Our World Trip: Plodding the Coral Sea

Six days at sea at a steady 24 knots are needed to cover over 3,000 miles Northwest to Guam with over 1.5 miles of water beneath the keel – this gives you a perspective of The Doldrums. Indeed today there isn’t a ripple on the sea as we try to spot the flying fish dodging our bow wave. Yesterday we saw at least 4 whales off to Starboard gently blowing as they went North – the first we have seen since leaving Southampton. We pass exotic islands like New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji as we go, although probably won’t see any of them, even from the vantage point of deck 8, from which the horizon is 20 miles away!

Auckland was so different from Wellington, nice and warm and with a friendly face to welcome us. Michael Dossor was in Auckland almost by chance and he was able to show us around the City, meet cousin Peter and his wife Carol and introduce us to Bev, Michael’s partner. A quick look round the America’s Cup marina, its redevelopments and amazing super-yachts (including the new prototype America’s Cup competition catamaran) was a must, as was the Rugby World Cup shop! We went up Mount Eden to get the fantastic perspective of the extensive City – the only one with a harbour on the Pacific Ocean and one on the Tasman Sea. The community of Auckland has 1.4 million people and comprises almost 30% of the population of New Zealand. It was settled by the Maoris about 650 years ago and is surrounded by volcanoes – the cones are a magnificent feature of the landscape and last erupted about 600 years ago, wiping out some Maori settlements. Many can be seen from Mount Eden, itself an almost perfect volcanic cone, which we briefly visited on a quick tour including a visit to Michael’s apartment and through the charming suburbs with its many Colonial-style houses. The rain blew in as we left for the Museum and Cenotaph but was soon gone to leave a clear blue sky under which we enjoyed a light lunch with Bev at a beachside bistro – accompanied of course by a delicious New Zealand sauvignon blanc!

Off to the marina next to view MV ‘Aquarian’ - Michael’s motor yacht – a fine well-found vessel equipped for marlin fishing and comfortable cruising. complete with a dive step! A nice pair of Caterpillars in a proper accessible engine compartment were right up my street!

Regrettably we had to return a bit early to get ready for Cunard’s World Cruise Guest Dinner at Sky City – a proper black tie event put on in great style and some not inconsiderable expense! A fine Maori welcome with dancers and warriors got us in the mood for the historique cameos before dinner, complete with Captain Cook and a full Haka! It almost convinced us how good Cunard can be when they do it right!! The coach back to the ship was pretty entertaining too with the crew renditions of rugby songs!

Back to reality and a quiet sailaway at midnight leaving the city lights behind, slipping between the islands to get East of the Island. Sky City’s tower lit up in red as a tribute to Cunard’s funnels (it’s usually blue)

The magical highlight of this leg has been a call from Jilly in Ireland announcing her engagement to Paul and an emailed picture of her lovely diamond ring – what a fine set of rocks! Wedding planning from the other side of the World, now there’s a challenge!