Last Day in New Zealand

it was a very windy day in Wellington. They call it Windy Wellington. As you can see by the sign, the wind is shown. I have friends I met on a tour in France, who live in Rockford Illinois. They are native New Zealanders and come back every year to visit. They are still here and met me today. We had a wonderful day and a great catch up visit. They took me to the Cable Car which is right in the middle of the city. It goes up to the top of a hill where there are views of the city and the bay. We were looking around the gift shop and I found a greenstone pendant I liked. It was a bit pricey but everything here has been. I decided to buy it. Nicky said give me that. You and Gavin go find a seat in the cafe. I wasn’t sure what was going on until Gavin told me you don’t buy the stone for yourself, it must be a gift. I was floored. We had a nice lunch-on me, of course. We took some photos, the wind was blowing like crazy so you won’t see any selfies she took. My hair was a mess! We took the car back down to the parking lot and could’nt get the elevator to take us to the right floor. We finally managed it and made it out of the lot.

They then took me on a driving tour around the bay. We stopped at a place where Gavin used to play as a child. His grandmother lived across the road from the beach where we were. Nicki said, come along to the water. The stone had to be immersed in the New Zealand water before it could leave the country. As she had it in the water, Gavin read the most beautiful blessing. I was so moved I couldn’t speak. He read it first in Māori, then in English. They are both Māori. Then it was back in the car and back to the city. I got dropped off at the shuttle bus back to the ship. I took a photo of the tree they call the Christmas Tree. It’s a tree that blooms in red flowers in late November so it’s red and green like a Christmas tree. This is the height of the NZ summer and it was only around 70, and very windy. Nicki said it was gorgeous yesterday! It was so great to see them.

‘We went to the forward lounge for the sail away. I wanted to see the beach where they took me. Then we went to a lecture on the Legend of the Pelorus Jack. It was a dolphin that guided ships through the narrow straight between the 2 islands. It did this for 25 years. He makes obscure things like that so interesting. Then we had dinner in the Cafe, played our slider game for a half hour before going to the show. It was our cruise director putting on a great one woman show. More days at sea coming up. We will miss the Milford Sound on the South Island because there will be storms with 20 foot waves. I’ll be happy to skip that. So we will sail directly from here southwest to Melbourne, Australia. Still 4 more days at sea.. Since we will be at sea and the schedule will be the same but no art class😩.I will include the beautiful blessing Gavin read.

Photos: morning photo from the balcony in port., the “Beehive”, new Parliament building, next to the old parliament building, cable car, Wellington sign, houses built on the hillside across from the bay. They must park on the street and walk up to their homes.Nicki and Gavin, place where my stone was blessed and the “Christmas” tree. Another great day in beautiful New Zealand. Now on to Australia.

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