We visited Auckland several times during our 2012-13 stay in New Zealand, and each time it was a new and exciting adventure. Although Auckland was only an easy and scenic three hour drive south of Whangarei, each time we went there we stayed two nights so as not to rush the experience. The first time, we stayed in a very nice, modern hotel, the Mercur, in the Central Business District - just a couple of blocks from the vibrant waterfront and several wonderful shopping areas. We were struck by how clean and fresh everything seemed, even in the middle of the bustling downtown area. The second time, we went with friends Mark and Anne (SV Blue Rodeo), and stayed in a funky, boutique hotel (The Sea Breeze) in Herne Bay, which is a stone's throw from Ponsonby, an upscale district not far from downtown Auckland, with great restaurants and watering holes, designer shops, and older (but very expensive!) homes. On our last trip, we stayed in a wonderful bed & breakfast in Ponsonby.

Although we did our share of the "tourist bit" in Auckland - taking in the sights with cameras in hand - there was also a practical side to our visits, as Auckland is the center of the New Zealand boating universe! There is a boater's mecca near the downtown waterfront, and we paid a visit there on each trip to buy stuff we needed, to buy stuff we didn't need, to gawk at stuff we couldn't afford (most of it - nothing is cheap in New Zealand), and to avail ourselves of essential services - like getting our life raft serviced. That was a good experience, as we got to see our life raft inflated, and to see (and augment) all of the supplies stored inside - all of which we hope to never have to use!

Trips back home to Whangarei from Auckland were also part of the adventure. The first time we spent a couple of days in the Matakana wine region, visiting not only the popular Matakana Saturday Market and a number of great local wineries - to include the Brick Bay Winery with its spectacular sculpture trail - but also the Morris and James Pottery factory, and Kawau Island. Kawau Island, in the Haraki Gulf, is home to about 70 full time residents, including Lin and Larry Parde, and seasonally a great many more Kiwis with a penchant for secluded island life. There is also an historical park on the island, with a mansion - aptly named "Mansion House" - that Sir George Grey, one of New Zealand's early governors, bought from a mining company (along with the rest of the island!) in the 1860's and turned into a stately retreat that is now open to public tours.

The trip home the second time, with Mark and Anne, did not involve an overnight stop, but did include a visit to Sheep World (see the previous blog post on "Tourist Attractions"). The last time, after our B&B stay in Ponsonby, Linda and I took "the road less traveled" up the Tasman Ocean coast and visited the Muriwai Park gannet breeding colony - very interesting, with spectacular scenery!

We have compiled a photo album entitled "Auckland & Return" to share with you some of our photos of Auckland and our return trip adventures. Just click on "Photo Gallery" on the right hand panel, open the "Auckland & Return" album, and then each one of the sub-albums in-turn. We hope you enjoy taking a vicarious trip down our memory lane!