It’s funny to have to come to a motel in NZ to see our first bit of the Winter Olympics. We can’t get Channel 7 at home so have missed all the action, apart from the headlines on Ch 2 news. So last night when we got to the motel we watched for awhile before sinking into the beautiful bed at the Bucklands Beach Motel. http://www.waterfrontchalets.co.nz

Feeling refreshed we woke to brilliant blue skies and warm temperatures, so set off around the bay towards the Marina for breakfast. Such a lovely walk passing the fit, the fast on cycles, the strollers, the standup paddle boarders and a few swimmers in the bay.
We reached the Marina with a big collection of yachts with the usual assortment of funny names.
Realising we wouldn’t make it back to the motel for our pick up by the Wilsons and Parkers we sent out an SOS to come to the Marina. It really was an SOS because on arrival in NZ I haven’t been able to get a carrier to get phone reception. I can get onto wifi though –  so fortunately could send a message via whatsapp.
They collected us, we picked up our luggage and we were on our way in convoy towards Rotorua.
It’s such a pretty drive. NZ really has such lush green rolling hills and mountains.
You can see how much rain they have had.
We stopped for lunch near Hobbiton House in Matamata. A lovely little town.

Then another hour and we arrived in Rotorua.

First impressions. Yes a little smelly but not overpowering!
Lovely big trees down the Main Streets. Spa baths scattered around the town and some really lovely buildings. And lots of timber. The areas surrounding here are heavily treed so there’s no shortage of timber.

We walked to the lake, past the Museum which is closed due to renovations, strolled past statues to famous New Zealanders (not Rugby players)

We even saw the black swans.

Dinner was at the Brew Bar – one of the lively places lining the Street called Eat St.

Its a great place full of bars and restaurants and is loud and noisy and has an array of craft beers and good NZ wines.

Not wanting to have a big night before our swim we strolled back to our hotel and drew the curtains trying to keep the sulphate smell outside.

Tomorrow morning we’ll visit the Living Maori  Village and check out the geysers before heading to the Blue Lake to see David finish his 3.5 km Swim, and then wait for my Swim to take off at 1.30.

Our 10 days has flown.

Our time together at sea is ending. But boy what a time we’ve had.

How the children have kept going is amazing – though I think we are all tiring after the ten days of activities and eating and drinking.

We had the usual ‘sail away’ drinks to farewell Toulon.

We hadn’t been to Toulon before and spent a few hours wandering the narrow French streets window shopping. It’s a big port and has the usual yachts clanging providing a water soundtrack for the bars lining the port.

There is a good looking Opera House and some interesting street murals.

The markets were on. Mostly fruit and veg looking so good it makes you want to cook.

And the flowers.

Back on board via the shuttle boat – we were about 20 mins away from the downtown Marina, in time for sail-away drinks.

Then it was pack up,  as bags are deposited outside the room tonight to make it a quick disembarkation tomorrow.

Our last dinner we had on the outside deck right at the back of the ship. Really lovely.

Then a peak at the Voice of the Ocean – complete with turning chairs. A lady from California won sinking “My Way”! An oldie but a goodie.

And so to bed for the last time on the Royal Princess.

Today we celebrated my sister-in-law’s birthday. My lovely nieces Vashti and Berti had prepared a t-shirt to be worn by all – all day.

We started with champagne breakfast (but passed on the champagne!)

Marg’s grandchildren adore her and are always trying to sit next to her!

We went ashore at Ajaccio and had a mini-train ride. It was something like a scene out of a movie. The Runaway Train. He scooted along the seafront and being, in the back carriage, we swayed and rolled about.

I found a Vespa I’d rather have taken!

We celebrated with a lovely dinner all together followed by cake in Berti and Fabio’s stateroom.

Then it was dancing in the Piazza until the 11.15 pm balloon drop. Quite spectacular.

What a day.

Happy Birthday 🎉 to Marg.

We were here last year on a swim trek. Loved it then. Love it now.

We anchored in Kotor this morning and, after a walk through the town, caught a taxi to Perast.

It’s so beautiful.

Kenrick in the Game of Thrones chair-throne. All filmed in this area.

Our first full day at sea was long but gave us time to enjoy the boat’s facilities.

I enjoyed a massage, and in the afternoon played bingo with the children.

