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…”
Special thanks to HAL guest and regular blog contributor Hans Janssen for these photos from his 34-day Rotterdam cruise.
Al and I spent the morning on Komodo Island. We took a HAL shore excursion called “Komodo Island Trek” to see the Komodo Dragons. Everyone that exited the ship that day had to be on a tour with a Komodo Island National Park Ranger. It is too dangerous to wander around on your own. Surprisingly… read more of “Cruise Diary:…”
Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband were on Volendam for the trans-Pacific voyage to Sydney and the circumnavigation of Australia for 55 days. Enjoy these photos from their port call at Darwin, Australia. When we arrived in Darwin we knew it was going to be hot so I thought we should take a long tour…. read more of “Cruise Diary:…”
Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband were on Volendam for the trans-Pacific voyage to Sydney and the circumnavigation of Australia for 55 days. Enjoy these photos from their second day at port in Cairns, Australia. On our second day in Cairns, Al and I took a tour called “The Kuranda Experience” to Kuranda, a funky… read more of “Cruise Diary: Day 2…”
