Golden Princess New Zealand 11th to 24th February 2016 - Complete Picture Review!

[hopestotravelmore]

Absolutely amazing review. Thanking you for sharing your trip with us. It is wonderful to see a cruise through a 1st timer's eyes. Brings back great memories of my 1st cruise.:)

 

WOW Wegiekat you have done many cruises and still more to go. Where do you get the time and money to do all these cruises..lol..

 

Thankyou for your comments. I love doing this cruise review. It brings back all the wonderful memories of our cruise.

[hopestotravelmore]

Loved your review and the pictures of the ship, so looking forward to my cruise on her next year. New Zealand is one of my favourite cruising destinations.:)

 

WOW Suey, 39 cruises and still more to go. You lucky person. Wish I could do that many. Oh well. can only dream.

 

Thanks for the kind comments.

[MJSailors]

Maureen-

A long trip for you to visit NYC,but I hope you do get to visit one day.

It is a great place IMHO,filled with many good people and interesting places and sites.

But,on to New Zealand- looking forward to your photos and descriptions!

[hopestotravelmore]

I didn’t want to leave this impressive garden, but there is never enough time while on a tour. I fancied the idea of sitting in the Ballroom and having a cold drink as it was rather warm outside. However, we didn’t want to keep Mark waiting and we knew there was so much more we ought to explore.

 

Finally it was time to meet Mark and James sighed with relief. Why? Well it wasn’t because of the heat or because he was hungry. No! It was because of his dear sweet wife. (Smiles) Ever since we began our exploration of the gardens, I would hit James in the arm and say things like “What about that Arbour! We could build one like that.” Or “We could do that back home.” And I took heaps of photos so the new ideas I saw could be copied back home. I wanted this and I wanted that and I am sure he could see all the gruelling work involved in fulfilling my wishes. This hard work wouldn’t be done by me…of course not, I am not that silly…he knew who would be left to do the work. Smiles! It was so exhausting for the poor dear to follow along with me.

 

Mark continued our drive along the Otago Peninsula. We left the “high” Highcliff Road and began to travel on the “low” Portobello Road, which runs along the coast. We passed sleepy seaside villages with not much more than a corner store. Earlier, Mark had suggested stopping for lunch at a small pub. James and I thought this was a great idea. While we were exploring Larnach Castle he rang the Portobello pub with our orders so it was ready when we arrived. We ate fresh fish and chips, while admiring the splendid coastal views. Mark ate with us also. Portobello was a cute little town that would be great for a seaside holiday. I was enjoying my lunch so much that I forgot to take some photos of this town. Silly me!

 

Anyway, after lunch we headed back onto the “low” road towards Taiaroa Head and some hair-raising adventure. I wanted to do some thrilling stuff on this holiday. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and be a brave chick for once. I wanted my children to say “Wow! Mum is so brave in her old age.” “ 10 years ago, I would never see her doing such spine-tingling things, she is usually so timid.” or Mum is not boring Mum no more.” So precious children how brave is your mum now?

 

I booked a ride on this:

 

An 8-wheel drive, all terrain Argo vehicle. How brave was I. NOT! I was bloody scared.

 

We arrived at Natures Wonders, a large sheep farm that covers most of the Otago Peninsula’s tip. The scenery was wild, rugged and beautiful. We were here to visit a private little beach where we were hoping to see the world’s rarest penguins – the yellow – eyed Hoiho penguins. We would also meet some NZ Fur Seals and Shags.

 

When we arrived we had to put on a heavy plastic coat to stop all that dust and dirt getting onto our clothes and silly me wore white pants. Even our guide for the ride commented on my reason for wearing white pants when I knew I was going on these Argo vehicles. Don’t ask me why I did. I guess I wasn’t too clever when I got dressed in the morning.

 

After getting into our sexy (not) coats, our driver and guide (one and the same and I forgot his name) was ready to leave when a young family from Sweden arrived and joined us. How embarrassing this would be for dear old me. With Mum and Dad was a small boy around 4 and a girl about 2. I was in the front seat with the driver and the others were in the back and guess who the terrified one was? Not those small sweet children but just little old me. I was holding onto the bar so tightly that my hands were hurting me and I had my eyes shut tightly. The driver asked me if I was alright when I began to make little noises. Don’t ask me what they sounded like but they must have seemed bad to make him worry about me.

