Day 17 & 18: 18 Night South Pacific Cruise - At Sea

Day 17: The first night after Picton, and after we got out of the sound, we hit VERY BAD weather. Neither Jim or I slept all night long. The first sea day was very bad as well. After breakfast, we went down to Deck 5 where the ship didn't move as much. After lunch, we laid around all day inside our cabin reading and napping.

The second night wasn't nearly as bad as the first night so we finally got a bit more sleep but still not a good night's sleep.

Day 18: Fortunately, the seas had calmed quite a bit so it was much easier to get things done - like pack our bags. We were going to try and do it the day before but it was too choppy to get anything done. We didn't have to put our bags out in the hall since we were doing express walk off the ship in the morning.

DEBARKATION DAY: We were up early to watch our entry into Sydney. When Jim & I were on Rhapsody in 2009 and leaving Sydney heading to Honolulu, it was dark and we missed seeing any of the country. The Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the background was so majestic. Radiance of the seas docks right in between the two.

Once the ship was cleared by Customs/Immigration, we were off the ship in about 15 minutes and waiting for Jennifer (Valerie & Ian's daughter) to pick us up. We were staying in Sydney for an extra 3 days.

After 29 days on the ship, Jim was definitely glad to get off the ship. This was the longest we had ever been on a cruise ship so I was really pushing his limits. He did much better than I had hoped!

A few more pictures of our final days on the ship!

One last party before we go!

Valerie saw this in Honolulu and snapped a pic for me! I use the Surface Pro 3 and, of course, Go Hawks!

This was the statute on our deck off the elevators.

The dining room staff singing to us on the last night! I definitely miss having my meals prepared and served for/to me!

Coming into Sydney with the Opera House in the background!

Day 11: 11 Night Hawaii Cruise - Kauai

Apparently it's hit or miss getting into Nawiliwili Bay, Kauai --- but today was a good day and we were able to dock easily.

Once we docked and were able to get off the ship, we took a shuttle to the airport to pick up the car we had reserved. Our plans were to drive up to Waimea Canyon (Hawai's grand canyon) for the day.

The canyon was absolutely beautiful!

When we were done at the canyon, we drove back down to the beach. On the way, we found a little grocery store and picked up some snacks and drinks and went to the beach and had a bite to eat.

Jim made up a game using a coconut on the sand - kind of like bocce ball.

Jim's "art"! I had to add a bit of blue & green (Seahawks)!

Since this was the last night of this cruise, it would have been time to say goodbye to our server, Eliseo and assistant server, Iputu. But since we're going to stay on the ship for the next cruise, they will continue to be our servers next cruise as well!

Our group of four along with our servers! We'll be the same table, too!

Not all of the bags are out yet since we're early to bed tonight (around 8:30). By about 10:00 or so this hall will be full of everyone's luggage EXCEPT ours!

Sajan was a great cabin attendant. He always had a big smile on his face whenever we saw him.

Day 16: 18 Night Transpacific Cruise - Picton, New Zealand

I woke up about 3:09 a.m. It was a bit rocky and I never really went back to sleep the rest of the night.

We were docked again today but at an industrial pier full of logs being exported (mainly to China). Again, as yesterday, no food allowed off the ship. This morning our bags were hand searched. We found out later that the food sniffing dog had just not arrived yet when we were getting off the ship! He and his handler flew in from Wellington later.

These are the views from our aft balcony.

Once we left the ship, we took the shuttle buses into town. Valerie & Ian had rented a car and we set off to several locations that were about an hour or so out of town into the country. The countryside is hilly and green with vineyards and farms everywhere.  

Jim made the ship's photographers get together so he could take their picture since they're always after us to get our picture taken!

* the Makana Chocolate Factory: they're known for their macadamia nut chocolate but I bought caramel and walnut (of course since I don't like macadamia nuts).

* the Vines Village: we had snacks & coffee; there was a quilt shop but before I had a chance to really look around, a tour bus stopped and the place was overrun and too crowded so I left. There was only one bus there when we arrived so it wasn't too busy.

* Brancott Winery: tasted some wine at their 7,000 acre vineyard

* Twelve Trees - stopped for lunch

We had to be back on board by 2:30 so after lunch we headed straight back to town. We passed lots of vineyards and lots of sheep!

There were plenty of buses ready to take us back to the ship.

The sail away in the afternoon through this beautiful sound and country was very nice. I think we might have to think about coming back to New Zealand again! We felt very comfortable here.

The ferry went ahead of us!

Our towel animal for the night: