Gubitz "Down Under"/LOTR 2026

Treat of the Day : Reflecting on the spiritual and human connection we shared with Toby and Livia yesterday was a blessing beyond words.  We haven't seen them for 2 years and yet we shared true life together... deeply! Thank you Jesus! Picton is special because it's tiny, lovely, friendly and visually stunning.  So why take a 3 hour train ride out of town? Because we were blessed by the Burlinghams and because the countryside is also visually stunning.  The railcar was over 125 years old.  Stunning views of South Island vineyard and mountains The dry reisling came from the vineyard on the top left of the hill!  We tasted Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and a Dry Reisling from the great Marlborough wine region.  Not bad, but not great.  We also enjoyed almost buying wool for Christine from the sweetest lady who's been knitting for 50 years from hand crafted wool sheared directly off her own sheep. However, she didn't have a credit card machine and we didn't...

Treat of the Day:  Livia prayed for great weather and the Lord answered her prayer.  My faith was greatly encouraged by her faith! Thank you Livia!  Livia and Toby rocked the day for our family!  Being picked up in a 12 passenger rental van by Livia and Toby, then driving to the Lord of the Rings location of Edoras was delightful.  Maybe we picked up a few meat pies along the way!  Ok... they were delicious! The drive got rougher and rougher, the weather got better and better and the joy got greater and greater! Superb day all around!  Getting coffee waiting for Livia in Lyttleton! The perfectly sized 12 passenger van! Livia was an amazing driver!  A beautiful creek just below Edoras!  Having a gourmet lunch while the team hiked up to Edoras! And they made it to the top!  Other hikers loved their costume commitment!  Sunset from the ship upon leaving Christchurch was spectacular and made up for the mediocre trivia game later th...

Treat of the Day : Chat GPT did an excellent job directing us to delicious food and beverage, with a lovely walk to be as efficient as possible in 2 hours.  Great stuff!  Taking a short shuttle from the cruise port to Dunedin, at noon, was excellent timing, as the light rain subsided by 12:30. We (Chat GPT) found a great sidewalk bakery near the Octagon, just after picking me up a new windbreaker (made in China), and then enjoyed Dunedin's famous cheese roll and sausage roll. They deserve to be famous! 10/10 Tasty Treats! A quick stop for a tasting flight at the Craft Beer Kitchen...7/10 The Stout was the Best!  Then on to Noisy Pub for a milk stout. 9/10 Fun walking day!  The train station was beautiful inside and out,  and then back on the shuttle to the ship for cards, dinner and a lousy trivia result to end the wonderful first day touching New Zealand land!  Train Station Getting smoked at Quiddler! Dinners together are great fun! 

Treat of the Day : You know it's been a wonderful day when Steve, recalling the beauty of the fjords, with the crisp cool air and bright sunshine, starts to tear up at God's amazing glory... go Steve, go God!  Milford Sound and Waterfall!  The Papas D and G! Pretty and windy!  Captain Theo was excited that the gorgeous and unexpected weather afforded entrance into all 3 Fjords today on our way to tomorrow's first stop in Dunedin (pronounced Duh...need...n). Captain Theo and his PR rep! Most of the photos are of the surrounding glory. Worthy of note are today's 2 victories in the Escape Room and Scavenger Hunt for Kevin and CJs family.  The Burls and I had 19 of 20 in trivia to come in second,  due only to rethinking the largest bird question and changing to albatross(wing span) from obvious Ostrich.   Oops! Thinking of Jim!  Kevin and CJ are being treated to our favorite restaurant, Eden, with our favorite server team... they should love it, while...

Treat of the Day : Last night's karaoke host came up this morning, knowing CJs name and telling her she had the most beautiful voice she's heard and that it's a gift!  Praise the Lord!   A wonderful morning of trying to manage losing an hour of sleep with the final time change of the cruise.  Trivia at 10, curling at 11, early lunch, cabana at 1:30, trivia at 4 (came in 2nd with 18/20... having guessed hippo instead of rhino for thickest land mammal skin) and now we head to the Petit Chef for a fun, Disney like set of holograms dancing on the dinner plates.  Grands should love it!  Steve curling up a storm!  Kevin showing some serious balance Dave first to enjoy the cabana A good 2 hour cabana nap... perfect for both!  And love the Petit Chef they did! Wonderful meal to coincide with a great visual display right on their plates!  Fascination A great show The Finale!  Another highlight was meeting Captain Theo. . Peggy's best buddy and hi...

Treat of the Day : Loving how Caleb and Josiah play together and watch out for each other, abs their sister, instills a real sense of family in my heart!  We're getting into a rhythm of food, trivia, walking, food, trivia and bed... it's working.  All set for Trivia!  Dressed up for Dinner We love our table and Servers...Angelito does card tricks too!  More Trivia I Will Survive... live karaoke Kids loved the food, pizza and ice cream options but mostly the magic card tricks, our waiter Angelito, loves to perform for them.  We came in 2nd at trivia this morning.. although we thought we had won with 15, we really only had 14. The host appreciated our honesty and awarded us the life changing prize anyway, a deck of celebrity playing cards!  And then live Karaoke...CJ slayed! I love the looks on the 3 host ladies in the background! 

Treat of the Day : Seeing the joy, excitement and anticipation of your kids and grandkids for an adventure like this is truly a blessing.  Thank You Lord!  11 suitcases and 5 backpacks all made it on board the Celebrity Edge for Kevin,  CJ, Dave, Caleb, Josiah and Eliana! Getting their sea legs was no issue given the excitement of being aboard this huge cruise ship docked in Sydney Harbor. We departed at 4:45pm starting a 3 day journey across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.  Carving says it all All together!  Reserved table for the entire cruise!  Very excited to be together! 

Treat of the Day : We all stayed healthy and had great weather for Part I, which was a great blessing. Praying for continued gospel opportunities in Party II! Though only a few Bibles left to hand out... may the Lord direct us with divine appointments!  10am General Trivia Victory with the Burls!  Victor's prize...a thing for the phone: ) Relaxing on the Magic Carpet Mirror selfie!  Our favorite chef.. Queen Mary I Last premium dining Sushi lunch. Hand and Foot victory for burls over gubitz.  Now at 4pm trivia, hungry for a second win today! Nope.. not even close! Tomorrow, trivia reinforcements arrive . Kevin and CJ! To summarize this 1st half of the vacation, cruising Australia: Overall 9.2 Food 10 Excursions:  5 2nd Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling:  15 Service:  10 Trivia:  10 Shows, speakers and entertainment:  6 Burls and gubitz:  10 Can't wait for Part II... New Zealand!