 

 

 

The narrow track, if you can call it a track was full of potholes so deep and dark that I am sure they could house a whole family of mice. Our driver drove at high-speed up the hills and fast down the hills only slowing when the potholes were close to the edge. Wow! I wasn’t expecting such a steep drive. I couldn’t look over the edge so I just shut my eyes and giggled. You know that sort of laugh you get when you are scared but can’t control the situation; well that was the sound coming out of my mouth. That Swede family must have thought that Aussie woman a silly old fool. I could see the papers back home announcing the death of two Australian tourists who died soaring through the air in an Argo and crashing into the rocks at the bottom of a cliff in New Zealand. Who is being James now you may ask? ME!

 

Anyway, if I was honest, and could just forget about our speedy form of transport it was sort of a real thrill. Heavens! Did I say that!

 

Our first stop was to see the New Zealand Fur Seals. We saw so many seals and their pups. It was incredible. And some left the scrub near us and made their way slowly down to the beach. It was a real buzz for me to see these sweet smelly creatures up so close and in the wild and not in a zoo. I loved every minute of our time there.

 

 

 

[hopestotravelmore]

Then it was back in that dreaded vehicle (only kidding) to our short trip down to the beach to see the Penguins. We even got to see some Penguins sitting on their nests. You enter a covered walk way and inside there are peep holes that our guide opened and quietly we were allowed to look inside. So cute.

 

 

The covered walk ways had small windows for you to stop at and admire the view and look for some Penguins down at the beach or in the scrub but we didn’t see to many, but that is okay as we were in their natural habitat and it wasn’t a zoo and we didn’t expect to have them putting on a show for us.

After the penguins we returned back to our starting point and said our thanks and met up with Mark again who stayed at the shop for a coffee and rest. He sure needed that rest from all the talking we did.

 

Natures Wonders (http://www.natureswonders.co.nz/index.php) is a amazing place and if you get the chance to visit New Zealand, do check them out. You won’t be disappointed. Natures Wonders is a self-funded conservation farm trying to preserve their land for future generations to enjoy the protected penguins and fur seals.

 

Mark then drove us back to the port and our waiting ship. We arrived back at Port Chalmers with a half an hour to spare. I was a little worried about making the ship back in time. Heaven forbid! I didn’t want to be left stranded in port on our first cruise. That would be a story to tell. But when I booked this tour, Awesome Tours did guarantee that they would have us back to the ship on time. Awesome tours have been operating for 10 years and has guided over 5000 visitors around the Otago area. Just a professional tour company and Mark was wonderful and such a passionate guide who loves his country and his home town. Thankyou Mark for a wonderful day. When it was time to go Mark gave me a hug and we said our goodbyes and returned to the Golden Princess.

 

We had to pass through a Security Screening as returning passengers. While we were docked in Dunedin, there were things going on the ship for passengers who did not go ashore such as trivia, bible study, basketball, bowling, destination presentation, board games, Scattergories challenge, shuttleboard tournament, Lotus Spa talks, Giant Connect Four board game, Afternoon tea in Donatello Dining Room and happy hour.

 

We quickly returned our purchases to our cabin and rushed up onto deck 14 to watch sail away.

 

 

Goodbye Dunedin.

 

Later we went for a drink and listened to Evening Melodies with the Rhapsody Strings in the Promenade Lounge. Love these guys and I ended up buying one of their CD’s Then my hubby got his way and we had dinner in the Horizon Court and not the dining room. I told him he owned me big time… I won’t tell you what he owned me…that’s between him and me. Smiles.

 

Then we went up to deck 15 and watched Ant Man on MUTS and ate popcorn and cookies. An end to a lovely day.

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2016 by hopestotravelmore

[reney313]

I'm really enjoying your review. Both the destination (one I would love to do, but have to convince hubby to go on a plane for 24 hours..) and your writing style. Your enthusiasm is infectious and I love it! Can't wait for more.

[MicCanberra]

Wonderful update and photos.:D

[hopestotravelmore]

I'm really enjoying your review. Both the destination (one I would love to do, but have to convince hubby to go on a plane for 24 hours..) and your writing style. Your enthusiasm is infectious and I love it! Can't wait for more.

 

Hi Reney

Thank you for your kind comments. Please do talk your hubby into going to NZ. Its a magical place.

