February, 2015 | Captain, who's driving?

Despite my best intentions, I never did manage that trip ashore, nor did I manage further photos, there’s only so much that one can see from the Bridge of ship 😉 There is a ‘however’ though. Good friends of ours, Colin and Paris from U.K. joined the ship in Auckland and Col just happened to have a new camera, so these are courtesy of my 2nd ‘roving reporter’

The Amsterdam berthed in Auckland

A view of Auckland harbour from the “sky tower”, looking north-west

Another, looking north-east

Over on the west side of New Zealand, a terrific storm was battering the coast, high seas and gale-force winds. We were fortunate, tucked away in Auckland harbour, we were out of the worst of it, nevertheless, even with the buildings around us affording some shelter, we still experienced wind gusts of 35 knots, or around almost 40 mph.

Weather map, the red and magenta represents the worst weather. One can see HAL Group vessels and their position, in yellow. (Double-click for a larger view)

Later, as the storm moves through. having departed Waitangi, we are off the North Cape and about to encounter 10-12 feet seas; nothing compared with the magenta and orange areas, 19-25 feet seas to the south-east.

I had anticipated it though and we had additional mooring lines out from the minute we docked, while down below, the Technical officers were ready to give us our azipod propulsion and thrusters at a moments notice. Thankfully it wasn’t necessary.

Auckland approach and the buoyed channel

The east coast was not entirely unaffected, the port of Tauranga, further south, had to shut-up shop, (close the port) and consequently 2 cruise ships found themselves in high winds, making for other ports.

The Seabourn Odyssey diverted to Auckland and timed her arrival for our departure, she would take our vacated berth, while the Celebrity Solstice spent a day at sea, making for Waitangi. She is now anchored with us in relatively calm conditions.

We left Auckland at 6 p.m. yesterday and as soon as we left the shelter of the berth, the wind in the harbour came up to 25 knots; as we made our way back out, through the buoyed channel, it increased to some 35, gusting 40 knots. As the seas had no chance to build, there wasn’t a great deal of swell, just wind-waves.

The ‘Odyssey’ passing and making a lee for her pilot.

Similarly, on our voyage north to Waitangi, although we experienced strong winds, the seas, although be ‘whipped up’ by the wind were quite manageable. Waitangi, Bay of Islands lies in a bay and is surrounded by small islands 🙄

Approach to Waitangi, Bay of Islands

Waitangi, at anchor. The transponders, (AIS, or Automatic Identification Signal) of other vessels, (Ferries, Solstice) can be seen.

Waitangi, at anchor. The transponders, (AIS, or Automatic Identification Signal) of other vessels, (Ferries, Solstice, our tenders), can be seen in ‘green’

It is ‘home’ to New Zealand’s most important day and National holiday, Waitangi Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the treaty between the British and the Maori nation. It is particularly picturesque and much of the area is a Marine reserve and National park.

I was about to board a tender and take some photos for you, when Karen, Paris and Colin returned from their jaunt ashore. Colin had taken his camera, so once again, my roving reporter comes to the rescue.