The ship left port on time. Our first impression of the Legend of the Seas was grand from our entrance into the Centrum.
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We were in an average stateroom with an ocean view on the 6th floor. When we walked into the room, we knew we had a problem. The two beds were made up together into a double bed. We had requested twins. The first order of business was to get that fixed.
Lesley and I unpacked, had lunch, and went in search of my brother, John, and wife, Debbie's "owner's suite" number 8000… with a queen size bed, private balcony, separate living area w/queen size sofa bed, refrigerator and bar, and bathtub! Our shower wasn't even big enough to shave your legs in! Must have been designed by a man. When we returned to our room, the bed situation was resolved.
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Our dinner table assignment was supposed to be with John and Debbie, but they were doing back-to-back cruises and had started in Sydney, Australia, going south and around the southern end of New Zealand up to Auckland. For this trip they had a table for two and the communication wasn't made to re-assign them to a table for four. Eventually things were worked out and we ate a lovely dinner together with them.
The first port our ship sailed to was just south around a large peninsula to the city of Tauranga (pronounced TA-RAN-A), New Zealand. The first shore tour that Lesley and I signed up for was Rangitaiki River Rafting, but since the weather was cool and raining, we chickened out.
Instead, we signed up for a tour with John and Debbie in an air conditioned bus to Rotorura. There we found Rainbow Springs, a showcase of New Zealand's natural flora and fauna set amidst beautiful native bush with meandering crystal clear freshwater streams and deep fern ringed pools.
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Also, at the adjacent Rainbow Farm, we witnessed a 50-minute Farm Show where we learned about the sheep, beef, and the dairy industry. They demonstrated sheep dog herding skills. A feature was the sheep shearing, followed by cow milking. Some of the demonstrations involved audience members. John was chosen to churn butter.
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Next, we visited the geothermal ponds known as the "Thermal Wonderland of New Zealand" that surround the city, with a distinct smell of sulfur emanating. Notice I'm still having a bad hair day!
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We learned about New Zealand's first inhabitants, the Maoris. We stopped at a Maori Marae or Maori Meetinghouse the Tangata Whenua or People of the Land where they entertained us with tribal songs and Maori dances. Before departing the village, we enjoyed a traditional Maori hangi or lunch prepared and cooked on hot stones in an earth oven.
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Then the bus drove around the crater of a volcano that is now a lake and stopped for a beach photo op. I was finally able to cool off by walking in the water.
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The four of us returned to the ship too late for the assigned early dining time in the formal area, so we had dinner in the Windjammer Cafe.
The ship set sail for our first of four days "at sea" before we would reach Papeete, Tahiti in French Polynesia. There were always activities scheduled on the ship and the casino was open whenever the ship was sailing. This is one of the main times that cruisers start stuffing themselves with all the food they can eat. We were no exception. We had rain this day, so outdoor activities were limited. The seas were choppy and the ship was bouncing somewhat. I did fine, but Lesley made use of her motion sickness medication.
But, this first day at sea was also the first of three formal dining evenings. Everyone dressed up.
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We attended the show in the "That's Entertainment Theater". John Davidson starred in his own musical comedy that was very good. He had boarded in Auckland and was departing in Tahiti to fly home. He still has an excellent voice at age 62 (his age being one of the themes of the show) and was very personable and physical. He performed twice that night and we were and the early show. The ship was pitching and yawing quite a bit while he danced and participated with audience members. Toward the end of his act, he actually fell off the stage, a drop of 4 or 5 feet, right on his chin, but was okay. He twisted his ankle but finished our show and the one following. He looks good with his long, dyed hair.
Although I don't recall, I suspect we tried to sleep in.
At noon, I went for a massage because my back was hurting. It was at this point that I wished I had brought my chiropractor with me! My muscles were relaxed, but I still felt like I needed an adjustment.
In the afternoon there was a Q and A: Close and Personal with John Davidson in the Anchor's Aweigh Lounge. He talked candidly about his career and his life. Following were sales of his new CD and photos could be taken with him using your own camera or by the ship's photographer. He autographed the CD that I purchased and also autographed the purchased photograph taken when I posed with my brother John and John Davidson.
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Lesley declined posing, so she was volunteered to take photos with my digital camera.
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We crossed the International Date Line (again), gaining Wednesday, March 5 back!
The days at sea all seem to run together, so when you repeat a date it becomes especially confusing. The sea remained choppy, but it was only partly cloudy rather than rainy. I think this was the day Lesley and I tried to play ping pong. It was so difficult, we never got to an actual game. The challenge was just trying to hit the ball back and forth more than a couple of times.
Of course each evening we ended up in the casino. Occasionally Lesley would win a nice little amount at the slots, John at bingo, or Debbie at the roulette table, but I never did.
Lesley, Debbie, and I all participated in the slot tournament that had a $20.00 entry fee. We all failed to place respectably. So I finally got up enough nerve to try the ship's internet cafe. It was rather expensive…50 cents a minute…but I thought I would still come out ahead of the slot machines. I took enough time to clear my Hotmail account that was full and sent a couple of quick messages…$12.50!
In the evening, after dinner John met Lesley and I in the Crown Viking Room for Karaoke Time. Lesley kept trying to get me to go sing. I knew better, stayed seated, and just sang along with everyone else. My brother sang two or three songs and did a good job. Lesley, of course, was chicken.
The story continues…French Polynesia