises recently was sold to the company that owns the Oceania Cruise Line, and m/v Song of Flower is long gone. Last I heard, it was renamed La Diamond, run by a French company, and the other ship of the old original Radisson operation, the double hulled Radisson Diamond (how ironic), is now being run as a gambling ship in China.
Afternoon
Embarked m/s Mariner at noon and exploring this larger ship. Suite is somewhat smaller than on Silversea, but I have a verandah—first time ever. Have already met with the Dining Room Manager, August, about my lactose issues. He has ordered chocolate desserts and non-dairy pastries as well. All is well. Big news is that my old friend Ray is the Cruise Director. Ray left Silversea after taking out all four of their ships. He is now with Regent. We already have arranged to take a hike at the Bay of Islands tomorrow morning as we did virtually every day on Silver Cloud on the Baltic cruise a few years ago, one of the last cruises he did with Silversea. More later. By the way, free Internet is indeed the case; so I will probably be a lot more accessible. So is a few hours of satellite phone time. Things could be worse. Now that I’m leaving Auckland, the sun has come out again….
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