Auckland

We spent 3 nights in Auckland at the Hilton on Princes Wharf. Popular with cruise ship passengers as a place to stay before or after their cruise. There was a new cruise ship on the wharf every day. Glad we had rooms on the other side of the hotel. When the ships are in, the view from the other side is of the giant cruise ships that tower over the hotel. It’s a comfortable modern Hilton, with a lovely waterside restaurant/bar. Had a welcome lazy dinner with good wine, beer and bar food on two of our nights.

We did some wandering about the city, looking for record shops, a yarn store and bookstores. Doug visited a couple of record shops, scoping out the LPs. A return trip will be made to Real Groovy Records before we head home. Sadly, no yarn shops. A visit to the botanic garden in a bit of misty rain, included a stop at the flower clock. My parents visited the gardens years ago and Pop wrote of it in his journal. The clock is now missing its hands but was otherwise in good shape.

We did eat out one night, at Somm, a wine bar on Princes wharf, overlooking the Maritime Museum and the harbor. Even though it was a bit of a rainy night, we had a great table outside under an awning, with a harbor view and away from the loud music inside. We shared 2 wine flights, a fun tasting of whites, a rosé and a red from the Otago region and an all red flight from Hawke’s Bay, a plate of olives, bread, baba ganoush and a tasty pizza.

On our last day, I met with a librarian/weaving friend who lives in Auckland and had a lovely visit walking around the harbor area and drinking some good coffee at Andamo. It’s such a privilege and a treat to be able travel and connect with online friends. Tracy and I exchanged gifts. She gave me a book of Māori philosophy, Aroha, by Dr. Hinemoa Elder, and some lovely earrings from her jewelry clothing business - TracyManiopoto.com. My gift was a woven basket I’d made from lockdown brown paper grocery bags, not the fanciest of weaving, but nonetheless significant since one of our connections is through online weaving classes at Hetet School of Māori Art. I also included some folded fabric stars for Matariki, the Māori New Year celebration.

Onward to Manapouri and Doubtful Sound!Read more