Friday 23rd February 2018
Fourth Sector Auckland New Zealand to Osaka, Japan
23rd Feb - Auckland, NZ
24th Feb - Bay of Islands, NZ
27th Feb - Sydney, Australia
1st Mar - Newcastle, Australia
3rd Mar - Brisbane, Australia
7th Mar - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
13th Mar - Okinawa, Japan
15th Mar - Osaka, Japan
Auckland is located in the north of North Island and is New Zealand’s largest metropolis containing a quarter of New Zealand’s population, about 1.42 million out of about 6 million. Surrounded by water and volcanic hills. Nicknamed the City of Sails due to the number of yachts and yacht enthusiasts, pretty much everyone learns to sail as this is part of the school curriculum from an early age, starting as young as 8 years old. Previously, from 1840 to 1865 Auckland was New Zealand’s capitol until it lost this to Wellington.
When we woke this morning already berthed in Auckland. Luckily not too much rush for us to join the early starters who are either leaving the ship today or meeting to join their excursions.
Then off ashore to go just along to the next pier to buy our tickets for the Devonport Explorer Tour. This included the ferry and a guided bus tour of the Devonport area. Main purpose over and above a really nice ferry boat ride and a visit to a delightful suburb is to get great views back across the harbour to the skyline of Auckland.
Only a few minutes wait for the ferry and then just a nice time to enjoy a coffee in Devonport before the bus arrived.
The driver gave a running commentary as he drove along streets of what appeared to be quite small but very expensive homes, supposedly the fourth most expensive real estate area in the world. All very smart and mostly historic buildings.
Made our first proper stop at North Head, an extinct volcano, like most of the land round here. Old military installations, tunnels, etc and quite good views over the surroundings.
Rangitoto Volcanic Island
Next to Mount Victoria, the highest point around and another volcanic cone, thankfully extinct. From here excellent views across the harbour back to Auckland.
Vehicular access to the Mount will soon be prohibited as it is native lands and is owned and controlled by the Maori, this will impact on the tour company. Then back down the hill to the ferry terminal.
Took ourselves off for a bit of a walk up a couple of the more interesting streets and through the “village centre”, stopping at Ike’s Emporium for some bits and pieces, a real old cluttered shop selling all sorts.
Then to the ferry for the return trip. Back onto the ship for a cold drink and a sit down before venturing out again into the city. Sadly it’s just another city with busy streets, designer label shops and not much to commend it, so it was a short visit.
Back to the ship for a spell in the sun and a nice burger out on the back deck.
Entertainment today, a folkloric show by the local Maoris, lots of singing and dancing with a fair dose of chants and hakas.
Late sailaway tonight, well after dark, so city lights made for a different experience to most of our early leavings.
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