Solstice Live: Australia/NZ/Hawaii, Many Pix’s, Jan. 20-Feb. 3

Hi Terry,

Enjoy your day in Wellington.

 

 

 

From the live webcam in Centreport , the Port of Wellington. Solstice is sharing the quay with Voyager of the Seas . The InterIsland Ferry in the foreground , is the cargo and passenger sea link between the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

 

 

http://www.centreport.co.nz/cargo-tracking/web-cams

We were sitting on the waterfront directly across the harbour from the webcam picture as you sailed out. We are on the Feb 2015 sailing of the Solstice Akl to Perth

I know this is a really silly question, but I will ask anyway. Is there a way to look at all your pictures without clicking on each link in each post?

Norma

Hi h20cruzer, not a silly question at all.

Have you got the 'show images' option ticked in your profile? :)

We were told by an assistant maitre'd during our Dec 10, 2013 Solstice sailing that the "brunch" (which I assume is what you are referring to) had been discontinued - he said, due to increased health concerns. On the Oct 23 sailing we had no brunch, as there was an increased level of GI illnesses around (on that sailing we also had only 3 out of 12 days of self-service at the buffet). So u2cruiser, you may sadly not have a brunch to look forward to.

Hi boeckli, we don't mind about the brunch - we've never made it to one yet. Too busy enjoying life on deck to go indoors for food. Terry's pics of the buffet brunch here on CC are the nearest we've been to it ;)

I know many look forward to it though, so some will be disappointed.

Good luck on your upcoming "Top of Australia" sailing on the Solstice.

Look forward to hearing more your trip. My understanding is that about 600-800 people are doing the full, 35-day circumnavigation of ALL of Australia. They started that "adventure" Monday from here in Auckland.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Yes, the roll calls for this trip have been very busy.

We're very excited. We left the Solstice in Singapore in November 2012, as she continued her maiden voyage to Sydney. We were so sorry to leave her, we knew we had to get ourselves to Australia ASAP to catch up with her again. :D

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Looking forward to your next installment. :)

Terry, your visit to Aoteoroa, Land of the Long White Cloud, seemed to fly past. Thanks for the blog and taking us all along with you. We look forward to seeing more pics when you have time to post them. Enjoy your time in Hawaii and make the most of that sunshine before you have to fly back home ......... and think of the pleasure of sinking into your own bed. As we all say, its so nice to go travelling, but its also oh so nice to go home too and especially to our own beds!! :D:D

Hi boeckli, we don't mind about the brunch - we've never made it to one yet. Too busy enjoying life on deck to go indoors for food. Terry's pics of the buffet brunch here on CC are the nearest we've been to it ;)

I know many look forward to it though, so some will be disappointed.

We were on the Millennium a couple of weeks ago and they had the brunch on one of the sea days. Our waiter told us at dinner the night before, but many weren't told. It was also in the daily newsletter but you had to look for it at the back in the restaurant time schedule. So it seems some ships/sailings have it, and some may not.

It was really lovely and worth going to, but you need to get there when they open at 10, as it fills up by about 10.30 - 11.00. Especially if you want to take pictures before people start helping themselves to the food.

We'd love to be where you live Kiwi Kruzer and is that Mount Eden behind you on your profile photo? :)

No thats , One Tree Hill in Cornwall Park. Not as busy or touristy as Mt Eden.

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Looking forward to your next installment. :)

Essexlass2: Terry' date=' your visit to Aoteoroa, Land of the Long White Cloud, [b']seemed to fly past[/b]. Thanks for the blog and taking us all along with you. We look forward to seeing more pics when you have time to post them. Enjoy your time in Hawaii and make the most of that sunshine before you have to fly back home ......... and think of the pleasure of sinking into your own bed. As we all say, its so nice to go travelling, but its also oh so nice to go home too and especially to our own beds!!

We boarded our Qantas plane in Auckland on Wednesday afternoon and arrived Wednesday morning in Honolulu. That's the magic of the International Date Line coming back to the USA. We had a stop over in Brisbane before our nearly ten-hour flight on Hawaiian Airlines. We're now two for two on being confused by the Brisbane airport, its lack of clear signage, directions, etc. Will work to avoid that airport in the future. Looks fine, but doesn't work well for some of these mechanics.

