Oosterdam Cruise Vacation 2015

Sometimes you just see things. Geotagging approximate TZ30_P1020646

Sometimes you just see things. Geotagging approximate TZ30_P1020646M

The historic steam tug 'William C Daldy' at Auckland where she now operates as an excursion vessel. Buildings in the background include the North Wharf branch of ASB and the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre. 200_2_P1030029C

The historic steam tug 'William C Daldy' at Auckland where she now operates as an excursion vessel. 200_2_P1030030

In a varied and busy photo collection which focuses on many other subjects, I do not have time to record motor vehicles in the way which is done effectively by other contributors. I do like, however, to picture some in an additional context. This picture of a Mazda 2 at Auckland Zoo shows it offered as a prize for the person who can guess the number of meerkats inside. I should say these were toys as the prize does not include the pre-delivery valet which might otherwise be necessary. 200_2_P1030201C

In a varied and busy photo collection which focuses on many other subjects, I do not have time to record motor vehicles in the way which is done effectively by other contributors. I do like, however, to picture some in an additional context. This picture of a Mazda 2 at Auckland Zoo shows it offered as a prize for the person who can guess the number of meerkats inside. I should say these were toys as the prize does not include the pre-delivery valet which might otherwise be necessary. 200_2_P1030203

On a cruise with many diverse and exciting sights and experiences, perhaps the most memorable was cruising in the vicinity of White Island which is New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Situated in the Bay of Plenty, east of North Island, its 321m are impressive enough but another 1300m lie below the sea as the structure rises from the seabed. I was so impressed that this series contains more than 50 photographs after editing. This unremarkable opening image is from our first approach to the island and against the light, revealing little of the dramatic sights to come. 200_2_P1030514C

On a cruise with many diverse and exciting sights and experiences, perhaps the most memorable was cruising in the vicinity of White Island which is New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Situated in the Bay of Plenty, east of North Island, its 321m are impressive enough but another 1300m lie below the sea as the structure rises from the seabed. I was so impressed that this series contains more than 50 photographs after editing. 200_2_P1030515

On a cruise with many diverse and exciting sights and experiences, perhaps the most memorable was cruising in the vicinity of White Island which is New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Situated in the Bay of Plenty, east of North Island, its 321m are impressive enough but another 1300m lie below the sea as the structure rises from the seabed. I was so impressed that this series contains more than 50 photographs after editing. 200_2_P1030516

On a cruise with many diverse and exciting sights and experiences, perhaps the most memorable was cruising in the vicinity of White Island which is New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Situated in the Bay of Plenty, east of North Island, its 321m are impressive enough but another 1300m lie below the sea as the structure rises from the seabed. I was so impressed that this series contains more than 50 photographs after editing. 200_2_P1030517C

On a cruise with many diverse and exciting sights and experiences, perhaps the most memorable was cruising in the vicinity of White Island which is New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Situated in the Bay of Plenty, east of North Island, its 321m are impressive enough but another 1300m lie below the sea as the structure rises from the seabed. I was so impressed that this series contains more than 50 photographs after editing. 200_2_P1030518C

This posed picture is really neither portrait nor candid. I did ask cruise guest Anton to pose for it but the reflection in his tablet is not him. I remain a sceptic about the practicalities of taking pictures on a tablet (or smaller device) although I fully accept that the results can be remarkable. In this instance, in bright sunshine at White Island, Bay of Plenty, it seems to create the difficulty of not being easily able to see the screen with no viewfinder or emulation. 200_2_P1030527

Continuing my occasional series depicting the visual impact of cruise ships on their port surroundings, this striking shot shows NYK's Asuka II and Crystal Serenity in Auckland at Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf respectively. 200_2_P1030032

There are moments on many holidays when you come across something unexpected which is magical and then becomes more so. We took ourselves intentionally away from the tourist route for the first part of our visit to Napier, North Island and were walking along Morris Street primarily to see the cricket ground. Opposite one set of gates was this woman who appeared, from a distance, to be feeding something invisible. She was accompanied by her tiny and slightly baffled daughter and watched intently by a neighbouring dog. When we went for a closer look and asked what she was 'feeding', we learned that she was, in fact, re-homing Monarch caterpillars for whom there was no longer the correct vegetation in her garden. I was captivated by the beautiful creatures and watching the transfer was one of the highlights of my day and of the trip. I walked back along Morris Street with a huge smile on my face. Magic moments. 200_2_P1030612

There are moments on many holidays when you come across something unexpected which is magical and then becomes more so. We took ourselves intentionally away from the tourist route for the first part of our visit to Napier, North Island and were walking along Morris Street primarily to see the cricket ground. Opposite one set of gates was this woman who appeared, from a distance, to be feeding something invisible. She was accompanied by her tiny and slightly baffled daughter and watched intently by a neighbouring dog. When we went for a closer look and asked what she was 'feeding', we learned that she was, in fact, re-homing Monarch caterpillars for whom there was no longer the correct vegetation in her garden. I was captivated by the beautiful creatures and watching the transfer was one of the highlights of my day and of the trip. I walked back along Morris Street with a huge smile on my face. Magic moments. 200_2_P1030614

There are moments on many holidays when you come across something unexpected which is magical and then becomes more so. We took ourselves intentionally away from the tourist route for the first part of our visit to Napier, North Island and were walking along Morris Street primarily to see the cricket ground. Opposite one set of gates was this woman who appeared, from a distance, to be feeding something invisible. She was accompanied by her tiny and slightly baffled daughter and watched intently by a neighbouring dog. When we went for a closer look and asked what she was 'feeding', we learned that she was, in fact, re-homing Monarch caterpillars for whom there was no longer the correct vegetation in her garden. I was captivated by the beautiful creatures and watching the transfer was one of the highlights of my day and of the trip. I walked back along Morris Street with a huge smile on my face. Magic moments. 200_2_P1030617

This was the Golden Retriever which looked on during the caterpillar re-homing depicted in the previous three photographs. Its attention was not entirely held by those activities but it did keep coming back to the fence for a bit of affection from me. 200_2_P1030618C

"There's a World Outside Your Window" A cruise ship passenger absorbs his first sights of Napier, New Zealand as the shuttle bus leaves the port for the city. Geotagging approximate 200_2_P1030603E