DAY 33 (Nuku Alofa)
As we approached this beautiful island, it was still cloudy and extremely humid. Mary spotted some Turtles swimming alongside the ship as we docked.
As we disembarked for our organised trip we were welcomed by a brass band playing. A line of very old small buses were waiting for the passengers. We boarded tour C1 bus 4 which was pretty worn out to say the least. Anyway, unlike the buses in Pago Pago these buses did have windows.
The tour guide spoke perfect English and pointed out the various buildings as we passed through the villages. We drove to the Royal Palace and the Royal Tombs and stopped for photographs. We passed through many charming little Tongan villages where the way of life remains untouched by time.
We visited the curious colony of flying foxes, regarded as sacred by the Tongans. They flew around us as we took photographs.
We stopped at Houma blowholes where mighty Pacific rollers are forced through natural fissures in the coral rock to sprout 18 metres upwards. A magnificent sight and I wish that we had more time to explore the area.
From there we proceeded to Liku alofa Beach Resort where we had a Tongan style buffet lunch. Colourfully dressed islanders exuberantly serenaded us with Tongan songs and dances. Everyone had a great time and appreciated the warmth and hospitality of the Tongan people. As we headed back to the ship we noticed many islanders waiting at bus stops. The tour guide explained that all the buses on the island have been allocated to P & O. Unfortunately; they will have to wait until the tours have finished.
When we arrived back to the ship the weather was deteriating, there was the sound of thunder and it started to rain. Fortunately, we were in the cabin as the rain came down in torrents, almost flooding the balcony. We sailed away in torrential rain with very little visibility and the fog horns of the ship were sounded until the visibility improved.
The wet weather continued as we left Nuka Alofa as the ship rocked about in 4 metre swells.
That evening me and Mary went to the Orangery where they were serving a "Pacific Rim Buffet dinner". It made a nice change to eat there in such relaxed surroundings.
DAY 34 - 35 (at sea)
Improvement in the weather, as the clouds disappeared and the temperature increased into the eighties. During Saturday morning me and Mary had to meet with immigration officers from New Zealand. They checked our passports and asked about our travel plans. Everything was in order, so we can leave the ship after all.
Saturday night was a formal black and white and we attended the Portunus cocktail party chatting and drinking with our friends Ron and Doreen. After the party it was to be our last evening meal in the Alexandria Restaurant.
We all had an enjoyable meal and bid our farewells to our friendly waiters Dennis and Rajid. We took many photographs and hopefully we will see them on our next cruise in May.
Afterwards, we walked around the promenade deck on a beautifully clear and warm night.
The realisation that after Sunday night we will be in New Zealand.....
We awoke early Sunday morning, as we had to pack two large suitcases full of all the posh clothes that were being returned to the U.K. by ship. At least the suitcases would have travelled all the way around the world on Aurora.
I took the suitcases to deck 4 as arranged, were they were weighed and all the necessary documentation was processed.
As I was signing the paperwork someone called me from the adjacent room. It was Terry and Elaine who were waiting to see the Doctor again, as they had a viral infection and were feeling terrible. I felt sorry for them and hoped that they would make a full recovery soon.
Because of the packing, me and Mary had brunch and it was the first time that we had tasted an English fry up. (Delicious).
I sneaked off to the cyber cafe to check my emails and to find out if Lucy was going to meet us in Auckland. Sure enough, she had made all the arrangements and would be flying into Auckland Sunday night. I explained to Lucy that we were at the rear of the ship on Starboard side (right) and Mary has no idea of the surprise in store for her.
Lucy had organised the car hire and hotels in the Bay of Islands, so I had to cancel our previous arrangements in Auckland.
We spent most of the afternoon packing our bags which had to be outside the cabin this evening.
Tonight we had organised a farewell meal for our friends in the Cafe Bordeaux at 8pm. As we met them in Andersons for a pre-dinner drink, Chris, Gill, Dave and Pat presented us with a farewell card and a gift consisting of two Aurora mugs that we could use in our Campervan.
We very appreciated their kind thoughts and generosity and will think of them when we are having a brew in New Zealand.
From Andersons we steadily walked to the restaurant were a trio called Inspiration were playing. The female vocalist was particular good and everyone was impressed with our choice of venue.
The wine flowed, the meal was excellent and together with the music, was one of the best evenings that we had experienced on board.
We also arranged to meet Ron and Doreen for a farewell drink. They arrived in the restaurant later and joined us at the table for drinks.
The drinking continued until the early hours and we took many photographs together with our friends.
Alas, the evening ended and I was beginning to wonder whether we would be in a fit state in the morning to get off the ship.
More thumbnails ...
