May 7, 2025

CARTAGENA - DAY 2

Scott and I had a loose or fluid plan as we like to say here on the ODYSSEY  to go to the ROSARIO ISLANDS but we were not clear on the the transport modes and their varying cost ( ferry, private or group boat) nor their schedules and we had to be back  by 5 to depart. So plan B was just to go to local Cartagena Beach, over near the High rises and Hotels. We got a late start and then further delayed in the aviary of the Port - there were albino or white peacocks! Never seen or heard about that. And we were also looking for evasive slothes. Time and cost were not on our side to go to Rosario, so Plan B was put into action. We ordered an Uber. When we got to beach we rented a tented area and lounge chairs. Shortly after settling in, a parade of services and vendors started. It got quite comical, at one point, when I had one guy making me a custom blue beaded ankle bracelet and then 2 ladies, which the jeweler said was his wife and her friend, appeared out of nowhere and started giving us both foot and leg massages.Then a rapper showed up and made a custom song  for us all to enjoy. All kinds of food and drinks were also being offered. We had to say firm no thank you and no gracias to get them to subside.The rest of the afternoon was relaxing and Callie came by to join us - my last time to see her before she traveled home.

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.
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!
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.