Ready to head home

Monday, November 19, 2012

Last Thursday we arrived in Tauranga, New Zealand a bit later than is normal with the cruise ships, 10am, but the ship did not leave until 9pm.  We have both had chest colds and went out into the town to find cough syrup and lozenges.  The ship ran out of both days ago.  The ship sounds like an infirmary, coughing and nose blowing all around.  We did walk the town a bit and pop into a few shops and found a library for the Internet.  There is a small charge at the libraries here.  Computer usage in Australian libraries was free. 

Our last stop was Friday in Auckland, before three sea days and then the long flight home.  We went ashore and did some on foot exploring of the downtown area.  Auckland has a big city feeling, more so than any other New Zealand city.  The highlight of Auckland was a show onboard the ship done by Maori dancers and warriors.  The narrator did a great job explaining and the dancers were fantastic.

Today is Monday, our last day on the ship.  We are both still fighting coughs and are a bit uncomfortable.   Co visited the doctor yesterday and was given seven medications!  We will be packing today as the bags need to go out into the hall this evening.  We will have two carryon bags and two backpacks to walk out with.  Then straight to the airport for a few hours leaving Sydney at 4:20pm and arrives in Seattle at 4:13PM, seven minutes earlier than we left.  The International Date Line is a curious thing!  We should be confused for a day or two!  It is difficult to believe that we have been on this ship for over 30 days!