October 14, 2024

CADIZ, SPAIN! My second time here - think it was Mardi Gras 2008 last time?

View from my Balcony this morning! Such an easy access port. We literally walk across the street and right in the heart of town! Most Cities are considerable distance from port. We were off right after breakfast and tried a new app GuruWalk for free walking tours. Just tip guide what ever you like when tour done. Was fun doing with several other residents.

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Walking tour was 1.5 hours and Danny gave us lots of insights, history and tidbits. Loved resourcefulness of reusing French Cannons as bollards / corner guards. The Tsunami in Cadiz was same one that hit Lisbon ( we just heard about 2 days ago) ;  killing over 1000 in Lisbon, but only 40 in Cadiz due to Mary's intersession. Also found out that all the cobble stones we were walking over was the ballast that was inside all the ships when they initially came to Spain and had to unload to take there bounties home. Again smart recycling! Church was made of Limestone and crushed Oyster shells! if you live inside walled city you say your from Cadiz; if live outside walls say Cadiz Cadiz and if further out Cadiz Cadiz Cadiz. According to Danny used all the time for distinction. Couple more shots as I made my way back to ship, late lunch on back deck and Pickleball.

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    Local Candy Shop

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    Another shot of Cathedral

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    Entry to town, Founder statue

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    Suspension bridge as we left port

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 4, 2026
We had a beautiful sunny day to explore Wellington ! Was a very nice change from the stormy, big swells weather we have had the last two days! Wellington is the Capital city of New Zealand and the CBD is nice and big with lots of shops and museums. We didn't make it to the LOTR studios due to the time crunch but we took the cable car up to the top, for a scenic overlook of the port and then leisurley walk down through the Botantical Gardens, parks and historical cemetary.

ROTORUA CITY HIGHLIGHTS - NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 3, 2026
Rotorua became a bonus city for us. Our Port stay in Tauranga got cut down to one day, due to NZ biosecurity regulations and since we really wanted to do Hobbiton, we decided to get off the ship and stay in hotels and get back on the ship, in a few days. Due to a variety of factors, the Ship ended up doing a quick pick up of us in Tauranga, three days later. The Kiwi's we encountered along the way, who helped with all our last minute details, were amazingly kind, hospitable and generous. Below is our tired, chilly group huddled at the security shed, outside the Port in the wee hours (1:30 am) Monday morning, awaiting our final hurdle of getting back on our Home. Home sweet home! What an adventure!

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 3, 2026
Rotorua, New Zealand is known for it's geothermal activity ( geysers, mud pools, hot springs) and rich Maori culture . I saw lots of that last time I was here in 2016, so this time I wanted to see their Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest. John and Colleen joined me in exploring. Their redwoods are smaller than the ones in Muir Woods California, but still impressive. Both are planted forest dating back to around 1908.