National Geographic Orion sailed south along the edge of the Te Ika-a-Maui, or North Island of Aotearoa, or New Zealand. In the late morning, she made a course change west and entered Cook’s Strait, the body of water dividing the two main islands of this fabulous country. Discovered and described by Captain Cook in 1770, the body of water is notorious for tidal bores and strong currents. We encountered the strait on a sunny and windy day. The sea was choppy, but the ship rode well and dozens of albatross surfed the wind with their dynamic soaring arcs in our wake. Tomorrow, we land at Abel Tasman National Park, on Waka a Maui, or South Island, New Zealand.
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