Already along side the pier when we awoke, our first port day in New Zealand is in Auckland which lies at the northern end of the North Island (the country is two islands: North and South).

 This is the country’s largest city even though only a bit over 1 million people live here. There are only about 4.5 million people in the entire country and they are outnumbered by sheep at a ratio of ten to one. The Maori tribes of indigenous people first settled this place around seven hundred years ago. Today, Auckland is a place of tall buildings, hotels and restaurants and fine shopping which surround a park called the Auckland Domain.

 It is to the Domain that we walked with our dear friends from Kansas City, Barry and Patrick. They are here to board the Holland America Line’s “Oosterdam” which lies moored at the berth adjacent to Queen Elizabeth. How often does one get to schedule a lunch with home town friends on the other side of the planet?

 We met them beneath the Skycity Sky Tower which lies a few blocks from the wharf. How fun! Off we went on a roundabout walk to the park for lunch   and then a taxi to their hotel where we dropped them to retrieve their bags.

Gloria and I headed for a liquor store to buy some fine New Zealand wine (unlike most lines, Cunard allows you to carry wine on board ship). Then we were off for a latte and some internet time before heading for a currency exchange and then back to QE.
Gloria, tired from not sleeping last night and our outing, stayed aboard while I ran back into downtown to make a planned purchase of a new Sudoku book (she has become addicted) and a container of correction tape. I extended my outing to get about three fast miles in before returning to the ship in time for….a delay.

 Instead of casting off between 4:30 and 5:00 as had been planned, we didn’t get away until after 6:00. It’s a good thing we took the delay as I watched while the last of our stores were loaded. It would not be a good thing to run out of Baker’s Pride flour or various Kellogg cereals. Oosterdam beat us out of port and guess who waved us goodbye.

 To pass the time while G napped, I put in a load of laundry and cracked a bottle of Marlborogh sauvignon blanc. A fine day it was and we will now settle in for our overnight cruise to tomorrow’s adventure. 

 We were looking forward to our new table assignment with Mark, Keith and Gira tonight, table 593 on Deck Three, a deck above our former assignment on Deck Two. G, under the weather a bit tonight, decides to stay in for room service. As I enter the Britannia, I am stopped by two different people to tell me that they have seen, on the BBC, that a restaurant has exploded in Kansas City. G and I learn that it is JJ’s and we worry about those who may have been injured or killed. Details are sketchy from here. 

As for dinner at the Britannia, no more will we be able to promenade down the grand staircase as all below admired our descent. Or, maybe that was just my imagination. Also no more will we endure unfriendly service. Percius, our new waiter and Anastasia, our new assistant waiter, bring a more welcoming attitude and we will enjoy that.