Every time we pass the ships officers’ photos the kids stop and point to Fabio.

The excitement mounted as we prepared for the formal night. We raided Aunty Gwen’s jewellery box.

The formal night is a time to introduce the officers and to christen the cruise with a champagne waterfall. You get the climb the steps and add to the flow.

After dinner another show!

This cruising has its appeal!

This morning we woke in Dubrovnik.

A quick comfortable overnighter to wake up in Naples.

Many people don’t like Naples (or Napoli as it’s called locally), and there certainly is a seedy side to it – but you have to spend a little time here to really enjoy it.

We were here in about 2003 when Rob played for the Australian under 20’s – and for nearly two weeks. We shared a flat with Peter and Elizabeth McGregor, who at that time were very new waterpolo friends, and who have become great friends over the years. Our apartment was on Corso Vittorio Emmanuel up 96 stairs and it was hot ☀️🌞🔥. We had great fun exploring the city and the areas surrounding it. So my advice is if you want to get to know Naples,  stay away from the tourist areas, certainly away from the railway station, and stay for a week in an apartment. It’s real Italy.

So today when the ship berthed right in the centre of the city, Steve and I headed for an island we hadn’t been to before. Ischia is about 40 mins by fast ferry and is the summer escape for people from Naples and Rome. If you’ve read the book by Elena Ferrante called My Brilliant Friend, you’ll remember her talking about her summers on Ischia.

It’s quieter than usual on the island  now that summer is over. We walked along the port and around to the beach. It’s lined with deck chairs all roped off into private areas belonging to various cafes. I don’t really get this private beach thing that happens over here.

We decided to get a bus around the island to the Giardini la Mortella. This beautiful paradise of a garden was created  by Susana and William Walton. He was one of Britain’s  most important composers of the 20th century (Facade Suite etc.) and Susana his Argentinian wife was a talented gardener.

It’s the most beautiful place with the paths wandering around a large site looking towards the sea with hidden gardens and stone stairs and hideaway areas to sit. There’s a museum and a small concert area where his music is performed in concert from time to time.

Back on the very crowded bus where the ‘ Italian princes’ (rather spotty teenagers) occupied all available seats and left the old and cranky standing.

Our ship stood towering over the harbour and we walked back on to join the family who’d spent the day at Pompei. The kids were tired and hot and spent the next two hours splashing in the pool.

Fabio organised our table for dinner at Concerto restaurant and had someone go ashore to buy fresh mozzarella for the chef prepare an antipasti plate – just for us! We had a lovely night before collecting the children from the evening kids club and heading off for the live musical production starting at 10.15pm! It was great fun.

Some were setting their alarms for 4am when we were due to pass Mt Stromboli in the Aeolian Isalnds. It’s still active and apparently can glow during the night. Not sure I’ll be up!

Next stop Messina. We’ll pass through the Straits of Messina where Steve swam last year so that will bring back some memories.

Another super smooth arrival into Messina on the northeast part of Sicily.

We were here last year when Steve swam (twice!) across the straight between Messina and Calabria.

We didn’t take any of the tours on offer – we’re lucky enough to have stayes in Taormina and Mt Etna nearby. So after a walk around the ship we got off and wandered the streets of Messina.

There are a few very impressive churches here so we did the trifecta and visited each.

The first one the Duomo has an amazing bell tower and at midday it puts on quite a show.

We walked up the hill and stairs and had a wonderful view back over the town towards the ship

We’re on the Lido deck 16. Our cabin is just along from the Blue glass windows. It’s very convenient especially with the kids.

There’s so much to do on board – we have a little planner on the ship’s app on our phone. Very handy.

We met up with Anne and Tim – the lovely couple from Tulsa we met on the first day. We’re planning a dinner together if we manage to stay in touch. This ship is sooooo big!

Tonight after dinner we tried a few of the entertainment things. Into the studio for Name that tune! Country and Western! Jeremy was a whizz but we didn’t win! Then I did the Yes/No game. When on board !!!! You join in.

Then off to the nightclub. We’re trying to help Kenrick,  our gorgeous nephew find some people his age. No such luck (yet!).

Tomorrow is all day at sea. So a tour of the bridge organised by Fabio, and then a massage for me. It’s formal night as well – so bring out the dressy gear.