We are berthed in Napier, New Zealand, having visited 3 ports in 3 days, you can no doubt imagine how hectic my days have been.  Early mornings and late evenings have meant long hours until now; having berthed here this morning, we do not leave until 11 p.m. tonight. 

Auckland and a 4 a.m. call, the inevitable coffee in hand and a walk along the corridor to the Bridge.  Still dark, however it won’t be long before the first hint of sunrise will beckon and by the time we berth it will be in daylight.  A long approach channel and the harbour pilot comes out a little early.  We exchange details of the Amsterdam and discuss our intended plan before we reach the first approach buoy. 

An overview of Auckland approach

..and the final turn into the harbour itself, our track is red.

The channel twists and turns as we near the harbour itself and then a ‘final’ run tho the west before turning into the berth on ‘Queens pier’.

The lights of Auckland beckon us.

Queens Pier ahead, the Sky Tower to the right.

Karen and Hazel are off on tour, off to Waiheke Island and the wineries while I seize the opportunity for a quick ‘run up the road’ to buy some necessities, the first opportunity to do so since Fort Lauderdale.  The winery photos are better than my trip up the road, I took my camera, but didn’t use it.  😉 

Next us, on the pier, was a new ‘attraction’; renown chefs from New Zealand and around the world were serving clientele atop a cradle on a high-rise crane!  rather them than me, (I’d hate to drop the napkin)

Our departure came all too fast; unlike other occasions, we weren’t staying the night and had to make a dash for Tauranga the following morning.

Backing out of the berth on a strong flood tide

passing Devonport Naval base

Expensive housing and quaint ‘Victorian’ design

The setting sun behind the city