Like we have seen so far in our first visit to the Big Island. Lots of volcanic soils around, dark rocks, etc. As shown below, we have sampled a little here and like it lots. Back in Columbus today, they had 10.7" of snow, plus more cold. Lots of other key midwest and eastern cities got blitzed by this continued cold weather. More might be coming on Saturday and Sunday. Glad we are here where the temperature got up to about 85F today.

Appreciate those who have dropped by this live/blog, made commented, etc. Now over 22,315 views. Lots more pictures to come.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 160,905 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Below is the exact view from our balcony window at the Mariott Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Big Island about 18 miles north of the Kona Airport. Great to see part of the ocean and coastline from our room. Plus, the three pools, grounds, Ku'uali'i Ancient Fish Pond, etc. We drove around farther north from this location and caught some whale sightings. See one picture below. Need to get my better, long lens for more action.:

Have lots more photos to post here and share. Still have many more to be reviewed and uploaded. Plus, a few from Hawaii's Big Island will be gaining some "eye candy" honors for this board.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at 16,062 views for this shorter version of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477

Right before our last dinner on the Solstice, this was one of the 6:20 pm Sunday evening sail-out views from from the top deck as we bid farewell to the super scenic Bay of Islands in NZ's Northland area. Like this view of these dramatic coastal settings?:

For that "last supper" in the Solstice Main Dining Room, here are some in our Central Ohio group. Notice the smiles and happy looks? In the foreground, left, Dennis and Janet from Columbus. On right, Sharon and Izzy, honorary Ohioans, but actually from the Washington, DC area. Also in the background at an adjoining table are the side of my wife's head on the left and John on the right and his wife, Susan, in the middle. Next are three "food porn" examples for what was enjoyed on that final MDR menu. First, the beef steak done up with a little style. Second, my Chicken Kiev and finally a little sweetness with a tasty, good-looking dessert (that is like a long cream puff)!:

Really liked and appreciated Auckland from our two and a half days there after getting off of the Solstice. It is a big city, but it works fairly. Could use more and better street signs. The city of about 1.5 million people has one third of the population for the entire nation.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now over 133,390 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

From having our final breakfast on the back of the Solstice at the Oceanview Cafe, here is the view of Auckland's historic Ferry Building, plus some other key downtown buildings. This docking area is super handy for having quick and easy access to the city. But, this port area can very very confessed, especially with lots of luggage after such a long, 14-day cruise.:

One of our first stops after getting off of the Solstice, was going to the top of Mount Eden with this view of both its main downtown, plus this huge crater from volcano action here many, many thousands of years ago.:

In one of Auckland's many grand parks, they have this large War Memorial Museum building. It has lots of historic info from the NZ contributions to world warfare efforts. Its website is: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com.:

here is a view of the Auckland downtown with its many high-rise buildings, the SkyTower, etc. These locations make for nice pictures of those in our group. From one of the many nice eastern beaches and vista points, here is Amy and Milt from Central Ohio with the SkyTower and other locations seen in the background.:

From Mt. Eden, here is a little unique picture of Auckland's Harbor Bridge. These trees frame this key section of its bridge in an interesting manner. Clearly, the Sydney bridge has attracted more fame and glory than this one in Auckland.:

Here is the first part for my visuals on getting to Waiheke Island and then heading to Connells Bay Sculpture Park on the far eastern and more remote parts of this special island.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Super loved Dubrovnik!!! See more details and lots of great visual samples/examples at this link. Have had over 19,942 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and dropped by.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

Here is the sail-out view with the NZ flag on the left side of the Fuller Ferry as we head to Waiheke Island on Tuesday morning. Only a 35-minute ride there, allowing some to live there and commute into this nearby, urban center.:

Here are a couple of the views on Waiheke Island. First, its varied hills, great water views, etc. The second picture shows the twisting and turning roads on this island. Some paved. Many not. This shows one of those "unsealed" roads that requires slow speeds, much care, etc.. Unsealed is clever term to describe just a basic dirt road.:

At the Man O' War Winery, here is the view from their main building looking to the beach as a part of its scenic location. The second picture shows Ed and Karen from Central Ohio enjoying a tasting plate with a variety of good food items, plus, of course, their wine that is produced on this scenic island. Great way to do a "lunch break" and soak up the style, character and beauty for this artsy island.:

What a trip of a lifetime with great travel partners! Thank you so much for sharing. Your photographs are outstanding and make it all so real for those of us not along for the ride.

