Monday, 24 February 2020

Tauranga, New Zealand – February 24


Taruanga Harbour
A few clouds, 22 degrees, warm in
Maori carving, like the rugby haka
the sun


Although today’s tour was an AM one, it didn’t leave until 9:30, so I was able to get a walk in on the top deck. The temperature while I was walking was brisk…
mission house bedroom surrounded by weapons
maybe 14

degrees. I was for the most part alone up there - peaceful!
another mission bedroom


Our tour was initially including a visit to a winery and a tasting – we new this had been pulled from the tour (not sure why) but we decided to go anyway. We saw a good deal of the city and surrounding towns, went to a lookout of Taruanga Harbour, and ended up at Elms Mission House. The mission house is one of the oldest buildings in New Zealand,
mission building
dating back to the mid 1800s. This is where the fist Europeans from England arrived as missionaries. We were broken into groups of about 8 and taken around the grounds and gardens by a guide. This place was very much like a small-scale Heritage Park from 30 years ago. Probably the most
New Zealand beer
interesting part of the visit was the gardens where the guide pointed out and described the many (some super huge) trees on the property.


We were back in time for lunch on the boat, a local beer at the pool, blogging on the deck (the weather was just about perfect with just the right amount of shade), Chris listening to the Flames’ game, and a nap.

One thing we’ve noticed about New Zealand is the lack of security. We
welcome to Tauranga!
went into a museum yesterday with no bag check, no metal detector…nothing. Back onto the boat and our ship cards and id were checked, but no bag check or metal detector.

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