Auckland

[No photos today as the blog site is not working over the camp wifi, so the only way I can get this blog posted is to use the email feature.  Will add photos at a later date if I can!]

Auckland, City of Sails.  I've never really been sailing - I'm not too keen on the idea of a mode of transport where you essentially let the wind push you over on one side.  I know there's all the physics involved that says the boat is highly unlikely to tip right up and sink, but my brain refuses to believe it.  Still, I thought it was about time I faced my fears and this seemed to be the right place to do it, so I booked myself on a 2 hour excursion on a genuine America's Cup yacht.

Amazingly, I survived!  Towards the end, I even started to enjoy the experience a little bit.  But for the first 90 minutes or so I was the ultimate white knuckle sailor.  I don't have many photos of the experience as I couldn't let go of the safety rail for long enough to operate my camera, I simply clung on for dear life and watched in astonishment as everyone else walked calmly up and down this boat that felt like it was listing to near vertical.

Unfortunately, I had initially sat right next to the wheel, so when the crew decided it was time to let the public have a go at steering, I was the first one offered a chance.  I say unfortunately, as at the time I was in such a state of panic that I immediately turned down the offer as it quite frankly terrified me.  Later on, I would have been happier to have a go at steering, but by then I had missed my chance.  I did manage to find the courage to stand my turn on the grinders, helping set the sails as we tacked and jibed our way across the harbour.

I also discovered that lying on the floor braced against the lower side of the yacht was actually a good place to take photos from!

After the sailing, I had about an hour to recover my composure before meeting up with Robert for dinner (Robert being the nephew of my A-level german teacher).  We had a very pleasant evening - took the ferry over to Devenport, had a short stroll around the area which had some great views back to Auckland and then found a wine bar and then a nice restaurant.

Today has been quiet so far - I took a drive out to the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park - an area of rainforest just northwest of Auckland.  There were some nice beaches with very dark coloured sand and some nice rainforest walks (I picked a walk that claimed to be 3 hours long but actually only took 90 minutes).

Back at the campsite, I am doing a marvellous job of denying the inevitable.  However, I really should stop updating blogs and surfing the internet, and get started on my packing, as tomorrow is when I leave this beautiful place and head back to Newcastle.