Day 49 - AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

 Date: 2/23/2024     Day 49                       Port: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Description: Auckland, “The City Of Sails”, is spread over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours on New Zealand’s North Island. It earns its sobriquet from having more boats per capita than any other city in the world. The first settlers here were the Maori, and are still a vibrant component of its cosmopolitan population. Auckland offers the visitor all the amenities of a world-class city. Browse the shops of Queen Street or the Parnell area with its galleries and boutiques in quaintly restored Victorian buildings. For a magnificent panorama of the city travel to Mount Eden, the city’s highest point, or visit the Skytower for loftier views. Minutes from downtown you can relax on a black sand beach, or explore the America’s Cup Yachting Village. Further afield there are the spectacular pine-clad Waitakere Mountains, the amazing Waitomo Glowworm Caves and the verdant vineyards of Kumeu River Wines.

Planned Excursion: AUCKLAND CITY SIGHTS

3.5 Hours            Light Activity      # AKL-002: Free

Explore the sights of New Zealand’s largest city and get a clear sense of its beauty and history.  Travel by panoramic coach through lush green parkland, along gorgeous beaches, and past scenic marina districts.  Tour the Auckland Museum, home to impressive Maori artifacts and moving 20th-century war memorabilia.  Cross the iconic Auckland Harbor Bridge, spanning the obsidian waters of Waitemata Harbor.

Todays Notes:  Again we were blessed with a beautiful day.  The highlight of the day was the Auckland Museum.  We were given 90 minutes to tour the Museum with a private guided tour, small groups of 10 - 12.  The tour took most of the 90 minutes and left only 15 minutes to walk around on your own.  It was a huge Museum and could have spent the whole day there.  We were docked right downtown Auckland.  After the excursion Cathy and I returned to the ship.  Joe and Pat were dropped off about a 1/2 mile from the ship to go up the Sky Tower and then shop on the way back to the ship.  

Click Here --> Auckland Pictures (updated 2/27/2024)

Click Here --> Maori Dancers part 1 (updated 2/28/2024)

Click Here --> Maori Dancers part 2 (updated 2/28/2024)

More to come...

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