It is difficult to live and work on the boat while she is on the hard in the boat yard. We wake up and start working right away (0700) and then work until the sun goes down (2000). We work on the weekends on projects that don’t get in the way of the contractors. Work work work. So, we periodically have to blow off some steam with a little Kiwi fun.
The Seaside Sirens
There was a flyer on the bulletin board outside the boat yard office that caught my eye. It was an advertisement for a one night only show of the Seaside Sirens. Intrigued I googled it and to my surrpise it was a cabaret. Oh ya, sign me up for this type of Kiwi fun! I called a few friends and dragged them along with us.
We stopped by the Quay for a cocktail prior to the show. Daniela, Mirko (on Yum Yum) and Kara joined Matt and I. Check out my pretty drink (lower left) called the Autumn Sun.
The Seaside Sirens are mer people and the two sailors have been caught under their spell to do their bidding. The live band called “The Otherlies” were land based but worked with the mer people in exchange for favors.
And then the show began! It is not a strip show per se, but they do strip down to pasties. They had performers dancing, singing, performing on a pole, silks, large ring, and with a hula hoop.
It was serious fun with great laughs and loads of entertainment. The performers were lovely and put on a great show!
It ended at 8:30pm and we were all starving. We stopped by several eateries which were open but their kitchens were closed. Finally we found Loco, a Mexican place that fed us and wrapped up our night. Kiwi’s know how to put on a good show but they need their restaurants to stay open past 8:30pm!
Welcome Cruiser Party
Whangarei throws an amazing party each year to welcome the new cruisers to Whangarei, NZ! This year I had the pleasure of assisting (albeit very little) Kara from Town Basin Marina. The party was held at Aqua Restaurant located at the Hundertwasser Museum. It was great fun seeing old and new cruiser friends. Upper left is Kara and I and upper right are two of the amazing performers.
The most spectacular Maori group, Hatea Kapa Haka Group performed and they did not disappoint! They take my breath away, brought me to tears with a Maori version of Ava Maria and showcased their local traditions and songs. It was spectacular.
Christmas Tree Farm
It was nearing Christmas and our friend Kara from Town Basin Marina asked us to come along to get her Christmas tree. We went to an actual Christmas Tree farm called “Crane Road Christmas Trees.” The family had a beautiful ranch style home overlooking their gorgeous farm!
Oh how I wish I could have brought home a tree to the boat! But even though they were “small” in American standards (between 4-6′) they were way too big for our boat. But they smelled devine and they keep all of their trees in buckets full of water.
Kara found a beautiful, round tree that we gently stuffed into her car and brought to her house. She did a fabulous job decorating!
After our tree farm we went to Parua Tavern for a tasty lunch! Check out this super fun mailbox.
Me having a little fun with a NZ phone booth in Whangarei. I don’t know how to actually make a call from this phone.
I purchased a wooden vase in Panama for cheap and have been using it on the boat on the rare occasions I get flowers. It has cracked in several places so I commissioned a new vase out of Rewarewa wood (native NZ tree) and it came out beautiful (the darker vase).
Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events. This show was 22 November. Our last blog post documented our rudder rebuild, did you read it?