Akaora and Christchurch

I am still in awe of the beauty of New Zealand. Each port the country reveals more and more breathtaking sights. Today I find myself in Akoroa, a small French town on the mid-eastern coast of NZ. I am currently on a motor coach riding back from a shore excursion with the guests of ship. The tour today consisted of a visit to the International Antarctica Center in Christchurch, followed by a lunch at a little boutique winery called Melton Estates. The Antarctica experience is located right across from the International Airport of Christchurch. Due to the earthquake, much of the city is still closed off. I felt fortunate enough to see the outskirts of the beautiful Garden City.

It is funny to join passengers on shore excursions. They make me feel like a celebrity. I met a very kind woman named Joyce, or maybe she met me when I was standing next to her outside of the Little Blue Penguins exhibit by telling me a lot of information about penguins. She was very knowledgeable about many different animals. This peaked my interest so I asked what her background was in. To my surprise she is a retried chemist and now lives in retiree-ville, also known as Florida. It is always refreshing to meet lovely passengers who talk to you about normal things and don’t only pick your brain about ship life. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Joyce.

The entrance into the Men's bathroom at the International Antarctica Center

The Antarctica Center is a training complex for folks who do government research. It is required that those individuals complete a course at the center before they leave for their assignment. The United States, Italy, and of course New Zealand are the 3 countries that use the center. It is divided into a few different sections offering attractions for young and old alike.

The Hagglund vehicle I rode in

When I first arrived at the center our tour guide, Karen, welcomed us in her brilliant New Zealand accent. Hearing people talk here just makes me smile. Then I boarded a Hagglund vehicle and went on a ride through Antarctic terrain. The militant vehicle was originally built by the Swiss and has the capability to handle crazy types of terrain. It climbs steep inclines, maneuvers over crevasses, and can even turn into a boat and paddle through river basins. The ride was a totally cool example of the Hagglund in action.

Once I was done with the ride, I went to a 4D theatre to take a virtual cruise to Antarctica in the Ice Voyage. The movie was complete with wind, sea spray, seal sneezes, freezing air, bubbles, and stunning 3D cinematography. I sat next to this little guy named Cayden (I think he is 5) who literally giggled and screamed the entire movie. His mom, Amy and his grandparents have been on board since San Diego and are on the Grand 39 day voyage. Sometimes I think nothing makes my heart happier than hearing kids laugh.

The movie ended and Karen ushered us to the Snow Storm Experience. All of us had to put on winter coats and shoe covers so the snow continues to stay white. The area was -8 °C before they turned on the wind chill machine and then the area dropped considerably. There was a mini igloo built inside as well as a snow mobile and an ice slide. Poor Cayden didn’t want to go down the slide alone and his mom, being from Texas, was not about to touch the cold ground. I volunteered to take him down the slide and although the slide was small we shot down at a rocket speed. I think if it hadn’t been so cold he would have wanted to do about 100 more times.

Our last stop with the guide was to take a look at the Little Blue Penguins, the smallest penguins in the world. Most of them were burrowed in their nests for an afternoon nap, but there was one little guy out enjoying a bit of sun. Their habitat also had viewing set up so you could see inside their nest as well. I may not have seen them in action, but I saw my share of penguins. There were other exhibits around the center all educating visitors on the climate and survival practices of the continent. It was a great experience and every guest kept telling me over and over again how spectacular their visit had been.

Lunch at the winery was perfect. Melton Estates had a wonderful cabin like atmosphere in the middle of it’s vineyards with big open windows over looking the grounds. I was saddened that we didn’t do a wine tasting as a group but all of us received a glass of wine with our lunch. The only red wine this particular winery produced was Pinot Noir. When drinking red wine I would usually pick a cabernet for its full body, however, I do enjoy a nice Pinot. I was not blown away by the Pinot at Melton, it was lacking a strong flavor profile and my palate was left a bit unsatisfied. Since I was not able to try the Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, or Riesling, I can’t make a fair judgment about the winery as a whole. Their best selling wine was a sparkling Riesling, which had a nice blush color. I am placing my bets that they are known for their white grapes=)

That is pretty much today. Yesterday we were in Dunedin, home of the Cadbury Chocolate factory and Speight’s Brewery. Dunedin is also home of one of the best schools of medicine in all of New Zealand, however I didn’t make it to the university. I visited the other 2 locations previously mentioned but I did not take the chocolate factory tour because I did not want to spend all my time on a tour. Instead, I walked around visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Train Station, beautifully built with a castle like structure. I also was treated to lunch by our Captain Jan Smith at Alibi with Missy and Nikki (I had this amazing Kiwi Lamb Burger that had thick sliced bacon and BBQ sauce…culinary genius at its finest). Of course I found a chic coffee café to enjoy a little free wi-fi and enjoyed a 6 flight of beer at the Speight’s Ale House. It was a fantastic day and I think I said to myself over and over, “I love my life and I can’t believe all the amazing people, places, and things I get to enjoy and experience right now”.

I finished yesterday by line dancing with the Explorations Team at Country night…the tush push is my new favorite line dance. I managed to also hit the gym for a bit after helping the cast decorate the crew mess (putting up a Christmas tree while listening to Meg’s Christmas mix was a GREAT way to get into the holiday spirit). To top it all off I got to enjoy some good times at the crew version of The Marriage Game and The Liar’s Club. I always love our crew activities on board because for one it brings us all closer together dissolving departmental cliques and it usually means a few drinks on the house! The fabulous Miss Ashley and Dale, our facilities manager won the Marriage game, which is hilarious since they were the only couple not married and are rounding the corner of their 3 month relationship. I was happy for them! We really didn’t have a winner for the Liar’s Club, it was just more of a good time. After the crew events a lot of the crew continued the party down in the Officer’s Bar, but I was wiped out and had to be up early for my 8 hour tour today, so I headed to bed! Wise decision because I had a good amount of energy today to handle the charismatic nature of the guests. I am blessed and I am thankful for the good, better, and best things happening in my life right now. Miss and love you all!

Here is another cast mate for you to meet. Without this one I would be quite lonely onstage. She is my leading female singer and partner in crime on stage. Meet Brittany Richert!!!!!!!!

Name: Brittanyanne Richert

Age: 24

Hometown: Sewickley, PA

Number of ship contracts: 3

Favorite food found on board the MS Zaandam: Peanut butter J

Favorite production show on board: Love Broadway

What are a few things you miss while cruising at sea?

My family, my boyfriend, Trader Joe’s, and my preschool students

What did you find most challenging about the rehearsal process with Stiletto?

Trying to satisfy the varying opinions of what exactly your role is in each song.

What was the most enjoyable aspect of rehearsals?

Making new friends and exploring LA

What is your favorite feature of ship life?

Traveling and performing

What was the largest adjustment for you in adapting to ship life?

Loss of internet, missing loved ones, and always being under the laws of the ship.

Tell us a little bit about your performance background:

B.A. in Theatre Arts with a Musical Theatre concentration from Point Park University

Performed in various musicals growing up such as…Oklahoma, Pirates of Penzance, and Smile

Performed at Cedar Point and Idlewild Park

Out of your past show credits, what has been your favorite to be a part of?

Being on cruise ships of course J

What’s next after this contract ends?

Finishing my Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Duquesne University

What are you looking forward to the most over the next 6 ½ months?

Doing what I love while seeing the world and making cherished memories.

If you could only have packed 3 items when taking this contract, even though it is impossible, what would you consider to be the most important?

My sneakers

Urban Decay Make-up

My Gaga Dress

She loves her peanut butter and her running shoes folks!!! Haha, such a great talent to share the stage with night after night.

Till the next adventure!

Brad