We were still battling with the creaks, rattles and moans in the night. So we slept in a little. For breakfast, we decided to go to the main dining room instead of dealing with the crowds in the buffet on the Lido Deck. It was quieter and less hectic. Besides, we got to sit with strangers and have some interesting conversations. I ordered Swedish pancakes while Ann had French toast. We also had orange juice and coffee which were much better than the Lido versions.

Our shore excursion, booked through Holland America, was early afternoon with the Bensons. We had a 1 1/2 hour tour of Napier on the Hawke's Bay Express. This was a fun tour on an old road train that had "velvet-covered cushioned seats and spacious carriage benches, tall windows, polished wooden floors and crimson-tasseled curtains". It was run by a husband and wife team who dressed in Art Deco period clothes. Napier is known for its Art Deco buildings and the pair represented that style well. The husband was a good narrator/driver. We stopped at several locations for photo ops at viewpoints and at some old buildings.

After the tour, Ann, Ellen and I took a brief walk around the downtown area to see more buildings close up. We also found the hotel where Ann and I stayed on our trip two years ago. The weather was cloudy but to too cold.

After our walk, we took a shuttle bus back to the ship.

We had Happy Hour with the Bensons. Then all of us had dinner in the main dining room. The entertainment in the Vantage Lounge was by the ship's cast of singers and dancers.

Bed time was before 10:00.

Hawke's Bay Express

National Tobacco Company Building

Downtown

Six Sisters Historic Buildings

Vintage Cars and More Art Deco