"Treasures of Cruising the World" with Bill & Mary Ann: Report #34 Tauranga, New Zealand February 3, 2018 Saturday Partly cloudy & 73 degrees Part #1 Of 4 85 Pictures

A short distance from Auckland, Tauranga is a starkly different city from yesterday’s port. Located in the western side of the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga is in the heart of the kiwifruit growing country. The Maori called Tauranga the resting place for canoes. Today it is a relaxing vacation place for all tourists – local or foreign.

Shore excursions offered 14 tours today, all of which were out of this immediate area. The longest ones were to Rotorua, an area with boiling mud pots and geysers. Waitomo Caves and the Kiwi house was offered out of here, but with only a 75 minute drive one way. The Hobbiton movie set was a 1 ½ hour drive each way to see where the three hobbit movies were filmed. Except for the last excursion, we have been on each of the other tours over the years.

For us, we preferred to stay in town, take a walk, and find a place for lunch. So under cloudy skies with temperatures in the 70’s, we headed off of the ship around 11am. That gave us enough time to complete yesterday’s report and pictures after breakfast before leaving.

There was not one piece of tourist info in the big tent on the pier. It was just a big tent. If wifi was available here, we sure did not see it. (We did learn later that wifi was available in town.) There is a long stretch of beach on this side of the peninsula. The waters of this protected harbor are safe with a gentle surf. Since today was a Saturday, many families were out with young kids. So were a lot of high school age kids. On this side of the peninsula, the older kids were practicing outrigger racing among other water sports. Few kids were actually in the water, since we remember it to be quite cold. Picnicking groups were taking up most of the greens along this bay.

Walking across the street, we headed across the peninsula to the other beach on the Pacific Ocean side. This is where the excitement was with older girls and guys playing volleyball, separately. Looked like organized competition to us. As calm as the waters were on the opposite side, it was far different on the Pacific side. Huge waves were crashing on the white sand, as impressive as what we have in southern California. Several young surfers were out there, trying to catch the perfect wave. Life guards stood at attention, as these waves dumped the kids upside down. As we proceeded down this length of beach, we came upon the little island that connects to the shoreline. Carefully, we made our way through the encroaching tide, and hiked up to the high point of this island. The view of the surf was the best.

Continuing down the beach, we ran into Barb with two friends. They had taken the short cut from the ship to here. While we talked, we all noticed a strange-looking bird flying with the gulls. It was no bird at all, but a drone. With all the people on the beach, it was hard to pinpoint who the pilot was. Sometimes these drones have cameras, and may not be as innocent as they appear. Anyway, eventually the owner became ID’d when he brought it down right into his hand. Harmless fun.

We have never eaten lunch here, since we have always been on tours. So we went in search of…..surprise…..pizza. And we found it. Most all of the tourists look for the green-lipped mussels, oysters, or fish of all kinds. Not us, since one of us is deadly allergic. That’s why we go for the pizza. On our way here, we had passed by an Italian restaurant, serving everything Italian. So we headed back there, and found our Margherita pizza, crispy fries, and draft beer. Not familiar with some of the dessert choices, we just had to find out what brandy snaps were. Turned out they were crispy tube cookies filled with whipped cream, drizzled with strawberry jam, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Really, really good.

Right next door was an ice cream shop. They did have plenty of hokey pokey ice cream, so we each had a small cupful. It was 1/3 of the price compared to yesterday.

It was still early, so we wandered into the center of town to see what was there. A large park called Tauranga Domain was filled with vendors with a Saturday flea market. They were in the process of putting everything away for the day. Just as well as we really do not need anything. After taking some photos of a little pond with ducks, and a couple of donkeys and a small pony, we made our way back to the ship.

Although it felt like it could rain all day, it never did. It was getting darker and cooler, so it may rain yet. And like we have been doing in most ports, the afternoon was spent working in our room. We had the order of our flowers already in our room. They are nice, but nowhere near the amount of blooms compared to past flower arrangements. We seriously think that the fresh flower budget has been cut.

Everyone was required to attend another mandatory passenger emergency muster drill at 4:15pm. Not everyone attended because not all of the long tours were back yet. And those who wanted to avoid the drill, could have stayed onshore until it was over. All aboard today was 5:30pm. Wonder if all who missed the drill will have to make it up? According to their message in the daily newsletter, guests who refuse to participate, may not be permitted to sail with the vessel. Really?

Sail away was at the aft deck, but was sparsely attended. The weather had taken a turn later today, with a strong breeze and more clouds. By the time the ropes were dropped, it began to sprinkle. Captain Jonathon mentioned that we may experience 6 foot swells and rain tonight and tomorrow. If so, it will put a damper on tomorrow’s port of Napier.

Dinner was a bit different tonight. Truthfully, the entrée choices have been less than typical fare we are used to. They are getting more diverse with vegetarian and vegan choices. Tonight’s recommended meal was the stuffed bell pepper. Most of us ordered it, but were a little disappointed with the meat filling being half rice as filler. And a rice bed with a puddle of red sauce. Had we known, we should have asked for extra marinara sauce. Perhaps the rosemary chicken would have been the safer meal to order.

The entertainment was called Rock Rhapsody, hits of Queen. As the singers and dancers of the Amsterdam were not mentioned, we are not sure who performed this act.

Bill & Mary Ann

Mt. Mauganui in Tauranga