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Today is noticeably cooler as we reach the west coast of South Island, New Zealand. Incredibly, after a pea-souper of a fog last night we have wall to wall sunshine again; perfect for enjoying the delights of Milford Sound. On entering the Sound we were transported back to our 2004 Norwegian Coastal Voyage.
A local expert had come on board to provide a commentary as we sailed along the fjord; pity the ship's PA system is still so intermittent. In fairness it didn't really need a commentary. The valley sides dropped steeply to the water which was as smooth as glass as Oriana reduced speed to a few knots. It's a geographer's paradise, but we won't bore you with a lesson on glaciation and the effects of the Ice Age. Suffice to say that the scenery is stunning with steep mountains, still snow covered on some south facing slopes(just remembered we are in the Southern Hemisphere!) and steep waterfalls dropping straight to the fjord, the highest permanent fall being a drop of 46m.
We sailed up to the head of the fjord where there was some basic accommodation for backpackers who use the many trails to reach the area. We were reminded of Andrew, Emma's brother, who enjoyed this area so much when he spent many months in New Zealand. Could just picture him as part of a small group of canoeists getting very close to the waterfalls like the group we saw in tiny yellow canoes dwarfed by Oriana.
Seals basked on the very narrow areas of flat rock at the edges of the fjord and shearwaters ducked and dived into the water, fishing.
Oriana did an about turn and we sailed back to the sea. Cap'n Bob has time on his hands and obviously wants to save fuel and not have to pay extra port charges at Wellington, because he graciously agreed to treat us to Thompson Sound as well and then steer the ship at a sedate 10 knots for the rest of the day.
An albatross was seen by those on the bridge, flying behind the ship. We didn't rush to see it because knowing our luck it would have disappeared by the time we reached the rear decks.
Thought you might like a few cruise tales. P & O and others are anxious to lull their prospective passengers into thinking that cruising is all about harking back to a bygone age of luxury travel in elegant surroundings with like minded people always smiling and dressed immaculately, being waited on and having one's every need (well perhaps not every) catered for. The reality is slightly different on occasion.
When it comes to sunbeds the Germans are mere babes in arms. Towels appear on sunbeds at sun up (or, indeed overnight), nothing new there, but how about towel on sunbed on one side of the ship and another on the other side, in the shade, so you can alternate if necessary and have a bed ready in the afternoon when the sun is on the other side. Indeed Janey was almost mown down yesterday when a lady (?) forcibly relocated a sunbed in her general direction. Janey's crime? Standing too close to the rail to take a photograph and obstructed said lady's patch of sun."I've been here since this morning" was the exasperated explanation as she moved her sunbed to railing so that nobody could walk past. The fact that she had not been there for the previous hour seemed irrelevant to her. Janey was heard to remark that she thought the decks were for everyone to enjoy. Now to the rumours. The source of much of the tittle tattle seems to emanate from people who are called Mary and Rita - there seem to be a few of these on board.
The launderette is a source both of "information" and disputes. Two couples are reputed to have been put off the boat at Oporto following a dispute between the ladies over use of washing machines which broadened to involve their husbands and fisticuffs. There are regular stories of people returning to the launderette expecting the wash cycle to have been completed only to find that their washing has been removed before completion and dumped in a pile so somebody else can use the machine. Others are known to bag a dryer before the washing is finished on the pretext of "warming up the dryer".
Patience and a sense of community often seems in short supply, perhaps people are spoilt by being waited on too much and expect always to get what they want when they want it. Selfishness is rife.
Paintings from the art class on the last leg were displayed in one of the corridors and are reputed to have been stolen.
Now to the medical rumours. The PA system broadcast " This is the bridge. Code Sierra, Promenade deck 7 port side" last night at 6.15. Those in the know i.e. the vast majority of the passenger body, are secure in the knowledge that this indicates a suicide attempt. The food and entertainment is not that bad, although it has been noted that one individual was particularly distraught that Giggs scored with the last kick of the match to rob us of a well deserved point when we were having much the better of a hard earned draw! Rumour has the number of "deaths on board" currently standing, or more likely lying flat, at six and your correspondents did notice a suspiciously appropriately shaped wooden, elongated box (say no more, know what I mean) being prepared for off loading onto a waiting small boat away from prying eyes on the quayside in Sydney.
Even as we write a "This is the bridge, Code Alpha Tango Deck 8 aft stairwell" has been announced; another one bites the dust? We'll find out over dinner, sure many people will know the answer; if not, one of the guests on our table asks the cabin steward what all the codes mean and gets back to us the next day. Mind you one of your correspondents has been heard to remark, about one of the fit doctors on board - "he can take my temperature any time!"
Cap'n Bob was busy this morning. First he had to reassure us about the situation with the Costa Allegra drifting somewhere near the Seychelles after a fire on board, anxious to give us accurate information before we heard it on Sky news. Second he had to nip to the shop to get his daily ration of Haribos. He didn't appear that comfortable having to give his crew number to the assistant in front of a bunch of passengers!
We have enjoyed two musical items over the last couple of days. The Headliners Theatre Group put on an excellent tribute to Queen and a young pianist did a very good recital of music from Haydn. We took a raincheck tonight on the entertainer who apparently plays the piano with his head. We are not sure which part of his anatomy he uses for the encore!
And so to bed, after another action packed day, mostly indoors, as it was a mere 16c - crossword, sudoku, reading, Costa coffee for lunch, gym, ironing (aborted, after all the irons packed up simultaneously for the third day running - it's a cunning plan by P & O to make us use their laundry service!!!) getting ready for yet another black tie night- busy, busy, busy! But looking forward to a day in Wellington tomorrow.
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