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  1. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    Large land slip from an earthquake in 2013.
  2. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    Mooring location. We landed in Deas Cove, then walked across to Neck Cove. Others kayaked or just cruised around the small peninsula to collect the walkers. Just beautiful.
  3. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    Next morning coming into Doubtful Sound, so named by Cook because he thought it a doubtful prospect for a harbour. He was mistaken, although it has a narrow entry masked by islands. I particularly liked Doubtful Sound. Sneaking through ‘The Gut’.
  4. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    BBQ night while the dolphins frolicked.
  5. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    A site of particular historical interest in Dusky Sound is Astronomer’s Point: Astronomer’s Point is the site of a temporary observatory set up by William Wales, of the Board of Longitude, during Captain Cook’s second voyage in 1773. The observatory was established to fix the position of New...
  6. JohnM

    The FB's visit PER - dinner/drinks 5 March

    Unfortunately, I can't make 5 March.
  7. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    I’ll throw in some spectacular pics from one of the expedition crew on our ‘Xplorer’ as we meandered back to the ship at sunset with bottle-nose dolphins frolicking all around. Just gorgeous! What a way to end a great day in a fabulous wilderness.
  8. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    And a nice view from our cabin. We never bother with a balcony cabin as we spend so little time in it.
  9. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    Overnight, we moved on to Dusky Sound in southern Fiordland. The area was explored by James Cook who named many of the geographic features. The main fiords in Fiordland are erroneously called 'sounds', which are really drowned river valleys, not drowned glacial valleys. The day was spent with...
  10. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    The ship moved location at Stewart Island for various options of nature cruises in the ‘Xplorers’, shore excursions and walks morning and afternoon the next day, including visiting the site of an old Norwegian repair base for whaling vessels hunting primarily blue whales in Ross Sea Antarctic...
  11. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    We were very fortunate with the weather during the voyage. Almost unprecedented to have a week of fine conditions in Fiordland. The mornings were usually cloudy, but it consistently burnt off for fine, sunny afternoons. Winds were light and seas calm. We weren’t so fortunate once we returned to...
  12. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    And aboard we go. We like Coral Expeditions for a number of reasons. The small number of pax (120 on each of their two more recent vessels; 70 on their older vessel), the highly active nature of the itinerary, the all-Australian crew, especially providing employment and training for...
  13. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    Next morning we flew CHC-IVC to await pickup by the coaches coming through from Queenstown where most of the voyage pax were originating. It seems to be a common thing for voyages leaving from Bluff, the very industrial port for Invercargill, to have pax muster in Queenstown. I guess it makes a...
  14. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    Next day we drove out to Akaroa, on the Banks Peninsula, a long-extinct volcanic complex with distinctive radiating erosion patterns. It’s a very pretty area, well worth a day’s outing from Christchurch. We drove there directly but took the more scenic eastern ridge-top route back, deviating...
  15. JohnM

    A NZ South Island sojourn

    The usual view from the rooftop bar at the Rydges and the EK lounge was wonderfully quiet and peaceful, which was good given that our flight was delayed because of the late arrival of the incoming bird. Only about a dozen or so pax in J. First time in EK A380 J for both PJM and me. I’ve...
  16. JohnM

    Midair collision between Helicopter and CRJ (AA5342) at Washington (DCA)

    Update from Juan Browne <1h ago:
  17. JohnM

    Midair collision between Helicopter and CRJ (AA5342) at Washington (DCA)

    But are you a helicopter pilot? @straitman is a career helo pilot - military and civil.
  18. JohnM

    Bequeathing Qantas Points

    It looks like my comments relate to an historical system. I was basing my comment on recalling a friend, who had just suffered a stroke, which brought this subject to the fore for him, some years ago telling me that some ducking and diving was needed to salvage points from a deceased's account.
  19. JohnM

    PER Dinner/drinks 7 Feb 2025

    I'm going to have to pass on this one.
  20. JohnM

    Bequeathing Qantas Points

    AFAIK, your points die with you. I think the only way to salvage any points is for you to let one of your successors know your login details so that they can swiftly transfer the points to themself or another relo before your demise is formalised.
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