Colin and Priscilla, good friends from a previous cruise and visit to their home, met us at the ship terminal. It was so good to see them again after our last visit to Auckland in 2016. They both looked very well and greeted us with a huge smile and a welcoming hug.
They took us on a tour of the botanical gardens on the south side before returning to their home in Takapuna for a coffee. We then proceeded to Fort Cautley, from which we could view Rangitoto Island across the Hauraki Gulf and its surrounding islets. This site witnessed Auckland’s most recent volcanic eruption approximately 600 years ago. Rangitoto is the youngest and largest of Auckland’s 48 dormant volcanic cones.
Next, we headed to Devonport to visit the Torpedo Bay Naval Museum. As a side note, Devonport in the UK was my last place of permanent employment. We returned past Colin’s golf club and the numerous pohutukawa trees; as they bloom in December, covered in vibrant red flowers, they are commonly referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree.
After a splendid lunch hosted by Priscilla and accompanied by some good wine supplied by Colin, we strolled along the beach, just a hop, skip and a jump from their home. We then caught a bus into Auckland, which took no time at all. Thanks to Colin and his credit cards, as I lost mine on the beach. I froze my card on the bus and used another left on board the ship later. We then walked down King Street before rejoining our boat while Colin and Pricilla returned to Devonport using the short ferry ride.
The last evening is always hectic as we pack our suitcases for the flight home. Although it was an evening flight, the transfer was early the following morning. We put our baggage in storage at the airport and returned to the city for some last-minute shopping and a visit to the Maritime Museum.
Some of my favourite classic wooden yachts were on the water outside the Maritime Museum. One of them had a crew onboard and had recently returned from sailing. I noticed it was flying a pennant with the Red Rose of Lancashire in one of its quarters. I immediately went to the pontoon and asked to speak with the skipper. The yacht’s owner was originally from Accrington, just twenty clicks from where we used to live in Lancashire.
No, Frances, this isn’t the aeroplane for our flight home! We are flying with Emirates A380.
ooOoo