JOANNE AND MARGARET HAVE 'FUN FOR LESS'!

AWAY, DOWN UNDER

In February, my sister Margaret and I took a 'Fun for less' trip for three weeks to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji!  The following is a poem I wrote to 'travel log' the adventure.  The pictures are out of order because I haven't yet figured out how to edit them in the blog, but I will work on it....
So......

Away, Down Under

Away, down under where Kangaroos roam,

Far far away from the comforts of home,

Strangers hoping for fun...for less,

Packed bags and passports and all...but their stress

There were misters and sisters, couples and singles,

Grouped all together for a three week mingle!

A long stop in Fiji then to Auckland N.Z.,

Across the Pacific to the Tasman Sea!

A night in Auckland gave needful rest,

Fueling a journey that would be the best!

Breakfast then buses, green, yellow, red, blue,

Then off through the city the whole classy crew!

Museums and Maori's views of all sorts,

Gave way to the 'Princess sitting stately in port!

We boarded, unpacked, finding all very fine,

Then met for dinner with those whom we'd dine!

Sunday's church meeting, a nice Christian blend,

With Michael and John, a fine way to end...

Our first touring day, then off to our beds,

Enjoying the ship as it rocked our tired heads!

First stop, Tauranga, a ride through the hills,

The lush rolling landscape gave each our first thrills!

Sheep shearing venture and fun Maori show,

'People most important' is what we should know!

Next day a lecture for our happy group,

Aborigines, Maori's and 'Cook' were the scoop!

Movies on deck under moon lit sky,

Entertainment, trivia and treasures to buy!

Akaroa tendering, a morning delight,

Seeing dolphins, penguins and seals, quite a sight!

Some found the 'House of Giants' a hit,

Or ate fish and chips and shopped for a bit!

Back to the boat for the standard regime,

Dressed up for dinner, a formal night theme!

Bringing us 'round to our next seaport day,

Where we'd meet at our bus in the usual way!

Rain fell in Dunedin, still lots to see,

Albatross, sea lions, quaint scenery!

A walk up and down the world's steepest street,

For some, in the rain this was quite a feat!

Fjords I thought were just Norway's boast,

But seeing New Zealand's we all were engrossed!

A beautiful day and St. Valentines too,

Making new friends, awfully nice through and through!

On sea day two, Michael's wisdom imparts,

A love for these people and lands in our hearts!

John's music and voice are truly sublime,

He made (some) of us sing and try to make rhyme!

Sunday more sailing, free from all strife,

Our service with Michael, 'The Greatest Life'!

Then later on Alex Maconochie,

We were taught of mercy and humanity!

Port Arthur, Tasmania's colony prision,

Was our next day's trip,  a most humbling one!

Beautiful now, though the history is chilling,

Grateful for our time to live was instilling!

Another day on the Tasman Sea

Could we 'eat' much more, why sure it 'seems' free!

Relationship lesson and tales of 'bold dashes,'

Cheers John and Michael, your lectures were smashes!

Melbourne next day was a too-brief treat,

Right from our hands we helped Kangaroos eat!

Koalas, Tasmanian devils and more,

But out time in the city was too short for sure!

Can you believe it, our last day afloat,

Twelve days at sea, that's all she wrote!

Oh the things we've learned and the places we've been,

On a travel scoreboard this gig gets a ten!

But we're not through yet because Sydney awaits,

We'll sail in at night by the Opera House gates!

Back to the states group one now must go,

Group two to the airport and on with the show!

Flight into Cains, Aborigine show,

Didgeridoos', boomerangs, learned how to throw!

Nightfall then breakfast, to the reef for a dive,

Or a snorkel or swim around coral that's alive!

All suited up in our one-piece attire,

We look so hot (not) we were almost on fire!

Some saw Nemo and other rare fishes,

Making come true our fondest reef wishes!

Dinner in Cairns then for Fiji we packed,

So much excitement, not many 'zzz's' racked!

City tour of Sydney and harbor cruise sights,

Then dinner and back to our room for good nights!

Flight into Nadi on Fiji air,

Luggage checked (15 lbs.) got room to spare?

The Pacific's beautiful emerald isles,

Soon changed our weary faces to smiles!

That night on the bus we were all loose and tired,

Jokes passed around, we were all pretty wired!

Late night arrival at resort, Shangri La,

Luggage unpacked then to bed we'd withdraw!

Morning dawned sunny and breakfast was tasty,

Swimsuits on 'cause FUN one must not waste-y!

But rain soon was falling and palms were a' sway,

And the rains settled in for the rest of our stay!

Now an end to adventuring, I don't think so,

For a speed boat trip kept us still on the go!

Life jackets on we went rushing up-river,

With rain coming down, 'twas a bit of a shiver!

We climbed to the village, a slippery trail,

The natives were happy with stories to tell!

The chief's house for 'Kava' under thatched roof dome,

Some didn't drink, but why not 'when in Rome'?

An invite for lunch nicely set on the floor,

Singing by villagers, kids to adore! 

Then off to our bus we went happy and wet,

With memories all of us won't soon forget!

Last night a luau, Fijian style,

With buffet and dinner and dance all the while!

The natives said God had sent them a gift,

'Cause the rains of the day had started to lift!

"Bulla', "vinacca," these people are rare,

Happy and loving, so willing to share!

Yes PEOPLE are truly the 'IMPORTANT THING,'

Maori words from New Zealand in our hearts did ring!

The Fijians bid us a soggy goodbye,

No Cyclone in sight we were eager to fly!

A few more island sights to take in,

Before our long journey back home would begin!

Perry Mason's garden of orchids and flowers,

Was quite a bright spot in a day full of showers!

Then dinner and buses and airports and such,

Hard to believe we'd been traveling so much!

Anita and Eric, what great gracious hosts,

Each of us offer a most heart-felt toast!

To your positive outlook, your patience and care,

Better times we couldn't have had anywhere!

To Michael, John and Norelle, all the same,

We found you delightful in spite of your 'fame'!

And to all of the PEOPLE whose lives ours have blessed,

Here's to memories and friendships and more

'fun for less'!

2014

SNAP-SHOT SUMMARY!

Mark and Lafaunda Curtis met us in Auckland

                                                       Fijian Village - river boat adventure

Last dinner in Nadi Fiji

Shangri La Resort - Fiji

All geared up for our river boat adventure

Fun friends from Idaho's potato farmland

House of Giants - artist's mosaic fantasy land

 Sydney Harbor and Opera House

 Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

 Melbourne Australia - Aborigine Village

 Formal night on the Diamond Princess

 New Zealand fjords - Dusty Sound

 Our dinner 'dates' following Maori show - Auckland

 Rotoura, N.Z. hot pots

 A couple of our dinner partners - Jim and Becky in Tasmania

 Sorry- can't turn!  Our boat embarkation picture

                                  

 Milford Sound, New Zealand

More of the 'House of Giants' - Akaroa, N.Z.

 New friends from SLC - Ruth and Gary Wright

 My little 'Rue'- buddy at Ballarat Wildlife Park - Melbourne, N.Z.

 Before tendering in to Akaroa

 Disembarking at first N.Z. port, Tauranga

 The fabulous fjords of N.Z.