Tauranga welcomed us with soft morning light and the easy calm of a port that already feels familiar. But today wasn’t about sightseeing or checking off landmarks — it was about reconnecting. As soon as we stepped off the ship, Katrina, Phil, and Aidan walked up to meet us, and this time Aidan brought his partner, Nadia, whom we were meeting for the first time. Seeing them coming toward us felt like a moment we’d been waiting for since 2022 — long overdue in the best possible way. It didn’t take long for Katrina to point out the delightful detail that Aidan is Nadia spelled backwards — and truly, if that isn’t a match made in heaven, what is?

The six of us set off on a short, relaxed stroll toward the beach, catching up as naturally as if we’d seen each other last week instead of years ago. Travel friendships have a way of picking up right where they left off, and this one was no exception.

From the beach, we made our way to Te Puna Quarry Park, a beautiful garden space carved out of an old quarry. The views of Mount Maunganui were especially striking from there. The mountain itself was still closed due to a recent landslide, but from the lookout the scenery was lush, green, and unmistakably Tauranga.

Lunch was waiting at a spot called Neck of the Woods, a cozy, welcoming place perfect for a long, chatty meal. We were joined by Lewis, Aidan’s brother, and his partner Jen, both of whom we were meeting for the first time. The table filled quickly with stories, laughter, and that easy comfort that comes from being surrounded by good people who genuinely enjoy one another’s company. Over lunch, Katrina surprised us with a bag of beautiful souvenirs — thoughtful pieces we’ll treasure forever. We were so touched that they all took the time to spend the day with us; we truly appreciated everything.

We lingered until it was nearly time to head back to the ship, but not before making one last stop. Just a short walk from the port was Copenhagen, home to some of New Zealand’s famous ice cream, and it felt only right to end such a lovely day with a scoop in hand.

As we said our goodbyes, we all agreed that this shouldn’t be the last time we meet up. There was hopeful, excited talk of planning a short cruise together in the very near future — something to plan, something to look forward to, and something we all genuinely want to make happen.

Thank you all for such a special day — we truly appreciated every moment together ❤️