Stewart Island

3.06.2007 At Sea.

Yesterday afternoon Capt. Chiesa informed us that due to changing weather conditions he had decided that it would not be wise to proceed further south to our next planned stop and last one in New Zealand-Stewart Island. Instead we would turn back north along the east coast of South Island and enter the Tasman Sea separating New Zealand and Australia by sailing through Cook’s Passage that separates North and South Island of New Zealand. Only 350 people live on Stewart Island which is just 20 miles off the south tip of South Island and few people get to visit its untouched beauty. While we were disappointed we respect the Captain’s decision as being in our best interest. Our guest lecturer who spends 6 months a year in New Zealand was not surprised as this was her 6th attempt to visit the island and all had failed due to weather conditions. As we approached we were informed that we would be taking on a pilot in order to enter the calm of the harbor so that a passenger who had suffered a heart attack could be evacuated along with wife and luggage for transport to a Wellington hospital.

3.08.2007 At Sea

Tomorrow we will be in Melbourne after four days at sea. Crossing the Tasman Sea is always an experience as the prevailing westerly winds almost guarantees a rough crossing.. During our crossing in 1996 almost everyone on the ship got sick and even our guest lecturer told us yesterday that after 15 crossings said she hasn’t experienced one as mild as this one. That was yesterday. Today we were awaken at 4 AM by the motion and noise of the ship as it encountered gale force winds and rough seas. We later discovered that we had picked up a distress call from a sailing yacht with three men aboard and altered our course to rescue them while being in touch with the Australian Coast Guard and Navy. It seems the sailboat was taking on water but before we reached them, they notified us that they did not intent to abandon their boat and when the local authorities informed us at 8AM they had a warship close enough for us to return to the course for our original destination, Melbourne, were pleased.

At sea we have been busy doing our bridge, bingo, exercise, lectures and etc. Paula Smith the British historian and anthropologist is good. In the past three days she has spoken on the life of the great explorer Capt. James Cook, the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman who Tasmania and The Tasman Sea is named for and “The Origins of the City of Melbourne.

The other night we had an enjoyable dinner with Sarah Beth and Don Smith. Tonight before dinner we are going to a show featuring the Hungarian dancers, Melanie and Dragos plus the International Illusionist Tony Laffan whom we met the other night in a most unusual way. We were alone with The Smith’s and West’s in the Panorama Lounge having a pre dinner drink when he walked in and asked if he could join us. He then proceeded to perform about five tricks of magic which left us absolutely astonished. We are really looking forward to seeing him on stage tonight.