29 Hours in Auckland

Our first stop in New Zealand was Auckland. Because we had to skip the port of Tonga (due to the weather conditions – strong winds and rough seas), we arrived in Auckland the evening before our originally scheduled arrival. We opted to get off the ship and enjoyed a meal “on land”, enjoying a beautiful clear evening with temps around 68 degrees – and the sun didn’t set until 8:30 p.m. Is it really the middle of February? We are finding it difficult to remember that it’s winter at home.

There are a lot of sailboats in Auckland!!! And there are a lot of HUGE sailboats and power boats in Auckland!!! After a light bite to eat we walked along the wharf area – probably a good mile or so and attempted to “take it all in” and get acquainted with this new city.  And it is a city – a very modern city with lots of high rise buildings, many with familiar business names. Lots of folks out enjoying the summer evening – both locals and cruise ship passengers.

The next morning found us boarding a bus for our scheduled excursion to West Auckland – first stopping at a Gannet colony in the coastal community of Muriwai and then on to the Kaipara Peninsula to Haumoana Farm – a working sheep farm where we would enjoy a New Zealand lunch.

Gannets are spectacular aeronauts and this area in New Zealand boasts one of the largest mainland gannet colonies in the world. The scenery was spectacular and we followed a path that brought us quite close to these nesting birds, some of them sitting on their eggs, some caring for their babies, others hanging out with their “teenagers”, and others flying and diving for fish. The surfers were out as well.

Our next stop – a privately-owned sheep farm – made for a fantastic afternoon that included lunch, a sheep dog and sheep shearing demonstration. Those sheep just run from that small dog herding them – all he must do is stare at them. A second dog spent his time barking – that was his job and he did it very well. We think our dog Sara could have filled in for the barking dog – she would have loved that job. This farm also has a heard of Fallow Deer, which we fed by hand. The area reminded us of the house we rented in Lompoc, CA where we spent Thanksgiving with Kate and Chris a few years back. Lunch included sausages, lamb, salad, wine and beer, and pavlova and cheesecake for dessert. Very gracious hosts and what an interesting way for them to make some money while sharing their beautiful home and scenery with visitors.

Next stop…. Bay of Islands, New Zealand!