[hopestotravelmore]

Wonderful update and photos.:D

 

Thank you MicCanberra

[hopestotravelmore]

Tuesday Feb. 16 Todays Weather 23

 

Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula arrive 8am - all aboard 5.00pm

 

 

Today we dropped anchor in Akaroa Harbour at 7.15am and since this was a tender port and our first time ever to use this form of transport, I was up early and in the line real fast. Line up for the numbered tender tickets was in the Bernini Dining room on deck 5. We were number 3. How cool was that. Well played on my part, I think. I needed to get off the Golden quickly as I was eager to explore Akaroa and her surroundings ever since I saw my first spectacular pictures of Akaroa on CC while researching NZ as a cruise destination. Poor James got dragged along as I told him you had to be ready to leave the ship to get a tender ticket. He believed me, silly man.

 

The ship anchors a distance of 1.8 nautical miles from the main wharf, which is a 30 minute ride each way and tenders will run all day. The last tender leaves the wharf at 5pm.

 

 

It was actually fun riding up top on the tender, wasn’t cold at all and it was cool to watch such a large ship grow smaller as we moved away from her.

 

 

Bye Golden Princess, see you later.

 

 

The Main Wharf where we tendered and we found all the tour operators lined up with advertisement boards attempting to sell their tours. So if you had nothing organized there was plenty to book when you arrived on the wharf. There was also a shop selling souvenirs.

 

When we got of the tender, once again James was dragged kicking and screaming to get our photo taken with the cute Pirates of the Golden Princess .He was so annoyed I made him do this. What the heck do I want all these photos for he asked. I just ignored him.

 

 

In Akaroa our plan was to explore the charming town, the Banks Peninsula and see the hector dolphins on a harbour cruise. We had organized two private shore excursions for Akaroa. One was with Coast Up Close for a Hector Dolphin cruise but because of the change of dates they were unable to accommodate us. We had paid for this cruise before we left Australia but received a full refund while cruising New Zealand. So that left the morning free before our afternoon tour. I suggested booking a harbour cruise with one of the boats on the wharf but James proposed taking a walk into the town first and see what’s available. You don’t usually come up with such good ideas Hubby but this time it was worth listening to you.

 

When you arrive at the main wharf there is a free shuttle that leaves from the Main Wharf and does a loop every 15 minutes and goes into the centre of Akaroa. But since it was a lovely day and walking along the waterfront to the main shops only takes about 15 minutes we decided to do this instead. Plus I wanted to check out all the beautiful buildings that I had heard about. There is also free Wi-Fi at the Library and in a number of restaurants.

 

[hopestotravelmore]

Being one of the first off the ship had its advantages in that the town was still quiet when we began our exploration -

 

 

and we were the first to ride one of these while the roads of the Banks Peninsula were still quite before all the tour buses hogged them:

 

 

James saw these bikes as we walked off the wharf and we went over and enquired about a ride. $110.00 per person NZ for an hour ride.

 

V8 Trike Chauffeurs is the name of this outfit and their web address is http://v8trikes.co.nz/

 

The Wiki family own the business and each bike is worth $75,000. We were a little concerned about not having to wear a helmet but Warren Wiki, our driver said the trikes were classed as cars and had seatbelts fitted. The trikes can travel to the speed of 170km. Not when I am on board that was for sure. I asked Warren if he could just take it easy and he did. Thank you Warren.

 

Warren drove slowly through the town and many people waved at us. I felt like royalty and in no time I had mastered that royal wave. It was fun. Once Warren moved out onto the open road he picked up speed. And in that whole hour I felt very safe. He took the Summit road tourist drive and it was gorgeous scenery.

 

 

There is our ship in the distance! Cool hey! Calling the Golden our ship.

 

 

 

We stopped for a smoke, well the guys did at Otepatotu Scenic Reserve where Warren told us that he came from Fiji and his family operated the same trike business over there. He was such a nice friendly guy and every time he saw us during the day he gave us a friendly wave. Before too long our hour was up and we returned to Akaroa.

 

We was now 10am and our organized tour wasn’t until 1.30 so decided to explore the town further. Akaroa is a gorgeous town. I could live here.

 

 

Its harbour is home to one of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins – The Hectors Dolphins.

[hopestotravelmore]

Akaroa, which in Maori means ‘long harbour’ was a safe haven for early whalers and sealers. There was evidence of the whalers along the waterfront.

