Auckland, New Zealand

2018 HAL World Cruise

Friday, February 2, 2018

Auckland, built atop many old volcanoes that are now grassy hills and parks, was first home to a Maori settlement dating back to 1350. However, by the time the Europeans came to settle here in 1840, tribal wars and epidemics had ravaged the settlements. The area was almost deserted. Today, it is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of about 1 million. It is the “Big City” for the Polynesian islands of the South Pacific. As our tour brochure stated, “Auckland’s heart beats to a Polynesian rhythm, its people a melting pot of South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage.” The most striking man-made structure of the city is Harbor Bridge spanning Waitemata Harbor and linking the city with the fast-growing North Shore.

street view--Freyberg Place — street view–Freyberg Place

We have had the pleasure to visit this lovely city before. So this time, we followed the advice of friends and decided to take the ferry over to Devonport, a charming village with wonderful heritage buildings and spectacular scenery.

That is a small little beach to the left of the ferry terminal.

As this post comes to a close, one more interesting factoid: The folks Downunder have come up with another innovative idea. Crane dining! Look at these photos! Would you ever do this???