New Zealand 3 - Another tour to North of Auckland

Mo 29.1.07: Anniversary holiday at Auckland, via car to Devonport, an old part of Auckland on a pennisula with two mountains. We drove up to Mt. Victoria. Today there was a wonderful view, still better because of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, so the sea was full of beautiful sailing ships (new and historical). Mt. Victoria containes an historical fortress (Bunker) from 1890, with a hydraulical liftable cannon (to be visited). Then we returned down to Devonport and walked over to Cheltenham beach, passing by many nice old (colonial, victorian) houses which were renewed here with care. Then we returned home for lunch at the balcony of the house and after that we went to swim at Mairengi Bay. In the evening Gerti served special dinner (spicy roasted chicken, brokkoli, rice, dessert).

Tue 30.1.07: Tour to the north of Auckland:
Stop at the historical village of PUHOI - an old bohemian german settlement from 1863, St.Peter and Paul wooden church (glass windows dedicated by local families). Then we visited an Antique shop, went for a special tea at the 'Puhoi Cottage Tea Rooms' enjoying Devonshire tea with Scones, Cream, Jam. Then we visited the small cheese factory 'Art of Cheese', the historical Puhoi Pub and hotel. Then we had lunch at a Cafe at SANDSPIT (where the ferry to island KAWAU is leaving)of fish soup and -meal. Near there at Brick Bay we saw some very fine new villa's around a hill and a beautiful small beach (agent offer: old villa for NZ-dollar 1,1 million = approx. 627 K EUR). Then we dropped in to MATAKANA WINERY for wine tasting (fine NZ white and red ones) and then went on to see SNELLS beach and to SCOTT LANDING (beach villa ship builder Scott from 18th century). This evening we were invited by Rosemary and Ken for dinner.

Wed 31. 1. 07: Visit to Auckland City with blue sky and sun, this time we - Guenter and Elisabeth - went alone via bus 839, trying to fix the further (Fiji-) arrangements, strolling through the center streets and shops, going up the impressive SKY-TOWER offering today a marvellous view from the Main Obeservatory through glass windows upon Auckland town, harbour, islands and bays around, and still more from the (higher) Sky-deck. Then we had a small lunch in the Sky-Cafe in view of Auckland bridge, walked through the town, and then we came back by bus home to still go on with Hans Peter to MAIRENGI beach to swim before Gerti served us a fine dinner (Snapper, dessert banana cake).