We spent the morning exploring the City on our own. We revisited some of the sites that we visited seven years ago including a hilltop park and botanical garden which was in full summer bloom. The temperature in the high 70s was perfect for our walk around this park and the City.
In the afternoon, Seabourn treated the world cruisers to an event at a sheep farm outside of town. Brian and I were conflicted about going since the ship was airing the SuperBowl for the American passengers (Monday at 12:30 pm due to the time difference). Fortunately, we chose to go on the outing which turned out to be an unforgettable afternoon. The sheep farm which is called Pencarrow Station is located high on a bluff overlooking Wellington Harbor in one direction and Cook Strait in the other direction. The owners have a lodge there that hosts special events and weddings. The "farm chic" facilities were a combination of rustic finishes and elegant chandeliers and local art pieces. When we arrived they served us a high tea with snacks. Afterwards, the family put on a sheep shearing demonstration. We are happy to report that the sheep seem pretty compliant with the process. We think that once the sheep realizes it is only in for a haircut instead of becoming lamb chops, it is okay with the process and returns to the pasture undaunted.
Next, they took outside on the property and gave us a demonstration on how the dogs herd the sheep. They use 2 highly trained dogs that are valued over $4,000 each to dutifully herd the sheep. It was an impressive demonstration. It was refreshing to see an age old low tech procedure still being used today. Apparently, there is not yet a smart phone app for herding sheep!
We went back inside the facilities for a wine tasting where we sampled 3 different New Zealand wines and some local cheeses and meats. We lingered around this magnificent property sipping wines and taking in the views. All of us "Worldies" that attended this event did not want the afternoon to end. The New Zealand farm family that hosted this event was so charming and the setting and weather could not have been more beautiful.
We returned to the ship and set sail at 6:00 p.m. for our next destination, Nelson.
Nelson is a coastal fishing town of approximately 45,000 people located on the south island and features a charming downtown shopping and entertainment district. The town also has a river that meanders through it. The town is very walkable including a beautiful walk along the river. As you walk out of town, there are trails everywhere that lead to different hiking areas. We spotted several backpacker hostels around town and saw a lot of young people coming and going as they were setting off on backpacking adventures. We hiked a trail that takes you to the top of a bluff that marks the geographical center of New Zealand. The views were stunning in every direction. After hiking we returned to town for a late lunch and cold local beer. It was another great day for us.
Reluctantly, we sailed from New Zealand at 6:00 p.m. While we hated to leave this amazing country, we are filled with great memories of this unforgettable landscape and the welcoming people who live here.
Next, we have a three day sail across the Tasman Sea, notorious for its rough seas. The Kiwis and the Aussies refer to this area as "The Ditch". Wish us luck getting across The Ditch to Sydney!
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