 

 

This is what these Whaling Tripots were used for:

 

“Designed to be encased in a brick oven a fire was lit underneath it that melted chunks of whale blubber and allowed the whale oil to overflow into another tripot. It was then bailed into barrels”

 

 

 

The above two photos are of Dalys Wharf. Just stunning.

 

I am glad we didn’t choose to go to Christchurch or on the Tranz Alpine railway. Akaroa has so much beauty. I wanted to stay there for ever. One day I promised myself I will return and stay there for a few days.

 

 

Akaroa’s population is 624 and is a French inspired coastal village that was established in 1840 by French Settlers. The narrow streets still bear French names such as Rue Lavaud.

 

 

[hopestotravelmore]

I adored Akaroa’s charming Colonial Architecture. I wanted to live in one of the villages cute homes. We even had time to take a charming walk in the tree covered paths of the Garden of Tane and walk to the historic Akaroa Lighthouse that was completed in 1879 and relocated from the heads to Akaroa in 1980. We had a yummy pizza for Lunch at The Trading Rooms which was on Beach Road, minutes from the main Wharf.

 

By lunch time the weather was really warming up and felt much hotter than the 23 forecast. Later we found out that Akaroa had the hottest day on record – a whopping 30 degrees –Lol. In Australia that’s mild. High 40’s is hot for us. We then grabbed an ice cream on the foreshore while waiting for our next excursion.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2016 by hopestotravelmore

[MicCanberra]

Fantastic photos again and that trike looks very fun.:D

[LuckiePuris]

Fantastic review, I am absolutely loving it! Especially love the photos as well. Looking forward to reading the rest :)

[CruisingObsessed]

Thank you SO MUCH for this review. It is hard to find pictoral reviews of New Zealand and this trip is very high on my list. Currently we are trying to decide between Australia and New Zealand....and they are both SO high on my list that I am really struggling with this one.

 

What I do find really fascinating is that the Fjords look much like Alaska, and as you traveled north, it looks much like America's Pacific Northwest (esp Washington state). Except, there are no penguins here!

 

Thanks again for sharing your trip. :)

[hopestotravelmore]

Thank you SO MUCH for this review. It is hard to find pictoral reviews of New Zealand and this trip is very high on my list. Currently we are trying to decide between Australia and New Zealand....and they are both SO high on my list that I am really struggling with this one.

 

What I do find really fascinating is that the Fjords look much like Alaska, and as you traveled north, it looks much like America's Pacific Northwest (esp Washington state). Except, there are no penguins here!

Thanks again for sharing your trip. :)

 

Hi CruisingObsessed.

Thankyou for the kind comments. I to found it hard to find a pictorial review on New Zealand.

 

What had difficult decision you have. You cant go wrong with either. Good luck.

 

I have never been to Alaska but the Fjords in NZ were amazing.

[hopestotravelmore]

Fantastic review, I am absolutely loving it! Especially love the photos as well. Looking forward to reading the rest :)

 

LuckiePuris

Last night I looked at your reviews of the South Pacific. Stunning pictures of the islands and the ships. WOW what great reviews you do and thank you for the kind comments.

[hopestotravelmore]

After lunch we met up with Tour South for our afternoon excursion. This is what we paid for

 

Tour South - http://www.toursouth.co.nz/index.php

 

“Quick Fire – Akaroa & Eastern Bays

 

Departs twice daily at 10:00 am & 1:30 pm

 

3 hour duration

 

11 Passenger Mercedes Luxury - shared tour

 

$60 per Adult & $42 per Child (4 to 14 years)

 

Get the best of both worlds. Take this fully escorted 3 hour Quick Fire Tour with us and you will still have plenty of time to explore charming Akaroa and all it has to offer.

 

Tour Highlights

 

Historic Akaroa Township - a charming French inspired village

 

Crater Rim Views - stunning views from elevation of the harbour & surrounding areas

 

Picturesque Eastern Bays - secluded haven and rugged coastlines

 

Summit Road lookout - Panorama of the Akaroa Peninsula & "The long Harbour"

 

Tikao Bay Lookout - Dramatic close up views of your cruise ship against the stunning back drop of the harbour entrance

 

On our return to the seaside village of Akaroa, we offer as an added bonus the choice of various drop off points which include .. The Giants House, the markets and shops at the northern end of town, the Historic lighthouse or the tender wharf itself.

 

Worry-free guarantee get you back to the ship before sailing time.”

