May 20, 2025

MANZANILLO, MEXICO

We were the first ones off our Ship when it docked in Manzanillo, on 5/12/25 because I had booked our group a private charter fishing and snorkel trip. Our agent was waiting for us in Port and he quickly transported us over to the Captain and Firstmate Fernando waiting for us. We were under power quickly and the fishing lines were all cast. Within minutes we were all pulling in fish. We were not even using bait,  just flys and the catches were continuous, the first hour as we traveled out to our snorkel spot!

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Next we snorkeled for over an hour in this great protected cove. There was tons of fish, so many different species.

On the way back to the Port we were all chilling in the sunshine, singing along to music, when a whole group of dolphins popped up alongside us and were racing to stay up with the boat. They were so close and the small ones were giving us a show!

We posed for a group shot before leaving the boat but didn't realize how in the shadows we were. We went to a restaurant down the pier from the dock and they were short staffed, so I jumped in to help the waitress, but our Chinese / Mexican dishes still took along time. Regardless, we all had a great day and enjoyed the Margaritas, Pina coladas and conversation.

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.