Morning operations had half of us on Zodiac cruises with the other half remaining on board for an excursion through the dense brash ice (which cannot be entered by Zodiacs) near the two glaciers. Two large glaciers, Breguet and Gregory, provide the numerous icebergs, bergy bits, growlers, and brash ice that floated serenely in the cove. We were surrounded by surreal sculptures of ice, both floating and on land. National Geographic Explorer Cierva Cove, AntarcticaĪfter an overnight transit from Brown Bluff, we awoke in Cierva Cove to cloudy but absolutely calm conditions. It was an exciting, informative, and wonderful excursion. Then we enjoyed a visit to the Ahua Gallery to learn about Māori arts and crafts, including woodcarving, weaving, and stone and bone carving. An excellent buffet lunch at the Pātaka Kai restaurant followed. Then we were treated to a traditional Māori greeting and invited into a Marae for a superb cultural performance. We observed a couple of the quirky, flightless birds digging and foraging in their special nighttime enclosure. We also learned about New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwi, and conservation efforts to protect the species. The viewing area took us up close to the action, and the smell of sulfur was in the air. Our first stop was to observe spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, boiling lakes, and colorful sinter terraces. We were met by our guide and walked into the facility to view the area best known for geothermal wonders, breathtaking natural beauty, and a vibrant Māori culture. The drive through the outskirts of one of New Zealand’s largest provincial cities was interesting enough, but when we got to our destination – Te Puia Rotorua – a whole new adventure began. National Geographic Orion Tauranga and RotoruaĪfter breakfast, most of the guests walked off the ship at the Port of Tauranga and took a bus ride to the fascinating area of Rotorua.
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