Hi h20cruzer, not a silly question at all.

Have you got the 'show images' option ticked in your profile? :)

Thank you so so much, what a pleasure. It's works!!!!!!

Norma

Terry it has been great reading your review and seeing all your photos. We learned so much from reading all your posts and are anxiously awaiting for more. Thankyou for all the time you have taken to share your experience with all of us. We are planning to do this cruise in 2016.

It has been interesting reading your review while we were on the Big Island ourselves staying at the Marriott Waikoloa. We came home a few days ago. You will love the Big island. We put over 500 miles on our rental car on this trip. We finally got to drive Saddle Mountain Road over to Hilo which previously had been off limits to rental cars.

As I summarized earlier, Connells Bay Sculpture Park at the eastern side of Waiheke Island provides visitors an opportunity to experience large outdoor contemporary sculpture by some of New Zealand's best-known sculptors. Heralded by Lonely Planet as "one of the greatest properties we've ever seen", the 60-acre coastal property is the vision of owners John and Jo Gow who wanted to unite art with nature. The owners have created the sculpture park by planting sweeps of native trees on the natural landscape to create special places for commissioned site-specific and purchased New Zealand art. The Sculpture Park currently contains 28 works in differing scale and media, and each of the commissioned sculptures tells a story about its existence.

You can see more details at their website of:

http://www.connellsbay.co.nz

Below are my first six pictures from our tour. More to come!! Reactions and/or added questions?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

We started with owner Jo Glow picking us up promptly at 2 pm at her hilltop gate. She first took us to see a large reception area with many original models or machetes prepared by the artist prior to producing each work. Here, Jo is talking with Karen from our Central Ohio group of two couples. Yes, just the four of us getting our private tour.:

Here is one of the first art pieces we saw at the start of our tour near this reception building.:

Even the bathrooms under the reception area was made into a commissioned art piece. Here is Karen starring next to a "guard" as the art piece with its dramatic red walls and a ceiling that seems to float above you as a unlimited-height white translucent space. Interesting!!:

Here was Jo showing us the initial entrance piece, crafted from two different types of marble.:

This large Easter Island-inspired, wood carving was created from a massive tree damaged by weather on this site. Very large and impressive.:

This is a uniquely-crafted piece of special stainless steel that had been made into a metal leaf that can move and shift with the wind.:

Here are more of the many, many visual samples I captured from our Tuesday private tour at Connells Bay Sculpture Park. Yes, definitely work doing. Amazing experience!!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

This visual gives a sample of this water feature with various flowers and water elements tied in with the adjoining art piece at the side.:

This repeating "rows of men" is one of the more famous displays here. Many debate on what it really means or says. She haves us more background on those theories and guesses.:

These strips of red wood have been assembled across a wooded hillside.:

Here is a red art design that combines with hillsides and water on this 60-acres site.:

Another famous piece features letters spelling out a saying "Go west" done in Cor-Ten steel that "rusts" with the weather and hold its original looks/spacing. First, is this large piece on its hillside setting. Second is owner Jo Glo giving us a closer look and more examination of its construction/fabrication details.:

To finish up with more visuals from Waiheke Island and its sculpture art park, here are a few more of our experiences from Tuesay.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

One of the art items combines outdoor sculpture with music. First, the longer picture of this piece rising up out of a wooded, hillside. Second, my wife is trying out its sound quality on some of the various items.:

Here is owner Jo pictured with three members of our Central Ohio group. In the background? Three large animal sculptures with unique colors.:

Here are two pictures from Waiheke Island's two kilometre stretch of white sand on Onetangi Beach. First is my wife walking and enjoying its fresh air, nice sand, great breezes, etc. Second are Karen and Penny sitting, enjoying this nice setting before our return to Auckland.:

Here we are returning Tuesday evening to Auckland with the one of the Fuller Ferries departing and taking passenger back to this magical island.:

wonder if you re just getting a bit tired of traveling with a large group.I know I would,even if you re friends.Can start to get to you.

