Arrived in Auckland a little bit early today. We were up early and it was a beautiful sail in – although a fog was rolling into the harbor as we arrived. We sailed around Devonport (where we were headed for the day once we docked) and came into the Auckland harbor at sunrise – except for the fog it was quite beautiful.
Got ourselves ready to go early because we wanted to hit the ferries first thing and make it over to Devonport before it got too hot. As it turned out the fog kept everything cool – and running late, so the first ferry was delayed by about ½ hour. As we were buying our tickets, the ferry agent very helpfully suggested we take a roundtrip on the ferry to Birkenhead, which would take us directly under the Auckland Harbor bridge. He said it was a beautiful trip and then we could catch the later ferry to Devonport without a problem. We thought it was a good idea and took him up on it.
The ferry ride itself was lovely and quick – unfortunately the fog had really rolled in by the time we were on the water, so we really couldn’t see anything. Although the bridge coming out of the fog as we got close to it was pretty wild. After returning to Auckland – we had ½ before the Devonport ferry so we wandered through the streets around the dock and got our bearings for later on in the afternoon.
Ferry over to Devonport takes 12 minutes and by the time we arrived, the fog was finally burning off. As it was Anzac Day (Australian-New Zealand Army Corps Day – similar to our Memorial day), everything was closed until 1 pm in order for all the memorial services and exhibitions to be held. In Devonport, there was a huge gathering of armed forces platoons gathered at the park with a commemorative service being held by the mayor and other dignitaries. There were heaps (the Australian word for “lots”) of people there – probably most everyone from the town!
We skirted around the presentations and headed up to Mount Victoria, one of the 48 volcano cones around Auckland. Climbed to the top (for the exercise and the view!) and got the best look at Auckland city. It was a great day to be walking around taking photos – probably 70 or 75 degrees, passing clouds that kept you cool and the bluest skies. We strolled down Mount Victoria and headed over to North Head, the other Volcanic Cone that has a view of Auckland as well as tunnels and gun emplacements from the World Wars. North Head was instrumental in the protection of Auckland and they have left most of the materials there as a memorial. We walked a little way through one of the tunnels, but miss claustrophobic didn’t want to go farther – it was really, really dark in there and creepy as all – so after the little mouse ran across the floor of the gun emplacement we went back to the outside!
Took heaps of photos – and then wandered back to the ferry port past lovely Victorian homes and parkland. We think we read somewhere that Devonport has the largest collection of original Victorian architecture anywhere in the world. Regardless if that is true or not, the town is just picture perfect, very relaxing and welcoming. It is definitely some place to spend a relaxing afternoon walking around, seeing the sites and trying out one or two of the pubs and restaurants that dot the town streets.
Just caught the 12:15 ferry and reached Auckland at 12:30. Because it was Anzac Day, a lot of stores were closed and those that were opening didn’t open until 1. So we went back to the ship for a quick lunch, then ventured out in the city again. Auckland is a very walkable city. Streets are easy to find with good signage, and it’s not nearly as steep as we had read it was. We didn’t find any steep hills or find ourselves walking uphill all the time. Maybe we just weren’t on the right streets – or the wrong streets for that matter! But we found it a very easy city within which to wander. Headed up toward the sky tower, walking through the big retail district. Lots of shops – souvenirs and otherwise – but absolutely no bargains. Both Australia and New Zealand were pretty pricey.
Stopped at an Internet café near the Sky Tower, then headed back for the grocery store to stock up on necessities! Debated going to the Sky Tower – Ed was going to jump off it – but ended up ditching that activity and decided instead to stop at a cute little café off the Queen Street main drag. Called the Belgian Beer Café, they had tables and umbrellas set up in a little cobblestone walkway off the road. A CD/DVD store across the street was playing great music, so the atmosphere was wonderful. Can’t say that for the prices! Had the most expensive beer and wine ever, I think - $23 NZ for one glass of each – that of course included the 15% public holiday surcharge that is in effect virtually everywhere in Australia and NZ. Let’s hope that doesn’t catch on in the US! Anyway, we paid for the ambiance and enjoyed our beverages, then hoofed it down to the harbor for grocery shopping (of the liquid variety and we did buy toothpaste just to be on the safe side), and back to the ship.
Didn’t sail until 6 – so we took advantage of the hot tubs up on deck for sailing – which was a great way to end a very active day – our legs really appreciated it! Had a little issue with one of the gangplanks not being able to be raised, so we were a little late leaving, but we were warm and happy in the hot tub, so we didn’t really care too much. Sunset was incredible and we had front row seats for the sailing – when we finally did - which was very picturesque.
So bye bye to New Zealand and on to the South Pacific part of our odyssey! The weather should be changing – and we’ll be in sunburn territory as opposed to frost bite!
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