A Day at Sea

Just a quick update from the ship. We are enjoying a much needed day of rest at sea. Yesterday we put in at the Bay of Islands in the north of the North Island. This picture was taken in the early morning. It is simply beautiful. We went on an ecological tour which included a visit to a subtropical botanical garden in Wharepuke (translates to "top of the hill,") and a walk through Puketi Forest which is full of ancient kauri trees. Some of these trees are over a meter in diameter and are said to be over 300 years old. As all good tours do, this one ended with a visit to a winery, Ake Ake, on the Northland. Today is a lazy day. We hope to visit the gym before we pretty up for dinner with Kirk, the cruise director, tonight. This should be fun ?!