Holland America really did their part to honor the Veterans and recognize Veterans (Remembrance) Day! A few days before the 11th, we received a memo asking us if either of us had served in the Armed Forces and telling us about a service at 6:30 AM on the 11th in honor of veterans. We were unable to attend due to our lengthy day, but were glad to know that HAL was doing something to recognize those who sacrificed so much for our respective countries. On the 10th everyone received poppies to wear proudly, and the daily program for the 11th included the poem In Flanders Fields. More on this later.
November 11th was by far the busiest day of the entire cruise! We had scheduled a shore excursion that was to last 8 ½ to 9 hours, and had also been invited to a shore event in honor of Veterans Day that would start a half hour after we were to arrive home after the shore excursion. We awoke early in order to have everything organized for the day. However, Chuck selected this particular day to misplace his ship ID, state ID, credit card, and cash! So rather than going up to have breakfast, we searched the room quite diligently – and repeatedly! The result was – nothing! As the minutes ticked by, we tried every single place we could think of, including the mini refrigerator and the dirty laundry I had ready to send out. Finally Chuck went to the concierge to ask for a new ship ID and his passport because New Zealand requires an original photo ID to be permitted into the dock area. So off we went, already with frazzled nerves.
As we prepared to disembark the ship, the prerequisite check was conducted. They were searching bags for any contraband items (fresh fruits, grains, seeds, etc., which are not allowed off the ship in either Australia or New Zealand). Each time I see this, I think of my friend Roberta and her dog Buddy because they use “security beagles”. While we waited to process through ship security, one lady asked the handler about her dog. She immediately received a business card. Being a dog lover myself, I requested one also, and was promptly awarded with the most unusual business card I’d ever received – with a picture of Nero the Security Beagle!
The weather was cold and rainy – the dreariest day we’d experienced on the entire cruise – and it suited Chuck’s mood perfectly! The bus headed off through Christchurch in the rain toward our first stop, the Waimakakira River (Waimak for short), where we were scheduled for a jet boat ride to our next destination. On the way, we encountered a flock of sheep trying to cross the road, along with the farmer with his sheep dogs caged in the back of his cab, frantic to get out and take care of the sheep, which were scattering as traffic passed through. That entertaining moment past, we continued on to the Waimak, arriving there mid-morning for tea. After our snack, we were given disposable rain ponchos (something I’d have loved to have had available all those years of doing Outdoor Ed with fifth graders) as well as life jackets. Looking like 30 Nanooks of the South (or Michlen Men – take your pick!), we waddled down to the river and were seated tightly into the jet boat. Our trip down the river reminded me of a water version of the Wild Mouse. We made speedy turns, zipping quickly through the water – making us laugh at the bumps and direction changes. With the rain pelting us and the water splashing up in our faces, we weren’t able to see much of the beauty of the river gorge, but the ride was quite memorable!
From there we boarded tussock buggies (small four-wheel-drive buses)for our journey across Flock Hill Station, a 300,000-acre sheep farm high up in the mountains. By now the rain had subsided and we’d catch occasional glimpses of blue skies. (Bring on the blue!!!) We made several photo stops, looking out over the spectacular mountain scenery. The trip across the farm took about an hour and a half, and we enjoyed it, especially with increasingly blue skies! They say New Zealand has about 35 million sheep (we’ve heard quotes between 25 and 70 million), and we must have seen half of them as we traversed the farm! As I climbed out of the buggy for the last time, I asked the driver a question about a scene from Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie (LWW) that was supposedly filmed somewhere on Flock Hill Station. It was then that I learned he’d been an extra in the movie battle scene. I wish I’d known sooner!
We had a delicious buffet lunch, and then wandered around in the gardens of Flock Hill Station before boarding the bus to head back to Christchurch. By this time, the sky was a brilliant blue, and we were treated to breathtaking views of the mountains. We made a quick photo stop at the location of the LWW battle scene. Having taught the novel as a long-term sub right before the movie came out, I thrilled to be able to visit that site.
In Christchurch, we took a quick tour of the city. Like so many other ports, we wished we’d had one more day to explore! It was a lovely city, and one we’d have liked to visit in greater depth. Two of the highlights were viewing the Christchurch Cathedral and a sculpture made from some of the remains of the World Trade Center. Christchurch is one of a small number of worldwide locations that received metal from Ground Zero to put on public display. We were back at the ship by 5:15, and within minutes Chuck found his lost wallet. In laying out his clothes for the evening, he’d forgotten which pair of pants he’d worn the night before and had checked in the pocket of the wrong pair of pants. It was a tremendous relief!
We headed out to our shore event at 6:00, which was held at the Christchurch Air Force Museum. Upon our arrival, we enjoyed socializing with friends and making new acquaintances. Suddenly we heard an air raid siren, and a jeep rolled in. The emcee for the evening, Major Chaos, introduced himself. Wearing a hat with a bill that was about six inches too long, a crooked moustache, and epaulettes and ribbons that extended about three inches into nothingness, he was quite the comic! He immediately zeroed in our friend Tony. Why? Because they were both bald! He asked Tony to lead the procession into the dining room (hangar), and the lady behind him urged him on. When Major Chaos asked another friend, Grace, her name, she said, “Um…” So Major Chaos immediately announced that “Um” would accompany Tony at the head of the procession. The rest of the evening they were referred to as, “Tony and Um.”
We were seated with four other friends and three people we didn’t know. Imagine our surprise when the man beside Chuck told us he was from Chicago and even further surprise when we learned that he knew several people in Mokena, and mentioned specifically his niece, Michelle Miller. I recognized the name and wondered if I’d had her as a student, but being a common name and several years in the past I wasn’t sure. In the meantime, we discussed favorite restaurants and other Chicago things. (A few days later, he called my room to confirm that I’d had his niece – he’d emailed her and asked her. He asked me if he could come to the room and show me her pictures on Facebook. Amazingly, I realized that I’d also had her son Zach – just a few years before I’d retired! I’d completely forgotten that I’d met with her at parent conferences. When her name had been mentioned, I was thinking of her as a student, not as Zach’s mother! Talk about a small world!)
At one point the room went dark and we heard the sound of an airplane landing. Spotlights focused on the plane, and out stepped the “Andrews Sisters”. They put on a marvelous show – all World War II vintage numbers. We thoroughly enjoyed their music and the entire evening. It was a wonderful way to commemorate Veterans Day and remember those who served their countries. It had been a very long day that had had a shaky start, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable on the trip.
Being very patriotic, we were both so pleased that Holland America had put forth such a tremendous effort to make Veterans Day memorable for the passengers.
Barb
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