Auckland Harbour Bridge and (right) the glass floor of the Sky Deck

The tower provides for a type of bungy-jump known as 'sky diving'

Some of the yachts competing for the America's Cup

We stay in the tower for our evening meal

where a buffet style menu includes Peking Duck as a starter

 

 

The 10am ferry from the Neoclassical 1912 Ferry Building takes us (in 15-minutes) across the harbour to Devonport, one of Auckland's oldest suburbs

Devonport is the starting point for walks

and also has wonderful views of Auckland's skyline

Our two walks are to the extinct volcanoes at Mount Victoria and North Head, with a stop for sandwiches and coffee in between

North Head overlooks the entrance to the harbour, making it an ideal site

to construct gun emplacements in the 'Russian Scares' of 1884-86

Viaduct Harbour: the site of new yacht berths for New Zealand's

defence of the America's Cup, and the National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is the departure point for our

1½-hour sailing cruise on the 50-foot Lotus Mast Head Sloop Defiance

The boat first goes out under motor power and takes us round the Viaduct area being used by the teams competing in the America's Cup, while muffins and drinks are dispensed. The boat's crew of two girls then switch to sail power (with the help of the passengers) and we sail under the Harbour  Bridge, turn round, and cross the harbour. The conditions are ideal for sailing - sunny with a good wind - and the boat fairly zips through the water at about 7-knots. David has a prolonged spell at the wheel. Altogether, a wonderful experience

Back on land, we explore the Maritime Museum's interesting exhibits. The most fascinating displays are those relating to the passage of early immigrants to New Zealand, which graphically illustrates the hardship endured on the voyage by reproducing the innards of a creaking and rolling migrant ship.

 

After visiting some of Auckland's shopping streets, we drive to Parnell - a district near where we are staying in Newmarket. Here, we have a very filling Italian meal at at the Portofino Restaurant.

 

 

(left) the Maritime Museum

 

 

(right) the Sky Tower appears to be part of an Auckland hotel