THE QUAYS TO AUCKLAND

April 12, 2011

Started our day in Auckland with a scrumptious breakfast and headed off on a short coach ride to the Queen’s (no relation) Wharf.   We split into groups of 15 and took our turns SAILING in the Waitemata Harbor.  What fun!  We left the pier under power but soon hoisted the sails and cut the engines to enjoy the thrill of catching the wind.  Our ‘experienced’ yachtsman and woman gave each of us a turn at the wheel.  Interesting to see just how delicate these babies are.  Just a slight correction on the wheel and it responded perfectly.  It was a short and beautiful ride that we thoroughly enjoyed.  NZ is proud of i’s America’s Cup successes and the US team could be seen on one of the piers preparing for the 2013 race.

Back aboard the coach, we took a brief tour of the city, mostly identifying the homes we would buy when that lottery ticket comes in, as these homes were priced at 1.9 mil minimum.  These homes are not necessarily very large or beautiful but have absolutely gorgeous views of the harbor and downtown.  Auckland provides a very picturesque waterfront. 

The bus dropped people off in various locations and we chose to go back to the wharf and catch a ferry to Devonport.  This was a quaint area with shops and restaurants and we enjoyed lunch and some more retail therapy.  We caught the ferry back to Auckland and walked to the Sky Tower, and paid to go up to the observation deck.  The top deck is 722 feet high with breathtaking views around the city and harbor.  The lower (623 ft.) deck had glass walkways where we could look down to the ground.  There were bungee jumpers going off the tower, with guide ropes to keep them from flying into the building.  Even after stopping in the café for a beer, no one from our group volunteered to jump. 

Auckland is a city of 4 million, the largest city in New Zealand.  The city is on an isthmus, with one side great for surfing and the other for beaches and swimming.  We had perfect weather, 70 and clear skies, and a wonderful day to enjoy the harbor named “sparkling waters” by the Maori

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