New Zealand - Nov 2013 - SailNZ- Post 2 of 10

NOTE:

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

 

AUCKLAND - America's Cup Experience (ExploreNZ / SailNZ)

There are 2 ex-America Cup yachts based in Auckland (as well as the headquarters of the Emirates Team NZ).  These belong to SailNZ and you can go out and "experience" what it is like to be on one of these yachts.

 



NZL41 came 2nd in the Louis Vuitton Challenge in 1995 (background)
This is the yacht that we sailed on
NZL68 (foreground) Team New Zealand used as a trial boat prior to the 2007 America's Cup Challenge

An opportunity not to be missed.  The weather forecast was pretty good, except for one day.  The day we were to go out.  Dark clouds hung around and as we were being given the "do's, don'ts & emergency" information, the heavens opened up.


The rains starts to come down during the breifing

As we headed out of the marina, solid rain came down.  This was followed, just as we exited the marina with hail.  Yep, hail, about 5-7mm in diameter.  Didn't last too long, thankfully.
Much thanks to the company for supplying us with superb wet weather coats, kept nice and dry.


Heading out through the footbridge, rain still coming down

Just out of the harbour, time for the hail!
Visability was low but our skilled guides kept us safe

Still hailing, not the water building up on the deck and another yacht just not too far away in the background

Now it was time for those who wanted to work, could start.  Hands on the grinders and go, bringing up the mainsail.  Wasn't too bad I though, till suddenly....Holy Mainsheet!!  We had to work real hard, all good though.



Time to start paying our way and raise the main sail

 

Sail up

Now we were out in the harbour area, sails rigged and ready to sail.  All we needed was wind, any wind that was consistant from one direction.

We managed about 2 1/2 minutes of actual "race" sailing.  That was quite exciting as the deck went from near horrizintal to up on the edge, and it took off with unexpected acceleration.  Then the wind died again.

All credit to the crew, their skill at trying to find the elusive wind and at the same time, talking to everyone.  I know for myself, even though the sailing didn't really happen, I had a great time.

Definitely something to go experience and something that I wouldn't mind doing again.

Time to put the camera away and get to work on the grinders!

Still looking

Some blue sky appeared to tease us

Then it disappeared

The next few photos as we headed back to Auckland, I haven't touched up with regards to how the sky or sea looks.  It's just how it was.  Black on onside of the sail and light on the other.  Didn't notice at the time, only later when looking at the photos.

Somewhere on starboard in the distance lies Auckland.

Out of the darkness a city emerges

"Land, Ho"

Bringing down the mainsail. 
The motif on the sail tells everyone the pedigree history of this yacht.

Even though it might not have looked fun with the weather, had an awesome time.  Thankyou to the crew and those who helped answer any questions I had before coming over.

This is their website, please check them out for this and other experiences

www.exploregroup.co.nz

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.

New Zealand - Nov 2013 - Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium - Post 3 of 10

NOTE:

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

Auckland - Kelly Tarlton' Sea Life Aquarium & Penguin Discovery Experience

There is an amazing gem to visit tucked away on the coast, just outside the CBD of Auckland.  This is Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium.  This has the largest colony of Emperor & Gentoo penguins in the Southern Hemisphere outside of Antarctica.  
(note: there are a lot of penguin photos coming up)

You enter through the walk through replica of Scott's Antarctic hut, which is very informative (especially, the authentic memorabilia).  Gives you a view into the past of what it was like.

Antarctic Snow Vehicle

Penguins are one of my favourite creatures.  Why? I don't know, I just do.  So the opportunity of getting inside the enclosure and be surrounded by them, was something that I couldn't miss.


An Emperor Penguin
Their plumage just doesn't come across in the photos

Just a "small" gathering of penguins

A Gentoo Penguin taking a swim

On the tour you are taken around behind the scenes to see what goes on as well as being given a very informative and interesting history of the aquarium.  We saw the holding tanks where injured animals are cared for and brought back up to health, before being re-released into to the wild.  We met some of the people who look after the animals, who were preparing food for their charges, before we headed off  and fed some fish.

Our guide so far, Darren, introduced us to Sarah and Michelle.  One thing was very clear, was the passion that, not just Sarah and Michelle had, but everyone we met had for their charges. 

Now into the enclosure.  We were directed to go to spot where there was a rock and if the penguins wanted to come up and say "Hello" it is up to them.  What happened when we where in there I couldn't have imagined.  As we were sitting there and Sarah was talking and answering questions, one of the Emperor Penguins "Toddy" started coming towards me.  Toddy, who has just become blind with cataracts, will head towards male voices.

Next thing, there he was leading against me.  There is no  way I can describe the feelings that I had with this.  Not only was I in there amongst a large number of Emperors and Gentoo Penguins, but here was one leaning against me!

As Sarah was talking to us Darren was taking pictures, some of these I've included, as we are not allowed to take our own cameras with us into the enclosure.

All too soon it was over.


A couple of the Emperor Penguins

As you can see there are a good number of penguins

The Gentoo penguins were currently nesting and about 1-2 weeks out from the eggs hatching

In the 'U-shaped' enclosure one side and the end was ice/ground while the other side was a pool.
The pool can be seen through an access path in the background right

  

 

An Emperor Penguin in the pool

Which side is better, my left or right?

It's my right side

Two Gentoo penguins enjoying the ice bath

 

Gentoo penguins coming out of the pool

Gentoo Penguin

Time for the feeding show.  The Sarah (with pink headband) and Michelle feed their charges, while Darren talks about the penguins and what is going on.  Well done by all.

This shows the clever 'U-shaped' enclosure
Pool on right and ice on left & front

Feeding Time!!
Sarah (left) & Michelle bring out the fish

Sarah feeding the Emperors
The rock in the foreground is where we had to sit when we were inside the enclosure

 

Darren is informing everyone about the penguins
The Emperor by his leg is "Toddy"

 

 

Feeding time over & time for a swim.

 

Emperor's diving in

 

Swim done

Michelle & Sarah about to give an Emperor its identity bracelet while a Gentoo looks on

 

There were other exhibits, beside the penguins, so here are a few.

An adult Jellyfish

Baby Jellyfish



 

 

There is an awesome underwater tunnel that runs in an oval under two tanks.  One side of the tunnel path is fixed and the other is a travelator which allows you to look at everything without walking into anyone.

Inside the tunnel under the shark and stingray tank

The following photos are some of the photos that were taken by Darren while we were inside the enclosure with the penguins.

A Gentoo penguin and its eggs

Are you looking at me?!

Its a very well set out enclosure.  You can see the glazing for public to look through and how close the nesting pods are.  Great visibility to the whole enclosure.

I understand why the cost of a ticket can seem high to places like this, but now after seeing the huge water filtration system (which needs to run 24 hours / 7 days a week), the food and up keep of the animals. 

 

Shark Car!!!

I'm so glad that I got to experience such a unique experience.  Even if I didn't do the Penguin Experience, to see these animals (and the other fish) it would have been worth it.

 This is a link to their website:

www.kellytarltons.co.nz