Met our first pair of Kiwi friends who took our photos with our boat behind us. They were even so kind to direct us where to spot the major attractions but unfortunately we met them when we were about to join our group on our way to this caldera with a short hiking trail for a view of the entire city.  Our CBD adventure was very limited as we had only an hour to roam around before we visited a marina outside downtown. Came back for lunch but it being a Sunday, most restos and shops were closed. Next, our hired bus took us to Mission Bay and the Memorial to Michael Joseph Savage, New Zealand’s first Labor Prime Minister, at Bastion Point. Ice cream breaks here and there, some rain showers and naps on the bus in between stops. Not much doing. But that’s ok . We’re on vacation and need not stress over our itineraries. 

The toddlers had fun running around the parks and grassy knolls. The adults watched while their ice cream dripped around the cones. The seagulls were aplenty and looked like they’ve had their food quota for the day. The Sunday family day included walking their fur babies, unleashed in the grassy lawns. Met quite a few handsome dogs along the way and asked permission to pet them with Toffee (our  Yorkie) in mind. Amazing how we strike friendly conversations because of these loved up pets. And the cruisers? For some reason it’s easy to spot them when we’re off the cruise ship. I’m still trying to figure out how and why. Maybe it’s how we try to do as much as we can in the limited time we have in the area, forever anxious to get back on the boat when it sails out. It doesn’t matter if the boat is docked for 8 hours or 12 hours. In those few days, the boat has become our home and you spot the cruisers rushing home for their late lunch, snacks or early dinners. Or perhaps to catch a movie or concert scheduled that day. This is ze life for 12 nights on Celebrity Edge cruising the North and South Islands. Not much chance to see and explore around New Zealand, but the cruise promises a good intro to kiwi life and attractions for a second visit on land. 

Marina

Auckland CBD