Passengers from the first gay cruise ship to visit New
Zealand, (from left) Americans Walt Johnson, of Phoenix,
and Leigh Thorup and Don Guterwill, both of San Diego, in
the Octagon, Dunedin, yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
A piping hot Dunedin day, pipe bands competed, singers
sang like larks, and almost 1400 gay men - and nine gay women -
enjoyed the entertainment and a day in the sun in a "great
city".
And when it was over the tourists cheerfully departed aboard
5-star cruise ship Volendam.
They were passengers on the first all-gay cruise ship to
visit New Zealand.
The 10-day cruise left Auckland on Thursday, and has visited
Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, on its way to Sydney's
Mardi Gras celebrations.
Most of the passengers were Americans, Canadians, Europeans
and Australians.
"You have a great city," said Rich Garduno, of Milwaukee, who
took photos of many of the buildings in the Octagon area.
Other passengers visited popular tourist attractions in the
vicinity.
Canadian passenger Lee Schofield said he and his friends had
previously been on several gay cruises, some on ships that
carried up to 4000 people.
This was a smaller ship, but they were "loving" seeing New
Zealand.
The ship had arrived early in Dunedin, but some spoken to
were still recovering from the previous night's entertainment
and managed only a few hours in the city before the ship
departed again at 4.30pm.
After looking around the central city on foot, American Walt
Johnson said he wished they could stay 24 hours.
"I'd like to see what each place is like in the morning, day
and night.
It's just a taste we get, but now we know what we want to see
when we come back."
He intended to return to New Zealand to see more of the
country, as did his friends.
While some passengers with delicate heads were avoiding the
pipe band competitions in the Octagon yesterday, Mr Johnson
said he found it funny to be at the other side of the world
from Scotland and see so many bagpipes.
Leigh Thorup and Don Guterwill, both from San Diego, said
they were pleased to bring some good weather with them after
less pleasant weather in the North Island.
Fellow cruise passenger Sandy Blumberg, from San Diego, said
what they had seen of Dunedin, was "lovely".
He and friend David Coddington, from San Francisco, had
visited Cadbury World with friends before going back on board
to prepare themselves for last night's "Way Down Under" party
on the ship.
debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz
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