Oct 2007

We have reached New Zealand! Tuesday we anchored in the “Bay of Islands” far up in the Northland Region.
Our introduction to the history and culture of the Maori People and the early English Settlers included these Maori warriors – who looked mighty hungry!
We were tendered ashore to the historic town of Paihia.
Sunset from the deck of the Statendam as we sailed out of the “Bay of Islands”.

This was the sea on Sunday – absolutely gorgeous, glassy and calm, the air hot and humid. In just 24 hours of sailing south the temperature has dropped 22 degrees and we are rising and falling in ten foot swells! The barf bags have appeared in the hallways in convenient holders by the elevators- fortunately for Hästa, since this is his first sea voyage.

We traveled by bus with 48 of our closest friends to an Arts Village to see traditional displays – the rains held off for the entire performance. Good thing, since rain would have made it difficult for the fire-walkers to strut their stuff!
Back in Suva, the port city, the Saturday market was in full swing. We decided to buy more beautiful tropical flowers for our room instead of buying the octopus!

At 10:30 pm we crossed the International Dateline and we were informed that when we wake up, it will be Friday! (contrary to what our itinerary showed, we “lose” Thursday, not Friday.)

Surprise! Where we are it is Friday, October 12- Happy Columbus Day!

Such an island paradise! No wonder Robert Louis Stevenson chose to live his final years and be buried here! He was well-loved by the Samoans- they called him “Tusitala”, “Storyteller”.
We watched as the ship docked- the lineman had to shoot the lead line to the dockworkers!
Apia is the capital of Western Samoa, and the only real town. The last picture is of the seawall along Beach Street.