Overnight, the bridge team of National Geographic Orion navigated from Dunedin, New Zealand on the South Island to Stewart Island. We started our day with a hiking excursion on Ulva Island. Invasive species have been eradicated and local native birds are abundant on this small, biodiverse island off the shores of larger Stewart Island. Highlights on our nature walk were the New Zealand kākā and the weka, as well as the country’s smallest bird, the titipounamu! After our lovely forest walk, guests enjoyed a Super Bowl Sunday barbecue on the back deck of National Geographic Orion. In the afternoon, we headed ashore on Stewart Island to the historic town of Oban. We visited an incredible local history museum and meandered the streets to see what life is like in a small New Zealand island town. What a fantastic and unforgettable day!
11/11/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Napier
Our first full day on North Island, New Zealand was spent in Napier, the art deco capitol of New Zealand. Many opportunities to fully grasp the splendor of this unique town and surrounding area were afforded to us, including independent explorations (on foot or by bicycle), the National Aquarium of New Zealand, Art Deco Town tours, and of course the Australasian gannet colonies out at Cape Kidnappers Cove. It was truly a glorious day filled with sunshine and warm spring weather. The statue “A Wave Through Time” is modelled on Sheila Williams, daughter of Ernest Williams, one of the notable architects of the post-earthquake rebuild era. The statue also features a greyhound, although Sheila had horses not dogs, images of exuberant women with elegant dogs were a popular theme during the Deco period. Sheila was also the Carnival Queen of the New Napier Carnival in January 1933 to celebrate the town's recovery from the earthquake.