Hope you have a safe flight home,with no weather probs.or airport closures.Lots of storms lately,will be a wake up call with cold and snow,right?

do give your views of ship,would you go on it again.How s the food,staff,cabins,entertainment,all details will help in decisions which ship to take.Thanks in advance,Love your thread,even recommended it on other posts here.:)

Terry it has been great reading your review and seeing all your photos. We learned so much from reading all your posts and are anxiously awaiting for more. Thankyou for all the time you have taken to share your experience with all of us. We are planning to do this cruise in 2016. It has been interesting reading your review while we were on the Big Island ourselves staying at the Marriott Waikoloa. We came home a few days ago. You will love the Big island. We put over 500 miles on our rental car on this trip. We finally got to drive Saddle Mountain Road over to Hilo which previously had been off limits to rental cars.

alexandra cruiser: Terry' date=' know you can t really post answer,but

wonder if you re just getting a bit tired of traveling with a large group.I know I would,even if you re friends.Can start to get to you. Hope you have a safe flight home,with no weather probs.or airport closures.Lots of storms lately,will be a wake up call with cold and snow,right? do give your views of ship,would you go on it again.How s the food, staff, cabins, entertainment, all details will help in decisions which ship to take.Thanks in advance,Love your thread,even recommended it on other posts here. [/quote']

 

Appreciate so much the excellent suggestion on Saddle Mountain Road. I think for our first full day on the Big Island, we might go that way. Sounds like a good adventure. Understand that road has been improved in the recent few years. Much safer!!

 

YES, to alexandra cruiser, I can answer your good question/interest on the ship. The quick answer is that things, staff, etc., are in good shape. Much more to share with specifics and pictures to back up shortly in a few days. For us, the ship is secondary, but important. The ports and where it is traveling are our bigger, most important priorities in picking a cruise.

 

THANKS for the continued interest and nice comments! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 161,016 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Terry if you ever share your journey while back in Ohio, we'd love to come meet you and hear your recommendations for our trip in 2016. Our son goes to OSU and we are up there a lot. Thanks! Karen

Terry if you ever share your journey while back in Ohio, we'd love to come meet you and hear your recommendations for our trip in 2016. Our son goes to OSU and we are up there a lot. Thanks! Karen

Appreciate the follow-up and interest from our Cincinnati "neighbor", Karen. Don't know if I will be making any presentations in Columbus on this trip, but this live/blog is kind of my sharing. BUT, in later February, after getting back, caught up and settled back in, drop me a note on this posting board with your e-mail. Then, maybe we can hook-up when you are in Columbus and/or by phone. Happy to share more, answer other questions from you and others.

This posting is now over 24,000 views. Glad that so many find this info and the pictures of interest. Many more to come, plus I will be put together an easier "index" to find certain ports, pictures, details, etc., of interest for various people planning future travels and/or seeking to relive past visits to these great areas.

It's early morning on the Big Island as I am over-looking the pools and beach at this Marriott resort. Nice!! Especially since Columbus still has not dug out of its 10"+ snowfall and the local schools are closed for the third straight day. Our timing has been perfect to have avoid such bad weather back home.

Got to get back to exploring more fun and beauty here in Hawaii.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now over 133,515 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Several years ago I was on the big island, and made my way to a place called "emerald beach", or something like that. It was quite a hike from the place where you park your car (bring water). It was quite beautiful, but the reason we went was to view sea turtles surfing (it's a relatively small alcove) -- this is apparently quite a popular place for sea turtles. There were none there during our visit, but it was worth the hike anyway.

Jay

Several years ago I was on the big island, and made my way to a place called "emerald beach", or something like that. It was quite a hike from the place where you park your car (bring water). It was quite beautiful, but the reason we went was to view sea turtles surfing (it's a relatively small alcove) -- this is apparently quite a popular place for sea turtles. There were none there during our visit, but it was worth the hike anyway. Jay

Appreciate your suggestion for Emerald Beach on Hawaii's wonderful Big Island. Will check it out.

It's a perfect morning right now sitting near the pool and beach of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort!! Super great blue skies, around 77F in temperature right now. Will be a high of 82F here today. What could be better? BUT, Sunday afternoon, we will need to be heading back to Ohio and its cold/snow. We've picked a great month plus to be away from that bad Midwest weather.

