Day 6 – Auckland, New Zealand

Greetings from Auckland, New Zealand, on the heels of Cyclone Ian–the one that devastated the Solomon Islands.  We made it to our hotel just as it hit.  Wow, coming from California, we had forgotten what real rain and gale force winds could do.  The trash cans on the street were full of umbrellas that failed to weather the storm, but even Ian could not stop us from touring the city.  Thank goodness the wind was at our backs as it practically lifted us off the ground as we walked to the waterfront.

We took refuge by ducking into the New Zealand Maritime Museum, a huge warehouse on the waterfront that houses boats from pivotal periods of NZ’s history.

Each room walked us through a period of Polynesian nautical history, beginning with the migration of people in canoes from Taiwan to the South Seas.

Many rooms were devoted to Maori canoes, catamarans, & fishing boats.  We never knew that catamarans were a product of the Maori tribes.

Our guide showed us the interior of a emigrant ship that brought so many Europeans to NZ in search of gold, land, whales or a better life.  It took about 6 weeks to make the journey from Europe.  The sleeping quarters were like coffins.  Toilets amounted to buckets in the corner.  I will never complain again at the length of our plane flight or the cramped quarters.

Treated like a hero, Peter Blake helmed NZ’s America Cup boat that won the trophy for the country.  He was tragically murdered in Africa by some pirates, who were attempting to rob him.

These pictures of the winning boat are for John Jourdane.  Were you in this race (1999-2000)?

An overhead shot of the famous aerodynamic keel that looks like a dolphin.

A close up of the keel, considered an engineering feat that contributed considerably to the  boat’s speed through the water.

Sailing is a national pastime here.  I have never seen so many marinas in my life.

Maori carving on a catamaran in Viaduct Basin.  The rain has stopped.

The storm has passed, so we had lunch (fish and chips, of course) at the local fish market on the waterfront.  The temperature is in the low 70’s and the sun is shining.

The Viaduct Basin’s up-market apartments, shops and restaurants overlook its mooring facilities.  The basin is part of an extensive redevelopment of Auckland’s waterfront, following the trend in cities such as San Francisco, London and Sydney.

A view of the sky tower in the distance.

From the 60th floor of Auckland’s Sky Tower, the viaduct can be seen below.

The Sky Tower is located in the city center business district. Views of the city can be seen in every direction from the 360 degree viewing platforms.

and what would any tall structure in New Zealand be like without supporting some extreme sport such as bungee jumping. Here is a shot of a guy as he passes the 51st floor platform.

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Our hotel was on Queen Street in the heart of the central business district. Across the street is the performing arts center and of course the Sky Tower. Tomorrow we pick up our rental car and head for the Northland, Bay of Islands.