Auckland, New Zealand! "City of Sails"

Thursday, February 12, 2009 – AUCKLAND, New Zealand
We arrived before dawn so we were headed into the commercial wharf area with the city lights on as the tug boat chugged along beside us. We pulled into the exact same wharf/pier we were in the last time I was in NZ!

The sun came up and it turned into a muggy day with sporadic sunshine and a slight breeze most of the day.
We had ½ of our ordered breakfast delivered by room service – such a dilemma to have!!

www.aucklandnz.com
Known as the “City of Sails”, it was the capital until 1865 when Wellington was chosen as the approximate physical center of the island nation. There are two large islands – the North and the South – and Stewart Island is the most southern.
Auckland is built atop a cluster of extinct volcanoes and its fertile landscape blends seamlessly with the modern metropolitan skyline. There are nearly a million residents and is the nation’s gateway for ships and air traffic. There are some 70,000 sailing craft and private powerboats in the greater Auckland region – this means one boat for every four households!

Early departure off the ship to meet the guide and driver – Jock and Richard – who were very professional and fun. The group left about 9 and we headed into the city to Ponsonby School, a primary school which has been in existence since 1872. We have six rows of students, ages 8-9, speak and sing to us. Would have been great to have a map of the USA so we could show them where we were from! They asked us about the ship, our homes and we asked about theirs. Several were also outside for their gym class so some of the group became involved in catching balls and reliving our youth!

We headed up the coastline toward Mt. Eden (Maungawhau in Maori language), Auckland’s tallest volcanic cone. There were beautiful views of the various tributaries and the city skyline. Drove past One Tree Hill, the largest extinct volcano, which was the site of one of three Maori Pa (fortifications). The signature lone pine was taken down in 2000 and there is now an obelisk. We drove through Parnell to see the blooming rose gardens – some 5,000 rose bushes! The village of Parnell has pretty Victorian timber villas now housing antique shops, designer boutiques and cafes.

Continuing through the countryside to Mauwui, the black sand beach, we then drove past the wineries, gannet colony and hundreds of sheep and cows. The wineries now plant roses at the end of each row of grapes. As roses are much more susceptible to disease, they find out that if the roses show any sign of disease, they immediately spray the grapes. Makes sense to me and it makes the grapes look even nicer with flowering roses there!

McHugh’s Restaurant was on the coast with a BEAUTIFUL view of the water, which was being whipped into a frenzy with high waves; ideal for parasailing. Very shallow waters and the kids had to go way, way out to get started.

Other highlights in the city and surrounding area:
- Rangitoto Island is a volcano and you can visit via ferry from downtown Auckland
- Auckland Museum is one of the finest museums in the Southern Hemisphere with significant collections of Maori and Pacific treasures
- Native Bird sanctuary on Tiritiri Matangi island
- Crew ex-America’s Cup yachts!
- Head west to Kumeu and sample Auckland’s longest established vineyards
- Ride miniature steam train at Butterfly Creek
- Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Adventure
- There is a hop on/hop off bus for easy exploring
- Meet the animals in the Auckland Zoo (see the kiwis and blue penguins

We returned to the ship after getting a new pair of glasses for a friend who had lost his in Tonga. That was a real feat – trying to coordinate the prescription and selection of frames from sea!!! But we did it!!!! And he claims they are better than the pair he had!
After a quick shower, we left for a walking tour on our own. Headed up Queen Street to the shops and the SkyTower, New Zealand’s tallest building. Great views from the top if you can stand a see-through walkout panel! Beneath your feet, you look through plexiglass and see directly to the streets below…You can also bungee jump from the top – 630 feet high! But not me.

New Zealand has a 12.5% goods and services tax. Tipping is not expected but it is becoming more common for extra special service or kindness. We are now a day and 6 hours ahead of Delaware! US citizens do not require a Visa for entry to the country. Their summer months are December – February, as we are in the Southern Hemisphere. Their currency is the NZ dollar

Headed back quickly to the ship so we were not left behind and then it started to pour! Enjoyed a Mexican dinner in the Lido buffet and then a comedian.