Pacific Surprise X 2 = Happy Diva's!

The Captain announced around noon today that we were going to have time to go and see White Island.    What makes it one of the country's best attractions is it's volcanic activity.  The Island was mined for sulphur until 1914 when an eruption occurred and killed all the miners.  It has had some recent activity and was smoking today. 

Clouds were low, but you can still see the smoke in the photos below.  The terrain looks like something you would expect on the moon or Mars.  There is a large colony of gannets (white birds) who have taken up residence on the Island.  Thousands of them!

The second surprise was that we would be coming into our last port, Tauranga, tonight instead of in the morning.  Swells were expected in the sea tonight and since we had them the past two nights, he wanted us to have a more comfortable night.  We are docking right now as I type.

When we weren't watching volcano's, we were doing laundry and packing for the journey home.  Tonight, before dinner, there was a show put on entirely by the crew.  It was "glorious"!!!  (yes, there's a story there.... your favorite Diva will explain it to you when you see her).  Truly, it was a lot of fun and there's actually some great talent on board who are bartenders, waiters, cooks and all other kinds of crew members. 

Tomorrow starts early with a tour involving kiwi fruit, farm animals, eels and a jet boat ride!  Stay tuned!

Approaching White Island

White above is thousands of white gannet birds if you click on the photo you can probably see them better if the photo is larger.

View from Kiki's large balcony around the front of the ship gave us the best views of all!

the white area on the middle left of the photo is the area
of the gannet birds

Love this photo!  Gannet bird in flight

Now there you can see the gannet birds!  Isn't that amazing?

If only there was a scratch-n-sniff button you too could smell the sulfur

Great crew show!  One of our own (from our little area of rooms) is center stage!

Star of the crew show was Christopher - the Diva's own wonderful guy who patiently waits on us for our afternoon milkshakes by the pool.  Great job with the show Christopher!  Also - you can make a mean milkshake and pina colada!  The Divas love Christopher!!