Akaroa (Christchurch), New Zealand

            On Saturday, 13 Oct 2012, we awoke to our alarm clock at 6:30 AM, dressed, ate breakfast, and headed for the Princess Theater for our 9:30 AM excursion to Christchurch via the Akaroa seaport.  It was necessary to ride to shore in the ship’s tenders to shore, which were severely delayed due to rain, high winds, and rough waters.  After sitting in the Princess Theater for an hour or so, Jesse became concerned that he was only taking a jogging jacket ashore, while most of the other guests were taking light winter jackets.  He finally rushed back to our cabin to get his jacket, which he was very glad later that he had.

Our tour bus finally headed for Christchurch about 10:30 AM.  The driver/tour guide had a wealth of knowledge about the area.  Earthquakes about two years ago caused severe damage, and many buildings are only partly repaired.  We also saw lots of sheep and cattle in the countryside.

Our first stop was the impressive Christchurch Museum, which was a scaled down version of the Auckland Museum.  There were also botanic gardens and other sites nearby, which we had to forego due to the rain.  Instead, we went into a “warm” restaurant and ordered cappuccino, latte, fish and chips, and hamburgers.  Because the service at the restaurant was so slow that the bus driver came looking for us, we had to eat our lunch on the tour bus.  (The driver was nice enough to allow us to break the “no food” rule on the bus.)

Hagglund Ride

Antarctic Snowstorm

Our next stop was Christchurch’s International Antarctic Center, where we got a taste of the South Pole by riding the Hägglund snow cat, visiting live penguins and donning cold-weather gear to experience an arctic snowstorm.  The Hägglund is a tracked amphibious vehicle used in Antarctica.  We rode over mounds, up and over a steep hill, and through a four-foot deep pool of water onto open ground.  The ride was very exciting!  Later, while experiencing the Antarctic snowstorm, Jesse remarked, “This feels like Iowa!”  Prior to leaving the Antarctic Center, we viewed the “Ice Voyage” in the 4D Extreme Theater, which took us on a cruise to Antarctica.  The moving seats, wind in our faces, water spray, bubbles, and snow let us experience an Antarctic cruise without leaving our movie seats.



Princess Birthday Cake

The George

High School Gymnasium

We then headed back to our cruise ship and arrived in Akaroa about 5:45 PM.  That’s when we were informed that the ship had stopped their tender operations due to rough waters, and we were taken to the local high school gymnasium, which was surrounded by numerous busses.  There, we joined 710 other stranded passengers and 50 crew members.   Although at first, there were few chairs, more were brought in (to Sally’s relief!).  At first, we hoped that eventually we might be able to return to the ship, but that hope soon died.  Efforts were made by medical personnel to aid those who needed insulin or other meds; and we were periodically promised (in several languages) that no one would go hungry, and that overnight lodging would be found for all – all of this in a village of about 700 population on a Saturday evening!  Eventually, volunteers served a minimum of small sandwiches of bread and half brats to everyone.  We were glad that we had eaten a hefty lunch.  Eventually, the Princess cruise staff started to look for people with disabilities or canes, and often 40 or so people were led out to a bus.  Sally, who hadn’t slept well the previous night, was beginning to wish she looked much older or in worse shape so that she and Jesse might be led out.  Anyway, it seemed that the “squeaky wheels were getting the oil” because some very fit and fairly young people were leaving.  Finally, when only about 150 or fewer people were left and they asked if there were people who really NEEDED to find lodging soon, Sally became assertive – and Jesse dutifully followed.  That time, they asked for 42 people, and we boarded a bus.  It was then 10:45 PM.  The driver informed us that we would be heading back to Christchurch (1.5 hrs. away), where we would be put up in a “5 star plus” hotel where President Clinton stayed when he visited New Zealand.  Despite the long ride, we were all very happy.  We arrived at The George (hotel) at 12:10 AM.  Once there, when it came our turn, Jesse just wrote his name and Sally’s name on a form, and we were given a key to a room.  We also were given toothbrushes and razors, if needed.  Our room was a handicapped room, so that there was no tub in the bathroom; we were a little disappointed because we had looked forward to soaking in a tub.  Anyway, we were in bed by 1: 00 AM.  Other [younger] friends who left on a bus after we did were taken to another hotel, but arrived there at 1:10 AM. 

On Sunday, 14 Oct 2012, we had a good breakfast at the hotel; checked out by 11:00 AM, were served lunch there by 11:45; and boarded a bus, which left for Akaroa at 12:30 PM.  While at the hotel, we chatted with Mary and Richard from near Rapid City, SD, and Mary and Jerry from Waco, TX.  Although it had been still raining early in the morning, by the time our bus departed, it had become a beautiful day.  This was our fourth trip on the windy road between Christchurch and Akaroa, but the other three times it was either raining or dark.  Our bus sat by the pier in Akaroa until it was time for us to line up to board the tender.  On the tender, Jesse led the passengers in singing “Happy Birthday” to Sally.  We finally arrived back in our cabin about 4:00 PM.  At dinner, we had an almost full table, and our friends all sang “Happy Birthday” to Sally, who was served a “Princess Birthday Cake,” a small, very delicious chocolate layer cake.  Before leaving the dinner table, Terry gave Sally a solo performance of the “Happy Birthday” song!  Afterward, we danced for 45 minutes in the Wheel House bar, and also talked with our German friends, Inge and Thomas.

Due to our trip delay in Akaroa, the Princess has cancelled our stop in Dunedin, New Zealand, so we will be spending three days at sea before arriving in Sidney.