day 102 Auckland, New Zealand

Day 102 Auckland, New Zealand

Relaxed, friendly, open areas and parks, beautiful harbour, spring flowers and blossom, stately old buildings, city of sails….

DP sailed across Waitemata Harbour to dock alongside the Hilton Hotel. Today we wore our jumpers and jackets, the first day since Scotland. Yesterday we experienced the cooler temperate which we expect to continue till to end of the cruise. As the ship docked we called greetings to the hotel guests who stood on their balconies looking at us on ours.

Paul and I were greeted by Lesley and her husband Paul, who showed us their New Zealand hospitality. We were driven around the beautiful harbour side city of Auckland, and were impressed by the wide clean streets and motorways and the stately old buildings, restored to their Victorian elegance. Cornwell Park with its rich green pastures, many old trees and gardens of spring flowers, has a central hill and lookout called One Tree Hill. We were there early on this Sunday morning and passed many walkers and joggers enjoying the fresh morning air. The views of the city with its famous Sky Tower, harbour and Harbour Bridge could all be seen past the green grasslands home to young lambs and their mothers.  Our tour included the western suburbs, Devonport which can also be accessed by the harbour ferry from Auckland. In Devonport the garden verges had been planted with electric blue pansies, parsley and silver beet. We then over the harbour bridge to the Selwyn Domain on the south eastern beaches of the harbour blue pansies, parsley and silver beet. We enjoyed a lunch here with Paul and Lesley before our return to the ship. Many thanks to both Paul and Lesley for their warm welcome and time showing us their lovely Auckland.

Oh no, only two more days before the end of our 'trip of a lifetime'

Sob, Sob.

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers who read this blog, especially DS Rob who is celebrating his first Father's Day.