 

Because our harbour cruise had been cancelled, I was worried that we would cover the same ground as our motor bike tour in the morning. But there was no need to fret as we had a relaxing wonderful afternoon tour with Tour South. Thanks Guys. I regret that I misplaced our tour guide/drivers name. Sorry about that but he was a wonderful man full of interesting facts about his home and you could see the love he felt for his country. I do have a picture of him though. But for now we will call our driver/guide Bluey (cause of his blue shirt).

 

 

Here is a pretty church we visited on our drive around the Banks Peninsula – St Luke’s Church of England Little Akaloa. Such a peaceful location for a church and Churchyard cemetery, don’t you think? Bluey informed us about another guest who loved the tranquil location of the cemetery that she wanted to be buried here. Gee, you learn such fun info from touring with a local, don’t you think? I believe so as that is why I love booking private tour companies in each area we travel to.

 

 

St Luke’s Church was built in 1906 by a local farmer, John Menzie and has one of New Zealand’s earliest examples of Maori Carvings

 

 

Little Akaloa is a farming settlement about 25kms north of Akaroa. Its stunning bay provides shelter for a number of small boats.

 

Our van hugged the steep and narrow roads, we saw many small coves, lots of remote farmlands and isolated homesteads. The wild landscape was breathtaking.

 

 

We passed minor settlements as we travelled, even stopping for a quick photo of the Chorlton Post Office.

 

 

We even passed through the little Historic Precinct of Okains Bay, comprises of library, school and Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum. They were not open the day we passed through.

 

[ozscot01]

Thank you so much for this review, I am hooked and will follow along until the end[emoji4]

[hopestotravelmore]

Thank you so much for this review, I am hooked and will follow along until the end[emoji4]

 

Thankyou Ozscot for the kind comments. Its actually fun reliving all those stunning days in NZ

[MicCanberra]

How are you getting the photos so that they have sized in the 4 or 6 block pattern, is it just re sizing them through trial and error or have you a template to fit them into. Either way they look great.

[hopestotravelmore]

We stopped at Okains Bay, which has a popular camping ground. The beach has a pleasant outlook with a sandy beach and a river estuary that Bluey said was well-liked with families including his own. He has spent many happy family holidays there and I can see why. It was charming.

 

 

 

 

Then we headed to the Summit Road again on our way back to Akakoa. This is the same road where we went with the Trike in the morning but it was still great to see the view from the summit – gorgeous. The harbour was formed 9 million years ago by volcanic eruptions.

 

 

 

Bluey lives in Christchurch and while we were out cruising the ocean, Christchurch had another earthquake. Bluey said that his wife was not handling this last one very well. Who could blame her after living through the massive earthquake in 2011? He discussed it in length and said that on the day in February 2011 he was standing with his fridge open when the earthquake struck and he said the whole contents of the fridge flew straight out at him. Bluey said that all the children of Christchurch and Akaroa (and other towns), even have earthquake drills at school. And the New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission provides public education to much of the country. We even noticed blue signs around the town of Akaroa informing people of the high and hopefully safe areas to run if they receive a Tsunamis warning. How scary would that be?

 

By the way, we had two ladies join us on our tour with Bluey. They were not with the cruise ship but staying in Akaroa for a few days. After Bluey dropped us off at the Harbour, I rushed into the gift shop on the wharf and brought a couple of souvenirs and then we returned to the Golden.

 

 

Here was our tender ticket for Akaroa. I am so silly that I keep everything and put them into an album for safe keeping and memories. James wasn’t allowed to throw anything away. I still have receipts from cafes we had dinner in while in Venice 8 years ago. Now that’s something isn’t it and that receipt did come in handy last year when our daughter and her partner returned to Venice and she wanted to take him to our café that we both loved 8 years ago and I was able to give her the name and address. So don’t laugh at hoarders like me.

 

I loved Akaroa and she was my favorite port.

[hopestotravelmore]

How are you getting the photos so that they have sized in the 4 or 6 block pattern, is it just re sizing them through trial and error or have you a template to fit them into. Either way they look great.

 

No such luck on my part Mic, I just take them into PicMonkey and use their

Online Photo Editoring tools. Love PicMonkey.

[MicCanberra]

No such luck on my part Mic, I just take them into PicMonkey and use their

Online Photo Editoring tools. Love PicMonkey.

 

Cheers, the review is wonderful and the pictures are great as well. Really enjoying it. :D