New Zealand by Sea 2017

Off to New Zealand again aboard the Caledonian Sky! On my second tour of these gorgeous islands I would be joined by three exceptional tour managers; Melissa, Dana and Natasha. We had a full ship and so having along the extra sets of eyes and ears proved to be a blessing!

First stop - Queenstown to meet up with my co-tour managers and collect our passengers. Our itinerary was action packed.  The rugged countryside of New Zealand's South Island complements the friendliness and warmth of her people.

 A view overlooking Queenstown taken on our way into the city from the Airport. Stunning!

 Tiger Lilies on the grounds at Millbrook Resort - Must return to play golf here!

Millbrook Resort Course

 Frank Kerr - our intrepid ground support person. 

 Welcome reception at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Queenstown.

 Sunrise over Queenstown as we begin our first outing of the tour.

 A ride aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a coal fired steamer, across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm.

 Border Collie herding sheep demo.

 Sheep shearing demo

Natasha

 The Crown Plaza, Queenstown.

 Downtown Queenstown statue of Kiwi

 From Queenstown we rode by coach about 6 hours (with comfort stops and a lunch stop at the  Distinction Te Anau Hotel) to get to Milford Sound where we boarded a small sightseeing cruiser that delivered us to our temporary home for the next two weeks, the Caledonian Sky.

 Photo op 

 Comfort stop at Knobs Flat

 Kea - Nestor notabilis

Endemic to the South Island, They are the world's only alpine parrot, and one of the most intelligent birds.

 Milford Sound sights

 Southern Fur Seals aka Antarctic Fur seals

 Lots of Fur Seals

 Milford Sound Waterfalls

 From Milford Sound we cruised to Stewart Island where we dropped anchor and took zodiacs over to Ulva Island, a bird sanctuary, where my group was lucky enough to see two of the elusive Kiwi out during the day! In fact, the kiwi on Ulva Island have become diurnal over time, rather than nocturnal as they are in other places, because there are no predators on Ulva Island. Sorry - I did not get a photo of them

 Meeting our docent/guides on Ulva Island

 Scenes on Ulva Island

 Scenes on Ulva Island

 Scenes on Ulva Island

 Rooster on Stewart Island

 City tour bus on Stewart Island

 Scenery on Stewart Island

After enjoying scenic cruising into Dusky and Doubtful Sounds we took in the charming city of Dunedin where a visit to the Albatross nesting sight was followed by a city tour and stop at the historic train station. We were greeted by bagpipes upon returning to the ship.

 Caledonian Sky in the background as we sailed out of the harbor at Dunedin.

 Happy to be aboard the Cal Sky with Dana at sunset

 Weka - curious and rather tame flightless birds

 Expedition leader, Colin Baird

 Caledonian Sky Aft

 Christchurch - The Cardboard Cathedral

 Silver fern - one of about 200 species of fern in New Zealand.

 Captain Cook monument

 Christchurch Cathedral after the 2011 Earthquake

 Me with new friends, Charlie and Linda.

A highlight of this tour - a visit to the Tamaki Village in Rotorua. An authentic recreation of a Maori Village where we could observe traditional arts and crafts, games and cooking. After a formal greeting ceremony we were invited into the village for entertainment and a delicious lunch!

Q & A with Maori warrior

Warrior keeping an eye on us

Hello!

Games demonstration

Games

Musical presentation

Lunch was cooked using the geothermal ovens.

Melissa enjoying dessert.

To complete our New Zealand experience we visited Wai O Tapu Thermals. Sculpted by thousands of years of volcanic activity the thermals are stunningly beautiful and colorful. (And stinky)

Devils Bath - sulphur rises to color the water greenish

Bacterial stromatolites growing in the acid-sulfate waters of Champagne Pool. The bright orange color is a result of the heavy metal sulfides collecting around the edges of the pool.

Champagne Pool reflecting clouds

All too soon the cruising portion of our tour was over. In Auckland we left the ship for a half day of touring followed by transfers to the airport. 

Waving goodbye to our wonderful crew!

Can't wait for another chance to visit New Zealand!

 Auckland Sky Tower