South Seas Sampler Cruise
09-11-2018 to 26-11-2018
Savusavu, Fiji
19th November
Another port where we can go ashore. The Maasdam is anchored offshore in Savusavu.
This house must have a wonderful view out over the harbour.
This was a nice shady spot to stop and look at the yachts.
This is the tender dock. The crew are under the shade of the umbrella waiting for the tender to return.
Suva, Fiji
20th November
The Maasdam has just docked and the crew are preparing the gangway for us.
We had a quiet day in Suva. Going into town for a look round in the morning.
Before departing the Fiji Police Band entertained us.
Dravuni Island, Fiji
21th November
Today we are on Dravuni Island. We have just left the tender when I took this photo.
Here is a link to a 360Deg interactive panorama of the area.
Along the beach we came to this view of the Maasdam.
Dravuni Island is a swimming and snorkelling destination.
After snorkelling I went along the path to the lookout. These two photos are of the path.
As it was near time to head back to the ship I did not go all the way to the lookout. I stopped here and took a photo looking back to the landing site.
Day 13, Sea Day
22nd November
Just a snap of someone enjoying a tropical sunset.
Nuku`alofa, Tonga
23rd November
Today we are in Nuku`alofa the capital of Tonga. We were just going to look round town but a couple of Canadians asked if we would like to share a taxi for a tour of the island. One of our first stops was at Kolovai village to see the fruit bats.
This is one of the trees where they were roosting.
Next we went to see the Tsunami Rock. This rock is believed to have been driven 100m inland by a tsunami.
Information about the tsunami rock.
Our next stop was the Mapu`a Vaea blow holes. The blow holes were not very big.
However the crashing waves were quite impressive.
This is an unusual palm tree it has three heads.
Our final stop was the trilithion Ha`amonga`a Maui.
Information for Ha`amongs `a Maui.
Another view of the trilithion.
Before leaving I took this interactive panorma of Nuku`alofa.Auckland, New Zealand
26th November
Our last day of the cruise. We were up early to watch the sail into Auckland. Here we are sailing past Rangitoto Island, a symmetrical shield volcano cone. It formed in an eruption about 600 years ago.
Sunrise over Auckland.
Our first view of the city, with the Sky Tower where we will catch our bus to Hamilton after we debark.
The skyline has changed since the last time I arrived by ship 48 years ago.
Ahead is our berth in downtown Auckland.
Almost alongside.