Crossing the Tasman Sea - Feb 3, 2009 - Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

We left Australian waters around 10:30 p.m. last night and were instructed to move our clocks one hour forward. We've been heading east all day straight across the Tasman Sea, making our way over to New Zealand. Today and tomorrow everyone is required to check in with the New Zealand Customs and Immigration officials on board to secure permission to enter New Zealand. They have a very strict quarantine on food, animals, soil, etc being brought in and some folks actually had to have boots or shoes washed and re-inspected. Other than doing that, everyone had a very relaxing day, again visiting the spa, doing a little laundry, or participating in the many activities available onboard. Just before dinner, our tour company, Grand American Tours, hosted a cocktail party for everyone here with their company - about 90 total. We've all come from various areas of the US - North Carolina, New York City, Cincinnati, and of course our group from Texas.