Aloha Mokulele

This is the newest addition to the Witchwae wanderers, having arrived in Sydney on 15th October on Radiance of the Seas.

Passport Number: 063769
Name: Napuali'ili'iokalani
DOB: 10 Aug 2003
Place of Birth: Kauai, Hawaii

"The Little Flowers of Heaven" "Auana Hula Girl"

In old Hawai'i, little girls were the flowers of the family. They were the blossoms that glisten in the hearts of their parents. Mothers taught their girls the rhythm of pounding rapa, the wonder of gathering food from the forest or sea, and the artistic cadence of weaving lauhala (lau HAH lah)

Today, Hawai'i's young ladies learn the grace and beauty of their ancestors through the fluid movements of the 'auana (ow AH nah) hula. They work very hard to master the kaona (KOW nah) (true meaning) of the dance, and move with the dignity and spirit of deep understanding.

Unfortunately I can't show you any photos of arriving in Sydney harbour. Captain Claus Andersen picked up the pace after we left Auckland & hit the Tasman seas doing 25 knots. All across the Pacific we were cruising along @ around 19 knots. As this was the maiden voyage for the Radiance of the Seas we should have made a GRAND ENTRANCE INTO THE HARBOUR, as we were arriving in Sydney on a Saturday morning with usual harbour traffic at a minimum. Everyone was looking forward to the spectacle of the harbour & Sydney harbour bridge & Opera harbour especially the 1st timers to cruising & Sydney.

NOT TO BE: Thanks to Captain Andersen we were off the heads @ 4AM & docked by 5.
Needless to say it was pitch black & NO PHOTOS

The new blog site for Witchwae returning to life on the road in OZ will be


http://whereiswitchwaypart2.blogspot.com

Some photos taken on board by ship's photographer

 

Ooops this one slipped in, taken at Pearl harbour @ Mighty Mo (Missouri)

 

All dressed up for dinner, 29 September

 

Bobby, Lin, Jan & Bob arriving in Papeete, 3 October

 

Jan & Bob in Moorea, 4 October

 

 

Jan in Bora Bora, 5 October

 

Jan & Bob formal night, 6 October

 

Crossing the Equator certificates

 

Rugby World Cup

 

This is the cup that all the nations are doing battle for, here in Auckland @ the moment, absolute pinnacle trophy of the Rugby playing countries

 

Hello Bro!!!

 

This dome with the world map on it, had big screens set up so kids could try & score a goal or make a try. It was fun watching the kids having a go.

There was also another dome where they screened this fantastic laser show on the ceiling & walls, all about NZ & the things you can do here as a tourist. It has been to London & Paris promoting the World cup. Only went for about 10-15 minutes but it was absolutely amazing, most of the kids laid on the floor to watch it.

 

 

Cute Kiwi mascot!!!

 

Long white pavillion had wine tasting, robot competition from all the Nerds around the globe competing for 1st prize. At night had big screens showing the games live + live music on weekends

 

Bob & Bobby had these photos taken in the dome with the world map on it.

 

Auckland - New Zealand

Went to bed on Friday night the 9th Oct & woke up on Sunday, we had crossed the International date line somewhere out there in the Pacific ocean.

Ship spent 2 days in Auckland & weather didn't improve much at all. At midnight on the 1st day the ship was moved to another dock for refuelling. Some of the passengers had gone on overnite trips to Rotorua & when they came back the next day NO Ship @ Princess wharf, they were all in panic mode & eventually they were told it was docked elsewhere & then couldn't find how to get there. Total lack of communication by staff of the ship

This is the 2nd time we have been to Auckland by ship & once again we were greeted to a very foggy & cold day. Sure is the "LAND OF LONG WHITE CLOUD" !!!

This pavillion representing the "long white cloud" is part of the Rugby World cup, being held here in Auckland

Jazz band playing outside the wharf

RADIANCE OF THE MIST!!!!

Toothless terror, Bob broke a tooth this morning over toast in Windjammer buffet. Found a dentist & he lightened his pocket by NZ$99 just to glue the tooth back in. Would have been cheaper to go to $2 shop & buy a tube super glue!!!!

Sky tower, still haven't managed to go to the top & enjoy the view. Both times covered in cloud or low lying mist!!!!

Auckland harbour & coathanger bridge

Auckland by night

Finally get to see the top of the sky tower

5 days at sea on our way to Auckland

 

Bob looking very dapper on one of the formal nights

 

Don't look to bad when we are all spruced up & bit of makeup!!

 

 

Vegetable carving in the Windjammer buffet restaurant. Some people are very talented

 

 

 

Joseph our waiter fancy napkins

 

 

 

Bob checking out the "SLOT MACHINES"

 

Kids talent show

 

Centrum

 

Bobby enjoying a beer

 

 

 

Bob getting into the swing of things. Move them hips BOBO!!!

 

 

Gals showed the boys how it was DONE!!! EASY !!!

 

Lovely indoor solarium pool. Bit hard to get a lounge most days. Think the old dears must get up at crack of dawn to reserve a seat

 

 

More shots of the solarium pool

 

 

Days at sea spent line dancing, learning waltz, playing snowball bingo @ $32 for 4 games, eating, dinner in dining room & watching the shows after dinner

 

Bob getting the actions for the Seagull line dance!!!

 

 

Barefoot Bobby having a go at Seagull dance

 

 

 

Jan & Bob looking elegant again

 

Jan & Bob, Peter & Cheryl, Neil & Sharon our all Aussie dining companions, also Ethel (English) who was ill when this photo was taken