Today we were in Bay of Islands (Waitangi), New Zealand. When we woke up this morning it was pouring down rain. Not a good thing for our excursion today since we were going to be on a catamaran sightseeing the different islands.
We began the day at the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast. They were open until 9:30 am and we breezed in there at 9:25 am. I am sure they were thrilled to see us come in so late but they welcomed us with a smile. We made it easy on them and didn't order much. I just had cereal and apricots with 1 cup of coffee and glass of orange juice. Krista just had seasonal melon and oatmeal with a glass of orange juice. We were finished eating in about 20 minutes.
After eating we went by the Neptune Lounge. I wanted to check and see if they would still have our catamaran excursion in the rain and they confirmed that they would still have it. This was a tender port so I asked them how far we would have to go to catch the catamaran once we got off the tender. The confirmed that we would be picked up right there so that wouldn't be too bad. Now if it would just quit raining.
They said to allow 30 minutes for the tender ride to port and our excursion was to be at Noon. We went and got in line around 11:15 am with everyone else. There was quite a line. Soon our tender came and we boarded. It was still raining and it appeared the the windshield wipers were not working. It was obvious that the guy driving the tender couldn't see well. I began to get a little nervous. He kept trying to open the hatch and look out but for some reason it wouldn't stay open. Finally he said something to someone and they brought him a towel which he used to prop the hatch open and he stood and poked his head out the top so he could see and we were good to go. Once we got to land the rain had let us. We were directed to a building to go and wait until the catamaran was there. There were some ladies selling some snacks so I got a muffin and I got Krista a bottle of water. We were going to buy some when we got off the ship but there wasn't anyone there selling it. I only had $6 NZ dollars remaining and this purchase cost $4 NZ. I gave Krista the remaining $2 NZ for a souvenir.
The catamaran was soon there and we began to board. There was a level inside and 2 outside decks. I asked Krista where she wanted to sit and she said to sit inside. That was a good decision because it soon began to rain again. We were taken to the different islands and given the history of each one. There was one particular one that we were supposed to go to but couldn't because the sea was too rough. They said it was the Hole in the Rock or something like that. I think it was something like the one we saw in Cabo. They opened up the front deck and 2 teenage boys went out there and were having a blast. Every now and then some old people would go out there and try to look at things but it was pretty hard for them to keep their balance so they didn't stay long.
The tour lasted 3 hours and I was glad when it was over. At the end of the tour they took us to see some dolphins. They were right on my side so I got to see them easily. Once we got back to shore we had to get on a tender to go back to the ship. As we were going to get on the tender it started raining again and then the tender starting having problems and pulled away from the deck. We were instructed to go to the top of the ramp and wait out of the rain. Soon the tender circled back around and we tried it again. They said that the tender only had one motor running and that was why it was having problems. I wasn't really sure whey they were putting all of us on it but we did make it safely back to the ship. There was one woman on our tour that got really sea sick and it didn't make it any easier riding the tender back. I felt really sorry for her. The crew was working to get her back on the ship as quickly as possible.
When we got back we went straight to the Lido to get something to eat. It didn't dawn on me that it was only 2 hours before time for dinner and when I went to dinner I just picked at my food because I wasn't hungry. Of course they think something is wrong with the food if you don't lick your plate. I had to explain that I wasn't hungry. They accepted my explanation but I don't think they liked it.
We came back to the room to get ready to go to the spa. Krista said she wanted to rest first. We ended up not going and just staying in the room. That was fine with me. Krista is having a tough time getting over the congestion that she has. She may have to go see the ship doctor before we get off the ship.
Last night I told you about some truffles we were supposed to have in our room when we got back from LeCirque. Well we got them tonight. They are in the cutest little box. I doubt we will eat the truffles but I will bring the box home as a souvenir. At least we know that someone else didn't get ours.
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