March 4, 2010 Auckland, New Zealand
The exchange rate $1 equals 1.83 New Zealand dollar.
We’ve advance our clocks another 3 hours over the last few days making us 18 hours ahead of Indiana. That should be the last of the 23 hour days and will start getting 25 hour days working the way back home including 2 days before we get Sydney.
Another whale was spotted and we attended another wine tasting during our see days.
Jan & I went separate today as she did sightseeing and I got my first haircut (must have lost weight) since Indiana and some drugs for my lingering cold. I found Lloyd waiting for his first haircut and we kill the morning together. Lloyd and Gloria had lunch together and then the 3 of us took the shuttle back Britomart Transport Centre again where Gloria purchased a phone card to call her sick granddaughter (also in New Zealand) and then she got a pedicure while us guys killed time walking, having cappuccino and sitting. They’re very good company. The people here are very friendly and helpful. At 5 P.M. a local show presented “Haka – the legend” which we also saw last year. Then had a very good dinner and called it a night.

March 5, 2010 Bay of Inlands, New Zealand
The exchange rate $1 equals 1.32 New Zealand dollar.
Today we tendered to and from Paihia Wharf. We walked around the little village and then along the lovely beach to where they were setting up a circus. It was fun watching people of all ages enjoying the beach & water. The elementary schools were observing the QM2.
Another school was performing songs & dances close to the tender dock. Paihia area has wonderful landscape.
Tonight t the entertainment was Pingxin Xu playing beautifully an unusual instrument of a dulcimer.
We’ll arrive in Sydney, Australia approximately 7:00P.M. Sunday (3:00 A.M EDT Sunday).
These are approximate times as we often get in early. You can watch from the port side of the bow of the Queen Mary 2 as we travel by using: http://www.cunard.com/bridgecam/qm2_cam1.asp.