Today we visited the town of Napier, our final stop on the North Island of New Zealand. It was the site of an earthquake that leveled the town. When they rebuilt, they decided to rebuild all the structures in an Art Deco style. It makes for beautiful architecture. As a result, one of our activities was a tour of the city with an emphasis on the Art Deco style and the history of the makeover. I chose the alternate program and headed to the headlands of Kidnappers Bay to visit a gannet colony. Bird colonies are unique places with not only hundreds of birds at the nesting sites but also a swirl of birds overhead as they continually come and go from nests. These colonies are magical places where we can behold a celebration of life. Check out our photos to see just a few images of our time at the colony.
1/7/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Tauranga Nui ā Kiwa
Our destination today was Rotorua, Bay of Plenty: A neighboring town with rich cultural heritage - Rotorua nui a Kahumatamomoe. Some of the highlights from our visit to Rotorua included the visit to Te Puia. It was exceptional, featuring a comprehensive 90 minute guided tour encompassing the art school, kiwi conservatory, geysers, and captivating stories of Tūtanekai & Hinemoa told through waiata (song). The tour concluded with a scrumptious buffet filled with traditional Māori cuisine, enhancing the cultural immersion. Following our visit, we ventured into the town center to visit the picturesque lake, absorbing the natural beauty and tranquility. We then headed back to the ship to enjoy an educational session with our Underwater Sea Specialist , Gail, who presented an engaging session on kelp, enlightening us with insights into this marine life. The day concluded with the captain’s farewell cocktail hour, a briefing for the following day's activities, and beautiful dinner as customary. Later, we enjoyed the heartwarming film, The Whale Rider, accompanied by delicious popcorn and hot cocoa.