Welcome to New Zealand

I was a bit lax in taking photos of Welcome Signs on our January journey. I'm sharing some (in no particular order) that I managed to snap while tootling around New Zealand. 

20 Something Snaps -Traipsing through the Trees

The Opua Kauri Walk we took this morning was definitely not a stroll but so worth the effort.

I had read a review that must have been written by someone younger and fitter than I. She didn't mention the slope, it was a challenge for this old girl. https://www.doc.govt.nz/.../paihi.../tracks/opua-kauri-walk/

We saw vegetation that ranged from teeny tiny plants to majestic Kauri Trees. It was a tranquil environment that provided several opportunities for my phone to have a workout and take some interesting Upclose snaps.

Enjoy.

Disinfectant Station

Dwarfed

My 2025 in Books

 Goodreads tells me that I had managed to read at least 101 books in 2025. The tally may have been a little higher as some of the older or local books weren't on the Goodreads Database.

You can follow me here on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2580847-jill-ball

Colour in a Quiet Corner of Tasmania

We passed on a tour today and took the ship's shuttle into Burnie in Tasmania, a quiet town of 20,000 people.

I don't know where all those people were because there weren't many around while we were in town. The bonus was that I was able to focus on taking some colourful snaps without people walking in front of my camera.

 

Celebrating 2026

From somewhere in the Bass Strait on Seven Seas Explorer.

 
To our friends near and far
Best Wishes for a Happy and Successful 2026

This year we took to the high seas to celebrate the New Year with fellow cruisers and crew on one of our favourite ships. We had a fabulous evening with music, dancing, canapes and a never ending supply of bubbly.

There are sure to be some sore heads on the ship this morning.