We New Zealanders often think of New Zealand as two separate countries, divided by the Bombay Hills which are located just south of Auckland: “North of the Bombays” and “South of the Bombays.” Quite frankly, Auckland is a different place for us who live South of the Bombays — in the “rest” of New Zealand…. read more of “North of the…”
Do you dream in Hobbit? Often when we do the New Zealand cruise (which for us as Kiwis, is a great way to visit friends and family), people would naturally ask where we were from. I would respond, “here!” “Here??” would be my fellow passenger’s inquisitive, disbelieving reply. “Yes, here.” At which point, the passenger… read more of “A Trip to…”
Why does a New Zealander regularly do the New Zealand cruise? Might sound like the start of a tired old joke, but the reality is that it is the perfect way to visit friends and family along the way, without having to stay with them. Terry and I do this cruise once or twice a… read more of “Christmas at the…”
Akaroa is a place of enchantment. It is a beautiful settlement tucked away in an almost complete volcanic crater harbour at the end of the Banks Peninsula, about 1-1/2 hours from Christchurch. The settlement’s French heritage is evident as you disembark your tender at the town’s tender wharf — sometimes you will be met by… read more of “Akaroa, New Zealand…”
At the end of Oosterdam‘s 14-day drydock in Sydney, Australia, a tour was organized for the crew to see underneath the Oosterdam. It’s not everyday where you get to see what it looks like under a ship. The crew took lots of photos and had a great experience.
Eleven crew members participated in the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb during Oosterdam’s dry dock “down under” on December 10. Here’s a photo of the group at the top! Joe Reina is Oosterdam’s human resources manager.
A photo of Oosterdam and the Sydney Opera House taken just before we left Sydney harbor and proceeded to drydock for 14 days. Csaba Desvari is Oosterdam’s culinary operations manager.
On December 1, Oosterdam called at Auckland, New Zealand. Close to Auckland is the winery of Villa Maria. As Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc is featured on the wine list on board, Cellar Master Phillipe Reigh took this opportunity to visit the winery with his team of wine attendants as an educational experience. After having seen… read more of “Wine Tasting at…”
