The run of cruise ship visits to the district continued yesterday when the smaller Star Breeze went to anchor in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay on a warm Gisborne day.
The ship anchored at around 7.30am after arriving from Napier and sailed again mid-afternoon for Whitianga. About 300 passengers went cycling as partof the Santana Adventures bike cruise tours when they came ashore.
“There were three cycle tours organised — long, medium and short,” a spokesman for the ship’s agent said. The cyclists made for a colourful sight around the city, with some on tandems and various couples wearing matching cycling outfits — some depicting where they came from. The Gisborne Herald caught up with the large group at Tairāwhiti Museum where they got a taste of local culture before hitting the pedals. A spokesman for the tours said: “The passengers loved it here — meeting the locals and seeing the local countryside”.
All 12 cruise visits so far this season have been successfully completed. The Silver Whisper calls next on January 27 with a 380-passenger capacity. Pictures by Liam Clayton