The past two days, we've done lots of driving around, but seeing and enjoying so, so much here in this spectacularly nice part of Hawaii. Thursday was for going to Hilo, having an awesome Hawaii Country Cafe breakfast (wait till you see that picture), seeing the north coast, stopping at a spectacular Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens (more great visuals to be posted from there, check their website of http://www.htbg.com, this is a real GEM!!), visiting Rainbow Falls, sampling a little of Hilo, driving back on the improved Saddle Road, dining by the pool/water, etc.

Friday, it was driving the southern route to Volcano National Park. There's congestion and too much building around Kona, but once beyond that point, there is lots of 1950's Big Island, including old sugar towns, great beaches and coastlines. We stopped for lunch at Annie's Burgers and Beer. Great "throw-back" experience, plus very good food. Visited the unique Black Beach park with its green turtles and great waves on the rocks/lava. Fun!! Then to the BIGGIE of the volcano park. Not many states or area have this type of attraction.

We arrange a private, four-hour plus tour for just the two of us with Hank of Lavaland Hawaii Day Tours. He is based in Hilo and gets top/best rankings on Trip Advisor. Well deserved honors!! Did a 3.5 mile hike through forests, then down into a crater that was filled by hot lava in 1959, plus much earlier, way back in history. Saw and learned lots. Very interesting to be "up close and personal" for such unique works by nature, etc. Had a light sandwich/picnic near a beach area that was covered with low clouds, but then back to see some of the "glow" from current spitting early action. Super experience. Learned that temperatures are pretty the same here year around. Only about a four degree different from their cooler to hotter times of the year. Many more visuals to share.

Getting ready at 11 am to go out today with Captain Dan on a whale watch boat trip. More photo opportunities? Then tonight, a luau with lots of Hawaii music and dance!! Going out in good style.

This live/blog is now approaching 25,000 views. Keep up the interest and good questions.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 161,297 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

We were very satisfied with this cruise and thought of it as one of our best.

As can be seen from the narrative and photos Terry of Ohio has posted, the experience is one in a lifetime.

Met many interesting and nice people on the cruise ( sadly did not find Terry), and the cruise was enhanced by all the pre cruise help from the board.

Thanks to everyone for the pre cruise help and the companionship on the cruise. I have to admit that the unexpected bonus that favorably colored our feelings about this cruise was our invitation to have dinner with the captain on the last formal night.

Once again, thanks to all we met for a great experience

We were very satisfied with this cruise and thought of it as one of our best. As can be seen from the narrative and photos Terry of Ohio has posted, the experience is one in a lifetime. Met many interesting and nice people on the cruise ( sadly did not find Terry), and the cruise was enhanced by all the pre cruise help from the board. Thanks to everyone for the pre cruise help and the companionship on the cruise. I have to admit that the unexpected bonus that favorably colored our feelings about this cruise was our invitation to have dinner with the captain on the last formal night. Once again, thanks to all we met for a great experience

Appreciate the great follow-up and confirmation from partridge for our wonderful cruise and experiences down under. Sorry we did not hook up while doing this cruise. BUT, it was busy, busy!! Lots of ports, activities with folks in our group, time to eat, enjoy shows, etc. Hard to do it "ALL", even over a 14-day period. Plus, doing the two-day Queenstown overnight trip and the added time before the sail-away in Sydney compressed the schedules and limited the options.

Getting packed-up and ready to go from the Marriott on the beach on the Big Island. Have really enjoy this "break" before returning to Columbus and Central Ohio. Last night, we really enjoyed a great Luau on the grounds here at sunset. Great, interesting entertainment!! They featured a number and ties to the New Zealand Maori tribes, their traditions, etc. Having "been there", it was a nice, matching connection to that history down there. Lots of great pictures to share from that event, plus the earlier whale-watching doing mid-day yesterday. YES!! Lots of cute, interesting pictures from that adventure, also!!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Celebrity Solstice Visual Highlights? From our June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in France, Italy, Kotor and Dubrovnik, I have pull together a number of wonderful visuals of the Solstice, its features, food, entertainment, options, etc. We are now at 16,088 views for this shorter version of my larger full review of that cruise and all of the port pictures/details. Check these postings and added info at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1803477