New Zealand - Nov 2013 - Auckland - Post 1 of 10

NOTE:

This blog is divided into 10 separate sections as there are far too many photos to put on one post

We travelled to New Zealand last month, spending 12 days there.  Looked at some of the North Isle, then the Northern Section of the South Isle.  There is so much to see and experience there, that we planned our trip to see and experience an number of things as well as having time to rest and enjoy where we were (rather than trying to see everything at once).  Besides, gives us an excuse to go back!!

No matter where we went, the people were friendly and helpful. From the Fish & Chips shop in Mission Bay to the people in the shops in Christchurch Airport at 6am, when we had to check in for our flight home.  There was always a smile.

AUCKLAND

We arrived in Auckland in the North Isle of NZ in the evening.  We stayed in Auckland for a few days, very nice city.

The first day we spent wandering around, being tourists.  We went down to the harbour and eventually ended up going to Mission Bay, before heading home.

View looking back towards the main CBD from the marina
On the left is a foot bridge that is raised to allow boats to pass through

On the other side of the bridge / promenade



America Cup Racing Yachts NZL41 (on left) and NZL68 now belonging to SailNZ

NZL41 came 2nd in the Louis Vuitton Challenge in 1995
This is the yacht that we go out on another day

NZL68 (right) Team New Zealand used as a trial boat prior to the 2007 America's Cup Challenge

NZL41

Both yachts with the Emirates Team NZ America's Cup building in the background

A view over the CBD and marina from the Auckland City Sky Tower
Brilliant 360 views of the city

Heading out to Mission Bay and in front there was blue sky and in the rear view mirror all I saw was black.
I think that this shows it well

A few days later - clear sky sunset.  The Sky Tower easily stands out in the skyline

The next day we went to the Maritime Museum, where there is a quite extensive collection of maritime exhibits, from working boats to static displays.

This is a replica Haunui (built in 2009) of a double-hulled ocean voyaging canoe/waka

This is the ornate helm of the Haunui

This is Kiwi Challenge which took 41 days of rowing to win the 1997 Trans-Atlantic Challenge

 



A figure head believed to be off the HMS Orpheus
Wrecked off NZ coastline in Feb 1863

NZL32 "Black Magic" America's Cup yacht which won the Cup in 1995
(note that the sail is cut down so the display will fit inside the building)

Looking from under the stern

The always impressive Silver Fern motive on the side

The keel

The viewing around the yacht is very good

Looking head on at the bow

 

The 1995 America's Cup replica
(unfortunately the just won Louis Vuitton Cup wasn't on display)

After travelling around the North Island, we had some time to spend before our flight to Christchurch.  Near Auckland Airport there is a Butterfly & Crocodile House.  Was worth the visit.  The enclosure that housed the butterflies was nice.  I couldn't estimate how many there were, as they were continuously flying around, landing on you, landing on vegetation.

Was a mass of colours.  Was fascinated in that some beat their wings furiously, where there was one that soared only beating is wings every so often.

There were some baby crocs and 2 adults to see too.

I couldn't tell you what each butterfly is.

Around the enclosure there are platforms with "flowers" so that the butterflies could be easily seen

 

A couple of baby crocs.