Adventures in Auckland, Tauranga, Gisborne, and Wellington, New Zealand, Part 1
2023 HAL World Cruise
Thursday to Sunday, February 2 to 5, 2023
According to Wikipedia, New Zealand is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main land masses: the North Island (which we are visiting once again on this journey) and the South Island (which we have also visited in the past but will not on this trip) along with over 700 smaller islands. The islands of New Zealand were the last large inhabitable land to be settled by humans. As early as 1280, Polynesians had settled in the islands and developed a distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman became the first European to sight and record New Zealand. New Zealand’s capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland.
We sailed into Auckland first:
The Auckland sail-in is always quite nice.The dock is conveniently located in downtown Auckland. That yellow brick building is the Ferry Terminal. And those are ferries lined up at the ferry dock. As we admired the view from our balcony, we contemplated plans for the day.Remembering the charming community of Parnell we had visited in prior years, we decided to grab a taxi and go back to check out the shops, have lunch and stop in at Holy Trinity Cathedral.And so, we started the day at Holy Trinity Cathedral.The building is not only beautiful, it is filled with interesting, moving, and inspirational displays….…..just look at those hanging light fixtures; the organ pipes on the left wall with the compact organ simply covered on the right; and then—the stained glass–beautiful!!!Every time we visit the Cathedral, we stop to light votives for those we love and those we’ve lost. This unique votive candle holder was designed and built by Richard Eriksen. It was dedicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams in 2012.This needlework wall hanging, “Auckland in Threads from Around the World” by Bonnie Kennedy-Grant, is displayed in a small room not far from the altar. Created in 2006, the intent was to portray New Zealand as the center of her world.This is St. Mary’s, built in 1886 as the parish church and pro-cathedral. It was moved, in one piece, from across the street to the Holy Trinity grounds in 1982. It is regarded as one of the finest wooden Gothic buildings in the world!!!We concluded our tour of Holy Trinity Cathedral with a walk along the Labyrinth. Mythology credits Daedalus with designing and building the first labyrinth for King Minos. The spiritual significance of a labyrinth is as a tool for contemplation.Walking to the restaurant, we stopped in at Blue Hills Books and picked up a journal on the history of Parnell.With noon rapidly approaching, we made our way to Parnell Village for lunch. Parnell, established in 1841, is the oldest suburb in New Zealand. But by the 1960s it needed some renovation and economic resurgence.That’s when Les Harvey, a local land developer, bought up a large area of dilapidated buildings and restored them into shops and restaurants. Today, the area is known for fashionable shops, fine dining, and quality housing.We visited Natalie Marseille’s atelier where she designs and creates her own fashions.If time had permitted, we would have been tempted to purchase the “Little Black Dress” she was in the process of creating!!!! That’s Natalie on the right; Shirley on the left; and the new owner of a custom blouse in the center!!!We reached the restaurant, NSP (which is Non Solo Pizza) and enjoyed a tasty lunch of Calamari Fritti, House Marinated Olives & Grissini, and Margherita Pizza in the garden.And yes, of course, we enjoyed an afternoon libation of Sauvignon Blanc from their extensive wine list!!!
All too soon, it was time to head back to the ship for sail-away.
Thank you, Tony! Just wait ‘til you see Wellington. We did a wine tasting there and found the hills of New Zealand look just like Colorado!!! That will be part 4.
RovingRaconteurs.com 
That was great!! Very pretty. Never been to Australia/New Zealand.
Reminds me of New England for some unknown reason. !!
Have fun!!
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Thank you, Tony! Just wait ‘til you see Wellington. We did a wine tasting there and found the hills of New Zealand look just like Colorado!!! That will be part 4.
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