Today is the big Super Bowl Day with the game being shown in the Constellation and $20 bets being wagered. There is lots of excitement about it.
We have had two "events" so far, both of which have been excellent. The first one was at the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, with a celebration of the Maori culture. We were taken by bus to the top of a hill where the Waitangi Treaty was signed in 1840. We then walked down the hill to an area set aside for the event. There was a large tent with lunch which consisted of both hot and cold dishes. All kinds of drinks were also available. We then carried our plates to another tent where chairs were set up in front of a large stage where performers put on different dances. The Maori are a very diluted culture with much cross-breeding so many dancers were light skinned. The men are noted for their tatoos and sticking out their tongues VERY far. The women were very attractive and demonstrated the twirling of the poi balls doing as many as four at one time. This event was for all guests. But Regent failed to take into account the age of many guests and the climbing of the hill and walking back to the tenders was much too much for many of the people. A couple of golf carts would have been so appreciated. Sometimes Regent does not anticipate the needs of their people.
The second event was for the full cruisers only and took place in Nelson. It was called Wearable Art and Cars, quite a mixture that went very well. The Wearable Art was models dressed in costumes made from many unique things. They were very colorful and very exciting many reminding me of Carnival costumes. There were a wide variety of cars such as the old Cord, Isetta and Model A. Roving women in wearable art served New Zealand cheese, meats and wines. It was very well presented. One group of guests went at nine o'clock while a second group went at ten o'clock so it was never overcrowded.
A really fun time was at Wellington, the capital, where a major rugby event was being held. Hundreds of people in the town dressed in costumes ranging from superman to French waitresses to pregnant men walked the streets on their way to the stadium. There was a shuttle into town which made it very convenient. Of course, spirits were very high and it was all great.
There has been a change from last year in that Captain Dag will no longer host tables of ten or twelve but instead a group of about thirty meet in Veranda for dinner with a group of four or five officers. Twice during the dinner all the officers "shift" to another seat so most people have the privilege of sitting by an officer for part of the dinner. There is a lot of laughing and fun.
Over and out.
